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BACK TO GALLERIES

Memorable Dale Earnhardt Jr. paint schemes

By Staff Report | Published: October 22, 2024 29
Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

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Dale Jr. retro Budweiser scheme for Florence

Courtesy JR Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Budweiser are reuniting to bring back one of the most recognizable paint schemes in racing history. The NASCAR Hall of Famer will drive the historic red No. 8 Chevrolet for a limited series of Late Model Stock Car Races in 2024 and 2025. This is the latest memorable paint scheme in Junior's racing career. Scroll through to see the most memorable schemes.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the No. 88 Hellmann's Chevrolet during qualifying in 2023 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has driven his fair share of paint schemes throughout his racing career. Scroll through to see the most memorable schemes.

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10 Feb 1999:  Dale Earnhardt Jr. #3, races his car in a pre- qualifying  heat of the Busch Grand National series during the Daytona Speedweek at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida. Mandatory Credit: David Taylor  /Allsport

David Taylor | Getty Images

1998-1999


Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove his first full-time seasons in NASCAR during this span, rocking this blue-based No. 3 Chevrolet that collected two Xfinity Series championships and 13 wins.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20:  Dale Earnhardt Jr. competed in his first ever Daytona 500 finishing 13th on February 20, 2000 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

Getty Images

2000


Competing in his rookie Cup Series season, Dale Jr. debuted the classic No. 8 red Chevrolet that would become a fan favorite for most of the 2000s.

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Getty Images

2001


One of the variations of his No. 8 car was a summer scheme that dawned Major League Baseball's All-Star Game that takes place in July, which was the same month in 2001 where Dale Jr. took this car to Victory Lane in the first race at Daytona following the death of his father.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 16, 2002:  Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driving his Oreo-sponsored Chevrolet on his way to victory in the EAS/GNC Live Well 300 NASCAR Busch Grand National race at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

Getty Images

2002


Leading 59 of 120 laps in the Xfinity Series opener at Daytona, Dale Jr. had fans craving the beloved cookie brand with this tasty blue-and-white scheme.

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CONCORD, NC - OCTOBER 14:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet,  during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series UAW-GM Quality 500 on October 14, 2004 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.  (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

2003-2007


Shifting away from the black highlights above the body, the all-red No. 8 became the car most-recognized in Dale Jr.'s 18-year Cup Series career. During this five season span, he collected 10 wins and 84 top 10s.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 15:  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. drives the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 15, 2004 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

Getty Images

2004


In his fifth attempt in the Daytona 500, Dale Jr. dawned this classy paint scheme to his first Harley J. Earl Trophy, leading 58 of 200 laps.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 13:  Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Daytona 500 on February 13, 2005 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona , Florida.  (Photo By Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jamie Squire | Getty Images

2005


After winning the previous year's "Great American Race," Dale Jr. rocked another edition of his No. 8 Chevy, this time trading the vibrant red for a darker mahogany to go with the white base. He finished third in the season opener.

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TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 1:  Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #8 Budweiser Ford during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Aaron's 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway on May 1, 2006 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Andy Lyons | Getty Images

2006


Like father, like son. Nobody will forget when Dale Jr. paid tribute to his late father with the intimidating black and silver scheme at Talladega, mirroring the No. 3 that Dale Sr. drove.

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BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 18:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., drives the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway June 18, 2006 in Brooklyn, Michigan.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Harry How | Getty Images

2006


In honor of his grandfather, Ralph, Dale Jr. dawned the cream-colored No. 8 at Michigan International Speedway.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JUNE 30:  Dale Earnhardt Jr. driver of the #8 Menards/Johns Manville Chevrolet drives during the NASCAR Busch Series Winn-Dixie 250 on June 30, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Ronald Martinez | Getty Images

2006


Leading all but 15 laps in this edition of the Xfinity Series summer race at Daytona, Dale Jr.'s bright orange No. 8 blazed ahead of the field at the 2.5-mile superspeedway all night long.

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DAYTONA, FL - JULY 06: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2007 in Daytona, Florida.   (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

2007


Most schemes that represent the stars and stripes are beautiful, but this rendition at the Daytona summer race stands out as one of the best with the blue hood mixing well with the red stripes across the side of the car.

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RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 08:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser/Elvis Chevrolet, leads Tony Stewart, driver of the #20 The Home Depot Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 8, 2007 in Richmond, Virginia.  (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Marc Serota | Getty Images

2007


Fans could hear the rock and roll at Richmond as Dale Jr. drove by in this black and white No. 8 Chevy that paid tribute to music legend Elvis Presley.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Mountian Dew AMP/National Guard Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Matthew Stockman | Getty Images

2008


Dale Jr.'s move to Hendrick Motorsports sprung a new era, adding an extra eight underneath the door and ending the all-red base that was synonymous with him. The green, white and red became one of the staples for Dale Jr. in his early years with Hendrick.

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DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 08:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Mountain Dew/AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dodge Challenger 500 on May 8, 2008 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.  (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

John Harrelson | Getty Images

2008


Just Dew it. During a handful of races, Dale Jr. rocked this old-school scheme of the soda brand.

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LONG POND, PA - MAY 27:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Chevrolet drives during NASCAR Sprint Cup testing at Pocono Raceway on May 27, 2008 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

2008


Paying tribute to Hall of Famer Buddy Baker, Dale Jr. drove a reiteration of the "Gray Ghost" scheme at Pocono Raceway.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 02:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #3 Wrangler Chevrolet celebrates after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 2, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

2010


Arguably, the most sentimental of schemes. Dale Jr. ran this iconic blue and yellow No. 3 that his father drove in an Xfinity race at Daytona. He went on to win the race, bringing out all the feels that night.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 18:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

2012


After going winless for three seasons, Dale Jr. got a fresh look for the No. 88 Chevy. This time, a glistening gray base with a seamless green and red mix on the number.

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BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 15:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew/TheDarkKnightRises/National Guard/ Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan.  (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Drew Hallowell | Getty Images

2012


Dale Jr. returned to Victory Lane at Michigan in this black and green scheme that mixed soda and superheroes.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 23:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

2014


The gold No. 88 would be a good omen for Dale Jr. in 2014 as he won four races that year, beginning with his second Daytona 500 victory.

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BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 13:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/Superman Chevrolet, drives through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 13, 2014 in Brooklyn, Michigan.  (Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

2014


Later that year, with speeds reaching more than 200 mph, he soared at Michigan in the Superman-inspired hot rod.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 06:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Stars and Stripes Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2015 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Patrick Smith | Getty Images

2015


Rocking another patriotic scheme, Dale Jr. outclassed the field in the Daytona summer race, leading 96 of 161 laps in his final win at a superspeedway.

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AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 15:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 15, 2015 in Avondale, Arizona.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

2015


It would be a season of lasts for Dale Jr. in 2015 as he collected his final race wins at Talladega and Daytona, followed by his final Cup victory at Phoenix Raceway in this blue and white scheme.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 19:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

2017


In his final Cup season, Dale Jr.'s base paint scheme was a white body with a touch of blue on the hood and roof.

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DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 03:  Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #88 Nationwide Throwback Chevrolet during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 3, 2017 in Darlington, South Carolina.  (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

2017


In his final Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Dale Jr. ran a throwback scheme to his two Xfinity Series championship-winning cars in the late 1990s.

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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AXALTA Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

2017


To close the book on his Cup career, Dale Jr. revived his iconic red base in the No. 88 one final time at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 30: Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #8 Hellmann's Chevrolet during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 30, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

2019


Paying tribute to the first car his father drove in the Cup Series in 1975, Dale Jr. finished fifth in his lone Xfinity Series start that season.

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Adam Fenwick | NASCAR Studios

2022


Dale Jr.'s No. 3 Late Model car for the South Carolina 400 was modeled after the famous gold and black car driven by his father in the 1998 edition of the All-Star Race.

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