It is rare to see Dale Earnhardt Jr., a longtime Washington Redskins fan, donning the colors of the Philadelphia Eagles, but the exception will be at Pocono Raceway this June.
Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet will feature the Eagles’ team colors for the Pocono 400 on June 11, Hendrick Motorsports announced in a press release April 5.
The paint scheme is not because the two-time Pocono winner is switching his National Football League allegiance. Earnhardt’s sponsor Axalta, which is headquartered in Philadelphia, is using the home race to promote its All-Pro Teachers program.
“In its third year, the All-Pro Teachers program recognizes outstanding sixth- through 12th-grade teachers concentrating on STEM education in the greater Philadelphia area,” the team said in the press release.
Axalta tweeted out a picture that shows the Eagles’ mascot and cheerleaders, in the grandstands of the Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field, holding a picture of what the car will look like when it hits the track in June.
.@Axalta and @Eagles announce the 2017 Axalta #AllProTeachers paint scheme for the No. 88 Chevrolet SS at the #Pocono400 #Axalta88 pic.twitter.com/onkVxUrEQZ
— Axalta (@Axalta) April 5, 2017
“The exposure that the Axalta All-Pro Teachers program will receive at the Pocono 400, thanks to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s popular No. 88 car, will showcase the campaign to a national audience,” Axalta Chairman and CEO Charlie Shaver said.
Despite loving the Redskins more than the Eagles, Earnhardt and the Philadelphia squad have something in common, as both are trying to rebound in 2017 after injuries prevented them from making their respective sport’s playoffs last season.
Despite the partnership, do not expect Earnhardt to display Eagles’ gear during the team’s two games against the Redskins this fall.
About the author
Michael Massie joined Frontstretch in 2017 and has served as the Content Director since 2020. Massie, a Richmond, Va., native, has covered NASCAR, IndyCar, SRX and the CARS Tour. Outside of motorsports, the Virginia Tech grad and Green Bay Packers minority owner can be seen cheering on his beloved Hokies and Packers.
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