Signing up for a race and then not finishing it might not be something that most teams would look forward to. The term DNF is dreadful for both racing teams and drivers alike, however, it does have both financial and statutory implications. 

With a recent list now being out on the surface, it seems as though it has got a member from the Earnhardt clan as well. While this might not be the kind of list that they would want to make, here’s a complete insight into the ones right from the year 2016. 

2017 might not have been the best year for Earnhardt family 

Getting a DNF and consequently getting a complete blown-out drama from the same has become a characteristic feature of NASCAR. However, no matter how many scenes might be created, a DNF is quite a blow to your team and your racer statistics. Even the reason for the DNF could have an impact. For example, if you get a DNF due to a major accident or car technical crash out, then the financial implications on the team are quite high too. 

Similarly, if a car’s engine fails and cannot be repaired during the race, the driver also receives a DNF. Teams work hard to prevent DNFs, as they can greatly affect a driver’s ability to earn points and compete successfully in the series. Despite such efforts, sometimes things do not go in the driver’s favor and the time frame to finish the race seems to be bleak. A new list has now come forth which has got mentions for the most number of DNFs each season from the 2016 season. The caption read, “But FR where am I supposed to get my mom advice since TikTok is dead? @kriswurtenberger phone gonna be ringing off the hook now”.

Strikingly enough, one driver who has made it to the list is Jeffrey Earnhardt, nephew to Dale Earnhardt Jr. For the year 2017, he has been the one with the most number of DNFs, 14 at a glance. For this season, he was seen driving the No. 33 Chevrolet for Circle Sport – The Motorsports Group. He debuted for the team at the Daytona 500, finishing 26th following a crash. While his last name might have put forth a lot of expectations and hopes, he did not run that well. However, he is not the only driver to have made it to that list.  

While Jeffrey Earnhardt’s 2017 season stood out for the wrong reasons, the list of most DNFs per season since 2016 is peppered with familiar names. Timmy Hill’s accounted for a staggering 14 DNFs in 2020. It was indeed a season riddled with setbacks for his underfunded team. Josh Berry and Austin Dillon both had tough recent years, each racking up 10 DNFs in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The fact that these two names have made it to the list showcases that even experienced drivers are not immune to misfortune. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ty Dillon shared a rocky 2022 with 9 DNFs each. Consequently, Quinn Houff’s 2021 season saw him matching Jeffrey’s knack for misadventure with 10 DNFs. Reed Sorenson’s name in 2019 and Matt DiBenedetto’s in 2016 round out the narrative and it highlights how even the most resilient drivers can face dark moments. 

Earnhardt clan talks about the pressure that comes with the surname

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Earnhardt has a surname that is embedded with legacy and keeping up with the same is not easy indeed. Recently, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeffrey Earnhardt opened up in a discussion about the pressure of handling the “Earnhardt” surname and how difficult it gets with time. This tends to get worse when there are constant comparisons between Dale Earnhardt Sr and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speaking on the same, Jr said, “Even after I retired, I still hear that I rode my dad’s coattails all the way through my career. It’s frustrating because, just like Jeffrey he’s had to work and there’s times when he’s had to sacrifice and do things differently than maybe his dad would have done or Papaw Dale would have done”.

Now that Jeffrey Earnhardt will be on the tracks for quite some years now, Earnhardt Jr has special advice for him as well. Jr added, “It can be frustrating, but you’ve just got to remember, and I know that Jeffrey does this, because we get a lot of practice, that you just think about what you’re doing, think about what you’re in control of and remind yourself of what you’ve done to be where you are. And that makes you proud and happy”.

With Jeffrey striving to carve his own identity, Dale Jr’s advice serves as a reminder that resilience and focus on personal growth are imperative to keep up with the weight of expectations. After all, forging your legacy while honoring the family name is a balance that only the Earnhardts can truly understand.