15 Years After Leaving Father’s Team to Join Rick Hendrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr Discloses How 2018 Hall of Famer Solved His Massive Dilemma

Not only are numbers used to identify drivers and teams, but they also hold significant meaning and pride for fans and teams. Over the years, certain drivers and teams have become synonymous with specific numbers, creating iconic associations.

In a similar vein, Dale Earnhardt Jr. previously drove the number 8 car for DEI, his father’s racing team. Unfortunately, due to various issues, the team had to withdraw from the league. Subsequently, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made the move to Hendrick Motorsports, where he continued his career behind the wheel of the number 88 car. Recently, Dale Jr. unveiled the untold mystery behind his selection of this particular number.

Dale Earnhardt Jr Unveils Hidden Story behind his 88 number car

Dale Jarrett had a successful stint driving Texaco’s number 28 car for Robert Yates Racing, leaving behind a remarkable legacy for their team. Initially, Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his desire to have the number 51 for his Hendrick Motorsports car. However, both Mr. H and the team were unwilling to acquire that specific number.

Instead, Dale Earnhardt Jr set his sights on number 28, the same number Dale Jarrett had driven for Robert Yates Racing. To secure this number, Mr. H approached Robert Yates and requested his permission. Unfortunately, Yates had to decline the request as Texaco, their team sponsor, considered the number 28 to be their cherished legacy number.

“I was thinking 28. I wanted 28, we’re gonna get 28, we’re gonna be 28. nobody is 28 must be 28. And they were like we gotta ask Yates.” Dale said on Dale Jr Download.

He continued, “Texaco said hard no. I dont think they have right to number in the series right they are not even the sponsor anymore.”

However, Dale Earnhardt Jr was deeply connected with the number 8 for his DEI car, which brought huge milestones for him. So why he didn’t choose number 8 for his HMS car?

DEI’s refusal to give up the number 8 for their car could be attributed to their long and successful history associated with it. The number 8 held a significant legacy for DEI, and they might have felt a strong attachment to it, not wanting to see it used by any other team. Nonetheless, the exact reason behind their decision remains unclear.

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How come Dale Earnhardt Jr and Hendrick Motorsports decided to go with the number 88?

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Dale Earnhardt Jr, along with his new team Hendrick, embarked on a quest to find the ideal number for his car. After much contemplation, they finally arrived at a suggestion that resonated with Dale. With great excitement, he announced that the team had proposed No. 88, a choice that seemed absolutely perfect for him.

On the same episode of Dale Jr Download Dale said, “We will give you 88. And I am like we didn’t know what was available we didn’t know that even the possibility and so they were like Hey you gonna have 88 and I’m thinking that’s perfect. Instead of one 8, two 8s. (…) and there you have it we went to the race track with 88.”

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