Chris Gordon: Dale Earnhardt Drove for His Family | Kannapolis Racing Legacy | EP 66

Kannapolis native Chris Gordon sits down with the Rough Talk Cousins to share a true K-Town racing legacy — third-generation motorsports, Dale Earnhardt connections on both sides of his family, national go-kart titles, short-track battles, and the decision to come home and build businesses that serve this community.

Filmed inside historic Dayvault’s Garage, Chris walks through the family history that started with his grandfather Henry Gordon (track owner/promoter at Metrolina and car owner) and his dad as one of the youngest car owners in the area. Dale Earnhardt actually drove for the family. From there Chris built his own career: dominating go-karts (multiple national titles and a world championship at 15), running Concord and other local short tracks, competing in the Hooters Pro Cup series, and testing with organizations like Petty Enterprises.

After stepping away from full-time racing, Chris spent years in high-level motorsports marketing (Super Bowl, Daytona 500, Monster Energy) before returning to Kannapolis. Today he and his wife run local businesses — including his insurance agency focused on protecting families with home, auto, and especially life insurance — and he remains deeply rooted in the community he grew up in.

0:00 – Cold Open / Carolina Pickleball Club
0:32 – SunDrop Banter & “Too Busy”
2:00 – Weather, Pollen & Local Talk
3:30 – “Down Yonder” & Kannapolis Directions
7:52 – Welcome to Episode 66 / Introducing Chris Gordon
11:17 – Third-Generation Racing: Henry Gordon & Metrolina
12:13 – Earnhardt Connections on Both Sides of the Family
14:10 – Dad as Youngest Car Owner & Track Memories
19:50 – Go-Kart Dominance: National Titles & World Championship
20:45 – Short Tracks, Concord & Hooters Pro Cup
22:10 – Petty, Evernham Testing & Funny Track Stories
26:41 – Life After Racing: Marketing, Super Bowls & Daytona
27:56 – Fresh Wave Cleaning & Starting the Insurance Agency
28:44 – Why Life Insurance Matters Most in the Community
35:00 – Discipline, Focus & Leaving the Track Behind
40:00 – Racing Family Values & Mentors
43:30 – Appreciation & Community Leadership
45:24 – Closing Thoughts & “Three for Dale”
45:40 – Outro

📍 Filmed at: Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service – Kannapolis, NC
🎙️ Hosts: Chris Hughes, Ryan Dayvault & Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin

If you love local racing history, Earnhardt stories, or just good people who stayed and built something in Kannapolis, this one’s for you. Like, subscribe, and share it with someone who remembers Metrolina, Concord Speedway, or the old days at the track.

Check Also

Hardee’s Biscuits Got Him Inside the Mills: Chad Mitchell’s Untold Story | Ep 75

In Episode 75 of the K-Town Connection, lifelong Kannapolis photographer and artist Chad Mitchell opens his archive of more than 25,000 photographs that document the demolition of Cannon Mills — the place that built this town. As the massive mill complex disappeared, Chad decided someone had to record what was being lost. What began as a personal mission became one of the most important visual records of Kannapolis history ever created. He takes us inside the abandoned buildings, shares how he gained access (Hardee’s biscuits helped), and reveals the stories behind some of his most powerful images — including the fall of the iconic water tower, a once-in-a-lifetime balloon ride over the complex, and the unforgettable photograph of his late father standing in the partially demolished mill, looking out at the rubble of the place where he had worked for decades. Chad also looks back at an incredible creative career that includes photographing Appalachian State football during its national championship years, serving as team photographer for Kannapolis professional baseball, working with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, and creating artwork connected to Dale Earnhardt. His guiding philosophy has always been simple: Tell as much of the story as possible in one shutter click. Today, as a new generation grows up in a Kannapolis that looks nothing like the mill town their parents and grandparents knew, these photographs have become even more valuable. They don’t just preserve buildings — they preserve the people, the work, the memories, and the identity of a community that was forever changed. This episode is exactly what the K-Town Connection is about: preserving Kannapolis history by telling the stories of the people who lived it. 📸 Browse and purchase Chad’s photography and artwork: ChadMitchell.com 📍 Filmed at Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage in Kannapolis, North Carolina 🎙️ Hosted by the #RoughTalkCousins Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault, along with Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin and David Steele Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Local Updates 5:32 – Welcome to Episode 75 5:52 – Introducing Chad Mitchell 7:02 – Growing Up in Kannapolis 12:00 – How Chad Began Documenting the Mills 14:00 – Getting Access with Hardee’s Biscuits 17:18 – Inside the Abandoned Mill Buildings 19:24 – Over 25,000 Photographs 25:10 – The Darkest Place in the Mill 27:20 – “Lifeline” – The Railroad Light Painting 37:15 – Where to See & Buy the Photos 38:21 – Kiln-Dried Maple Floors & the Sign 39:49 – Baseball Photography Years 43:45 – The Dale Earnhardt Artwork 46:06 – The “Quality Work Means Job Security” Sign 53:45 – The Balloon Ride Over Cannon Mills 56:15 – The Photograph of Chad’s Father 59:48 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You

Copyright © 2026 - Rough Talk Holdings, LLC All Rights Reserved