DEI signs Earnhardt – Jeffrey Earnhardt

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As Dale Earnhardt Jr. continued contract extension negotiations with DEI, the company came to terms with another driver named Earnhardt.

Jeffrey Earnhardt, the 17-year-old grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt, has signed a “long-term driving services contract” with Dale Earnhardt Inc. The signing came as Earnhardt Jr. prepared to meet Wednesday with team officials to discuss his future with his father’s company.

Earnhardt Jr.’s contract with DEI is up at the end of the season, and negotiations have been tense since stepmother Teresa Earnhardt seemingly questioned his commitment in a December interview with The Wall Street Journal.

With the season set to begin with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, team officials would like to resolve Earnhardt Jr.’s situation.

Jeffrey Earnhardt, the son of Dale Jr.’s half brother Kerry, will start as a development driver, competing for Andy Santerre Motorsports in the Busch East Series and also driving in the UARA Late Model Touring Series.