Kerry Earnhardt

Kerry Earnhardt's mother, Latane Brown, was Dale Earnhardt's first wife. Dale Earnhardt was 18 years old and a local North Carolina dirt racer at the time of Kerry's birth.{{cite news|last1=Korth|first1=Joanne|title=Family tradition drives 'other son' forward: Once estranged from his half-brother and late father, Kerry Earnhardt has come full circle|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/06/30/news_pf/Sports/Family_tradition_driv.shtml|access-date=21 November 2016|work=St. Petersburg Times|date=June 30, 2002|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}}{{cite news|last1=Caldwell|first1=Dave|title=AUTO RACING; Kerry, the Other Earnhardt, Is Coming On|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/22/sports/auto-racing-kerry-the-other-earnhardt-is-coming-on.html|access-date=21 November 2016|work=The New York Times|date=February 22, 2003}} The couple divorced when Kerry was one year old. 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.{{cite news|title=Plenty of dad to be found in Kerry Earnhardt |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/04/07/17/spo_nascarearnhardt001.cfm |access-date=21 November 2016 |work=The Herald (Everett) |date=July 17, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523013409/http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/04/07/17/spo_nascarearnhardt001.cfm |archive-date=23 May 2006 |location=Monroe, Washington |url-status=dead }}

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.

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. During this stint, he won four of his 11 starts, with seven top fives and eight top 10s.

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.{{cite news|title=Middle E Gets Another Shot|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2000/10/Middle-E-Gets-Another-Shot.aspx|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motor Racing Network|date=October 2, 2000|location=Huntersville, North Carolina|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121174758/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2000/10/Middle-E-Gets-Another-Shot.aspx|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead}} 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.

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.{{cite news|title=Its Kerrys Turn|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2001/11/Its-Kerrys-Turn.aspx|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motor Racing Network|date=November 29, 2001|location=New York|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121171054/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2001/11/Its-Kerrys-Turn.aspx|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=BUSCH: Kerry Earnhardt signs with newly formed FitzBradshaw Racing|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/busch-kerry-earnhardt-signs-with-newly-formed-fitzbradshaw-racing/|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motorsport.com|date=December 1, 2001|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202013025/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/busch-kerry-earnhardt-signs-with-newly-formed-fitzbradshaw-racing/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Berger|first1=Ken|title=Changing Lanes / Bradshaw backs Kerry Earnhardt|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/changing-lanes-bradshaw-backs-kerry-earnhardt-1.400123|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Newsday|date=February 14, 2002|location=Daytona Beach, Florida}}{{cite news|title=Terry Bradshaw, Kerry Earnhardt team up|url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/terry-bradshaw-kerry-earnhardt-team|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Autoweek|date=December 4, 2001}} 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.{{cite news|title=BUSCH: Kerry Earnhardt out at FitzBradshaw Racing|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/busch-kerry-earnhardt-out-at-fitzbradshaw-racing/?s=1&d=947&dm=1|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motorsport.com|date=July 15, 2003|location=Mooresville, North Carolina}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|author1=FitzBradshaw Racing|title=Busch driver Kerry Earnhardt to race at Texas|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/busch-driver-kerry-earnhardt-to-race-at-texas/?s=1&d=947&dm=1|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motorsport.com|date=April 27, 2003|location=Mooresville, North Carolina}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|title=Daytona II: Kerry Earnhardt preview|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/daytona-ii-kerry-earnhardt-preview/|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motorsport.com|date=July 2, 2003|location=Mooresville, North Carolina}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|title=Sauter A Star In Dega; Earnhardt Lands Cup Ride|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2002/04/Sauter-A-Star-In-Dega.aspx|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motor Racing Network|date=April 18, 2002|location=Talladega, Alabama|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121232128/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2002/04/Sauter-A-Star-In-Dega.aspx|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Kerry Earnhardt gets DEI prepped car at Talladega.|url=http://www.crash.net/nascar/news/86717/1/kerry-earnhardt-gets-dei-prepped-car-at-talladega.html|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Crash.net|date=2002}} Midway through the 2003 season, Earnhardt was released by FitzBradshaw, replaced by Tim Fedewa.

In 2004 and 2005, Earnhardt raced in six Cup Series races for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 33 car.{{cite news|last1=McKee|first1=Sandra|title=Childress' car may put K. Earnhardt on track: Car owner's Chevy gives driver leg up at Talladega Auto Racing|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2004-04-23/sports/0404230012_1_kerry-earnhardt-richard-childress-dale|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103855/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2004-04-23/sports/0404230012_1_kerry-earnhardt-richard-childress-dale|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2016|access-date=21 November 2016|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=April 23, 2004|location=Welcome, North Carolina}}{{cite news|last1=Zenor|first1=John|title=Kerry Earnhardt again strives for racing stardom|url=http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/041604/nas_20040416006.shtml#.WDJXY-YrKUk|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Peninsula Clarion, Associated Press|date=April 16, 2004|location=Birmingham, Alabama|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121170409/http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/041604/nas_20040416006.shtml#.WDJXY-YrKUk|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Hilderbrand|first1=Brian|title=Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kerry Earnhardt replaces Hmiel in truck|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/nov/30/columnist-brian-hilderbrand-kerry-earnhardt-replac/|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Las Vegas Sun|date=November 30, 2004}}

In 2005, Earnhardt joined Billy Ballew Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, replacing Shane Hmiel. 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.{{cite news|title=Hmiel Back In Trucks|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Camping-World-Trucks/News/Articles/2005/03/Hmiel-Back-In-Trucks.aspx|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motor Racing Network|date=March 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121233023/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Camping-World-Trucks/News/Articles/2005/03/Hmiel-Back-In-Trucks.aspx|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead}} 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. The season was a struggle, and his best finish that year was an 11th place at Nashville and Las Vegas. At the conclusion of the season, he and ThorSport Racing went their separate ways.{{cite news|title=Thorsport Releases Earnhardt|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Camping-World-Trucks/News/Articles/2006/12/Thorsport-Releases-Earnhardt.aspx|access-date=21 November 2016|work=Motor Racing Network|date=December 5, 2006|location=Mooresville, North Carolina|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121233959/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Camping-World-Trucks/News/Articles/2006/12/Thorsport-Releases-Earnhardt.aspx|archive-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.goodwood.com/grrc/event-coverage/festival-of-speed/2015/6/grr-talks-fos-and-the-legend-of-number-three-with-kerry-earnhardt/|title=GRR talks FoS and the legend of 'Number Three' with Kerry Earnhardt|work=goodwood.com|access-date=May 16, 2016}}

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. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arcatruckracing.com/2017/05/13/2013-arca-truck-series-rookie-of-the-year-bobby-dale-earnhardt%e2%80%8f-to-drive-for-hixson-motorsports-at-toledo/,%20https://www.arcatruckracing.com/2017/05/13/2013-arca-truck-series-rookie-of-the-year-bobby-dale-earnhardt%e2%80%8f-to-drive-for-hixson-motorsports-at-toledo/|title=2013 ARCA Truck Series Rookie of the Year Bobby Dale Earnhardt to drive for Hixson Motorsports at Toledo – ARCA Truck Racing|access-date=2017-05-23}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.teamjdmotorsports.com/news/jeffrey-earnhardt-reuinites-with-jd-motorsports-to-compete-in-the-nascar-xfinity-series|title=Jeffrey Earnhardt reunites with JD Motorsports to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series|work=JD Motorsports|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 7, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/jeffrey-earnhardt-makes-the-field-for-sprint-cup-debut/?s=1&q=Jeffrey+Earnhardt|title=Jeffrey Earnhardt makes the field for Sprint Cup debut|work=motorsport.com|access-date=May 16, 2016}} Bobby and Jeffrey are the fourth generation of Earnhardts in professional motorsports.{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/187416-a-fourth-generation-of-the-family-earnhardt-takes-to-the-track|title=A Fourth Generation Of The Family Earnhardt Takes To The Track|last=Crooks|first=Jim|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en-US}}

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".{{cite news |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/nascar/os-nascar-teresa-earnhardt-george-diaz-0511-20160510-column.html |title=Teresa Earnhardt drags family name through muddy waters |author=Diaz, George |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=May 10, 2016 |access-date=April 21, 2018}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/news/teresa-earnhardt-lawsuit-controversy-dale-earnhardt-name-legacy-kerry-dale-earnhardt-jr/9knelm180kop141brytlirn6g |title=How Teresa Earnhardt is tarnishing Dale Earnhardt's name and legacy |author=Owens, Jeff |magazine=Sporting News |date=May 9, 2016 |access-date=April 21, 2018}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-federal-circuit/1869067.html |title=Teresa Earnhardt v. Kerry Earnhardt Inc. |work=FindLaw |date=July 27, 2017 |access-date=April 21, 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/auto/story/_/id/20173553/stepmother-dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-small-victory-trademark-case-stepson-kerry |title=Trademark board must clarify decision that gave Kerry Earnhardt OK to use 'Earnhardt Collection' |author=Pockrass, Bob |publisher=ESPN |date=July 28, 2017 |access-date=April 21, 2018}}

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

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

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|1=http://www.kerryearnhardtonline.com/}}
• {{Racing-Reference driver|Kerry_Earnhardt}}

{{Rick Ware Racing}}

{{Spraker Racing Enterprises}}

{{Dale Earnhardt, Inc.}}

{{ThorSport Racing}}

{{Billy Ballew Motorsports}}

{{MWRacing}}

{{Richard Childress Racing}}

{{BACE Motorsports}}

{{Innovative Motorsports}}

{{Trail Motorsports}}

{{Marcis Auto Racing}}

{{Specialty Racing}}

{{RahMoc Enterprises}}

{{Earnhardt family}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Earnhardt, Kerry}}

Category:1969 births

Category:ARCA Menards Series drivers

Kerry

Category:ISCARS Dash Touring Series drivers

Category:Living people

Category:NASCAR drivers

Category:Sportspeople from Kannapolis, North Carolina

Category:Racing drivers from Charlotte, North Carolina

Category:Dale Earnhardt Inc. drivers

Category:Richard Childress Racing drivers

Category:Michael Waltrip Racing drivers