Earnhardt, family not injured
They emerge safely from plane that ran off runway
Dale Earnhardt Jr., his wife and child were involved in a plane crash Thursday in Tennessee.
Everyone on board, including two pilots, are safe, his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, posted on Twitter.
“I can confirm Dale, Amy & Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol TN this afternoon,” Earnhardt Miller’s post on Twitter read. “Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding.”
The Federal Aviation Administration said a Cessna Citation later confirmed to be carrying the Earnhardt family rolled off the end of a runway and caught fire after landing, NBC affiliate WCYB reported.
Earnhardt won NASCAR most popular driver honors 14 years in a row before retiring due to multiple concussion issues. When he announced his retirement after the 2016 season, Earnhardt said he didn’t want to risk his long-term health and the quality of life with his family. Earnhardt has now become a popular NASCAR television analyst with NBC Sports.
He is part of the scheduled broadcast team for Saturday night’s Cup Series event in Bristol, Tenn. He recorded 26 wins, including two Daytona 500 victories, and strived to honor his late father’s legacy during his career. His father, Dale Earnhardt, was killed following a crash during the 2001 Daytona 500.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife, Amy, were married on New Year’s Eve in 2015. Their first child was born in April 2018.