Hickory Motor Speedway announced Wednesday that North Carolina’s favorite son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will be the Grand Marshal for the inaugural Jack Ingram Memorial on Saturday, June 11.

Hickory is often referred to as the “Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars” as such drivers like Ned Jarrett, Dale Jarrett, Ralph Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Dennis Setzer, and more got their starts and won championships at the 3/8-mile oval.

Along with Myrtle Beach Speedway, Hickory is one of the tracks where Earnhardt Jr. also got his start in racing, along with his brother, Kerry, and his sister, Kelley. Earnhardt Jr. is also a multi-time track champion as a car owner with driver Josh Berry.

“I look forward to seeing everyone out at Hickory in a few weeks,” Earnhardt said on Twitter. “Come see some great racing at a track with incredible history.”

Earnhardt Jr. will be on hand to give the command to fire the engines before the 111-lap Late Model Stock Car feature event. He will also be partaking in a pre-race autograph session.

The race is being run in memory of NASCAR Hall of Famer and North Carolina native, Jack Ingram. Ingram was a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series (then Busch Grand National Series) champion. He won the inaugural series championship in 1982. His first and last Busch Grand National Series victories actually came at Hickory Motor Speedway, and he also won a track championship at Hickory. Ingram passed away on June 25, 2021 at the age of 84.

The Jack Ingram Memorial 111 at Hickory Motor Speedway will take place on Saturday, June 11. Race fans who cannot make it to see the event in person can watch the race live on FloRacing.