What did we do to deserve the return of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s iconic “Bud 8” car?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Budweiser proudly made it public that Dale Jr., who retired from full time racing in 2017, will once again drive the iconic Budweiser No. 8 Chevrolet for a limited series of Late Model Stock Car Races in 2024 and 2025. Translation: THE BUD 8 IS BACK (obligated to type that in all caps).
Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the number 8 car while he was racing for his father’s team, Dale Earnhardt Inc, from 1999 until 2007. He only stopped driving the iconic car when he asked for ownership of DEI from Teresa Earnhardt – the widow of Dale Earnhardt. Teresa wasn’t willing to give Dale Jr. ownership of the team, and also wasn’t willing to hand over the #8, so Dale moved over to Team Hendrick and drove the #88 car until he retired.
But over the past year, when Teresa gave up the trademark and offered it up as somewhat of an olive branch, Dale Jr. happily took back the Bud 8. In doing so, the legendary NASCAR driver felt that it was time to bring back officially licensed Budweiser 8 merchandise… under one condition. Dale Jr. didn’t want to feel as though the return of Bud 8 merchandise was just a cash grab, so he figured bringing back and actually driving the car would justify the sales.
And folks… she’s back in all of her beauty. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is set to race in the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway tomorrow, and the car is painted up and ready to go:
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 22, 2024
That’s NASCAR’s version of a thirst trap, is it not?
Needless to say, racing fans are over the moon about Dale Earnhardt Jr’s classic paint job that he raced in from 1999 through 2007 in the NASCAR Cup Series. And I have to agree with all of social media: it’s glorious:
It’s perfect 🔥
— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) November 22, 2024
This makes stock cars great again
— Josheph_36_Islost (@josephm75558927) November 22, 2024
The world is healing
— Indiana Sports Fan 2.0 (@reversejackfan2) November 22, 2024
Dale Yeah! It’s like the good ole days
— Coolwin1776 (@Coolwin1776) November 22, 2024
Still can’t get over how pretty she is
— Bungle Bip (@BungleBip) November 22, 2024
Bad ass! Just please get this car in victory lane! 🍻🏁
— Bryan Mabrey (@BryanMabrey3) November 22, 2024
I feel like I’m 21 again
— Darik Green (@dfgreener) November 22, 2024
it’s 2024 and the #8 Bud car is back on the track…y’all we made it. we are so back.
— MC (@MarcusC7796) November 22, 2024
The number 8 car just means to much to NASCAR fans. Now armed with hindsight, its almost blasphemous that it took this long to return. Obviously some of that was out of Dale Jr’s hands, but now that the “Bud 8” and the oh-so-important trademark are back with Earnhardt, the sky is limit.
In the modern age of reboots and bringing things back, the reunion of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his Budweiser takes the cake. Can’t wait to see the “Bud 8” back on the track tomorrow.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 21, 2024
