Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Speak at Athens Chamber Benefit Sponsored by TVFCU; Tickets on Sale

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, racing fans and community members will gather for the 19th annual Athens Chamber Benefit featuring the NASCAR legend known to fans simply as Dale Jr. Earnhardt is a retired NASCAR driver and current broadcaster, podcaster, and owner of JR Motorsports.

Rob Preston, president and CEO of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, says the event will be inspiring for everyone in the audience, not just NASCAR fans.

“I ask our speakers to talk broadly about how they’ve overcome adversity in their lives and what the audience can gain from that,” Preston said. “They’ve all done a wonderful job.”

Past speakers at the annual benefit have included Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, John Cena, Lou Ferrigno, and Amy Grant, among other notable athletes, musicians, actors, and politicians.

General admission tickets are $45, and VIP tickets, which include dinner and a meet and greet, are available for $88. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the program beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Proceeds benefit the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and its work supporting the local economy and quality of life in McMinn County.

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union is the primary sponsor of this year’s event. Kim Gunter, vice president of marketing at TVFCU, will attend the event and moderate the Q&A session with Dale Jr.

“Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not just a racing legend; he always stays connected to his community and to his fans,” Gunter said. “That’s what TVFCU is all about.”

Tickets are limited. Visit athenschamber.org to reserve your seats.