All Dale Earnhardt Jr. needed was a chance to prove he could win in stock cars.
Turns out, he was a natural - on and off the track.
Now the longtime fan favorite and two-time Daytona 500 winner will join his famous, late father in NASCAR's Hall of Fame after being selected as one of three members of the 2021 class.
The other inductees are Red Farmer and the late Mike Stefanik.
Ralph Seagraves was chosen as the Landmark Award winner.
Earnhardt Jr. received 76% of the votes in his first appearance on the ballot.
Being an Earnhardt name certainly provides some advantages.
His grandfather, Ralph, was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997 and was selected as one of the 50 greatest drivers in NASCAR history in 1998.
Junior's father also made that list.
The Intimidator reached victory lane 76 times, winning a record-tying seven Cup championships and hordes of fans with his fearless style.
with files from Associated Press