GAFFNEY, S.C. – Jeffrey Earnhardt will take another big step in his stock car racing career in 2014, teaming with JD Motorsports with Gary Keller to run the full Nationwide Series schedule for the first time.
Earnhardt and veteran Nationwide Series owner Johnny Davis announced the partnership Friday. Earnhardt will join teammate Landon Cassill to run the complete Nationwide schedule in Chevrolets fielded by JD Motorsports with Gary Keller. Earnhardt will run car No. 4, while Cassill will be in the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 01.
Earnhardt, 24, has run partial Nationwide and Camping World Truck schedules in past seasons, but this will mark his first full-schedule run in any NASCAR national series.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” said Earnhardt, son of former NASCAR driver Kerry Earnhardt and grandson of the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. “This sport runs in my family, and it’s where I want to be every week. Racing with Johnny and Gary and the guys will give me a shot at running well every week and adding on the experience I need.”
Earnhardt ran 17 Nationwide series races in 2013 after running two each in 2009 and 2011 and six in 2012. He also has run 10 Truck series events.
He finished fifth in K&N Pro Series East points in 2007.
“I’ve sort of gotten my feet wet, but I need to be out there every race getting to know the ins and outs,” Earnhardt said. “JD Motorsports with Gary Keller has been there and done that. I think we can do good things together.”
Davis, whose operation is based near the small town of Gaffney in Upstate South Carolina, said Earnhardt will bring fresh perspective and one of racing’s great names to the team.
“Jeffrey is a smart guy, a good driver and a kid with a bright future,” Davis said. “We’ll do the best we can to give him good cars every week. I’m excited to see what we can do together.”
The 33-race Nationwide Series schedule will begin Feb. 22 at Daytona International Speedway.
Davis said the team welcomes opportunities to work with new marketing partners as Earnhardt joins the team.
