In a family that built the foundation of NASCAR, the Earnhardt name carries an almost mythical weight. But while Dale Earnhardt Jr. cemented himself as a superstar following in his father’s footsteps, Jeffrey Earnhardt has taken the hard road, grinding his way through the ranks and refusing to rely on his family name to secure a seat. Now, in 2025, he’s back in the Xfinity Series in a part-time role with Sam Hunt Racing’s No. 24 Toyota, and fans are buzzing with excitement.
A New Opportunity with Sam Hunt Racing
After battling through part-time opportunities and sporadic Truck Series appearances, Jeffrey Earnhardt’s 2025 campaign is set to kick off at Talladega, with ForeverLawn returning as his primary sponsor. Veteran NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass confirmed the deal, stating:
“Jeffrey Earnhardt will do a part-time Xfinity schedule with Sam Hunt Racing. First race will be Talladega. ForeverLawn will be sponsor.”
It’s a pivotal season for Jeffrey, who has struggled to secure a full-time ride despite showing flashes of brilliance on superspeedways. His second-place finish at Talladega in 2022—driving the legendary No. 3 for Richard Childress Racing—proved he can compete at the highest level. But will 2025 be the year he finally gets a breakthrough moment?
Jeffrey’s Grit: Earnhardt DNA, But on His Own Terms
Despite the massive resources at JR Motorsports, run by his uncle Dale Jr., Jeffrey refused to take an easy path, choosing instead to earn his place the hard way.
“I like working hard for what I got. To have someone just give me a ride would be cool, but I’m not gonna go begging for it. I want to work hard and earn it just like my grandfather did.”
This blue-collar, old-school Earnhardt mentality has made him a fan favorite, even if he hasn’t had the Cup Series opportunities that many expected.
A longtime fan commented:
“Good, I hope he does well.”
Another added:
“Let’s gooooooooo!”
It’s clear that Earnhardt Nation hasn’t forgotten about him—and they’ll be watching closely to see if this opportunity with SHR can finally launch his career forward.
Past Success and 2025 Expectations
While Jeffrey’s NASCAR career hasn’t been easy, he has delivered notable performances when given the chance:
🏁 2nd-place finish at Talladega in 2022 (Xfinity Series, Richard Childress Racing)
🏁 7th at Nashville in 2022 (Xfinity Series, Sam Hunt Racing)
🏁 Top-10 at Atlanta in 2023 (Xfinity Series, SHR)
🏁 15 career Xfinity Series starts with SHR
His one-off Truck Series appearance in 2024 with MBM Motorsports showed he’s still fighting for seat time, but the true test will be in Xfinity this season.
Jeffrey has the speed on superspeedways, but can he prove himself on intermediates and short tracks to make a case for a full-time seat in 2026?
Can Jeffrey Finally Step Out of Dale Sr.’s Shadow?
The biggest question surrounding Jeffrey Earnhardt has always been whether he can build his own NASCAR identity or forever be compared to The Intimidator. While his last name opens doors, it also brings immense pressure.
“I love it and I tell everybody it’s an addiction—the adrenaline rush of just going out there and being competitive.”
The passion is still there. The fanbase is still behind him. And now, he has another shot.
All eyes will be on Talladega, where Jeffrey Earnhardt will once again take on the NASCAR elite—and maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of his long-awaited breakout.