By Van Cox, Special to NASCAR.COM
June 30, 2006
02:47 PM EDT (18:47 GMT)
Anytime Dale Earnhardt Jr. runs a special paint scheme, it's big news in the collectibles business. It doesn't matter how subtle the change. Heck, he could run with a fender decal out of place or one lug nut painted purple and it would give birth to a new line of collectibles and souvenirs. So when Junior hit the track with a pair of the season's most poignant special paint jobs, the NASCAR-licensed merchandise industry stepped up to meet the demands of a ravenous fan base. Of course, those two color schemes paid tribute to the Earnhardt family's racing legacy, replicating paint jobs made famous by Earnhardt Jr.'s father, Dale Sr., and grandfather, Ralph. The sight of Little E blasting around the high banks of Talladega in a stealth black Monte Carlo was enough to put a lump in the throat of even the most stoic race fan. In celebration of his father's April 29th birthday and induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Dale Jr.'s No. 8 Chevrolet temporarily shed its traditional Budweiser red paint job for the predominantly black color scheme made famous by The Intimidator himself for the April 30 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. It was a fitting scene for the tribute, considering Dale Earnhardt posted a record 10 Cup Series victories at the sprawling 2.66-mile facility. That immensely popular promotion generated a number of collectibles. Die-cast replicas of the car enjoyed one of the most rapid sell-throughs in recent memory. One of the most-coveted collectibles spawned by the program comes via the brush of Sam Bass, the first artist officially licensed by NASCAR. Dale Jr.'s black No. 8 has been commemorated for eternity by motorsports artist Sam Bass in his latest illustration, "DE Day!" The strikingly simplistic design of this immaculate artwork calls total attention to the black No. 8 as it flashes past the word "TALLADEGA" painted along the backstretch wall. The viewer's eyes immediately focus on two letters in that signage: "DE." As in Dale Earnhardt. "DE Day!" is available to the public as a limited edition fine art print. Only 843 prints are being offered, as well as 83 artist's proofs. Check out the NASCAR.com SuperStore for details. Also offered in our on line merchandise mall is an immaculate framed 8" X 20" photo from Stadium Imaging capturing the black No. 8 Bud Tribute car at speed. The retro paint scheme Earnhardt Jr. ran at Michigan on Father's Day traced his family's racing roots to the very beginning. While Dale Sr. ran the No. 8 early in his career, it was patriarch Ralph Earnhardt who made the cream-colored car with the leaning red numeral synonymous with victory. Simply put, Ralph was to dirt tracks what his more famous son was to Talladega. The 1956 NASCAR National Sportsman Division champion, he amassed more than 350 short track victories on bullrings all over the eastern United States. He was so dominant that some tracks placed bounties on him. Others went a step further and asked him not to come back until their local boys had a chance to catch up. Take it from somebody who watched him during his heyday; if you never saw Ralph Earnhardt compete, you've never seen a real dirt track race. Fellow Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett described him as "absolutely the toughest race driver I ever raced against. On the dirt and asphalt short tracks in Sportsman competition, when you went to the track you knew he was the man to beat." Die-cast replicas of the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Father's Day Tribute car are now in stock at the NASCAR.com SuperStore. Keep in mind that quantities of these Action Racing Collectables pieces are extremely limited, so order today. Also on sale are commemorative caps and tee shirts from Chase Authentics. Owning merchandise from this very special promotion is owning a true piece of NASCAR history. | 
