Retired NASCAR racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. made national news this week in announcing his decision to purchase a 2024 Keystone Cougar 364BHL fifth-wheel.
“#88 is full throttle to campfire nights,” dealer Camping World posted March 2 on X, formerly Twitter, following word that Earnhardt had purchased a Cougar towable in which he, wife Amy and daughters Isla Rose and Nicole Lorraine plan to hit the road in the near future.
“Lots of consideration on what was right for my family,” Earnhardt added on X in a story that drew hundreds of thousands of views and was subsequently picked up by The Charlotte Observer which said Earnhardt had shocked the racing world by having traded his need for speed for a more traditional camping experience. “So many great options. Gonna go make some memories this year in our @CampingWorld RV.”
Earnhardt, 50, son of 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, apparently wound up selecting the 364BHL Midnight Edition, retailing for about $85,000, on his own, working with Camping World before finalizing the acquisition and picking the unit up at a North Carolina Camping World store.
“We were excited about it because he (Earnhardt) picked that floorplan out for his family,” said Matt Christensen, general manager for the Cougar and Coleman lines. “I think the Midnight Edition with the full body paint and Phantom Grey color really jumped out to him. It does have some extra bells and whistles, including an extra lighting package and an upgraded solar package plus lithium batteries.”
All things considered, agreed Christy Spencer, Keystone’s director of marketing and communications, it was a best case scenario from a marketing standpoint. “Yes, when someone organically picks one of your brands, it’s kind of an endorsement of everything you’re doing, especially someone at the forefront of NASCAR.”
