Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s eldest son publiclyexpresses outrage towards his late father's wife, asserting that his father would be extremely displeased.
In the heart of NASCAR country, a contentious issue has arisen, pitting Teresa Earnhardt against local residents, Dale Earnhardt's family members, and fans. The source of this discord? A proposed $30 billion data center industrial park called Mooresville Technology Park.
Teresa Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt's widow and owner of his farmland in Mooresville, North Carolina, has proposed transforming 399-400 acres of farmland into this ambitious project. However, the plan has faced significant opposition since its inception.
Opponents, numbering nearly 200 neighbours, strongly opposed the rezoning in October 2024, with the Mooresville Planning Board initially voting 8-0 against it. The primary concern was that an industrial complex was out of character with the area's agricultural nature and low population density.
Despite this initial rejection, the Mooresville Planning Board narrowly approved the rezoning in May 2025, with a 4-3 vote. This decision has moved the project forward, but not without controversy.
Residents fear that clearing 400 wooded acres will damage Coddle Creek's watershed, disrupt wildlife corridors, and eradicate the rural charm considered "the last slice of rural life." Noise, light pollution, and increased traffic are also concerns.
Dale Earnhardt's son, Kerry Earnhardt, has publicly criticised Teresa, stating that their father would be "livid" over the development and that it betrays the family legacy. A petition against the industrial park gathered at least 1,700 signatures, demonstrating strong community resistance.
The proposed data center would be just 2.5 miles from Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s old headquarters along Dale Earnhardt Highway, intensifying local emotional opposition focused on preserving the legacy and environment of that area.
Although Teresa Earnhardt has legal ownership and planning approval for the project, the controversy reveals a deep rift within the Earnhardt family and the Mooresville community about land use, environmental priorities, and honoring Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s memory. A public hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2025, where further community input and scrutiny will occur.
The planned data center is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for Mooresville, Iredell County, and local public schools over 20 years. However, the potential impact on the environment and local community, coupled with the emotional ties to Dale Earnhardt Sr., have made this proposal a significant source of controversy.
The battle over the proposed data center is the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of the Earnhardt family, often referred to as the biggest soap opera in NASCAR. The internal conflicts, particularly regarding Dale Earnhardt Inc., have been a longstanding issue and source of drama in the racing world.
For those opposed to the data center, the fight is about more than just technology and commerce. It's about preserving a piece of rural life, honouring a racing legend, and ensuring that the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Sr. remains intact. For Teresa Earnhardt, it's about development, progress, and the future.
As the public hearing approaches, both sides prepare to make their case, ensuring that this story continues to unfold in the coming months.
Entertainment and celebrities found their way into the heart of this controversy, as Dale Earnhardt's son, Kerry Earnhardt, publicly criticized Teresa Earnhardt's proposed data center project. He asserted that their father, a iconic NASCAR star, would be "livid" over the development and that it betrays the family legacy. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts and fans, eager to preserve the racing legacy and rural charm of Mooresville, signed a petition against the industrial park, demonstrating strong community resistance.
