Fourth-generation racer to make first start for family-owned team
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 5, 2013) – JR Motorsports announced yesterday that Jeffrey Earnhardt, nephew to team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., will drive the team’s No. 5 Chevrolet in the April 26 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. The announcement was made on JRM 360, a weekly video series housed on the team’s official website, JRMracing.com.
Watch the Jeffrey Earnhardt announcement video here.
NOTES
- Jeffrey Earnhardt is only the second fourth-generation racer to compete in NASCAR’s top touring divisions. Adam Petty was the first.
- The 23-year-old Earnhardt is son to Kerry Earnhardt (NASCAR racer from 1998-2009), grandson to seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. (1975-2001), and great-grandson to 1956 NASCAR Sportsman champion Ralph Earnhardt (1956-64).
- Jeffrey Earnhardt has competed in 14 career Nationwide Series races. He made his first start on Aug. 8, 2009, at Watkins Glen International.
- Jeffrey Earnhardt has competed in four of five Nationwide Series races in 2013 for Archie St. Hilaire and Go Green Racing. He recorded a season-best 20th-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway on March 2.
- This will mark Jeffrey Earnhardt’s first-ever race with JR Motorsports.
- Jeffrey Earnhardt’s racing résumé also includes 10 starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, all of which came in 2010 and 2011.
- Richmond International Raceway has been a hotbed for Earnhardt success. Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. each have six wins at the three-quarter-mile facility. (Dale Sr.: CUP – Feb. 24, 1985; NNS – Sept. 6, 1986; CUP – March 8, 1987; CUP – Sept. 13, 1987; CUP – Sept. 9, 1990; CUP – Feb. 24, 1991). Dale Jr.: NNS – Sept. 11, 1998; NNS – Sept. 10, 1999; CUP – March 6, 2000; NNS – Sept. 6, 2002; CUP – March 15, 2004; CUP – May 6, 2006).
- The No. 5 Chevrolet is typically occupied by Kasey Kahne or Brad Sweet as part of a 28-race Great Clips-sponsored package. Jimmie Johnson is the only other driver to race the No. 5 this year (Phoenix on March 2).
QUOTES
Jeffrey Earnhardt
On the overwhelming response from fans and the NASCAR community on this news:
“My phone has been blowing up. The response has been incredible. I received a lot of text messages and tweets from people in NASCAR, and the fans have been great. Between my grandfather, my dad, and Dale Jr., there is such a huge fan base that is very supportive of my family. I just appreciate the opportunity. I can’t wait. I wish the Richmond race weekend was tomorrow.”
On racing at Richmond International Raceway:
“Obviously my grandfather and uncle have a lot of great history there. They’ve won a lot of races, and they’ve also been in races that didn’t go their way but were great finishes. I’ve never raced at Richmond, but it’s a short track, and I love short tracks. Short tracks sort of neutralize the field by putting more emphasis on driver ability. I have the ability, and I want to make the most of this opportunity. I’m sure in the coming weeks I’ll talk to a lot of drivers and people within the organization on how to race that track. And who better to get advice from than Dale Jr. He knows Richmond better than anybody.”
Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager
On how the opportunity came about:
“Richmond happens to be one of the few races that neither Kasey Kahne nor Brad Sweet are scheduled to drive the No. 5 car because it’s not a Great Clips-sponsored race. Dale and I were discussing our options for that weekend. It was his idea to put Jeffrey in the car and let him drive our equipment. I loved the idea, and everyone in the company – as soon as they heard it – did too. It’s only a one-race deal but something that could really help Jeffrey if he does well.”
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
Based in Mooresville, N.C., JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 10-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in which it has earned 10 victories since its inception in 2007. In 2012 the JRM late model program won the track title at Motor Mile Speedway with driver Josh Berry, giving the company its first-ever championship. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.JRMracing.com.
