The passion wasn't in Jeffrey, either. Motorsports in NASCAR Xfinity Series, Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | All Rights Reserved. And I feel like Ive been able to handle that pretty well and know that Im cutting my own path. Earnhardt Jr. holds his broadcast duties and a weekly podcast show,The Dale Jr. Download, where he often interviews guests associated with NASCAR. The annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is scheduled April 29 May 5 in Nevada and Utah. "The MMA stuff was a huge step in learning who I am and how hard I'm willing to push to be successful in something the whole dedication it takes to go in the gym and get beat up, and wake up the next morning knowing you've got to go back in there and get beat up again," Jeffrey says. "I'm also going to have to have the right opportunity. During a rain delay at the Nashville race weekend, Junior went out with friends and ran into Jeffrey. 5 Chevrolet with CorvetteParts.net sponsorship for Jeffrey Earnhardt in Friday night's Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway, it'll mark another example of the team's commitment to showcasing younger talent. His three Las Vegas wins have all come in the past eight races. Dale Earnhardt Jr. built a strong bond with Jeff Gordon off the NASCAR track 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. I thought the streets were paved with gold man. To give me this opportunity is something Ill never forget.. Jeffrey explained that the relationship began last year when he drove a Toyota Camry for the Gaunt Brothers in select Cup races. His three Las Vegas wins have all come in the past eight races. That was the kind of guy he was. Just five years ago, Rajah Caruth had zero racing experience. There were those who viewed Earnhardt as NASCARs Elvis for the fervor his fans showed. Jeffrey Earnhardts father, Kerry, competed in the Xfinity Series from 1998-2009. Kurt Busch: Senior did everything. Jeffrey drove in two Nationwide races for Curtis Key in 2009, finishing 24th and 31st. Started that same year although I was 10 or 12 years younger or whatever, but we talked just like all drivers talked. NASCAR 2023 at Las Vegas schedule, entry list, and how to watch, NASCAR suspends two JGR crew members after Truex loose wheel, NASCAR issues Fontana penalties Jeffrey Earnhardt has raced in all three national levels of NASCAR Cup (76 starts), Xfinity (144) and Trucks (10). He has made 76 Cup starts and 10 Camping World Truck Series starts in his career. "There's really no better combination than to be driving for your family and being involved in the family business," says Kelley, who says there's open inventory on the car for a few more races this year if sponsorship can be found. Reveals Deep-Seeded Reason Why He Will Never Leave NASCAR. Earnhardt will be racing at an 0.75-mile oval with plenty of family history. "I'm not telling you anything," Jeffrey tells Dale Jr. during the podcast. "It's awesome what Papaw Dale's built and you and Daddy (Kerry Earnhardt, Dale's half-brother). I tried to emulate it and thats what got me in trouble early in my career. 3 that his grandfather Dale made famous to a second-place finish in the Xfinity . Petty, a retired Cup Series driver and an NBC Sports NASCAR analyst, will lead more than 125 motorcyclists on a seven-day, 1,500-mile ride, a journey that raises funds for Victory Junction Gang Camp, a camp for children with chronic illnesses. I think the fans are pretty pumped about it.". Jeff Gordon (in 2006 interview): A Babe Ruth figure, thats the way I look at him. We would talk a while, and I would go to work and he would go out on the farm. The first of two annual races at the 1.5-mile track finds Chevrolet driver Ross Chastain atop the point standings, trailed by Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick and Daniel Suarez. Fans have told him how cool it is to see an Earnhardt driving an Earnhardt car. Theyll be eligible to return March 19 at Atlanta. But the biggest challenge for Jeffrey? Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the season opener at Daytona, but NASCAR changed the rule in the offseason, complaints about the difficulty Cup drivers had with passing, MORE: NBC Sports NASCAR Power Rankings: Kyle Busch is No. In 15 Nationwide races the past five years he has an average finish of 25.5 with no finish better than 19th for Rick Ware. I was like man, this is a walk in the park. Moreover, the Earnhardt family is a reminder that even the most successful families have their own struggles. I was young and I was stupid. Jeffrey said he had several offers to continue fighting but has put MMA on hold while racing remains the priority. The family legacy is very important to the 29-year-old and apparently, just as important to their loyal fans. Team did an outstanding job with the broadcast with Steve. It didn't hurt that Dale Jr. had top equipment and the full support from his dad at the time. Earnhardt, whose father is Kerry Earnhardt,has run 131 NASCAR Xfinity races over the last nine years. Others compared him to James Dean, whose time ended well before it should have. Qualifying format for the Daytona 500 And that makes you proud and happy.. I've learned that if you want something, you've got to really work for it.". Jeffrey Lynn Earnhardt [1] (born June 22, 1989) is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 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. "That's helped me to understand what it takes to do this.". So that speaks volumes. The 30-minute discussion touches many topics . You just never knew what to expect from him. Miss Jackie (Pegram), I dont know how she did it. He has finished in the top 10 in eight of his last 10 starts at the track. I can remember him telling me, One more payment, Bill, and Ill have this farm paid off.. Earnhardt Jr.s journey has seen him develop a strong friendship with fellow Hall of fame driver Jeff Gordon. We found ourselves in positions and places a lot. '", "I'm pretty sure everyone knows about Junior's wild side as a kid," he says. So, of course, he was raised with a love of fast cars in his blood. He got up somehow on top of my go-kart and we kind of got hung together. Opportunities didn't come easily. My dad raced. He didnt give you an inch off the track or an inch on the track. During a 2019 episode on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Junior asked him what it was like to carry on the Earnhardt name. 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. Something his uncle Dale can relate to and that's carrying the Earnhardt name. Its not easy to get a ride out there.". These will set the field from spots three through 40. Kelley opened up about their family's background and how they grew up with step-parents and half-siblings. It wasnt an act. 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. 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. Jeffrey would like nothing more than to advance someday to the Cup level, where his grandfather won seven titles, and be good enough to carry the Earnhardt name in the sport long after Dale Jr. retires. The rules will not be in place at Bristol or Dover, which is not included in the wet weather package. That was just over a year ago. He finished 22nd after starting 36th most recently at Texas Motor Speedway. Larson has started the season slowly, but Vegas should be a salve. You know, I know Burt Reynolds, that probably is a good comparison. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices. A graduate in Direction from The surprise call Jeffrey received to drive for JRM a few weeks ago was the latest of increased interaction this season with his uncle (who texted, "Nice beard" after watching Jeffrey in a TV qualifying interview at Phoenix). Dale knew I was religious and asked what I thought. 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. I really can't thank him enough for giving me the opportunity. Jacuzzi said the engine panel strakes are metal pieces that sweep outward behind the front tires and make front downforce. "Most people freak out. As a result, hes followed a winding, sometimes turbulent road through the motorsports world. ", I wish I appreciated what I had more when I was at DEI. Hes proved that by coming to see us. How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR, Why Wallaces win is huge for NASCAR Had Dale Earnhardt Inc. not folded soon after Dale Jr. left for Hendrick Motorsports following the 2007 season, Jeffrey might have had some of those advantages, too. Jeffrey had some experience in this arena. Chastain has started 2023 where he left off at the end of last season, making noise and racing with the lead pack. Dale Jr. credits Gordon and his other Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson for helping him become a better driver. The guy running the backhoe and the shrimp boat captain and the carpenter, people out there working with their hands, they loved Earnhardt. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? Dale, who was then married to Teressa Earnhardt, left a legacy and was honored with an "Earnhardt Tower" in the seating section at Daytona International Speedway. Many continue to try to explain who Earnhardt was to those who didnt witness his greatness on the track and the person off it. In retirement, Dale Jr. remains jealous of Gordon for a singular reason. Many have tried to define Dale Earnhardt, explain the essence of the man behind the reflective sunglasses and thick mustache, whose mill town upbringing resonated with the everyday man even as Earnhardt did remarkable things with the black No. 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. I took it upon myself to go out and find other opportunities. But I feel like because you grow up in it, you kind of understand how to channel that pressure and not let it sit on your shoulders. 1, MORE: Kyle Petty Charity Ride to visit Utah, Nevada. That streak continues in 2023, with Jeffrey Earnhardt announcing a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is giving his nephew the biggest break of his NASCAR career, but it isn't because of what he saw from him in a car. A walk in the Xfinity Series, Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | all Rights Reserved you want something you. I think the fans are pretty pumped about it. ``, Caruth! Left off at the track 500 and that 's carrying the Earnhardt name Never Leave NASCAR enough giving. Weekend, Junior asked him what it was like man, this is a walk the. The fervor his fans showed last nine years to those who viewed Earnhardt as NASCARs Elvis the! Wish I appreciated what I thought the streets were paved with gold man own.. 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