Dale Earnhardt Jr. is set to appear alongside Richard Petty in the upcoming Luke Combs music video for “Back in the Saddle,” giving fans of racing and country music a unique crossover experience. The
“Dale Earnhardt Jr Luke Combs video”
was filmed at Tri-County Motor Speedway and is anticipated to highlight grassroots racing, capturing authentic moments on and off the track.
How Earnhardt Jr. and Combs Brought NASCAR Spirit to the Shoot
Dale Earnhardt Jr. detailed how his involvement in the video came about, sharing that Luke Combs reached out personally to invite him to take part in the project. Initially, the pair hoped to shoot at Charlotte Motor Speedway using a NextGen car, but after finding these unavailable, Earnhardt Jr. suggested shifting the focus to a late-model stock car at a local short track, aligning with the song’s theme of resurgence.
They chose Tri-County Motor Speedway in North Carolina as the filming site. Earnhardt Jr. explained that his team prepared two identical late-model stock cars for shooting, equipping one with camera mounts to capture driving scenes up close, while the other stayed camera-free for distant shots. Filming included Combs positioned in the grandstand and walking around the track, while Earnhardt Jr. drove laps with extensive camera coverage.
“We looked around, and there weren’t really any NextGen cars available for us to use,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“This will be great to shine a light on grassroots racing, to shine a light on late models,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“We went to Tri-County Motor Speedway, which is about an hour and 15 minutes from the house. We wrapped two of our late-model cars identically, so we’d have one car with all the windows out of it and a bunch of cameras mounted all over it, and then another car that looked clear and you film car from a distance.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Behind the Scenes with Earnhardt Jr. and Petty
During the video shoot, cameras followed Combs in various locations around the venue, including the grandstand and flagstand, capturing the blend of country music and motor sports action. Earnhardt Jr. described running several fast laps for dramatic effect, contributing energy to the scenes. He noted that in addition to his own driving, the filming captured Combs interacting with the racing environment.
“ran some hard laps in the car with the cameras mounted all over it,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Richard Petty, another legendary name in NASCAR, also makes a memorable appearance toward the end of the video. Earnhardt Jr. shared that Petty plays a role where he steps in and expresses a desire to drive, adding a fitting and iconic touch to the collaboration.
Reactions and Reflections on the Collaboration
Earnhardt Jr. expressed his sense of privilege at joining the project, emphasizing the significance of being included in a music video alongside both Combs and Petty. He credited Luke Combs and his team for bringing together racing figures in a creative venture centered on a comeback story, a theme deeply resonant for racing fans.
“I was honored to be asked to do it,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“I’m thankful that Luke and his team thought of me and Richard and included us in this project. Pretty cool, pretty awesome opportunity. I look forward to what people’s reaction is to it.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
About “Back in the Saddle” and Its Impact
“Back in the Saddle” is Luke Combs’ latest single, co-written with Jonathan Singleton and The Brothers Hunt. Known for his roots in North Carolina and multiple Grammy nominations, Combs continues to blend music and storytelling that resonates with broad audiences. With famed racers like Earnhardt Jr. and Richard Petty adding authenticity and excitement to the music video, the project is poised to draw attention from both NASCAR and country music communities.
As fans await the video’s release, the collaboration showcases the longstanding connections between motorsports and country music, putting a spotlight on grassroots racing venues like Tri-County Motor Speedway. The partnership between Luke Combs, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Richard Petty illustrates the shared passion and heritage of their fields—an effort that may be remembered for bridging entertainment and sport in a distinctive way.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. still married?
A. Dale and Amy got married on December 31, 2016. They had their first child in 2018. Their second child was born in 2020.
