Fast Facts: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been voted the Sprint Cup Series’ Most Popular Driver eight years running (2003 through 2010). Here’s a look at one of the most famous sons in NASCAR.

Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR

• Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. was born October 10th, 1974. He is the grandson of Ralph Earnhardt, son of seven-time Cup Series champ Dale Earnhardt, and step-son of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing co-owner Teresa Earnhardt. Other family members in racing include half-brother Kerry Earnhardt, and nephew Jeffrey Earnhardt. Sister Kelly works with Dale at JR Motorsports and was instrumental in Danica Patricks move to NASCAR.
• Earnhardt Jr. started competing in Street Stocks at Concord (NC) Motorsports Park at age 17, moving up to the Late Model Stock Car division in two years, where he competed against Kerry and their sister Kelley. During this time he also earned an associates’ degree in Automotive Technology from Mitchell Community College.
• After running a handful of Busch Series races in 1996 and 1997, Earnhardt Jr. competed full-time in the series for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 1998 and 1999, winning the championship both seasons.
• In 2000, Earnhardt Jr. moved up to the Winston Cup Series full-time, earning his first win at Texas in April. He finished second to Matt Kenseth for Raybestos Rookie of the Year.
  2001 got off to a tumultuous start for Earnhardt Jr. as he lost his father in the last-lap accident in the Daytona 500 in February. In July of that year, he returned to Daytona to take an emotional victory at the Pepsi 400.
• Earnhardt Jr. raced for Dale Earnhardt Inc. until the end of the 2007 season, joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. He won the June race at Michigan International Speedway that year, and currently has a win less-streak of over 100 races.
• Earnhardt Jr. owns JR Motorsports, which competes in the Nationwide Series with drivers Danica Patrick, Josh Wise, Aric Almirola, as well as Earnhardt Jr.; he also owns the Charlotte-area bar Whiskey River .
• Find out more about Dale Earnhardt Jr. at http://www.dalejr.com/