Discounting first daughter Kelley, who has her late father’s chin and grin, only one of Dale Earnhardt’s four offspring bears his likeness. Oldest son Kerry Earnhardt is the least discussed of the four and has done little in the racing world. But unlike Dale Jr., he is the virtual image of Dale Sr. with a gentler, more modest personality. When he speaks, it’s as though you were seeing and/or listening to a ghost. Only the magnetism is missing.

More than a year ago Kerry signed a contract with his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, and is working full time as a consultant for driver development at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. He has no company title, but his position is hardly honorary. His 19-year-old son, Jeffrey Earnhardt, is a developmental driver for the family business, and a father-son duo may be called upon to save the race team if it loses Martin Truex Jr. at the end of this season. Mark Martin is already on the move, Paul Menard is rumored to be talking with Yates Racing, and Regan Smith is not attracting sponsors for 2009.

Kerry’s racing career has been nondescript to this point. He won a pole in the ‘05 Truck series, has four wins in the ARCA Re/Max Series, and has driven in seven Cup events for Richard Childress Racing, but has been in and out the driver’s seat for several years with nothing to brag about while his half brother is celebrated for being who he is as much as for what he’s accomplished.

Yes, the name and the look have enough charm to, maybe, bring some bliss back to DEI. Kerry is eager to give it a try, and looks forward to bringing his son along in due time.

Earnhardt, 37, retired from racing months ago, but his desire to get back in the driver’s seat is unmistakable, preferably in the Sprint Cup Series. From his earlier comments, some writers conclude that a Nationwide schedule for Jeffrey-who is 11 months older than Joe Gibbs prodigy Joey Logano-is not likely in ‘09, at least not full-time. On other occasions he has stressed that he’d never rush his son, and proper testing would precede any timetable. A decision on when to move up may come down to Jeffrey, much as it did when he decided to go with DEI over RCR, Hendrick Motorsports, and JR Motorsports.

The Earnhardt name may be the best thing the organization has going for it. Kerry has raced once for DEI, in the July 4 Nationwide event at Daytona, where he started 10th and finished 17th. Bass Pro Shops sponsored the No. 8 Chevrolet and is under contract with DEI through 2010. Driver discontent has routinely led to new rides over the last two years, and Truex Jr. is clearly unhappy, leading to speculation that Kerry Earnhardt will drive the No. 1 car next season.

Earnhardt has taken several turns at racing through the years, but has a reputation for being all name, no ability. He is actually the adopted son of Jack Key, whom he calls his step-dad, and grew up with a different surname. He never knew his natural father until his teen years, after he discovered the link. Legally or not, he refers to Dale Sr. as his father when discussing his family. And that same mischievous look, from the beady eyes to the playful smile, lends needed marketability for the father of three (he also has a step-child).

Author: Mel Kizzidek