| Discounting first daughter Kelley, who has her late | | | | Earnhardt, 37, retired from racing months ago, but his |
| father's chin and grin, only one of Dale Earnhardt's | | | | desire to get back in the driver's seat is unmistakable, |
| four offspring bears his likeness. Oldest son Kerry | | | | preferably in the Sprint Cup Series. From his earlier |
| Earnhardt is the least discussed of the four and has | | | | comments, some writers conclude that a Nationwide |
| done little in the racing world. But unlike Dale Jr., he is | | | | schedule for Jeffrey-who is 11 months older than Joe |
| the virtual image of Dale Sr. with a gentler, more | | | | Gibbs prodigy Joey Logano-is not likely in '09, at least |
| modest personality. When he speaks, it's as though | | | | not full-time. On other occasions he has stressed that |
| you were seeing and/or listening to a ghost. Only the | | | | he'd never rush his son, and proper testing would |
| magnetism is missing. | | | | precede any timetable. A decision on when to move |
| More than a year ago Kerry signed a contract with | | | | up may come down to Jeffrey, much as it did when |
| his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, and is working full | | | | he decided to go with DEI over RCR, Hendrick |
| time as a consultant for driver development at Dale | | | | Motorsports, and JR Motorsports. |
| Earnhardt, Inc. He has no company title, but his | | | | The Earnhardt name may be the best thing the |
| position is hardly honorary. His 19-year-old son, | | | | organization has going for it. Kerry has raced once |
| Jeffrey Earnhardt, is a developmental driver for the | | | | for DEI, in the July 4 Nationwide event at Daytona, |
| family business, and a father-son duo may be called | | | | where he started 10th and finished 17th. Bass Pro |
| upon to save the race team if it loses Martin Truex | | | | Shops sponsored the No. 8 Chevrolet and is under |
| Jr. at the end of this season. Mark Martin is already | | | | contract with DEI through 2010. Driver discontent has |
| on the move, Paul Menard is rumored to be talking | | | | routinely led to new rides over the last two years, |
| with Yates Racing, and Regan Smith is not attracting | | | | and Truex Jr. is clearly unhappy, leading to speculation |
| sponsors for 2009. | | | | that Kerry Earnhardt will drive the No. 1 car next |
| Kerry's racing career has been nondescript to this | | | | season. |
| point. He won a pole in the '05 Truck series, has four | | | | Earnhardt has taken several turns at racing through |
| wins in the ARCA Re/Max Series, and has driven in | | | | the years, but has a reputation for being all name, no |
| seven Cup events for Richard Childress Racing, but | | | | ability. He is actually the adopted son of Jack Key, |
| has been in and out the driver's seat for several | | | | whom he calls his step-dad, and grew up with a |
| years with nothing to brag about while his half | | | | different surname. He never knew his natural father |
| brother is celebrated for being who he is as much as | | | | until his teen years, after he discovered the link. |
| for what he's accomplished. | | | | Legally or not, he refers to Dale Sr. as his father |
| Yes, the name and the look have enough charm to, | | | | when discussing his family. And that same |
| maybe, bring some bliss back to DEI. Kerry is eager | | | | mischievous look, from the beady eyes to the playful |
| to give it a try, and looks forward to bringing his son | | | | smile, lends needed marketability for the father of |
| along in due time. | | | | three (he also has a step-child). |