Dale Earnhardt Jr. Returns to Racing at Nashville Fairgrounds

The NASCAR legend will compete in a CARS Tour race this Saturday night.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, with bold geometric shapes and vibrant colors representing the movement and energy of a NASCAR race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.A cubist interpretation of the excitement and energy of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s return to racing at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.Today in Nashville

Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 51-year-old former NASCAR Cup Series driver, has announced that he will compete in a CARS Tour race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway this Saturday, April 11, 2026. Earnhardt, a two-time Busch Series champion, will be driving the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops vehicle and is excited to return to the track where he raced late models 30 years ago.

Why it matters

Earnhardt's return to racing, even in a lower-tier series, is sure to generate significant interest and excitement among NASCAR fans. As one of the most popular drivers in the sport's history, his participation will likely draw large crowds and viewership to the CARS Tour event.

The details

Earnhardt revealed that he will be doing a tire test at the track in the days leading up to the race to get a better feel for the car and the track. He also expressed his gratitude to the various sponsors and partners, including zMAX, SoundGear, and Tootsies, that have helped make the event possible. The race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is sold out, and fans will be able to watch the action live on FloRacing.

  • Earnhardt announced his plans to race in the CARS Tour event in March 2026.
  • The race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

A 51-year-old former NASCAR Cup Series driver and two-time Busch Series champion who is returning to racing in a CARS Tour event at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

CARS Tour

A regional late model stock car racing series that will host the event at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway where Earnhardt will compete.

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

A historic short track in Nashville, Tennessee, where Earnhardt raced late models 30 years ago and will now compete in the CARS Tour event.

Bass Pro Shops

The sponsor of the No. 8 car that Earnhardt will be driving in the CARS Tour race.

zMAX, SoundGear, Tootsies

Sponsors and partners that have helped support the CARS Tour event at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

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What they’re saying

“Welp. 30 years ago I went to Nashville Fairgrounds to race my Late Model Stock and tonight I'm back there again with the @CARSTour. Tons of laps in between. I'm gonna have some fun. And I hope that I run well. But more than anything else, I hope everyone enjoys the event.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“Competitors, team owners, fans, viewers, sponsors, track promoters, and the Nashville racing community. We appreciate the opportunity to bring our series to such a historic place. The race is sold out.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“We got a ton of partners and brands that help us. @zMAXproducts and @SoundGearHear are prominent partners in the series. Specifically here in Nashville, @tootsiesnet has jumped on board to help boost our purse to help our teams with the added travel expenses. Personally @BassProShops is onboard my car for this weekend. If ya tune in to see us all tonight, we appreciate the support. Enjoy.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr.

What’s next

Earnhardt will participate in a tire test at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in the days leading up to the CARS Tour race on April 11, 2026.

The takeaway

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s return to racing, even in a lower-tier series, is a highly anticipated event that will draw significant interest and excitement from NASCAR fans. His participation in the CARS Tour race at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, where he raced 30 years ago, is a testament to his enduring passion for the sport and his connection to its roots.