Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR numbers became the center of an emotionally charged debate ahead of the 2025 Daytona 500, as Earnhardt Jr. passionately defended the legacy and significance of car numbers in NASCAR. The discussion unfolded as JR Motorsports entered its first Cup Series race, with Justin Allgaier piloting their historic entry and all eyes on the importance of tradition and personal attachment.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Defends the Legacy of Car Numbers
The topic of car numbers ignited when Ken Schrader, a four-time Cup Series veteran and someone closely regarded by Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a member of his racing family, expressed his view that a car number’s significance is overstated. Dale Earnhardt Jr. responded strongly, especially with his own team preparing for its Cup Series debut at the Daytona 500, featuring sponsorship from Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey and with every detail—including the vehicle’s number—under close scrutiny.
Earnhardt Jr. shared his perspective, emphasizing the deep association between numbers and drivers’ legacies, which have spanned the likes of Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson. He stated,
“Them having this number they identify with is, I think, fair and important.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
During an episode of the Dale Jr Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. illustrated his irritation with attempts to downplay car numbers as mere identifiers. He explained,
“Hey, my casual buddy at the racetrack, there goes Number f—— 88, there goes number 7, that’s my guy. You don’t go, ‘the yellow car with the blah blah blah on it.’ There’s three yellow cars out there. It’s an identifier, and it needs to be in the middle of the f—— door, or wherever you want to put it. You know, this f—— frustrates me. The number’s important. What are we doing?”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
This intense reaction underscored not just a personal viewpoint but also a broader belief shared by many drivers. Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson serve as prime examples of athletes whose numbers became synonymous with their careers, embedding both identity and legacy within a single digit on the side of a stock car.
Drivers’ Emotional Connections to Their Racing Numbers
The debate gained further momentum on the Dale Jr Download when Kenny Wallace, a stalwart of the Xfinity Series, shared his own connection to the No. 36—a number he has raced across multiple disciplines and series. Wallace was present with Schrader on the podcast and countered Schrader’s opinion, stating,
“I have this emotional tie with my No. 36. I’m 36 for so many reasons. And it kind of hurt me when you said that a number doesn’t mean anything.”
— Kenny Wallace, NASCAR Driver
Earnhardt Jr., known for piloting iconic numbers like the No. 8 with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the No. 88 for Hendrick Motorsports, also pointed out his attached meanings to several numbers throughout his racing life. He reminded listeners that his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., wore the legendary No. 3 until his fatal crash at the 2001 Daytona 500—a fact that only amplifies numeric significance for the Earnhardt lineage. He explained,
“Kenny ought to have this personal connection to 36. I got a connection to 8, 88, 03, 31. And I’m gonna f—— keep them. I feel like the number doesn’t matter because it’s an identifier. You go, my guy’s Number 88, I wanna wear that f—— number. I want to wear that jersey.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
These statements reveal a prevailing sentiment within the racing community—numbers are not just painted on sheet metal, but instead represent traditions, achievements, and personal milestones for drivers and fans alike.
Strong Bonds Amid Conflicting Views
Despite the passionate disagreement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ken Schrader maintain a friendship rooted in deep mutual respect and shared history. Schrader, a longtime presence in NASCAR, was a direct witness to Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s tragic passing at the 2001 Daytona 500 and has been notably reticent about discussing those events publicly, honoring the Earnhardt family’s privacy.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed appreciation and affection towards Schrader, referencing their unique bond and shared experiences. He penned an emotional note to Schrader, stating,
“You’ve been a great friend to me. You’re one of only a few to see the darkest moment for my dad. Though you have intimate knowledge of those moments, you are a keeper of that delicate information. It makes me feel close to you, Kenny.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Driver
This moment of gratitude, set against the backdrop of a fervent debate, affirms the persistent camaraderie among NASCAR competitors, even when they disagree on core issues like the meaning of their racing numbers.
Racing Numbers Connect Generations of Drivers
The personal and familial nature of car numbers is echoed in the recent journey of Shane van Gisbergen, a New Zealand native who made headlines in 2025 by achieving five road course victories in the No. 88 for Trackhouse Racing. With the 2026 season approaching, van Gisbergen will switch to the storied No. 97—a number steeped in family history, driven by both him and his father, Robert van Gisbergen, throughout their respective racing careers.
Van Gisbergen’s father wrote him a heartfelt letter about the number transition, capturing the emotional weight such symbols carry for racing families.
“That means so much to our family. Right from the beginning, both of us ran #97 in motocross, we both ran it in speedway. Mom would have been absolutely proud.”
— Robert van Gisbergen, Father
Shane van Gisbergen’s switch to the No. 97 also comes at a poignant time, as his mother passed away in early 2024. As he continues to build his own legacy across multiple racing teams, the continuity of using meaningful numbers helps bridge his family’s past with his current NASCAR achievements, reinforcing the passion drivers have for these numeric identifiers.
The Wider Impact of the Numbers Debate in NASCAR
The intense discussion sparked by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ken Schrader reflects a broader cultural thread in NASCAR, where every number tells a story. From Earnhardt Sr.’s No. 3 to current stars in the Cup and Xfinity Series, these numbers serve as powerful symbols of loyalty, history, and personality. Fans across America follow drivers not just by their names, but also by the digits painted on their cars—a testament to how deeply these symbols are woven into the tapestry of motorsports.
As the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, the public debate over the importance of car numbers is likely to continue, with drivers, teams, and families weighing tradition against a desire for change. The outcome of these conversations will help shape how future fans and racers connect with one of NASCAR’s oldest and most meaningful customs. For now, the voices of figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, and Shane van Gisbergen ensure that the numbers on stock cars remain much more than the sum of their digits.
