Longtime Kannapolis residents Larry and Betsy Heath have always felt proud to claim the late Dale Earnhardt as a hometown hero.

That’s why the couple wouldn’t have missed Tuesday night’s Charlotte-area premiere of “Dale,” the only authorized documentary of the Kannapolis-born-and-bred racing legend.

The couple joined 209 others for a screening of the movie at Concord Mills mall in Concord, in a 293-capacity theater.

“We’re real proud he didn’t feel he needed to move to a big city to make it big,” said Betsy Heath, 67.

Earnhardt, who died in a wreck on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, is one of the most popular figures in what has become the nation’s fastest-growing sport. The industry has a $6 billion economic impact statewide, according to a 2004 study.

Drivers like Earnhardt, admired for sticking to his roots and his feisty driving style, helped fuel NASCAR’s appeal.

“I always liked him, probably because everybody disliked him,” Tom Romefelt of Concord said before entering the screening with his wife, Betty.

“Dale was the king of racing,” Collin Herrin, 9, of Charlotte said before entering the show with his family.

Narrated by actor Paul Newman, the 140-minute movie contains family home videos and interviews with Earnhardt’s closest friends, including Richard Childress, the team owner for whom he won repeated championships. It includes an interview with Earnhardt as he relaxes fishing.

More at Thatsracin.com

For tickets and information go to www.dalethemovie.com

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