Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hints at More Races with Iconic Budweiser No. 8 Car After Emotional Return Dale Earnhardt Jr. thrilled NASCAR fans with the news they had been waiting for: the
legendary Budweiser No. 8 car is back on the track and may stay for more races. Although his return with the iconic paint scheme ended in heartbreak during the South Carolina 400 at
Florence Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Earnhardt Jr. expressed hope that his renewed partnership with Budweiser will extend into the future.
Despite a challenging start in qualifying that placed him 40th on the grid, Earnhardt Jr. displayed vintage form as he surged to second
place, electrifying the capacity crowd. Unfortunately, a broken fuel pump cut short his bid for victory in the closing stages.
Speaking after the race, Earnhardt Jr. shared his optimism about continuing to race the Budweiser-backed No. 8 car, stating, “If I have anything to do with it, they’ll see that Bud car
again.” He emphasized his gratitude for Budweiser’s support and the overwhelming fan reaction.
“The reaction on social media and the attendance here were incredible,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Fans supported it well, and that should
encourage Budweiser to consider more races. I’d love to run the car more. It’s not very expensive for us to make this happen.”
Earnhardt Jr. revealed that plans are already underway for another Budweiser-backed race next year. While he hinted the car might sport a slightly different look, he expressed interest in extending the partnership beyond 2024.
“There will be another Bud car and another No. 8 on the track. It might not be all red next year, but we do have plans. I’d love to see Budweiser stay involved for a few more years. It’s a lot of fun, and the fans clearly enjoy it,” he added.
Reflecting on his experience, the 50-year-old racing icon admitted initial doubts after his qualifying struggles but is now eager to return to Late Model stock car racing. “I didn’t know if I wanted to do it again after qualifying. I was disappointed in myself. But after a race like that, I’m excited to come back,” he said.
Earnhardt Jr. has already mapped out four races for next season, with stops planned in April, August, and October. While his return with the Budweiser No. 8 car was emotional, it also set the stage for what could be an exciting chapter in his storied career.