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Mooresville, NC – While family drama continues to swirl around the Earnhardt legacy, JR Motorsports, founded by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, is celebrating a major victory – its 100th win. This milestone comes amidst ongoing tension with their stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, the widow of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Young gun Connor Zilisch secured the historic win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, marking his fifth victory of the season and solidifying JRM’s position as a racing powerhouse. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the fate of Dale Earnhardt Inc.
(DEI), the team once driven by Dale Jr. and founded by his father. After Dale Sr.’s tragic death, Teresa Earnhardt took the reins of DEI.
However, following Dale Jr.’s departure in 2007, the team struggled, eventually merging with Chip Ganassi Racing before being fully absorbed in 2014, effectively ending DEI’s storied run.
The strained relationship between Teresa Earnhardt and her stepchildren has recently resurfaced, with Kelley Earnhardt Miller stating that she and Dale Jr. feel unwelcome at their father’s gravesite and fear being arrested if they attempt a visit. Adding to the family feud, Kerry Earnhardt, Dale Sr.’s eldest son, publicly condemned his stepmother’s proposal to convert his father’s land into a data center, arguing it would drastically alter the landscape and community. He expressed shame that the Earnhardt name was associated with the controversial project.
While the off-track drama continues, JR Motorsports’ 100th win is a testament to the team’s resilience and success, a bright spot in the complex Earnhardt family narrative.