Kerry Earnhardt will join Dale Earnhardt Inc. as a full-time employee next week, serving as a liaison between the Nextel Cup and Busch programs and driving in a handful of races.

“Teresa and Richie have been talking to me about coming there for several years,” Kerry said of team owner/stepmother Teresa Earnhardt and director of motorsports Richie Gilmore. “I’ve been thinking about the company a lot in my head. It’s hard to give up driving. Now I’ve come to a point where I realize that doing the things I’m doing is not doing me any good, just riding around and not having any decent finishes.”

Kerry, 37, has asked to drive in at least five Busch races and a couple of Cup races for DEI, but said his future with the company doesn’t hinge on that.

“I always wish I had the opportunity to be in equipment like this,” said Kerry, who was 20th-fastest in the morning practice while Earnhardt Jr. honored previous commitments. “Now if I run three to five Busch races and can be successful with that maybe more things can come to me.” Kerry hopes to fill part of the role of Tony Eury Sr., who has moved from team liaison to crew chief for DEI’s third Cup team with Paul Menard.

ESPN.com