Dale Earnhardt Jr to Make Final Bristol Cup Series Appearance Tonight, August 19th at 8 PM – 11 PM

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s farewell tour rolled into Bristol for the second and final time this weekend, and Jr., who announced his retirement a couple of months ago, is looking to up his win total at the iconic Tennessee short track.

Despite only have two wins at Bristol in his 20 year career, Earnhardt considers the half-mile oval his favorite track. Junior recalls his fascination with the track extending back to his youth. “When I was a little kid, the night race here was my favorite race in the season. We didn’t get to go to all the races… but Bristol was my favorite for a lot of different reasons… The racing’s always been incredible. It’s just so special and unique – different than anything else we do.” Said Earnhardt of the high-banked oval. “Bristol’s a tough track, physically, but when the car’s driving that good, it’s not that bad.”

 Dale pulled off the sweep, winning what was known at the time as the Busch series as well as the Cup race the next day. With both of Bristol wins coming some 13 years ago, you would think some of the luster would have worn off the demanding race, which many compare to flying fighter jets in a gymnasium, but Earnhardt is still a big fan of the track.

Although the track is only a half mile, the intense action draws a massive crowd. With 162,000 seats, the speedway is the fourth largest sports venue in the nation and the eighth largest in the world. This race, typically known simply as “The Night Race at Bristol” is always hugely popular with the fans. The intense door-to-door action and sparks flying at night make for such a spectacular show. Do you think Dale Jr. can take the checkered flag one more time? Tune in tonight on NBC to find out! Coverage kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET.