Drive : 9 Lessons to Win in Business and in Life

An inspirational, practical guide to success in business and life learned through the opportunities and challenges of growing up as the daughter of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. and becoming one of the most influential women in professional sports.  A successful businesswoman shares her story of growing up in the world of NASCAR and the lessons she learned along the way.

Just like a racecar as it takes to the track, each of us needs a certain amount of fine-tuning for our journey through life. In Drive, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, daughter of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and sister to Dale Jr., opens up about growing up in the world of NASCAR, sharing the lessons she learned about being a successful business leader and what she discovered, often the hard way, about winning in life.

Kelley never felt she was winning at anything until she began to deal with the thoughts and feelings that were driving her decisions and taking her in the wrong direction. Her journey of transformation is what empowered her to run the family business in an entirely different way than she had previously and to lead people not only with her head but also with her heart.

Drive offers nine important lessons learned about winning in business and in life, given not as a formula for greatness but as insight from a fellow traveler on a journey that is sometimes difficult, painful, unexpected, or confusing and sometimes exhilarating and joyful:

• Be Authentic and Approachable
• Manage Your Emotions
• Succeed Using Strengths
• Let Go to Move Forward
• Customize Your Communication
• Know How to Make Decisions
• Aim for the Win-Win
• Show Kindness
• Live a Balanced Life

Become a stronger person and a more effective leader by facing the truth about your own life in a healthy way and then drive to the win!

Published Reviews

“Through the great sport of fishing I have been very blessed to have come to know many extraordinary people from all walks of life. I have fished with presidents, prime ministers, leaders of industries, and people in the conservation world. Of all the people, including some real characters, I would place Dale Earnhardt Sr. right up at the top of the list of truly remarkable individuals. In many ways, Kelley is a chip off the ol’ block. Just like her dad and famous brother, she is one of my heroes. She has the same Earnhardt savvy, drive, fire in the belly, and determination but just happens to be a little—or maybe a lot—more organized. Thanks, Kelley, for sharing your inspirational life story with no holds barred. I love you, and I love this book!” — Johnny Morris, founder, Bass Pro Shops

“A true conglomeration of feeling, emotion, wisdom, experience, life, family, business, success, challenge, setback, victory, and legacy! Kelley opens her heart and transforms her personal demons, trials, and tribulations, as well as experience and triumphs, into positive lessons and challenges for the rest of us to garner. Kelley has revealed the paradigm of courage, wisdom, and beauty that she truly is, both inside and out, and presented it in typical, heartfelt Earnhardt fashion to win and help others win as well.” — Rick Brandt, president and CEO, Brandt, Inc.

“Drive is an amazing insight into the personal and professional mind of one of the most well-respected leaders in our NASCAR garage. Not only did I learn things about the Earnhardt family growing up, but I learned how to make better decisions in my life at home and in my business ventures. Drive is a must-read for everyone wanting to follow their dreams in life, both personal and professional!” — Sherry Pollex, vice president and founder of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and SherryStrong.org

Kelley Earnhardt Miller is part owner and general manager of JR Motorsports and is considered one of the most prominent businesswomen in NASCAR today. She oversees the company’s race team, management team, and business ventures for her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The daughter of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, Earnhardt Miller graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in business administration. A multiple-award recipient, she was named in 2015 as one of SportsBusiness Journal’s Game Changers/Women in Sports Business for her impact on the motorsports industry. Kelley is married to L.W. Miller and is mom to Karsyn, Kennedy, and Wyatt.

Beth Clark is a writer and publishing consultant who has collaborated on multiple award-winning books and New York Times bestsellers. She is based in Franklin, Tennessee.