Dale Earnhardt Jr. — LIQUOR BEFORE BEER … You’re In the Clear!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. tells TMZ Sports … he celebrated his big Daytona 500 victory by boozin' with his team 'til around 4AM — so why isn't he a hungover mess this morning??? Simple. He followed the cardinal drinking rule.

You know how it goes …

"Beer before liquor, never been sicker.
… Liquor before beer, you're in the clear."

Dale Jr. was out in NYC yesterday and told us he abides by the code — usually startin' with some Jim Beam before switchin' to suds.

*Warning — cardinal drinking rule does not always work. Booze with caution*