Alas, the Dale Earnhardt Jr.–Lamar Jackson trademark showdown has come to a close, with the NASCAR legend emerging victorious. Earlier this month, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback filed an opposition claim against Earnhardt’s trademark attempt on his iconic No. 8.
However, just two days after Jackson submitted the challenge, the decision came down in favor of Earnhardt. While the legal battle ended quickly, one of Earnhardt’s own drivers kept the heat going online with a sharp jab at the former NFL MVP.
Former NASCAR Driver Trolls Lamar Jackson With a ‘Playoff’ Dig
29-year-old Landon Huffman is in the spotlight now after the Late Models driver took a shot at the Ravens QB in response to his claim. The legal battle between Earnhardt and Jackson saw NASCAR enthusiasts backing Earnhardt after Jackson took his competitive spirit to the legal arena, targeting the NASCAR team owner.
As per filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office, Jackson filed a formal opposition to Earnhardt’s attempt to register a version of the No. 8, a move that could impact branding rights across a wide range of merchandise.
Following this development, Huffman came in support of Earnhardt. Sharing his thoughts on social media, the driver noted that Jackson should shift his focus to the track rather than going to court, asking him to worry about the postseason.
His tweet read, “Lamar worried more about a trademark he has no leverage on than winning playoff games,” followed by a few emojis. The post gathered several likes and responses within a few hours.
The tweet racked up reactions quickly, with many fans siding with Huffman and praising Earnhardt for keeping things classy throughout the dispute. The legal scuffle stemmed from Earnhardt’s DEJ Holdings filing for trademark rights on two stylized versions of the No. 8. One of those designs passed easily, but Jackson challenged the simpler version, claiming it could confuse fans and dilute his “Era 8 Apparel” brand.
Fans weren’t buying it. Earnhardt has been tied to the No. 8 since the ’90s when he raced for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in his famous Budweiser Chevy. After his father’s tragic death in 2001, he moved to Hendrick Motorsports while his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, retained rights to the number. Last year, Teresa relinquished those rights, giving Earnhardt the chance to secure the number himself, and he did.
This isn’t the first time Jackson has defended his “Era 8” branding. In 2024, he also filed a trademark dispute against former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman for similar use of the number.
While the case is now closed, fans are still voicing their frustration over the whole ordeal. The general sentiment? Earnhardt earned that number long before “Era 8 Apparel” was even an idea.
