Dale Jr

Dale Jr's roots in racing begin with his maternal grandfather Robert Gee, who was a renowned NASCAR fabricator and mechanic. His grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt voted in 1999 as one of NASCAR's 50-best all time drivers. His father Dale Earnhardt is a seven time champion. Dale Jr became the first 3rd generation NASCAR champion when he won the first of his back-to-back Busch Series titles in 1998. Upon graduating high school Dale Jr received a 2-yr automotive degree, and was hired as a mechanic in his father's Chevy dealership making a little more than $15,000 a year. Practically building a car from scratch, Dale Jr took up racing at 17 in Street Stocks. He raced in that division for 3 years.He made his Busch Series debut in a car owned by his father in 1996, starting 7th and finished 14th at Myrtle Beach. HE recorded his 1st top 10 in 1997, before taking over the #3 Chevrolet in 1998. Both his father and him won their 1st race in their 16th career start, Dale Jr's win being in Texas. Jr. won 7 races in 1998 with 16 top five's and 22 top ten's in 31 races, taking a champion's Victory Lap with his father after the season finale at Homestead. In 1999 Jr. battled Matt Kenseth and Jeff Green to win the Busch Series title again with 6 victories, 18 top five's and 22 top ten's. He also made his cup debut, driving the #8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Dale Jr chose the number in honor of his grandfather's car. His best finish in 5 starts was a 10th in September at Richmond.Jr's 1st Cup victory came in the season's 7th race, at Texas. Jr won twice in 2000 with 3 top five's and 5 top ten's and became the first rookie to win the All-Star race at Lowe's.In 2001, the DEI cars of Michael Waltrip and Jr were racing up front in the season opening Daytona 500 when they were about to get some help from Dale Sr. Dale Sr crashed, and was killed. Waltrip won and Jr finished 2nd. Later that year Jr returned to Daytona and won one for his father, with the drafting help of Waltrip, who finished 2nd. Jr won 3 times in 2001 with 9 top five's and 15 top ten's to finish 8th in the final point standings.Jr finished 3rd in points in 2003 but his best year came in 2004 when he won 6 races, including the first Nextel Cup race in the Daytona 500, with 16 top fives and 21 top ten's. He finished 5th in points.Jr also operates his own team, JR Motorsports.