When Amazon Prime dropped Earnhardt, fans expected a touching tribute to one of NASCAR’s greatest legends – and they got it. The series is packed with throwback footage, emotional interviews, and all the drama that comes with being part of the Earnhardt name. Fans and newcomers alike have praised the documentary for its very real exploration of the Intimidator’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming a racing icon.Produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, this four-part series gives the fans a very realistic view of the seven-time Cup Series champion—the good, the bad, and the ugly. But while most viewers were reaching for the tissues, others were reaching for their pitchforks. As the episodes rolled out and Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller revealed their strained relationship with someone other than their father, one name kept sparking outrage: Teresa Earnhardt. Let’s just say fans did not hold back.Is Dale Jr. responsible for the backlash?The answer to that question is a big “NO”! Throughout his career, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has rarely opened up about his stepmother, Teresa, or the deeper family issues behind the scenes. However, this new Amazon Prime documentary, released over Memorial Day weekend this year, gives fans more personal access than ever before. It dives deeper into life inside the Earnhardt household, showing a side of the story we didn’t see in previous features.It carefully balances sharing important context while respecting the privacy of those involved, especially when it comes to Teresa Earnhardt’s role within DEI and the family dynamics. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley have openly discussed the long-standing tensions with Teresa, particularly regarding their father’s legacy and family matters.Dale Jr. has described his relationship with Teresa as hot and cold. But despite their differences, he acknowledges her role in protecting his father’s legacy. In an interview in 2024, he stated, “She’s done a really good job protecting Dad’s legacy and taking care of that over the years.” However, Dale Jr. also expressed that their relationship wasn’t always warm and fuzzy. But when he left DEI for Hendrick Motorsports, he revealed the purpose behind all this. In an interview with ESPN at that time, “Money’s not really the issue. There’s some things you can’t get with money: peace of mind and satisfaction.”Kelley, on the other hand, has been more outspoken about the challenges she faced growing up in the household. This has been captured in the documentary. Reflecting on her childhood, she mentioned that living with her father and Teresa wasn’t a loving family situation, highlighting the emotional distance she felt during that time. She further elaborates on her protective instinct towards her brother, Dale Jr., noting how they often relied on each other in the absence of a traditional family unit.Dale Junior and his sister have opened the discussion concerning their father’s legacy and family matters. The siblings fear they might get arrested if they try to visit their father’s grave—a place Teresa controls tightly. After the Intimidator‘s tragic death in 2001, Theresa inherited his entire estate, including exclusive control over sentimental possessions and the burial site. While Teresa invited them to visit initially, Kelley said she hasn’t been back, stating bluntly, “She’s so extreme that we might get arrested.” However, Teresa’s legal team declined to comment on these allegations.This entire situation has not only angered fans but has also caused NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace to speak up. He offers another perspective on these family conflicts. Wallace believes the tension with Theresa played a major role in Dale Jr.’s decision to leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), the racing team founded by Dale Earnhardt Sr.Kenny Wallace believes that, “If Dale Earnhardt Jr. could have worked it out with Teresa, he would have went on to win a championship and won it all.” He also pointed out how the split dissolved the strong team Dale Jr. had with crew chief Tony Eury Sr. and Tony Eury Jr., signaling a turning point in his career. There are unresolved conflicts behind the scenes that have deeply shaped the heart-tormenting journey in the racing world. After completing all four episodes, it is safe to say that some fans are extremely enraged at Teresa, and they have a lot to say about it. Some of them took to Reddit to express their frustration.Fans torch Teresa as docuseries digs up family feudIf there’s one thing that the document series proved, it’s that NASCAR fans never forget. And when it comes to Teresa Earnhardt, they’ve got long memories and even sharper words. Once the documentary started peeling back layers of family drama, it did not take long for fans to speak their minds loud and clear.One fan did not mince words: “She tried to blame Dale Jr. for the poor, poor performance of the team when she was the one letting the team rot.” Ouch. Sounds like some serious finger-pointing went down behind the scenes, and the fans are not buying Teresa’s version. Another fan showed immense respect for Dale Jr.’s patience through it all, saying, “I’m always surprised how Junior stays civil when he talks about things.” After all this drama, staying cool in public is no small feat.But the nickname? The fans were throwing it around like a checkered flag. “There is a reason why she is the wicked witch of the south .” No subtlety here. NASCAR Twitter handed out this nickname years ago, and it’s made a loud comeback thanks to the series. NASCAR’s own fairytale villain is alive and well, according to the Twitterverse.And when it comes to the future of DEI, many believe it should have taken a different route: “DEI should have gone to Dale Jr “, fans clearly think the racing legacy deserved a champion’s heir, not a family feud. To the fans, the fall of Dale Earnhardt Inc. wasn’t just a business misstep—it was a betrayal of legacy.And then comes the ultimate fairy tale comparison. One fan said, “If they had a NASCAR Earnhardt version of Cinderella, she is clearly the evil stepmother.” No pumpkin carriage needed—just a black number three, a shattered team, and an ending no one wanted.Clearly, NASCAR fans did not just watch Earnhardt—they felt it. And as far as they are concerned, Teresa isn’t walking away from this one with a happily ever after.The post Teresa Earnhardt Labeled “Wicked Witch” by NASCAR Fans After $2.23 Trillion Earnhardt Partner’s Exposè appeared first on EssentiallySports.