NASCAR’s 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott is set to make a highly anticipated comeback to JR Motorsports this summer, joining the zMAX CARS Tour for a one‑off appearance at North Wilkesboro on July 17.
A Legendary Livery Returns
Elliott will pilot the storied No. 8 NAPA Chevrolet, a car that has become synonymous with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s legacy and, more recently, the late Kyle Busch’s unfinished plans.
The driver previously contested the team’s lineup in 2014 and 2015, capturing four victories and securing the 2014 championship, a feat that established him as the youngest O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion in history.
His return coincides with a historic moment for the track: the Cup Series will host a points‑paying race at North Wilkesboro on July 19, the first such event at the venue since 1996.
Busch had been slated to drive the same No. 8 entry in the CARS Tour before his tragic passing, a prospect that added emotional weight to Elliott’s participation and prompted Earnhardt Jr. to honor the late driver’s wish to run the ‘Dale Jr. No. 8’.
Earnhardt Jr., co‑owner of the CARS Tour, highlighted the symbolic resonance of the No. 8 livery, noting that the car’s heritage bridges three generations of NASCAR talent.
Fans can also look forward to seeing other top drivers such as William Byron, Chris Buescher and Kevin Harvick competing later in the weekend, promising a stacked slate of on‑track action.