Struck Down by Penalties Last Season, Dale Earnhardt Jr Announces Return to Florence Motor Speedway Alongside Former JR Motorsports Star Josh Berry

It looks like the ever-beloved Dale Earnhardt Jr has developed quite a soft spot for Florence Motor Speedway. The JR Motorsports owner recently made waves with the announcement that he’ll be revving up for the South Carolina 400 once again, marking his second consecutive appearance. Last year’s November race saw Earnhardt Jr in a promising position, cruising in the top 5, until the twist of two late penalties. The setbacks, stemming from contact that sent him to the back of the pack, ultimately pulled him down to a 9th-place finish. No doubt, he might have set his sights on a top-tier finish this time.

And while he could be the selling point of the race, in total, 44 drivers would be driving their race cars alongside him. Among them is Josh Berry, Dale Jr’s protege. The dynamic between these two, mentor and mentee, is sure to add an extra layer of excitement to the race.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is set to take the wheel in the No. 3 car 

Dale Earnhardt Jr is gearing up to get behind the wheel of the No. 3 car, prepared by JR Motorsports and sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, making this his fourth race since last November at the Florence track. “I love these worn-out race tracks,” Dale Jr confessed last year. “If you want to find me, that’s where I’m going to be, driving a Late Model Stock car somewhere that’s going to grind the tires off the car.”

Among all the drivers set to compete, Dale Earnhardt Jr is undoubtedly the headliner, who is bound to draw crowds and excitement on the short track. His history with Florence Motor Speedway dates back to 1996 when he clinched a Late Model Stock race victory there.

Interestingly, back in the 90s, Junior frequented both Florence Motor Speedway and the now-closed Myrtle Beach Speedway, racing on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively. While his last year’s mission was solely to help Florence Speedway regain its popularity in the short-track circuit arena, this year, we hope Dale Jr might also be gunning for a top finish on a track where he has tasted victory before.

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Adding to the excitement is the presence of his rising protégé, Josh Berry. The event marks one of Berry’s last few races as part of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s team before he transitions to the Stewart-Haas Racing team in 2024. Last year’s South Carolina 400 saw Brenden Queen clinch the win in his debut race for Lee Pulliam Performance. Given Dale Jr’s impressive performance last November, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say he’s poised to up his game this year.

Looking ahead to the race on November 18, 2023, Dale Jr fondly recalls past experiences on the track, including a memorable moment when he spun Gilbert King out for the lead.

Dale Jr reflects on nostalgic memories at the race track

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Dale Earnhardt Jr has been on a mission to revive the glory of short tracks, especially in the era of next-gen cars. His commitment has seen him return to the tracks of Florence Motor Speedway (FMS), diving back into the world of late-model stock car racing since last year.

But it’s not just the thrill of the race that draws Dale Jr back to FMS. There’s a deeper, more personal connection—a treasure trove of memories that he holds dear. With a hint of nostalgia, he recalled, “I remember wrecking off (Turn 2) one night, running second to Robert Powell (one of former long-time FMS owner Charlie Powell’s sons. Charlie Powell died in 2020). I ran second to Robert a lot in 1996; he won a lot of races in the Huddle House car. And we’d run second a lot. But one night, we won.”

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Earnhardt’s trip down memory lane didn’t stop there. He also reminisced about the moments of friendship and competition, like taking pictures on the front straightway with fellow famous drivers from the 90s. A particular memory that stood out for him was spinning Gilbert King of Chesterfield out for the lead on Turn 4.

As Dale Earnhardt Jr gears up for another race at Florence Motor Speedway alongside his JR Motorsports driver, fans and racing enthusiasts alike are eager to see what new memories he’ll create.