Dale Earnhardt Jr. is known for a lot of things—whether as a racing legend, a family man, or an all-around likable guy. But if there’s one thing fans know about him off the track, it’s that he loves tradition. Whether it’s spending time with his family or sharing his life with the sponsors who’ve supported him through thick and thin. This Thanksgiving, those two worlds came together in the most Earnhardt way possible, thanks to a little help from two longtime partners: Hellmann’s and Budweiser.

But how, exactly, did they help? Well, let’s just say it involved some mayo, a turkey, and a cold beer.

Hellmann’s: Dale Earnhardt Jr’s secret sauce for Thanksgiving

Dale Jr. kicked off Thanksgiving morning by giving fans a peek into his kitchen on Twitter. “The bird is in the oven,” he shared. “Added herbs, onions, garlic inside. Slices of butter under the skin. A layer of @Hellmanns on the exterior, covered with some Kinder’s mild BBQ rub. Time for a 4-hour roast. Cracking the first beer before 10 am. It’ll be a @budweiserusa.”

If you’re a die-hard Dale fan, his love for Hellmann’s mayonnaise won’t come as a shock. The partnership between JR Motorsports and Hellmann’s goes way back—16 years, to be exact. Hellmann’s first joined forces with Dale’s Xfinity Series team in 2009, and since then, they’ve been inseparable. When the driver left Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2007, he didn’t just part ways with the team. It meant he left the iconic #8 car behind with the Budweiser sponsorship. 2 years later, Hellmann’s entered the picture.

Hellmann’s is more than just a sponsor for Dale; it’s practically part of the family. Not only is the brand the primary sponsor of Justin Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet for six races each year, but it’s also the logo on the hood whenever Dale gets behind the wheel for his annual Xfinity race. Following his retirement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a special appearance at ‘The Last Great Colosseum’ in the #88 Hellmann’s Chevy. This appearance in 2023 was just a nod to their longstanding relations, ones that continue to grow even today.

“Hellmann’s has been with us since the early days of JR Motorsports,” Dale Jr. said earlier this year. “They’ve been a huge part of our success, and their support extends beyond the track—it’s part of my life.” Even before Justin Allgaier’s hard-fought Xfinity title win, the company announced an extension of their partnership till 2026.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a drink to go with the feast. For Dale, that meant cracking open a Budweiser Budweiser and Dale Earnhardt Jr. go way back, too. From 2000 to 2007, Budweiser was the sponsor of Dale’s iconic No. 8 Chevrolet, helping him become one of NASCAR’s biggest stars. Whether he was winning races or just being his down-to-earth self, Dale and Budweiser became synonymous with each other during those years. Even though their official partnership ended over a decade ago, the bond between Dale and the brand hasn’t faded. That signature red Budweiser can is still a part of his life, whether he’s celebrating a victory or just kicking back at home for the holidays.

So, as Dale roasted his Hellmann’s coated turkey and toasted the holiday with a Budweiser, it was clear: Thanksgiving at the Earnhardts wasn’t just about great food and good company. It was also about the partnerships that have supported Dale for years, both on and off the track. That’s a tradition worth celebrating.

Kelley Earnhardt Miller shares snippets of iconic Thanksgiving tradition

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Apart from Hellman’s and Budweiser, the Earnhardt family has a special tradition when it comes to Thanksgiving. Embracing the spirit of family, the Earnhardt siblings know it’s not just their immediate family they have to celebrate with. They never forget their racing family, the JR Motorsports family.

Kelley Earnhardt Miller shared the team’s tradition, where members come together for a special potluck. This annual tradition came to light when Earnhardt-Miller shared an Instagram story that offered a glimpse into what goes down at JRM during Thanksgiving. The JRM CEO even went as far as giving a peak at the different cuisines that came together in the office of the racing team, captioned, “We had our annual Thanksgiving potluck at @jrmotorsports! We have some good cooks. Food was great. Love out traditions year after year.”

As for Dale Jr., he has a lot on his plate, and it’s not just turkey and stuffing. With the special Thanksgiving Day game between the Kansas City Chiefs going up against the Las Vegas Raiders. While his presence was a secret, Junior accidentally leaked it with an image of his face on a T-shirt meant to promote the event. While most NFL fans remain excited to see, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce return to defend Arrowhead Stadium, NASCAR fans are thrilled to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. be a part of another sport he truly loves.