Kerry Earnhardt inherited his father's looks - the lanky body, the angular face, the crinkles around the eyes. The mustache makes him look even more like the late Winston Cup champion.

And then there is his voice. Close your eyes and listen: He sounds like a young Dale Earnhardt.

But, unfortunately for Kerry Earnhardt, his NASCAR career so far doesn't look anything like his father's.

Though Dale Earnhardt Jr. has built a large fan following, those around the sport say Kerry Earnhardt, the oldest son of Dale Earnhardt, could become the most popular Earnhardt in the business if he could get his racing career jump started.

This weekend in Talladega, Ala., where his late father won his last race in spring 2000 and where his younger brother Dale Jr. won his last race in April, Kerry Earnhardt, a regular in the Busch Grand National series, will attempt to qualify for the EA Sports 500.

It is the first of three Winston Cup races he will attempt to make this season in the FitzBradshaw No. 83 Chevrolet. And, it was announced last week, Earnhardt has secured sponsorship for four Cup races next season at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, N.C., and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

All of it is a steady progression toward what the team hopes is a full Winston Cup schedule in 2004.

If the plans work out, Ty Norris, executive vice president of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., has his own ideas about what it would mean in terms of fans.

Norris, a longtime friend of both sons, said: "Actually, I think Kerry has the opportunity to gather all the Dale Earnhardt fans because he's the eldest son."

But that's not all Kerry Earnhardt has going for him, Norris said.

Norris told of a Christmas party last December at DEI. There were 450 guests, plus Dale Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, and drivers Michael Waltrip, Steve Park, Dale Jr. and Kerry.

"Dale Jr., Steve, Michael, even Teresa all came up and spoke," Norris said. "But when I introduced Kerry and said how proud we were at DEI to have been able to help through our engine program to put together a full-time deal for Kerry in the Busch Series this season, he received the only standing ovation."

And while Kerry Earnhardt stood there, in the building his father had built, tears ran down his face.

"That kid," said Norris, "is the most appreciative person I've ever seen of an ounce of help."

High expectations

The "kid," now 32, has had to carry the expectations that come along with the Earnhardt name. His dad was a seven-time Winston Cup champion. His brother, Dale Jr., 28, is a six-time Winston Cup race winner and considered a candidate for future championships in the series.

But Kerry Earnhardt, who won three of the five ARCA races he entered last season, still is searching for the self-confidence a driver needs to be successful in NASCAR's top two series.

"He is one of the nicest and most caring guys out there," said Norris. "He has no ego. On the racetrack, that means he needs confidence to be more aggressive.

"There was always an attitude with his dad. You have to believe you're the best. Kerry isn't trying to take over the sport. He's just trying to find his place in it. He wants desperately to be part of it, not own it."

On the day of a recent race in Dover, Del., Earnhardt was being attacked by the flu and was not in the mood to discuss family ties.

"I usually don't talk about it," he said, when asked about comparisons with his father and brother. "We've got enough on our mind. My view is we should just go on down the road. I ain't like Junior or anyone. No one is the same."

Dale Jr., Kerry said, has helped him a lot with his racing, and both men say they are fond of each other.

"We're close friends," Kerry said. "We're brothers. But I don't drive like he does. ... People have expectations, but I'm giving all I can give right now. Until I learn more about the setup of cars and chassis, it will be a struggle."

Difference in careers

Dale Jr. said there is an unspoken understanding between them that keeps the disparity in their careers from making their relationship uncomfortable.

"I don't try to help Kerry unless he asks me for it," said Dale Jr. "He's very proud and a well-disciplined man who has been through a lot. We know why we're at the positions where we are. Knowing, it levels out the relationship.

"Kerry's had to take care of his kids. He's never, except for a select few times, been in optimal equipment. I don't care whose feelings that hurts; he's my brother, and that's what I think.

"We started out at the same time with equal experience, but there are reasons why he is where he is and I'm where I am. It's not about talent. It's about the breaks. Things happen. Mistakes are made. Deals are made and deals fall through."

Kerry, who was the divorced father of two by age 21, signed with a team to run in the Busch series in 1999, only to see the money run out a few races into the season. He drove here and there for his father after that, but it wasn't until he signed with FitzBradshaw (Armando Fitz and Terry Bradshaw) this season that he had a dependable, full-time ride in a major racing series.

So, Kerry Earnhardt is taking part in on-the-job training.

In Winston Cup, he qualified for a race in Michigan three years ago, putting himself in the field with his dad and brother, but he crashed early.

Since becoming a member of the FitzBradshaw Busch team, Earnhardt had made slow progress until last weekend, when he finished second at Kansas Speedway. His goal at the start of the season - the first time he has had a full-time ride - was top 10 in the points race. Now, he'll be happy with a top 20. He is currently 20th.

"I'm a rookie and not real experienced on the decision-making," he said. "But practice makes perfect, I guess. I'm learning. I feel I'm improving somewhat as I try to figure out what works."

This weekend, Earnhardt is going to Talladega, a treacherous track made even more dangerous because of the restrictor-plate rules that curtail power and result in the cars' being bunched together over the entire 500 miles. Earnhardt said he is looking forward to the race as a chance to get back in a car that feels more like an ARCA car in which he has done well. But neither he nor Dale Jr. is expecting Kerry to do something unbelievable - like win.

"He has the ability to run real well in that car [at Talladega]," Dale Jr. said. "But Talladega is a different deal. When I ran there the first time, it took the entire 500-mile race for me to figure out how to maneuver and get the feel of the draft. ... I wouldn't expect this to be a breakthrough performance, but he'll keep his head on his shoulders. There's a lot more to driving restrictor-plate races than people think. It requires, it brings out common sense, I think. And Kerry has that."