Dale Earnhardt Jr. will once again be making his once-a-year appearance behind the wheel in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021. On Tuesday, Earnhardt announced that he will drive the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro at Richmond Raceway on the 20th anniversary of September 11th.
Earnhardt will drive a beautiful patriotic Unilever United for America scheme, which was revealed in a video released by JR Motorsports on social media:
Never forget. Two decades after the 9/11 attacks, @dalejr unites with @unileverusa for a meaningful @nascar_xfinity return on Sept. 11. pic.twitter.com/aEEtTbwowx
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) May 4, 2021
The scheme is aimed to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For Earnhardt, it’s an honor to drive this car in remembrance of those who were lost.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since that terrible day,” Earnhardt Jr. said in a team release. “The spirit of unity and togetherness our country felt on Sept. 11 is just as relevant now as it was then. I’m honored to be driving this car, and championing Unilever’s United for America program.”
The design of the car features components that were inspired by the 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s Tribute in Light.
Earnhardt is a NASCAR legend. He has won a total of 50 NASCAR National Series events, and he was voted NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver 15 times over his illustrious career. Earnhardt retired from full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series at the end of the 2017 season.
Earnhardt has scored top-five finishes in all three of his NASCAR Xfinity Series starts since walking away from being a full-time driver in NASCAR. He’ll look to add a fourth top finish in September.