Racing runs deep in the veins of the Earnhardt family. It is no secret how they have given some fabulous drivers to NASCAR over the years. That being said, Jeffrey Earnhardt, the nephew of two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr, hasn’t found it that easy.
Alpha Prime Racing announced Jeffrey as one of their full-time drivers last December for the 2023 Xfinity Series season. This is the first time Jeffrey is involved as a full-time racer since 2014 when he was associated with JD Motorsports. He recently appeared in Dale Jr‘s podcast “The Dale Jr Download.” The 33-year-old explained how an off-NASCAR activity helped him become mentally strong.
Jeffrey Earnhardt will drive the No. 44 car for Alpha Prime Racing on a full-time basis in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season.
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) December 13, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dale Earnhardt Jr takes a walk down his nephew’s past
Few know that Jeffrey once took part in the MMA in 2012. In fact, he won on his debut, defeating Chris Faison through a unanimous decision.
Speaking about his experience, he said, “Even going back to the MMA fight, how hard will you work as something to be successful? And you know that was a little more extreme but that was probably one of the biggest character builders that I have had in my life.”
READ MORE – Dale Earnhardt Jr Reacts as His Nephew Gets Into a Nasty Confrontation & Threatens NASCAR Rival
When asked how different it would have been had he not gone ahead with it, Jeffrey said, “I tell people all the time like the discipline aspect of that. The fact that I have never gotten into fights in school. I wrestle but I never got into fights and stuff other than me and Bobby [Earnhardt] fighting, that’s about it.”
Jeffrey added, “But to go in there, not a fighter, and do something like that, that I just did, it wasn’t me—and be successful at it was huge character building in me. This is how hard we gotta work to be successful.” What he shared next was even more inspirational.
Jeffrey shares the impact of MMA on his life
Trending
Tony Stewart’s Wife Leah Pruett Pens a Heartfelt Message for Husband After His Unwavering Support for His Family
JRM Prodigy & Kelley Earnhardt’s Son Earn Major Backing as Dale Jr.’s Loyal Partners Announce 2025 Return
Christopher Bell Becomes the Laughing Stock With New Teammate Rubbing Salt on Old Wounds Out of the Blue
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Offers a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to His Loyal Fanbase as He Gears Up for His Return With Budweiser
Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s Gamble on Tony Stewart’s Money Loaded Star Could Not Be Worth the Financial Hassle
The Alpha Prime Racing driver deep-dived into how the MMA experience helped him in his personal life. He said, “I mean I woke up the next morning. I was like, ‘Man, I did an MMA fight last night.’ I was in disbelief. It was great exposure yeah.
“I did something one-off. It was a bucket list checked off. But also, I just did something that I had no clue about, busting my b*** for two months, training four hours a day, seven days a week for this fight, and won.
“I was like this is it, this proves if you want it you go and get it. That’s kind of how I looked at my racing career getting knocked down we have been knocked down plenty of times but we always get up and we keep fighting.”
Nice touch after Jeffrey Earnhardt's MMA victory. Dad, Kerry, joined him in hexagon. Son smiling, dad thrilled. Mom home. Couldn't watch.
— Tom Sorensen (@tomsorensen) May 23, 2012
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jeffrey expressed his tough mentality, saying, “I always have a huge passion to race. I love it and it’s an addiction you are hooked to. That adrenaline rush of just going out there and being competitive. If you want it bad enough, you’ll figure it out.
“I felt like that for anything in life, if you want it bad enough there’re ways to figure it out, you kinda just gotta do it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY | “Playing Cool About It” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Teases Jimmie Johnson About His Secretive Nature
It will be interesting to see how Jeffrey performs in the Xfinity Series this season. And having his uncle around will surely benefit him.