Nadeau to mentor Jeffrey Earnhardt: former Sprint Cup driver & winner, Jerry Nadeau has been hired as driver coach for Rookie of the Year candidate Jeffrey Earnhardt in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Jeffrey Earnhardt is a 4th generation NASCAR driver & grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt. Nadeau will be mentoring Jeffrey not only on track at the races, but off track as well. Dale Earnhardt Sr., raced against Nadeau on many occasions with, in sad irony, Nadeau actually winning the last race Dale Sr. competed in prior to the Daytona 500 race which claimed Dale Sr.s life.
Nadeau has intimate knowledge of the inherent dangers himself, experiencing a near fatal wreck on May 2, 2003, during a practice session at Richmond International Raceway for the Pontiac Excitement 400. Nadeau suffered complete immobility of the left side of his body, a skull fracture, concussion, and several broken ribs. Nadeau no longer races but has successfully taken on the role of mentor before, thus giving him a proven track record in this capacity. In 2006 Nadeau worked with rookie David Gilliland, who went on to win the Nationawide race at Kentucky. I see the raw talent in Jeffrey and I feel that with the proper guidance he can be taken to the top of the sport, said Nadeau. He also offered, “I think my experience helping other drivers and as a former driver myself, this will provide good insight for Jeffrey on the track. Jeffrey is a talented driver and just needs a little coaching and someone who can pull the reigns on him when needed. This should be a fun season and I’m excited to work with him.”
Earnhardt will be competing in a full season in the 2011 NCWTS in the #1 Rick Ware Racing Fuel Doctor Chevy and is very happy to have Nadeau on board saying, “I’m excited to have Jerry with us to work with me as a mentor and driver coach. I think he will be instrumental in shortening my learning curve as a driver.”(JEI/Fuel Doctor Racing)(1-19-2011)
