What’s Happening?
UPDATE: Our sources are now saying Jeffrey will likely sign with Sam Hunt Racing for a limited schedule in 2024. See below for more on this.
UPDATE 2: Confirmed – Jeffrey is headed to Sam Hunt in 2024
Jeffrey Earnhardt still remains without an official ride for the 2024 season. During the season he was rumored to be a candidate for a few rides including JR Motorsports, but, only about a month from the season opener, he is still without a ride. What is still available for Jeffrey Earnhardt?
- Being exclusively an Xfinity Series driver since 2020, we will focus primarily on that series. However, we will not exclude the other National Touring Series from this list.
- Jeffrey Earnhardt spent 2023 with Alpha Prime, where he entered 25 races, qualifying for 24. His best finish was 11th at Daytona in August.
- Fans are very curious about Jeffrey Earnhardt because of his name. He is the grandson of Dale Earnhardt, which makes him the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr.
RUMOR MILL: Sam Hunt Racing (Xfinity)
We are hearing that Jeffrey Earnhardt will be heading to Sam Hunt Racing on a limited schedule in 2024 with an announcement expected on Tuesday, January 16th. He would join Corey Heim as the only other current driver racing part-time for the team.
This will not be Earnhardt’s first rodeo with the team. He drove in 9 races for them in 2022, with one top-10 finish coming at Nashville in June. He recorded three other top-15 finishes.
SS Greenlight: Xfinity
For another part-time ride, SS Greenlight is an option for Earnhardt. The team had three top-10s in 2023 with a best finish of 8th at Talladega. The team had plenty of drivers in 2023, so, bringing in a veteran like Earnhardt for a slew of races could give them some stability.
However, Earnhardt has no previous connection to this team, so, it would be a new place. There’s also no guarantee how many races he would be able to run with the team. Could he run over half of the season, or is he going to only compete in a few races?
Rick Ware Racing: Cup
Rick Ware Racing has no drivers signed for their second car for 2024. Earnhardt has driven for RWR before in the Xfinity Series in 2011 and 2012. The major draw to this one is the opportunity to race in the NASCAR Cup Series.
However, the available space to drive this car may be limited. RWR had a myriad of drivers racing in 2023, so, it will likely take a lot of sponsors. RWR is also under major pressure to perform after almost losing its charter in 2023. They need to act wisely.
DGM Racing: Xfinity
DGM Racing is slowly filling up their second car for 2024. Jeffrey Earnhardt would be an interesting driver to put in that seat with being a veteran. DGM also vaulted Josh Williams to Kaulig Racing, a consistently competitive organization.
However, again, how many races would Earnhardt be able to run? Josh Bilicki is returning, and he is looking for plenty of races after Live Fast sold their charter. The inventory could run out very quickly.
Alpha Prime: Xfinity
This is on the list primarily because Earnhardt ran for Alpha Prime in 2023. The 45 car is going to run part-time in 2024, so, Earnhardt may slot into this car for a few races. It would keep Earnhardt with the same team.
However, Earnhardt was passed over for full-time rides on the team by Brennan Poole and Ryan Ellis. Would Earnhardt want to come back for a part-time race team for an uncertain amount of races after he ran 24 races in 2023?
Where will Earnhardt end up in 2024? What is taking so long? Time is ticking for him to find a ride.