Does Teresa Earnhardt own the No. 8 in NASCAR? All you need to know

Teresa Earnhardt, the wife of late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt and the step-mother of former driver and team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., remains a prominent figure in the history of American motorsports. Earnhardt's widow and third wife, Teresa played a pivotal role in managing his now-defunct racing team, Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), as well as overseeing various copyright-related matters tied to his legacy.

One of the most significant controversies involving Teresa Earnhardt revolved around the ownership of the No. 8 car. While Teresa no longer holds the rights to the number, her decision to retain it at a critical juncture sparked intense family conflict.

Teresa's stepson and two-time Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., famously drove the No. 8 car for DEI during his early career. However, tensions arose when Junior announced in 2007 that he would be leaving DEI to join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 Cup Series season.

Junior hoped to carry the No. 8 with him to Hendrick Motorsports. However, his request was denied by Teresa Earnhardt, who refused to transfer ownership of the number. Despite efforts by DEI president Max Siegel to persuade her to reconsider, Teresa stood firm in her decision. Dale Jr. ultimately adopted the No. 88 for his new team.

The scenario finally changed when the No. 8 trademark came up for renewal on June 3, 2024. Teresa this time chose not to renew it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Ultimately, Dale Jr. applied for ownership through Dale Earnhardt Jr. Holdings nearly a month before Teresa’s rights officially lapsed.

The No. 8 has now returned to its roots at JR Motorsports. The team is preparing to feature the iconic number on Sammy Smith’s Chevrolet in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series.

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Exploring Teresa Earnhardt's team ownership history

During her time at the helm of DEI, Teresa oversaw an impressive run of success, including two Busch Series championships in 1998 and 1999. Her stint also included two Craftsman Truck Series titles in 1996 and 1998. She also co-owned the championship-winning Busch Series team in 2004 and 2005 through Chance 2 Motorsports.

However, her relationship with Dale Jr. and his siblings became increasingly strained. In May 2007, Dale Jr. announced he would leave DEI after negotiations over the team’s ownership failed to satisfy his desire for equal stakes among himself and his three siblings.

Teresa Earnhardt merged her team with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2008. However, in 2014, Teresa’s ownership stake in Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (EGR) was absorbed by Chip Ganassi Racing, marking the end of her involvement in active team management.

Over the years, Teresa also relinquished the rights to other car numbers, including 15 and 1, which had once been under her control.