WYATT MILLER RACING PHOTO
NASCAR Wire Service – HICKORY, N.C. — A new chapter of Earnhardt family history was written Saturday evening at North Carolina’s Hickory Motor Speedway.
Wyatt Miller, the 13-year-old grandson of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, captured his first Limited Late Model Stock Car victory at the historic, 0.363-mile oval.
Miller is the son of L.W. Miller and Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, Dale Earnhardt’s daughter and sister to Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Making just his second start in a Limited Late Model at Hickory, Wyatt Miller started from the pole and led early during the 40-lap feature before giving up the race lead to outside polesitter Zach Bruenger.
Bruenger led the race until Lap 32, when the engine in his car went up in flames coming out of Turn 4.
Miller inherited the race lead and held off a spirited challenge from Aiden King on the final lap. The sequence included contact to the rear of Miller’s car coming out of Turn 4, but Miller held on to collect his first trophy at the track known as the “Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars.”
“We had a really good car,” Miller said in Victory Lane. “I was catching Zach, and then he blew up.
“I think Aiden tried to rattle my cage, but it didn’t work.”
The Earnhardt family has a long and extensive history at Hickory. Ralph Earnhardt, father of Dale Earnhardt, won five track championships at the facility during the 1950s.
Dale Earnhardt also scored wins at Hickory during his career, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. competed at the track during his formative years.