Jerry Nadeau, former Nextel Sprint Cup Series driver and winner of the prestigious NAPA 500, returns to NASCAR as driver coach for Jeffrey Earnhardt in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
(Mooresville, NC – January 18, 2011) Jeffrey Earnhardt’s chances of rookie of the year just went up significantly with the hire of Jerry Nadeau not only a driving coach but as a mentor. An upcoming NASCAR star, Jeffrey Earnhardt, 4th generation NASCAR driver & grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt, seems to be making all the right moves as he continues his independent climb towards the top.
Nadeau will be mentoring Jeffrey not only on track at the races, but off track as well.This move shows the serious nature of Jeffrey Earnhardt’s bid to become the next great driver in his family’s long and storied tradition. Jeffrey’s grandfather, the late great Dale Earnhardt Sr., raced against Nadeau on many occasions with, in sad irony, Nadeau actually winning the last race Dale Sr. competed in prior to the Daytona 500 race which claimed Dale Sr.’s life.
Nadeau has intimate knowledge of the inherent dangers himself, experiencing a near fatal wreck on May 2, 2003, during a practice session at Richmond International Raceway for the Pontiac Excitement 400. Nadeau suffered complete immobility of the left side of his body, a skull fracture, concussion, and several broken ribs. Nadeau no longer races but has successfully taken on the role of mentor before, thus giving him a proven track record in this capacity. In 2006 Nadeau worked with rookie David Gilliland, who went on to win the Meijer 300. Nadeau’s respect and admiration for Dale Sr. is apparent and he is genuinely honored to assist Jeffrey as he enters into his first full season in one of NASCAR’s elite series, not to mention his run for Rookie of the Year in the NCWTS.
“I see the raw talent in Jeffrey and I feel that with the proper guidance he can be taken to the top of the sport,” said Nadeau. He also offered, “I think my experience helping other drivers and as a former driver myself, this will provide good insight for Jeffrey on the track. Jeffrey is a talented driver and just needs a little coaching and someone who can pull the reigns on him when needed. This should be a fun season and I’m excited to work with him.”
Jeffrey Earnhardt will be competing in a full season in the 2011 NCWTS in the #1 Rick Ware Racing Fuel Doctor Chevy and is very happy to have Nadeau on board saying, “I’m excited to have Jerry with us to work with me as a mentor and driver coach. I think he will be instrumental in shortening my learning curve as a driver.”
Jeffrey will be racing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 29th as well as Daytona again in the NCWTS on Feb. 18th, which marks a solemn date being the 10th anniversary of Dale Sr.’s last race on the same track.
