SVG Taking Over a Piece of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR Legacy Has Followers Shedding Their Minds

Why are automobile numbers so necessary in NASCAR? They not solely signify a method of recognizing the driving force behind the wheel but in addition carry the legacy of racers whose automobiles have adorned the quantity previously. So you possibly can think about simply how a lot of a buzz there was when Shane van Gisbergen was revealed to be the brand new No. 88 driver for the 2025 Cup Sequence season.

The double eight-car has been pushed by an extended and illustrious record of Corridor of Famers previously, resembling Dale Jarrett, Darrell Waltrip, and the one and solely Dale Earnhardt Jr., elevating expectations from the Kiwi for his first full-time season on the highest stage.

The choice to revive the No. 88 automobile wasn’t taken calmly, with each Junior and Hendrick Motorsports being consulted earlier than the next announcement was made. Earnhardt Jr. not solely gave his blessing however shared a healthful message on social media, prompting loads of attention-grabbing reactions from followers.

A heat welcome for SVG to the No. 88 household

Junior began his profession in his father’s workforce, Dale Earnhardt Inc., driving the No. 8 for nearly a decade within the racing workforce. He then moved on to Hendrick Motorsports, the place he spent the final decade of his profession behind the wheel of the enduring No. 88 automobile. The quantity was utilized by Alex Bowman following Junior’s retirement and was used for 3 years earlier than the driving force switched to 48 within the 2021 season. It’s been 4 years for the reason that double eight-car has seen any motion, however with Shane van Gisbergen driving the third constitution for Trackhouse Racing within the Cup Sequence, the quantity is lastly set to make its long-awaited comeback.

The workforce, co-owned by Justin Marks and the rapper Pitbull, bought the rights to the No. 88 earlier than saying that SVG can be competing full-time within the Cup Series. In response to the information, Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweeted, “I used to be fortunate to run a couple of numbers with a lot wealthy historical past. Excited to see @shanevg97 and @TeamTrackhouse add a brand new chapter to it. 88 can have a superb residence there.”

The No. 88 automobile has an illustrious historical past hooked up to it, with Dale Jarrett successful 26 races for Robert Yates Racing whereas the numbers adorned the roof and sides of his automobile. Junior additionally took the double eight-car to Victory Lane 9 instances, whereas Darrell Waltrip gained 26 races with the quantity as nicely.

Talking in regards to the significance of numbers, Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks mentioned, “One of many issues that’s necessary for Trackhouse — numbers are necessary. They’re necessary as a part of the branding of our sport. Numbers characterize historical past, they characterize legions of followers and historic drivers, and historic moments within the sport. We don’t take our quantity decisions calmly.”

Marks went on to emphasise the significance of endorsement and mentioned, “I had a terrific trade with Jr., saying ‘Look, it’s not my quantity, I assume I added to the legacy of it. It’s necessary to me personally’ however he was proud to see it in good arms and that’s simply one thing that’s tremendous, tremendous necessary to me and to this firm.”

Shane van Gisbergen will hope for comparable success when making his full-time Cup Sequence debut in 2025. The New Zealand native has adopted an unconventional path to NASCAR’s highest stage, having gained his first Cup Sequence race in Chicago on his debut in 2023. SVG has beforehand raced within the Australian Supercars Championship, successful the sequence in 2021 and 2022 earlier than transitioning to inventory automobile racing.

The 35-year-old has already gained three races within the Xfinity Sequence to date and is all set to make it to the playoffs at Kansas Speedway later this 12 months. Whereas he has shortly turn out to be a fan favourite in NASCAR circles, followers had blended reactions about Van Gisbergen taking up the enduring quantity.

Followers react to Shane van Gisbergen taking up Dale Jr.’s quantity

It didn’t take lengthy for followers to take to social media and share their reactions to SVG taking up Dale Jr.’s iconic No. 88. Regardless of Trackhouse Racing taking permission from Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports for utilizing the quantity, not each fan welcomed the information. Writing on X, a fan mentioned, “I’m gonna be sincere it feels very mistaken to see that quantity being utilized by one other workforce I want they weren’t utilizing it.”

Echoing an analogous sentiment, one fan felt blended feelings seeing a driver aside from Dale Jr. racing within the double eight-car within the Cup Sequence. The fan wrote, “I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I wasn’t the tiniest bit conflicted about this. 88 has been related to you and JRM for the longest time.”

Nevertheless, loads of followers welcomed the information as nicely. An extended-term Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan expressed his views that he can as soon as once more root for the No. 88 automobile by saying, “This must be the largest bombshell information in motorsports within the final decade. I really like this. This gonna be nice I obtained a brand new driver to root for as a Dale Jr. fan now.”

One other fan speculated {that a} collaboration between Junior and Trackhouse Racing might be on the playing cards, now that his automobile quantity is being utilized by SVG. The X consumer wrote, “Dale Jr. to merge with Trackhouse confirmed.”

Veteran NASCAR followers additionally took the information positively, with a Dale Jarrett and Junior fan giving his stamp of approval at Trackhouse Racing’s resolution to revive the No. 88 automobile. The fan mentioned, “As a Dale Jarrett and Jr fan, I approve. So cool!” A fan couldn’t conceal his enthusiasm that Dale Jr’s iconic automobile can be again within the Cup Sequence after a five-year break. Writing on X (previously generally known as Twitter), the fan mentioned, “88 BACK IN THE CUP SERIES LETS GO”

What are your ideas about SVG taking up Dale Jr.’s iconic No. 88? Tell us within the feedback!