2004–06
In the 2004, Earnhardt acquired the Daytona five-hundred, six age on the day just after their dad won their only title in the High American Battle (and three-years once their dad are slain throughout the 2001 race). Earnhardt came really near to capturing Speedweeks, as in addition to your Daytona five hundred, he also obtained his Gatorade Duel and also the Busch Collection race.
Earnhardt try reunited together with cousin, Tony Eury Jr
With the July 18, during the summer out-of-week-end, Earnhardt crashed good Chevrolet Corvette C5-R throughout the a practice towards Western Ce Mans Series Huge Prix from Sonoma within Infineon Raceway. The auto slid off direction and you can struck a tangible barrier throughout warm-up the day’s the brand new battle, rupturing a gasoline range and you can evoking the car to burst on flames which have him still in to the. The guy suffered next and you may third degree injury into their neck, chin, and you can foot partly on account of maybe not sporting a defensive balaclava that have their helmet. The injury averted your away from doing a couple of racing in which he was relieved by companion John Andretti (at Pocono) in the middle of the newest events. About slide, Earnhardt turned into the first rider so you’re able to brush a week-end from the Bristol by the winning both the Busch and you will Nextel Mug races regarding the same week-end.
Earnhardt were able to qualify for the brand new NASCAR ten-competition playoff, along with their fifth NEXTEL Mug winnings of the year (employment high) at the Talladega. Yet not, he had been punished twenty five issues for free gay chat and dating Germany use away from an obscenity throughout the tv broadcast, from inside the citation off another type of NASCAR laws prohibiting players from using serious code (this new code got developed the day adopting the Daytona five hundred, regarding the aftermath of your Super Bowl 1 / 2 of-time reveal debate). You to incident, in addition to a couple consecutive DNF’s throughout the Chase, eventually fell your out of the running, and then he complete 5th from the 2004 NEXTEL Glass Chase despite employment-higher six wins in the Daytona, Atlanta, Richmond, Bristol, Talladega and shielding their fall profit on Phoenix (no matter if according to the low-Pursue affairs program, Earnhardt will have tied their third-set points wind up of your past 12 months). The guy signed from the 2004 seasons that have six wins, 16 Best 5s, and you can twenty-that Top 10 closes. He along with found his second straight Top Rider Prize.
At the personal of the 2004 seasons, it absolutely was indicated that Tony Eury Sr. is advertised towards team manager reputation to the DEI business, if you are Tony Eury Jr. turned into the crew head to own Michael Waltrip on 2005 season. Peter Rondeau, a spin 2 staff member just who plus helped Earnhardt win the new Busch Collection race in the Bristol inside . Rondeau served once the Earnhardt’s team master until the Coca-Soda 600 week-end, as he are substituted for DEI head professional Steve Hmiel, who helped Earnhardt rating his lone victory regarding 2005 during the Chicagoland in July, as he got top honors out-of Matt Kenseth for the history stage out of pit stops. Earnhardt is actually eliminated regarding any potential race towards NEXTEL Mug championship immediately following distress a system incapacity from the California Speedway. , following the slide Richmond sunday, and results increased instantly. Earnhardt accomplished the season nineteenth into the points. With the 3rd straight season, the guy grabbed family new NMPA Top Rider Prize.
Earnhardt’s proficiency since the an automible manager went on. Their battle class outside DEI, JR Motorsports, inside 2005 fielded a car or truck on Utilizar Hooters ProCup Collection, profitable just after and being qualified toward Four Winners playoff. , riding the Zero. 88 JR Motorsports Us Navy Chevrolet, that have Richard Childress Racing bringing guidance; however, he had been discharged up until the fall Michigan competition, the latest Carfax 250. He had been changed of the Robby Gordon and you may Martin Truex Jr. for the remainder of the season. Long-date short track speed Shane Huffman drove Earnhardt’s Usar Hooters ProCup auto inside the 2006. For the 2006, inside spring season sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, Earnhardt or other DEI vehicle operators drove which have special black colored decorate systems on the autos, similar to their late father’s famous Zero. 3 painting scheme. Towards the Dad’s Time inside the 2006, he drove a vintage Budweiser car during the Michigan Global Speedway so you’re able to honor one another his pops (Ralph Earnhardt) and his dad, just who at one point both in its work made use of the No. 8 car. After precipitation caused the battle to get concluded early, Earnhardt complete 3rd that have Kasey Kahne profitable the race. Shortly after 17 racing on the 2006 year, Earnhardt seated 3rd on championship standings with step 1 win, future at Richmond within the .