This weekend, NASCAR's Cup Series drivers will kick off the postseason Chase at the iconic Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina. However, another significant racing event is set to take place just south of Darlington at Florence Motor Speedway, where Dale Earnhardt Jr. is making his return to competitive racing.
On September 4, the NASCAR Hall of Famer will compete in a Pro Late Model race, part of the CARS Tour, a series he co-owns. This marks a notable moment for Earnhardt, who has previously raced in Late Model Stock cars but will be stepping into a Pro Late Model for the first time. The difference in car specifications includes a lower horsepower, but for fans and the motorsports community, Earnhardt's participation is a major highlight.
Earnhardt's return to racing is particularly special as it reunites him with his cousin, Tony Eury Jr. Eury, who once served as Earnhardt's crew chief in the Cup Series, now holds the position of Director of Chassis Development at GMS Race Cars. Earnhardt will be driving the No. 23 car for GMS at this event, adding a personal touch to his racing comeback.
Earlier this week, Earnhardt announced his plans to race at Florence during an episode of his podcast, "The Dale Jr. Download." He shared how Eury had been encouraging him to get behind the wheel again, leading to this exciting opportunity. "Tony Jr. has been picking at me a little bit about driving one of his cars," Earnhardt explained. "So I said, ‘Hey man, let’s go run Florence.’ They’re building these great cars and they’ve got this new chassis and they’ve been racing them all over the country. It’ll be kind of like a family reunion. I’m looking forward to it."
Throughout his illustrious career, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has made a significant impact in NASCAR. He is a two-time champion of what is now known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and has won the prestigious Daytona 500 twice. Additionally, he was named NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for an impressive 15 consecutive years from 2003 to 2017. In 2023, he was honored alongside his late father as one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers, solidifying his legacy in the sport.
In total, Earnhardt boasts 50 NASCAR victories, including 26 wins in the top-tier Cup Series and 24 in the O’Reilly Series. After facing challenges with concussions during the latter part of his Cup Series career, he retired from top-level NASCAR racing in 2017. Since then, he has participated in a limited number of races, primarily in the O’Reilly Series and the CARS Tour, where he has maintained a connection to the sport he loves.
His last competitive outing in NASCAR came in 2024 at Bristol, where he finished seventh in an O’Reilly race. Earnhardt typically races a few times a year in the CARS Tour, which serves as a platform for emerging drivers looking to make their mark in NASCAR. The series has seen participation from several current NASCAR drivers, including Layne Riggs and Zane Smith, making it an important stepping stone in the sport.
As Earnhardt prepares to take the track at Florence, fans are eagerly anticipating his performance. This race not only signifies a return for the beloved driver but also highlights the ongoing legacy of the Earnhardt family in NASCAR. With the combination of family ties and a passion for racing, this event promises to be a memorable occasion for both Earnhardt and his supporters.
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