Bobby Dale Earnhardt Bio
Bobby Dale Earnhardt (born September 1, 1987) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He currently competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving for Rise Motorsports. A member of one of the most recognized families in American motorsports, Earnhardt has built his career across regional stock car series and limited NASCAR national-series starts.
Early Life and Background
Bobby Dale Earnhardt was born on September 1, 1987, in Mooresville, North Carolina. Mooresville is widely known as a hub for NASCAR teams and race shops, giving him direct exposure to the sport from a young age. The racing culture of the region, combined with his family heritage, helped shape his early interest in stock car competition.
He is the eldest child of Kerry Earnhardt and the eldest grandchild of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Dale Earnhardt. He is also the eldest great-grandchild of Ralph Earnhardt, the 1956 and 1957 NASCAR Sportsman Division champion. Growing up in this environment provided Bobby with early access to tracks, equipment, and mentorship from within his own family.
Path to NASCAR
Earnhardt began his formal racing career in the ARCA Truck Series, competing from 2013 to 2016. During that span he earned the ARCA Truck Series Rookie of the Year award in 2013, signaling early promise as a fourth-generation racer. His experience in the truck series served as a developmental step toward higher-profile stock car competition.
On May 21, 2017, Earnhardt made his major stock car debut in the ARCA Racing Series at Toledo Speedway, driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Hixson Motorsports. He started 24th and finished 21st after a crash on lap 165. The debut marked his transition from regional racing to national-series competition.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Bobby Dale Earnhardt began his professional racing career in the ARCA Truck Series in 2013. Driving in a developmental series allowed him to gain experience on short tracks and ovals while continuing the Earnhardt family tradition in stock car racing. His most notable early accomplishment came in his rookie season, when he was named the ARCA Truck Series Rookie of the Year.
He continued racing in the ARCA Truck Series through the 2016 season, building a foundation of seat time and race craft. These formative years helped him prepare for the next stage of his career in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series.
ARCA Racing Series Debut (2017)
Earnhardt made his ARCA Racing Series debut on May 21, 2017, at Toledo Speedway, driving the No. 3 Chevrolet for Hixson Motorsports. After starting 24th, his race ended early due to a crash on lap 165, leaving him with a 21st-place finish. The event marked his first start in a major stock car touring series.
Later that same year, on September 8, 2017, Earnhardt made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the No. 40 Chevrolet for MBM Motorsports at Richmond International Raceway. He qualified 40th and finished 34th. He had previously been scheduled to debut at Iowa Speedway on July 29, but he failed to qualify for that race.
Rise Motorsports Era (2025–Present)
On September 1, 2025, it was announced that Earnhardt would return to competition in the now renamed ARCA Menards Series at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Bristol appearance marked his comeback to the series after several years focused on other racing activities.
On November 19, 2025, it was revealed that Earnhardt would run the full ARCA Menards Series schedule for Rise Motorsports for the 2026 season. Driving for Rise Motorsports positions him within a competitive team environment as he returns to full-time national touring-series competition. His car number for the upcoming season has not yet been announced.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among Earnhardt’s most notable career moments is his 2013 ARCA Truck Series Rookie of the Year award, which established him as a developing talent within the stock car ladder. His 2017 ARCA Racing Series debut at Toledo Speedway and his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Richmond International Raceway represent his first appearances in major national-series events.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt Career Wins
Bobby Dale Earnhardt’s verified competitive achievements are anchored by his 2013 ARCA Truck Series Rookie of the Year award. While specific race-by-race win totals are not confirmed in available sources, his progression from regional stock car events to the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series demonstrates steady development. Verified win totals across national series are not available at this time.
ARCA Series Highlights
Earnhardt’s verified ARCA-level accomplishments include his 2013 Rookie of the Year honor in the ARCA Truck Series and his 2017 ARCA Racing Series debut at Toledo Speedway. His return to the ARCA Menards Series with Rise Motorsports for the 2026 season represents the next chapter in his career in this series.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his ARCA Truck Series Rookie of the Year recognition in 2013, additional regional or developmental race wins for Bobby Dale Earnhardt are not verified in available sources.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Bobby Dale Earnhardt is a fourth-generation stock car racing driver. He is the eldest child of Kerry Earnhardt and the eldest grandchild of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Dale Earnhardt. He is also the eldest great-grandchild of Ralph Earnhardt, who won the 1956 and 1957 NASCAR Sportsman Division championships. Bobby is the older brother of fellow NASCAR driver Jeffrey Earnhardt and the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Bobby and Jeffrey also have a paternal half-sister, Kayla, along with two maternal half-brothers, James Ray and David. The Earnhardt family’s multi-generational presence in stock car racing remains one of the most recognized lineages in American motorsports.
Personal Life
Bobby Dale Earnhardt and his wife, Kimberly, have four children, two sons and two daughters. The family has been based in the Mooresville, North Carolina area, a region well known as a center of NASCAR team operations.
2025 Season Performance
Bobby Dale Earnhardt’s 2025 season was defined by a return to national stock car competition. After years away from the top levels of the ARCA ladder, he was announced on September 1, 2025, as an entrant in the ARCA Menards Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Bristol appearance served as a key milestone in his comeback.
Following the Bristol event, it was confirmed on November 19, 2025, that Earnhardt would compete in the full ARCA Menards Series schedule for Rise Motorsports in 2026. While his car number for the upcoming campaign has not yet been announced, the full-season commitment signals renewed momentum in his career.
Looking ahead, Earnhardt’s transition into the Rise Motorsports program places him within an established team environment for the 2026 ARCA Menards Series. His 2025 return and confirmed 2026 plans suggest a focus on rebuilding race rhythm and pursuing consistent finishes in one of stock car racing’s primary developmental series.