Dale Earnhardt Jr. grassroots racing collaboration takes the spotlight as the NASCAR icon partners with country singer Luke Combs for a new music video, aiming to highlight the importance of short-track and late-model racing. The project will feature Earnhardt and fellow racing legend Richard Petty, all working together to celebrate the grassroots side of motorsports.
Behind the Scenes of the “Back in the Saddle” Video
The music video, titled “Back in the Saddle,” is scheduled to debut on Friday and will showcase both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Richard Petty. Luke Combs previewed the upcoming video on social media, sharing pictures that included glimpses of Earnhardt in his well-known No. 8 car and Petty’s iconic No. 43 belt, instantly connecting fans with memorable moments from their careers.
How the Collaboration Came Together
Earnhardt discussed the origins of the music video partnership on his podcast, revealing how Luke Combs reached out to him about the idea.
‘Hey man, I’m going to do this music video for this song.’ He sent me the song. He said, ‘Would you want to be in it?’ I said, ‘Yes, absolutely.’ And so we started talking about what we would do, where we would do it.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The initial plan involved filming with a Next Gen car at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but without access to those vehicles, the team decided to use a late-model stock car at a local short track—an adjustment that perfectly fit the song’s central theme of returning to racing roots.
Filming at Tri-County Motor Speedway
Production shifted to Tri-County Motor Speedway, where two late-model cars were wrapped identically—one kitted out for camera work, and the other kept untouched for broader shots. This setup allowed them to authentically capture the spirit of grassroots racing. During the shoot, scenes included Luke Combs in the grandstands and walking the track, while Dale Jr. drove the track, offering a genuine racing experience for the video.
I ran some relatively hard laps in the car with the cameras mounted all over it,
— Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The team switched to the second car to film more dynamic racing sequences, with Earnhardt pushing the vehicle through several laps on the track.
The Role of NASCAR Legend Richard Petty
In the closing moments of the music video, Richard Petty makes a notable appearance, joining Earnhardt on the track and adding his legendary status to the project.
He kind of comes in at the end. He’s like, ‘Hey, my turn. I want to run. I want to drive.’
— Dale Earnhardt Jr.
What This Means for Grassroots Racing and NASCAR
The collaboration between Dale Earnhardt Jr., Luke Combs, and Richard Petty demonstrates a powerful blend of music and motorsport, aiming to raise awareness and appreciation for grassroots racing. By choosing Tri-County Motor Speedway and focusing on late-model cars, the video emphasizes the enduring connection between popular culture and local racing communities—a move likely to inspire renewed interest and support for the foundation of NASCAR’s storied history.
