Sad news for the Earnhardt family tonight.
Danny Earnhardt Sr., the younger brother of the legendary Dale Earnhardt, has passed away at 66.
The youngest child of Ralph and Martha Earnhardt, Danny got his start in racing working on his dad’s dirt track cars. And when his dad passed away, Danny began working for his brother, Dale, preparing his racecars and serving as a tire carrier on his pit crew.
Danny would later serve as a tire carrier for his nephew, Dale Earnhardt Jr., when he was getting his start in NASCAR.
And when Dale Jr. started his own race team, JR Motorsports, in 2005, Danny began working for his nephew’s company and worked as a mechanic in the suspension room at JRM until his death.
Just a couple of months ago, Danny sat down with Dale Jr. for an episode of his podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, where the two talked about looking up to Danny’s brother and Dale Jr.’s dad.
And they also shared their memories of the horrific day when Dale Sr. was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500.
NASCAR released a statement earlier this evening, paying tribute to Danny for “helping three generations of Earnhardts succeed” in the sport.
Danny is survived by his wife Sherry and his son Danny Jr., who serves as a car chief at JR Motorsports.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Earnhardt family.
