Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Competing in October CARS Tour Event at Newport

JR Motorsports announced on Tuesday that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has added the zMAX CARS Tour event at Newport Speedway on October 3 to his schedule.

Earnhardt, Jr. competed with the CARS Tour's Late Model Stock division in its first-ever race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway last Saturday, The NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee finished 12th in the event won by JR Motorsports driver Caden Kvapil.

Kvapil has won two of the first three zMAX CARS Tour events of the 2026 season, giving him the early advantage in the championship chase. Kvapil also won the season opener at Southern National Motorsports Park in February.

Now, Earnhardt, Jr. will compete at the second new venue for the CARS Tour in 2026, Newport Speedway. This continues a rejuvenation for the Tennessee facility. Newport Speedway reopened in 2024 and hosted an ASA STARS National Tour event in 2025 won by Derek Kraus.

The Kannapolis, North Carolina native has now made nine career starts in the zMAX CARS Tour. His first came in 2022 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, finishing third in the event culminating the month-long Racetrack Revival at the historic venue. Earnhardt, Jr. has three top-10 finishes in those nine CARS Tour starts.

The Newport event will be the penultimate race of this year's zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock season, with the season finale scheduled for October 17 at South Boston Speedway.

Newport Speedway announced on Tuesday that tickets are currently not on sale for the October 3 CARS Tour event. The track will provide ticket information as it becomes available.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy