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Jeffrey Earnhardt lands part-time Xfinity Series deal with Sam Hunt Racing

JHby:Jonathan Howard•02/10/25•

Jondean25

Jeffrey Earnhardt
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t worry Jeffrey Earnhardt fans, your favorite driver has a part-time ride. He will compete for Sam Hunt Racing in the 2025 NASCAR season. Driving for SHR this year in select races, Earnhardt will have a shot at running well in decent equipment.

Last season, Jeffrey Earnhardt drove the No. 26 car for Sam Hunt Racing six times. He had a season-best finish of P8 at Atlanta early in the season. This season, the organization is putting together two cars with Earnhardt and Ryan Truex being announced for the No. 24.

Earnhardt has had the most luck on superspeedways in his career. In 174 Xfinity Series starts, he has six top-10s and one pole award.

The 2025 season for Earnhardt will begin at Talladega. He will likely have a good shot at another top-10 if he can avoid getting caught up in a wreck. At Dega, that’s not guaranteed for anybody.

Jeffrey Earnhardt is a fan favorite. Son of Kerry Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt’s oldest son, Jeffrey has had an up-and-down career. Over the last few years, the driver has had to piece together rides and opportunities.

Sponsored by Forever Lawn, Earnhardt will likely have a familiar paint scheme with a different number. While his full-time NASCAR career may be over, Jeffrey is not giving up on the dream and finding rides, and competitive ones, while he still can.

In the last few years, Sam Hunt has had big improvements. They are able to land quality drivers and improve their cars. Dean Thompson will drive full-time for them in the flagship No. 26.

Jeffrey Earnhardt will have Sam Hunt teammate in the draft

Good news for Jeffrey Earnhardt and Dean Thompson, there are two cars at SHR this season. Thompson is getting a benefit other Sam Hunt drivers have not had recently, a teammate. One in the draft can be invaluable. The team did have a second car twice last season at COTA and Portland.

It will be interesting to see how Thompson adjusts to his rotating teammates. Right now, Truex and Earnhardt have been announced as drivers. Last season we saw Corey Heim, Sage Karam, John Hunter Nemechek, Tyler Reddick, Conor Daly, Bubba Pollard, and others in the No. 26 car.

Thompson will have to learn how to work with multiple drivers in 2025. Whether that is on a superspeedway, short track, or road course. He will have multiple opportunities with different drivers. As a rookie in the Xfinity Series, he has a bit of pressure to perform.

Jeffrey Earnhardt will be racing this season. Sam Hunt Racing and the driver got another deal done for 2025. We just have to wait until Week 11 to see him on the track.