A classic race-winning scheme from the 2001 season is returning, albeit with some changes. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will reunite with MLB and Budweiser to promote the 2025 Speedway Classic.
NASCAR fans remember the white MLB-themed Chevrolet that Earnhardt Jr. drove to an emotional win in the 2001 summer race at Daytona International Speedway. It featured a white base with red stitching, Budweiser logos, and a baseball player on the sides. The hood had the logo for the 2001 All-Star Game.
This is the scheme Earnhardt Jr. used as he returned to Daytona for the first time since his father's tragic death. He will use a version of this scheme during a zMAX CARS Tour race at Anderson Motor Speedway on Aug. 16.
The updated version, which will be on Earnhardt Jr.'s Late Model entry, brings back the Budweiser logos, the baseball players, and the red stitching. The big change is the logo on the hood. This year, Earnhardt Jr. will have the logo promoting the Aug. 2 Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway, which will feature the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.
Photo credit: JR Motorsports
"It is an incredible opportunity to reunite with Budweiser and Major League Baseball," said Earnhardt Jr. in a press release.
"I've watched that July 2001 race at Daytona so many times. It's such a great memory for me. I am excited that we have this chance to collaborate with Bud and MLB to bring that scheme back again because of what it means to me and so many others."
This reunion with MLB and Budweiser marks the second time that Earnhardt Jr. has brought back a classic scheme from early in his career. Last November, he and Budweiser headed to Florence Motor Speedway to compete in a CARS Tour event. They used the race to bring back the red and white scheme that Earnhardt Jr. used from 1999 until 2007.
They also released a limited-edition line of merchandise to celebrate the return. This is something JR Motorsports will do so once again as the white and red scheme heads back to the race track.
"The incredible fan response to Budweiser's reunion with Dale Jr. last November reminded us just how special this partnership is to racing fans," said Todd Allen, SVP of Marketing at Budweiser and Bud Light.
"This No. 8 Budweiser/MLB All-Star Game-inspired paint scheme pays tribute to one of the most iconic moments in the storied history of Dale Jr. and Budweiser's partnership. The MLB Speedway Classic is the perfect stage to revive this fan-favorite design, uniting an American racing icon and American beer at a first-of-its-kind MLB event."