Earnhardt Jr. Finishes 12th at Fairgrounds, Sutton Wins Companion Race

NASCAR legend's appearance draws near-capacity crowd to support beleaguered Nashville track

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, capturing the kinetic energy and movement of a NASCAR race at Fairgrounds Speedway, with the track and cars dissolving into unrecognizable splatters of paint.NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s appearance at the historic Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville drew a near-capacity crowd, underscoring the track's importance as a motorsports landmark.Lebanon Today

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 12th in a touring zMAX CARS race at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, while 2024 champion Dawson Sutton captured the second race in the Tootsie's Music City Showdown. Earnhardt Jr. raced to support the track, which is fighting for survival amid efforts by neighborhood activists to demolish the Metro-owned facility.

Why it matters

Fairgrounds Speedway is part of NASCAR's history, and Earnhardt Jr.'s appearance and the large crowd it drew highlights the importance of preserving the track as a Nashville sports landmark. The race results also showcase up-and-coming drivers like Sutton and Kvapil.

The details

Earnhardt Jr. started 22nd in the zMAX CARS race, with Lebanon's Dylan Fetcho on the pole. Caden Kvapil, who drives for Earnhardt's JR Motorsports, took the lead on a late restart and went on to win the race. In the companion Pro Late Model feature, Sutton captured the checkered flag, while Indiana driver Brett Robinson, who won the season opener, finished 4th.

  • Earnhardt Jr. raced at Fairgrounds Speedway on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Dawson Sutton won the Pro Late Model race on the same night.

The players

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

NASCAR Hall of Famer and one of the sport's most popular personalities, who raced at Fairgrounds Speedway to support the track.

Dawson Sutton

The 2024 champion in the zMAX CARS series, who won the Pro Late Model race at Fairgrounds Speedway.

Caden Kvapil

A 19-year-old driver from Mooresville, North Carolina, who won the zMAX CARS race at Fairgrounds Speedway.

Dylan Fetcho

A Lebanon, Tennessee driver and past three-time track champion at Fairgrounds Speedway, who started on the pole for the zMAX CARS race.

Bob Sargent

The operator of Fairgrounds Speedway, who is fighting to keep the track open amid efforts by neighborhood activists to demolish the facility.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This racetrack is part of our sport's history and we should never lose it.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr.

What’s next

The track's next event is the ARCA Music City 150 on May 2.

The takeaway

Earnhardt Jr.'s appearance and the large crowd it drew underscores the importance of preserving Fairgrounds Speedway as a historic Nashville sports venue, even as the track faces an uncertain future. The race results also highlight the next generation of talented drivers like Sutton and Kvapil.