“Was the Prettiest Thing I’d Ever Seen”—Hendrick Motorsports Still Holding Onto a Classic Token of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Brilliance Triggers Nostalgia Among NASCAR Fans

Dale Earnhardt Jr may not have been as successful as his father in the Cup Series. However, he is still considered a top-class racing driver. Furthermore, he managed to go one better than Dale Earnhardt in one particular aspect. It took Dale Sr 20 attempts to finally win the Daytona 500 in 1998, and Dale Jr triumphed in his fifth attempt. He went one better, nearly a decade later, to become a 2-time Daytona 500 winner.

Speaking of that second Daytona 500 triumph, the Hendrick Motorsports team decided to immortalize that 2014 car. In other words, the #88 car is still proudly displayed at the HMS headquarters. A post was shared on NASCAR’s subreddit with a few photographs of the #88 on display at the HMS headquarters. Apparently, Junior‘s car is still in the same condition as it was when it reached the victory lane. In a sense, it is still covered in dust and confetti is still lying on the hood and the roof of the Chevrolet car.

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s 2014 Daytona 500 Win Car Still Sits On Display At Hendrick Motorsports 🏁
by u/almostheaven88 in NASCAR

NASCAR fans still loved the car that Dale Earnhardt Jr drove

Safe to say, this was a wonderful trip down memory lane for a number of NASCAR fans. One fan harked back to when Dale Jr’s potential win was nearly jeopardized. Remembering how it has been almost a decade, a few Redditors commented, “Wow time flies. I remember getting so worried when that piece of tape plastered itself on the 88.”

Another fan confessed that they were initially not too fond of the National Guard paint scheme. They mused, “All off season I hated that scheme. Thought it was ugly as hell. Then after the win it was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen.”

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To this, someone replied, “Just like his Dad’s GM PLUS car. It was hated, then became an icon after the win.” This car was pretty iconic because it was in an elite company in the Hendrick Motorsports headquarters.

According to a Reddit user, “It used to sit next to JJ’s 2013 Daytona 500 winning car. I got a picture of those two together. I miss these Gen 6 cars. Better looking in my opinion.”

Finally, a lifelong Dale Earnhardt Jr fan said, “Saw him make the sweep at Pocono that year in August with my Dad and Brother. Man…one of the best days of our lives. Pocono suites at that time gave you shade, food, booze and bathrooms all within stumbling distance. $120 a head and you got all that. Make it back someday.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Dale Earnhardt Jr Follows His Father’s Legacy as He Makes a Massive Reveal, Taking Fans on a Trip Down Memory Lane