Bobby Dale Earnhardt, the grandson of racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., has announced a major step forward in his career and will race full-time in the ARCA Menards Series with Rise Motorsports in 2026, aiming to continue the Dale Earnhardt Sr. racing legacy. This deal marks the first full ARCA season for the fourth-generation driver, expanding on several years of perseverance and pursuit of new opportunities in the world of stock car racing.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt Unveils Full-Time 2026 ARCA Schedule
Bobby Dale Earnhardt shared his big news via his official X account, bringing clarity and excitement to his future in racing as he takes on this new challenge. As part of the famous Earnhardt family, and after years of seeking consistent chances on the racetrack, Earnhardt’s latest announcement sets the stage for a defining moment in his racing journey.
“🚨Announcement‼️I’m excited and truly humbled to share that I’ll be racing full-time with @risemotorsports in the 2026 @ARCA_Racing Series. This is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m thankful for God’s direction throughout the process of making this happen.
I want to give a big thank you to everyone at Rise Motorsports. The work this team has already put in, the belief they’ve shown in me, and the vision they have for the upcoming season mean a lot. I’m proud to be a part of what they’re building…I’m looking forward to getting to work and giving everything I’ve got in 2026 💪” — Bobby Dale Earnhardt
According to information published by Motorsport.com, Bobby Dale Earnhardt will compete in the complete ARCA Menards Series schedule for the first time. This accomplishment signals not only personal progress for him but also maintains the competitive spirit long associated with the Earnhardt name. Bobby, aged 38, is Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s grandson, the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the son of Kerry Earnhardt, placing him firmly within the storied NASCAR family tree.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt’s Past Challenges and Achievements
Returning to ARCA competition earlier in the season, Bobby Dale Earnhardt entered two races, though both ended in DNFs after accidents despite his respectable starting spots. His best finish in ARCA was nineteenth at Elko Speedway in 2017, and he made seven starts in what is currently known as the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series between 2017 and 2019, with a best result of twenty-seventh at Kansas.
This upcoming full-time 2026 schedule with Rise Motorsports stands as a pivotal new opportunity, building on his prior experiences and aiming for stronger results. The faith placed in him by Rise Motorsports and his gratitude toward the team below highlight his focused drive to succeed in the highly competitive ARCA Menards Series.
The Influence of Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s Racing Legacy
Dale Earnhardt Sr. set a powerhouse example through his extraordinary racing career, spanning 676 races, seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, 76 victories, 281 top-five finishes, 428 top-ten results, and 22 pole positions. That formidable record continues to cast a long shadow over the world of stock car racing, as current and future generations of the Earnhardt family take up the challenge of extending the legacy he built.
Former DEI employee Kevin Pennell recently recalled a vivid memory of encountering Dale Earnhardt Sr. for the first time, during a conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download podcast. Pennell described the intense and surprising nature of their first meeting:
“Your dad came in because it wasn’t; it was the cowboy boots walking on the floor that walked over the top of me lying underneath the car and grabbed me by my ankles and dragged me out from underneath the car. And I’ve never seen him in person, never been around him. And the first deal was looking straight up at him, and you know, his deal was, Who the hell are you?”
— Kevin Pennell, Former DEI employee
“And I, you know, got, you know, kind of the clammy mouth, you know, stuttering going, you know, Kevin, and he kind of looked down at me, you know what I mean? He says, ‘Well, I’m glad to meet you,’ and he sort of stutter and goes, ‘Kevin.’ And that’s how we struck things off,”
he added. — Kevin Pennell, Former DEI employee
Such stories highlight the larger-than-life presence Dale Earnhardt Sr. maintained in the garage, as well as the intimidating yet unforgettable moments that contributed to his legacy. Now, with Bobby Dale Earnhardt stepping into a full-time ARCA Menards Series role, the personal impact and high expectations of carrying forward the Earnhardt legacy remain evident.
What This Means for the Earnhardt Racing Family
Bobby Dale Earnhardt’s full commitment to the ARCA Menards Series in 2026 signals a fresh chapter for both his career and the broader Earnhardt family tradition. Racing for Rise Motorsports, he will have the platform to carve out his own achievements while upholding the standards set by Dale Earnhardt Sr., Kerry Earnhardt, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The team’s confidence and the strong foundation of family racing history set the stage for an emotionally charged and highly anticipated season ahead.
For fans of the Dale Earnhardt Sr. racing legacy and motorsports enthusiasts, Bobby Dale Earnhardt’s new venture adds fresh intrigue and passion to the ongoing story of one of stock car racing’s most celebrated families. As the countdown to the 2026 ARCA Menards Series begins, all eyes will be on Bobby to see how he shapes his path and contributes to the enduring legacy of the Earnhardt name.
🚨Announcement‼️
I’m excited and truly humbled to share that I’ll be racing full-time with @risemotorsports in the 2026 @ARCA_Racing Series. This is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m thankful for God’s direction throughout the process of making this happen.I want to give a big… pic.twitter.com/KKqGGV9pNv
— Bobby Dale Earnhardt (@BobbyEarnhardt) November 19, 2025
