Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to Run CARS Tour Tootsie's Music City Showdown at Nashville

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will be part of the field when the zMAX CARS Tour visits the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on April 11 for the Tootsie's Music City Showdown.

"I'm racing at Nashville Fairgrounds April 11," said Earnhardt, Jr. on the Dale Jr Download. "I'm driving the Bass Pro Shops car at the fairgrounds for the CARS Tour.

"I'm going to do the tire test here in a couple of days. I'll have a better idea of how fast it is."

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway announced on Tuesday that Tootsie's Orchid Lounge will serve as the presenting sponsor for the event, featuring the CARS Tour's Late Model Stock Cars and Pro Late Models. Earnhardt, Jr. will compete in the Late Model Stock Car division in his No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the CARS Tour in Nashville,” said Steve Smith, owner of Tootsie's. “This is some of the best racing in America and it belongs at such an iconic track and an iconic city. I grew up across the street from [Nashville] Fairgrounds Speedway and am a huge supporter of racing in Nashville. I can’t wait to watch these guys race and to host the teams at Tootsie’s afterwards.”

Earnhardt, Jr., along with Justin Marks, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton, co-owns the CARS Tour. Marks, who also owns Trackhouse Racing, has long hoped to bring the series back to the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway since its defunct Super Late Model division last competed there in 2021.

That, along with support from one of Nashville's most iconic businesses, has Marks excited for the April 11 event.

“The CARS Tour coming to the Nashville Fairgrounds is huge,” Marks said. “Such a historic track, in a great city, with the most exciting late model racing in the country is a recipe for success. And to have such an iconic Nashville brand like Tootsie’s supporting the event just shows this city’s appetite for great racing events.”

“We are excited and honored to host such a major event with the CARS Tour on April 11,” added Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway promoer Bob Sargent. “We are looking forward to working with the CARS Tour management, drivers, fans and everyone from Tootsie’s to make this one of the best events of 2026.”

For tickets to the event, visit the website at www.nashvillefairgroundsspeedway.racing.

For more information, follow Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway online at www.nashvillefairgroundsspeedway.racing and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NashvilleFairgroundsSpeedway). Updates are also available by calling the office at 615-254-1986.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy