Here’s a pedigree to not just observe but to look up to. Back in the late 1950s, the man — Ralph Earnhardt won five track championships and became so good at racing at Hickory Motor Speedway that they eventually told him he couldn’t race there anymore. Of course, a track record of 22 wins out of 24 is hard to believe, well not really when you’re an Earnhardt. Decades later, a young Dale Earnhardt Sr. honed his fearless driving style on these same turns, claiming multiple victories in NASCAR’s Late Model Sportsman division before becoming the seven-time Cup Series Champion known as “The Intimidator.”

Now, on a cool March evening in 2025, a 13-year-old with the same racing blood flowing through his veins guides his Limited Late Model to a second-place finish at the track known as “The Birthplace of NASCAR Stars.” Wyatt Miller, the latest torchbearer of the Earnhardt racing dynasty, is coming of age right where it all began.

Hickory Speedway continues to bear witness to Earnhardt dominance

The significance of Wyatt’s achievement resonates beyond a typical podium finish. This isn’t just another race; it’s a continuation of a family legacy that spans four generations and over 69 years at this historic 0.363-mile oval. As Dale Earnhardt Jr. proudly shared the moment with his followers, the post on X wasn’t merely an announcement—it was a proclamation that the Earnhardt racing tradition remains alive and in capable young hands.

At just 13, Wyatt Earnhardt Miller has already assembled an impressive racing portfolio. The son of JR Motorsports co-owner Kelley Earnhardt Miller and LW Miller, Wyatt cut his teeth in Micro and Outlaw Karts after developing a passion for racing during a 2020 trip to the Midwest. His talent quickly became apparent as he collected multiple victories, culminating in winning the prestigious Golden Driller trophy at the 2024 Tulsa Shootout in the Restricted Micro division.

His transition to asphalt racing reached a milestone on March 8, 2025, when he piloted his Limited Late Model to a runner-up finish at Hickory. Dale Jr. couldn’t contain his pride as he took to social media:

The emoji speaks volumes—satisfaction in seeing the family legacy continue, unbroken. Even Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Wyatt’s mother, turned laps at Hickory in the mid-1990s during her short racing career. Wyatt’s father, LW Miller, also competed with modifieds, making Wyatt’s achievement a perfect intersection of the gene pool from both sides of his racing heritage. And it’s not just his parents that he is mirroring.

Wyatt Miller’s older sister, Karsyn Elledge, a host of the Door Bumper Clear Podcast and a racecar driver herself, ran 15th at Hickory Motor Speedway one time. Elledge was also aware of the family history she was emulating before taking on Hickory Motor Speedway nearly a decade ago in Limited Late Models. Elledge told Short Track Scene in 2016, “I’m excited because that’s where a lot of my family began racing, so I’m looking to see what I can do to carry on the family name at Hickory.” 

While Wyatt’s asphalt debut has garnered attention, he isn’t limiting himself to one surface. The young racer is preparing for his dirt Late Model debut scheduled for late April at Natural Bridge Speedway in Virginia in a 604 Crate Late Model. His versatility mirrors the adaptability that made his grandfather legendary—a driver comfortable on any track, in any condition.

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The legacy of speed across generations

NASCAR’s history is built on family traditions that run as deep as engine oil. Apart from the Earnhardts, many such families keep the adrenaline flowing in their blood.

The Petty family holds the distinction of being the first professional sports family in America with four generations of professional athletes. Lee Petty started the chapter with three Cup championships in the 1950s and victory in the first-ever Daytona 500 in 1959. His son Richard “The King” Petty accumulated a record 200 Cup Series wins and seven championships. Kyle Petty added eight Cup Series wins to the family total and was followed by his son Adam, who became NASCAR’s first fourth-generation driver before his tragic passing in the year 2000 during a practice session at Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The Jarrett family’s racing story spans multiple generations as well. Ned Jarrett captured two Cup championships (1961 and 1965), with his 1965 Southern 500 victory still holding the record for the largest margin of victory at 14 laps. His son Dale Jarrett added his own championship in 1999 along with three Daytona 500 wins before both found success in broadcasting. Together, they shared not just racing talent but also the gift of communicating their passion to fans.

Bill and Chase Elliott represent Georgia’s contribution to racing royalty. Bill claimed the 1988 Cup championship and famously earned the nickname “Million Dollar Bill” after winning three of NASCAR’s four crown jewel races in 1985. His son Chase continued the winning ways, securing the 2020 Cup championship along with the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series title.

As Wyatt Miller takes his place in the Earnhardt racing legacy, he joins these legendary families whose names are etched in motorsports history. The tools may change, and the cars may evolve, but the family traditions of excellence, determination, and speed continue from one generation to the next.