MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 13, 2017) – As Dale Earnhardt Jr. competes in his final race at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 28, a familiar face will lead him and the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag. Amy Earnhardt, wife of the third-generation NASCAR star, will serve as Honorary Pace Car driver for the First Data 500 on the .526-mile oval.

Amy Earnhardt’s first experience as a pace car driver will come at a track her husband loves. She celebrated Earnhardt Jr.’s first victory at the historic track in 2014, joining him and his Hendrick Motorsports team in Victory Lane.

“I was very excited when the track approached me about driving the pace car,” she said. “Martinsville is one of Dale’s favorite tracks and seeing how happy he and the team were in Victory Lane in 2014 is something I’ll never forget. I appreciate the track letting me be a small part of Dale’s last race at a place that means so much to him.”

Track President Clay Campbell, grandson of founder H. Clay Earles, said having Amy lead the field to green was a small gesture to thank Earnhardt Jr. and his family for all they’ve done for Martinsville.

“The Earnhardt family has meant so much to Martinsville Speedway through the years, Dale in particular, and we wanted for him to be able to share his last Cup race here with the person closest to him,” Campbell said. “Dale has often talked about how much Amy has meant to him and this is one small way in which we can say ‘thank you’ to the both of them; to Dale for what he has meant to the sport and to Amy for what she has meant to Dale.”

It’s not the first time that an Earnhardt has driven the pace car at Martinsville. In September, Kelley Earnhardt Miller was behind the wheel for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300, the Southeast’s most prestigious Late Model event.