Martha Stewart Was Earnhardt Hometown’s Visitor

August 1st, 2008 | by RacingWin |

It was Martha Stewart who visited Dale Earnhardt’s hometown of Kannapolis, North Carolina Thursday, not Oprah Winfrey as previously reported here.

Dale Trail banner

The city of Kannapolis, along with the Cabarrus Convention and Visitors Bureau, removed the ‘Dale Trail’ banners around town last week in anticipation of the arrival of a ‘VIP’ at the towns N.C Research Campus.

The banners were originally put up to honor Earnhardt, the 7 time NASCAR Champion.

The removal of the Earnhardt banners sparked a massive public outcry from NASCAR fans around the country — and put a black eye on the city of Kannapolis.

Earnhardt fans accused city leaders of bowing to pressure from big-money interests in removing the banners — a move that was originally called permanent by Kannapols City Manager Mike Legg.

Now the city seems to be backing off their original hard-line stance amid the outcry. Legg has indicated that the banners may be replaced in the future.

Stewart was given a tour of the campus by California billionaire David Murdick in his Range Rover according to the Salisbury Post.

  1. 19 Responses to “Martha Stewart Was Earnhardt Hometown’s Visitor”

  2. By Joe on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    Why would they remove the banners for a ex-convict. THAT IS A DISGRACE TO THE EARNHARDT FAMILY. You idiots should be ashamed of yourself!!!

    [Reply]

  3. By Maureen on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    Terribly disappointed in the removal of the Earnhardt flags. Was hoping to travel to Kannapolis later this year while in the Carolinas, but NO WAY WILL I EVER GO TO KANNAPOLIS, NORTH CAROLINA. It has been scratched from our tours in the Carolinas. They have heartless people running that town and, no way do I ever want to be near evil money hungry people like that.

    [Reply]

  4. By superpoof on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    I emailed mike legg,and expressed my displeaure.he gave me a song and dance about the press misleading the public about the banners being taken down.well,looks to me like they are gone! I URGE everyone to email him at:mlegg@ci.kannapolis.nc.us. Small town governments think they can do what they want.Let’s show Kannapolis that they can’t!!!

    [Reply]

  5. By suzie on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    Well you know what they say - MONEY CAN’T BUY YOU CLASS!

    [Reply]

  6. By Kristin on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    I think the overhead power lines give a worse impression of the community. And I was never a Dale fan.

    [Reply]

  7. By Lynn on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    So, it was The Dale Trail and now what? Is it the no name trail? How silly of them to take down the banners. I think Martha would be one person that could truly appreciate Dale whether she is a NASCAR fan or not. I think Dale is the most famous person to ever come from NC and they shoud make permanent signs to replace the banners. As I travel around the USA, many states, cities, etc., have signs and/or roadways honoring natives they are proud of. Recently, I have traveled on roads named after Paul Simon and Lance Armstrong. And, of course, every town has a street named for MLK Jr.

    [Reply]

  8. By Hope on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    The Dale Earnhardt banners are being replaced w/ new ones.I REPEAT DALE EARNHARDT BANNERS ARE BEING REPLACED BY NEW ONES!!!!!!!!!!!Apparently some were torn due to being worn out.A nascar.com/community member has found out the truth to this.

    [Reply]

  9. By hank de luca on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    mailed mr.legg also. got a form letter in response, saying all is not true. they will honor D.E., just sprucing the signs and statue. will re-install.hope this is true.

    [Reply]

  10. By ehege on Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

    I TRULY HOPE THEY HAVE REPLACED THE DALE EARNHARDT BANNERS IN KANNAPOLIS,NC,BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE IT BEFORE M.STEWART CAME THRU WITH ANOTHER MONEY HUNGRY IDIOT,MURDOCK.ALL OF YOU KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF LEGG WHEN IT COMES VOTING TIME,IF THE BANNERS AREN’T REPLACED.GOD BLESS ALL THE EATNHARDY’S & MOST PEOPLE OF KANNAPOLIS,NC.

    [Reply]

  11. By Sammi on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

    I, too, wrote and received a “form” response, I do hope they replace the banners with some type of permanent replacements. I did love the response from the person who wrote about bowing down to a felon! I will be passing through Kannapolis in about three weeks so will be checking the scene out!

    [Reply]

  12. By Christa on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

    The banners should be replaced, because if not for Dale Earnhardt, Martha Stewart or any other person(for that matter) would have ever heard of Kannoplis. Dale Earnhardt put Kannapolis on the map. Legg should listen to the people if not he may not have a job come next election.

    [Reply]

  13. By Peggy on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

    I too wrote to Legg…and recieved the same word for word reply that others recieved from him. Saying the media got it all wrong, and that the banners would not be removed. Well..I hate being patronized and to me that is all this man did in his reponse…and since this article says they were taken down tells me this Legg also LIES!! I had told him…I could not believe that Kannapolis would do this to Dales memory, and that they sure liked the money he generated ..and still is for that matter! And as for Martha Stewart…she couldnt make a wart on Dale Earnhardt’s behind!!

    [Reply]

  14. By millie on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

    i was not a big fan of dale earnhardt,but i think when you have someone from your town who was so well loved that you should let the banners fly for them. i just don’t understand the reasoning. by the way jr. is my favorite driver.

    [Reply]

  15. By Debra Geiger on Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

    Quote JOE: They should be ashamed of there selves for removing banners. Like other towns they should have real signs Kannopolis wouldn’t been recognized with out Dale Earnhardt SR. .!!!!

    [Reply]

  16. By Lue Kohler on Aug 6, 2008 | Reply

    Mike Legg should be fired. He is certainly not famous. Maybe he is jealous of Dale Sr. The only way he is well known is his ignorance. He needs to be kicked out of office and out of town.

    [Reply]

  17. By Diana Cox on Aug 9, 2008 | Reply

    Now that I know who the visitor is to Kannopolis,I only have one thing to ask. What in the world where those people thinking? They take banners down honoring someone like Dale so an ex-con can parade through the streets? Dale has done more for Kannopolis then she ever could. Whats she giving out, cooking lessons or how to iron a crease? Give me a break, put those banners back up, better yet put up banners that will never fade or tear. Honor someone that truly deserves it. Go Dale, God Bless You

    [Reply]

  18. By Shannon on Aug 10, 2008 | Reply

    Taking down those banners for Martha Stewart is a JOKE…Why on earth would they take them down for an ex con to visit?? They need to fire Mike Legg and put someone in office that knows how to appreciate and honor someone of Dale Sr’s class.
    Put the banners back up and if any other so called famous people want to visit the city then they can visit with those banners waving proudly. The fans have done so much for the city by visiting and such than Martha Stewart could ever think about doing for Kannapolis…What are you thinking Mike Legg?? And as for the emailing..If you email him you will get the same reply back from him that everyone else has gotten..And you can email him 100 times and get back the very same reply 100 times…It’s sad that the fans don’t seem to matter to Mike Legg, even though it is the fans who put money into that city.

    [Reply]

  19. By Lana Pence on Aug 25, 2008 | Reply

    I so agree with all those who have written regarding the removal of the banners honoring Nascar legend, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Who do you think put Kannapolis on the map Mike Legg. When I think of visiting North Carolina I think of Nascar which is think is one of the greatest sports venues in America. March Stewart apparently knows nothing about NASCAR fans and their loyalty. You citizens of Kannapolis should keep putting pressure on Legg and Murdick to bring back the tribute to Dale Earnhardt, Sr. in whatever way you can.

    [Reply]

  20. By ELLEN on Sep 6, 2008 | Reply

    I personally do not think Martha would care if the banners were flying . Martha and Oprah for that fact would think it commendable for a small town like Kinnapolis to fly banners to honor its’ HERO. That is the AMERICAN WAY!!!!
    As for Mike Legg…if the banners are not replaced, and soon, well he has just written his ticket out of town.

    [Reply]

Post a Comment