Kelley Earnhardt Miller
NASCAR racing // Kannapolis, North Carolina
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Kelley Earnhardt Miller transformed from local stock car racer to NASCAR powerhouse, co-founding JR Motorsports in 2001 and steering it to seven Xfinity Series championships.
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Working hard to achieve goals and navigating the legacy of my father
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Kelley Earnhardt Miller transformed from local stock car racer to one of NASCAR’s most influential businesswomen, co-founding JR Motorsports and proving that the Earnhardt legacy extends far beyond the driver’s seat.
EARLY YEARS
Born August 28, 1972, in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Kelley King Earnhardt Miller grew up in the heart of NASCAR country as the daughter of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Brenda Lorraine Jackson. Life wasn’t always smooth in the Earnhardt household—after her parents’ divorce, Kelley and younger brother Dale Jr. initially lived with their mother before moving in with their father and stepmother Teresa following a house fire. During these challenging times, Kelley took on a nurturing role with Dale Jr., a bond that would prove crucial to their future business partnership. The racing world was her playground, but Kelley had her sights set on understanding the business side of the sport that made her family famous.
OTHER INTERESTS
While racing ran through her veins, Kelley pursued her education with determination, initially attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington before transferring to UNC Charlotte, where she graduated in 1995 with a B.A. in Business Administration, concentrating in production and operations management. This academic foundation would prove invaluable as she navigated the complex world of motorsports business.
EARLY SUCCESS
Kelley cut her teeth in local stock car racing, showing she had inherited the family talent behind the wheel. However, her true calling emerged when she recognized her strategic mind and business acumen could make a bigger impact off the track. After her father’s tragic death at Daytona in 2001, she and Dale Jr. channeled their grief into action, co-founding JR Motorsports that same year. What started as a way to honor their father’s legacy quickly became a proving ground for Kelley’s business brilliance, as she navigated sponsorship deals and team operations with the same precision her father showed on the track.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2001: Co-founded JR Motorsports with brother Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2015: Named one of SportsBusiness Journal’s Game Changers/Women in Sports Business.
- 2001-present: Oversaw JR Motorsports’ growth to seven NASCAR Xfinity Series championships.
- 2015-2016: Expanded JR Motorsports into NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, earning two wins.
INSPIRATIONS
Dale Earnhardt Sr. remains the driving force behind everything Kelley does in motorsports. Her father’s legacy as “The Intimidator” taught her that success comes from fearless determination and strategic thinking. The close partnership with Dale Jr. continues to inspire her approach to business, proving that family bonds can translate into professional excellence when built on mutual respect and shared vision.
REPUTATION
Kelley has earned recognition as one of NASCAR’s most prominent and influential businesswomen, respected for her leadership, business acumen, and strategic vision in growing JR Motorsports from a startup into a championship-winning organization. Dale Jr. has publicly praised her ability to manage and expand their racing ventures, while industry observers note her understanding of racing business dynamics from her unique perspective growing up in the Earnhardt family. She’s become a pioneering female executive in a male-dominated industry, mentoring others through her visible leadership role and proving that success in motorsports isn’t limited to what happens on race day.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
As co-owner, Vice President, and Chief Executive Officer of JR Motorsports, Kelley continues overseeing race team and business operations with multiple full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series entries and regional late model programs. She remains actively engaged in business leadership, managing sponsorship relationships and expanding the company’s portfolio. With no retirement plans in sight, she’s focused on continuing the Earnhardt legacy through strategic growth and maintaining JR Motorsports’ position as a premier destination for developing NASCAR talent.
References:
Kelley Earnhardt Miller Profile
ESPN Article on JR Motorsports
Brandt.co Biography
LEADERS Magazine Interview
YouTube Interview 2025
Have Kelley updates or corrections? Please let us know – We’d love to keep this profile current.
