1978 Cardinal Tractor. Not clear whether or not this predated the Rod Osterlund sponsored #98. As the #98 is reported as Dale's 5th car and the Belden #19 the 4th, that suggests the #96 to be Dale's 6th car. However, according to Dale Cline in "Remembering Dale Earnhardt", Dale drove in 3 races in 1978 for Will Cronkrite in a Bud Moore car, starting with the World 600 in Charlotte, prior to joining with Rod Osterlund for his rookie season. That should make the Torino his 5th NASCAR ride. This suggested that the vehicle, along with its make, uncommon to the cup, was a Busch (Grand National) car only, which would then support the #98 as the 5th Cup car.