Dale Earnhardt Jr set for Nashville Fairgrounds debut, Tootsie’s to sponsor CARS Tour race

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• 🏁 Quick Facts
• A Quarter-Century Return to Historic Nashville
• CARS Tour Growth at Nashville Fairgrounds
• Race Results and Competitive Context
• The Significance of Bass Pro Shops Partnership
• Looking Ahead: Earnhardt Jr. and the CARS Tour
  • Sources

Dale Earnhardt Jr. made his first return to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 26 years on April 11, 2026, competing in the zMAX CARS Tour Music City Showdown with the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. The legendary NASCAR driver started 25th in the field and navigated the field on the 0.596-mile historic track, finishing 12th in a competitive late-model race that drew over 12,500 fans to the event.

A Quarter-Century Return to Historic Nashville

Earnhardt Jr. brought significant star power to a venue with deep connections to his racing past. Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway held NASCAR Cup Series races from 1958 to 1984, establishing itself as one of the most storied short tracks in America. Earnhardt Jr. grew up competing at this historic facility during his youth, making Saturday’s return particularly meaningful. The fan response reflected his status—over 12,500 spectators filled the grandstands for the Tootsie’s Music City Showdown, the track’s debut event on the CARS Tour calendar in 2026.

After two decades away from competitive racing at Nashville Fairgrounds, Earnhardt Jr. immediately faced the challenge of the late-model competition. The No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet displayed competitive pace throughout the event, though Earnhardt Jr. started deeper in the field at 25th position. His experience and racecraft allowed him to work his way forward across the race distance on the tight, demanding five-eighths-mile track, ultimately securing a respectable 12th-place finish in his first CARS Tour start of the 2026 season.

CARS Tour Growth at Nashville Fairgrounds

The zMAX CARS Tour’s arrival at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway marked a major milestone for the grassroots racing series. Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick co-own the CARS Tour, which they acquired in 2024, making the Nashville event strategically significant for its leadership. The Music City Showdown connected the historic venue—where NASCAR’s top drivers once competed in Cup Series events—with the modern late-model racing landscape, offering fans access to competitive short-track racing.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, the iconic Nashville honky-tonk, served as the presenting sponsor for the race. The partnership emphasized Nashville’s cultural significance and reinforced the series’ commitment to supporting the city’s racing heritage. The CARS Tour has established itself as a premier late-model racing series across the Southeast, attracting both rising talent and established drivers seeking competitive events on historic short tracks.

Race Results and Competitive Context

Category	Details
Race Winner	Caden Kvapil
Earnhardt Jr. Finish	12th place
Starting Position	25th place
Track Type	D-shaped asphalt oval, 0.596 miles
Series	zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Cars
Attendance	12,500+ fans

Kvapil’s victory in the Music City Showdown demonstrated the depth of competition on the CARS Tour. The field featured multiple competitive late-model drivers fighting for positioning across the race distance. Earnhardt Jr. proved he could hold his own competing clean and respectfully against the field, a notable achievement given the 26-year layoff from competition at this particular venue.

“I feel like the experience at these grassroots tracks like Nashville Fairgrounds reminds us why so many of us fell in love with racing in the first place. Being back here after so long, racing clean and respectful racing—that’s what it’s all about.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer and CARS Tour Co-Owner

The Significance of Bass Pro Shops Partnership

Bass Pro Shops continues its multi-faceted partnership with JR Motorsports and Earnhardt Jr., with the longtime supporter providing sponsorship for the No. 8 vehicle. The partnership extends across JR Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series teams, supporting drivers Carson Kvapil and Wyatt Kimmel, in addition to Earnhardt Jr.’s competitive drives. This deep corporate partnership underscores the commercial value of Earnhardt Jr.’s continued presence in racing, both as team owner and active competitor.

The Bass Pro Shops No. 8 Chevrolet carries historical significance as well—the No. 8 was Earnhardt Jr.’s iconic car number during his dominant NASCAR Cup Series career from 1999 to 2007, when he drove the Budweiser-sponsored vehicle for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Using this number again reflects Earnhardt Jr.’s ownership of his legacy and commitment to grassroots racing evolution.

Looking Ahead: Earnhardt Jr. and the CARS Tour

The Nashville Fairgrounds debut represents one chapter in Earnhardt Jr.’s ongoing involvement with the CARS Tour series. As co-owner alongside Kevin Harvick, Earnhardt Jr. brings legitimacy and credibility to late-model racing at the grassroots level. His willingness to compete in the events he helps promote sends a powerful message to sponsors and fans about the quality and competitiveness of CARS Tour racing.

The April 11 race demonstrated that Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway can successfully host professional late-model racing with strong attendance and sponsorship support. The venue’s historic significance, combined with Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge’s prominent partnership, positions it as a valuable asset for growing the CARS Tour’s schedule. Future events at Nashville Fairgrounds will likely draw continued interest, especially with Earnhardt Jr.’s participation confirming the track’s place in the modern racing landscape.

Sources

• FloRacing — Official CARS Tour results and race coverage
• The Tennessean — Local coverage of Earnhardt Jr.’s Nashville Fairgrounds return
• JR Motorsports — Team information and partnership details
• Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway — Track history and event information
• CARS Racing Tour — Official series schedule and sponsorship announcements