Discounting first daughter Kelley, who has her late father’s chin and smile, only one of Dale Earnhardt’s four children resembles him. The eldest son, Kerry Earnhardt, is the least discussed of the four and has done little in the racing world. But unlike Dale Jr., he is the virtual image of Dale Sr. with a more gentle and modest personality. When he speaks, it is as if you are seeing and/or hearing a ghost. Only the magnetism is missing.
More than a year ago, Kerry signed a contract with his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, and works full time as a driver development consultant at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. He does not have a title with the company, but his position is not honorary. His 19-year-old son, Jeffrey Earnhardt, is a development driver for the family business, and a father-and-son duo may be called in to save the race team if it loses Martin Truex Jr. at the end of this season. . Mark Martin is already on the move, Paul Menard is rumored to be talking to Yates Racing and Regan Smith is not drawing sponsors for 2009.
Kerry’s sports career has been uneventful thus far. He earned a pole position in the ’05 Truck Series, has four wins in the ARCA Re/Max Series and has driven in seven Cup events for Richard Childress Racing, but has been in and out of the driver’s seat for several years with nothing to brag about. while his half-brother is celebrated as much for who he is as for what he has accomplished.
Yes, the name and appearance have enough charm to perhaps bring some happiness to DEI. Kerry is eager to try and hopes to bring her child in her own time.
Earnhardt, 37, retired from racing months ago, but his desire to get back in the driver’s seat is unmistakable, preferably in the Sprint Cup Series. From his earlier comments, some writers conclude that a Nationwide schedule for Jeffrey, who is 11 months older than Joe Gibbs prodigy Joey Logano, isn’t likely in 2009, at least not full time. On other occasions, he has emphasized that he would never rush his son and that proper testing would precede any schedule. The decision on when to move up may be up to Jeffrey, as it was when he decided to go with DEI over RCR, Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports.
Earnhardt’s name may be the best thing about the organization. Kerry has raced once for DEI, in the July 4 Nationwide event at Daytona, where he started 10th and finished 17th. Bass Pro Shops sponsored the No. 8 Chevrolet and has a contract with DEI through 2010. Driver discontent has routinely led to new rides over the past two years, and Truex Jr. is clearly unhappy, leading to speculation that Kerry Earnhardt will drive the No. 1 car next season.
Earnhardt has taken several turns in racing over the years, but has a reputation for being all name, no skill. In reality, he is the adopted son of Jack Key, whom he calls his stepfather, and he grew up with a different last name. He never met his natural father until his teens, after he discovered the bond. Legally or not, he refers to Dale Sr. as his father when he talks about his family. And that same mischievous look, from the beady eyes to the playful grin, gives him the necessary marketability for the father of three (he also has a stepson).
Last December, Kerry announced he was retiring from competitive racing, but the pull has clearly returned. DEI officials deny that an Earnhardt is needed to make the company work, but it wouldn’t hurt to have the name, look, and sound of the company’s founder going toe-to-toe (possibly two heads) with Dale Jr. every week. . .
