He afterwards obtained an earn at the Phoenix in the Oct, tape a job best third-set work about standings, having thirteen Better 5s and twenty-one Top 10 ends up. [8]
2004-06
Within the 2004, Earnhardt acquired the newest Daytona 500, half dozen ages into the day after their father won his simply title on Higher Western Race (and you will 36 months immediately after their dad was slain about 2001 race). Earnhardt came extremely near to capturing Speedweeks, as with addition with the Daytona five hundred, he in addition to won his Gatorade Duel plus the Busch Collection battle. not, he complete next on the Budweiser Shootout to Dale Jarrett.
Within intimate of your own 2004 12 months, it actually was revealed that Tony Eury Sr
On the July 18, during the summer of-weekend, Earnhardt damaged a beneficial Chevrolet Corvette C5-Roentgen during a practice on the American Le Mans Collection Grand Prix regarding Sonoma in the Infineon Raceway. The vehicle slid away from course and struck a concrete barrier throughout the warm-up the day’s this new competition, rupturing a gasoline line and you may inducing the vehicle to burst to your flames which have him still in to the. He suffered next and you will third-degree burns towards their shoulder, chin, and you will legs partially because of not putting on a safety balaclava having their helmet. The brand new burns prevented him away from doing a couple races where he was relieved of the partner John Andretti (at the Pocono) in brand new events. On the fall, Earnhardt became the original driver to help you brush a sunday at Bristol from the effective both the Busch and you may Glass Minnesota sugar daddy events in identical weekend.[admission required]
Earnhardt was able to qualify for the brand new NASCAR 10-race playoff, together with their 5th NEXTEL Glass winnings of the season (a position higher) from the Talladega. But not, he had been punished 25 affairs to be used regarding an obscenity while in the the television transmit, inside ticket of another NASCAR rule prohibiting users by using obscene vocabulary[11] (the fresh code is developed the times adopting the Daytona five hundred, regarding the wake of your Very Dish half-big date inform you controversy). You to definitely event, in addition to a couple straight DNF’s throughout the Pursue, at some point decrease your from the powering, in which he completed fifth about 2004 NEXTEL Cup Pursue even after a job-highest 6 victories within Daytona, Atlanta, Richmond, Bristol, Talladega and you will protecting his slip win at Phoenix (no matter if underneath the low-Chase items system, Earnhardt could have tied up their 3rd-lay factors wind up of one’s past seasons). The guy closed from the 2004 season which have 6 gains, sixteen Better 5s, and you can twenty-you to Top ten stops. He including obtained his second successive Most popular Rider Honor.[ticket required]
was marketed to the people movie director condition on DEI business, if you are Tony Eury Jr. became this new staff captain to possess Michael Waltrip for the 2005 season. Peter Rondeau, a chance dos staff member who together with helped Earnhardt profit new Busch Show battle at the Bristol inside . Rondeau offered due to the fact Earnhardt’s staff head through to the Coca cola 600 sunday, as he is actually replaced with DEI head professional Steve Hmiel, whom aided Earnhardt score his solitary win from 2005 at the Chicagoland from inside the July, when he got top honors out-of Matt Kenseth for the last stage off pit ends up. Earnhardt was eliminated of any potential competition towards NEXTEL Glass title immediately following suffering an engine inability in the Ca Speedway. Earnhardt is reunited along with his relative, Tony Eury Jr., adopting the slip Richmond weekend, and you may results enhanced immediately. Earnhardt completed the season 19th into the issues. With the 3rd upright year, he grabbed family new NMPA Most popular Driver Honor.
Earnhardt’s ability due to the fact a vehicle owner continued. His competition group away from DEI, JR Motorsports, during the 2005 fielded an automible regarding the Usar Hooters ProCup Series, successful just after and you will qualifying towards Four Winners playoff. , riding the fresh No. 88 JR Motorsports You Navy Chevrolet, having Richard Childress Racing taking guidelines; however, he had been discharged until the slip Michigan battle, the new Carfax 250. He was changed of the Robby Gordon and you can Martin Truex Jr. throughout the year. Long-big date quick tune racing Shane Huffman drove Earnhardt’s Usar Hooters ProCup car within the 2006. Inside 2006, when you look at the spring season sunday at the Talladega Superspeedway, Earnhardt or any other DEI motorists drove that have special black painting systems on the cars, reminiscent of their late dad’s popular No. step 3 decorate system. For the Dad’s Date inside 2006, he drove a classic Budweiser automobile in the Michigan In the world Speedway so you can honor one another their father (Ralph Earnhardt) and his father, exactly who during the one-point both in the jobs used the Zero. 8 vehicles. Shortly after precipitation was the cause of race become finished very early, Earnhardt accomplished 3rd with Kasey Kahne profitable the new race. Immediately following 17 events regarding the 2006 seasons, Earnhardt seated third about title standings which have step one victory, future within Richmond from inside the .[solution necessary]