NASCAR Fans Go Gaga as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Brings Back Iconic No. 8 NASCAR MLB Paint Scheme Ahead of CARS Tour Return

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a way of making old things feel brand new again. Every time he straps into a race car, it’s like flipping back to a golden page in NASCAR’s history book. And his latest is not just a throwback—it’s a time machine. The moment fans caught wind of what he’s bringing to the CARS Tour this August, nostalgia hit like a thunderclap. It’s a familiar sight for them—his legendary No. 8, dressed in the MLB Scheme once again. And just like that, the internet has lit up!

It’s grassroots. It’s gritty. It’s everything he loves about racing. And he’s not just behind the scenes. This comeback is not just a paint or color, it is what it symbolizes– a look into how a sport carries its past into the present. This throwback will be a gift to the fans who’ve followed him every step of the way!

Dale Jr. brings back the legendary No. 8 Budweiser MLB Car for CARS Tour return

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is set to turn back the clock and bring a wave of nostalgia to NASCAR fans this August. The Hall of Famer will revive the legendary No. 8 Budweiser MLB paint scheme for the CARS Tour Speedway Classic at Anderson Motor Speedway on August 16, 2025. This move has electrified fans, many of whom still remember the emotional and historic moments tied to that car.

The original Budweiser/MLB scheme became iconic during the summer of 2001. Just months after losing his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., in the Daytona 500, Dale Jr. returned to Daytona for the July Pepsi 400. Racing the red-and-white No. 8 Budweiser MLB car, Earnhardt Jr. led 115 of 160 laps and surged from sixth to first in the final two laps. He took the checkered flag in a victory that was both healing and historic for the Earnhardt family and the NASCAR community. The moment is still considered one of the most emotional wins in NASCAR history.

This summer, Earnhardt Jr. is bringing that magic back, partnering with Budweiser and Major League Baseball. This Budweiser paint scheme is being used to promote Major League Baseball’s 2025 jewel event – the MLB Speedway Classic. The event is set to take place between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 2.

“It’s the baseball car!”

Fans at @JRMotorsports were pumped up when @DaleJr revealed the Budweiser MLB car he’ll race in the @CARSTour race at Anderson Speedway (SC) on August 16. pic.twitter.com/n3nbY9Wakm

— FloRacing (@FloRacing) May 22, 2025

Earnhardt Jr. himself is thrilled, saying, “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.” The CARS Tour has become a favorite playground for Earnhardt Jr., who has competed in select Late Model Stock Car races since his full-time retirement.

His presence always draws a crowd, but the return of the No. 8 Budweiser MLB car is expected to make Anderson Speedway a must-see event. For fans, it’s not just a race. It’s a celebration of legacy, resilience, and the enduring bond between Dale Jr., Budweiser, and NASCAR’s passionate community.

Nostalgia, excitement, and memories flood social media

As soon as Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed the return of the No. 8 Budweiser MLB paint scheme, NASCAR fans went into overdrive. Social media lit up with excitement, nostalgia, and heartfelt memories. For many, this isn’t just another throwback. Instead, it’s a piece of racing history coming back to life.

One fan summed up the mood perfectly: “This is awesome!! Would love to be there.” The anticipation for the CARS Tour event at Anderson Speedway is sky-high. Fans from across the country are already making plans to attend or tune in, hoping to catch a glimpse of the iconic car in action.

Of course, some fans had rather practical questions. “Does this mean the race will be blacked out?” one asked, worried about TV coverage, now that Dale Jr. has turned back the clock. In earlier times, NASCAR enforced local TV blackouts for some major races, including Daytona events, to encourage ticket sales at the track. This policy continued in various forms until NASCAR centralized TV rights in 2001, ending local blackout requirements for most events.

For longtime Earnhardt fans, the paint scheme means even more. “It’s more than ‘the baseball car,’ that’s the car that healed many Earnhardt fans when Jr won that race,” another fan posted. The 2001 Daytona victory in this very scheme helped the NASCAR community find peace and solace after Dale Sr.’s passing. Seeing it on track again brings back a flood of emotions and memories.

Fans are also clamoring for the full throwback experience. “Helmet too, please,” one commented, hoping Dale Jr. would pair the car with a matching retro Budweiser helmet. Others simply can’t get enough of the look. “This throwback scheme is bada–,” sums up the excitement over the car’s return.

The overwhelming response shows just how much this moment means for motorsport fans. For many, it’s not just about racing. It’s about honoring the past, celebrating resilience, and coming together as a community. When Dale Jr. takes the green flag in the No. 8 Budweiser MLB car, it won’t just be a race. It will be a celebration of everything NASCAR fans cherish.

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