The Dale Jr. Download - Dirty Mo Media

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis sit down with NASCAR driver Austin Dillon and Dr. Eric Warren, Director of NASCAR Programs for Chevrolet, for a candid discussion about the NASCAR Next Gen car that is set to launch in 2022. This new racecar marks the beginning of a new era in NASCAR. With the new chassis comes a pile of questions, uncertainty, fear, and doubt. Earnhardt and Davis waste no time addressing the big topics of concern about the newly designed chassis. Warren, who spearheaded much of Chevrolet's involvement in the development of the Next Gen car, brings us inside the decisions and the intricate details from development to production of this state-of-the-art machine. Dillon, well, he's been behind the wheel of the Next Gen in test sessions. He brings a unique perspective from the driver's seat of the new-age stock car. Speaking of stock... this thing sure looks stock! Chevrolet and Richard Childress Racing brought one of the sleek Next Gen cars to the Studio so the gang could see it first hand. Warren and Earnhardt discuss the importance of the design and the street look of this Camaro racer. The testing of the Next Gen car hasn't been 100-percent smooth. A crash by William Byron early in testing helped the design team learn about the behavior of the new design. What happened during the wreck and how did the car react to the heavy impact? Is the racecar too rigid? Warren addresses the rumor mill surrounding the Talladega crash test and talks about the changes in development that are designed to lessen the impact on the driver. Dale Jr. tested the NASCAR Next Gen car at North Carolina's Bowman Gray Stadium. He shares his experience with Dillon and the two bring their thoughts from the cockpit to the table. Is the steering lock an issue? What is it like to drive with a sequential shifter? What about the limited split differential? And are their legitimate concerns of extreme cockpit temperatures, that at one test session reached a sweltering 170 degrees, an issue that is being resolved? Dillon also gives Dale Jr. first-hand accounts of how the Next Gen car will perform in the draft at the Superspeedways. No questions were left off the table, including a curious inquiry by Dale Jr about a possible Hybrid future in NASCAR competition. Before our guests arrived, the DJD gang breaks down the finale at Phoenix. Was Daniel Hemric's walk-off title-winning first career win possibly his last? How powerful was the emotion of Kyle Larson's victory lap? We also learn that Dale Jr has an affinity for things from the '80s. Well Duh? He details his stay in a popular Phoenix-area hotel and the rockin' sunset that made him feel so warm and fuzzy. In AskJr presented by Xfinity, Dale Jr. discusses Speedway Motorsports Incorporated's purchase of Dover Motorsports Inc and what it could mean for Dover and Nashville. We also talk about Carolina Panthers' player Jeremy Chinn's Dale Jr. tribute, Dale's role in the movie Cars, and what he really thinks about the NASCAR playoff format. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you have the opportunity to speak with a living scrapbook of the past, you open it and have a conversation. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis welcome in Tommy Russell, an early car owner of the late Dale Earnhardt, to give first-hand accounts inside the early years of the Earnhardt racing legacy. Russell's family was involved in the early stock car scene in the Carolina's with area stars like Dink Widenhouse, George Mantooth and Banks Simpson that took their cars from the dusty dirt ovals of the Carolina's all the way to the sands of Daytona. But it was an intersection with Dale Jr.'s grandfather, the great Ralph Earnhardt, that set in motion a relationship with the two families forged in speed and trust. Tommy gives a curious Dale Jr. insight into what it was like on Sedan Avenue working around the patriarch of the Earnhardt racing dynasty. The King of the Dirt Tracks helped the young Russell. Later on, he was able to repay his hero. The story though doesn't end with Ralph. Russell became one of Dale Earnhardt's first car owners. The two friends combined their efforts and started racing Semi-Mods at places like Concord Speedway and Metrolina Speedway. When the Earnhardt name showed up on the roof of Russell's cars, it was lights out for the other competitors. In a short span, the two combined to unleash their fury on the dirt scene in an effort that brought an estimated 65 wins. Russell gives us all a peek into the early days of his race team and witnessing Dale Earnhardt's first-ever win. It is a moment that made him realize Dale was the driver he wanted behind the wheel of his cars. He talks about the progression of an eventual seven-time NASCAR champion. It was a journey from a homebuilt shop on the side of the Russell garage, to racing multiple times a week. They'd sleep at hotels with the door open and the hauler pulled up to the door, guarding their homemade racecar with a gun on the nightstand. It's a peek into the early days of Dale Earnhardt that nobody has heard before. Dale persevered, despite the tragic loss of Ralph Earnhardt in 1973. Russell gives us a look into the tough time and how they picked up the pieces and carried on. When Dale made it to the big time, he never forgot his friend Tommy. He was with him for his very first NASCAR Cup Series start. The local boy Earnhardt had a lot of pressure on him to make the field that day. He got by with a little help from his friends... and we learn, a special bottle of speed. Fast forward to 1980, and the final race of the season at Ontario Motor Speedway, Dale brought his friend along with him to the track, to the parties, and even to Las Vegas. Before Tommy Russell came to the Bojangles Studio to chat, the DJD was on fire about a lot of topics. Dale Jr. kept his thoughts about his recent test of the NASCAR Next Gen car at North Carolina's Bowman Gray Stadium to himself, wanting to save his thoughts for this podcast. He shares the experience and his concerns for the new Cup machine moving forward. He also spikes on Clint Bowyer's claim of being the fastest driver at the test. Dale and Mike also chat about Noah Gragson's big win at Martinsville and how he has impressively ridden a roller coaster of a season to have a shot at a NASCAR Xfinity Series title. Speaking of JR Motorsports, Dale talks about the decision to bring a new Late Model Stock driver to the team and what he expects from young Carson Kvapil and the program. The biggest NASCAR water cooler topic of the week was the controversy between Denny Hamlin and Martinsville race winner Alex Bowman. The DJD fires in their opinions during AskJr presented by Xfinity. They discuss the post-race drama and a different type of "hack" in the fan-driven segment. That and much more on a packed edition of The Dale Jr. Download. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She may not have been the first, and won't be the last, but she is undoubtedly a pioneer in Motorsports. Former NASCAR racer Shawna Robinson sits down with Dale Earnhardt Jr and co-host Mike Davis for a fascinating conversation. Robinson's start in Motorsports didn't come as most people would predict. It wasn't behind the wheel of a car. It was behind the wheel of a truck. And we're not talking your everyday truck, we're talking about a Big-Rig going up to 160mph. Fresh out of high school, the small-statured Iowa girl got her first chance in competitive racing in one of the largest race vehicles possible. Her father, a man they called Lefty, and her brothers, were a part of a traveling circus of Big Rig Racing and entertainment. It was a series her dad founded and the family promoted. Sliding an 8-thousand pound truck around fairgrounds tracks sprinkled throughout America, people took notice of the young female phenom excelling in a sport full of rough and rowdy men. When the Great American Truck Racing series hit the big tracks, people took notice of Robinson. She became the first female to ever win on a superspeedway, winning at the Milwaukee Mile. Success and an unwavering work ethic created a path to NASCAR. There, Robinson went from the biggest vehicle to racing the compact stock cars of the NASCAR Dash Series. Just three races in, she made history becoming the first woman to win a NASCAR Touring Series race. Her climb to the NASCAR Xfinity Series came with some success, but some heartache as well. She was the fast qualifier at the Xfinity race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1994. In that race, she didn't make it around to complete the first lap. She was wrecked. Was it intentional? Other drivers and a commentator told her it was. Shawna shares the story. The ups and downs of racing intersected life and the start of her own family during one phone call. It was her best opportunity yet, but one she had to turn down. She shares the emotion of turning down a ride due to pregnancy. A few years later, Shawna found herself trying to qualify for the 2002 Daytona 500. The Cup Series rookie became the first driver since Janet Guthrie, in 1977, to race her way into the Great American race. Shawna's racing career didn't pan out the way she wanted, but she's someone who will always be remembered. For Dale Earnhardt Jr., she will also be remembered as a woman who stood her ground. The table conversation gets interesting when the two drivers talk about an incident that stemmed from a practice get-together, continued into the race, included a middle-finger and an angry Robinson going to confront Earnhardt in his hauler. Shawna opens up to Dale Jr. and Mike Davis about some of the challenges she faced throughout her career being a female in a male-dominated sport. She also shares her thoughts on the females who have gripped the wheel after her career and what advantages they have in creating opportunities. But her biggest challenge came outside of the racecar. A cancer diagnosis and rigorous chemotherapy and radiation was just another hurdle for her to jump. Shawna discusses the day she found out the news and how she got through it. Before Shawna's arrival, the DJD gang talks about the big moment for Formula One driver Daniel Riccardo getting to drive his father's famed no. 3 car around Austin, Texas' Circuit of the Americas. Dale Jr. reveals just how much the gesture means to him and his family. Dale Jr. breaks some news on this week's podcast, announcing which NASCAR Xfinity Series race he will drive during the 2022 season. AskJr presented by Xfinity was "the funnest" segment of the day. Dale talks about his upcoming NASCAR Next-Gen test at the legendary 1/4-mile Bowman Gray Stadium. He also gives fans a peek behind closed doors of what it is really like inside the NASCAR hauler when you are called to the principal's office. Dale shares some hellacious times during Halloween that were both risky and mischievous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grammy award-winning Country Music superstar Cole Swindell pulls up a chair at the big wooden table to have a chat with good friend Dale Earnhardt Jr. The two giants in their perspective industry have a special bond. They open up about the loss of their fathers and mothers and how they each found ways to cope with unthinkable loss. It's a conversation that brings us closer to how Cole, who lost his father in a freak accident as a child, and his mother to illness recently, was able to carry on. He didn't miss a beat, playing his popular song, "You Should Be Here" in front of packed audiences for an even deeper meaning. We learn how the particular song brought Dale Jr. and Cole together. Swindell didn't have a typical start for a country music artist. Yes, he was a songwriter, that moved to Nashville in hopes of achieving his dreams of being on the big stage. But his story really starts at a college dorm, where he met fellow Georgia Southern alum and country music artist Luke Bryan. The friendship grew into Cole going on the road with Bryan. But, not to perform... rather sell his merchandise. From slingin' t-shirts to writing music, it was time for Swindell to shine. He explains the opportunities that led to his first big break in music. Dale Jr., co-host Mike Davis, and Swindell bring us inside what it's like in the Country music scene as a songwriter and performer. How playing the bar circuit in Nashville can connect an artist to the next shot. Speaking of bars, which Nashville watering hole is Cole's favorite? We find out. Swindell is not shy about sharing his love for his alma mater, Georgia Southern. It's the same place that Mike Davis went to school. The two share some fun talk about their different paths from the same institution. Davis also asks Cole about some of the stigma surrounding the new-country scene. Swindell is a big Atlanta Braves fan. Many people know that. But what some don't realize is how big of a NASCAR fan he is. This isn't just some celebrity fly-by-night NASCAR fan, the Dawson County native has been following the Cup Series since he was a child. Before Swindell arrives Dale Jr. answers some amazing fan questions in our AskJr segment. We learn about how Dirty Mo Media was started, Dale's new square body Chevy truck, and the day Dale Earnhardt Jr lassoed a fish. Yes, I said "lassoed a fish." The biggest moment of the show comes when the cat is let out of the bag. Amy Earnhardt, Mike Davis, Swindell and the Dirty Mo Media gang had been scheming a birthday surprise for Dale Jr. Well, let's just say the surprise not only closed the show, but it brought Dale Jr. to tears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He came with speed, and he came with gifts. IndyCar Series Champion Alex Palou, the young champion, sits at the table with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to talk about his sudden rise to the pinnacles of motorsport. The colorful Spaniard didn't come from a racing family. It was a local go-kart track near his home village of Sant Antoni de Vilamajor Spain, that sparked his interest in becoming a racecar driver. From there, a path of persistence, raw speed, and opportunity led him to eventually become the 2021 NTT Indycar Series Champion. Palou connects with Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis about life in Spain and what it was like to grow up overseas. A racing path that took him far from home at a young age to Japan, Palou had to get used to different cultures as he tried to find himself as a racer and a man. That path didn't come without disappointment and setback. From homemade mountain dynos to racing for big teams in GP3 and F3, it's a true racing story. Alex Palou came on the scene with success in his rookie IndyCar season with Dale Coyne Racing. But it was his sophomore season that set the stage for his meteoric rise. An opportunity came with Chip Ganassi Racing and he took full advantage of it. Leaning on veteran leadership of teammates Scott Dixon and Jimmie Johnson, the youngster made a name for himself with three victories and the series title. To boot, he nearly won the Indianapolis 500. The near-miss in the world's biggest race didn't set him back though. Palou shares how the 7-time NASCAR Champion, Johnson, helped him mentally break through setbacks. Palou also came into the Bojangles studio with gifts, for Dale's Birthday and also some keepsakes for the crew. The 24-year old shares his personality as he and Dale Jr. talk about the dynamic personalities of the international scene that IndyCar presents. Dale Jr. first experienced it in iRacing, and it is why he and Mike on fire for the open-wheel brand of racing. Before Palou's arrival, Dale Jr. took control of the room. We're joking. Actually, an energy drink and a spunky mood had the whole gang wondering where Dale Jr. would go next. From Frankenstein to Cash-only soda machines... Dale Jr. held court in ways only Dale Jr. can. He and Mike also touched on the hottest topic in NASCAR today, the ongoing rivalry between Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick. In Ask Jr. it's all about the triangle... of the tasty kind! Dave Portnoy's latest Dale Jr. invoked Pizza review brings up some questions about how it went down and the Key West drunken pizza hotspot. We also learn about Dale Jr's latest Chevy Silverado and how he decided the wild graphics he put on it. That and much more in this entertaining version of The Dale Jr. Download. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nothing is more powerful than redemption. Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with friend. and former NASCAR racer, Lyndon Amick, about his life as racecar driver, combat soldier, and his miraculous journey to pick up the pieces of a broken life. A young man from a family of South Carolina chicken farmers decided to take the path of most resistance. He wanted to be a racecar driver. Sugartit Speedway in the Palmetto state fueled his desire to give racing a try. And boy did he try. The big boy stuffed himself in a go-kart with the goal of being fast. His ascension into the upper ranks of the sport came just as fast. Fast forward some race wins and a championship in the Goody's Dash Series, and suddenly the Amick Family Farms had their very own NASCAR Xfinity Series team. And with it came struggles. A new team, a driver trying to learn. Although he showed glimpses of raw talent, things never seemed to work out for Lyndon Amick. Shortly after the birth of his first son, a race at Talladega was the pivot point for Lyndon Amick. While spinning backward in a massive 20-something car crash, he decided that he was done. Lyndon walked away from the life of a NASCAR driver. He decided to enlist in the military. His life switched from race days, interviews, and appearances to drill sergeants stripping down his being to build the perfect soldier. His mindset was clear. Not only did he want to serve his country, he wanted to fight for it. The journey took him across the globe to Afghanistan. While there he learned the mindset of what it took to stay alive amidst the everyday reality that each day could be his last. No day more apparent than when his company ended up in a fire-fight. With bullets forming a canopy of smoke above him, Amick turned into the proven leader. But when the combat stopped, he admits the realities that faced him when he got back home, were not so fulfilling. What he escaped for was something he now had to face, himself. An imperfect husband, a dead-beat dad. Simply put, his marriage was broken and his life was about to come off the rails. Just how did the story transform from darkness to light? Lyndon shares his soul with Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis. He reveals the inner workings of the healing that put back the pieces of his broken life. Before Lyndon came into the studio to share his incredible journey, Dale Jr. admitted to some faults of his own. His came in the NBC broadcast booth. The two-time Daytona 500 winner and rookie play-by-play broadcaster asked producer Matthew Dillner to point out his mistakes calling Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity race at Talladega Superspeedway. The result provided a look into Dale's life as a broadcaster, his goals, and some laughter too. Dale Jr. also brings up his disappointment with the rain-filled weekend and race postponement at Talladega Superspeedway and offers a solution that can be done within the fine print of a race weekend. Dale, Mike, Matthew, and Leah pull the curtain back on the Texas World Speedway episode and what made the visit to America's only Lost Superspeedway such a moving explore for the team. Recently, daddy-Dale-Jr. had a day alone with his youngest daughter Nicole. What sort of adventures did they get into? Well, let's just say it ended with a hot air balloon in the buffalo pen on his property. Ask Jr brings out that story and so much more. Everyone on the entire Dale Jr. Download team agrees, this is an episode full of amazing moments, but most importantly, one that a lot of us can learn from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two racecar drivers from two hard-nosed racing families converge at the big wooden table as Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with "The Bent Creek Bandit" Robert Pressley. Where has the former NASCAR driver been? He's still proudly from Asheville but now he serves the people of the popular North Carolina city in a different way, as a County Commissioner. How the hell does a NASCAR driver turn into a politician? And does he even like it? We find out the truth right away. Robert's father Bob Pressley was a legend of the Carolina Short Track scene and his son followed right in his footsteps. And let's just say, the apple didn't fall far from the tree. They were both cut from the cloth of self-made grizzled short trackers that didn't back down from anyone... including each other. Bob Pressley's rivals turned into Roberts and then with the one bump to the back bumper, father and son became the rivalry. Just how intense did it get? Robert gives us the details inside a family feud that helped define their relationship and ultimately bring them closer together. Where the Earnhardt and Pressley family connect is one of the more interesting conversations. Apparently, there was a generational bullying that started with Dale Jr.'s grandfather, short track great Ralph Earnhardt, and continued on through Dale Sr. and Robert. It's a story you have to hear. Robert's start in racing came at the now-defunct New Asheville Motor Speedway, racing against greats like Bosco Lowe and Jack Ingram. It's a place that was very close to Pressley's heart and the reason why Dale Jr. decided to have him on his Peacock TV television show "Lost Speedways." Pressley gives us the inside scoop on the concerns the city of Asheville had before shooting on location at the track, now called Carrier Park, and the community reaction afterward. How did the show also get the truth out there about its closing while closing the book on its biggest controversy, a famed incident between the Pressley's and "The Iron Man" Jack Ingram? Another North Carolina great, Basketball star turned broadcaster Brad Daugherty, got his fingernails dirty as a crew member on Robert Pressley's race team. They traveled around winning races and getting shot at in the process. They even showed up to the racetrack one night with a truck, a couch, a loveseat, and a racecar, and whooped their butts. From Late Models, the second generation driver launched a NASCAR career and soon found success on a myriad of raceways across America. This led to opportunities that he couldn't turn down, but some that left him with regret. From replacing the great Harry Gant, to getting fired at Alliance, to his up and down tenure at Jasper Racing, Pressley tells all. He also explains how one rivalry spelled the end for his first Cup Series ride. Pressley, Dale Jr., and co-host Mike Davis enjoy some laughs talking about racing, fighting, and cheating. Boy, the stories go deep. But none deeper than a surprise moment at the end of the show when Dale and Robert let the cat out of the bag about an incident between them. The story reveals a truth never known until now. Before Pressley arrived, Dale Jr. talks about his work weekend in Las Vegas with his wife Amy. While the trip was nice, they came home to a more hostile Monday. Two dogs fighting and two children not getting along produced a not-so-perfect day in the Earnhardt household. Recent "Behind the Scenes" social media content sparks conversation in the studio about what it was really like filming Lost Speedways. We learn that Leah Vaughn is grossed out by Dale and Matthew kicking the "poop pipe" and if Dillner really did fart on the backstretch during the explore? In AskJr, fan questions spur some incredible insight from Dale Jr, including a fantastic story about his father hopping on the radio to give him live-time insight into how to get around Bristol Motor Speedway. A rare father-son moment of instruction that Dale Jr shares with us all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Racing has always been a family affair for the Earnhardts. Dale Earnhardt Jr. decides to sit down with his uncle, Danny Earnhardt Sr., about life as one of the most low-key parts of the Earnhardt racing legacy. Danny gives us a peek at what life was like growing up on Sedan Avenue in Kannapolis, NC as the son of a dirt track legend, Ralph Earnhardt. What were the Earnhardt children like growing up? He tells us about a path from playing in the streets and flunking fifth grade to working in the famed garage preparing Ralph's stock cars. Dale gets Danny to open up about when the family lost their patriarch to a heart attack in 1973. This family isn't a simple one. Danny and Dale Jr. outline how three racing families, the Earnhardts, the Eurys, and the Gees became one. It wasn't always racing for Danny, life at the Mill in Kannapolis was hard work, but a choice for the quiet gentleman. All the while, he kept weekends for racing, Danny was always there for Dale Sr. in his racing career from working in the shop, pitting the cars, to being his biggest fan in the stands. He tells a never-told story of Dale Earnhardt's first laps on pavement at North Carolina's Hickory Motor Speedway. When some third-generation driver named Dale Earnhardt Jr. came along, it was Danny who bent his brother's ear about the young driver's talent and promise. The story could've been over in February of 2001 after the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. But, Dale Jr, Danny, and the rest of the family carried on with the strength and grit that is known from this family. Nephew and Uncle talk for the first time about that day and how they spent the moments after the crash in Daytona. Before Danny arrives, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis share their thoughts about the NASCAR weekend at Bristol that included a spectacular finish in the Xfinity Series and a post-race dust-up between Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick. What's their take on the fireworks between the two angry drivers? Also, Dale Jr. phones Xfinity driver Kyle Weatherman after wrecking his bumper in the recent Richmond race. In AskJr presented by Xfinity, Dale is asked if he's ever impeded the finish of a race. He also gives his hot-take on the 2021 NASCAR schedule and what he thinks about Bristol's return to dirt racing. Plus, what Lost Speedway in Wilkes County, NC should think about a dirt surface of its own. Dale and the DJD gang of Matthew Dillner and Leah Vaughn talk about their favorite racing destinations if Dale Jr. brought a Motorsports time machine to the Bojangles Studio. That and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s one race of the 2021 season didn't come and go quietly. Jr. and co-host Mike Davis decided to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly from his race and bring in some of the characters in play. Dale's 14th place finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Virginia's Richmond Raceway ruffled a few feathers. The 2-time Daytona 500 Champion discusses the on-track incident that wrinkled his racecar and led to the sub-par result. Plus, the post-race discussion between him and a not-so-happy Kyle Weatherman. It was a conversation that still has Dale chippy. During the race, Dale Jr. also traded some paint with Xfinity Series regular Josh Williams. So why not call Josh? We didn't just call him, we learned his side of the story. Williams also shares about his fight to the top of the NASCAR ranks, something that Dale admits he respects even more after racing against drivers like him in the series. Jr. Nation was a little rough on Williams. How has he weathered the storm? JR Motorsports driver Josh Berry was also in the race, in another team's car, and went wheel to wheel with his friend Dale Jr. for the very first time. Dale brings Josh on to talk about that first. The most special moment for Dale though, was having his family there with him for the race. What did it mean to him to have Amy, Isla, and Nicole by his side before the race? Dale and the DJD gang talk about Dale's broken toe during AskJr presented by Xfinity, and the foot photo that revealed it. We also talk of potentially getting behind the wheel of a Gen-6 NASCAR Cup Series racecar to learn the car for his broadcasting duties. Speaking of fresh rides, Dale Jr. explains why his garage Corvette has been replaced by an indoor-bouncy house. That and much more on a special edition of The Dale Jr. Download. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Behind nearly every superstar is a publicist. For a young Dale Earnhardt Jr, the man behind the public-machine that became the Dale Jr and the Budweiser number-eight was a man named Jade Gurss. Not many will know the name, but he was a major player in the growth and trajectory of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Hall of Fame NASCAR career. For the first time ever, Jade and Dale Jr sit down to talk about the good-old-days and some that were far from it. While doing public relations for Budweiser, Jade was the man managing Dale Jr behind the scenes. From at-track interviews, to magazine articles, to appearances on major television shows, Jade Gurss was making things happen. Gurss and Dale Jr talk about some of the biggest things they did together, from presenting at the Video Music Awards, being on the Late Show, to Dale Jr hosting an episode of MTV cribs, it was a publicity path that brought Dale, and NASCAR, to areas of American culture that most drivers never went. Just how did some of it come about and how did the introverted Dale Jr handle being thrust into the spotlight on such a stage? It wasn't always simple. Dale and Jade even joke about sitting between Jessica Simpson and Mandy Moore at the VMA's to a blundered appearance on David Letterman's show. The print about the second-generation driver didn't just come in racing publications, the exposure soon rocketed from Sports Illustrated all the way to Playboy and Rolling Stone magazine. This conversation isn't just a two-way street either. Co-host Mike Davis, a long-time employee and friend of Dale, got his introduction and big opportunity getting hired by Jade Gurss to fill-in for him on the Bud-8. The role grew Davis' public relations career to new heights. They re-unite and tell stories of what it was like managing a young and difficult driver during years that saw everything from major parties to major appearances. They also put it all out on the table about Davis' decision to leave Gurss and take a full-time job with Jr Motorsports. Takes of boxing ring black eyes with Arturo Gatti and rock-star-like bandana coverups highlight this insightful conversation. They also get deep about Dale's Mike Wallace interview and how Dale Jr believed his father pulled him from the burning Corvette racecar at Sonoma. Jade opens up about writing the book about Dale Jr., Driver #8, and the meeting with Teresa Earnhardt and Ty Norris right before it went to print. Before Jade showed up, Dale Jr and Mike Davis chit-chat about a cute video of Isla, that hints at the desire to be a racecar driver someday. Was it just cute or does Dale take it seriously? They also talk about the coming-of-age process of Jr Motorsports driver Noah Gragson and how he's developed relationships with sponsors that have helped him grow in his career. AskJr presented by Xfinity delivers some tough questions for Dale, including one about the role of the flagman that gets him thinking about something he's never paid much attention to. He shares a story about the first time TJ Majors spotted a Cup car and might've exxagerrated the green flag call by a few corners. Dale discovers that he'll be racing against his great friend Josh Berry at Richmond this week, as Dale prepares for his lone time behind the wheel of a NASCAR racecar in 2021. The DJD gang poke fun at each other, mainly at producer Matthew Dillner's expense, and have a great time during this packed episode of awesomeness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Never judge a book by its cover... IMSA Sportscar racer Jordan Taylor is a perfect example of the saying. A clean-cut, put-together, shy young racer who has a heavy foot, and much to the delight of Dale Earnhardt Jr, a strange sense of humor that makes him one of the most interesting racers on the planet. The second-generation driver comes in nervous to one of the biggest interviews of his career at the table with Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis. Although admittedly sweaty and nervous, the layers break down quickly and we learn what makes this unique personality so relatable to so many. From his alter-ego on social media to the wild videos he posts, most of what Jordan does comes from real-life stories. He shares the hilarity of several of these tales from his first girlfriend not turning out to be what he expected and the nightmare that ensued, to his Instagram getting hacked and the threat of nude photos on the black market. Yeah, if that wasn't enough for ya, how about a tale of a surprise colonoscopy. We told you he was interesting. Besides his dynamic internet presence, Taylor is a very accomplished young racer. He explains how he went from a kid watching his dad race to becoming a Championship sportscar driver. He and Dale share stories of their experiences at the 24-hours of Daytona. Dale opens up about his blunders behind the wheel while racing with his father and the Corvette team. This leads to an unreal Dale Jr. story of how his dad found out that he smoked cigarettes! Why did Taylor, a champion in the IMSA Prototype division, make the bold decision to leave those cars to move away from his family team and race for Chevrolet and Team Corvette in the GT LeMans ranks? We uncover the mindset behind the decision. How close has Jordan come to racing stock cars in NASCAR? Dale Jr. opens up about his attempts to get the road course ace behind the wheel of a car at JR Motorsports. Jordan Taylor recently finished second in the prestigious 24 Hours of LeMans and raced with a black Dale Earnhardt tribute helmet. Well, Taylor didn't just bring the helmet with him, he shocked the room by giving the helmet to Dale Earnhardt Jr as a gift of appreciation. Before Taylor came into the studio, Dale and the DJD gang discuss the recent Daytona weekend, which included Amy and Isla making the special trip. What makes Dale Jr. so tickled about having his three-year-old daughter at the race track? They also discuss the Daytona Beach and Road Course exploring that Lost Speedways spawned on social media. With Darlington on the horizon, which is not far from Myrtle Beach Speedway, Dale shares some of the best stories that didn't make the popular episode of the Peacock TV show. In AskJr presented by Xfinity, Leah selects some fan questions about iRacing and the possibility of mapping the famed Beach and Road Course. Could it really happen? Dale Jr. also shares his feelings about Whoop data and what the technology that monitors driver heart rates could mean moving forward and beyond the scope of the NASCAR on NBC broadcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He came in like a flash of lighting and then was gone, but along the way a NASCAR racer named Buckshot Jones made quite the name for himself. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with the mysterious and controversial racer. Buckshot wasn't always known by his colorful name, and his real name had a sense of toughness as well. From the farms of Georgia sprouted a teenager with the desire to race. His self-made father helped pave the way with a plan as unique as his son's brand. His first car may have been a dusty barn find, but soon Jones was at the pinnacle of the NASCAR ranks in the Cup Series. As you could guess with a name like Buckshot, he got a lot of attention along the way. The Georgia boy moved to South Carolina to take lessons from a successful crew chief and his legendary father. From Darlington tips to shooting quarters, David Pearson taught the young driver some valuable lessons. Souvenir sales and on-track success were often rivaled by controversy. Keeping up with the NASCAR rap-sheet of the aggressive Jones became a challenge for some. We find out the real story of what started his rivalry with Randy LaJoie. Let's just say it all started in a hotel parking lot. The headlines of their tangles in some ways defined the career of Jones, who wouldn't back down from even a seasoned Champion such as LaJoie. Dale Jr. and Buckshot even hash out the wreck at Talledega, that pissed off Dick Trickle and sent the young Earnhardt on his roof during his first race at Daytona. Speaking of Earnhardts, even Dale Sr. wasn't pleased with Jones. But this time, Buckshot was quick to point out that the Intimidation was real. After a few years, poof, it was over. No double-zero car. No six-shooter logo. Where did Buckshot go? The Download finds out... Before Buckshot's arrival to the studio, Dale comes clean about who America's Crew Chief really is and what caused the chatter between the NBC booth boys and some broadcasters at Fox. Once that is solved, we learn that Mike Davis has a problem that needed solving. It involved a wet carpet, an angry wife, and unwanted videotaping. Dale and the DJD gang offer their advice to getting back on the good side of Sarah Davis. The day before the podcast, Dale Jr.'s curiosity led him to ask fans about his Peacock TV show Lost Speedways. Hear what they have to say and his challenge for this week at Daytona. Speaking of fans... they bring the heat this week with questions for the two-time Daytona 500 Champion. Dale Jr. admits to a few cheat fails during his time racing Late Models in this week's AskJr presented by Xfinity. Dale addresses rumors of NASCAR at the Los Angeles Coliseum and talks about the resurgence of AJ Almendinger in the Xfinity Series. That and much more on the Dale Jr. Download. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the all-time greats, NASCAR Legend Dale Inman, walks into the studio to sit down with Dale Earnhardt Jr and talk about the shaping of the Petty racing dynasty. From humble beginnings in rural North Carolina grew local legends and a driver that would turn into an American icon. "The King" Richard Petty was the driver and the crew chief that led the way was Inman. The 8-time NASCAR Cup Series champion talks about growing up as a part of the Petty family and gives a unique insight into Lee Petty and the early days of Petty Enterprises. Inman tells the wild story of how he and Maurice Petty drove the racecar across the country to race in California. He was there for Richard Petty's first race at Columbia Speedway in 1958 and is still with Petty Motorsports to this day. From near tragedies to the greatest triumphs of all, winning seven titles and seven Daytona 500's, Inman has lived it all. The Petty family was a tight-knit group on the race track and off. They had each other's backs, including standing up to anyone who challenged their driver. Inman shares stories of incidents and fights, including he and Maurice standing up for The King. During one incident, a knife was pulled. Inman was there. The family matters also produced a split that surprised the racing world, with Dale Inman parting ways with the family team in 1981 shortly after winning the Great American Race. Why? It's a topic that Inman still struggles to talk about today. The split wasn't what Inman wanted, but the time away from Petty resulted in a few years of results and racing stories. From working with a young Dale Earnhardt and racing for a controversial coal miner, to winning the 1984 title with Texas Terry, it's a time where Inman was out on his own and showed the world he was one of the greatest of all time. Before Inman sat at the table, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis broke down Indianapolis and the curb-chaos that dominated the headlines and Monday morning water-cooler conversation. In addition, Dale brings up some often used lingo, a Dale-ism, that piqued wife Amy Earnhardt's interest. Let's just say "Imawl" let y'all listen and laugh! In AskJr presented by Xfinity, Leah dishes out fan questions ranging from Dale's search for a square-body truck to if red-hot racer Kyle Larson should consider racing in the Indianapolis 500. Dale Jr. also reveals details about his father's "Deer Head Shop" on the grounds of Dale Earnhardt Inc. That and much more on this packed podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two racers, two head injuries. One that ended a promising career. This week on The Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr sits down with former NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau. Nadeau answers Dale's curiosity about how he even came on the NASCAR scene in the first place. From racing go-karts in Connecticut to racing overseas, it is an unlikely path and a very sudden arrival into NASCAR. From living all over Europe with a suitcase full of foreign money to becoming an unlikely American speedster at Brands Hatch, Nadeau eventually made it to NASCAR and quickly to one of the top teams of the sport, Hendrick Motorsports. His time with Hendrick was short but had flashes of brilliance. He reminisces about the time he beat Earnhardt and got the ultimate post-race gesture. From wood chips in the springs to fast cars, there was no doubt he was at a place that wanted to win. Unfortunately, the success was few and far between. Conflict arose and Nadeau was let go from his ride. The very next year, while growing with a brand new team, it was over. A horrific crash at Richmond International Raceway ended his career and nearly his life. The brain trauma he suffered caused immense life change. Where would he go? What would he do? Nadeau opens up about his rehab, recovery, and struggles to find purpose outside of racing. He doesn't remember much from that fateful day. What he does know, he details with Dale and co-host Mike Davis. Jerry reveals a seat adjustment that he made that may have impacted his head injury in the 128-g accident. Dale Jr shares his own personal battle with concussions and connects with his former competitor on head injuries and how to move on from them. Before Nadeau arrived at the studio, Dale Jr had the entire room in stitches. He details life at his vacation home and how he had an epic battle with rats that included traps and, of all things, soap. What happened at the beach, doesn't stay at the beach. In what Amy Earnhardt called "life-saving" Dale Jr. talks about how an almost unthinkable act, took away all of the pain from a jellyfish sting. Oh, and if that wasn't enough when Dale got home he had a battle with a pack of angry wasps that took residence in his daughter's playhouse. During AskJr presented by Xfinity, Leah drops a wide variety of questions from getting Dale's take on the potential of street courses in NASCAR to his only motorcycle. Then, in a surprising turn, we find out the incredible resolution of the great boat debate. That and much more on this episode of The Download. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He's not just a humble man with gray hair, an old Goodyear hat, and red suspenders, Will Cronkrite is a former NASCAR crew chief and car owner full of amazing stories that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants the world to hear. His #96 car gave Dale Earnhardt what many consider to be his big break in NASCAR and Dale Jr. gets the low-down on how it all happened. As a "scrawny kid" he stood in his father's truck at Cronkrites shop as they readied the car for the World 600, a part of Dale Jr.'s life that Will brings to life in this fascinating conversation. The story was so much more! How did Willy T. Ribbs and Humpy Wheeler help create a chance that would springboard The Intimidator's career? Cronkite details the early days of a father and NASCAR Hall of Famer. Cronkrite's life changed with the tragic death of his wife and children. It was at this moment that everything pivoted to Auto Racing. He took his intense work ethic and desire from the cornfields of Ohio, to Indianapolis, and eventually the top-ranks of NASCAR. Along the way, he worked with legendary drivers like Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Donnie Allison, Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd, and more. He also worked around some characters, like tough Minnesotan Joe Frasson. Cronkrite shares a crash story for the ages with Frasson, bloodied, insisting on Cronkrite taping his hand to the steering wheel. Before he arrived in the southern stock car world, Cronkrite experienced a different side of racing in the Chicagoland area. He reveals how things were different in racing up there and how he was rewarded with diamonds for good performance. He also tells the tale of a gruesome fight that led to jail time and the fear of what was to happen when he was sprung by a "connected" individual involved in the racing operation. It's a story you have to hear to believe. Cronkrite talks about many racing topics from DiGard Racing, to working with a gutsy racing pioneer named Janet Guthrie. He also shares stories from his months working on the hit Burt Reynolds movie Stroker Ace, including when Dale Sr. shook down the Chicken Pit Special. The colorful Cronkrite tells a story about actress Loni Anderson and a lucky penny that he still has to this day. Before bringing in Cronkrite, Dale and co-host Mike Davis have an open discussion about how "me" turns to "we" after marriage. In AskJr presented by Xfinity, we find out what Dale Jr. predicts for 2022 with Roush Racing and new co-owner driver Brad Keselowski. He also talks about going radio-style at the Glen and the origins of his popular skeleton driving gloves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr brings two-time Indycar Champion Josef Newgarden to the studio for a conversation that turned out to be one of our favorites of the season. Why? Because the American open-wheeled racer is a dynamic personality in the sport on and off the track. Dale Jr. gets Josef to tell us about his forbidden desire to become a racer and how his first shot at racing came in sanctioned international scooter racing. From starting with scooters, how did a Nashville, Tenn.,-area native take a path through Europe to end up an IndyCar driver? It's a story that doesn't make much sense to some but is certainly intriguing. Newgarden credits his father's influence, belief, and sometimes "hands-off" approach to making him into the racer he is. Oh, plus he played a role in introducing Josef to a Disney princess, who then became his wife. Oh yeah, it's that interesting of a story! He talks about a Team USA racing scholarship that paved the way to success overseas. However, that success was met with challenges and at one point depression admits Newgarden before coming back to the states at the low point of his career. Then the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself and the determined young racer seized it. Fast forward a few years and he's a two-time IndyCar Champion racing for one of the biggest teams in the sport, Penske Racing. Newgarden opens up about the turning points that happened in this incredible journey. Newgarden and Dale Jr. go over the new street circuit in the downtown streets of Nashville and the excitement building up to the Nashville Grand Prix. How will the surface, layout, and the big bridge over the river affect the event? Will a diving team be on hand? The 30-year old driver talks about how one of his favorite drivers, 7-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, has transitioned to the IndyCar ranks and what challenges he has faced in the process. That and so much more in this dynamic interview between a stock car racer and IndyCar driver. Aside from Josef's visit, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis get into a good discussion following the viral impact of the discussion about beer and if you count it when keeping track of your calories. Dale also admits to a recent slip-up in using terms he uses with his children. From tee-tee to tinkle, it might make you giggle. Plus we find out if Dale Jr. "really" loves the Dale Jr. Download team. Ask Jr. presented by Xfinity gets the five-ring treatment as fans inquire about Dale Jr.'s opinions on the Olympic games. He also lets us in on his mindset as his only race of 2021 approaches, the Xfinity Series race at Richmond International Speedway in Virginia. What's Dale's rib preference? Does our host like 'em dry or sauced? Get your napkin ready for the answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NASCAR was only two years old the first time the Wood Brothers took to the track in 1950. 71 years later, Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets the chance to sit down with a true pioneer of the sport, the great Leonard Wood of the famed Wood Brothers Racing Team. Wood talks about his beginnings in the sport in 1950 and how they grew from some street racing, lumber hauling kids to one of the most respected teams in auto racing. Leonard tells Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis about early tales from their first racecar catching on fire, racing with Curtis Turner, and one-on-one match races on the beaches of Daytona. Leonard and his brothers are widely known for their innovation in the sport. He shares the story of the washing machine engine go-kart that started it all. Whether it was pulling an engine off a Ford assembly line and modifying it for stock car racing, or trick spindles, the Wood Brothers' minds always led to advancement. They even got the invite by Henry Ford to pit a car in the Indianapolis 500. So how did a bunch of Virginia stock car boys do? Well, they won the race and revolutionized the pit stop along the way. Leonard opens up about some of the best drivers they ever had in their racecars, including greats like AJ Foyt, Cale Yarborough, and David Pearson. He also reveals why the split with Pearson really happened and what regrets he has over it. The rivalry between Pearson and Richard Petty pretty much defined an era of American Stock Car racing. Dale Jr also gets the answer he was seeking from Leonard about the origins of their famed number-21 and how it came to be. He also finds out why the little race team from Stuart, Virginia has always remained loyal to the Ford Motor Company. Before Leonard entered the studio, Dale, Mike, and producer Matthew Dillner talk about losing weight and the app that helps do it. But, when counting calories... does beer count? In the Ask. Jr. segment, Dale Jr. answers fan questions about running "The Boot" at Watkins Glen and if Lewis Hamilton would entertain running Stock Cars. We also learn that Dale is a fan of terrestrial radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two Hall of Famers sit-down, one who held a steering wheel, the other, held a bat. Dale Earnhardt Jr welcomes baseball legend, Chipper Jones, to the Download. . The two athletes waste no time getting to know each other. and share their interest in the other's sport. Before flashing the leather, Chipper was a huge race fan, growing up attending big races like the Daytona 500. He was even there when the King captured win number-200. The two compare coming up in the minor leagues on the diamond with striving to the top-level of NASCAR through the Xfinity Series. The Earnhardt family is known for being big Atlanta Braves fans. Chipper talks about the day Dale Sr. invited him into the hauler at the races. The big and bold Jones gets real about some of the biggest topics surrounding the sport of baseball today, including the use of foreign substances on baseballs by pitchers. He details the use of pine tar on bats and shares his true thoughts on the advantages. The former third-baseman talks about how he was able to tip pitches and shares details of his battles against pitchers like Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens. Chipper talks about his intensity on the field and off and how it translated into occasional issues such as fighting with teammates. Speaking of teammates, Jones reveals who the biggest prankster in baseball was and tells the tale of one truly disgusting prank pulled in the Braves locker room. Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis talk about the controversy surrounding the upcoming reconfiguration of Atlanta Motor Speedway and their take on the NASCAR drivers' very public reaction to the matter. Dale talks about what he sees in the new-and-improved Kurt Busch. Has he finally got rid of the grump? Since we had a baseball guest it was only fitting that a fan on Ask Jr presented by Xfinity brought up Dale Jr.'s big game-ending play in a charity baseball game. Dale goes down memory lane about a game he didn't even know he was going to play in. Oh... and we talk about Dale Jr.'s bright pink outfit on the NASCAR on NBC broadcast and how it sparked an unexpected "Woo!" from an old friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr gets an opportunity to sit down with his favorite driver of all-time, a scrappy independent NASCAR driver named Jimmy Means. Growing up as a child Dale Jr was friends with Jimmy's son Brad. While running around the track, Dale became a huge fan of Jimmy Means and still is to this day. Dale finds out so much about his hero from his humble beginnings through the dirty-fingernail journey of a weekend warrior low-budget driver and car owner in the upper ranks of racing. How humble? His racing story started as a paperboy. The Alabama driver discusses his start on the local short tracks and how he took a junkyard car to the high banks of the Daytona International Speedway. He discusses what it was like going wheel to wheel with some of the sports' biggest stars while on a sliver of the budget as the big teams. That created challenges on and off the track that included buying what he still thinks was a "hot" car, rooming 14-guys in a hotel room, sharing pit crews, and putting a racecar engine into the hauler to make it home from the track. Jimmy tells us how he got the nickname Smut in the first place and how it stuck. Jimmy opens up about his big opportunity to fill in for an ill Tim Richmond at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the disappointment that followed his one-and-done chance in top-notch equipment. Dale Jr. also reveals how emotional of a moment it was for both he and Jimmy's son. Means discusses how he filled in for Richmond but couldn't fill a certain area of his driver's suit. From that chance came real tears then relationships that helped Means along the way. He explains how Rick Hendrick, years later, was as generous of a person in the sport as any. Means towed on the road with a volunteer crew much of his racing career. That led to many fun moments and some that could've been really bad. He tells a story of a headache powder remedy gone wrong that has Dale and co-host Mike Davis in shock. Dale Jr. comes into the studio hot with a lot to talk about. Does Road America work a 4th of July replacement for Daytona? Were the cautions too long and should NASCAR make changes to lengthy road course yellows? Dale and Mike disagree about possible solutions. We also learn that Dale Jr likes "supportive emojis" and that he set off a fire alarm in his house at 1 AM. In AskJr presented by Xfinity, we get insight into what shooting an episode of Lost Speedways is like and answer fan questions about specific episodes of the Peacock TV Original show. We also learn who Dale's road racing mentors were helping him learn the nuances of left and right turns. That and a fun extra Jimmy Means story that we were able to squeak into Last Call. This episode of The Dale Jr. Download is packed full of tasty treats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you contain Clint Bowyer? Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis attempt to do so in a fun conversation with the NASCAR driver turned broadcaster. Bowyer discusses Jeff Gordon's recent departure from the NASCAR on Fox booth and looks ahead to what may be next for the network's team. He also keys in to what life working alongside a former rival was really like. Both Bowyer and Dale Jr. discuss what it is like going from the view out the front windshield of a 200mph stock car to the elevated window of a television booth and how that adjustment has gone. From production meetings, wearing suits to forgetting notes before the biggest race, Bowyer, as always, has the whole room in stitches. He even admits to some of his short-comings and a mistake his network made in not showing Dale's nostalgic Nova during the pre-race show at Darlington Raceway. What does the Kansas native think of the sport now and the direction it's headed? He shares those thoughts and more from the technical side to activation between sponsors and race fans. With his young son Cash Bowyer sitting on the studio couch, Dad opens up about racing with his little boy and shares some fun about what it's like to be alongside other racecar driver dads like Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson in the local dirt track scene. Ask Jr. gets Dale to open up about the recent premiere and excitement surrounding the launch of season two of Lost Speedways on Peacock TV. He also shares his thoughts with race fans about double-header weekends and where it may or may not work? The two-time Daytona 500 winner also speaks to the recent ramping up of the Charter market in the NASCAR Cup Series and admits how out of his range the prices have become. Oh yeah... and about that boat Dale Jr? Mike and Dale try to find middle ground about the great boat debate of 2021. They also share what had steam coming out of their ears this weekend at the track and the golf course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the most outspoken drivers in NASCAR history lets it fly with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in part-two of this much-anticipated conversation. "Mr. Excitement" Jimmy Spencer opens up to Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis about the big 2003 incident with fellow driver Kurt Busch that left Busch bloodied and Spencer suspended. We find out that even after 18-years, the feelings are still strong about what happened after the Michigan race. Jimmy and the gang share some laughs about junkyard races in Pennsylvania and the ultimate "No Bull" prank that Dale Earnhardt pulled on him. Dale Jr. gets Jimmy and Mike Davis to reminisce and share hilarious stories of their time working in NASCAR together from almost getting Mike fired during his first race and the time he got punched out at a Jimmy Spencer autograph session. The two long-time friends also share their favorite Henry Benfield prank stories. The conversation turns emotional when Jimmy shares details of the impact his sister – who passed from cancer – had on his life. He also reveals to Dale Jr. that he suffered many concussions that left him with broken helmets and fears the effects of the head injuries have started to surface. A once outspoken and opinionated broadcaster, Jimmy shares why he no longer is on the TV screen and what he's been up to lately. In Ask Jr., Leah and fans get to the bottom of what it was like for Dale Jr. to host the NBC pre-race show with country superstar Brad Paisley. He also shares his thoughts on NASCAR going back to Nashville and why he may have been too critical. Dale and Mike get into a spirited debate throughout the show about their venture into buying a pontoon boat and how recent developments have Davis soured. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After 20 years, it's time to clear the air. Dale Earnhardt Jr. invites former NASCAR driver and TV personality Jimmy Spencer to the studio for an interview to discuss animosity that had been under the surface for years. In the first of this two-part interview, Earnhardt opens up about the critical comments that Spencer had after Jr.'s 2001 Daytona win that raised a lot of eyebrows in the racing world. Spencer, a polarizing figure in NASCAR, opens up about his pathway from a junkyard in Pennsylvania to the pinnacle of American Motorsport. He shares never before told stories of his family roots in racing and a special relationship that led to an early peek behind the curtains of America's top racing league. Spencer reveals details about his relationship with Bill France and how he once gave Spencer 10-thousand dollars to not race at Daytona. The former NASCAR Modified Champion talks about making it to the big leagues and how big leaguers like Buddy Baker and Bobby Allison shaped his successful career. Jimmy also talks about run-ins and good times with Dale Earnhardt. Dale Jr. and his co-host Mike Davis talk about going in together on a pontoon boat, a recap of a JR Motorsports family yard sale, and their recent family camping adventures that ended in soggy memories. Ask Jr presented by Xfinity is back and so are the fan questions. From SRX to RFK, the fans spur some interesting thoughts from Dale Jr. That and more on this edition of the Dale Jr. Download. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ward Burton – a social media darling, snake wrangler extraordinaire, southern linguistic aficionado, and one of The Dale Jr. Download's most highly-requested guests – sits down at the table for a deep dive into his career and life with Dale Earnhardt Jr. After Ward's brother Jeff Burton's appearance on the show in 2019, the crew has eagerly been anticipating this conversation with Ward. Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis quickly learn that Jeff's episode has recently been on Ward's mind as well. Find out what realization Ward came to with his brother ahead of this interview. The three Burton brothers experienced three completely different upbringings in South Boston, Virginia. Hear Ward's perspective on his life as a child, why he was sent to military school and the impact their parents divorce had on each brother. Ward details where his life turned once he became an adult and how a few years later, he ended up living alone in the woods for two years. Find out where he stayed, how he ate, where he bathed, and why he finds peace outdoors. Upon his return to society, racing became an interest of Ward's. Learn how he got into racing, why it quickly became a priority in his life and the difference between his path and Jeff's. Hear about the night Ward beat Jeff and what that meant to the eldest Burton brother. As Ward ascended the racing ranks, he tells Dale Jr. about his late model days, moving to the Busch Series and the race at Charlotte that garnered him the attention of the sport. Hear how his first Cup Series opportunity came about and the decision behind leaving his first team to partner with Bill Davis Racing. Then Ward shares about his time driving for Bill Davis, when they peaked and what ultimately led to the team's downfall. The two Daytona 500 winners trade memories of the emotion winning that race brought them and what it feels like in the moment. While Ward won the 2002 running, hear why he believes he would have been a player in the 2001 Daytona 500 finish and what he admits his team did to gain an advantage that day. For the first time, Dale Jr. and Ward discuss their infamous run-in at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2002. Dale first shares his side of the story and Ward recalls what was running through his mind that night. Then he provides insight into his decision not to throw his helmet and why he wishes his car restarted. Next, Ward tells Dale and Mike about getting fired from Bill Davis Racing and why his loyalty cost him a shot at other rides in the sport through the years. He shares what he learned through that experience and what he needed at that time in his career to continue racing. Then he recalls his decision to call it quits. Now Ward enjoys other endeavors in his life, including helping his son Jeb Burton grow his racing career. Ward gets deep talking about times helping Jeb brought him to tears. Lastly, he explains how racing has given his full-time life a voice. Hear why he started a conservation organization and the emotional rollercoaster he went through growing the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. In a special edition of Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale takes questions from Xfinity Series drivers. Hear who asked a question, what Dale Jr. says about Matt Kenseth on and off the track, and what advice he has for young racers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Dale Earnhardt Inc. Executive VP and GM Ty Norris sits down with Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a conversation packed with honesty and emotion about their time together at DEI and beyond. Along with co-host Mike Davis, Dale Jr. first gets into Ty’s current role as President of Trackhouse Racing. Ty explains what he has been doing to build this new team with Justin Marks and their vision for the organization. Ty shares his career path leading to his prominent roles in the sport, how he aspired to be a sports writer and worked at Dover International Speedway for years before getting an opportunity with RJ Reynolds in his first public relations role. Then he details building a relationship with Dale Sr. and how The Intimidator saved his job at one point. After RJ Reynolds, Ty explains what he learned about race team culture while working for Felix Sabates as the team’s GM – a role he said he was nowhere near qualified for. Ty served as a spotter for multiple drivers in his career but hear how his first time spotting for Kyle Petty went. Then Ty transitioned to working as a loyal lieutenant for Dale Sr. at DEI. Hear how Dale laid out his vision and what kind leader he was as Ty assisted him in building the organization. After Dale’s death in 2001, Ty explains why he described the company as splintered and who he thinks could have saved it. Dale Jr. weighs in on when he lost faith in DEI following his father’s vision. Hear the story of what Dale Jr. did when he and teammate Michael Waltrip hadn’t been paid in months and how it ultimately led to Ty’s dismissal from the organization after being offered a bad deal. Davis inquires about when Ty and Dale Jr. believe DEI was in its golden years and what made the team so successful. Ty compares the company’s trajectory to the sports rise and how that got to the team’s heads. Find out what Bill France Jr. told Ty that changed his approach to help lead the team and how it unfolded. Learn about Ty’s business relationship with Teresa Earnhardt before and after Dale Sr.’s death in 2001. Ty explains his perspective on her leadership and trust issues, and his experience working closely with her. As Dale Jr.’s spotter early in his career, Ty was on the roof for the 2001 Daytona 500. Hear about the finish from his vantage point, what he was thinking in the closing laps and what he anticipated unfolding before the unthinkable happened. The table conversation shifts to Ty’s role as EVP and GM at Michael Waltrip Racing. Ty played an integral part in the 2013 Richmond race scandal and was suspended as a result. He tells all about what happened that night, taking accountability for his actions and explaining deeper innerworkings involving many teams in that race. Hear why he thinks NASCAR had to do something after that event and his reaction to taking the harshest penalty in the sport’s history. Ty leaves us with more stories from his time at DEI. Hear why so much beer was delivered to Dale Jr.’s house. Why Dale Jr. tried to fire a guy on his team that he didn’t want to invite to a party. The time when Ty visited Dale’s house after a party one morning and the scene that he and Dale Sr. saw. Then Dale Jr. tells the story about the greatest conversation he ever had with his dad. Hear what happened when Dale Jr. wrecked at Charlotte and went home while his team fixed the car at the shop. Ty fills in details about the story that Dale Jr. didn’t remember, including hearing Dale stand up to his dad. It’s an open and honest conversation about the good, bad and ugly of Ty’s career. Both Dale and Ty tell stories of The Intimidator’s faults that show he was an imperfect human, like us all. In a special edition of Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale Jr. fields questions from JR Motorsports employees, discussing big wins for the team, good vs. great drivers and someone’s freakish strength. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes his brother Kerry Earnhardt on for a long-awaited conversation at the table about Kerry’s childhood, meeting his father and living with Dale Jr. Along with co-host Mike Davis, the crew first discusses NASCAR’s inaugural weekend racing at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and shares their opinions on racing in the rain. Hear what Dale Jr. thought about the lack of visibility the drivers faced, changes he’d like to see NASCAR make when racing in the rain and his reaction to what the drivers said afterwards. North Carolina’s governor announced a proposed plan to provide $10 million to Charlotte, Rockingham and North Wilkesboro speedways last week. Dale Jr. weighs in on his ideal vision for North Wilkesboro’s future, why it may have renewed purpose now and the shift in thinking on where NASCAR wants to race. Kerry Earnhardt then enters the studio and fills in the gaps about his childhood that Dale Jr. never knew. The eldest Earnhardt son details his family situation from a young age, when Dale Sr. left the picture and what life was like growing up with no knowledge of his other family. Hear how he found out about his Earnhardt side, how he met his grandmother and why it took so long to meet his dad in person. Learn how long it took Kerry to build up the courage to go out back of Mammaw’s house and greet his dad. Hear how the interaction went and what happened at the front door when Kerry went to see his dad and meet Dale and Kelley for the first time. Then Kerry details how his young adult life went, sharing about being too young when he first got married and had kids. He continued to grow closer to his Earnhardt side around the same time, eventually living with Dale Jr. in the doublewide trailer across from their dad’s shop. Find out what Dale did in the middle of the night that pissed Kerry off. Who caused the phone bill to be so damn high? They explain. When Kerry didn’t pay his share of a bill once, you won’t believe what Dale Jr. did and how Kerry responded. Stories about working together at the dealership start rolling next and we get both sides of the story about Dale Jr. getting fired. Plus, hear about their days racing street stocks and late models together. Find out how involved their dad was working on their cars and how much success they found on track Then Kerry details how he ascended up the racing ranks quickly, going from Concord to Daytona. Hear the legendary story of what Kerry did at Daytona one time and how Dale Jr. was relieved of his spotting duties for his brother. Plus, a special story about Kerry’s Victory Lane celebration at Pocono. As Kerry then secured an opportunity to race at Dale Earnhardt Inc., find out how it all came shockingly crashing down the night of his father’s death. Find out what Kerry has been up to since moving on from his racing career, including details about the legal battle he faced trying to use the rights to his last name with his Earnhardt Outdoors brand. The guys then crack open some cold ones to end the show and promote the launch of Kerry’s new beer. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale talks about convincing Mike Helton to run his 2014 Daytona 500 winning paint scheme and answers a question about how teams will cheat given the Next Gen car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 2 of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s conversation with championship winning crew chief Andy Petree, they dive into Petree’s time at Richard Childress Racing and his relationship with Dale Earnhardt. Before that, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis cover a lot from Dale’s busy week. Dale took a long-awaited pilgrimage to Dawsonville, Georgia to interview the Elliott family. After Chase Elliott’s appearance on the Download in 2019, Dale and Mike took heat for comments made about Dawsonville. Dale clears the air, shares details about his trip and explains why he visited. It was not a happy morning in the Earnhardt household. Find out what big problems Dale came across in his home that have him stressed. He then discusses his weekend working on restoring a Nova Wagon that he posted about on social media. Find out where he got it from and what his plans are for it. Dale also made a trip to Nazareth, Pennsylvania last week to speak with Marco Andretti. Hear about his time with Marco and what peculiar passion Dale reveals. Then, a hint at what is coming soon on Lost Speedways season two. Part two of Dale and Mike’s conversation with Andy Petree picks up with Petree discussing leaving Leo Jackson and Harry Gant’s team. Hear his reason for departing, why it was one of the most difficult things he has ever had to do and what Gant revealed to him years later. Petree goes into detail about his transition to taking the ‘premiere crew chief job in the sport’ for Dale Earnhardt at Richard Childress Racing. Find out how the first meeting with Dale and Childress went and the buzzword that motivated the trio. Once at RCR, Andy shares the reaction from the team seeing him walk in and the resistance he initially faced. Early on, a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting between Dale, Richard and Andy forced the driver and crew chief to bond. Hear why they needed that and what happened later in the season when Andy brought the first car built under his direction to the race track. In 1994, Andy got to race Dale Sr.’s Busch Series car at Martinsville Speedway. Find out how the deal came together and the rival crew chief who performed the role for Petree. Both Dale Jr. and Andy were present at a test at Talladega Superspeedway in the mid-90s and both got time behind the wheel. Hear the advice Dale Sr. gave both of them and how Dale Jr. took it literally. Petree ultimately made the decision to leave the No. 3 team three years into his tenure as crew chief. Listen as he explains the one time offer he had to contemplate, the risk he was taking by leaving and if he regrets the choice he made. In his role as owner, Andy explains the challenges he faced and what ultimately happened to the organization. Then, he discusses leaving the sport for a handful of years before returning as a broadcaster. Hear how he got the opportunity and, what it was like jumping back into a competition role at Richard Childress Racing after ESPN left the sport. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale shares an interesting Next Gen car analogy, talks about the deep thought he put behind joining Twitter and tells us why he wasn’t always a fan of in-car cameras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with long-time crew chief, car owner and broadcaster Andy Petree for part one of a conversation filled with epic tales about Petree’s rich history and innovative practices in the sport. Before Petree joins them at the table, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis relive a busy weekend for Dale. First, he tells all about his trip to Darlington Raceway to pace the field with his restored Chevrolet Nova that his dad once raced. He talks about the whole experience including telling old racing stories with family during the car ride down, seeing the industry’s reaction in the garage and what it was like getting on track. Both Dale and Mike then address the disappointment of NASCAR on FOX not showing the Nova on track. Dale Jr. fills everyone in about his trip to the Nashville Fairgrounds last Friday. He clears some things up about his future racing plans there and Speedway Motorsports’ efforts to bring NASCAR back. Hear what the Nashville community needs to know about Marcus Smith’s plans. Next, Andy Petree enters and the stories about his career in racing start rolling. He shares what initially interested him about racing and his plans to drive a car he built with a friend, before a NASCAR Hall of Famer walked in and took the seat. Hear what happened next and how it set Petree’s career path. Another NASCAR Hall of Famer helped Andy get his first job in NASCAR, performing a role he had no experience in. Find out what happened and how that team ultimately won the Cup championship that year. Petree’s path then paired him with the Benny and Phil Parsons. Hear what tricks he had up his sleeve when he won his first Cup race as a crew chief with Phil in 1988. Crew chiefs often search for physical advantages on the cars but mental advantages prove just as important. Listen for the stories about mind games he played with his drivers to make them believe they had an upper hand. You won’t believe the results. Andy was Harry Gant’s crew chief when he won four races in-a-row in 1991. Find out how the car was built differently than most. Hear what competitive advantages Gant had and the rulebook loopholes Petree attacked. Then, the story of how one ‘competitive advantage’ ultimately led Petree to take it off the car after qualifying during race weekend for fear of being caught. Part 2 of Dale Jr.’s conversation with Petree continues next week as they dive into his years working with Dale Sr. for Richard Childress Racing. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale details the ride-a-longs he gave the I AM ATHLETE crew last month and their reactions. He and Mike then discuss the changes expected with the Next Gen cars. Finally, hear what Dale thinks about the potential for street course races in NASCAR.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes American badass, accomplished racer and good-time haver Bentley Warren onto the program to learn more about his colorful career on and off the race track. Ahead of the interview, Dale Jr. shares the story behind Isla receiving a go kart as a birthday gift with co-host Mike Davis and the crew. What happened after the video Amy posted stopped? Dale fills us in and details Isla’s third birthday. Plus, the guys try to figure out what to do for their wives on Mother’s Day this weekend. How did Dale end up talking with Washington Football Team’s first round draft pick Jamin Davis just a day after the team drafted him over the weekend? He tells us about that and the reason why coach Ron Rivera made Dale part of the welcoming committee. Dale also reveals some of the things he has shot it straight with team owner Dan Snyder over the years. Then Warren enters the studio to tell all about his life that’s seemingly fresh out of a movie scene. Dale shares how he came to know Bentley and his connection to the Oswego Classic. Oswego holds a special place in Warren’s heart and he explains exactly why, including a spite he had with the track for a short period of time. Most racers have scars and death-defying stories to go along with them. Bentley is no different. Hear how he was badly burned while racing an IndyCar in Argentina, what happened in the hospital afterwards and his recovery process. In a completely separate racing story, he details how he convinced a doctor to not amputate his foot. Earnhardt Jr. and Davis then dive deeper into his racing career. He discusses all the different kinds of cars he has raced and how he made it to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hear his reaction to walking through Gasoline Alley for the first time and seeing the car for the before taking it out onto the track and qualifying for, and competing in, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" twice. Bentley at one point in his life ran outlaw races illegally. Hear how he flew under the radar in these events and what ultimately happened after he got injured. No good old-school racing story is complete without some run-ins with the law. Hear about Bentley’s unique relationship with many chiefs of police, how he dragged raced an officer and why he left his Oswego Classic after party in the back of a cop car. Now, Warren runs multiple successful businesses, most notably his bar Bentley’s Saloon in Arundel, Maine. Hear why he got into business while still racing. Plus, learn about the legendary Saloon that Dale Jr. is dying to visit, what’s unique about it and Bentley’s role in the establishment. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale fields questions about his plans to run an Xfinity Series race in 2021, his reaction to the Texas All-Star Race format and the time he played the role as a spotter.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Greg Ives are reunited on this episode to tell the story of how Ives made it in the sport and share previously unheard reflections on their time working together. Before Ives joins the program, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis react to the weekend’s events at Talladega Superspeedway. Hear what Dale told race winner Brad Keselowski about tying his track wins record. As a known “big ass spoiler” critic, Dale weighs in on Joey Logano’s comments following his flip. What direction does he hope to see superspeedway racing go? The answer may surprise you. Isla Earnhardt will turn three-years-old this week. What birthday gift did her dad buy her that may have her making left turns soon? Hear what bug Dale may have been bitten by. Next, Ives sits down at the table and the former teammates go all the way back to his childhood. Learn about Ives’ family’s involvement in racing, when he first took an interest and how he snuck into the track as a kid. As he began racing more and finding success, college remained the goal for the Bark River, Michigan, native. Find out why he initially pursued medical school. Then he shares why his driving career didn’t work out and how falling in love with the mechanical side of racing quickly changed his plans. Dale Jr. is often asked to explain how someone can make it in racing and Ives serves as the perfect example for him to share. Hear the steps Ives took to establish himself and gain experience in the sport before getting to NASCAR. An interaction at a family reunion ultimately set Ives up for the rest of his life. He details what happened, getting a call from Hendrick Motorsports and his first interview with the organization. Then hear what he had to do to make it to Daytona in order to meet the No. 24 team during Speedweeks. Ives then talks about getting a job offer from Hendrick Motorsports and how once there, doors opened quickly and his willingness to volunteer elevated his career. He shares how he became Jimmie Johnson’s lead engineer during his five consecutive championship run and the influence Chad Knaus had on him. When Ives began contemplating his next career move, learn why he committed to staying in the HMS family and how he became a model for the working relationship between the Hendrick Cup program and JR Motorsports. Dale Jr. shares his perspective on the partnerships’ early days and where it is at today. Multiple victories and a championship with Chase Elliott later, Mr. Hendrick called Ives with his big break at the Cup level. At the request of Dale Jr., hear how Ives was selected as his next crew chief. Dale details the process behind picking a crew chief and what he was looking for after Steve Letarte left. Ives then discusses what it was like coming into the No. 88 team. When Dale suffered another concussion in 2016 and missed most of the season, Ives was thrown one of the greatest challenges of his career. He and Dale openly discuss the warning signs both of them saw and what Ives was thinking a year later when Dale decided to retire. Two weeks following Ives’ latest victory with Alex Bowman at Richmond Raceway, hear Ives discuss the ups and downs of the last three plus seasons with Bowman. They both applaud Bowman’s maturation process and the changed mindset that Ives believes is helping elevate the team. Lastly, Bowman will run a Darlington throwback scheme resembling a late model scheme Ives ran in the 90s. Hear the story behind the car, the races it ran and how Bowman shocked Ives when revealing it to him during a team meeting. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale tackles topics including his thoughts on the current state of superspeedway racing and how drivers and crew chiefs study film.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes NFL All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall onto the show for a conversation intertwining both athletes’ careers and lives after competing professionally. As two recently retired competitors, they answer whether or not they miss suiting up to play and race. Then Brandon expands upon the dynamics of playing wide receiver in the NFL and his mentality taking big hits and making big plays. What do football players compare themselves to in NASCAR? Hear the answer that surprises Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis. Could Brandon Marshall be on the comeback trail? He shares what position he would play if he tried to return. Plus, hear why he credits his strength that propelled him to great heights among all receivers. Life after stepping away from full-time competition is a critical juncture in an athlete’s life. Both Marshall and Earnhardt Jr. have recently faced that crossroads and emerged from it with new purpose. Brandon explains the moves he made before leaving the game that set up his post-career transition. Then, the two broadcasters touch upon what it took to make it in the TV world and how they approach criticizing their former competitors behind the microphone.   Jay Cutler threw touchdowns to Marshall when he played for both the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears. Mike asks Brandon whether the criticism Cutler receives is fair. Marshall provides insight into working with Cutler and how he impacted his life to this day. Plus, why he thought they could have won multiple Super Bowls together in Denver. When the duo reunited in Chicago, Marshall explains why they wanted to get back together and how divine intervention played a role in leading him to the Bears. Every athlete searches for advantages in their respective sport. Dale Jr. inquires about what professional football players do with their equipment to find an edge and how playing conditions impact their performance. After being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2011, Brandon has been transparent about his experience in an effort to help others with mental health. He shares his story with Dale Jr., including why he initially refused help, what he was like at his worst and the breakthroughs that allowed him to stop pointing the finger at others. The 2012 Pro Bowl MVP then talks about starting House of Athlete, where he’s helping other people with their mental fitness. Plus, its specific focus of working on the mental side of being an athlete. Hear how he broke the mental health stigma in the NFL and his hopes to see it further ingrained into the professional sports environment. Next comes a question we’ve all wanted an answer to – who are the biggest $hit talkers in the NFL? Hear Brandon’s unique response and how he describes the battle between receivers and defensive backs. Brandon’s legendary 21-reception game in 2009 is still an NFL record. He shares details about that game, why he didn’t realize what he was doing and how the feat almost fell short. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale suggests what Richmond Raceway could do to improve the racing and shares his favorite Office characters and moments. Plus, the story of why he missed an opportunity to visit the set.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Berry won his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway! Dale Earnhardt Jr. dedicates the entire show to reliving this emotional and heartfelt victory for JR Motorsports. Before Josh joins the show, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis share what seeing Berry win meant to them and the company. Dale talks about Josh’s rise through the racing ranks, his success with the JRM late model program and how the opportunity to put him in an Xfinity Series car came to fruition. Dale gets deep talking about the pressure to perform and how he handled it during his career. He shares what he learned from seeing Chase Elliott 'enjoy the opportunity' and how he thinks Berry is currently handling it. After the No. 8 car crossed the finish line on Sunday, Dale openly admits to crying tears of joy. He talks through the reasons for those emotions overflowing and makes a revelation we didn’t see coming. Then Josh joins the show and the crew hears what it has been like since capturing the biggest win of his racing career. Dale relives how he discovered Berry as a driver in a very unconventional way. Berry shares his origin story, discussing how losing his mom at a young age completely changed his life. Then how he and his dad racing helped them overcome the tragic loss. Josh shares how he ascended from racing at the local level to getting bigger opportunities. Plus, he explains how his path to this victory involved a decade of work in the shop. Find out why the 30-year-old almost gave up on his chances of making it in NASCAR last year while wresting with big life and career decisions. Then hear how everything changed a day after coming to that realization. Six races into his Xfinity Series stint in 2021, Josh talks about feeling like a highlight reel and why he was down on himself after his crash in the grass at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Hear what he did over the off-weekends to reset and prepare for Martinsville Speedway. Mike asks Josh to breakdown the finish of the race. Hear what was going through Berry’s mind as he got passed by Ty Gibbs and how he got back around him. Then Dale tells us why he’d give the free pass to someone using the chrome horn in that situation. Dale Jr. admits that he couldn’t watch the finish to the race and talks through the emotions he was wrestling with as the checkered flag neared. Josh reminisces about his feelings in the final laps and what the victory felt like afterwards. Josh sticks around for Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity. Fans inquire about the post-race phone call between Dale and Josh, who would win in a head-to-head late model race and Dale explains his comments about JR Motorsports’ Cup Series interest.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Legendary NASCAR pit reporter Dick Berggren joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a conversation that covers Berggren’s racing career, rise as a journalist and pit reporter, and New England racing history preserver. It’s a special episode as Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads off the program with a big announcement, that includes Berggren himself. After sharing the exciting news, Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis reveal it’s a two-interview episode as Bill Lester joins later in the show. Berggren enters the studio as if he was fresh off of TV from pit road, wearing his iconic cap and all. He explains the story behind his hat and how Ken Squier influenced his decision to wear it. Dale Jr. first explores Berggren’s racing career. Hear how he got involved racing in his native New England and why it influenced him to get a PhD in psychology. Then hear why he pursued a job as a college professor and what happened when he brought his race car on campus once. As he transitioned to a journalism career, he details the phone call that led him to becoming Stock Car Racing magazine’s editor. He shares the story of how he helped it turn around and how it helped grow his career. Plus, he explains how he got his start in photography and what motivated him to write about racing. A magazine rivalry? Berggren shares the story of two rival publications from his early days in the sport. As the editor for the magazine, he talks about seeing Cup drivers read his work and why he took so much joy from working around his heroes in racing. One crash ended Dick’s racing career. He shares details of why seeing people everywhere while flying through the air made him quit racing forever.  How did Berggren get his start as an announcer and reporting in the pits? He explains how he got his first announcing gig at Arundel Speedway in Maine and what the Easter bunny had to do with it. Then, find out which famous Daytona 500 marked his MRN reporting debut. Hear how he developed respect and gained credibility among the characters in the garage. In a conversation surrounding racing’s legendary voices, Berggren shares his Mount Rushmore of announcers and brings Dale Jr. to broadcasting school as Dick shares his approach to the craft and makes suggestions to help Dale grow. Did Berggren ever dread an interview? Find out his answer and why it’s a name you may recognize. After leaving NASCAR on FOX, Dick channeled his passion into developing the North East Motor Sports Museum located at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He explains why he decided to build the museum and how it all came together as a way to honor the region’s rich motorsports history. Afterwards, Bill Lester joins Dale Jr. to talk about his book “Winning in Reverse.” Bill shares his unconventional path to racing’s highest ranks, how he overcame obstacles and why he stepped out of his comfort zone in his Truck Series return last month at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In Ask Jr., Dale reacts to the rain tire test at Martinsville Speedway, Daniel Ricciardo’s special deal if he earns an F1 podium and what Marcus Smith and Marcus Lemonis may be up to.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the first NASCAR Cup Series dirt race in over 50 years, Speedway Motorsports Inc. CEO Marcus Smith joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. after hosting the dirt race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Smith delves into many exciting projects surrounding his portfolio of race tracks including the latest on Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, plus promoting NASCAR’s inaugural trip to Circuit of the Americas. Dale Jr. along with co-host Mike Davis have a lot of questions about what went down in Bristol and what could be coming down the pipeline for Smith and SMI. Smith details the next-level weather challenges Bristol faced over the weekend. He explains how his team adapted and overcame the curveball Mother Nature threw at them in their first attempt to host the Cup Series on dirt. He then explains the origins of the idea of covering Bristol with dirt, why he initially turned it down, and how it eventually all came together. Plus, what lessons were learned from Bristol’s original dirt attempt in the early 2000s? He shares those and why some dirt from that track was used again. Crafting a brand-new dirt track was no easy task and Smith details the process of preparing the surface and the intricate details that made it work. Then, Dale Jr. shares his hopes for when the dirt is removed from the surface later this spring. The dirt race weekend will return in 2022 and Smith explains how that decision came together over the weekend and the unique way it was announced during Monday’s Cup race. Now a year into the pandemic, Smith reflects on the circumstances his company has faced trying to host large-scale entertainment events. He shares what he believed the pandemic taught the sport and how things will look once a sense of normalcy returns. After Dale Jr. and Smith took a trip to Nashville for a visit with the mayor, Smith explains the progress his team is making in their effort to get the contract to renovate Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. He lays out what his plans are, how noise concerns will be addressed, and why this project will be beneficial for Music City. Marcus addresses what the future looks like for Atlanta Motor Speedway and what he hopes to see happen in the state of Georgia that hopefully could transform the speedway property. This leads to a discussion about shifting the schedule around for his speedways, why changes were made for 2021, and what could possibly change in future years. How did SMI take interest in hosting a race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX? Smith explains and shares how Texas Motor Speedway reacted. Smith leaves us with some major news drops including a proposed innovation for Bristol Motor Speedway and why a favorite track of Dale Jr.’s can’t be written off quite yet. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale talks about his reactions to the Bristol dirt action, testing with a radio in his race car, and his thoughts on iRacing’s Chicago Street Course.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. invites father-son duo Dave and Ryan Blaney to the table to learn more about the Blaney racing legacy and hear about Ryan’s Cup Series victory on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. First, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis address an eventful Xfinity Series race for JR Motorsports in Atlanta. Commenting publicly for the first-time following Noah Gragson backing into Daniel Hemric’s car on pit road and his team’s involvement in a post-race altercation, Dale explains his stance exclusively on the Download. He shares his reaction to both cars over shooting their pit stall late in Saturday’s race and the actions each team took to complete the pit stop. Was it done intentionally? Hear what Dale thinks, what he said to Noah and how he felt hearing Gragson’s jab at Hemric after the fight. Plus, co-team owner Dale shares more insight into the 22-year-old’s approach to racing and how Noah reacts to controversial situations. This and more from Atlanta including his thoughts on Justin Allgaier’s impressive win and Josh Berry’s car being destroyed by the grass. There’s no better time to be joined by the Blaney’s than following Ryan’s first win of 2021. He shares how he enjoyed it and why the focus is shifting quicker than usual to the next cup race. Dave’s father Lou Blaney was the first Blaney to climb behind the wheel of a race car. Hear how his interest in racing started and how it blazed a trail for his family. Did you know a Blaney was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers? Hear the story of how Dave’s brother Dale turned away from a professional basketball career to race. As a Sprint Car Hall of Fame member, Dave’s most success in racing came in a sprint car. Hear him reminisce on his biggest triumphs on the World of Outlaws tour and how the demanding schedule kept him away from home and his young children. When Ryan showed an interest in racing, Dave was ready to teach his son the ropes. However, it wasn’t always a pleasant experience. Find out how hard Dave pushed Ryan and what Ryan thought of his dad’s approach. Not every driver that races has the “it” factor. However, Ryan does and Dave noticed it early on. He tells the story of the night when he knew Ryan could make a career in racing. During his 2012 Xfinity Series debut race at Richmond, Ryan’s strong run put him on the industry’s radar. Hear what Dale noticed about him in that race and how it ended up leading to conversations and opportunities with Team Penske and Brad Keselowski. Many remember Dave leading when the 2012 Daytona 500 went under a red flag following the jet fuel fire. Dale and Dave laugh about that night and reflect on the bizarre situation, and how it almost handed Dave the victory. In his 2019 appearance on the podcast, Ryan admitted he got a speeding ticket and never told his dad. Well, he rehashes the story on this episode and we hear Dave’s reaction for the first time. What did Ryan experience after spinning Dale Jr. out at Martinsville in 2017? He shares what fans said to him leaving the track that day and Dale can’t believe it. Lastly, heading into the Bristol dirt race, the table discusses their expectations, the length of the event and track changes that fans should expect on Sunday. Dave leaves us with funny stories about what Dale Jr. and Dale Sr. have said to him after a couple of run-ins with both of them respectively. In Ask Jr. presented by Xfinity, Dale shares his experience broadcasting the 12 Hours of Sebring and why T.J. Majors is surprisingly stronger than he looks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bobby Labonte joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. on this week’s episode to dive deeper into the NASCAR Hall of Famers family history, successful career and current racing endeavors. Much of Labonte’s NASCAR career is well publicized but Dale Jr. is curious about the path that led the Corpus Christi, Texas, native to rise from the shadow of his older brother Terry Labonte to assert himself as a NASCAR champion. Dale Jr. along with co-host Mike Davis are shocked to learn that the Labonte racing heritage isn’t rooted in Texas. Find out where their father was raised, how he started racing and what led to him coming to Texas. Bobby’s story starts in his childhood, growing up with a tough dad. Bobby shares the lessons he learned from watching Terry skip school and face the consequences. As Terry began racing in Texas, Bobby was there to watch until the family got barred from their local track. Find out what led them to having to race elsewhere in Texas. Around the same time, Bobby began helping out his brother Terry’s team in the shop. He worked under “Suitcase” Jake Elder and even earned a nickname. Find out what his role was and why the name was so fitting. This eventually led him to full-time work on a Cup team where he learned a variety of skills by building and working on race cars. As he progressed as a mechanic, he was on his brothers 1984 championship team. Hear how these experiences shaped his later career and the turning point that changed everything. Now as he began racing himself, Dale inquires about the details of his late model career and how he ascended up the ranks to eventually buying a Busch Series car with his dad. Find out how, like most guests, Robert Gee factored into the equation. Once Labonte emerged on the national scene, Dale Jr. remembers taking notice. Bobby opens up about riding his brothers coattails to get to that point, how he dealt with the pressure and then trying to establish his own footprint in the sport. A few years into his Cup career, opportunities with other teams emerged. Hear how he landed the Joe Gibbs Racing ride, the role Dale Jarrett played in it all, the offer he got from Robert Yates, and what Dale Sr. told Joe Gibbs. Bobby recalls the special day at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1996 when he won the race and Terry won the championship. He talks about how everything came together that day and why something like that may never happen again. Stories from the 1998 Daytona 500 continue to emerge this year on the Download. Hear Bobby’s perspective as the second-place finisher that day and what he thought about his chances leading into the race. Dale Jr. and Bobby recall times racing each other, including an epic battle at Pocono in 2001. Hear their recollections of the race and if they ever had any problems with each other on the track. Plus, find out how Dale Jr. cost Bobby a shot at $1 million dollars at Talladega in 2000. One of the greatest things Dale Jr. said he learned from Bobby was the art of the escape after a race. Hear Bobby’s best ways of getting out of the track and the time Dale Jr. dressed up as a Labonte fan after a race. Fresh off his first start in the SMART Modified Tour, Bobby talks about why he continues to race and how he got into modified racing. Plus, hear his expectations as a driver for Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham’s Superstar Racing Experience this summer Before Bobby joins the show, Dale talks about the rough day for JR Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway and his reaction to Josh Berry’s double bird. Plus, how a close friend is entering a truck at the Bristol dirt race and a Dirty Mo Media sponsored car is making laps around Bristol this week. In Ask Jr. Presented by Xfinity, Dale dishes on tracks using traction compound and Martinsville removing its grass. Lastly, hear where Dale Jr. will be in the booth to call a race this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined by two-time Daytona 500 and 1999 NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief Todd Parrott for an emotional and heart-felt conversation about Parrott’s triumphs and struggles. Ahead of this interview, Dale Jr. fills us in on the latest developments for Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. He details what he learned traveling to Nashville last week with Marcus Smith and meeting with both Tennessee's Governor and the Mayor of Nashville. Hear how the project took a major step closer to bringing NASCAR back to the short track. Todd Parrott’s career fascinates Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis. They dive deep into his 50 years in the sport, covering both the good times and challenging circumstances Parrott faced. Idolizing his father Buddy Parrott, Todd knew he was destined for a career in racing. Hear how he landed a job on Richard Petty’s team early in his career and helped The King win his final two races. Starting with Petty, Parrott worked for some of racing’s greatest talents including Tim Richmond, Rusty Wallace, and Dale Jarrett. He details his career path that ascended him from a mechanic and tire guy to championship-winning crew chief. Dale Jr. loves hearing the ‘speed secrets’ from back in the day that crew chiefs used to get an advantage over the field. Parrott shares some of the best innovation stories from the garage we’ve heard yet including how he altered a NASCAR inspection template. Parrott formed a special relationship with Rusty Wallace while working on his team. Learn what it was like working for that group and where the saying “Rusty is God” came from. Before departing Wallace’s team for Robert Yates Racing, Parrott recalls the emotional decision to tell Rusty about the new opportunity. You won’t believe what Wallace handed Parrott as the two pondered Todd’s future. Parrott’s greatest successes as a crew chief came during his days at Robert Yates Racing. He explains what happened on his first day on the job, working with Ernie Irvan and then Dale Jarrett starting the next season. Parrott tells us what his relationship with Jarrett was like, growing close with each other and winning their first race together. That was followed up with a Daytona 500 victory, where Jarrett held off Dale Earnhardt. He explains the hard work and long hours it required to achieve the amount of success the No. 88 team did in the late 1990s. On the night before the 1998 Daytona 500, Parrott shares a special story about a conversation he had with the Intimidator. Plus, find out why Parrott was singled out in Dale Sr.’s victory lane interview. He shares what their relationship was like and what they did for fun on the lake. Learn how one comment led to the breakup with Jarrett and the fallout afterward. Following a couple of seasons with Elliott Sadler, Jarrett and Parrott reunited and delivered on a promise they made Robert Yates. Parrott’s career then experienced a lot of change in the following years, working with a variety of teams and drivers. It came to a head in 2013 when personal struggles led to a failed drug test. The North Carolina native gets personal about the low point in his life and how he was determined to turn it around. He shares about his road to recovery and his next opportunities with Tommy Baldwin and Richard Childress Racing. Before leaving, Parrott says he’s ready for another shot to crew chief again and explains why. Plus, he fills us in on why he gave Dale Jr. the nickname “powder.” In Ask Jr., fans inquire about Dale’s Nova hitting the streets, his thoughts on Kyle Larson’s victory and Hendrick Motorsports’ rise, and why he sometimes goes by the name Anna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The life-saving trauma doctor and legendary NASCAR and college football TV broadcaster, Dr. Jerry Punch, joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a dive into Dr. Punch’s storied medical and commentating career. From his days growing up in Newton, N.C., in the shadows of Hickory Speedway, Dr. Punch’s racing roots run deep. He shares about his childhood when he helped legendary drivers work on their cars and also getting behind the wheel himself. After playing football at NC State under coach Lou Holtz, Dr. Punch pursued medical school. He tells Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis what made him want to become a doctor and how he spent his mental health days away from school and at the race track. Ned Jarrett was like a second father to him and helped jumpstart his broadcasting career. Find out how Barney Hall missing an announcing gig at Hickory Speedway led to Dr. Punch’s first opportunity behind the microphone. Plus, learn about legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway PA announcer Bill Connell. How did Dr. Punch balance medical school and a broadcasting career? He explains how one night his two careers intersected at Hickory Speedway when the world lost one of his heroes, Bobby Isaac. Then you won’t believe what almost happened next. Dr. Punch is credited with saving the lives of drivers involved in accidents on the race track. He shares intense details of an accident involving Don Marmor in an ARCA race at Atlanta. Later, he walks us through the scary ordeal when Rusty Wallace flipped at Bristol Motor Speedway. Find out how Dale Earnhardt helped the situation and what he said to Dr. Punch afterward. The Intimidator and Dr. Punch were close friends. However, their friendship didn’t necessarily start out on the best terms. Hear how Jerry tried to confront Dale Sr. one day at Martinsville. Dr. Punch shares incredible stories of the side of Dale Earnhardt many people never saw. Hear how he offered to help Dr. Punch’s pregnant wife on a snowy North Carolina night. Also, a story not many know about the Intimidator making a dying boy’s wish come true. After the Talladega accident that broke Dale Sr.’s collarbone, he called Jerry. Hear how the doctor's office visit went, details about the weekend he tried to race at Indianapolis, and the bone-chilling story about qualifying at Watkins Glen. As Dale Jr. clinched his 1998 Xfinity Series championship, Dale Sr. joined Dr. Punch in the booth. Hear about the emotional moment for the proud dad. Then hear who was terrible at karaoke during the after-party that Dale Jr. doesn’t remember.  Dr. Punch was integral to the filming of Days of Thunder. He talks about the day Tom Cruise and Robert Towne shadowed him at Watkins Glen. Plus, how his input helped cast Nicole Kidman and shaped the medical scenes of the movie.  Hear insight about the relationship Bill France Jr. had with Dale Sr. Dr. Punch remembers a special moment they shared after the 2000 Daytona IROC race and the time Dale Sr. called France during an interview.  Memories from The Intimidator’s 2000 Talladega win are told as Dr. Punch broadcasted the race. He shares his perspective from the booth and what Benny Parsons said about the race while leaving the track.  After Noah Gragson's late-race incident at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dale Jr. puts his co-team owner hat on and addresses the situation. Plus, find out why Dale’s heart hurt hearing Steve Letarte stepped back into the crew chief role for one race. Hear why it brings back memories of when Dale found out Letarte was leaving the No. 88 team, which he shares openly in this therapy session with co-host Mike Davis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The one-and-only former NFL head coach and NASCAR racer Jerry Glanville is in studio for an interview that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been eagerly anticipating. Glanville rose to fame as head coach for the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons in the 80s and 90s, and then turned to NASCAR and broadcasting as he competed across multiple different series. He befriended racing legends along the way, including Dale Earnhardt Sr. His stories are wide open from the gridiron to the race track. Plus, his status as a cultural icon in the 90s landed him in movies and music videos. He tells all about his incredible life and how he balanced his two passions – football and racing. Glanville details what led him to become a football coach and how he quickly rose the ranks to land high-profile NFL coaching gigs. Hear how he became known for turning programs around and his secret to success. The former Falcons head coach is remembered as the man who drafted Brett Favre. Dale Jr. Download co-host Mike Davis brings up Glanville’s Wikipedia page and asks how much is actually true about his time coaching Favre. Learn why he wasn’t sold on the future superstar off the field and how that led him to make a trade. When the name of another high-profile NFL coach that’s in racing is brought up, Glanville shares why he isn’t on good terms with Joe Gibbs and the one playoff game that caused the bad blood. Like Dale Jr., Glanville is a big Elvis fan. He famously left tickets for Elvis at a pre-season game between the Oilers and Patriots. He tells that story and explains why he left the tickets. While most football coaches enjoyed golf in their spare time, Glanville chose the adrenaline rush of racing. Hear how he transitioned from coach to racer and how he landed his first opportunity behind the wheel of a Cup car. As he raced in multiple different series from late models up to Xfinity, Glanville recalls some of the sports biggest names he competed against as they climbed the ranks. Many NASCAR stars stepped up to help Glanville in his racing career. Hear what the Intimidator taught him and what happened in their first race together on track. Glanville also reflects back on lessons from Richard Petty, Dale Jarrett and Bill Elliott. Dale Jr. competed against Glanville early in his career and once threatened to fight Glanville. Find out what happened on track and how Jerry responded. Learn why he’s still racing and coaching football today at nearly 80 years old. Afterwards in Ask Jr., Dale Jr. explains his reasoning behind joining the IndyCar Nashville GP ownership group and what he hopes to learn from the partnership to help NASCAR. Plus, his take on the caution for rain late in Sunday’s Cup race and why NASCAR is doing too much hand holding. Dale Jr. uncovered some NASCAR history recently and shares his findings of an artifact that few have ever seen. You’ll want to hear what details of the sport’s history he discovers and why it has him questioning some of racing’s origins.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s double trouble on The Dale Jr. Download as Randy and Corey LaJoie join Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a deep dive into the LaJoie racing lineage that’s filled with colorful moments. Coming off a ninth-place run at the Daytona 500, Corey talks about his new opportunity with Spire Motorsports in 2021, how the newly revamped team prepared for the season, and what went into the top-10 run in The Great American Race. Then, the stories start flowing as this duo holds nothing back. Find out what led to Randy being locked out of his own house one night after one of Corey’s races. Hear what Corey did, how Randy reacted, and why he spent the night at the race shop. Dale Jr. asks Randy to trace his racing roots back to his father’s career that started in the family’s home state of Connecticut. The New England native discusses racing go-karts, learning to race, and working on cars growing up. Plus, the story of what happened when his dad told him to hold it wide open. Once Randy established himself as a championship race car driver in the Northeast, he moved south in search of more opportunities to race. Find out what happened after one of his first races in the south that may or may not have made him feel welcomed. Randy tells-all about his rivalry with Buckshot Jones. Hear how it started at Talladega and what went down inside the NASCAR hauler after the race. Then, why an incident at Bristol led to the fans throwing beer cans at Randy as he left the track and ultimately boosted Jones’ merchandise sales. Hear how a six-year-old talked Randy out of a couple million dollars, why he made the decision, and what it has since taught Corey about his opportunities to race on Sundays. Corey details his early late model and East Series racing days. Including a story of when the father/son duo pushed all their chips onto the table and left Corey thinking his driving career was over, before getting a surprise opportunity. What lesson did the two-time Xfinity Series champion learn when Dale Earnhardt stuck his fingers out the window? You won’t forget what happened next. Corey shares a story that will make you wonder how he still has 10 fingers and what ultimately saved him from a greater injury that day at Bristol. As Corey continues to establish himself in the NASCAR Cup Series, he explains his decision-making behind signing with Spire Motorsports. He discusses why the team is different this year and how they are trying to do things the right way. Plus, why you shouldn’t be surprised to see the No. 7 group run better than expected. Dale Jr. picks the brain of a current driver who competed in the Daytona 500 about the state of superspeedway racing. Corey answers Dale’s questions and Dale shares what he would like to see with that type of racing. Lastly, hear what role Randy and Corey played in Dale Jr.’s furniture ending up on top of his house after his first Cup Series win at Texas in 2000. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Larry McReynolds returns for the highly anticipated part two of his conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the season premiere of The Dale Jr. Download. They dive into more of McReynold’s storied racing career as a crew chief and cover his time working with Dale Earnhardt. With the 2021 Daytona 500 just days away, they relive the Intimidator’s 1998 victory in the Great American Race. McReynolds offers candid commentary on what fueled his decision to leave Robert Yates Racing and join Richard Childress Racing for the 1997 season. He discusses the move, vast culture differences between the two organizations, and the initial expectations. Along with co-host Mike Davis, Earnhardt Jr. learns intricate details about what it was like to work with his dad. He also finds out about how the Intimidator approached trying new things behind the wheel and why it frustrated McReynolds. McReynolds details why the pairing never achieved the success they dreamed of and what Dale Sr. revealed to him years later about their time together. Find out what Dale Sr. did in the 1997 Daytona 500 that put McReynolds at a loss of words. From the process of building the car to testing it in preparation for the big race, America’s Crew Chief details everything the team went through leading up to the 1998 Daytona 500. What did Earnhardt Sr. admit to McReynolds after winning his duel race that changed their approach just days before the event? And what happened as the No. 3 car pulled onto the track for happy hour that made the team nervous heading into the race the next day? Plus, hear the story of the infamous lucky penny and what was happening as Earnhardt received it. Who dialed the No. 3 car’s radio during the race that nearly made McReynolds lose it? You’ll be surprised. Then, find out why the team held their breath as Earnhardt completed the final few laps under caution.  Lastly, McReynolds reflects on the scene in victory lane and compares it to watching kids open presents on Christmas morning. In Ask Jr., fans inquire about the many new things in NASCAR for 2021 and get Earnhardt Jr.’s perspective on the charter system. Then, Earnhardt Jr. surprises everyone with details on Pablo Escobar’s racing career.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part two of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s epic sit down interview with NASCAR Legend Darrell Waltrip delivers never before told stories and more. Ole DW shares stories about NASCAR tearing down his Junior Johnson Racing machine, suspecting cheating. Some, may call it cheating. Others, call it creativity. DW says that they were not "rule breakers," rather, "rule makers" in their hey-day. Surprisingly Waltrip admits to using lead-shot and nitrous in racecars, as well as heavy radios and trick helmets. He details how they got away with some of their biggest cheats. Oh, and the time he inadvertently called NASCAR boss Bill France a "dumb ass" The driver known by some as "Jaws" for his mouthy, but entertaining nature, details what it was like to drive for noted moonshiner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson. How did he get from Junior's ride to Rick Hendrick's stable? It's a story that you'll never believe. Speaking of Junior Johnson, Darrell reveals how his car owner's stubbornness may have cost him a NASCAR Cup Series Championship. Waltrip talks about run-ins with Dale Earnhardt and his rough nature off track as a friend. He also admits how driving for Dale Earnhardt's team saved his career. From driving a forklift, to racing with Dale and Dale Jr in Japan, the stories are plentiful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been a long time coming! Finally, racing legend Darrell Waltrip joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis at the table for a much anticipated two-part interview. Ole DW discusses his early days on the short tracks of Nashville and how an unknown driver made an instant splash in the big leagues of NASCAR, despite showing up with little-to-no tools.. DW talks about his upbringing and how he went from a house filled with four-letter words, to media-darling racecar driver and broadcaster. He was known by competitors as "Jaws," and as usual, doesn't hold back from honest takes on his life in the sport. Waltrip shares stories of racing with Dale Jr.'s grandfather Robert Gee, the genius he was with racecars and how he liked to eat steak and drink Crown Royal. The Gee years saw both Dale Earnhardt and Waltrip piloting the famed #17, a head-turning piece of shiny machinery. One of the most successful cars was a Camaro Modified with Volkswagen fenders. Waltrip's first Cup car was a famous one, but at first, he didn't know it. Crew Chief Jake Elder made the discovery and it had the young driver excited. So excited that year's later he bid on the car to get it in his possession once again. Waltrip talks of his early years with Bud Moore and the tumultuous partnership with DiGard racing. Was he really going to get replaced by Bruce Jenner? The Junior Johnson years brought forth some of the most successful years in his career. It also brought Tim Brewer and some shag-carpeted walls. DW discusses why drivers back in the 70's and 80's didn't want teammates. His Junior Johnson racing teammate Neil Bonnett was awarded the win after a controversial yellow-flag pass which led to Johnson protesting his own team! DW tells the story. Dale Jr. answers fan questions in the AskJr segment on the show. Will Lost Speedways go to Canada now that Canadian's can watch the show on History Channel Canada? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NASCAR season is over and a new champion has been crowned. Dale Earnhardt Jr. brings on the 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott to dive into what this accomplishment means for the 24-year-old and how he pulled it off. Plus, the DJD gang reflects on the unprecedented year for the sport. Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis first find out they are the reasons Elliott got out of bed this morning after living it up last night celebrating in his hometown of Dawsonville, Georgia. Chase spills the details on the party and how his dad, the legendary Bill Elliott, joined in on the fun. Elliott received a special welcome home parade on Monday. He talks about that experience and why it’s unique to him among his Cup Series competitors. Long-time Cup Series crew chief Alan Gustafson is now a champion. Elliott talks about what it means to be the one who delivered it to him. Dale inquiries about the No. 9 team’s ability to perform under pressure, especially in the playoffs where they won three of the last five races. Davis asks Elliott about his performance in Phoenix and whether it met Elliott’s tough standards. Lastly, Dale delivers a special message to Chase on an accomplishment he was never able to capitalize on. In the open segment, the crew reflects on championship weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Dale Jr. dives into Elliott’s day and how Hendrick Motorsports has mastered the art of shelving tricks to use later in the season. Plus, Dale shares a story of skirting the rules and trying to hide it from competitors in the Cup Series garage. Self-admittedly hard on NASCAR, Dale gives the sport and its leadership team props for pulling off a season many didn’t think would be possible. The gang reflects on the challenges the pandemic presented, the ways the sport overcame it, and the memorable moments it created. Sunday marked Jimmie Johnson’s final farewell. Dale discusses how underappreciated Jimmie has been throughout his career and why his feat of winning five consecutive titles needs better recognition. In #AskJr, bossman Dale addresses the finish to the Xfinity Series race as Justin Allgaier battled for the title on the final restart. Plus, find out why he got mad at Steve Letarte during the race. It wouldn’t be a new episode without beef jerky. Stay tuned until the end to find out what arrived in the Dirty Mo studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a Chad Knaus, few ever get to know. Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with the 7-time NASCAR Championship Crew Chief in a wide open interview on the Download. Knaus' journey to becoming Jimmie Johnson's crew chief started in the grassroots midwest wrenching on his father's Late Model racecars. That short track grind taught many valuable lessons that he took with him on an unlikely journey to the heart of Stock Car Auto Racing, Charlotte, N.C. Knaus speaks of the failures in his first attempts to get into NASCAR, and how it landed him back home, and far away from his dream of becoming a big-time crew chief. A bold phone call and an overnight stay in the Hendrick Motorsports parking lot finally opened the door for the journeyman crew member. Under the guidance of Ray Evernham, Knaus did it all. Then, he moved on. But why? The journey from team to team, including working for Dale Earnhardt Inc, wasn't always smooth for the Illinois native. But, it did include some memorable moments with Dale Sr., and a promise with Rick Hendrick that helped shape his future Hall of Fame career. Chad, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis talk about management by strengths and how Chad Knaus' direct personality is off the chart in the Hendrick system. He also shares some of the incredible attributes of his seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Championship driver, Jimmie Johnson. Dale Jr. and Chad discuss what it was like working together, as two completely different personalities, on the Hendrick Motorsports team. Knaus' aggressive style landed him in trouble and Dale asks him about the "creativity" he brought to an organization constantly pushing the envelope. Dale reminisces about the time he dumped Knaus' driver Stacy Compton, and how a bloody-nose may have saved him from a confrontation with the crew chief. Chad Knaus will start a new role for Team Hendrick in 2021, stepping off the pit box and into a managerial role. He reveals what has him most excited about the future with a flood of younger talent rising through the organization. Aside from the interview, Dale Jr. brings a lot to the table... including a giant tub of shredded beef jerky. The DJD gang tries the unusual snack. Social Media guru Leah Vaughn didn't try the beef, but she did bring a ton of questions to Dale in the Ask Jr segment presented by Xfinity. Jr. breaks down Kevin Harvick missing the Championship 4 and shares his take on a controversial decision by Erik Jones' #20 team that helped Denny Hamlin advance to the Phoenix finale. Dale also shares why he became an iRacing executive and how nobody will replace Clint "Eastwood" Bowyer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is pumped to bring a double-dose of guests to the table. And not just any two guests... two of the hottest young racecar drivers in America, Chase Briscoe and Josh Berry. Fresh off the news he is moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021, Chase Briscoe details how he learned of his dream opportunity racing the #14 for Stewart Haas Racing. The reveal involved some anxious moments, and joyous tears, all brought to you by a heartwarming Tony Stewart prank. Briscoe paints the picture of his life-changing moment. Through failures and struggles, the 3rd generation driver tells us how he went from the dirt tracks of Indiana to the epicenter of stock car racing in Charlotte, NC. Sleeping on couches, volunteering on teams and breaking into racetracks, Briscoe did what he could to get his name out there. Constantly knocking on doors and having chance meetings created an unimaginable opportunity for the young driver. Briscoe opens up about the journey that can simply be referred to as the result of his faith and fate. His dream opportunity comes during the season most drivers could only dream of. The 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series title contender has nine series wins and the season isn't even over. Like his career journey, this year has come with its share of struggles. Chase opens up to Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis about the miscarriage he and his wife Marissa suffered, and the emotional race win, that days later, showed the racing world the real Chase Briscoe. The DJD gang welcomes JR Motorsports Late Model driver Josh Berry to the studio for the first time as a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Division National Champion. Berry details how he got it done during his stellar 24-win season in Late Model competition. Dale Jr. gets deep about the meaning of the National crown, Josh's role in the team and what having involvement in Late Model racing means to him. Dale talks about his first week as a two-time father. He also returned to the track to call the race in person in Kansas Speedway. Joey Logano took the win holding off Kevin Harvick. Dale explains how the driver's in the Cup field may have created a bully-proof driver in the Penske #22. Dale Jr. answers fans questions in an ultra-fast edition of AskJr presented by Xfinity. That and more on a robust edition of the Dale Jr. Download. . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where has Dale Earnhardt Jr. been? Many wondered the reason for this week’s Dale Jr. Download being two days late, but wonder no more. The two-time Daytona 500 champion speaks publicly for the first time since becoming a two-time Dad, and he uses this episode to share news about the newest Earnhardt. Dale Jr. discloses his new daughter’s name, the process in which he and his wife, Amy, used to decide the name, and all the details to a life-changing week. Dale admits they were quiet during the process and speaks to the reason behind the privacy. Dale Jr. shares details of the special moment that his two-year-old daughter, Isla, met her new baby sister. The DJD gang shares smiles and laughs while enjoying the joyous occasion sitting at the table as friends. Earnhardt along with co-host Mike Davis, producer Matthew Dillner and social media guru Leah Vaughn discuss their favorite "original" race tracks and what makes them so unique in the segment called Valvoline Originals. Fans bring hard-hitting, time-relevant questions to Dale in the livestream segment, “Ask Jr. presented by Xfinity.” We also find out that Dale wasn't the giraffe some thought he was. Ok, you'll have to listen to find out! It was a special week for the Earnhardt and Dirty Mo Media family and we are happy to share a special show with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good times and loads of laughs! That's what you get when you bring longtime friend and former NASCAR racer Hank Parker Jr. to the table for a conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. They were born days apart and both had famous fathers, one a world famous Champion Fisherman, the other an icon of the sport of Auto Racing. Their father's friendship led to theirs and its one that has lasted all of these years. Parker and Dale chat about the good ol' days, and how their father's first time hanging out, of course, involved fishing and racing. Well, umm, maybe some cheating too! The two friends share stories of hunting, fishing, childhood mischief and more, including an unforgettable tale of hunting with Dale Sr. How does a famous fisherman just up and decide to get into stock car racing? Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis find out the real answer and uncover some classic stories of what led the Parker family down the racing road. They discuss Hank's early days in Late Model racing and how he got started with some of the hierarchy of short track badassery, like Gary Balough and Freddie Query. Dale Jr. and Hank Jr.'s bond grew stronger when both were racing wheel to wheel in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. They discuss an early tangle, the highs and lows, and how lending advice and shocks led to some fast times for Parker. After DNQ's, race wins and injuries, it was a tough conversation with car owner Jack Roush that actually led to Hank hanging up the helmet for good. Mike Davis reads an unearthed column Dale Jr. wrote about Hank Parker Jr back in 2000. The story leads to discussion of the trouble they would get into as youth, and the road to getting married and having children. Parker shares what his latest projects are and how some trips to Mexico and Haiti led their family to adoption. Before Hank took a seat at the table, discussion got pretty intense as Dale Jr. laid down his real feelings about the yellow-line-rule that dominated the headlines after a crazy weekend at Talladega. Dale, Mike and producer Matthew Dillner give their opinions as to why NASCAR may want to re-think the out-of-bounds infraction. Leah Vaughn thrills Dale Jr. with a slew of questions from fans and an Xfinity driver in AskJr presented by Xfinity. From a shocking statistic about Short Tracks in the Cup Series, to a bold new idea, the segment got the fans in the chat room as fired up as the host!. Should their be a NASCAR division in the 24-Hours of Daytona? Or, even bolder, a 12-hour NASCAR race that includes all three major NASCAR divisions racing on track at the same time? It's a must listen. Dale shares a story about a famous NASCAR racer who once had his racecar repossessed on the starting grid in Odd History. At Last Call, the DJD gang learns about a drinking phobia. Dale unwraps a gift that leads to discover and imagination that brings him into the Earnhardt garage in the 1970s. Last but certainly not least, Dale closes the show with the most special of thoughts.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In one of the most wide-open episodes of all-time, former NASCAR driver Mike Skinner brings a new level of honesty and badassery to the table, in a much awaited conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Skinner holds nothing back as he talks about his rough upbringing and how working in the oil fields of Colorado was the start of a journey that led to stock car racing fame. From drinking, out-running cops and smoking weed to out-running some of the best Short Track racers in America, his early days paint the picture of a true renegade racer. That mentality is what attracted legendary car owner Richard Childress, although their first phone call didn't go as planned. Learn how Skinner actually turned down the opportunity of a lifetime because of a simple misunderstanding. Skinner tells Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis how beer drinking and raising hell was the best preparation he ever had for getting in the racecar. The Truck Series Champion talks about the big move to the Cup Series and a two car team at RCR, and how Dale Earnhardt wasn't very keen on having a teammate. The rocky relationship and some brutal crashes led the veteran racer down a path of headache and heartache that almost did him in. How bad were some of his concussions? Skinner shares never before heard details of the damage occurred during those wrecks. He also shares intimate details, that take Dale Jr. by surprise, of why he decided to hang up the helmet after a successful second career in the Truck Series. The DJD gang were thrown a curveball in AskJr presented by Xfinity when two young Xfinity drivers hit Dale Jr. up with questions. Chase Briscoe wants him at the Chili Bowl. So, will Dale Jr. be a volunteer / work-for-beer crew member at the Chili Bowl? Then, Dale gives Harrison Burton a masters-class on his approach to drafting. Like that wasn't enough? Dale Jr. gets chippy about the rumors of making Bristol a dirt track for a race and has a very simple and authoritative solution. JRM driver Noah Gragson had to deal with a nose-bleed while driving last week, and that prompts Dale to share a story of the time that a bloody nose may have helped him avoid a fight with Chad Knaus. Ya think we're done? Nope. Dale Jr. shares his love of vintage t-shirts and what makes the best ones in Valvoline Originals. Odd History uncovers a tale of Bobby Allison and a trailer speed record. Dale Jr. also tells us how a turkey ended up in a Virginia homeowner's bathroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices