Latest Earnhardt news all but confirms this 51-year NASCAR streak will end

Jeffrey Earnhardt announced plans to return to NASCAR competition in 2027 while sitting out the 2026 season. Because neither Jeffrey nor his uncle Dale Earnhardt Jr. is competing in 2026, the year is set to mark the end of a 51-year streak featuring at least one member of the Earnhardt family racing across NASCAR's three national series.

The streak began when Dale Earnhardt made his Cup Series debut in 1975 and continued through contributions from Dale Jr., Kerry Earnhardt, and Bobby Dale Earnhardt. Jeffrey extended the run through 2025 by making three Xfinity Series starts for Sam Hunt Racing, but his 2026 absence leaves the family without national series representation for the first time since 1974.