Grandson of Dale Earnhardt Reveals ‘Intimidator’-Inspired Paint Scheme for 2026 Season
25 years after his deadly crash at Daytona, Bobby Dale Earnhardt, the grandson of Dale Earnhardt Sr., will pay tribute to “The Intimidator” in 2026. The No. 89 Chevrolet will debut the same black and silver paint scheme during the 2026 ARCA Menards Series opener. The event takes place at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt is the son of Kerry Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt’s oldest son, and the nephew of former NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. He will be driving for Rise Racing in 2026.
“This year marks 25 years since the racing world lost my grandpa, Dale Earnhardt Sr.” Bobby Dale Earnhardt said in a press release announcing the tribute. “His legacy has never left the track, and neither has the strength of the family, fans, and partners who continue to believe in what the Earnhardt name stands for: grit, heart, and relentless drive,
Bobby Dale Earnhardt added that carrying the paint scheme will be “a moment that connects past, present, and future.”
“At Daytona, we will proudly bring back the iconic black Chevrolet, a symbol that means so much to our family and to race fans everywhere,” he continued. “This effort comes together in partnership with Rise Racing, a team that shares our passion for performance, heritage, and doing things the right way.”
Who is Bobby Dale Earnhardt? Is he a good driver?
38-year-old Bobby Dale Earnhardt began racing in the ARCA Truck Series in 2013. He was named the 2013 Rookie of the Year in the series.
He debuted in the ARCA Racing Series in May 2017. In September of that same year, Earnhardt made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut.
In his career, the fourth-generation stock car racing driver has competed in six ARCA events. His best finish was 19th place at Elko Speedway in Minnesota in 2017. In seven NASCAR Xfinity Series races, Earnhardt had his best finish of 27th at Kansas Speedway in 2018.
This will be his first full-time season in ARCA. The team he will be driving for, Rise Motorsports, had a best finish of seventh in the 2025 ARCA series. That came at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in Illinois with Chase Howard.
“We’re thrilled to have Bobby join our program for the 2026 season,” Rise owner Tim Goulet said in a press release. He called it “a big move for Rise Motorsports, and we’re ready to take the next step together.”
