No. 8 Isn’t Just a Number—It’s NASCAR vs. the NFL

April 05, 2025

Apr 05, 2025 | Edition #159

👋 Dear Motorheads,

The wait is over! Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway is finally here. Known as ‘The Track Too Tough to Tame,’ this 1.36-mile oval isn’t just another stop on the calendar—it’s a celebration of NASCAR’s rich legacy. With drivers and teams rocking retro paint schemes and fire suits, the entire weekend is set to deliver nostalgia and fresh vibes. Maybe even some unexpected contact in that notorious Turn 2.

But it’s not all Darlington. As we gear up for a thrilling triple-header, there’s a fresh legal twist in Dale Jr.’s No. 8 saga, along with Bubba Wallace’s bold headlines around being a “Black” driver making waves.

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Dale Jr. Gets Served

It’s a battle nobody expected. The NFL and NASCAR worlds collided in a rare occurrence, and it has all come down to the iconic No. 8.

For NASCAR fans, that iconic number is straight-up legendary. And man, that car’s been through a lot over the years. Take February 15, 2004, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the 46th running of the Daytona 500. It was a full-circle moment for 29-year-old Dale, happening exactly 6 years to the day after his father, Dale Sr., captured his one and only Daytona 500 win back in '98, and just two years after the Intimidator’s untimely death.

The race win wasn’t easy. It all broke loose when rookies Brian Vickers and Johnny Sauter tangled, setting off a chain-reaction wreck that collected a who’s who of drivers—Sterling Marlin, Ryan Newman, defending 500 champ Michael Waltrip, John Andretti, Kevin Lepage, Terry Labonte, Johnny Benson Jr., Scott Riggs, Robby Gordon, and Jamie McMurray.

Waltrip got the worst of it. His car got turned, slid into the infield grass, and then—bam—flipped three times. It was a wild scene. Smoke and car parts flying all over. Watch for yourself.

But it was Junior’s day, and the legacy of that number just grew even stronger. However, this time, things got a little more interesting after Lamar Jackson stepped into the picture. The Baltimore Ravens QB happens to own the trademark for ‘Era 8’, a brand that sells everything from duffel bags to apparel. So when Dale Jr. applied to trademark the No. 8 for his JR Motorsports team, Jackson wasn’t having any of it.

His legal team quickly filed a notice of opposition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, arguing that the version Junior was claiming could be confused with Jackson’s “Era 8” brand.

Well, even Dale Jr. didn’t waste any time responding. This is what he wrote as a response on social media. “Through the USPTO, we successfully secured the rights to the stylized 8. Therefore, we will be moving away from the original JRM 8 we have used since 2019.”

And, one thing is clear, instead of getting involved in the controversy, Junior is going back to the classic No. 8, one that he used during the Dale Earnhardt Inc. days when he secured some of the biggest wins of his career. In what seems like a win-win situation for everybody, Dale gets to preserve his NASCAR legacy while not stepping on any toes. But he will have to forgo the original No. 8 logo. This is what he wrote on X.

Now that the matter has been put to rest, Dale Jr. is already setting his sights forward. He wrote, “We are looking forward to the remainder of an already successful season.”

Even though Lamar Jackson and the NASCAR veteran might not see eye-to-eye on the No. 8 issue, it’s clear that the battle for the iconic number is over. However, its legacy is going nowhere.

🗣️ Talk of the NASCAR Town

NASCAR’s Bold Step With Monster Mile

So, are you ready? This summer, Dover Motor Speedway is giving you something you’ve never seen before. From Thursday, July 17th to Sunday, July 20th, the ‘Monster Mile’ is all set to become ‘Miles Beach’, right in the middle of the fan zone.

They’re bringing in 600 tons of sand to create a beach vibe, with a boardwalk, palm trees, Adirondack chairs, and even a 25-foot lighthouse! It’s the perfect chance for fans to just kick back and relax while enjoying the sun and witness some high-octane action. And, the coolest part about Miles Beach is, it’ll have the world’s largest rubber duck, and fans will also have plenty of food and drink options to choose from, such as orange crush, some boardwalk fries, or even saltwater taffy.

The weekend will also have plenty of live performances, including the Mariachi Arrieros Band, Trinidad North Steel Drum Band, The Red Hot Ramblers, and the Homestead Bluegrass Band. Here are the details on autograph sessions and free concerts.

Sharing his expectations, Mike Tatoian, President and General Manager of Dover Motor Speedway, said, “We hope all of our fans will hang out with the Miles Beach Patrol, dip their toes in the sand, and enjoy some iconic Delaware tunes and treats before and after enjoying America’s best racing at the Monster Mile in July!”

And speaking of Monster Mile, let’s not forget what we’re actually there for. Known for its tough, high-banking turns, the track will force drivers to push themselves to the limit. Remember the 2024 wild stage 3 that decided the winner? As Bubba Wallace went around, he caught William Byron and Christopher Bell in the mix in Turn 2. And, we have seen some crazy crashes on that Turn.

It is dangerous, and those sounds of cars crashing there, you should hear it for yourself. Look at how Matt Kenseth and Michael Waltrip got a hard hit.

Of course, there’s a reason they call it the Talladega of 1-mile tracks.

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When Wendell Scott Was Banned In Darlington

When you think Darlington, you think Carl Edwards doing his iconic backflip, or of Ned Jarret. After all, having your only race win be one where you finish 14 laps in front of your competitors is a race that becomes immortal. But that’s not the driver we’re talking about. 

For those unfamiliar, Scott was the first driver in the Cup Series, and back in the 1960s, things weren’t exactly welcoming. In fact, Darlington Raceway’s track president Bob Colvin banned him from racing at ‘The Track Too Tough to Tame’ for years. Looking back at the days of Wendell Scott, it’s crazy to see how far NASCAR has come.

Even when the ban was lifted in 1965, and Scott was allowed to compete at the Rebel 300, the reception was far from welcoming. Colvin reportedly insulted Scott, and the Virginia native was forced to deal with challenges that would be considered eye-opening today. But against all the odds, Scott managed to make history.

He won the Jacksonville 200 in 1963, becoming the first black driver to win a Cup race. Scott’s victory was undeniable—he had won by two laps! But despite his milestone achievement, he was met with indifference from many in the sport who weren’t ready to see a person of color occupying the winner’s circle. In fact, his trophy wasn’t given to the Scott family until 60 years later. The original trophy never surfaced, and the one sitting with the Scott family is only a replica.

Just like Scott, Bubba Wallace has also experienced his fair share of hate. However, despite the many challenges of being a black driver, the 23XI racer is dealing with it all with his head held high. That’s why when Wallace won his first race at Talladega, Frank Scott was the first person to call the 23XI driver.

“I know your dad is up there (in heaven), and he just said ‘Hell yeah.” Wallace’s message was clear. He knew, somewhere in the sky, Scott was out there, smiling down on his legacy. His son echoed this when he said, “We were there with him. Not physically, but we were with him spiritually and emotionally. It was great, man.”

While racial hate may bother some drivers more than others, Bubba is keeping his eyes on the prize. “At the end of the day, we’re all human beings…We just happen to be a little bit darker than others, and that’s okay.” Bubba has a point. NASCAR as a sport is about that skill, and the hunger to learn, and the driver of the car on the track. He also shared insights from his childhood and set his expectations straight. Here’s how he balances the “black” and “white” sides of his family.

And, while that’s Bubba’s take. NASCAR is changing. Now we have Rajah Caruth racing in the lower tier, and opportunity is equally for all.

🗝️ From the Vault

Remembering Alan Kulwicki and His Legacy

You can’t talk about iconic drivers without talking about Alan Kulwicki. Quiet and unconventional, ‘Special K’ wasn’t your typical NASCAR driver. His methods earned him a reputation for being a ‘maverick’, and his controversial choices left many scratching their heads.

Instead of joining a big team like Junior Johnson’s, the Wisconsin native chose to forge his own path right from the ground up. After years of struggle at AK Racing, Kulwicki’s perseverance paid off in 1992 when he caused one of the biggest upsets in NASCAR history by winning the Winston Cup Series. It wasn’t just a victory for him, but for every ‘underdog’ who dared to achieve the unthinkable at the highest level of stock car racing.

But it wasn’t just about driving the car. Thanks to his degree in mechanical engineering, ‘the Polish Prince’ was an excellent mechanic with a solid understanding of the technical aspects of motorsports. He had interests beyond the racetrack as well and was known for his love for jazz, Broadway shows, and dancing. He was also a devoted Catholic and kept the St. Christopher medal in his car for protection.

It all came to a head in 1992. Heading into the playoffs, Kulwicki had a 278-point deficit to the leader, and six races to run. It seemed nearly impossible, but the Polish Prince did it anyway. It’s this win that added to the following year’s heartbreak.

After appearing at Knoxville Hooters, Kulwicki was flying to Tennessee when the plane crashed on approach to the Tri-Cities Airport. Even before the NASCAR community could process their grief, the No. 7 hauler made its final, emotional lap at Bristol Motor Speedway and took the checkered flag as a tribute. Watch Rusty Wallace’s tribute.

The moment will remain etched in the memories of some fans forever, with one fan recalling, “Was there that weekend. The whole vibe was stunned grief. Kulwicki was a favorite of mine long before his Championship. RIP Underbird.”

Another motorsports enthusiast also expressed their grief, saying, “I remember going out to get the paper early in the morning and seeing the headline: NASCAR Star Dead In Plane Crash, with a picture of Kulwicki. It was just a few months after he had squeaked out the Championship win. Very sad.”

Alan Kulwicki’s passing shook the NASCAR community to its core, serving as a reminder that life can be very fragile. Darrell Waltrip admitted, “These times devastate all of us,” while Rusty Wallace, who had finished on pole ahead of the 1993 Food City 500, said, “My mind’s in another area.” But despite his untimely passing, his legacy lives on and will continue to inspire generations to come.

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