The Earnhardt name is synonymous with racing. After all, three generations of the family have been a part of NASCAR, competing for the highest honors in the stock car racing world. Kelley Earnhardt, daughter of the seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. bears the heavy burden of carrying her father’s legacy forward. Honoring her family’s roots is an important responsibility for the 52-year-old, one that she hopes her children will carry forward as well.

Known as NASCAR royalty, the Earnhardts connection to the stock car racing series runs deep. From Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s record (34) wins at Daytona to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s back-to-back Xfinity Series championships, their legacy is undeniable. Given this rich history, it’s not surprising that Kelley Earnhardt feels protective about the legacy left behind by her father and grandfather in the sport.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s daughter wants to pass the torch forward

Few drivers in the NASCAR world have made as big an impact as Dale Earnhardt Sr. Known as ‘The Intimidator’, his aggressive driving style won over fans instantly as the North Carolina native quickly built a reputation as a feared competitor on the grid. With 76 wins, the legendary driver is ranked seventh in the all-time wins list and seven Cup Series championships ties him with the likes of Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson as one of the sport’s most successful racers. His persona helped the stock car racing series come to the forefront, inspiring generations to follow his footsteps to take up racing.

Recognizing the legacy that needs to be protected, Kelley Earnhardt candidly told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, “To have my own kids sitting in here racing and the opportunity to continue building that legacy. I feel like most of all, we owe it to the fans of the sport to continue what my dad built in his time. That’s really when the sport gained its wings and went flying and growing. There’s a responsibility for us to kind of continue to carry that on and I hope my kids are paying attention and they want to do the same thing when I’m too old to do this.” Kelley is currently the co-owner of JR Motorsports and hopes her kids can take that torch after their racing careers.

Kelley Earnhardt’s kids are doing a great job so far of keeping up that legacy. Her daughter, Karsyn Elledge, most recently took part in the Chili Bowl in 2023 after a three-year hiatus and has been racing since the early 2010s. However, the most impressive prospect is her son, Wyatt Miller.

The thirteen-year-old has been racing since 2020 and picked up a win in just his third race driving winged Outlaw Karts. The budding driver won the 2021 Beginner Box Stock Championship and 2022 Restricted Micro Championship at Millbridge Speedway. He also won 20 races in 7 different states in 2023, showing his versatility across the country. It’s safe to say the Earnhardt legacy is in talented hands.

Dale Earnhardt’s influence didn’t stop after he tragically passed away in 2001. ‘The Intimidator’ died in the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, which changed the safety standards of NASCAR forever. Before the tragedy, nine other drivers had lost their lives because of an on-track incident, but an improvement in safety regulations because of Dale Earnhardt Sr. meant that in over two decades since, there has not been a single fatality in a major NASCAR race.

It’s fair to say that the tragedy shook the stock car racing world to the core, with Kyle Petty saying, “But once the sport really begins to take off and people are paying attention to it … you can’t afford to lose a Dale Earnhardt. You just can’t.” Kelley Earnhardt doesn’t just have the responsibility of protecting her father’s legacy, but also her grandfathers as well, as both Ralph Earnhardt and Robert Gee were involved in the world of motorsports and made a tremendous impact in their capacities.

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Kelley Earnhardt is committed to giving opportunities

Being an Earnhardt has its privileges. Just ask Kelley Earnhardt, who inherited an enviable legacy that has rewritten NASCAR’s history forever. Dale Jr. and his sister have enjoyed all the privileges the world of stock car racing has to offer, but the duo recognizes that not everybody is as lucky. Determined to give opportunities to newcomers with no connection to the sport, the JR Motorsports team owners are committed to providing drivers a platform based on merit and providing training through the Drivers Edge Development Program to aspiring racers.

Speaking to ESPN, Kelley Earnhardt said, “Dale and I were born to Dale Earnhardt. I never had to get my foot in the door; the door was stood wide open for us. Everybody else doesn’t get that opportunity. We just like to help people get that opportunity.” The gesture is a thoughtful one, especially because NASCAR has long been considered a sport where whispers of nepotism run rampant, and the initiative will give newcomers an avenue to break into the sport.

The program will allow drivers from the age of 14 to 21 to make their way into the stock car racing world. Racers will start their journey with late models, moving on to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series before eventually finding a place in the Truck or Xfinity Series. For Kelley Earnhardt, it’s a way of honoring her father Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s legacy, by giving those who didn’t enjoy the same privileges an opportunity to make a name for themselves.