NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has announced his return to the track for the 2026 season, continuing his tradition of annual appearances in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This decision aligns with JR Motorsports’ extended partnership with Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, which runs through the 2026 season. Earnhardt Jr. will pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 20, 2026, marking his 18th consecutive year racing under the Hellmann’s banner .
Although he had no plans to race in 2025, Earnhardt Jr. expressed that he might miss the competition and consider returning in 2026. He emphasized that his participation benefits JR Motorsports, particularly in securing sponsorships . His previous outings have been competitive; notably, he led 47 laps at Bristol in 2023 before a mechanical issue ended his race .Beyond racing, Earnhardt Jr. remains active in the sport through broadcasting and team ownership. He has joined TNT Sports and Amazon Prime’s NASCAR coverage and continues to manage JR Motorsports, which competes in multiple NASCAR divisions . Additionally, he was recently inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, joining his father in this honor .
Fans can look forward to Earnhardt Jr.’s return to Bristol in 2026, where he aims to add another strong performance to his storied career.
