"I wouldn’t have her if I didn’t trust her": When Dale Jr. reflected on Kelley Earnhardt's pivotal role in his career

Former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr decided to leave his father and seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt’s team at the end of the 2007 season. The 50-year-old spoke with the media as he announced his decision, and explained the pivotal role that his sister Kelley Earnhardt played in his career.

Dale Earnhardt Jr joined Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 season after leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. The former NASCAR driver’s sister played a minor part in negotiating the deals with team officials. Kelley Earnhardt became the negotiator and point of contact for Dale Earnhardt ever since.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 - Practice - Source: Getty

Speaking about how Kelley Earnhardt's presence has been crucial in his success, Dale Earnhardt Jr said on May 13, 2007 (via the New York Times):

“I wouldn’t have her in that position if I didn’t trust her. She raised me quite a bit when I was young. There was a lot of gaps that she filled and voids she filled when it come to having some parental guidance, whatnot, what’s right and wrong.

“She helped me a lot. I’m just trying to show her a lot of appreciation. She’s obviously talented. I’m lucky to have her, a caliber of person like her, in my camp. I feel very comfortable.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. stayed with Hendrick Motorsports for the rest of his career after joining the team in 2008. He retired from the world of NASCAR at the end of the 2017 season. The American accumulated 26 wins and 260 Top 10 finishes during his career that spanned close to two decades.

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Kelley Earnhardt reflects on family dynamics with brother Dale Earnhardt Jr

Kelley Earnhardt filled the void as their father Earnhardt Sr. wasn't always available and busy with racing. After Earnhardt Sr. passed away at the 2001 Daytona 500, Kelly Earnhardt left her six-figure job and joined his brother's team.

Kelley Earnhardt said (via Motorvate Podcast Episode 2):

“Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) and I, we have a very unique relationship, a brother and sister. The fact that we from really age like four, five or six had to lean on each other for everything. Everything you know between divorced parents, new step parents, parents that live six hours away from each other all of those different kind of dynamics really forced us for this bond.” (13:10 onwards)

Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kelley Earnhardt are co-owners of the NASCAR Xfinity team JR Motorsports. Kelly is a couple of years older than Dale and is the chief executive officer of the racing team. Rick Hendrick and L.W. Miller are the other two co-owners of JR Motorsports. The 50-year-old former NASCAR driver also owns a media house called Dirty Mo Media.