It's a huge, huge jump and huge excitement as a driver to know you have the opportunity to go out and do your job.". Jeffrey Earnhardt, the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt, appeared on the Dale Jr. Download this past week with his famous uncle to discuss his current season, what lies ahead and the Earnhardt name. And its haters but at the end of the day, that dont matter.. This is the first in an oral history series that remembers The Intimidator though the voices of those who knew the seven-time Cup Series champion, who remains one of the biggest icons in NASCAR history. Hes proved that by coming to see us. He is a real good guy.". Reddick needs a boost at Las Vegas to bounce back from tough runs at Daytona (39th) and Auto Club (34th). He did things his way. He wasnt letting anything get in his way. Meanwhile, Gordons experience driving in place of his teammate in the 2016 season gave him a greater understanding of the pressures that come with that territory. ET, ESPNEWS) to drive the No. Jeffrey Earnhardt is the grandson of 7 Time NASCAR Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt and nephew of this generation's most popular driver, Dale Jr. Jeffrey began his race career piloting a silver 4 cylinder Yugo on the dirt tracks of Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Virginia. He worked so hard that the actual fight was the easy part. He said he didn't remember much from that time at all, seeing as he was still very young when his dad left to pursue his career in racing. Along the way, riders are scheduled to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Capitol Reef National Park and the Legends Motorcycle Museum. As the two continue their journeys in the broadcast booth, Earnhardt Jr. revealed there is one thing he has become jealous of concerning Gordon. In retirement, he has extended himself even further into other avenues involved with the sport. Im looking forward to putting on that bow-tie and leading this team to their first victory next season., HAILIE DEEGAN:Hailie Deegan got the votes, but now she needs a ride; Ford Performance looks for a fit, NEW ERA:NASCAR's little bother IMSA delivers a French kiss to hybrid auto power | KEN WILLIS, 75th anniversary:NASCAR hit the road 75 years ago with Big Bill France at the wheel | KEN WILLIS. The annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is scheduled April 29 May 5 in Nevada and Utah. So to me, that meant a lot. You are all over the place, Dale Jr. said as they opened the conversation. The relationship between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley is well-documented. The Earnhardts may have busy lives, but their love for each other and their passion for racing continue to unite them. And unfortunately, wins dont come that easy. The adjustments will be in place at: Charlotte Roval, Chicago Street Course, Circuit of the Americas, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Martinsville, New Hampshire, North Wilkesboro, Phoenix, Richmond, Sonoma and Watkins Glen. (She broke down crying) big time. When DEI merged with Chip Ganassi Racing late in 2008, the organization released him. Dale Earnhardt Jr. built a strong bond with Jeff Gordon off the NASCAR track Jeffrey made headlines in the stock car racing world last April when he piloted the Richard Childress No. When it was over with and we got everything off, my pants were ripped from just below my knee and all the way down. "You never know when it's going to be taken away.". He has made 76 Cup starts and 10 Camping World Truck Series starts in his career. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Oral history: When Barcelona, Real Madrid played four Clasicos in 18 days back in 2011. But he remembers the vulnerability. I was like man, this is a walk in the park. As Dale Jr said, Im happy to see him despite his busy schedule, and its that kind of love and respect that keeps the Earnhardt family strong. Jeffrey explained that the relationship began last year when he drove a Toyota Camry for the Gaunt Brothers in select Cup races. (3:00) Due to popular demand, the segment where Dale is quizzed on how well he knows his wife Amy is brought back for another round of questions. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. Dale Sr. and his first wife Latane (Kerry's mom) were married when they were 18 years old, and got divorced a few years later when Kerry was just 3 years old. Can the Lions fix their defense? Adjustments will be made to the car that will create a significant reduction in downforce, and based on driver feedback and what we saw from the January test in Phoenix, were excited to see the results of these efforts.. It's all a blur. His best career finishes have come in the Xfinity Series, where he finished third at Charlotte in 2019 and second last year at Talladega after winning the pole. Thats tied for his longest streak of top-10 finishes. The NASCAR Cup Series early season swing through the West continues Sunday with a 400-mile race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He wrestled as a freshman and sophomore in high school until it was apparent he couldn't devote the time it took to succeed in that as well as racing. Wallace has failed to finish both races to date, parking after an accident at Daytona and losing an engine at Auto Club. Among those scheduled to participate on the ride are drivers Richard Petty, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace and Max Papis, former football star and senatorial candidate Herschel Walker and NBC Sports broadcaster Rick Allen. It's only a one-race deal for JR Motorsports, but it's one Jeffrey understands is an important and possibly defining moment in his racing career. ", There is some irony here. The guy running the backhoe and the shrimp boat captain and the carpenter, people out there working with their hands, they loved Earnhardt. 3 for Richard Childress Racing in the April 23 Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, the team announced Tuesday. When JR Motorsports fields a No. He has 109 races on his resume, one top-five finish, and three total top-10 finishes. He was only 17 at the time he signed a multiyear deal that was structured to serve as a regular job beyond his driving ability. 45 Chevy, which will be driven next season by Ryan Ellis and Sage Karam. Reveals Deep-Seeded Reason Why He Will Never Leave NASCAR. Jesus dying did a lot for Christianity. While he's been racing for years, he hasn't had the success of his uncle or his grandfather. And its important to cherish the relationships that we have, even if it is not always easy. The Petty family built the camp in honor of Kyles son, Adam, who was killed in a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2000. Thats the same guy? Yeah, thats the same guy. It's What's For Dinner. 2 Alabama erases 17-point deficit, wins SEC, Trade Lamar? In a 2007 USA TODAY Sports story, Earnhardt Jr. questioned the commitment of his nephew to running the K&N East Series for Dale Earnhardt Inc. "He won't come around me because he knows I'll jerk a knot in his (butt)," Earnhardt Jr. said then. But in 2020, he hopes to be full-time in the Cup Series with Extreme Concepts Racing, depending on sponsorship. "That kid is a brick. Finally a segment on short track racing. Dale Jr. asked his nephew a question he often faces and has always wanted to ask someone else: Whats it like to carry the Earnhardt name in NASCAR? 3 that his grandfather Dale made . During a 2019 episode on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Junior asked him what it was like to carry on the Earnhardt name. "I didn't see myself being a guy standing there doing inventory," Jeffrey says. In retirement, Dale Jr. remains jealous of Gordon for a singular reason. Obviously, expectations are high, and people automatically assume just because of your last name, youre gonna win races. He got both his laps back and finished 11th. "Uncle Junior" won 15 times at Daytona, including a pair of 500s. When Dale did a good deed for somebody, he tried to do it as quietly as possible. He was that John Wayne character that wasnt a fictitious character on the screen. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is once again joined in the studio by his sister Kelley Earnhardt-Miller where they react to the episode 416 chat with their nephew Jeffrey Earnhardt. "I've never really been the fighting type, but I guess once someone hits you hard enough and makes you mad enough you're going to hit him back, eventually. As a result, hes followed a winding, sometimes turbulent road through the motorsports world. He definitely didn't know much about Jeffrey. Jeffrey Earnhardt, the 32-year-old grandson of Dale Earnhardt Sr., won the pole Friday evening for Saturday's Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300. These will set the field from spots three through 40. "They gave me sim time and then they started giving me notes and advice and all kinds of other stuff to help me develop as a driver. Jeffrey Earnhardt, the grandson of seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt and nephew of multiple NASCAR most popular driver winner Dale Jr., will race at . I think we get along really well. And when DEI fell apart, I realized it wasnt. So that speaks volumes. It marks the first start for Earnhardt, the grandson of Dale Earnhardt, with Richard Childress Racing. Dale, to me, has never forgotten where hes come from. I thought the streets were paved with gold man. EDITORS NOTE: NBC Sports will take a look at the life, legacy, and long-lasting impact of Dale Earnhardt, who died on the last lap of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2001. Earnhardt, whose father is Kerry Earnhardt,has run 131 NASCAR Xfinity races over the last nine years. He credited her with keeping him straight and being the mentor he needed. Then yet another. Larson has started the season slowly, but Vegas should be a salve. I was like man, this is a walk in the park. Family is what NASCAR was born on, from the Pettys to the Allisons to the Earnhardts. Among those scheduled to participate on the ride are drivers Richard Petty, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace and Max Papis, former football star and senatorial candidate Herschel Walker and NBC Sports broadcaster Rick Allen. You got the Toyota relationship and you look at what Christopher Bell did last year and it was pretty impressive Its just incredible what they have available for drivers thru TRD and Toyota. However, there is one area that he remains jealous of his former Hendrick Motorsports teammate. He finished 22nd after starting 36th most recently at Texas Motor Speedway. Dale Jr. on Next Gen's 'surgical' steering and the challenge it presents, Ricciardo would have cried if hed heard Earnhardts comments, Ricciardo emotional over Earnhardt He has finished in the top 10 in eight of his last 10 starts at the track. Jeffrey made headlines in the stock car rac. He still had things to accomplish, he still had things he wanted to do. He was the one with the focus and concentration and strength to live out his dream and take it to the greatest heights. Our goal is to have the best racing possible everywhere we race, so during the offseason, we went to work on adjustments to strengthen the racing on short tracks and road courses. Because theres a side of him that was so cool, and Ive seen personal things that hes done to help people or churches or stuff like that, and youd go, Wow. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Man, we found ourselves talking about what they had done at Myrtle Beach or what this had happened because they raced together some times. The whole familys continued to carry on that legacy. I like to think those days are past. Fantasy basketball: How concerning is LeBron James' injury? "I was always training with guys bigger than me, rolling with guys 150-plus pounds," said Jeffrey, who is a chiseled 135 pounds. The four-time Cup Series champion has had the privilege of covering the Daytona 500 and other races in the broadcast booth since 2016 with NASCAR on Fox. I feel like the pressure is on me to give him that kind of an opportunity. NASCAR announced Tuesday that it will make changes to the Cup car for road course events and a majority of races at tracks 1.058 mile and less. Several fans cried at his last NASCAR Cup Series race before retiring in November 2017. And I think that we would probably enjoy spendin any time together wherever we were at, right?. He said that NASCAR will remove three of the five diffuser strakes. Jeffrey Earnhardt is the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. He made 16 starts in 2021 with his best finishbeing 20th at Charlotte Road Course. We raced. As Kelley said, Imma use this forum, cause he (Dale Jr) knows how I feel about thisjust to say that families dont last forever., Its important to try to get together with family members as often as possible. Also, the crew chief is no longer penalized unless they are one of the two crew members responsible for putting on the tire that comes off. Now, he's got a full-time NASCAR Truck Series ride. His three Las Vegas wins have all come in the past eight races. You know, I know Burt Reynolds, that probably is a good comparison. The rules will not be in place at Bristol or Dover, which is not included in the wet weather package. Richard Childress: Not only did he impress me on the race track, he impressed me with so many things that hed done for people away from the track that people would never ever know about. The man proceeds to explain to him, Dale, I know the last time you saw me was over 15 years ago, and I was a drunk. He admits he threw away early opportunities that could have changed his path. But living as an Earnhardt in racing is something Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeffrey Earnhardt understand all too well. "Obviously, expectations are high, and people automatically assume just because of your last name, youre going to win races. During an interview with Gordon on behalf ofAxalta World of Racingin June 2019, Earnhardt Jr. discussed just that. Felix Sabates (former car owner in a 2006 interview): In a way, Dale dying did a lot for the sport. DONE DEAL: Speedway Motorsports finalizes deal to purchase Nashville Superspeedway, NATIONAL TV:: Why Nashville Superspeedway NASCAR Cup Series race will be 1 of 3 aired on NBC outside playoffs. "Coming over here, you have every chance of running in the top five. There were those who viewed Earnhardt as NASCARs Elvis for the fervor his fans showed. He made his Nationwide debut in 2009 but has made only 15 starts since. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? But Jeffrey doesn't use that . The Ride allows me to combine my passion for helping others with my love of motorcycles, and it is such a special gift.. Its not easy to get a ride out there.". But he never went through training so rigorous as this. On this weeks edition of Dirty Air, the guys discuss:How to deal with parenting frustrations (2:00)The final NASCAR Cup race at the 2-mile Fontana (12:50)Possible reconfigurations of the trackKyle Busch and Richard Childress Racings strong 2023 start (32:30)When the line of questioning was turned over to the listeners on Youtube Live for Ask Jr., they sent in questions about: (54:10)If social media existed in the early 2000sWho inspired Dale when he was growing upThe best concerts Dale has ever been toNaming race cars To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. When Caesar and I started this team last year, we both talked about having Jeffrey at the top of our roster so to see this all come together for 2023, he and I both feel like we finally got our guy.. "We want to be a good ride, we want to have the chance to go win races. "I just don't think the passion was there when I left.". Jeffrey has been a competitor and a friend to me for a few years now. Opportunities didn't come easily. 3 car that matched the one his grandfather, seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, made iconic. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). Earnhardt Jr. holds his broadcast duties and a weekly podcast show,The Dale Jr. Download, where he often interviews guests associated with NASCAR. Bill Malcolm (He told the News & Record in 2010 that he often stopped at a gas station for coffee on his way to work in the mid-1980s. Dale Jr. gave Jeffrey this opportunity because of the dedication he showed in training for and winning his first -- and so far only -- MMA fight last May. 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