In the aftermath of NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s decision to leave his father's company, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., I was amazed to hear that many fans cannot conceive of another driver in the 8 car, which Junior has piloted full time in the Cup series since the year 2000.
Perhaps this is not surprising, since so many of today's fans have come to the sport during roughly that same period of time.
But students of NASCAR's almost 60-year history know that many drivers raced the 8 car before Dale Jr., just as many will do so after him....(cont.)
Will have to wait for your answer. :)
Ding-Ding-Ding! We have a winner!
Hillin, Jr. drove the #8 for a total of nine years, eight of them in a row.
Earnhardt, Jr. is in his seventh season behind the wheel of the #8.
Other modern drivers still active that drove the #8 -- Sterling Marlin, Jeff Burton (two years), Morgan Shepherd.