The Earnhardt family name is poised to thrive in the world of racing as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s nephew, Wyatt Earnhardt Miller, embarks on a significant chapter in his career. The 13-year-old is set to make his Dirt Late Model debut this Saturday at Natural Bridge Speedway, transitioning from racing Late Model cars on pavement to the dirt track.
Wyatt’s debut signifies the return of the Earnhardt name to the dirt racing scene, reminiscent of his great-grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, who is a celebrated Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer. The young talent’s track record boasts impressive achievements, laying a solid foundation for his aspirations in motorsports.
As the son of Dale Jr.’s sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Wyatt carries a legacy of racing excellence. He has already clinched two NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified titles and achieved victory in the prestigious Tulsa Shootout’s Restricted A-Class, competing against nearly 200 other participants.
“I am just real surprised by how he’s adapted to it so quickly. Just by himself, I was not shaping corners as well as he is at his age. I was missing the bottom, I was overdriving it. I didn’t have any real understanding of how to make a corner and get in a groove. At his age, it’s just impressive. He’s doing awesome,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr. about his nephew’s remarkable racing prowess.
Wyatt’s entry into dirt track racing will mark the seventh different category in which he has competed, showcasing his versatility and eagerness to learn. With such extensive experience at a young age, it remains to be seen how he will develop as a racer. Many anticipate that he could eventually compete for JR Motorsports, possibly leading to a career in the NASCAR Cup Series.
With both his uncle and mother leading the Xfinity Series team, fans are excited about the prospect of witnessing a new generation of Earnhardt on the track in the years to come. Wyatt expressed his enthusiasm, tweeting, “Excited to drive my first Late Model Dirt race at @NattyBSpeedway this weekend with Longhorn Factory Team and Whittier Motorsports! Hoping to park the 00 in victory lane on Saturday.”
Speaking about his limited experience with the nuances of late model racecars on loose surfaces, the young Miller appears to have inherited the racing gene from his family. “It’s definitely a lot different. The left-rear gets up, and then you’re kind of sitting the nose down, and you’ve got to set the car way harder than a micro. It was definitely slower to react,” he noted.
With Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s driving days behind him, Wyatt has the potential to be the next big sensation in NASCAR. Given his mother’s impressive business acumen in the racing industry and the invaluable insights his uncle can provide, it seems inevitable that this young racer will make his Cup Series debut in the coming decade, carrying forward the cherished Earnhardt legacy.
