Former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. kicked off his Thursday morning with an announcement that should put a smile on his fans’ faces.
Earnhardt, 50, is teaming up with Major League Baseball for an iconic collaboration. On Aug. 2, the MLB Speedway Classic will take place in Bristol, Tennessee. The two-time Xfinity Series champion is going back to his roots for his paint scheme.
The No. 8 Chevrolet will pay homage with Budweiser branding and an MLB All-Star Game paint scheme.
“It is an incredible opportunity to reunite with Budweiser and Major League Baseball,” Earnhardt said. “I’ve watched that July 2001 race at Daytona so many times. It’s such a great memory for me. I am excited that we have this chance to collaborate with Bud and MLB to bring that scheme back again because of what it means to me and so many others.”
Earnhardt will actually race in this vehicle on Aug. 16 as part of the zMAX CARS Tour event at South Carolina’s Anderson Motor Speedway.
The MLB shared a photo of Earnhardt’s paint scheme on social media Thursday.
“The legacy continues,” the MLB said. “Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the No. 8 Budweiser MLB car once again, 24 years after first winning with it at Daytona. This time, the NASCAR Hall of Famer will pilot the iconic scheme in support of the Speedway Classic at Anderson Speedway in the CARS Tour Series on August 16.”
MLB and NASCAR fans had positive responses to this announcement.
The legacy continues 🏁⚾️
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the No. 8 Budweiser MLB car once again, 24 years after first winning with it at Daytona
This time, the NASCAR Hall of Famer will pilot the iconic scheme in support of the Speedway Classic at Anderson Speedway in the CARS… pic.twitter.com/ZEiEATL68p
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2025
The original Budweiser/MLB All-Star Game paint scheme was unveiled at Daytona International Speedway in July 2001. Budweiser wanted to collaborate with Earnhardt again after noticing how much buzz their brief reunion generated in November 2024.
“The incredible fan response to Budweiser’s reunion with Dale Jr. last November reminded us just how special this partnership is to racing fans,” Budweiser’s Todd Allen said. “This No. 8 Budweiser/MLB All-Star Game-inspired paint scheme pays tribute to one of the most iconic moments in the storied history of Dale Jr. and Budweiser’s partnership. The MLB Speedway Classic is the perfect stage to revive this fan-favorite design, uniting an American racing icon and American beer at a first-of-its-kind MLB event.”
We can’t wait to see Earnhardt back in the driver’s seat on Aug. 16.
Related: NASCAR Fans Grossed Out By Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wife News
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Makes Big Return Announcement Thursday first appeared on The Spun on May 22, 2025
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