Aug 23 2008
Earnhardt, Jr. develops drivers with Late Model program
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – as often pointed out by his distracters – was the beneficiary of one of the greatest names in NASCAR history. And, after last year’s public tussle with stepmother Teresa, it may be that his inheritance is his name and his driving ability, along with the lessons a father hands over to his son.But, it looks a lot like he may have also inherited his father’s generosity, as well as his tendency to quietly mentor younger drivers.
We hear about JR Motorsports on a regular basis. Some of the better known:
- Rick Hendrick merged his Nationwide Series operation with JR.
- Brad Keselowski and the #88 Navy Nationwide team are making great progress.
- Jr’s. sister, Kelley, is president of JR Motorsports.
- Uncle and father-figure Tony Eury, Sr. heads up the competition at JR Motorsports.
But, we don’t hear so much about the Late Model operation at JR Motorsports. It’s where Dale Jr. runs a development program, mentoring up and coming drivers and giving them the chance to learn and grow into bigger things.
Junior cut his racing teeth in the Late Model division. It’s where he built the cars he drove, where he worked with his half-brother Kerry and drove against Kerry and sister Kelley.
Junior started his Late Model operation in 2001. Today, he supports three drivers, with two others housed in the JR Motorsports building.
The JR Motorsports Late Model drivers:
- Curtis Truex, Jr. – Cousin to Martin Truex, Jr., Earnhardt’s friend and former teammate at DEI. Curtis, with JR Motorsports since 2006, drives the #88 Racing Collectibles Club of America Chevy.
- Richard Boswell – Drives the #72 Champion Chevy
- Owen Kelly – Drives the #73 R&B Transport Refinishing Chevy. Kelly hails from Tasmania, Australia, meeting Dale Jr. while he was vacationing in Australia during the past off season. Kelly raced V8 Supercars for six years.
- Davin Scites – Scites runs his own race team, now associated with JR Motorsports. Dale Jr. offered him some space in his shop a few years ago, before moving into the current JR Motorsports building. Scites now houses his team in the new building.
- Jamey Caudill – Caudill also owns and drives his own car. In addition, he serves as team manager for Junior’s Late Model operation, with his brother, Jeff.
Junior is consistent about passing on some of the things he learned from his dad. Dale Sr. believed a driver needed to able to work on his car. He made Dale Jr. work on his.
The younger Truex learned when he went to work for JR Motorsports; his first duty would be to build the car he was going to race. He was surprised, and it took several months. But, he’s very careful about how he handles the car he built.
In demanding more of his development drivers, Junior is cultivating a better driver. He is generous in providing opportunities and demanding as a boss.
Just like his dad.
