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Dale Earnhardt Jr. has finally reunited with his long-time sponsor Budweiser, bringing the iconic #8 back to life. The 50-year-old NASCAR Hall of Famer recently acquired the trademark and will drive the #8 Chevy in select Late Model Stock car races.
The #8 DEI trademark, previously held by Dale Sr.'s widow and Junior's stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, expired in early June. Dale Jr. had expressed interest in acquiring the trademark earlier this year and successfully managed to do so after Teresa chose not to renew it.
After teasing the return of the iconic Budweiser #8 partnership, Dale Jr. unveiled the paint scheme for his Late Model Stock car along with new merchandise. JR Nation was overjoyed about the reunion, invoking nostalgic memories of one of NASCAR's most recognizable partnerships.
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Fans were left speculating whether Dale Jr. would team up with Budweiser for his Xfinity Series outings. NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass clarified that Junior will not be driving the #8 Chevy in the Xfinity Series.
"Dale Earnhardt Jr. now owns the trademark to the stylized No. 8. Dale Jr. said on his podcast he doesn't expect it to be used in the Xfinity Series."
In the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download, he revealed he was surprised that his stepmother, Teresa, didn't renew the #8 DEI trademark earlier this year.
"I never thought that the trademark would not be renewed. I was certainly surprised when Teresa decided not to renew that trademark. Not sure why, but we applied." [from 25:40]
The 50-year-old clarified that the reunion with the iconic sponsor was solely for racing at the regional level in Late Models. He has no plans to enter Xfinity races in the #8 Budweiser Chevy.
"If we race the car, I would feel comfortable with the merch being made. That's what got us talking to Bud [Budweiser] about it, Hey man, we got an opportunity to kind of come together and do something on a small scale in terms of grassroots level. I don't see this ever, ever going anywhere beyond this, like Xfinity or anywhere like that. I don't think I want to do that," Dale Earnhardt Jr. added [from 28:17]
After 17 years, Dale Jr. will drive the #8 Budweiser Chevy for the first time in the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway, on November 23.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. appreciates Teresa's efforts in protecting the Earnhardt legacy
Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. was surprised that Teresa Earnhardt chose not to renew the #8 trademark, he expressed his token of appreciation to his stepmother for preserving the Earnhardt legacy and safeguarding the DEI trademarks over the years.
"One of the things that I really appreciate about Teresa is her ability and awareness in terms of protecting trademarks and likeness," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said [at 26:05]
"She was always really great at making sure that she took really good care of those things, when it came to dad, when it came to me, or DEI or all of those things, right?"
Dale Jr. added that the trademark was "in a safe place" while under Teresa's ownership. When she decided not to renew it, Junior stepped in and acquired it himself.
