"Like anything, it's about money": When Jeffrey Earnhardt opened up about talks with Dale Jr. for JR Motorsports

Over the last 15 years, Jeffrey Earnhardt has continued to carry the family name behind the wheel in NASCAR. The son of Kerry Earnhardt and grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt last competed part-time in the Xfinity Series behind the wheel of the #26 Sam Hunt Racing car.

Back in the summer of 2023, rumors swirled that there was a chance Earnhardt would team up with his uncle, retired Cup Series star Dale Earnhardt Jr., by driving the #8 machine for Jr. Motorsports. Dalton Hopkins, a reporter for Frontstretch, raised the question to Jeffrey regarding how the talks were going between him and his uncle's team in reaching a deal to race. Jeffrey responded with a chuckle and explained that finances were a priority in the conversations.

"Like anything, it's about money," Earnhardt said. "You've got to have the funding. I've been blessed to have the partners I have with ForeverLawn, Gas POS, Dalstrong, we've got Erie Sports Center on the car this weekend. Just been very blessed with partners I have, but you know it's a big expense and trying to find all the money to put all that together is the biggest factor to it, so we'll see where it ends up. Obviously, you know it'd be a pretty cool opportunity to get to go drive for him and to be in a competitive car like that every weekend would be pretty fun." [2:20 onwards]

While there might've been talks between Earnhardt and Jr. Motorsports, a deal was never made as he didn't drive the #8 car in 2024. Instead, the 35-year-old made six appearances for Sam Hunt Racing this past season and finished a best of eighth at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Prior to that, Earnhardt made 24 starts for Alpha Prime Racing in 2023 and scored a best finish of 11th at Daytona.

Jeffrey Earnhardt spent the bulk of his Xfinity Series career at JD Motorsports, piloting the #4 car for the team full-time in 2014. The North Carolina native recorded a best finish of 12th at Bristol and finished 18th in the points.

He returned to the team for two seasons in 2020 and 2021, finishing 23rd and 26th in the points standings in those respective years. In between that, Earnhardt nearly ran a full Cup Series slate in 2017 for Circle Sport Racing behind the wheel of the #33 car.

Jeffrey Earnhardt once drove his late grandfather's famed #3 in the Xfinity Series

Jeffrey Earnhardt during NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 - Qualifying - Source: Getty

Back in April of 2022, Jeffrey Earnhardt made a one-off appearance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing when he got behind the wheel of the #3 Chevrolet. The number-team combination was synonymous with the late seven-time Cup Series champion, Dale Earnhardt Sr, Jeffrey's grandfather.

Earnhardt won the pole for the race and ended up finishing second in the event. It was Jeffrey Earnhardt's best finish in the Xfinity Series to date and one of only two top-fives in his career.