\n\tThe realms of country music and NASCAR have historically been united by a fervent and overlapping fanbase, one devoted to both high-octane races and country music\u2019s musical traditions. <\/p>\n
\n\tOver the years, NASCAR\u2019s pre-race festivities have frequently spotlighted country music performers. Conversely, some NASCAR drivers have made appearances in country music videos, while at least one acclaimed country artist also pursued a career behind the wheel as a professional driver.<\/p>\n
\n\tFurther exemplifying the enduring synergy between these two iconic entertainment institutions, a few new, recent country songs have nodded to one of NASCAR\u2019s greats, the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.<\/p>\n
\n\tMorgan Wallen<\/a> and Eric Church<\/a> recorded the collaboration \u201cNo. 3 and No. 7,\u201d which nods to Earnhardt\u2019s iconic black No. 3 Goodwrench car, while \u201cSaid No Country Boy Ever,\u201d recorded by a cohort of country singers (Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Jerrod Niemann, Dallas Davidson and Rob Hatch, aka The Traler Park), also mentions Earnhardt by name. Meanwhile, Cole Swindell also recently released \u201cDale Jr.,\u201d a touching tribute to fathers and sons, nodding to Earnhardt Sr. in the process.<\/p>\n \n\tEarnhardt was one of the most acclaimed drivers in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) during the 1980s and 1990s. In total, he had 76 NASCAR Cup Series victories<\/a>. Earnhardt won his first Winston Cup championship in 1980 and went on to earn six additional Winston Cup titles in 1986-87, 1990-91 and 1993-94, tying NASCAR legend Richard Petty\u2019s record in the process. Known as \u201cThe Intimidator,\u201d in the iconic black \u201cNo. 3\u201d Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Earnhardt Sr. gained a track record as a fierce driver, one unafraid of bumping and spinning out competitors on his way to earning the checkered flag. His career also came with frustrations, as he raced 19 times in the Daytona 500 before emerging triumphant<\/a> as the race\u2019s winner in 1998.<\/p>\n \n\tEarnhardt\u2019s death in February 2001 from injuries stemming from a crash during the final lap of the Daytona 500 shocked the racing world and beyond, and marked the end of an era in racing. Earnhardt was posthumously inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006 and was named to the NASCAR Hall of Fame\u2019s inaugural class in 2010. The recent four-part Prime Video documentary Earnhardt offered a deep look into the racing legend\u2019s life and career.<\/p>\n \n\tEarnhardt Sr. was also a fan of country music, and had several ties to the genre. In 1985, he took part in the album World Series of Country Music Proudly Presents Stock Car Racing\u2019s Entertainers of the Year, a project that featured NASCAR drivers singing original country songs. Earnhardt appeared on the album\u2019s concluding track, \u201cHard Charger.\u201d He also appeared in the music video for Brooks & Dunn\u2019s 1997 song \u201cHonky Tonk Truth,\u201d dressing up identically to the duo\u2019s Kix Brooks and playing on the uncanny physical similarities between the two. One of his lesser-known monikers, linking Earnhardt Sr. and his car, was his nickname as \u201cThe Man in Black,\u201d a moniker more well-known for its association with Country Music Hall of Famer Johnny Cash.<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2003, a tribute concert to Earnhardt Sr. became the first non-racing event to be held at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida. The event featured performances from Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Alabama, Sheryl Crow and more, with proceeds from the event going to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. In the more than two decades since Earnhardt Sr.\u2019s passing, his influence hasn\u2019t dimmed, and numerous country songs have nodded to his competitive, award-winning career.<\/p>\n \n\tOf course, country music has long had ties to NASCAR in general, extending beyond simply many shared fans. Country singer Marty Robbins<\/a>, known for hits including \u201cEl Paso,\u201d was also a NASCAR racer, racing alongside NASCAR drivers such as Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison, and making it to the top 5 spot<\/a> during 1974\u2019s Motor State 400 in Michigan. In 1975, the album NASCAR Goes Country featured NASCAR drivers including Richard Petty, Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough performing classic country hits such as \u201cHey, Good Lookin\u2019,\u201d and \u201cKing of the Road.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tCountry music label execs have also been involved with racing. Big Machine Label Group founder\/CEO\/president Scott Borchetta (Lady A, Thomas Rhett, Riley Green) launched the NASCAR Xfinity Series team Big Machine Racing in 2021. In 2013, Benny Brown, founder of BBR Music Group (Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll) sponsored Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR), supporting Brown\u2019s grandson, NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick.<\/p>\n \n\tBesides Earnhardt, other NASCAR drivers who have appeared in country music videos include Carl Edwards (Justin Moore\u2019s \u201cBait a Hook\u201d and Sara Evans\u2019 \u201cSlow Me Down\u201d), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Trace Adkins\u2019 \u201cRough and Ready\u201d) and a slew of drivers, including Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott and Rusty Wallace, who appeared in Alan Jackson\u2019s \u201cWho\u2019s Cheatin\u2019 Who\u201d video.<\/p>\n \n\tMeanwhile, country artists\u2019 names and\/or likenesses have shown up in several NASCAR cars. Chris Stapleton teamed<\/a> with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports\u2019 first entry in the Daytona 500 with the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet. Luke Combs, Bailey Zimmerman and Taylor Swift have also been featured on NASCAR cars.<\/p>\n \n\tFans and country artists alike continue to honor the life and legacy of \u201cThe Intimidator\u201d and below, we highlight a handful of songs that nod to the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.<\/p>\n \tMorgan Wallen and Eric Church, \u201cNumber 3 and Number 7\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThis collaboration<\/a> between Morgan Wallen and Eric Church, included on Wallen\u2019s I\u2019m The Problem album, centers on the potentially disastrous effects of mixing \u201cNumber 7\u201d (an ode to Jack Daniels whiskey) and \u201cNumber 3\u201d (a nod to Earnhardt\u2019s legendary No. 3 car, and thus to fast driving). Elsewhere in the song, Wallen sings lyrics about \u201cmakin\u2019 grown man mistakes\/ Puttin\u2019 Earnhardt to shame.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \tCharlie Daniels, \u201cThe Intimidator\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tCharlie Daniels paid homage <\/a>to Earnhardt Sr.\u2019s aggressive racing style in \u201cThe Intimidator,\u201d with the title being a nod to Earnhardt\u2019s famous nickname. \u201cMovin\u2019 to the inside\/ Listen to that engine howl\/ Just move it on over, The Intimidator\u2019s on the prowl,\u201d he sang, capturing the details and intense spirit of a nail-biter of a NASCAR race. The song was included on the 2004 project The Essential Super Hits of the Charlie Daniels Band.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \tCole Swindell, \u201cDale Jr.\u201d<\/p>\n\n