As he confirms No. 8’s fate, Dale Earnhardt Jr. ends Lamar Jackson’s brief legal battle…
In a whirlwind week of unexpected crossovers, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made headlines not on the racetrack, but in a courtroom, as he confirmed the fate of the iconic No. 8 car and, in an unusual twist, played a role in ending NFL star Lamar Jackson’s brief legal entanglement.
Earnhardt Jr., who once drove the No. 8 to NASCAR glory, officially announced the number’s permanent retirement from competitive use under his brand, sealing its legacy. While fans were still processing the nostalgic blow, news broke that Earnhardt Jr. had lent his support—both publicly and legally—to Lamar Jackson in a swiftly resolved branding dispute.
Jackson, whose independent sports brand “Era 8” came under legal scrutiny for its similarity to a motorsports apparel line tied to Earnhardt’s legacy, was facing potential litigation. However, Earnhardt intervened, acknowledging the coincidental overlap and publicly endorsing Jackson’s right to the number in a separate industry.
“Eight means something different to all of us,” Earnhardt Jr. stated. “It’s about legacy—his and mine can coexist.”
The move not only ended the legal threat but also sparked mutual respect between two icons of speed, bridging NASCAR and the NFL in a moment of surprising sports diplomacy.
