Dale Earnhardt Jr. Returns to NASCAR Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway
Legendary Driver to Make First Start Since 2017
Race to Honor Father's Legacy and Raise Funds for Charity
Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history, is set to make a special return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 16, 2023.
Earnhardt, who retired from full-time racing in 2017, will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, the team he co-owns. It will be his first start in the Xfinity Series since 2017 and his first race at Bristol since 2016.
The race will be particularly meaningful for Earnhardt, as it will be the first time he has raced at Bristol since his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., was fatally injured in a crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
Earnhardt Jr. has said that he is racing at Bristol to honor his father's legacy and to raise funds for the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Foundation, which supports underprivileged children.
The race will be broadcast live on NBCSN at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Additional Details:
- Earnhardt Jr. will be driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, which is owned by his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and her husband, Rick Hendrick.
- The race will be 300 laps around the 0.533-mile Bristol Motor Speedway.
- Earnhardt Jr. has won twice at Bristol in the Xfinity Series, in 2003 and 2004.
- Earnhardt Jr. retired from full-time racing in 2017 after winning 26 Cup Series races and two Xfinity Series championships.
Quotes:
"I'm really looking forward to getting back in the car at Bristol," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It's going to be a special weekend for me and my family, and I'm hoping we can put on a good show for the fans."
"We're thrilled to have Dale Jr. back in one of our cars," said JR Motorsports general manager Dale Inman. "He's one of the best drivers in the world, and he's always a threat to win."
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