Wessa Miller, the Girl Who Gifted Dale Earnhardt the Lucky Penny, Receives $2 Million Donation from JR Motorsports CEO Kelley Earnhardt as She Faces Life-Saving Surgery
In a heartfelt act of generosity that has touched the entire NASCAR community, JR Motorsports CEO Kelley Earnhardt has donated $2 million to Wessa Miller, the young woman who, as a child in 1998, famously gave Dale Earnhardt a magical penny—one he glued to the dashboard of his No. 3 car before winning his long-awaited Daytona 500.
Now 27 years later, Wessa, who was diagnosed earlier this year with a rare spinal cord tumor, is preparing for a complex and urgent surgery. Facing rising medical costs and uncertainty, her family launched a private fundraiser—but they were not expecting what happened next.
Moved by Wessa’s story and the unshakable bond she once shared with her father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Kelley Earnhardt reached out personally. “Wessa gave Dad something that couldn’t be measured—hope, magic, and maybe even fate,” Kelley said in a statement. “Now, it’s our turn to give something back.”
The $2 million donation from JR Motorsports will fully cover Wessa’s surgery, post-operative care, and recovery. But Kelley emphasized it’s not just about the money. “This is part of our ongoing tribute to Dad,” she said. “That penny wasn’t just lucky—it symbolized connection, kindness, and belief. Wessa reminded Dale that there’s more to racing than checkered flags. There’s heart. There’s faith. There’s humanity.”
Wessa, who was only six years old when she gave Earnhardt the penny before his historic 1998 Daytona 500 win, became a quiet legend in NASCAR folklore. That day, Dale Sr. finally won the one race that had eluded him for 20 years. Fans remember how he celebrated with unprecedented joy, and tucked within that story was a small but unforgettable gesture from a young fan in a wheelchair.
Speaking through her family, Wessa expressed gratitude for the support: “I never imagined that one penny would lead to all this. I’m overwhelmed by the love, especially from the Earnhardt family.”
NASCAR fans around the world are now rallying in support of Wessa. Social media has been flooded with the hashtag #ForWessa, and a wave of tribute donations are being sent to medical charities in her name.
As JR Motorsports continues to honor Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s legacy not just on the track but through acts of compassion, this gesture from Kelley Earnhardt is more than charity—it’s a full-circle moment that reminds us all what racing is really about: family, legacy, and the little things that can change everything.
