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Williamston Today
By the People, for the People
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Unveils New Paint Scheme for CARS Tour Race at Nashville Fairgrounds
The NASCAR Hall of Famer will make his 2026 CARS Tour debut at the historic Nashville track this weekend.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:07pm
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Earnhardt's return to the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway will bring a burst of energy and excitement to the CARS Tour's inaugural event at the classic short track.Williamston TodayDale Earnhardt Jr. is set to make his 2026 CARS Tour debut this Saturday at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Ahead of the race, Earnhardt and the rest of the CARS Tour field participated in a test session on Thursday, giving fans their first look at Earnhardt's new No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet paint scheme.
Why it matters
Earnhardt has a long history of success at the Nashville Fairgrounds, having competed in Late Model and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series events at the track in the 1990s. His return to the Fairgrounds as a CARS Tour driver is sure to generate significant excitement among NASCAR fans.
The details
Earnhardt, who is a co-owner of the CARS Tour, has competed in eight events with the series since 2022, finishing as high as 10th. The 51-year-old NASCAR Hall of Famer is looking to build on his previous success at the Fairgrounds, where he made three starts in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series from 1997-99, finishing as high as third in 1998.
- Earnhardt and the CARS Tour field participated in a test session at the Nashville Fairgrounds on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
- The CARS Tour race at the Nashville Fairgrounds is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026.
The players
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
A NASCAR Hall of Famer and co-owner of the CARS Tour, Earnhardt has a long history of success at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, having competed in Late Model and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series events at the track in the 1990s.
Caden Kvapil
The current CARS Tour points leader, Kvapil pilots the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports and won the season opener at Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, North Carolina.
What they’re saying
“I'm racing at Nashville Fairgrounds April 11... and I'm driving the Bass Pro Shops car at the Fairgrounds. Yep, for the CARS Tour. ... I don't know if there's anymore I need to say. ... I'm going to do a tire test here in a couple days so I'll have a better idea of how fast it is.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“I raced there a dozen times in the mid 1990s when it was a hotbed for Late Model Stocks. You'd have 30 cars for a weekly 100-lap feature. It was amazing.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr.
What’s next
The CARS Tour race at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, where Earnhardt will make his 2026 debut with the series.
The takeaway
Earnhardt's return to the Nashville Fairgrounds, a track he has found success at in the past, is sure to be a highlight of the CARS Tour's 2026 season. Fans will be eager to see how the NASCAR legend performs in his new No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet paint scheme.
