Kerry Earnhardt finished 24th at Talladega on Sunday. Credit: Autostock

Conversation: Kerry Earnhardt

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- The steep asphalt at Talladega has seen a pair of Earnhardts win eight times in the last 12 races.

Which means there's probably not a better place in the world for another one to make a name for himself. After all, Kerry Earnhardt knows that a secure Nextel Cup ride is sometimes just a good finish away.

TrackPass Audio 4:20 Conversation: Kerry Earnhardt

Earnhardt, 34, has been trying to break into the Nextel Cup Series full-time for several years. He hasn't yet found someone to stick him in a seat for 36 races, but this year, he's had the fortune to count on Richard Childress to field him a car for a handful of events, namely, the restrictor plate events.

There has been disappointment -- he had an accident in the Nextel Open at Charlotte in May, but the big one that got away was in April, when he tangled with Michael Waltrip at Talladega after running in the top 10 for a chunk of the race.

It took awhile for Earnhardt to shake off that day at Talladega, but after a lead-lap run at Daytona in July, the backing from RCR was there for a second Talladega try in October.

NASCAR.COM's Ryan Smithson talked with Earnhardt just after Bud Pole Qualifying at Talladega, where Earnhardt qualified 21st.

First off, what have you been doing with your time?

Kerry (left) with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Friday Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Well, we have got a few races with RCR, like six Cup races and one Busch race. Outside of that, we have been doing some Winston West races out west for Bill McAnally Racing and the Napa team.

Been having fun with that and trying to get into the top 15 in points and do the Toyota All-Star Showdown. It's real exciting, and I come back here and run the No. 33 Bass Pro Chevrolet for RCR Racing.

That is my ultimate dream, to be running full-time in Cup, but right now I am focusing on what I got. When I am not racing I am home with my kids and having a good time with my little girl and boys. Doing all kind of things.

How much time does that eat up of yours going to the West Coast and back?

It's really just weekends but it has gotten where it's every other weekend. It's not real bad but it still takes a lot of time traveling back and forth quite a bit.

You did so well this spring (at Talladega). You've had to have been looking forward to this since Daytona.

Kerry Earnhardt Driver Page 2004 Stats

Yeah. We came here the first time here in the spring and ran pretty good in practice and everything, and then we picked up pretty big for qualifying.

I was kind of spoiled on that, I thought we would do that the same thing here (this time).

We got everything we could in practice and gave it all we had so we could figure out where we were at, and we did a little better than what we did practice at, so that was good for us. I am looking forward to the race Sunday, just get up front and run.

What would your father think about the Chase for the Nextel Cup?

That would be hard to answer. I don't know. It's hard to say. I'd like to know myself to see what he'd say. I don't think he'd be all for it though.

Kerry, when are you going to shave that mustache off? Or is that for life?

I shaved it off a couple times and I feel better with it. I think I need to hang onto it. My wife gets mad if I shave it off too.

Kerry, what have you got working for 2005?

I don't know that yet. I wish I did. I'd feel more at ease. I just don't know that yet.

Were you surprised when Dale Jr. came out this week and said the things he said on 60 Minutes?

Well, unfortunately, I didn't get to watch it. I wasn't in front on of the TV at all. I did miss it and no room to comment because I didn't see anything on it.

Now, in April (at Talladega) you got spun out and you had run so well, did that stick with you for several weeks after that?

Of course it did. It was going to be one of my best runs and having it taken away like that was heartbreaking.

But you know, however you look at it, that's in the past and we are here to race this weekend and I kind of picked around with (Michael Waltrip's) crew and said "Don't hold it against me, ain't nothing against him, just don't hold Sunday against me," and they all kind of panicked, but I am not like that.

Them guys put a lot of time and work in that. Michael didn't work on the car -- all he does is drive it, so I ain't going to be that way. That is all behind me. I am just going to go out, race and get the best finish we can.

Have you gone to the shop and helped the guys with the car?

That is bad I said that because I know I haven't. I help them a little bit when they go t set the car up, usually with the body stuff, I don't get that involved with speedway cars, but all the guys put a lot of work and long hours on these cars.

It would be frustrating to come out here and tear it up in 10 minutes after they worked for five or six months on it.

Have you had guys come up to you in the garage and said "Hey, Kerry we will work (draft) with you?"

No. You'll never have that, I am sure. You just have to wait and find out. They worked with me pretty good last time I was here. Hopefully, they will do it this time too.