Few things in racing are more iconic than Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 8 Budweiser car.
Race fans will get another chance to see the familiar paint scheme for the first time in 17 years when the NASCAR Hall of Famer returns to the wheel for a limited series of Late Model Stock Car Races in 2024 and 2025.
JR Motorsports announced the return of the 26-time race winner on Wednesday beginning with the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway on Nov. 23.
In addition to the infamous red-and-black paint scheme, Earnhardt Jr. will return to his stylized No. 8, made famous during his tenure behind the wheel from 1999 through 2007.
“It is an incredible opportunity for me to be able to reunite with Budweiser, and the No. 8,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Budweiser and I had some great memories with that iconic scheme and number. We’ve always supported each other over the years. It’s going to be really special for me to be able to represent that brand on the racetrack again.”
Earnhardt Jr. more than carried on his legendary father’s legacy during his career, winning the Daytona 500 in 2004 and 2014. He was voted NASCAR’s most popular driver for 15 straight years from 2003 to 2017, his final full season.
Since then, Earnhardt has sporadically raced in the Xfinity Series and late model races with JR Motorsports, a team he co-owns with Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick.
He has also appeared on NASCAR broadcasts for FOX and NBC. He will join the broadcast teams for Amazon Prime Video and TNT starting in 2025
“There are names that when mentioned, draw on the significance of their place in American history. Among them, Budweiser, and Earnhardt,” said Matt Davis, Vice-President of Partnerships at Anheuser-Busch.
“This return to the racetrack alongside Dale with the Bud King of Beers paint scheme is another chapter in Anheuser-Busch’s long and storied sports history.”
The South Carolina 400 will stream exclusively on FloRacing.
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