Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports’ iconic Daytona 500 Traveller Whiskey paint scheme has been censored from NASCAR 25 due to simulation platforms and publishers’ strict sponsor policies that prohibit the promotion of alcohol. The No. 40 Chevrolet debuted in the Cup Series at the 2025 Daytona 500 in February, piloted by Xfinity Series veteran Justin Allgaier for JR Motorsports.

Traveller Whiskey was the primary sponsor of NASCAR’s most historic race. The paint scheme was a resounding success, going down well with NASCAR fans.

The Earnhardt name is long linked to iconic colors mixed with alcoholic branding, such as the No. 8 Budweiser from 2001 to 2014. Allgaier finished ninth in the Daytona 500, a barnstorming result that also saw seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson finish third behind Tyler Reddick and back-to-back winner William Byron.

A version of JRM’s 2025 Daytona 500 paint scheme appeared in NASCAR’s latest video game, which was released this week. However, due to strict sponsor policies, the iconic Traveller Whiskey branding has been stripped from the paint scheme.

The iRacing paint scheme and Terms/EULA documentation state: “Your Paint Schemes may not be indecent, libelous, defamatory, obscene, threatening, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, abusive, illegal, harassing; contain expressions of hatred, bigotry, racism or pornography, promote or otherwise refer to tobacco products, alcohol or illicit drugs, constitute or encourage a criminal offense, or otherwise objectionable. Political content is strictly forbidden.”

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The policy hasn’t gone down well with fans, though, with some excited to take a stab at Cup Series glory under the JRM banner and Traveller Whiskey branding. “I love coming home from work and having a nice glass of JR Motorsports,” one scoffed.

“Maybe one day @iRacing can alter their paint scheme policy to include alcohol schemes with an age verification system,” another suggested. “Not the same without the traveller brand. Hate the restrictions,” a third remarked.

“First thing I’m modding when the PC version is out is that scheme and putting the real one in,” a fourth said. “Don’t mind me, just getting ready to whip the field with this bad boy and win JR Motorsports a cup series championship,” a fifth said on X.

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Long-term, Earnhardt Jr. has a strong desire to bring JRM to the NASCAR Cup Series. “Sometimes you wonder, because of growing up in the sport and your last name, are you making yourself do this because it’s what you think you’re supposed to do? Do you really want to do it?” Earnhardt Jr. said.

“It really was good for me, I think, to come here and experience this to see if it was truly something that I felt like I wanted,” Earnhardt Jr. continued. “[…] I think this helped me understand that I do want to be here personally. I do feel like it’s what I should be striving for.”

“We’re always ready. Have been for years, so we’ll see,” Earnhardt added. “When we started putting this deal together, I told Kelley, you never know what this experience might drum up and in terms of interest for some partners that want to help us get here full time.”