Jeffrey Earnhardt has been a bit of a journeyman throughout his 14 years in NASCAR, but he’s finally found himself in one of the best situations of his career.
After running the past two seasons essentially full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JD Motorsports, Earnhardt ran less races this year but in more competitive equipment. He just completed what’s supposed to be his last of nine starts with Sam Hunt Racing, which is in its second full-time season as an NXS team. He scored six top 20s with a best finish of seventh at Nashville Superspeedway.
But Earnhardt’s most attention-grabbing run of the year came at Talladega Superspeedway in the spring, when he drove the No. 3 — the number his grandfather Dale Earnhardt made famous — in a one-off for Richard Childress Racing. The fourth-generation driver finished a career-best second after winning his first career pole.
Earnhardt returns to Talladega this weekend, but this time he’ll be driving Emerling-Gase Motorsports’ No. 35 for the second time this season.
Frontstretch caught up with Earnhardt prior to his race at Bristol Motor Speedway to discuss how he got with Sam Hunt and ForeverLawn, what the young team has been like, his future and what the No. 3 means to him.
Michael Massie, Frontstretch: This year, you’ve cut back on the total number of races you’re running, but you’re running in more competitive equipment. Is it more fun? What’s it like those weeks you have to sit out?
Jeffrey Earnhardt: It sucks sitting at home, man. I’d race every day of the week if I could. But to be able to come to a higher-caliber team and be able to come out here and race competitively every week, it is nice and it gives you more confidence as a driver when you’re on the track.
Not how we wanted this weekend or @jearnhardt1’s last race of the season with us to go, but we are so thankful he is okay after a big hit during Stage. We can’t thank @foreverlawninc enough for all they have done for JE and our team. Family Forever(Lawn) 💚 #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/LarryiQKqb
— Sam Hunt Racing (@Team_SHR26) September 24, 2022
It shows people with given the right equipment, you can go run up front. It’s just a good atmosphere to be around this group of guys. They’re incredible to work with. I believe in them 110% and know that every time we come to the track, they’re giving me their all. And I’m gonna do the same back to them. It’s definitely a nice change.
Massie:…
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