Dale Earnhardt Jr. Unveils Bass Pro Shops Car for CARS Tour Debut

The NASCAR legend returns to the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for the season opener.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:07pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes that capture the dynamic movement and energy of a stock car racing around a racetrack, conveying the excitement and anticipation surrounding Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s return to the CARS Tour.Earnhardt Jr.'s return to the track promises an electrifying display of racing prowess and passion at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.Lucama Today

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gearing up for his highly anticipated CARS Tour debut, unveiling a special Bass Pro Shops and TRACKER Boats-sponsored Chevrolet for the season opener at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. As a co-owner of the CARS Tour, Earnhardt's return to racing holds significant meaning, both for his storied career and the growth of the regional late model series.

Why it matters

Earnhardt's involvement in the CARS Tour as a co-owner and his return to racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds, a track he has fond memories of from the 1990s, is a major draw for fans and a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport. His new paint scheme and the season-opening event at the Fairgrounds promise an exciting spectacle for racing enthusiasts.

The details

Earnhardt's CARS Tour debut will feature a special Chevrolet car with a Bass Pro Shops and TRACKER Boats paint scheme. The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, a .596-mile oval, holds a special place in Earnhardt's heart, with the driver having competed there in the late 1990s. As a co-owner of the CARS Tour, Earnhardt's involvement in the regional late model series adds to the anticipation surrounding his return to racing.

  • The CARS Tour season opener at Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, N.C. saw Caden Kvapil take the checkered flag, establishing him as the current points leader.
  • Earnhardt's CARS Tour debut and the unveiling of his new paint scheme will take place at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on April 11, 2026.

The players

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

A legendary NASCAR driver and co-owner of the CARS Tour, Earnhardt is making his highly anticipated return to racing with a special Bass Pro Shops and TRACKER Boats-sponsored Chevrolet.

Caden Kvapil

The current points leader in the CARS Tour after winning the season opener at Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, North Carolina.

CARS Tour

A regional late model racing series co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks, providing a platform for up-and-coming drivers.

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

A historic .596-mile oval track in Nashville, Tennessee, which has hosted Late Model and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series events and holds special significance for Earnhardt.

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What they’re saying

“The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is a hotbed for Late Model Stocks, and I have so many great memories racing there in the mid-1990s when 30 cars would compete in a 100-lap feature.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr.

What’s next

Earnhardt's CARS Tour debut at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on April 11, 2026 will be a highly anticipated event, as fans eagerly await the sight of the legendary driver's iconic number 8 car under the lights.

The takeaway

Earnhardt's return to racing, his involvement as a co-owner of the CARS Tour, and the unveiling of his new Bass Pro Shops and TRACKER Boats-sponsored car for the season opener at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, showcase his enduring legacy and passion for the sport, as well as the growth and significance of the regional late model series.