Dale and the Track That’s Too Tough to Tame. The Southern 500 returned to Labor Day this past year, and with it came a throwback celebration. NASCAR invited sponsors and racers to dig deep into their rich history and break out the paint schemes and firesuits of years past. Valvoline had the distinct honor of riding on the hood of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 88 throwback car, the design of which was inspired by Valvoline racing legend—and one of Dale’s personal heroes— Cale Yarborough. We made a little video to wish him well.