Kelley Earnhardt Elledge

Kelley Earnhardt Elledge went through a battle of her own, forgetting what she had to go through her brother. In March 2007, she had surgery and was trying to recover from that in the midst of everything.

"Our parents separated then divorced when we were like six and four. We lived with our mom, who worked really hard — third shift. It was always just Dale and I. I was cooking food, taking care of Dale — doing whatever while Mom was trying to provide a house for us. That grew when we moved in with our dad. We had nannies. Teresa and Dad were gone all the time, so I have always ended up looking after him. 'Pick up your cereal bowl. Take out the trash. If you do these few things here, then you'll get along here.' 'Cause otherwise, he didn't want to get along. That relationship — he's always known that I've had his back. It doesn't matter. He could run over one of my dogs and it would be OK. It's that simple." - Kelley Earnhardt Elledge

END OF MARCH/EARLY APRIL

Jeff Hammond: His sister is recovering from surgery. If she's not his closest friend, she's one of his closest friends. They've got a great relationship. When you look around, his father is gone. He's got his mother, but you've got to be concerned when someone upon whom you depend so much is sick and not doing well. As tough as Dale Earnhardt Jr. is supposed to be, he's concerned so that's also an issue.
I don't think anybody will ever totally understand how frustrating it is to be part of something and not be a part of something. He's part of Dale Earnhardt Inc. It has his name, and it's his birthright. But when it comes down to the legalities, ownership and direction, Dale Jr. doesn't have control so that's a frustration I don't think very many people totally understand.