Dale Earnhardt Jr. forcefully entered the ongoing discussion about the significance of NASCAR car numbers by backing Kenny Wallace’s viewpoint and rejecting Ken Schrader’s recent claim that numbers no longer matter to drivers or fans. The debate reignited during a recent Herm and Schrader podcast episode, quickly picking up steam within the racing community and highlighting the emotional legacy associated with iconic number assignments in the sport. For Dale Earnhardt Jr NASCAR numbers have always carried deep personal and professional meaning.
Intense Discussion Erupts Over Car Number Importance
During the Herm and Schrader podcast, Ken Schrader dismissed the modern relevance of car numbers in NASCAR, stating that fans and drivers do not feel connected to them anymore. Kenny Wallace, who drove the No. 36 car and developed a strong attachment to the number during his career, disagreed. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a NASCAR Hall of Famer known for driving cars marked with several notable numbers, firmly sided with Wallace and challenged Schrader’s position both publicly and passionately.
Throughout his racing tenure, Dale Earnhardt Jr. piloted vehicles emblazoned with numbers such as 8, 88, 03, and 31—each tied to a significant chapter in his competitive history. He voiced his frustration with the diminishing regard for these numerical identifiers on his own podcast, expressing how these numbers serve as central elements of identity for drivers and their supporters.
“He’s (Ken Schrader) family, but I don’t agree with that. You know, don’t like that he swayed Kenny. Kenny ought to have a personal connection to the #36, I got connections to 8, 88, 03, 31, and I’m gonna f***g keep them. I feel like the number does matter because it’s an identifier.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“It’s an identifier and it needs to be in the middle of the f*****g door, or whatever you wanna put it,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. continued. “This f*****g frustrates me because the number is important. What are we doing?
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Earnhardt Jr. experienced his most recognizable victories driving the No. 8 Budweiser Chevy, steering it to 17 Cup Series wins, including a coveted triumph at the 2004 Daytona 500. Over his full Cup Series career, he amassed 26 wins, equaling the record held by Fred Lorenzen. These achievements not only reinforced the legacy of the numbers themselves but also their resonance with generations of NASCAR fans.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Voices More Frustration Over Playoff Format
Outside the discussion about car numbers, Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently addressed deeper disappointments with NASCAR’s current playoff structure following the conclusion of the 2025 Xfinity Series season. The format, which determines champions through an elimination-style process, left Earnhardt Jr. and his team at JR Motorsports feeling aggrieved after Connor Zilisch, the driver of their No. 88 car, did not claim the title despite leading the series in wins.
On his podcast, Earnhardt Jr. expressed how the playoff rules failed to reward season-long success adequately and left him questioning the system’s fairness.
“The format betrayed us really badly. I’m trying to understand where my frustration or my angst is, what is to be directed at,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “We’ve had this format for a while. It’s done this before, but I’ve never walked out of there going, ‘(expletive), dude, that was way (expletive) egregious.’ What is it about this particular year?
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Connor Zilisch finished third in the championship race at Phoenix Raceway, with Jesse Love and Aric Almirola securing first and second, respectively. Despite his impressive season, Zilisch’s results did not translate to a championship due to the intricacies of the elimination format. Looking ahead, the young driver is set to move up and compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing starting in 2026, a transition that may allow him to chase further career milestones.
Significance of NASCAR Numbers Remains Unshaken
The recent outpouring of emotion from veteran drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. highlights the enduring connection between competitors and the numbers adorning their vehicles—a tradition embedded deeply within NASCAR’s culture. As debates over playoffs and rules continue, the heartfelt responses from those with storied careers serve as reminders of the elements—such as car numbers—that continue to shape the personal and public narratives of the sport. The discourse may influence how NASCAR considers its identity markers and championship structures as the next generation of drivers, teams, and fans push forward in a changing motorsports landscape.
Does your driver's number matter? 8️⃣🤔 @DaleJr | @FreddieKraft | @Tjmajors | @Kenny_Wallace pic.twitter.com/wnSEoD0eke
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) November 7, 2025
