Dale Earnhardt, Jr. announced Thursday that he will be returning to North Wilkesboro Speedway to compete in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car event on May 17. 

As part of a multi-year extension with Sun Drop, Earnhardt Jr. will race a Sun Drop sponsored No. 3 Late Model for one race in both 2023 and 2024. The event at North Wilkesboro Speedway, which leads into NASCAR All-Star Race Weekend at the track, has been selected as the race for the 2023 season. 

“We’re excited to team back up with Sun Drop,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Sun Drop has been a part of my life since I was a kid. It’s special to be able to work with a company that is authentic to who I am. I appreciate all Sun Drop has done for me over the years and for them hearing me out last year when I wanted to bring that car back to North Wilkesboro.”

Earnhardt Jr. 's relationship with Sun Drop dates back to the late 1980s when the partnership quickly became a fan-favorite combination that coupled the Earnhardts with Sun Drop’s regional popularity in the southeast. That initial partnership also included a sponsorship on Earnhardt Jr.’s late model stock car in 1994.

In recent years, Earnhardt, Jr. has played a crucial role in the revitalization of North Wilkesboro Speedway. From cleaning up the track so it could be scanned and added to the iRacing world to competing in last year’s Racetrack Revival event, “Junior” has been a driving force in the track’s revival.

We’re back at North Wilkesboro. 🤩 I appreciate everything @SunDrop has done for me over the years and for hearing me out last year. It's special to work with a company that is authentic to who I am. pic.twitter.com/PJPWZIRzYQ

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) April 6, 2023

In front of a capacity crowd, Earnhardt Jr. finished third in the CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro last August. JR Motorsports driver and eventual CARS Tour champion Carson Kvapil won the race. Kvapil will once again join his JR Motorsports boss in this year’s race.  

Since last year's race at North Wilkesboro, Earnhardt Jr. has competed in the South Carolina 400 and Icebreaker at Florence Motor Speedway. 

Earnhardt Jr. joins NASCAR Cup Series driver and fellow CARS Tour co-owner Kevin Harvick as an entrant into the North Wilkesboro race.

The CARS Tour race kicks off the weeklong festivities at the historic venue which will culminate with the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, May 21.

Fans can watch the ASA STARS National Tour race on Tuesday, May 16 and the CARS Tour event on Wednesday, May 17 live on FloRacing. If you’re not already a FloRacing subscriber, click here to sign up today. 

CARS Tour at North Wilkesboro Speedway Schedule 

TUESDAY, MAY 16

10:30 a.m. – Parking lots open, shuttle open, Fan Zone open, ticket office open

11:30 a.m. – Gates open

11:45 a.m. – CARS Late Model Stock practice

12:15 p.m. – CARS Pro Late Model practice

1:00 p.m. – ASA Stars National Tour practice

2:00 p.m. – ASA Stars National Tour practice

3:00 p.m. – CARS Late Model Stock practice

3:20 p.m. – CARS Pro Late Model practice

3:40 p.m. – CARS Late Model Stock practice

4:00 p.m. – CARS Pro Late Model practice

4:30 p.m. – ASA Stars National Tour qualifying

5:45 p.m. – Pre-race autograph session

7:00 p.m. – Pre-race ceremonies

7:30 p.m. – ASA Stars National Tour ECMD 150

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

10:30 a.m. – Parking lots open, shuttle open, Fan Zone open, ticket office open

11:30 a.m. – Gates open, ticket office open

11:45 a.m. – CARS Late Model Stock practice

12:20 p.m. – CARS Pro Late Model practice

12:55 p.m. – CARS Late Model Stock practice

1:30 p.m. – CARS Pro Late Model practice

4:45 p.m. – CARS Late Model Stock qualifying

5:15 p.m. – CARS Pro Late Model practice

6:00 p.m. – Fan Fest

7:15 p.m. – Driver Introductions

7:45 p.m. – Pre-race ceremonies

8:00 p.m. – CARS Pro Late Model Crossroads Harley-Davidson 75

To Follow – CARS Late Model Stock Window World 125