ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family were involved in a plane crash at Tennessee’s Elizabethton Municipal Airport on Thursday afternoon.
A small Cessna Citation plane carrying Earnhardt, his wife Amy Earnhardt and daughter Isla Rose Earnhardt ran off the runway and caught fire in the incident, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Two pilots were also onboard the plane.
Elizabethton Fire Chief Barry Carrier confirmed that all five people onboard survived the crash and that none of the injuries were serious, according to WTVC-9 in Chattanooga.
Earnhardt was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. He has since been released and NBC Sports officials have confirmed he will take the weekend off from his broadcasting duties at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
NBC Sports statement on Dale Earnhardt Jr.: pic.twitter.com/O364HDMn3d
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) August 16, 2019
Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Earnhardt Jr.’s sister and the co-owner of JR Motorsports, released a brief statement on social media regarding the crash Thursday afternoon.
“I can confirm that Dale, Amy and Isla, along with his two pilots, were involved in a crash in Bristol, Tenn., this afternoon,” Earnhardt Miller wrote. “Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We have no further information at this time.”
I can confirm Dale, Amy & Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol TN this afternoon. Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding.
— Kelley Earnhardt (@EarnhardtKelley) August 15, 2019
Earnhardt, a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, spent 17 years racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. He won 26 races during that time, which included two victories in the Daytona 500.
After retiring from full-time competition at the end of the 2017 season, he transitioned to the broadcast booth. He currently works as an analyst for NASCAR on NBC and also co-owns JR Motorsports with his sister.