Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the No. 8 Budweiser. NASCAR fans can finally rejoice.
For a certain generation of stock car racing enthusiasts, the red-and-black No. 8 scheme can elicit feelings of euphoria. Earnhardt, 50, is one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, breaking into the mainstream with his larger-than-life personality and his heroics across asphalt.
The 26-time race winner was a force in any of his racing stripes, but that No. 8 paint scheme proved especially notable to the masses of Cup and Xfinity Series fans.
He’ll get a chance to recreate some of his career magic on Saturday when he takes part in the South Carolina 400. Earnhardt will be sporting his iconic colors once more, so it will be hard to miss him.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Earnhardt’s return to the track on Saturday night. Follow below for highlights, analysis, and everything in between as one of racing’s most popular figures attempts to turn back the clock.
STREAM: Watch the South Carolina 400 live with FloSports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. live race results, updates, highlights from South Carolina 400
(All times ET)
10:02 p.m. — CAUTION! Jared Fryar and Landon Huffman were involved in another collision. Berry has been in control of the race as the drivers slowly approach the halfway point.
9:57 p.m. — They’ve restarted the race again, currently through 55 of 250 laps.
9:50 p.m. — CAUTION! Now past Lap 50, it looked like Ryan Wilson was in a collision, slowing this race down for now. Earnhardt Jr. was slowly working his way up, reaching 24th.
9:43 p.m. — Caden Kvapil was pacing the group for some time, but he’s now fallen back to fourth. As of Lap 28, Berry and Gentry remain in front.
9:34 p.m. — With the race back underway, Riley Gentry and Josh Berry each take the lead in a close bunch. Earnhardt Jr. is currently 31st, but there’s a long way to go with 239 laps.
9:28 p.m. — CAUTION! Justin Hicks, one of the provisional drivers, appeared to get a flat tire early in this race. His car is getting checked out now.
9:27 p.m. — Lap 1 of 250 is complete. There’s a long way to go for these drivers, with Millington still holding the early lead.
Green flag for the South Carolina 400 pic.twitter.com/y5aKZyGoaO
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) November 24, 2024
9:23 p.m. — Ryan Millington and Doug Barnes Jr. make up Row 1 to begin this race.
9:15 p.m. — The South Carolina 400 is set to get started momentarily, with all of the drivers ready on the track. 250 laps to go.
Nothing says America quite like a Bud No. 8 carrying the Stars and Stripes. @DaleJr getting ready for the South Carolina 400 from @FmSpeedway2024 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/GLJSInbxZk
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) November 24, 2024
9:06 p.m. — Earnhardt Jr. is among the list of eight provisionals:
Provisionals for the 2024 #SC400
Adam Congrove
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Justin Hicks
Ryan Glenski
Truett Miranda
Bryant Barnhill
Jamie Weatherford
Alex Meggs— LMSC Updates (@LMSCUpdates) November 24, 2024
9:05 p.m. — Earnhardt Jr. tells the broadcast before the race that he thinks finishing in the top 10 would be a successful night for him.
8:55 p.m. — The drivers are now being introduced, with Earnhardt Jr. receiving a nice round of applause from the crowd.
8:45 p.m. — As we await the start of the main event, here’s a good look at Earnhardt Jr. racing in Heat 1 earlier:
Green Flag for Heat Race #1! pic.twitter.com/oKa3o4kS3C
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) November 24, 2024
8:29 p.m. — The scene is set for the South Carolina 400, and the Palm Tree is ready to be planted for this year’s winner.
All that’s left to do is race!
40 cars, 250 laps for $10k and a Palm Tree. The South Carolina 400 is up next! pic.twitter.com/8RDVXzTMG1
— Chase Folsom (@cfolsom_racing) November 24, 2024
8:15 p.m. — Thrasher is the Mini Stock victor, claiming the top spot in the final race before the headliner.
8:09 p.m. — Now in the Mini Stock Feature, Thrasher has a wide lead on Johnson with just three laps to go.
7:52 p.m. — Both Heat 1 and Heat 2 are complete, with the top six advancing in each race. Earnhardt Jr. finished 16th in Heat 1, with Sam Yarbrough claiming the top spot. As for Heat 2, Treyten Lapcevich led the way.
7:35 p.m. — Earnhardt Jr. qualified earlier this evening. A look at his No. 8 Budweiser on the track:
Dale Earnhardt Jr qualifies the Budweiser 8 in the South Carolina 400 pic.twitter.com/YsVsZ06KlZ
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) November 23, 2024
7:30 p.m. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared this on social media earlier today:
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 23, 2024
How to watch the South Carolina 400
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: FloRacing
- Radio: MRN
Sunday’s South Carolina 400 will not be aired on television. Rather, it will be broadcast exclusively on FloRacing, which airs all of NASCAR’s regional events.
South Carolina 400 start time
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
Saturday’s South Carolina 400 has a listed start time of 6 p.m. ET. FloRacing’s broadcast of the race begins at 4:15 p.m. ET, starting with qualifying for Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Late Models divisions.
The race will be held at Florence Motor Speedway in Timmonsville, S.C.
When does Dale Earnhardt Jr. race today?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is racing in the Late Model race at the South Carolina 400, the final event of the night. Pre-race ceremonies are scheduled for 6 p.m. ET followed by Late Model heats, Street Stock and Mini Stock races before the 250-lap race featuring Earnhardt. Expect Earnhardt to take the track late Saturday evening.
