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K. Earnhardt to run five Nextel Cup races
January 21, 2004
WELCOME, N.C. -- An Earnhardt is back in a Richard Childress Racing car.
And it'll carry the No. 3 -- twice.
Kerry Earnhardt, the oldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt, will compete in five NASCAR Nextel Cup events in 2004, driving the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, the team announced during the UAW/GM Motorsports Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Sponsorship will come from Bass Pro Shops.
Dale Earnhardt won six of his seven NASCAR championships driving for RCR, making the No. 3 famous. Earnhardt started Dale Earnhardt Inc. to help his son, Dale Jr., compete in NASCAR, and he also wanted to help Kerry.
But Kerry never got to drive for his father in NASCAR's top series, but Childress has picked up Earnhardt's dream.
"I know what Dale wanted to do with Kerry and how he wanted to see him race," Childress said. "His dream would have been to see both he and Dale Jr. race under the DEI banner. The way it is today, we've got an opportunity to give Kerry an opportunity to race. We want to do our best here to help him get his confidence back."
Childress said Earnhardt would be doing research and development for RCR in those events.
Earnhardt will drive in four points-paying events, starting at Talladega on April 25. He'll also drive at Daytona on July 3, Talladega on Oct. 3 and Atlanta on Oct. 31. RCR will also enter him in the Nextel All-Star Challenge preliminary race at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 22.
Childress said the thought of having an Earnhardt in one of his cars, with a No. 3 on the side, sent chills up his spine.
"I wanted the 3's in there," Childress said. "I thought it would be pretty cool to have two 3's on it. Andy Petree was nice enough to let us take that number."
Andy Petree Racing previously used the No. 33.
Earnhardt started 2003 with FitzBradshaw Racing but was replaced late in the season after crashing six times in 19 races. His best finish was 14th, four times.
"Driving for my dad was obviously my first choice, but driving for Richard was always my second choice," Earnhardt said. "I know that Richard is look at me as a talent and not just my name. It's just five races, but I'm looking at it as an opportunity to be associated with a competitive team again, and RCR is all about winning."
It'll be interesting to see how he does. I hope he can do awesome.
K. Earnhardt to run five Nextel Cup races
January 21, 2004
WELCOME, N.C. -- An Earnhardt is back in a Richard Childress Racing car.
And it'll carry the No. 3 -- twice.
Kerry Earnhardt, the oldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt, will compete in five NASCAR Nextel Cup events in 2004, driving the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, the team announced during the UAW/GM Motorsports Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Sponsorship will come from Bass Pro Shops.
Dale Earnhardt won six of his seven NASCAR championships driving for RCR, making the No. 3 famous. Earnhardt started Dale Earnhardt Inc. to help his son, Dale Jr., compete in NASCAR, and he also wanted to help Kerry.
But Kerry never got to drive for his father in NASCAR's top series, but Childress has picked up Earnhardt's dream.
"I know what Dale wanted to do with Kerry and how he wanted to see him race," Childress said. "His dream would have been to see both he and Dale Jr. race under the DEI banner. The way it is today, we've got an opportunity to give Kerry an opportunity to race. We want to do our best here to help him get his confidence back."
Childress said Earnhardt would be doing research and development for RCR in those events.
Earnhardt will drive in four points-paying events, starting at Talladega on April 25. He'll also drive at Daytona on July 3, Talladega on Oct. 3 and Atlanta on Oct. 31. RCR will also enter him in the Nextel All-Star Challenge preliminary race at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 22.
Childress said the thought of having an Earnhardt in one of his cars, with a No. 3 on the side, sent chills up his spine.
"I wanted the 3's in there," Childress said. "I thought it would be pretty cool to have two 3's on it. Andy Petree was nice enough to let us take that number."
Andy Petree Racing previously used the No. 33.
Earnhardt started 2003 with FitzBradshaw Racing but was replaced late in the season after crashing six times in 19 races. His best finish was 14th, four times.
"Driving for my dad was obviously my first choice, but driving for Richard was always my second choice," Earnhardt said. "I know that Richard is look at me as a talent and not just my name. It's just five races, but I'm looking at it as an opportunity to be associated with a competitive team again, and RCR is all about winning."
It'll be interesting to see how he does. I hope he can do awesome.
????? 
But I really don't think he will be in the top 10 with ten races to go. :lol: