Jeffrey Earnhardt to race in Grand Am Series in 2012

Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images
The Earnhardt family has accomplished nearly every goal set in racing. Jeffrey Earnhardt, the grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt and the son of former NASCAR driver Kerry Earnhardt, will now set his goal on a family first...winning the championship in the NASCAR owned Grand Am Series.

Jeffrey Earnhardt, competed in four Camping World Truck Series races this season for Rick Ware Racing (RWR), announced on Thursday that he will drive for the team in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series in 2012. The team said in a statement that the car manufacturer, sponsor, and co-drivers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Earnhardt made his series debut earlier this season at the 2011 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with RWR in a GT3 Porsche and finished 11th in the class and 25th overall. This was a huge accomplishment for the organizations entrance in this grueling, around the clock racing event.

The North Carolina driver will be making the jump from NASCAR to Grand Am Series to compete full time, something rarely done.

"I have always done well on road courses, so this seems like the natural progression for my career," said Earnhardt in a news release. "Besides that, Grand Am has a great marketing avenue to sponsors that reaches globally and yet is more interactive with fans with their hauler-garage setups, something we are looking forward to exploring with our program."

Earnhardt has four career starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and nine in the Camping World Truck Series. His best finish was seventh in the season opening truck race this year at Daytona.

Earnhardt will be driving a familiar number in the Grand-Am Series. He will display the number 15, a number his grandfather competed with 30 years ago in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series under the ownership of Bud Moore.

"The 15 number is pretty cool deal. I have seen the pictures of the car he drove with it before jumped into the 3. To start my Grand Am career with it will hold a special place to our family and fans."
Jeffrey Earnhardt to race in Grand Am Series in 2012 Jeffrey Earnhardt to race in Grand Am Series in 2012 Reviewed by Kristin Weaver on Friday, September 02, 2011 Rating: 5