The streak lives on -- an Earnhardt will drive at Talladega.
BK Racing announced Monday that Jeffrey Earnhardt will drive the No. 83 Starter Toyota Camry at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Earnhardt will be one of three BK Racing cars on track for the Alabama 500 as he joins teammatesDavid Ragan and Matt DiBenedetto.
It extends one of the sport's great streaks that was in serious jeopardy. An Earnhardt has started every race at Talladega since 1980, with Dale Earnhardt and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. collecting 16 total wins at the 2.66-mile track during their respective careers (10 for Earnhardt, six for Earnhardt Jr.)
Earnhardt Jr. will not drive in Sunday's race as he continues to recover from the effects of a concussion suffered earlier this season. Enter Jeffrey Earnhardt, Earnhardt's grandson and Earnhardt Jr.'s nephew. By putting him in the No. 83, BK Racing ensured Earnhardt will start in the 40-car field (43 cars are on the entry list) because the No. 83 team has a Charter.
"I'm really excited to drive the No. 83 Starter Toyota Camry for the fall race at Talladega," Earnhardt said in a team release. "It's my first Cup Series race at Talladega, my first race with BK Racing, the first time anyone from our family competes in a Toyota and it's the 25th anniversary of my grandfather's victory at Talladega. Having this opportunity with an iconic American partner like Starter is an incredible honor. I can't remember being so pumped up for a race and sincerely appreciate our friends at Starter for their support."
Doug Richert, who was crew chief for Earnhardt Sr. during the 'Intimidator's' first title in 1980, will serve as Jeffrey Earnhardt's crew chief.
"I'm looking forward to once again returning to the track as crew chief with an Earnhardt behind the wheel," Richert said. "The Earnhardt family has played such an important part in my racing career; starting in 1978 with Dale Sr. and then winning a championship with him in 1980, it's very cool to work with the fourth generation of the family."
The Earnhardt streak since 1980 totals 73 races. Sunday's race will be 74 in a row.
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