Kerry Earnhardt To Cup?

(Originally published on July 17, 2008)

Heading into 2001, Kerry Earnhardt was on the precipice of breaking into NASCAR’s big leagues, having found success in a Dale Earnhardt Inc. ARCA program.

Everybody knows what happened next.

With [father Dale Earnhardt’s death] in Daytona, everything changed around here,” Kerry Earnhardt said by phone Thursday from the DEI shop. “It’s just one of the things that happened to be in the works that got put to the side and never got brought back out until here recently, we started talking about doing some stuff.”

Does “doing some stuff” mean a long-awaited DEI Cup ride for the 38-year-old, who has had journeyman experience in NASCAR’s top three series?

Earnhardt wouldn’t turn down a stroke of good luck.

“If the opportunity arises, I would definitely take advantage of it,” said Earnhardt, a team liaison for DEI. “And I would love to have that opportunity.”

The ways the stars are aligning, it isn’t out of the question. Mark Martin is off to Hendrick Motorsports next year. There is much speculation about Martin Truex Jr. leaving for another team in 2009. Reports have linked Paul Menard with a possible move to Yates Racing, taking father John’s home improvement chain sponsorship with him. And DEI has been unsuccessful finding full-time sponsorship for Regan Smith. The only driver who seems completely secure for 2009 is Aric Almirola.

Earnhardt isn’t throwing the current drivers under the bus, saying that DEI has a “pretty good stable” while mentioning all by name. He added that his No. 1 immediate goal is helping the four Cup teams run better. But if anybody left—especially Truex—it may provide an opportunity.

Bass Pro Shops is signed as a primary sponsor with DEI through 2010. That company sponsored Earnhardt when he raced in the recent Nationwide event at Daytona, his first-ever race in a top NASCAR series for DEI. In the release announcing the sponsorship, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris said of Earnhardt, "In addition to being a super driver, Kerry Earnhardt is a world-class sportsman. Kerry and his family have been great ambassadors not only for Bass Pro Shops, but also for conservation and the outdoors.”

DEI Vice President of Motorsports Operations John Story said late last week he had not talked to Earnhardt about driving the No. 1 Chevy, and didn’t know about Earnhardt’s interest in driving in ’09. But he added, “[Morris] loves Kerry, there’s no doubt about it. Johnny Morris is a big fan of the whole Earnhardt family, including Kerry.”



Earnhardt left little to the imagination about his interest when he told the Press, “I keep waiting for that moment to be able to get back to the track and just compete every week in a racecar.”

In a recent ESPN.com article, DEI expressed its confidence about not needing an Earnhardt in a car to build the operation.

However, when asked about whether his lineage would be an advantage in a tough sponsorship market, Earnhardt hinted that the idea had been explored.

“I’m sure [the family name] could be helpful,” Earnhardt said. “We’ve talked to several people on my behalf, and nothing’s happened yet.”

When asked about Earnhardt being an option if things go the wrong way with the current cadre of drivers, Story responded, “No. 1, I don’t anticipate anything going the wrong way.”

As far as Kerry Earnhardt’s son, Jeffrey, a DEI development driver who races in the Camping World East Series, the father doubts his son will have a full-time Nationwide ride in 2009.

“We’re not going to go and throw anybody to the wolves,” Kerry Earnhardt said of Jeffrey and fellow DEI developmental drivers Trevor Bayne and Jesus Hernandez. “We’ll end up testing them and racing them here and there before we put them in for a full season.”