Dale Earnhardt Jr dans Cars : le caméo du n°8

Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Cars: The No. 8 cameo

802 words | Reading time: 5 minutes

Behind the scenesDale Earnhardt JrPiston Cup

The Budweiser logo on the No. 8 had no place in a film made for the whole family. In Cars (2006), Dale Earnhardt Jr appears under the name “Junior”, a No. 8 Piston Cup stock car modelled on his real Chevrolet Monte Carlo, where the alcohol brand gives way to “Dale Earnhardt Inc.”. The driver voices himself in the original version and turns up three times: on track, in an interview after Lightning McQueen's disappearance, then at the final race to wish The King good luck. This profile also looks back at his real record, 26 Cup Series wins and two Daytona 500s.

Summary

Who is Dale Earnhardt Jr in Cars?

Dale Earnhardt Jr appears in Cars (2006) as "Junior", a Piston Cup driver wearing number 8. A NASCAR star, he voices himself in the original version.

The red number 8 stock car parked in front of the Dinoco stage, beside The King’s blue number 43 car
“Junior”, the red number 8 of the Piston Cup, in the paddock alongside The King: this is the name under which Dale Earnhardt Jr enters Cars, voicing himself in the original version.

His real car on screen

The character's design is based on his real Chevrolet Monte Carlo #8. Fun fact: the Budweiser sponsor logo was replaced with "Dale Earnhardt Inc." — no alcohol brand was allowed in a family-friendly film.

🧥 The number 8 Monte Carlo had to swap the Budweiser logo for “Dale Earnhardt Inc.” to make it onto the screen; your own colors, you get to wear on your back with one of our Cars jackets.

Red number 8 NASCAR Chevrolet in Budweiser colours, stopped on the track in front of the grandstands
Dale Earnhardt Jr’s real number 8, photographed in 2006: on screen, the Budweiser logo gives way to “Dale Earnhardt Inc.”. Photo: Mike Fonseca, CC BY-SA 2.0.

His appearances

He is seen on track during a race, then in an interview after Lightning McQueen's disappearance, where he hopes nothing serious has happened to him. He finally returns for the final race, to wish The King good luck.

🍿 A race, an interview, a last word to The King: the number 8 never stays on screen for long, whereas on your sofa our Cars cushions hold their position all year round.

Piston Cup Decorative Metal Plate - Cars

Piston Cup Spirit

Piston Cup Decorative Metal Plate - Cars

The Piston Cup decorative metal plate: the championship where Dale Jr's #8 races, on your wall.

€39.90 View plate
The red number 8 stock car facing a television camera, in front of its red transport truck stamped with the number 8
Number 8 facing the cameras: the interview is one of his three appearances in the film.

A NASCAR icon

In reality, Dale Earnhardt Jr is a living legend: son of Dale Earnhardt Sr (seven-time champion, who passed away during the 2001 Daytona 500), he is a two-time Busch Series champion, has 26 Cup Series victories including two Daytona 500s (2004 and 2014), and has been voted fan-favorite driver 15 consecutive times. He joins other real drivers from the saga, such as Mario Andretti, Lewis Hamilton, and Michael Schumacher.

🔑 Voted fan-favorite driver fifteen times in a row: your own favorite goes wherever your keys go, with one of our Cars keyrings.

Portrait of Dale Earnhardt Jr in a driver’s suit and cap, at the microphone in front of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series backdrop
Dale Earnhardt Jr at a press conference: 26 wins in the Cup Series and two Daytona 500s to his name. Photo: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0.

Summary table

Element Detail
Name in film Junior
Number 8
Vehicle type Piston Cup stock car (Chevrolet Monte Carlo)
Film Cars (2006)
English voice actor Dale Earnhardt Jr (himself)
Real achievements 26 Cup victories, 2 Daytona 500s (2004, 2014)

FAQ — Frequently asked questions

  • Who is Dale Earnhardt Jr in Cars?
    A cameo: the NASCAR driver appears as "Junior", a Piston Cup stock car #8, which he voices himself.
  • Why was the Budweiser logo changed?
    To avoid displaying an alcohol brand in a G-rated film, it was replaced with "Dale Earnhardt Inc.".
  • Does Dale Earnhardt Jr voice himself?
    Yes, in the original version.
  • What are his real achievements?
    Two-time Busch Series champion, 26 Cup Series victories including two Daytona 500s (2004 and 2014).
↑ Back to top
Back to blog