A beloved icon of NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is readying up for a return to racing in 2025. Fans of this racing legend will once again see him behind the wheel of his iconic No. 8 late model car. Although he has stepped away from most NASCAR events, Earnhardt Jr. is choosing to race in smaller races, which he truly enjoys.
He announced on his Instagram Story that he plans to race on August 29 at the Florence Motor Speedway, which is just ahead of the Southern 500 happening that weekend at Darlington Raceway.
"I'll see y'all in August," he confirmed to his eagerly awaiting fans.
Earnhardt Jr.'s place in the Cook Out 225 ZMax CARS Tour race is a significant draw for the entire series. As a co-owner of the CARS Tour, his involvement brings a boost in attendance and excitement.
The race at Florence Motor Speedway is of particular importance; it is one of his favorite venues in South Carolina. He's already driven in a previous Florence event known as the South Carolina 400, but mechanical issues stopped him from getting a likely top-five finish.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains a storied figure in NASCAR history, especially being the famous driver associated with the No. 8, which became an icon from 1999 to 2007. The No. 8 font, memorable from Dale Earnhardt Incorporated days, is making a comeback with Sammy Smith driving this number in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series. The No. 8 and the Budweiser car paint scheme have seen a resurgence of excitement, especially after they returned to the track at the South Carolina 400 in November of this year. This was the first time the Budweiser paint appeared in 17 years, bringing a wave of nostalgia to NASCAR fans.
The racing schedule for Earnhardt Jr. in 2025 will not be overloaded, as he plans to take part in just a few races. After the confirmed race in August, other race plans include an earlier race in April, another in August besides the Florence race, and one in October. These races will feature top sponsors such as Sun Drop and Bass Pro Shops, alongside potential additional appearances from Budweiser, too. Fans might also see him in other events at Florence like the Icebreaker or South Carolina 400 as he races outside his busy broadcast commitments.
In addition to racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues to influence the sport through his work as a broadcaster with Amazon Prime Video and TNT covering the NASCAR Cup Series. His broadcasting duties will be concentrated around the summer, stretching from the Coca-Cola 600 in the Memorial Day Weekend to the Brickyard 400 slated for late July.
His returns bring a historical depth to the sport, as few figures have been as loved by fans quite like Dale Earnhardt Jr. has. Remembered for 26 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series and being a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, his legacy in racing is cherished. He was also NASCAR's Most Popular Driver for an incredible 15 consecutive years from 2003 to 2017. This unwavering popularity continues to fuel the fanfare.
Earnhardt's personal preference for specific tracks reflects his love for racing, especially at Florence Motor Speedway. He's also shown interest in competing at other spots like Cordele Motor Speedway and Anderson Motor Speedway. These local tracks have given him opportunities to enjoy racing while meeting with enthusiastic fans.
While full details for additional races remain unconfirmed, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaves space in his calendar for potential entries in local races outside his schedule as a broadcaster.
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