CONCORD, N.C. -- When Dale Earnhardt Jr. walks on stage at Bristol Motor Speedway for driver intros, he'll be accompanied by a Super Bowl champion.
The driver will be joined by Nationwide teammate Peyton Manning, the five-time NFL MVP who just announced his retirement after earning his second career Super Bowl, this one with the Denver Broncos.
It will be the quarterback's first NASCAR experience courtesy of Nationwide.
"I'm thrilled to get a chance to watch Dale compete at Bristol Motor Speedway," Manning said. "I want to thank Nationwide for bringing me to one of the great NASCAR tracks to watch what I'm sure will be an exciting race in front of some of the most passionate fans in the sport."
As an honorary race official, Manning will experience the Bristol race from atop the No. 88 team's pit box.
Earnhardt is excited to be able to help host the former Tennessee Volunteer at the Tennessee track.
"It's pretty awesome that Peyton Manning is coming out to Bristol," he said. "I think he's going to enjoy watching the race there because it's such an amazing racetrack. It's awesome to have a legend like him coming to participate and enjoy our sport."
It's not the first time football and NASCAR have overlapped for Earnhardt. Just last season he helped give Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis a taste of the sport by giving him the ride of a lifetime around Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Earnhardt expects Manning to have just as much fun when he heads to the track for the April 17 race at Bristol.
"He's going to enjoy his experience I'm sure," he said, "and we're excited to have him."