Chase Elliott is set to return to JR Motorsports for a one-off race in the zMAX CARS Tour at North Wilkesboro on July 17. He will pilot the No. 8 NAPA Chevrolet.

What happened?

Elliott previously competed for JR Motorsports in 2014 and 2015, winning four races and the 2014 championship.

Why it matters for Chase Elliott

This will be Elliott's second start in the CARS Tour, having finished runner-up to William Byron in the Super Late Model division at Hickory.

What comes next?

Elliott will be pulling double duty at North Wilkesboro, also competing in the Cup Series race on Sunday, July 19, behind the wheel of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

The No. 8 NAPA Chevrolet that Elliott will drive is styled after the car driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the early years of his Cup Series career.

On June 30, JR Motorsports announced Elliott's one-off appearance on their social media team, posting a photo of the No. 8 NAPA Chevrolet.

Elliott became the youngest champion in O'Reilly Auto Parts Series history in 2014, winning three races and the title behind the wheel of the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.

Some fans have speculated that the No. 8 was supposed to be driven by the late Kyle Busch, who had planned to run the car in a CARS Tour event before his passing on May 21.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed on 'The Dale Jr. Download' that Busch had wanted to run the 'Dale Jr. No. 8' in a CARS Tour event, with plans being put into place before his tragic passing.

The zMAX CARS Tour at North Wilkesboro will take place on July 17, with Elliott competing against some of the best late model racers in the country.

The Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro on July 19 will be the first points-paying Cup Series race at the track since 1996.

Elliott's return to JR Motorsports for the one-off race has generated excitement among NASCAR fans, who will be eager to see him compete in the zMAX CARS Tour.

The event will also feature other notable drivers, including former NASCAR champions like Kevin Harvick, who have tried their hand at late model racing.

Elliott's experience and skill will make him a strong contender in the zMAX CARS Tour, and his fans will be watching closely to see how he performs.

The race will be a special event for Elliott, who will be driving a car styled after his former teammate's, and competing in a series that features some of the best late model racers in the country.