NASCAR stud Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to tie the knot in an epic $2 million wedding extravaganza by the end of the year!
Sources tell The ENQUIRER that the 39-year-old bachelor will invite nearly 2,000 guests when he weds interior decorator Amy Reimann, 32, in a lavish bash at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway.
“Dale’s done his share of partying, and he’s finally ready to settle down,” said a family pal. “When he won his second Daytona 500 (in February), he took it as a sign that this was the year to get hitched.
“His wedding ceremony will be at the Speedway – led by a procession around the track in racing-themed cars and ending with a checkered flag at the finish line!”
As THE ENQUIRER reported, the bride- and groom-to-be hooked up when Amy was married and doing work at Dale’s home.
She eventually divorced hubby Tommy Cook, former assistant-director of football operations at the University of Kentucky, and was seen frequently at Dale’s NASCAR races.
But the couple kept their relationship quiet until Dale told a reporter that he had no intention of getting married. Furious, Amy slapped him with an ultimatum to acknowledge their romance – or it was over!
While Dale introduced Amy at a NASCAR event in December 2011, “she was beginning to feel that Dale was stringing her along,” said an insider.
“But he was just looking for the right moment, and his second Daytona win was it. After the race, Dale whispered in Amy’s ear that he wanted to get married this year.”
While the date has yet to be set, the pal revealed Dale is planning a huge indoor/outdoor bash at the Speedway – where his father Dale Sr. tragically died in a last-lap crash in 2001.
The formal wedding reception will be inside the track’s luxurious Daytona 500 Club, followed by an afternoon of outdoor entertainment with plenty of food and drink, said the pal.
“Dale plans to have nearly 2,000 guests, and he won’t spare any expense,” the source added.
“The catering will cost $500 a head for steak, lobster, shrimp, smoked brisket and ribs all washed down with champagne and top-shelf liquor.
“For the afternoon events, Dale’s working on getting chefs from a favorite show of his, ‘BBQ Pitmasters,’ to set up on the track’s infield parking areas. There will also be a music stage and a dance floor, along with fully stocked bars.”
Dale hopes to get acts from the 2003 tribute concert for his dad – including Sheryl Crow, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn and Kenny Chesney – to perform, said the source.
“Dale’s wedding will be legendary and so will the cost – at least $2 million,” said the source. “But when you’re worth north of $300 million, that almost seems reasonable.”