A thrilling new partnership has taken shape as NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. teams up with Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, a well-known brand under Darden Restaurants, to introduce a special drink: the Tropical Blue Chiller. This refreshing cocktail is made using High Rock Vodka, a brand co-owned by Dale and his wife Amy Earnhardt. Fans can enjoy this exclusive drink for a limited time at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen locations, marking an exciting chapter in Earnhardt’s growing business ventures. As fans across the country visit Cheddar’s to get a taste of this unique cocktail, the collaboration is stirring curiosity about what the future holds for this partnership.
The history between Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and NASCAR is already strong, with the restaurant having been a marketing partner of Richard Childress Racing since 2020. Their association grew further when they became involved with Kyle Busch and his No. 8 Chevy during his debut season with the team in 2023. Now, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. also collaborating with Cheddar’s, questions are swirling about whether this could lead to even bigger opportunities, like potential sponsorship deals with JR Motorsports, Earnhardt’s own racing team.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Engages Fans with His New Cocktail
Cheddar’s partnership with Richard Childress Racing has deep roots, dating back to the days when Tyler Reddick drove the No. 8 Chevy for three seasons until 2022. After Reddick’s departure to 23XI Racing, Cheddar’s shifted its focus to Kyle Busch, creating special dishes and themed menus to honor their connection with the racing star. In fact, Cheddar’s even offers a free chicken tender meal to fans on Mondays whenever Busch wins a Cup Series race. This fun and interactive sponsorship has solidified Cheddar’s place in the hearts of NASCAR fans, making it one of the more memorable brand partnerships in the sport.
With Dale Earnhardt Jr. now in the mix, valued at an estimated $400 million, there’s plenty of anticipation about what this collaboration might bring. In a video posted on social media, Earnhardt officially announced the launch of the Tropical Blue Chiller, encouraging fans to try it out by saying, “Alright, it’s official. A brand new High Rock vodka craft cocktail is available at Cheddar’s locations nationwide. Grab this High Rock cocktail while you can. Find a Cheddars Scratch Kitchen near you, or visit cheddars.com.”
Amy Earnhardt also expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re super excited to partner with Cheddar’s to bring this specialty High Rock cocktail to their restaurants.”
The Future of Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has extended its partnership with Richard Childress Racing, continuing as the primary sponsor for Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet. While the exact number of races featuring Cheddar’s branding hasn’t been disclosed, it’s expected to be prominently featured in at least seven races each season. The collaboration has been a success for the restaurant chain, helping it achieve both profitability and sales targets. Now, with their new partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and High Rock Vodka, they aim to replicate that success on another level.
Many fans are speculating whether this new collaboration could lead to something larger, like a full-fledged sponsorship of JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. If this partnership proves to be successful, it’s entirely possible that we could see Cheddar’s branding on a No. 88 Chevy driven by rising talent Connor Zilisch for JR Motorsports. While nothing has been confirmed yet, the potential for future collaborations is certainly there, and it will be exciting to see how it develops. The Tropical Blue Chiller may just be the first step in a larger partnership that could extend beyond alcoholic beverages to something even more impactful in the racing world.
NASCAR Fans Weigh In
As soon as the announcement hit social media, NASCAR fans didn’t hesitate to share their thoughts on the partnership between Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Dale Earnhardt Jr. One fan, commenting on the social media video promoting the Tropical Blue Chiller, speculated whether the partnership could extend to Richard Childress Racing and Kyle Busch. With the Martinsville Cup Series race just around the corner, one fan excitedly wrote, “Why don’t we get that on the #8 car at Martinsville @cheddarskitchen.”
Another fan expressed their eagerness to try the new drink, commenting, “Need that now!”
In addition to the excitement surrounding the cocktail, fans also noticed how different Dale Earnhardt Jr. looked in the video. One user remarked on how much younger he appears when he shaves his beard, writing, “I always forget how young he looks when he shaves off that beard.” Another fan, misinterpreting the beginning of the video, thought Earnhardt was announcing a third child, commenting, “The first couple of words there had me thinking kid number 3.”
Yet another fan misread the promotion and thought Earnhardt was advertising a beer cooler, tweeting, “Oh! It’s a drink. Almost thought it was a beer cooler, complete with handles.”
Despite the mixed reactions, one thing is clear: the NASCAR community is buzzing with excitement over this new collaboration. Fans are eager to see where this partnership could lead, both in the beverage industry and in the racing world. Could this be the beginning of a broader sponsorship deal with JR Motorsports? Only time will tell, but for now, the Tropical Blue Chiller is sparking plenty of conversation and intrigue in the NASCAR fanbase.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stuns NASCAR Fans by Teaming Up with Kyle Busch’s $400 Million Sponsor
