Kerry Dale Earnhardt
Born (1969-12-08) December 8, 1969
Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S.
NASCAR Cup Series career
7 races run over 3 years
Best finish61st (2004, 2005)
First race2000 Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer (Michigan)
Last race2005 UAW-Ford 500 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
72 races run over 10 years
Best finish22nd (2002)
First race1998 Myrtle Beach 250 (Myrtle Beach)
Last race2009 Subway Jalapeno 250 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 6 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
27 races run over 2 years
Best finish22nd (2006)
First race2005 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 (Daytona)
Last race2006 Ford 200 (Homestead)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 1
Statistics current as of June 7, 2012.

Kerry Dale Earnhardt (born December 8, 1969)[1] is a former NASCAR driver and the eldest son of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt. He is the half-brother of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller. He was employed by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as a consultant specializing in driver development until 2011. His younger son, Jeffrey Earnhardt, began racing for DEI in 2007 and currently competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Kerry Earnhardt is known for his physical similarity to his father.[2][3]

Early life

Kerry Earnhardt's mother, Latane Brown, was Dale Earnhardt's first wife.[2][3] Dale Earnhardt was 18 years old and a local North Carolina dirt racer at the time of Kerry's birth.[3][4][5] The couple divorced when Kerry was one year old.[2] Brown eventually married Jack Key, who adopted Kerry; Kerry used his stepfather's surname for much of his life. Until he was 16, he saw little of his biological father.[2][4]

Prior to his racing career, Earnhardt dropped out of high school and worked several odd jobs to support his family. This included working at a Pizza Hut and in the Cannon Mills in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where his grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, also worked.[2][4]

Racing career

Earnhardt began racing in 1992 driving street stocks. That same season, he raced in the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series. He raced at various tracks in 1993, including the East Carolina Motor Speedway near Robersonville, North Carolina and Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia. He scored two top fives and eight top 10s in 11 races and was the 1992 Rookie of the Year.

Earnhardt won a pole position and recorded eight top 5s and 40 top 10s as well as 1994 Rookie of the Year honors at his local track, Hickory Motor Speedway, in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series. His first NASCAR start came in the Busch Series at Myrtle Beach in 1998. After select Busch races in 1998 and 1999, he raced in the Automobile Racing Club of America's ARCA Racing Series in 2000 and 2001 for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) using DEI NASCAR Cup Series (known as the Winston Cup Series to 2003) equipment formerly used by Steve Park.[4] During this stint, he won four of his 11 starts, with seven top fives and eight top 10s.[3]

In 2000, Earnhardt made his Winston Cup debut at Michigan driving for Marcis Auto Racing, racing against both his father and his half-brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr.[4][6] He wrecked out of the race on lap five. It was the first of his seven Winston Cup starts. In 2001, the same year his father was killed at Daytona, Earnhardt was involved in a massive crash on October 4 in an ARCA race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. On lap 63 of 67, Earnhardt had to dodge a lapped car by hitting his brakes, which caused Blaise Alexander's No. 75 car to catch up to Earnhardt. Alexander began to inch into the lead when Earnhardt's car made contact with Alexander's, sending Alexander's car head-on into the wall and back into Earnhardt's car, causing Earnhardt to flip over onto his roof and slide into the grass. Earnhardt managed to climb out by himself. Alexander was given a red flag and the race director called it official, which gave Earnhardt the victory. Alexander was pronounced dead in the infield care center at 10:20 p.m.[3]

In late November 2001, it was announced that Earnhardt would run the full 2002 Busch Series for FitzBradshaw Racing, owned by Armando Fitz and Terry Bradshaw. The entry was sponsored by Supercuts and 10-10-220, with a technical alliance with DEI. The car was initially numbered 8, but later numbered 12.[7][8][9][10] He finished 22nd in points, scoring three top fives and six top 10s. This was one of his two full seasons in any of NASCAR's top three series (Cup, Busch, and Truck). He also attempted to make several Winston Cup races in 2002 and 2003 in the No. 83 Aaron's, Inc./Hot Tamales Chevrolet for FitzBradshaw, but failed to qualify for every race he attempted.[11][12][13][14][15] Midway through the 2003 season, Earnhardt was released by FitzBradshaw, replaced by Tim Fedewa.[2][3][11]

In 2004 and 2005, Earnhardt raced in six Cup Series races for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 33 car.[16][17] All six starts were restrictor plate races (Daytona and Talladega). His highest finish was a 17th-place run at Talladega in the 2005 Aaron's 499. Also in 2004, Earnhardt made eight starts in the K&N Pro Series West for Bill McAnally Racing, scoring two top fives and five top 10s.[18]

In 2005, Earnhardt joined Billy Ballew Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, replacing Shane Hmiel.[18] Earnhardt won the pole position for the season opening Florida Dodge Dealers 250, but he lost his ride after two races due to lack of sponsorship, with Hmiel returning.[19] For the 2006 season, he signed with ThorSport Racing and drove the No. 13 Chevrolet the full season with occasional sponsorship from the National Pork Board. His best finish of the season was 11th place at Nashville and Las Vegas. At the conclusion of the season, he and ThorSport Racing went their separate ways.[20]

In December 2007, Earnhardt announced his retirement as a competitive driver in a letter to fans on his website.

Earnhardt is still an active test driver for DEI and occasionally drove in the Nationwide Series (NNS). His last appearance in a national touring series was the NNS' Subway Jalapeño 250 on July 3, 2009 at Daytona International Speedway driving the No. 31 car for Rick Ware Racing. In 2016, he drove one of his father's original race cars, a No. 3 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.[21]

Family life

He and wife, René, married in 1999. They have a daughter, Kayla. From their previous marriages, Kerry has two sons, Bobby and Jeffrey, and René has a daughter, Blade.[2][3][4][5] In 2017, Bobby Earnhardt raced part-time in the ARCA Racing Series, driving the number 3 Chevrolet for Hixson Motorsports and the number 96 Ford for Brian Kaltreider Racing. He made his NASCAR debut in the Xfinity Series driving the No. 40 Chevy Camaro for MBM Motorsports at Richmond in 2017.[22] As of 2022, Jeffrey Earnhardt races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing and Richard Childress Racing, and has previously raced in the NASCAR Cup Series.[23][24] Bobby and Jeffrey are the fourth generation of Earnhardts in professional motorsports.[25]

In May 2016, Earnhardt's stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, sued him for using the Earnhardt name when he and his wife were planning to market a line of homes and furniture under the name "The Earnhardt Collection".[26][27] On July 27, 2017, Teresa Earnhardt won an appeal which required the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to clarify its decision to allow him to use the name "Earnhardt Collection" in his business.[28][29]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Cup Series

NASCAR Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 NNCC Pts Ref
2000 Marcis Auto Racing 71 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL RCH CLT DOV MCH POC SON DAY NHA POC IND GLN MCH
43		 BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV MAR CLT TAL CAR PHO HOM ATL 72nd 34 [30]
2002 FitzBradshaw Racing 83 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV KAN TAL
DNQ		 CLT
DNQ		 MAR ATL
DNQ		 CAR PHO HOM NA - [31]
2003 DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX
DNQ		 TAL MAR CAL
DNQ		 RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY
DNQ		 CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV TAL KAN CLT MAR ATL PHO CAR HOM NA - [32]
2004 Richard Childress Racing 33 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL
35		 CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH
DNQ		 SON DAY
28		 CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH
DNQ		 BRI CAL RCH NHA DOV TAL
24		 KAN CLT MAR ATL
DNQ		 PHO DAR HOM 61st 228 [33]
2005 DAY
DNQ		 CAL LVS ATL BRI MAR TEX PHO TAL
17		 DAR RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY
42		 CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH NHA DOV TAL
39		 KAN CLT MAR ATL TEX PHO HOM 61st 195 [34]
Daytona 500
Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
2005 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet DNQ

Nationwide Series

NASCAR Nationwide Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 NNSC Pts Ref
1998 Specialty Racing 40 Chevy DAY CAR LVS NSV DAR BRI TEX HCY TAL NHA NZH CLT DOV RCH PPR GLN MLW MYB
23		 CAL SBO
26		 IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV GTY
39		 CAR ATL HOM 72nd 225 [35]
04 CLT
DNQ
1999 Galaxy Motorsports 40 Chevy DAY
20		 CAR
43		 LVS
36		 ATL
33		 DAR
DNQ		 TEX NSV BRI TAL CAL NHA RCH NZH CLT DOV SBO GLN MLW MYB PPR GTY IRP MCH 81st 256 [36]
Whitaker Racing 76 Chevy BRI
DNQ
7 DAR
DNQ		 RCH DOV CLT CAR MEM PHO HOM
2001 Michael Waltrip Racing 99 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX NSH TAL CAL RCH NHA NZH CLT DOV KEN
20		 MLW GLN CHI GTY PPR
24		 IRP MCH
26		 BRI DAR RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM PHO CAR HOM 73rd 279 [37]
2002 FitzBradshaw Racing 12 Chevy DAY
41		 CAR
28		 LVS
19		 DAR
18		 BRI
28		 TEX
23		 NSH
8		 TAL
18		 CAL
21		 RCH
33		 NHA
18		 NZH
20		 CLT
28		 DOV
16		 NSH
18		 KEN
7		 MLW
27		 DAY
38		 CHI
43		 GTY
12		 PPR
18		 IRP
35		 MCH
21		 BRI
31		 DAR
28		 RCH
27		 DOV
39		 KAN
2		 CLT
31		 MEM
5		 ATL
41		 CAR
31		 PHO
10		 HOM
27		 22nd 3145 [38]
2003 DAY
14		 CAR
15		 LVS
14		 DAR
33		 BRI
34		 TEX
31		 TAL
17		 NSH
26		 CAL
40		 RCH
19		 GTY
17		 NZH
14		 CLT
35		 DOV
14		 NSH
30		 KEN
34		 MLW
15		 DAY
33		 CHI
41		 NHA PPR IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM ATL 27th 1767 [39]
Innovative Motorsports 48 Chevy PHO
25
BACE Motorsports 74 Chevy CAR
23		 HOM
2004 Richard Childress Racing 29 Chevy DAY CAR LVS DAR BRI TEX NSH TAL CAL GTY RCH NZH CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW DAY CHI NHA PPR IRP MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV
23		 KAN CLT MEM ATL PHO DAR HOM 120th 94 [40]
2005 Michael Waltrip Racing 98 Chevy DAY CAL MXC LVS ATL NSH BRI TEX PHO TAL
5		 DAR RCH CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW 94th 189 [41]
99 DAY
43		 MEM
DNQ		 TEX PHO HOM
Red Cactus Racing 73 Chevy CHI
DNQ		 NHA PPR GTY IRP GLN
DNQ		 MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT
2007 Jeff Spraker Racing 63 Chevy DAY CAL MXC LVS ATL BRI NSH TEX PHO TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW NHA DAY
25		 CHI GTY IRP CGV GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM TEX PHO HOM 134th 88 [42]
2008 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 8 Chevy DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI NSH TEX PHO MXC TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW NHA DAY
17		 CHI GTY IRP CGV GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM TEX PHO HOM 150th 0 [43]
2009 Rick Ware Racing 31 Chevy DAY CAL LVS BRI TEX
DNQ		 NSH PHO TAL
12		 RCH DAR CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW NHA DAY
38		 CHI GTY IRP IOW GLN MCH BRI CGV ATL RCH DOV KAN CAL CLT MEM TEX PHO HOM 101st 176 [44]

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NCTC Pts Ref
2005 Billy Ballew Motorsports 15 Chevy DAY
35		 CAL
17		 ATL MAR GTY MFD CLT DOV TEX MCH MLW KAN KEN MEM IRP NSH BRI RCH NHA LVS MAR ATL TEX PHO HOM 67th 175 [45]
2006 ThorSport Racing 13 Chevy DAY
18		 CAL
29		 ATL
34		 MAR
20		 GTY
27		 CLT
20		 MFD
27		 DOV
29		 TEX
34		 MCH
29		 MLW
35		 KAN
25		 KEN
23		 MEM
28		 IRP
23		 NSH
11		 BRI
20		 NHA
19		 LVS
11		 TAL
36		 MAR
33		 ATL
21		 TEX
29		 PHO
27		 HOM
19		 22nd 2199 [46]

ARCA Re/Max Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Re/Max Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 ARMC Pts Ref
2000 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 2 Chevy DAY
39		 SLM AND CLT
2		 KIL FRS MCH
3		 POC
1*		 TOL KEN BLN POC
2		 WIN ISF KEN DSF SLM CLT TAL ATL
6		 30th 1150 [47]
2001 DAY
14		 NSH WIN SLM GTY KEN CLT
20		 KAN MCH
1*		 POC MEM GLN KEN MCH POC NSH ISF CHI DSF SLM TOL BLN CLT
1*		 TAL ATL
1*		 35th 1005 [48]
2007 Jeff Spraker Racing 37 Chevy DAY USA NSH SLM KAN WIN KEN TOL IOW POC MCH BLN KEN POC NSH ISF MIL GTW DSF CHI SLM TAL
DNQ		 TOL 185th 25 [49]

References

  1. ↑ Kerry Earnhardt Career Statistics
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Plenty of dad to be found in Kerry Earnhardt". The Herald (Everett). Monroe, Washington. July 17, 2004. Archived from the original on 23 May 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hinton, Ed (July 17, 2003). "Name can't help this Earnhardt". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Korth, Joanne (June 30, 2002). "Family tradition drives 'other son' forward: Once estranged from his half-brother and late father, Kerry Earnhardt has come full circle". St. Petersburg Times. Daytona Beach, Florida. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 Caldwell, Dave (February 22, 2003). "AUTO RACING; Kerry, the Other Earnhardt, Is Coming On". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Middle E Gets Another Shot". Motor Racing Network. Huntersville, North Carolina. October 2, 2000. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Its Kerrys Turn". Motor Racing Network. New York. November 29, 2001. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "BUSCH: Kerry Earnhardt signs with newly formed FitzBradshaw Racing". Motorsport.com. December 1, 2001. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  9. ↑ Berger, Ken (February 14, 2002). "Changing Lanes / Bradshaw backs Kerry Earnhardt". Newsday. Daytona Beach, Florida. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  10. ↑ "Terry Bradshaw, Kerry Earnhardt team up". Autoweek. December 4, 2001. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  11. 1 2 "BUSCH: Kerry Earnhardt out at FitzBradshaw Racing". Motorsport.com. Mooresville, North Carolina. July 15, 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  12. ↑ FitzBradshaw Racing (April 27, 2003). "Busch driver Kerry Earnhardt to race at Texas". Motorsport.com. Mooresville, North Carolina. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  13. ↑ "Daytona II: Kerry Earnhardt preview". Motorsport.com. Mooresville, North Carolina. July 2, 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "Sauter A Star In Dega; Earnhardt Lands Cup Ride". Motor Racing Network. Talladega, Alabama. April 18, 2002. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  15. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt gets DEI prepped car at Talladega". Crash.net. 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  16. ↑ McKee, Sandra (April 23, 2004). "Childress' car may put K. Earnhardt on track: Car owner's Chevy gives driver leg up at Talladega Auto Racing". The Baltimore Sun. Welcome, North Carolina. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  17. ↑ Zenor, John (April 16, 2004). "Kerry Earnhardt again strives for racing stardom". Peninsula Clarion, Associated Press. Birmingham, Alabama. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  18. 1 2 Hilderbrand, Brian (November 30, 2004). "Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kerry Earnhardt replaces Hmiel in truck". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  19. ↑ "Hmiel Back In Trucks". Motor Racing Network. March 2, 2005. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "Thorsport Releases Earnhardt". Motor Racing Network. Mooresville, North Carolina. December 5, 2006. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  21. ↑ "GRR talks FoS and the legend of 'Number Three' with Kerry Earnhardt". goodwood.com. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  22. ↑ "2013 ARCA Truck Series Rookie of the Year Bobby Dale Earnhardt to drive for Hixson Motorsports at Toledo – ARCA Truck Racing". Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  23. ↑ "Jeffrey Earnhardt reunites with JD Motorsports to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series". JD Motorsports. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Jeffrey Earnhardt makes the field for Sprint Cup debut". motorsport.com. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  25. ↑ Crooks, Jim. "A Fourth Generation Of The Family Earnhardt Takes To The Track". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  26. ↑ Diaz, George (May 10, 2016). "Teresa Earnhardt drags family name through muddy waters". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  27. ↑ Owens, Jeff (May 9, 2016). "How Teresa Earnhardt is tarnishing Dale Earnhardt's name and legacy". Sporting News. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Teresa Earnhardt v. Kerry Earnhardt Inc". FindLaw. July 27, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  29. ↑ Pockrass, Bob (July 28, 2017). "Trademark board must clarify decision that gave Kerry Earnhardt OK to use 'Earnhardt Collection'". ESPN. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 1998 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 1999 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2001 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2002 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2003 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  45. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2000 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  48. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2001 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Kerry Earnhardt – 2007 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
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