Jeffrey Earnhardt will run full NASCAR Nationwide schedule

Jeffrey Earnhardt, the 24-year-old grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt, will make his first full-season NASCAR effort this year, running the 33-race Nationwide Series for JD/Gary Keller Motorsports. Earnhardt will team with Landon Cassill on the Chevrolet-based team of owners Johnny Davis and Gary Keller.

Earnhardt has run limited Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series schedules in recent years in preparation for his first full-schedule effort. “This is a great opportunity for me," said Earnhardt, son of former driver Kerry Earnhardt. “This sport runs in my family and it’s where I want to be every week. Racing with Johnny Davis and Gary Keller will give me a shot at running well every week and adding on the experience I need."

Earnhardt ran 17 Nationwide races last year after running two each in 2009 and 2011 and six in 2012. He also has run 10 Truck Series events. He finished fifth in K&N Pro Series East points in 2007.

“I’ve sort of gotten my feet wet, but I need to be out there every race getting to know the ins and outs," he said. “JD Motorsports with Gary Keller has been there and done that. I think we can do good things together."

Jeffrey’s great-grandfather, Ralph, ran 51 NASCAR races between 1956 and 1964, most of them on short dirt tracks. His grandfather, Dale Sr., won 76 Cup races and seven NASCAR championships and his father, Kerry, ran 156 NASCAR races between 1998 and 2009. His cousin, Dale Jr., won two Nationwide titles and has won 19 Sprint Cup races.