Jeffrey Earnhardt to Drive for Dale Jr

The organization co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. will put Jeffrey Earnhardt in its No. 5 car for the April 26 race at RIR, the team revealed in a video posted on its website. The event will mark the first time Earnhardt Jr.’s nephew has driven for the family race team.

“So excited for (Jeffrey) to drive for JRM in Richmond!” team general manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller wrote on Twitter. Miller co-owns the race team along with Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity,” Jeffrey responded. “I can’t thank (you) and (Dale Jr.) enough.”

Jeffrey Earnhardt, 23, is the son of Earnhardt Jr.’s half-brother Kerry. He has started four Nationwide events this season in a car owned by Archie St. Hilaire, with a best finish of 20th at Phoenix. His best finish at NASCAR’s national level is seventh, in the 2011 Camping World Truck Series opener at Daytona. Earnhardt has also recently competed in the K&N Pro Series East, as well as the GRAND-AM Road Racing circuit. (NASCAR.com)