Jessica Simpson’s Early Pursuit of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Revealed by Amy Earnhardt
A candid revelation from Amy Earnhardt sheds light on a playful, yet determined, attempt by Jessica Simpson to connect with NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr. years before both stars found lasting love. The story, shared on Amy Earnhardt’s “Bless Your ‘Hardt” podcast, details a moment in the late 2000s when Simpson openly expressed interest in the racing legend, even admitting to dreaming of marrying him.
During the early stages of her relationship with Dale Jr., Amy Earnhardt recounted a trip to Daytona International Speedway in either 2008 or 2009. She explained that Simpson was also at the racetrack, and Amy, a longtime fan of the pop star, initially hoped for a meet-and-greet.
“We’re the same age. We both came from Texas, so I’ve always kind of been a fan of hers,” Amy recalled. She approached Dale Jr. with the idea of inviting Simpson to their bus, but he quickly discouraged the notion. “And he’s like, ‘I don’t think that’d be a really good idea.’ And I was like, ‘Why not?’”
The reason, Amy discovered, was a revealing clip of Simpson discussing a rather bold dream. “And he shows me this clip … of her doing an interview earlier that day, how she had had a dream that she and Dale Jr. got married in a treehouse.”
[Image of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife, Amy, and their children before a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 20, 2024. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images]
Amy Earnhardt didn’t hesitate to set a boundary. “And I’m like, ‘Yeah… don’t bring that b—- over here. It’s a good idea,” she joked, with Dale Jr. reportedly laughing at the situation. The moment, she confessed, left a lasting impression.
“I haven’t bought a Jessica Simpson shoe or a bag — you know, how she’s got all the things — ever since then,” Amy stated. “I was like, she was f—ing trying to fish my man … Yes, she was. She knew exactly what she was doing.”
[Image of Jessica Simpson at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut on Dec. 7, 2025. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for JS]
The incident occurred as Amy and Dale Jr.’s relationship was blossoming and Simpson was ascending to pop stardom. Simpson would later find love with former NFL player Eric Johnson in May 2010, leading to an engagement six months later and a marriage in 2014. The couple expanded their family with children Maxwell and Ace, followed by daughter Birdie in 2019.
However, recent reports suggest challenges within the Johnson marriage. In November 2024, Eric Johnson was photographed without his wedding ring while Simpson focused on a musical resurgence. A source told People magazine that Simpson is dividing her time between Los Angeles and Nashville for her music career, while Johnson remains primarily in Los Angeles with their children. “Jess and Eric very much live separate lives,” the source stated.
[Image of Grand Marshal Jessica Simpson gives drivers the command to “start your engines” on pit road at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2002. REUTERS]
In contrast, Dale Jr. and Amy Earnhardt have built a stable family life since their marriage in 2016, raising two daughters, Isla, 7, and Nicole, 5.
[Image of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife Amy at the NASCAR Cup Series Awards in Las Vegas on Nov. 29, 2018. Arlene Richie/Shutterstock]
The story serves as a lighthearted reminder of the unexpected connections and playful pursuits that can occur even among public figures, and highlights the contrasting paths taken by Simpson and Earnhardt in their respective journeys to find lasting relationships.
