WATCH: Dale Earnhardt Jr. in iconic Budweiser #8 car at Florence Speedway ahead of qualifying

When Dale Earnhardt Jr. parted ways with Budweiser in 2007, fans considered it the end of the partnership. But they were wrong. The NASCAR Hall of Famer, who retired in 2017, was seen strapping himself to the iconic car moments ahead of qualifyings for the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway.

Among 56 cars that entered today’s race, there is no denying that Earnhardt Jr.’s ride stands out. He will drive under the banner of JR Motorsports, a North Carolina-based team owned by Earnhardt Jr. alongside sister Kelley Earnhardt and Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports.

Here is a video showing the veteran racer getting ready for the qualifying:

Throughout his stint as the driver of the Bud Chevy, Dale Jr. amassed 17 wins off of 291 starts, among which five were in the Cup Series. His first victory came in the DirecTV 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Thanks to the victory, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shattered the record (previously held by his legendary father Dale Earnhardt Sr.) of fewest starts by any driver before delivering their maiden victory (in just his 12th start). That same year, he won the prestigious All-Star race. However, he fell short of picking the Rookie of the Year honor. The year was 2000.

On February 18 the following year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost his father to a gruesome last-lap crash at NASCAR’s crown jewel Daytona 500. He remained winless until July 7, the day that marked his first win after the untimely demise of the ‘intimidator’.

Six years later, Dale Earnhardt Jr. declared he would no longer drive for his father’s Budweiser team. On June 13, 2007, Dale Jr. announced that he would be joining Hendrick Motorsports full time, following which, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car would not carry the number 8 for 17 years until now.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. candid on one-off appearance with Budweiser

This is going to be the third time for Dale Earnhardt Jr. running the 250-mile race. His car will flaunt the Bud King of Beers paint scheme. Needless to say, it is going to stir up memories from the past.

“It is an incredible opportunity for me to be able to reunite with Budweiser, and the No.8,” Earnhardt Jr. said in an interview (as quoted by On3). “Budweiser and I had some great memories with that iconic scheme and number. We’ve always supported each other over the years. It’s going to be really special for me to be able to represent that brand on the racetrack again.”

Anheuser-Busch and its brands Budweiser, Busch, and Busch Light have been intertwined with NASCAR for quite some time now. Besides backing Dale Earnhardt Jr. for nine seasons, they sponsored former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick for 13 long years. Currently, Busch Light serves as the primary sponsor for Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 1 machine for Trackhouse Racing.

“This return to the racetrack alongside Dale with the Bud King of Beers paint scheme is another chapter in Anheuser-Busch's long and storied sports history,” said Matt Davis, Vice-President of Partnerships, Anheuser-Busch.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to run select Late Model Stock Car Races in 2024 and 2025, with Budweiser as his primary sponsor. His schedule is yet to be announced. Besides, he will work with TNT and Amazon Prime as a broadcaster starting next season.