So I get this opportunity with Gaunt Brothers to drive a Toyota and they were like, alright lets see if we can get you some sim time. I havent had the best opportunities in the past, but Ive appreciated every one of them. Truex served a two-lap penalty during the race since the wheel came off after he exited pit road. (Photo by Brian Cleary/Getty Images) The team also fields a No. Jeffrey has taken all the punches life has thrown at him and is ready to show the world he belongs in NASCAR. And when DEI fell apart, I realized it wasnt. Riders will visit Ely, Tonopah and Las Vegas in Nevada and Cedar City, Moab and Salt Lake City in Utah. The pressure of living up to your last name when youre the descendant of a GOAT athlete is unimaginable for most people in large part because most of us are not, in fact, related to legends. I had a pair of cowboy boots and whatever was sharp was under that thing slit my cowboy boots from the top to the bottom like a razor. We raced. As Junior put it, This is the perfect example of mine and Jeffreys relationship. Obviously the Cup opportunities just werent there and I said alright, what better place than Gibbs? When it comes to what the family name means to the now 33-year-old Jeffrey Earnhardt, one word sums it up perfectly: legacy. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hes probably the best driver Ive ever raced against, and certainly the way he left the sport is something thats only going to leave his persona at an even higher level. Open the gate. I said, Dale, I dont know who it is. He said, I know who it is, I cant believe it. You thought he didnt have a conscience, but he had a conscience. Just around that time, too, he's just starting to go girl crazy. "Over the years, Ive tried getting help here or help there from other manufacturers and Im not knocking them but you know, I asked for help whether it was sim time or whatever, and never would get it. He didnt tiptoe in. 1, MORE: Kyle Petty Charity Ride to visit Utah, Nevada. 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. Grandpa Dale won 34 total races at Daytona, including his long-sought Daytona 500 in 1998. Felix Sabates (former car owner in a 2006 interview): In a way, Dale dying did a lot for the sport. From her perspective, its not just racing but also the family dynamics that have influenced their lives. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices, On this episode of the Dale Jr. Download, its an Earnhardt family reunion as Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined in the Bojangles Studio by his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and their nephew Jeffrey Earnhardt. It wasnt an act. Larson has started the season slowly, but Vegas should be a salve. And that makes you proud and happy.. "I know somewhere inside of him is that mentality that he needs to be able to succeed in this sport. Over that stretch, he has two seconds and 15 top fives. "Half the people were telling me, 'You're stupid to go do it, what if you get hurt?' Eric Jacuzzi, NASCAR vice president of vehicle performance, said Tuesday on SiriusXM Speedway that the diffuser strakes are pieces that hang from the center of the diffuser underneath the car. Obviously the Cup opportunities just werent there and I said alright, what better place than Gibbs? Please check your email for a confirmation. "Even after I retired, I still hear that I rode my dads coattails all the way through my career," said Junior. 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. It just mattered to me to come tell you that. Dale asked about what kind of church. But one particular question many Earnhardt fans still have is how the fourth-generation racer ended up in a Toyota. He won his first sportsman title in 1956 after making it to Victory Lane 32 times that year.. Jeffrey Earnhardt's 2023 season will start at Daytona, where the family name is practically on the mailbox in Victory Lane. I can remember him telling me, One more payment, Bill, and Ill have this farm paid off.. Jeffrey Earnhardt has raced in all three national levels of NASCAR Cup (76 starts), Xfinity (144) and Trucks (10). "When we were tossing around ideas like hey what do we want to do next," he explained. I remember looking at him saying, Dale, Ive got two boys and I dont even want them walking across the street without them holding my hand. Hes like, Youre exactly right. He got to talking to me that just the fact that you blink and they grow up and theyre not kids anymore. 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. 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. Its frustrating because, just like Jeffrey hes had to work and theres times when hes had to sacrifice and do things differently than maybe his dad would have done or Papaw Dale would have done. Remembering Alan Kulwicki: NASCAR's tragic maverick champion, Dale Jr. on Next Gen's 'surgical' steering and the challenge it presents, Dale Jr. tests Next Gen at Daytona NASCAR has suspended tire changer Danny Olszowy and jackman Kellen Mills two races each for a tire coming off Martin Truex Jr.'s car during last weekend's Cup race at Auto Club Speedway.. He finished 22nd after starting 36th most recently at Texas Motor Speedway. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices, Recapping the Daytona 500 with Steve Letarte, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined by his fellow NBC commentator and host of Dirty Mo Dough, Steve Letarte this week for episode 415 of the Dale Jr. Download. Chastain has started 2023 where he left off at the end of last season, making noise and racing with the lead pack. She got him to sit down and put like a tablecloth around his neck and Taylor put whip cream or shaving cream all over his face and stuck Capn Crunch cereal or whatever it was on. They . "Uncle Junior" won 15 times at Daytona, including a pair of 500s. He was everybody who ever had a dream. 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.. As he told Playboy magazine in a 2001 interview, "Me and my friends used to party all the time, and my dad would get mad and say, 'Quit that. Supercars decides on Gen3 weights, Reynolds details unique Supercars season prep, Reynolds details unique Supercars season prep He would pull in. "You can imagine how dedicated you have to be to the training. 44 Chevy entry for Alpha Prime Racing.While he is an Earnhardt, Jeffrey has made it a point to earn his opportunities in racing based on hard work and merit, not his namesake. 3 car that matched the one his grandfather, seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, made iconic. Its been 44 years since NASCAR opened a racing season without an Earnhardt behind the wheel in one of its national divisions. That streak continues in 2023, with Jeffrey Earnhardt announcing a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series. Jacuzzi said the engine panel strakes are metal pieces that sweep outward behind the front tires and make front downforce. He's putting in the work. The penalty to crew members was reduced to two races this year. His three Las Vegas wins have all come in the past eight races. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? Family is what NASCAR was born on, from the Pettys to the Allisons to the Earnhardts. He reminded it's not unusual for newcomers to be initially stunned and take punches, and that the sparring partner was two-time Golden Gloves champ Derek Hyatt. The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team, The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car, Pros and cons of Next Gen Cup car Sam Hunt Racing announced in January that Earnhardt will drivethe No. 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. While he's been racing for years, he hasn't had the success of his uncle or his grandfather. 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. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. The relationship between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley is well-documented. "Hopefully our car is going to drive well, and it will run all night and give him an opportunity to really enjoy that. I've learned that if you want something, you've got to really work for it.". "Obviously, expectations are high, and people automatically assume just because of your last name, youre going to win races. Earnhardt Jr.'s journey has seen him develop a strong friendship with fellow Hall of fame driver Jeff Gordon. More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR. Jeffrey Lee Earnhardt was born in Mooresville, North Carolina, on June 22, 1989. "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. 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? 18 Xfinity Series car. Chastain has started 2023 where he left off at the end of last season, making noise and racing with the lead pack. NASCAR suspends two JGR crew members after Truex loose wheel, Remembering Alan Kulwicki: NASCAR's tragic maverick champion, Remembering Alan Kulwicki: NASCAR's tragic maverick champion "Obviously, I have a lot of work to do as a driver," Jeffrey says. The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car, How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style, How Cindric won the Daytona 500 Reveals Deep-Seeded Reason Why He Will Never Leave NASCAR. Jeffrey Earnhardt is the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. The annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is scheduled April 29 May 5 in Nevada and Utah. Im jealous that you get to do the Daytona 500, Earnhardt Jr. said. The family legacy is very important to the 29-year-old and apparently, just as important to their loyal fans. Earnhardt's primary time behind the wheel has been in the Xfinity Series. (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. Jeffrey made headlines in the stock car racing world last April when he piloted the Richard Childress No. He said that NASCAR will remove three of the five diffuser strakes. He has 109 races on his resume, one top-five finish, and three total top-10 finishes. (22:55) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Although he didnt share any similar stories, Dale Jr. probably knows what thats like. Ricciardo would have cried if hed heard Earnhardts comments, Jimmie Johnson to join Danica Patrick on Indy 500 coverage, Jimmie Johnson part of Indy coverage The setup alone hasnt allowed Dale Jr. to cover the event he won twice in his Hall of Fame career. Kerry Earnhardt was a Busch Series driver who often raced at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Theyll be eligible to return March 19 at Atlanta. Obviously, it did.". Jeffrey has been a competitor and a friend to me for a few years now. Moreover, the Earnhardt family is a reminder that even the most successful families have their own struggles. "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. Jeffrey drove in two Nationwide races for Curtis Key in 2009, finishing 24th and 31st. "I wanted to make sure this time no one could use that as an excuse. 3 that his grandfather Dale made famous to a second-place finish in the Xfinity . Finally a segment on short track racing. At the gate, this man gets out and is standing at the gate looking, and Earnhardt says, Huh. 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 "I sat there and let the kid hit me about five times before I hit him back," the 23-year-old grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt says. Unfortunately, in 2001 Dale Earnhardt lost his life in a tragic accident at the Daytona 500 race. 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. Earnhardt and co-host Mike Davis raise the bar with unparalleled perspective, candid commentary, and fascinating, first-person insight into the life of a broadcaster, celebrated racer. 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. On this episode of the Dale Jr. Download, it's an Earnhardt family reunion as Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined in the Bojangles Studio by his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and their nephew Jeffrey Earnhardt. Thats what means the most to me and seeing how much it means to other people. He definitely didn't know much about Jeffrey. Jeffrey Earnhardt, Dale Jr Relationship . Then yet another. I dont ever remember my dads feathers being ruffled. He didnt give you an inch off the track or an inch on the track. 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. Jeffrey Earnhardtcommonly known as J Earnhardt to fans and NASCAR followersis an heir to NASCAR's most beloved racing dynasty. His first mixed martial arts sparring practice wasn't going well at all. During an interview with Gordon on behalf ofAxalta World of Racingin June 2019, Earnhardt Jr. discussed just that. When it was over with and we got everything off, my pants were ripped from just below my knee and all the way down. I was like man, this is a walk in the park. It was just like, OK, theres another guy that we got to race against that is good that we got to beat.. However, there is one area that he remains jealous of his former Hendrick Motorsports teammate. John Probst, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer said of the rule changes: We saw incredible racing throughout the 2022 season, especially at the intermediate racetracks. 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. Not exactly a rsum that lands you in top equipment like he'll find at JRM. '", "I'm pretty sure everyone knows about Junior's wild side as a kid," he says. Jeffrey Earnhardt is the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Riders will visit Ely, Tonopah and Las Vegas in Nevada and Cedar City, Moab and Salt Lake City in Utah. And its important to cherish the relationships that we have, even if it is not always easy. "We definitely have gotten a lot closer," Jeffrey Earnhardt told USA TODAY Sports. And I feel like Ive been able to handle that pretty well and know that Im cutting my own path. It was always a big deal at the track. "I mean, it's good that we get an opportunity to work with Jeffrey. The 33-year-old son of Kerry Earnhardt, nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr ., and grandson of the . It's all a blur. Thats the same guy? Yeah, thats the same guy. You hear it all the time, you know? said Jeffrey, who earned his career-best finish at sixth at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weekends ago. Those are all tracks that have the wet weather package (rain tires, wipers, etc.). I thought the streets were paved with gold man. He said, Come here, I want to ask you about that trip youre going to take Taylor on. We talked for a few minutes about just being dads and how its very important that Taylor was going to be somewhere she was going to be secure, who all was going to be there. Sasahara replaces injured Yamashita for Super Formula test, Supercars decides on Gen3 weights Kshitij is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. 26 Toyota GR Supra for the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022. "About the fifth time he hit me, I ended up fighting back.". How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory, How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, How NASCAR is preparing for 2022 car In a car, Jeffrey feels invincible with all the safety innovations that have come about since his grandfather was killed on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. I just bought these cowboy boots. We laughed about it and we joked about it and he never said anything. 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. 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. There were those who viewed Earnhardt as NASCARs Elvis for the fervor his fans showed. No, no, no, I dont compare him to Jesus. Reddick needs a boost at Las Vegas to bounce back from tough runs at Daytona (39th) and Auto Club (34th). This race will mark the 136th career series start for Jeffrey Earnhardt since 2009. NASCAR drivers with the top-16 odds to win the 2023 Daytona 500, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Earnhardt says, Huh streets were with... April when he piloted the Richard Childress no., and Earnhardt,... We were tossing around ideas like hey what do we want to give you an inch on the track telling! Chastain has started the season slowly, but he had a conscience time... It 's good that we get an opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to using... Has started the season slowly, but Ive appreciated every one of them ad-free tracker-free. Dying did a lot closer, '' jeffrey Earnhardt, one word sums it up:... It. `` prep he would pull in https: //www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy learn more about your ad choices and Lake! 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