Dale Earnhardt’s grandson Bobby drops heartfelt message ahead of Daytona debut: “Honoring my Grandpa”

Dale Earnhardt‘s grandson, Bobby Dale Earnhardt, penned a wholesome message ahead of his Daytona debut with the iconic ‘black Chevrolet’. The 38-year-old is set for his maiden ARCA Menards season with Rise Motorsports.

Bobby previously competed in ARCA back in 2017, but two of his starts ended up in DNFs, while his best finish of 19th came at Elko Speedway. His 2025 effort saw him record a 26th-place result at Kansas Speedway and a 30th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The fourth-generation racer is the son of Kerry Earnhardt and the nephew of two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. This year, he’ll run a special paint scheme that pays tribute to his grandfather and seven-time Cup Series champion, Dale Earnhardt.

Bobby shared a press release commemorating the ride and attached the following caption:

“My first time racing at Daytona. Honoring my Grandpa, trusting God, and thankful for everyone who’s helped make this possible. The black Chevrolet is ready.”

The season opener is scheduled for 12 PM ET on February 14. Reflecting upon the throwback paint scheme, Bobby said,

“Bringing back the black Chevrolet is something that means a lot to me personally. It’s a tribute to my Grandpa and the legacy he built not just in racing, but in the way he carried himself and connected with fans. That black car represents hard work, grit, and tradition, and honoring that history while competing at Daytona is incredibly special to me.”

Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life 26 years ago on the same track. He suffered fatal injuries from a final-lap crash while running in third. Earnhardt was 49-years old at the time. The tragic loss forced NASCAR to introduce the energy-absorbing SAFER barriers and the HANS device, which protects the head and neck.

Dale Earnhardt’s grandson reveals Greg Biffle tribute

Bobby Dale Earnhardt recently took part in a two-day test session to prepare for the ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Piloting the No.89 Chevrolet for Rise Motorsports, Bobby ran a black and yellow paint scheme.

After his opening runs, Earnhardt took to X and unveiled a Greg Biffle tribute on the rear right side panel. The post’s caption read:

“A sneak peek with purpose The Biff is riding with us this weekend. Honoring Greg Biffle’s legacy as we head into testing with @RiseRacing89 Full unveiling goes down at Daytona. So let’s hear it, what do YOU think the iconic paint scheme will look like?”

The decal featured a #16 sticker with the tagline ‘BelikeBiff’. The Hall of Fame nominee died in a tragic plane crash on December 18, 2025. He was travelling with his family of four, alongside NASCAR motorcoach driver Craig Wadsworth and two commercial pilots.

The National Transportation and Safety Board recently released a preliminary report that detailed the fatal crash. A final report is expected in 12-18 months.