In the heart of Mooresville, North Carolina, home of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., a storm brewed over a proposed $30 billion data center on the land that he left behind. Teresa Earnhardt, his widow, sought to rezone 400 acres of the estate for industrial development. Kerry Earnhardt, Dale’s eldest son, voiced his strong disapproval, stating, “Dad would be livid, his name is associated in this title! Data Centers don’t belong in neighborhoods.. natural resources are depleted, wildlife uprooted! The landscape, lives that call this home…forever changed. Build homes w/people loving the land we live as land it’s intended!” His words echoed the concerns of many residents worried about how the project could alter the character and environment of their town. And the backlash proved decisive.
The project, known as the Mooresville Technology Park, aimed to rezone approximately 400 acres of the Earnhardt estate in Mooresville, North Carolina, from residential agricultural to industrial use. Tract, a Colorado-based developer, had initiated the proposal without a confirmed tech company tenant, intending to build the facility first and attract a client afterward. The Mooresville Board of Commissioners had scheduled a public hearing for September 15, 2025, to discuss the rezoning request. However, due to concerns about the project’s fit for the community and the lack of a confirmed tenant, the developer withdrew the proposal, removing it from the meeting agenda. And now, Mooresville has made its decision.
On August 13, 2025, developers officially withdrew their plans for the data center, and Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney confirmed that the project would no longer appear in any future town discussions. This move marked a significant victory for the community and the Earnhardt family, preserving the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Sr. while maintaining the rural integrity of the property. To Mooresville residents, Earnhardt wasn’t only a racing legend, he was family. His loss was felt deeply, and now, years later, the town has successfully pushed back against a proposal they believe could impact his legacy.
Teresa Earnhardt, married Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 1982 when she was 24. She became the third and final wife of the NASCAR legend. After Dale Sr.’s tragic death in 2001, Teresa inherited nearly all of his estate, including Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), his race team, and a substantial amount of property in Mooresville, North Carolina. Her relationship with Dale’s children from previous marriages, Kerry, Kelley, and Dale Jr. has been anything but harmonious. Beyond legal disputes, Teresa’s actions have reportedly extended to personal matters, including access to Dale Sr.’s gravesite. Now that she has lost the deal, NASCAR fans are relieved.
Dale Earnhardt’s legacy preserved as fans celebrate Mooresville victory
The news of the data center withdrawal in Mooresville sparked an outpouring of relief and gratitude among NASCAR fans and local residents alike. First reported on X by Adam Stern, many fans celebrated it on a Reddit thread. Many hailed Kerry Earnhardt and the community members who had fought against the proposal, viewing their efforts as a stand to preserve the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Sr. One fan exclaimed, “Hooray! Good job to Kerry and the others who fought against it,” capturing a sentiment widely shared across social media platforms. Kerry’s leadership in rallying public opinion had become the focal point of the opposition, and fans recognized the importance of his voice in defending the town and his father’s cherished land.
At the same time, some fans expressed frustration at Teresa Earnhardt, arguing that her plan to profit from the property disregarded the family legacy. One comment read, “If she really wants to make money off the land sell it to Earnhardt’s kids but noooooo,” highlighting Teresa’s reluctant stance on reconciling with her step-children. After Dale Jr. left DEI, for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, in one of NASCAR’s most dramatic exits. Teresa declared, “If Dale Jr. doesn’t want to stick around here, we’ll make another Dale Jr.” With control over trademarks like the iconic No. 8 car, Teresa left Jr. stripped a part of his identity.
Local residents, meanwhile, celebrated the cancellation as a victory for the character and environment of their town. One resident noted, “As a local I’m happy it’s done, I just hope they don’t try this stuff again in the future,” emphasizing a desire to maintain the rural, small-town identity of Mooresville. Fans and locals alike viewed the withdrawal as not just a personal victory for Kerry and the community but also as a precedent for protecting neighborhoods and cherished landscapes.
Environmental considerations also shaped public reaction, particularly among newcomers to Mooresville who were attuned to sustainability issues. One recently relocated fan remarked, “Thank God. The last thing we need on this earth is more data centers wasting a f— ton of our natural resources.” This perspective highlights growing awareness of the ecological impact of industrial development, from increased energy consumption to habitat disruption.
Finally, the project drew sharp criticism from some who viewed it as fundamentally illogical. A fan wrote, “The project really didn’t make sense in Mooresville. The jobs were going to be remote. F— Teresa Earnhardt. What a horrible person,” expressing disbelief and strong disapproval of the initiative. Teresa Earnhardt has long carried the nickname “The Wicked Witch of the South” among some NASCAR fans, a reputation fueled by years of disputes over Dale Jr.’s career and control of the Earnhardt brand. For locals in Mooresville, the land in question isn’t just property, it’s a living piece of Dale Sr.’s legacy.
As of now, the land tied to Dale Sr.’s legacy remains as it is. Its future preservation rests on choices yet to be made.
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