The Dale Jr. Download (Dirty Mo Media, SiriusXM)

Dale Jr. and Amy are back with another episode of Bless Your ‘Hardt, and things get real interesting. Dale’s fired up about the studio chairs, Amy’s dealing with Tooth Fairy struggles, and somehow, Dale’s convinced he has an “iron gut.” Plus, the Earnhardt's have some new pets, attempt the whisper challenge, and tackle some of the wildest fan questions yet.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a message for Jr. Nation as the team enters an off-weekend; Mike and Taylor are on opposite sides about the qualifying issue; Reaction Theatre isn’t happy but it includes a couple of hysterical calls, and one song.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes the highly requested Carl Edwards on the show to discuss why he retired after 2016, settling old scores between the two of them, his new job at Prime Sports, and much more. After nine seasons without Carl behind the wheel, he opens up to Dale about the true reasons behind his departure, and how he knew it in his soul it was his time to leave. Dale learns about Carl’s introduction to motorsports, and what advice Carl’s cousin Ken Schrader gave him upon signing his first contract with Roush. 

Later, Dale Jr. and Edwards look back at their rocky relationship with each other as drivers, where Edwards reveals the text message from Dale that pissed him off the most. Carl reflects on his 2011 Championship run that famously ended in a tie-breaker against Tony Stewart, and the back-and-forth war of words in the media that happened before our very eyes. Carl reflects on his time at Roush Fenway Racing & Joe Gibbs Racing, and shares what kind of teammate he really was behind closed doors. Finally, Carl opens up about why he suddenly walked away from the sport following 2016’s Championship race, and how he has managed his retirement from the sport. The two also talk about what Carl has been up to these days, which includes stories of reconnected family time, to sailing through Europe without a cellphone. One of the most anticipated guests is finally here, and it was well worth the wait. 

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This conversation was an instant classic. Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes his brother Kerry Earnhardt on for an honest conversation about Kerry’s childhood, meeting his father, and living with Dale Jr.

Along with co-host Mike Davis, Dale and Kerry Earnhardt fill in the gaps about his childhood that Junior 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.

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. The two also swap stories about working together at the dealership, including the time Dale Jr. got fired.

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. Then the guys crack open some cold ones to end the show and promote the launch of Kerry’s new beer.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares his opinion on the restarts in California and applauds team for improvements in the car. JR Nation has some choice words during Reaction Theatre.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. dishes on Saturday’s All-Star Race and the gains his team made during the weekend. USA Today’s Jeff Gluck joins the show to discuss everyone’s fervor over the All-Star format and what JR Nation should expect moving forward.

On this episode of DJD Reloaded, we're joined by the newest voice in the NASCAR NBC broadcast booth, Leigh Diffey. He talks about his transition into NASCAR, the most incredible sports moments he's called, and his excitement to be covering NASCAR. Leigh also gives us his message for NASCAR fans and jokes about being called "British." Next, we sit down with Parker Retzlaff to discuss his second career Cup Series start and the controversy surrounding the final restart. If Parker could do it over again, would he do anything different? We get his side of the story and see how he's handling the scrutiny while preparing for Darlington. Finally, we have a fresh batch of your questions in Ask Jr. where Dale shares how he feels about the return of the No. 88 to the Cup Series.

Recap from Junior's 6th-place finish at Bristol, plus “Reaction Theatre”, where Junior fans have an open mic.

In this episode of DJD Reloaded, we’ve got a loaded lineup! Kyle Larson stops by to share why he took to Twitter after his Bristol win and how he’s gearing up for Kansas. Plus, former crew chief Greg Ives joins the conversation, giving us an inside look at what it’s really like working with Dale Jr. behind the scenes—especially during those chaotic in-car radio moments. From laughs to high-pressure situations, Greg reveals how he stayed cool when drivers were losing it on the mic. And to top it off, Dale gets personal in Ask Jr., sharing his go-to sushi order.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks to his appreciation for Jeff Gordon, praises the good-will gesture of his race team, and gives a candid update on his recovery. Team 88 car chief Travis Mack discusses the complicated process of preparing to race with a different driver.

This week on the Dale Jr. Download, Amy stopped by and served as co-host of Dirty Air. She shared lots of fun stories about Dale, including a special edition of Ask Jr. with Dale & Amy that hasn't aired yet on the Download feed! Carla Gebhart is joined by Dale's niece, Karsyn Elledge, as they react to the best moments between Dale and Amy. Plus, we quiz Karsyn on how well she knows her uncle with a trivia game at the end of the show. 

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. gives insight into the intensity of the new chase format and the huge bullet the 88 team dodged in the form of a loose wheel on Sunday.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Hoag check in with Dirty Mo Radio from the Daytona 500 champion’s tour. More specifically, from the hotel bar! Plus, Reaction Theatre celebrates Junior’s remarkable Daytona 500 victory.

Dale Jr. gambles at Phoenix, and it pays off with a second-place. Is this aggressive strategy a sign of things to come for the 88 team? We can only hope! Spotter Jeff Dickerson joins us, and Dale Jr. weighs in with post-Phoenix reactions.

Dale Earnhardt Jr scores another top-10; Fox Sports 1 reporter Wendy Venturini dishes on her incredibly candid interview with Junior.

In this episode of The Business of Motorsports, Kelley Earnhardt Miller sits down with Jessica Fickenscher, the Chief Experience Officer at Speedway Motorsports, to dive into her incredible 26 years from intern to executive. Jessica pulls back the curtain on what it takes to enhance the fan experience at NASCAR events, from innovative engagement strategies to the game-changing revival of North Wilkesboro.

Discover how fan feedback drives decision-making, why affordability matters, and the creative ways Speedway Motorsports keeps fans coming back for more. Jessica also shares her passion for grassroots racing programs like Legend Car Racing and the powerful community impact of Speedway Children’s Charities.

This is more than a conversation—it's an insider’s look at the challenges and triumphs of modern motorsports. From global expansion plans to personal career advice, Jessica’s insights reveal the heart and hustle behind one of SMI’s most dynamic leaders.

Dale and Amy Earnhardt are back for another episode of Bless Your ‘Hardt—and this one’s got it all. They break down their Daytona trip, Amy’s Disney adventure with the girls, and one of the most unexpected Daytona 500 driver intro games ever: Guess That Ass. Plus, Dale wraps things up with a surprise for Amy that you won’t want to miss!

Timestamps:

0:34 – Life Updates

26:34 – Best Things We Saw on Social Media

41:51 – Ask Amy

1:00:08 – Amy’s Surprise

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Dale Jr. reviews his rough outing in Atlanta, as well as talks about the track's possible repave and recent rumors involving Las Vegas and quieter racing. Also, Junior poses the question of who has the most punchable face in NASCAR.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly to learn about his storied career in the NFL, battles with concussions, and how he turned into of the best defensive players in the league. After showing glimmers of brilliance during his time at St. Xavier High School, Luke selected Boston College thanks to their strong academic program and Jesuit leadership. Due to a number of injuries to other players on the Eagles roster, Luke became a starting linebacker in his freshman year. He would receive the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award before moving to middle linebacker in his sophomore season, a move that Luke credits with opening many doors in the rest of his playing career. Luke and Dale discuss the responsibility the middle linebacker holds on the roster, as he is usually the player with the in-helmet headset relaying the play to the rest of the defensive squad.

Luke also explains his process for preparing for professional games, which includes watching film and trying to absorb the other teams’ signaling system for plays in an effort to get a leg up on defensive strategy. He admits that while he had a promising freshman season in college, it wasn’t until his sophomore year that he thought the NFL would be a possibility for him. The guys chat about what the NFL combine was like for Luke and his experience on draft day when he received a call at his parents’ home to inform him that he was being selected as ninth pick for the Carolina Panthers. They also dive into Luke stepping away from playing professionally at an early age due to the effects of a series of concussions, and what events led to that difficult decision.

Dale Earnhardt Jr discusses his day at the Brickyard; TJ Majors’ bladder becomes issue once again; Reaction Theater makes Mike Hoag angry.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. loves what he’s seeing out of Atlanta Motor Speedway, and he is here to sing its praises on a new episode of Dirty Air. Dale and co-host TJ Majors unpack a weekend of white-knuckle, edge of your seat racing:

• Atlanta is a great demonstration of speed
• Kyle Busch’s Truck masterclass
• Austin Hill remains on top in Xfinity
• Goodyear answered the call for tire requests
• Carson Hocevar made his presence known, for better or worse
• Caution call consistency

During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners asked about:

• Dale’s favorite soup
• Weird group chat names & blocking friends

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. breaks down his frustrations from Darlington and the rewards of a hard run; an announcement is made during the Take's A Nation segment; Fans are vocal about the upcoming Chase during Reaction Theatre.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. reconnects with one of his fiercest rivals from his NASCAR Xfinity Series days, former crew chief Robbie Reiser. During Dale’s 1998 and ‘99 Xfinity Championship season runs, his main competition was fellow up-and-comer Matt Kenseth, for whom Reiser was calling the shots. Dale and co-host Mike Davis chat with Robbie about his family’s history in racing the short tracks of Wisconsin, where his father John was a champion dirt late model driver. Robbie recounts a hilarious story of how he came to be behind the wheel, thanks in part to wrecking his sister’s Ford Pinto in a street race with a friend. 

After quickly rising through the local ranks in Southern Wisconsin, Robbie and his father John took the plunge into the world of NASCAR, moving their operation to Denver, North Carolina. After nearly losing everything due to a lack of funding, a series of events led to Robbie putting his former rival from home, Matt Kenseth, behind the wheel. They immediately found harmony and became contenders in the Xfinity Series, where they impressed the likes of Mark Martin and Jack Roush. Before long, the Reiser operation was absorbed by Roush Racing, and they took on the superstars of NASCAR Cup, where they would win a championship in 2003.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. digs up a part of his past when he and co-host Mike Davis sit down with longtime NASCAR Crew Chief Slugger Labbe. After growing up in Maine and getting his start in the Busch North Tour ranks, Slugger hitched a ride to North Carolina with the racing Houston family and started his path on what would become a long career in the NASCAR garage. Over the years, Slugger worked for many powerhouse organizations such as Hendrick Motorsports, Yates Racing, and Richard Childress Racing.

Slugger got his footing in the North Carolina NASCAR scene by working for teams in the Busch Grand National Ranks, under drivers Tommy Houston, Jeff Green, and Terry Labonte. He soon got a phone call offering him a job at Hendrick to work as a tire specialist. A few years later he got his first crack at being a crew chief through the Yates organization, calling the shots for Kenny Irwin Jr. A major topic of discussion was Slugger’s second stint at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, where he served as Michael Waltrip’s Crew Chief starting in the middle of the 2001 season. Slugger provides a lot of never before heard stories about the famed organization and he and Dale are able to provide some closure on some of the tumultuous events that took place during that time.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s candid and hilarious sit down with Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud.  The two racers discuss drinking the winners' milk, facing the factor of fear, hunting and kissing bricks, a long-shot career path, racecars with deer-whistles and the last lap of the 500.  DJD goes full-send on Johnny Sauter vs. Austin Hill, the Ross Chastain DQ and we find out in White-Flag that Dale was once hated and is now a "dadspiration" to one loyal fan.  

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back from the chaotic NASCAR weekend at Martinsville for another edition of Dirty Air. He joins co-host Mike Davis to break down all the action from the final races in the Round of 8:

• Bad teammates in must-win situations
• The fallout from the Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill incident
• Celebrating a win when the rest of the field crashed 
• Goodyear brought a great tire to Martinsville 
• Dale’s Championship pick is in the Final Four

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. reconnects with a figure from his past when he sits down with Team Penske NASCAR team manager Jefferson Hodges. After growing up admiring his Uncle Dale Lemonds’ racing career, Jefferson found his way into the racing world through Rick Townsend’s late model stock outfit in the Richmond, Virginia area. From there, he’d make his way onto the NASCAR Cup scene thanks to Tommy Baldwin, who was working for Junie Donlavey Racing at the time. When the Donlavey team began to slow, Jefferson returned to Townsend and found his footing as a team leader and crew chief. 

Jefferson would play an integral role in the progression of JR Motorsports from a late model stock team to one of the leading organizations in the NASCAR Xfinity roster. Jefferson had found success in the late model ranks with driver Mark McFarland, and after taking home a NASCAR Whelen All-American Championship, the two were destined for Charlotte. Through a driver-switch up, the two found themselves at JR Motorsports, and when success in late models led to the possibility of expanding into NASCAR’s secondary division, the number-88 Xfinity ride was born. 

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns from NASCAR’s Championship weekend at Phoenix to join co-host Mike Davis for this year’s final edition of Dirty Air. After crowing three new NASCAR champions in races that ranged from chaotic to nerve-racking, the guys had a lot to discuss:

• What to do when the Airbnb doesn’t have everything you need
• Why was the Truck race so chaotic?
• JR Motorsports has a lot to be proud of this season
• Was the Phoenix Cup Championship race a good race? 
• Dale’s early season Ryan Blaney prediction pays off

Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns to the Bojangles Studio after a chaotic NASCAR Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway for another edition of Dirty Air. Not only did NASCAR put on a weekend of excitement in the Longhorn State, but Dale Jr. was behind the wheel himself:

• Dale Jr. recaps his CARS Tour race at New River
• Texas is back! Just give it some time…
• Who was wrong, Chastain or Byron? 
• We’re talking ‘bout practice! NASCAR Cup drivers are elite, so do they need it?
• Race winner Chase Elliott calls in

During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners sent in questions regarding:

• Sharing SMT data - is it good or bad?
• Beer: bottles or cans?
• What did Dale Sr. do to prepare for races? You won’t want to miss the two Intimidator stories involving a bulldozer and a chainsaw.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. spends precious time in conversation with his grandmother, the matriarch of the Earnhardt racing legacy, Martha "Mammaw" Earnhardt.  They discuss meeting Ralph Earnhardt, fixing cars for bootleggers, wanting to touch Elvis, setting The Intimidator straight and the time Teresa Earnhardt got smacked.  The DJD gang gets feisty in debating New Hampshire and the Harrison Burton, Paul Menard's altercation.  Odd History uncovers weird times at Pocono, including the day someone mooned Mayfield.

The Bojangles Studio is graced by IndyCar royalty this week as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his co-host Mike Davis sit down with Scott Dixon. Since emerging on the American open-wheel racing scene in 1999, Dixon has written his name into the history books (between Foyt and Andretti, mind you) by winning six IndyCar championships, 52 races, and the 2008 Indianapolis 500. The interview covers Scott’s early life and introduction to auto racing, which came thanks to his father’s own racing endeavors and the family promoting a dirt track in Townsville, Australia. 

Dixon seemed destined for success as he won his way through the kart and lower Formula ranks in Australia and New Zealand, but with every progression came exponential budget growth. As his parents had already mortgaged their home to support his racing endeavors, his father and some local businessmen started an investment corporation that would sell shares of Scott’s potential career earnings to help keep him on track. The result was Dixon moving stateside in the late 90s, wowing Stefan Johansson in a test at Sebring and taking a seat in the Indy Lights Series, where he would win the championship in resounding fashion in 2000, beginning his dominance in American open-wheel racing.

The interview also discusses Scott’s tenure at Chip Ganassi Racing, his family life, and the comparability of stock cars and championship cars. 

Dirty Mo Media is proud to bring you a new Dale Jr. Download series called “Business of Motorsports”, featuring Kelley Earnhardt Miller. For the first installment, Kelley and co-host Mike Davis sit down with the President of 23XI Racing Steve Lauletta. Lauletta worked for many years in the sports marketing department for the Miller Brewing Company before serving as the President of Chip Ganassi Racing for over a decade. 

Kelley and Steve discuss what the day-to-day life for the president of a NASCAR Cup team looks like, as well as the culture at 23XI Racing. Steve explains the steps the company has taken in its hiring process to ensure a unique approach to building a brand and a successful race team. They also discuss how they keep their sponsors involved with team activities and how they sell their employees on the company’s vision. Plus Steve talks about NASCAR's current charter system and the struggles or positives aspiring Cup Series teams, like JR Motorsports, face when deciding to buy a charter.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. returned to the Bojangles Studio and joined co-host Mike Davis to comment on this week’s major announcements in the NASCAR world. They discuss the penalties issued to Hendrick Motorsports and Kaulig Racing over modified louvers from the Phoenix tech process, and what may have led to the teams tampering with the parts.(3:40) They also unpack the penalty and fine issued to Denny Hamlin over comments he made on Monday’s episode of Actions Detrimental, and deliberate why such punishments could stifle drivers’ willingness to speak openly and transparently in the future. (24:51) Plus they preview this week's upcoming race at Atlanta (43:51) and fill out a fun bracket in honor of March Madness.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with the man behind the famed #22 Caterpillar NASCAR Cup ride, Bill Davis. After helping Mark Martin as he came through the American Speed Association ranks, Bill went on to form a long-running race team that fielded cars in all of NASCAR’s top-three divisions. On the back of his successful Arkansas-based trucking company, Bill first entered the Xfinity Series ranks on a limited basis with Martin behind the wheel. Their quick success proved he had what it took as an owner, and despite Martin having to focus on his Cup racing endeavors, he convinced Bill to move to North Carolina and pursue a full-time chauffeur.

Bill explains that the driver he sought out came in the form of Jeff Gordon, who was making the transition from the sprint car world as a promising prospect. He also gives insight to how Gordon’s 1993 departure from the team led to a young Bobby Labonte inquiring about the ride, and how he came to end up fielding the well-known #22 Maxwell House car that was forever associated with Junior Johnson. Download listeners will get a master course in what it is to own a large-scale operation in NASCAR, as Bill details the ebb and flow of his organization and why it came to an end after the 2008 season

Josh Berry joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis live from Dale's bus to talk about this week's upcoming CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro Speedway with Dale Jr. behind the wheel of the No. 3 Sun Drop car. Dale, Josh, and Mike recap Tuesday's practice session, a flashback to last year's CARS Tour race where Crew Chief Josh helped Dale Jr. finish Top 3, and the challenges some Cup Series regulars might face in this race.

Dale Earnhardt Jr and NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton get in depth about the future of the sport, his relationship with the Intimidator, the new Gen-7 car and the most difficult announcement a friend ever had to make.  DJD spars about fighting in racing, Bubba's emotions and drama at Indy Bump Day & more.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis are back again to wrap up another week of the Dale Jr. Download. After the exciting, Wednesday world premiere of Becoming Earnhardt, the guys reflect on the first episode and what it was like putting that series together. They also react to the big news that Busch Beer will be joining Ross Chastain and Trackhouse for the 2024 NASCAR season. Now that we’re past the halfway point of the NASCAR season, it’s time to start looking at the “bubble battle” and the guys speculate who may “points in” as well as who will make the final four. Finally, no Thursday episode would be complete without a new game (Guess the Year) and a report from the Short Track Insider.

During the Ask Jr. segment, listeners sent in questions regarding:

• Do Isla and Nicole realize Dale Jr.’s voice is in Cars?
• What is the origin of racing under number 88?
• What fan tattoo stands out the most?
• NBC pre-race show grid walk and other ideas

It’s January of 1979 and 28-year-old Dale Earnhardt is ready to embark on the greatest challenge he’s faced in his young career to date: a full season in the NASCAR Cup Series. As the teams and haulers head west to California to kick things off, we zero in on the blue-and-yellow Osterlund Racing No. 2, which Dale will chauffeur for the first time on a road course. After a promising afternoon, his overzealousness gets the best of him and the Rookie of the Year spotlight is shifted to another promising newcomer.

Once the Los Angeles skyline is behind them, the teams and drivers travel back east, this time on a collision course with history. Thanks to the recent split in the American championship car ranks, the motorsports world was ripe for a new leader. NASCAR had just the bill of excitement to make its case to be a household name in entertainment: Daytona Speedweeks. But little did anyone know what the 1979 rendition of the Great American Race had in store for the world, and how a network television deal, a fight and the return of NASCAR’s King would win over a new generation of stock car fans.

Dale Earnhardt Jr sits down with one of the toughest drivers in NASCAR history, Ricky Rudd. They discuss Ricky's Clash crash, and why he chose to play through the pain by taping his eyes open to race. They go deep into the Dale Earnhardt ride swap, the fallout and the incidents that followed. Find out why Rudd called Rusty Wallace "Rubberhead," and what the 23-time Cup Series winner is doing these days. The DJD Gang gets lippy about Todd Gilliland's radio chatter about his team owner Kyle Busch. Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis also wrestle with the post-race altercation between Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin at Martinsville. Ask Jr is back and reveals Street Stock memories and Isla's Halloween costume. Meanwhile, Odd History runs over a jack-rabbit.

As we roll into the CRC Chemicals 500 at Dover Downs International Speedway, our hero Dale Earnhardt has settled back into his role as driver of the Osterlund Racing number 2. However, six weeks out of the action has compromised his stamina, and his first race back the prior week in Richmond saw him seeking out assistance from fellow racer Lennie Pond. 500 miles at the challenging, high-banked one-mile oval in Delaware is demanding enough for a healthy driver, but for someone who is still mending two broken collarbones it’s unthinkable. Then again, that’s the Dale Earnhardt we’ve all come to know so well: never backing down from any challenge.

In episode seven of Becoming Earnhardt, we deep dive into races 25 through 27 of the 1979 NASCAR Cup season. Three 500-mile contests at three of the most demanding speedways on the circuit: Dover Downs, Martinsville and Charlotte. With the Rookie of the Year battle at stake thanks to the continuous, consistent performance of Joe Milllikan, Dale Earnhardt is prepared to risk further injury to his already weakened body to claim the title sure to be the ticket to a bright future in the top ranks of stock car racing.

The dust has settled on the greatest NASCAR Cup season in history, and it’s time to recap all that we’ve learned about 1979. Dale Earnhardt Jr. invites some of the guests from BECOMING EARNHARDT for a roundtable discussion to recount all that we’ve learned and conclude some of our favorite character’s stories. Dale’s aunts Cathy Watkins and Kaye Snipes as well as Osterlund Racing crew member Doug Richert return as first-hand character witnesses who helped bring the story of 1979 to life.

The chat once again sets the dial back to the beginning of 1979 and views Dale Earnhardt through the eyes of his family, as he’s getting ready to embark on the biggest opportunity in his young racing career. It also dissects complicated characters like Jake Elder and the team dynamic at Osterlund Racing. They dive into the significance of the NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year in 1979 and just how close things got in the race between Dale and Joe Millikan. Finally, some new details are revealed about the severity of Dale’s injury at Pocono and his lengthy hospital stay and time out of the driver’s seat

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Cody Rhodes may seem worlds apart on the surface, but their paths through life hold many similarities. On this episode of the Dale Jr. Download, the American Nightmare himself joins Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis to discuss their likeness: growing up in the shadow of a generational figure. Dale Jr. shares that while growing up, he used to watch Cody’s father, the iconic Dusty Rhodes, on Saturday morning matinee presentations of NWA Wrestling on television. Meanwhile, Cody recalled the experience of discovering his father’s legacy at an early age, and how over time he developed the inclination to follow in his footsteps. They chat about the internal conflict of being immensely proud of their fathers while wanting to forge a path of their own. 

The conversation unpacks Cody’s stellar amateur wrestling career in high school, a sport he originally pursued to prove the legitimacy of his father’s career as a professional. They also discuss him taking on a position at WWE at an early age, and the idea that perhaps he was moved up from the developmental ranks too quickly simply because he was Dusty’s son. Cody speaks on playing the role of Stardust and how the rigidness of the WWE writers at the time led to him burning his bridges and returning to the independent circuit to reinvent himself. He also dives into his catastrophic pectoral injury and how he wrestled through it, only to return to glory on the Wrestlemania stage.

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In Massachusetts, call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, In New York, call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Tennessee and Kansas, Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). In West Virginia, Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1800gambler.net. All games regulated by the West Virginia Lottery. Please play responsibly. In partnership with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mike Davis, and the Dirty Mo Media crew went to Lernerville Speedway Tuesday Night to see Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet's High Limit Sprint Car Series LIVE in action. Prior to the night festivities, Dale Jr. and Mike are joined by Kyle and Brad on stage in front of the front stretch grandstands for a live taping of The Dale Jr. Download. In this episode the guys talk to Kyle and Brad about how the series came together, the challenges of running a high-profile series, plus the future of the series.

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It’s time once again to close out the Download week as Dale Earnhardt Jr. is rejoined by special guest co-host Kelley Earnhardt Miller. They react to their Wednesday interview with Johnny Morris where they learned all about the origins of Bass Pro Shops and the many facets of the sporting goods empire. Dale also previews his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this weekend at Homestead, where he is looking forward to riding the high line in search of victory. Finally, no Thursday episode would be complete without the Flying Lap, where Dale reacts to clips from Actions Detrimental and Door Bumper Clear, and a report from the Short Track Insider.

During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners wrote in questions regarding;

• Dale Earnhardt’s closest friend
• What kind of fish are in Dale Jr.’s aquarium?
• Go-to card games to play
• What’s the costume plan for this Halloween?
• Ideal sleeping temperature 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and special co-host Kelley Earnhardt Miller are joined by Johnny Morris, the founder and CEO of longtime racing sponsor and sporting goods empire Bass Pro Shops. The interview illustrates how Johnny rose from humble beginnings in the Ozarks of Missouri to creating a brand that not only revolutionized the outdoors industry but the consumer experience as a whole. Johnny recalls the family legend of first selling fishing lures out of his father’s Brown Derby liquor store in Springfield. Soon after, he developed his first catalog which helped the business rapidly grow. He then realized he needed a destination store to help attract his customers to Missouri, and the first Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World was born.

The interview also covers how Johnny became involved with NASCAR after first being exposed to auto racing at the Springfield Fairgrounds. A chance meeting with Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt at Charlotte Motor Speedway led to a collaboration between Bass Pro Shops and Richard Childress Racing. The merchandise produced to support the deal generated millions of dollars in revenue, which was donated to conservation efforts. Johnny explains that conservation is a major pillar of the Bass Pro Shops brand, and how passing along the outdoors tradition to future generations is essential for the prosperity of nature.

On Episode 413 of the Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with longtime NASCAR crew member Steve Hmiel. The Syracuse, New York native first entered the NASCAR garage in the mid-1970s when he took a job working with Tex Powell, building race cars for drivers like Benny Parsons. The interview discusses Hmiel’s first high-profile opportunity when he was hired on as a fabricator at the legendary Petty Enterprises in 1975. Hmiel gives listeners a fascinating look at the Petty operation and what the NASCAR Cup scene was like at that time. 

Hmiel also provides an extraordinary perspective on the inception of Jack Roush Racing’s stock car team, which he helped form with Robin Pemberton in late 1987. Dale Jr. and Steve debrief the 1990 Cup season, where Roush driver Mark Martin squared off against Dale Earnhardt Sr. for the points championship. They also discuss events from the heyday of Dale Earnhardt Inc., where Hmiel joined as a consultant and manager in 1998. Through an organization shake-up, Steve actually ended up crew chief for Dale Jr. in the middle of the 2005 season, helping guide him to victory at Chicagoland Speedway. Dale, Mike, and Steve are able to look back at that win and what it meant to not only the team at that time but Dale’s career as a whole.

After a thrilling start to NASCAR’s television career, how do you keep the momentum rolling?

For starters, you need a field full of those 'don’t give a damn drivers' daring enough to put on a show at high speeds on high banks across America. Petty, Earnhardt, and Yarborough made names and careers out of their reputation on and off the track and were the product of Big Bill France’s dream to put on a series that was at the top of everybody’s minds.

In chapter 6 of Next Level with Ken Squier, host Andrew Kurland and Squier discuss NASCAR in the ’80s and 90s. We learn what MRN's first office looked like, discuss whether or not racing is in the entertainment business, and hear more legendary Cale Yarborough stories. 

Who wrecked who? Dale Earnhardt Jr. brings Kyle Busch on the show to discuss the Texas iRacing Pro Invitational & more. The two rivals discuss dealing with life at home because of the pandemic. Kyle's son Brexton hops on to meet and then interview Dale Jr. Co-Host Mike Davis gets Dale to open up about why he stays informed of the news surrounding the Coronavirus. The DJD gang uses their "big ass mics" to chime as well. Nothing brightens the day more than a child, as Isla Earnhardt makes her podcast debut. She not only steals the show but nearly ends it. Special guests make Dale Jr. laugh in AskJr presented by Xfinity and we deliver an Odd History that's worth at least 50-cents.

Dale Earnhardt Jr hangs out with old friend Matt Kenseth, as he makes a comeback behind the wheel when NASCAR returns to racing. T he former Cup Champion enlightens Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis about his refined workout regiment and how he is approaching this comeback. Speaking of coming back, Matt tells us that he never did use the "R" word, so he never actually retired. So how has his family taken his return to the NASCAR life? And what will this new social-distanced NASCAR life be like? Kenseth also shares how the new deal with Ganassi went down and how he is going into this first race with so many unknowns. He reveals the origins of his original nickname, what he really thinks of watching the iRacing Pro-Invitational Series and how he thinks Dale Jr. is "cheap." Later in the show, Dale gets stumped by some tricky questions on #AskJr presented by Xfinity. The DJD gang discuss Chicagoland Speedway rumors and how Dale Jr didn't go to his high school prom. Oh, and we also tell a tale about a Pakistani magician who took to the high banks of Darlington Raceway... blindfolded.

7-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. for an exclusive reveal of a special tribute scheme to fellow 7-timers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. The Darlington throwback paint scheme has Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis over the moon. Johnson goes deep on the impact of the scheme and other's who will be throwing back to honor him. Jimmie shocks the DJD gang with some more insight into his latest IndyCar test and his desire to run in the series in 2021. He also shares some insight into the challenges of his final season and if he will come back to drive in the NASCAR Cup Series.

We also break the news of the scheme to Dale Earnhardt's legendary car owner Richard Childress. He shares a never-heard story of how the Intimidator's car nearly looked like a brake-box. Childress raps with Dale Jr. about the black Goodwrench scheme that Intimidated them all.

The DJD brings "The King" Richard Petty on the podcast to surprise him with Jimmie Johnson's new scheme. The King shares his genuine feelings for Johnson as a racer and a person. He also talks about the upswing at Richard Petty Motorsports and invites Dale Jr. over for a special tour.

Dale, Mike and Producer Matthew Dillner share their favorite racecar bodies of all-time in Valvoline Originals. The fans come at Dale Jr. with a tough question about the Daytona Road Course on Ask Jr. presented by Xfinity. Plus, we learn that Dale likes Nights in White Satin, why he's become a Twitch ghost and what makes Dillner's heart rate go up. Dale Jr. also receives some very special gifts on this fresh new episode of the Download.

Back at the table, Dale Earnhardt Jr. brings in one of his drivers, Justin Allgaier, who brings truth and transparency like we've never heard from the driver hungry for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series title. Allgaier opens up about his run-ins with JR Motorsports teammate Noah Gragson and discloses what had him most upset about the situation. What had him ready to fight in Daytona? We uncover the source to his recent chippiness in 2020 and how it has been received.

Dale and Justin talk about the new style of racing from young drivers and how back in the day it would result in being sent "oil tank deep" into the wall.

The Illinois driver has seen his ups and down this year. His kind approach and generous way of life has resulted in both good and bad, but he remains steadfast and as determined as ever. Allgaier is fresh off a two-race sweep of action at Richmond Raceway and has his #7 JR Motorsports team trending in the right direction at the right time. The win also gave Dale Jr. his first victory as a car-sponsor. With Phoenix as the 2020 season finale, Allgaier knows he must battle through the anxieties and unknowns to make it to the Final Four just to have a shot at the title that has eluded him..

Allgaier details his early days in the sport and how his full-time opportunity in the Cup Series took a mental toll. Dale and co-host Mike Davis get the truth about his close-knit relationship with his sponsor Brandt and how other drivers could take note. Justin gives us insight into the other aspects of life., from family to his secret love of graphic design, He also gives us a peek into his life as a test driver and what doing simulation for the upcoming Gen-7 car is like, including the new wheel and tire combination.

In Open Segment, Dale talks about his first weekend hosting in the NASCAR on NBC booth and what has him appreciating his colleagues more. Leah brings some great questions in AskJr presented by Xfinity. Dale lets us in on his Ancestry and introduces us to how he learned about his World War II veteran Uncle John. The DJD gang also learns about Adirondack Dinosaurs. Well, not really... but you'll understand what the heck we are talking about as soon as you hear it.

That and more as we welcome a driver in-studio for the first time in months for a special Dale Jr. Download.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes America's Crew Chief, Larry McReynolds, to the show to uncover how the heck a Birmingham 'Baby Boy' became one of the most recognizable and trusted names in NASCAR. Larry Mac gives us the low-down on why he was nicknamed "baby boy" early on in a journey to NASCAR that was filled with more ups and downs than an amusement park. From Super Late Models at Birmingham International Raceway, he turned wrenches for the best of them and became one of the most famed crew chiefs of his time. From Dave Mader III and Mike Alexander to Mark Martin, Ernie Irvan and The Intimidator Dale Earnhardt, success came with multiple periods of unemployment and doubt in between, McReynolds doesn't hold back about the rocky road that got him there. He also shares his candid thoughts on what made Davey Allison one of the more special drivers he ever crew chiefed for. Oh yeah, throw in the fighting nature of the Blue Max racing team and hot shot young driver Tim Richmond into this tale and you know it's a ride. Dale Jr. and Mike Davis find out about how he got the opportunity to build Kenny Bernstein's King Racing team. and the unexpected plot twist of how he became the crew chief of the operation. Learn how a handshake and a humble apology led to the start of Larry's relationship with Robert Yates Racing. The move nobody expected was Larry McReynolds as Dale Earnhardt's crew chief. Larry shares some funny moments and unbelievable pranks that happened during those years.

The DJD gang discuss the first dominoes falling in NASCAR's silly season and the news of Bubba Wallace being tabbed to drive for a new team owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Will it be more or less pressure for the young driver? We dissect the move of Ross Chastian to the Cup Series in the Ganassi Racing No. 42 ride. And speaking of silly season, Dale, Mike and producer Matthew Dillner noodle the remaining rides and most desirable free agents on the NASCAR market.

The fans bring it with some great questions in AskJr presented by Xfinity. We find out that Dale like Nashville Fairgrounds as a track for Cup, Xfinity and for lunch.

We shake the pelvis with a story of Elvis and a short tracker's far fetched dream of partnering with the King of Rock and Roll. Plus, the DJD attempts to answer the biggest question on everyone's mind at this time of year... is September too early for pumpkin everything?

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.

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.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis are live from the Daytona 500 at the Chevy Experience, joined by 7-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports VP of Competition Chad Knaus. Jimmie chats about what it's like being back in NASCAR, how nervous he was qualifying and more. Jimmie and Chad also discuss Garage 56 and the car that's being built that will run at Le Mans.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

An early-bird, Dirty Air-segment solo special for Dale Jr. Download listeners eager to hear Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s take on current events, including the drama from Sunday’s South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

But first, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis start Dirty Air by addressing criticism about last week’s interview with Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s SVP of Strategy & Innovation. The two DJD hosts respond to social media kickback claiming they were too lenient on Kennedy, grandson to the late Bill France Jr. and widely considered to be NASCAR’s next top guy. Did they let him off the hook with softball questions and easy outs?

The conversation then pivots to the topic of the hour – the initial mid-race wreck involving Wallace, Larson, and Christopher Bell, as well as the retaliation, shoving match, and post-race interview that ensued. Earnhardt tries to predict what NASCAR’s response will be by drawing from past examples such as Chase Elliott vs. Kyle Busch at Darlington in 2020 and Noah Gragson vs. Sage Karam at Road America earlier this year.

That wasn’t the only news from the weekend. Kurt Busch announced he will no longer race full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series as he continues to heal from concussions. This topic was especially personal to Dale Jr., who also had his racing career cut short due to a head injury. What will Kurt do next? Mike Davis has a thought, and Dale Jr. loves the idea.

Lastly, on Dirty Air, Earnhardt unpacks the whole saga at Stewart-Haas Racing, where Tony Stewart expressed anger towards NASCAR over the penalties levied against Cole Custer’s No. 41 team, and Gene Haas reportedly made comments to media about Custer’s future. What does this mean for Custer? What about Ryan Preece? Earnhardt weighs in with his usual unfiltered opinion, candor, and honesty.

The full episode of The Dale Jr. Download will drop on Tuesday, October 18, complete with Dirty Air presented by Filter Time, Ask Jr presented by Xfinity, and a deep conversation with Erik Jones, driver of the Petty/GMS No. 43, in the guest segment presented by Ally.

It’s time once again to kick off the Dale Jr. Download week as Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins co-host Mike Davis in the Bojangles Studio for some Dirty Air. Penalties were repealed and the famed Richmond Raceway delivered, and the guys had reactions to all of it:

• Dale found his first late-model stock car win trophy
• Hendrick Motorsports penalty is amended (8:35)
• Josh Berry impressed with a 2nd place run (25:30)
• Are there fewer consequences with the NextGen car? (36:53)

During the fan favorite Ask Jr. segment, (46:48) listeners sent in questions about:

• Dale’s “Welcome to NASCAR” moment
• NASCAR racing overseas again
• Best post-win party
• Best prank 

It’s time once again to talk dollars and cents (and sense..) as Kelley Earnhardt Miller is back in the Bojangles Studio for the second edition of the Business of Motorsports. On this episode, she is joined by co-host Mike Davis and the President/CEO of Speedways Motorsports Inc., Marcus Smith. While Marcus has been a recurring guest on the Dale Jr. Download, this interview dives more into the nuts and bolts of how speedways operate and his business philosophy.

Marcus discussed his path up the ladder at SMI and imparted advice he received from his father Bruton and former President of Charlotte Motor Speedway Humpy Wheeler. He also chats about the research that goes into keeping racing fans happy, the process of making the NASCAR schedule, track reconfigurations, and the speedways’ perspective in the ongoing negotiations surrounding the next NASCAR broadcasting deal. Listeners can expect to hear some updates on the NASCAR All-Star weekend at North Wilkesboro and what the future may hold for the legendary track.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis return to the Bojangles Studio for another hot edition of the Dale Jr. Download. NASCAR tackled the treacherous speeds of Talladega, and Dale continued his recent streak of new adventures, so there was plenty to discuss:

• Dale’s first core class (2:00)
• The right and wrong time for A.1. Steak Sauce (19:40)
• Twitter’s blue checkmark debacle (26:50)
• Ryan Preece and Kyle Larson’s massive crash (32:00)

During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners sent in questions regarding:(49:58)

• The best meal Dale can cook
• Who would win Dale and Amy’s beer pong match-up
• When Dale went blonde 
• Dale and Amy’s first date

The last time Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sat down with Tony Stewart, he was single and embarking on a 90-plus date sprint car schedule. Now, just four years later he’s happily married, owns an NHRA team, and is a Top-Alcohol Dragster event winner. Tony fills the guys in on his efforts to get in shape and where he and his wife, fellow NHRA competitor Leah Pruett, are thinking of settling down. They also discuss the difficulty of trying to run sprint cars on a part-time basis, and how competitive the dirt ranks have become in recent years. 

Another new development for Tony was the 2020 formation of the Superstar Racing Experience, in which he won the inaugural points championship. Tony explains the vision behind the racing series, which drivers have impressed him thus far, and where he envisions it going in the future. The interview also covers how Tony and Leah met and how he ended up in the drag racing world.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the Bojangles Studio for another edition of Dirty Air. After another frustrating short track race for the NASCAR NextGen car, there was a lot to get into:

• Denny Hamlin/Marcus Smith Twitter beef
• Martinsville Cup winner William Byron calls in
• The sense of urgency to fix the short track package is FINALLY here
• Sammy Smith tries out Cherry Lemon SunDrop
• Dale’s advice for JRM driver Sam Mayer

During the Ask Jr. portion of the show, listeners wanted to know about:

• Watching the solar eclipse
• What the typical lazy day is like
• Getting a shout-out from J Cole

21+ and present in NC. First online real money wager only. $10 Deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

Being paralyzed from a horrific racing crash has not stopped the drive of Robert Wickens. The paraplegic racer shares his inspirational story with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis.

His story is also unorthodox. How did he get into racing? The exposure came from television, NASCAR and a bootleg, sex-free version of Days of Thunder. Dale Jr. and Robert connect on the mutual bond of matchbox cars, which they both, as children, used to emulate the races they watched. The two racers laugh sharing memories of innovating their makeshift tracks. The passion grew and a decision to abandon stick-and-ball sports led Wickens to go-kart racing. From there, his career took off. He moved to the states and then to Europe chasing his dream.

While in Europe he navigated the pathway up the motorsports ladder in various series of competition. It was a journey that took him from open-wheeled racecars to German touring cars with Mercedes. While in the Mercedes program, his path even crossed with Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher, who served as an advisor to the team. Wickens earned his FIA Super license and was a reserve driver for a Formula 1 team. He was under contract with an F1 organization but the opportunity was severed by a driver with a bigger checkbook.

Wickens’ return to North America came with an opportunity to race in the NTT Indycar Series fulltime with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. The rookie came out of the gate with authority capturing the pole at the ending of the qualifying session at the season opener at the St. Petersburg course in Florida. Wickens then led the majority of the race before controversial contact with two laps to go between he and his good friend Alexander Rossi. The incident took him out contention for the win.

His Indycar progression was going well. Then August 19, 2018. Wickens lined up 6th for the 500-mile race at the tricky Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. The seventh lap would change Robert Wickens life forever. While battling Ryan Hunter-Reay, a crash sent his car into the catchfence violently at a speed of 210 mph. Wickens tries to recall the scattered memories he has of the day, that live in bits and pieces in his mind.

The accident resulted in badly fractured legs, arms, hands, ribs, neck, a pulmonary contusion and thoracic spinal fracture. Robert Wickens survived the crash but was now faced with being a paraplegic. Wickens reveals what he knows about the time he spent in an induced coma and the struggle to just survive.. He then opens up about the pain he endured from his injuries, both physically and mentally, and the ripple effect its had on so many people in his life.

His journey since the crash has been damn-near miraculous. Driven by a thirst for independence and a desire to return to racing, Robert Wickens fought through various levels of rehabilitation to get to his ultimate goal. That goal? Strapping in behind the wheel of a racecar. At first, E-Sports and iRacing were his proving grounds. Now, the next chapter has begun as Wickens is competing in IMSA's Pilot Series for Hyundai in a racecar with hand-controls.

It's a journey that has inspired so many, including everyone in the room.

 

OPEN SEGMENT

Before Wickens' arrival, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals what it was like to be a part of the nomination panel, for the first time, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The DJD then debates who they would select from that list to make it into the next class of the HOF. Who should be in the Hall and why?

 

ASKJR Presented By Xfinity

• Hannah Newhouse picks the best fan questions from Twitter and the Dirty Mo Media live chat. We discuss:
• April fools and dirty pranks
• Danica Patrick catching the bouquet at Dale and Amy's wedding.
• The advantage of tape on the grille of your racecar after Kyle Busch's penalty.
• How the Next Gen car will do on dirt.
• How iRacing will get its hands dirty in the console game scene.
• Who built the table?

Current events are on the docket as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis unpack the turbulent happenings of NASCAR’s weekend in Texas on this week’s episode of The Dale Jr. Download. Not only that, but they’ve brought in a guest who was very much a part of the turbulence, recent Bristol night race winner Chris Buescher.

Dale and Chris have had some friendly banter over the past few weeks after Dale mistakenly referred to Chris as “Christopher” during a race broadcast. As the misstep reoccurred, Dale began to embrace the name change-up in an effort to catch his fellow commentators in the same spur-of-the-moment confusion. Chris caught wind of the joke via social media and took it in stride, even going as far as to change his profile name on Twitter and the driver name decal on his Roush Fenway Keselowski No. 17 car. 

Dale explains that he first grew to admire Chris when he bested then JR Motorsports driver Chase Elliott in the 2015 Xfinity Series season points standings. They discuss Chris leaving his hometown of Prosper, Texas at the age of 15 to move to North Carolina to pursue a career in motorsports. Chris credits his upbringing from his parents and knowing he was there to work and race.

A huge part of Buescher's journey was a friendship he forged with Ken and David Ragan, which stemmed from a black flag incident during the Summer Shootout Legends car event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Chris recalls getting in trouble for rough driving during the race and being sent to Ken’s office, who was managing 600 Racing at the time. After the Shootout, Ken explained to Chris’ family that if they were serious about racing, they needed to move out east. When they established that they were not in the place to do that at the time, Ken offered the spare bedroom in his house to Chris. 

Chris talks about getting involved in the Roush Racing development program thanks to help from the Ragans. His first step up the ladder was the ARCA Series, where he raced out of Midlothian, Illinois with the Roulo Brothers Racing outfit. He also discusses adapting to a stock car after transitioning out of Legends cars, and how he knocked the nose off his car on a start in one of his first races at Salem Speedway. 

The story of Chris making his Xfinity Series debut is a wild one, as he was tabbed last minute to fill in for Trevor Bayne in 2011, who went on medical leave. After forgetting to plug his phone in overnight, he was awakened by Gary Roulo who informed him “get your stuff, we’re going to the airport”. In the car, Gary explained the situation, and soon Chris was at Richmond Raceway getting fitted to hop into the No. 16 car with no practice laps or simulator time. 

The interview also discusses Chris’ time with Front Row Motorsports after winning the 2015 Xfinity Championship and his rain-shortened Cup victory at Pocono in 2016. Dale asks about the culture change at RFK since the arrival of Brad Keselowski. They also discuss the NextGen car’s tire issues and what changes can be made to Texas Motor Speedway to help better the racing there. 

With only a few races left in the 2022 Cup schedule, Chris is optimistic about where the RFK Racing organization is heading, and he’s looking forward to capitalizing on the momentum they’ve built in the past few weeks. 

DIRTY AIR

• Before Chris joins the show, Dale, Mike, Alex and Hannah discuss:
• NASCAR’s eventful stop in Texas 
• Denny and William Byron have a dust-up
• The NextGen tire problems continue in a big way
• What to do about Texas Motor Speedway? 

 

ASKJR presented by Xfinity

This week the fans asked questions about:

• Dale’s reaction to Jimmie Johnson retiring from full-time competition in 2023
• Which underfunded driver would he like to give a shot in a JRM ride
• Smaller steering wheels vs. bigger
• Where Noah Gragson’s Waffle House tradition stems from

On the season finale of the Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with one of their most highly anticipated guests to date: former NASCAR CEO Brian France. In 2002, RJ Reynolds announced it would be pulling its Winston branding as a title sponsor for the NASCAR Cup series after 30 years. Not long after, Bill France Jr., the CEO who oversaw that era stepped down from his position of power. With the organization at a crossroads, Brian arose to the occasion and helped fill the void of his father’s absence while ushering the premiere stock car division into its modern-day state. 

From 2003 to ‘18, many changes took place on Brian’s watch that molded NASCAR racing into the motorsport that we watch today. The Dirty Mo crew and listeners alike were eager to have Brian to the Bojangles Studio hot seat to discuss what he felt was a success and a miss during his tenure at the helm of the organization. His education in running an empire began at an early age while growing up in the shadow of his father Bill Jr. A place in the shadows of giants is something that Dale Jr. and Brian can relate to, and the two recall how their fathers were certainly allies but never close friends.

Once of age and eager to work, Brian took a position working at Talladega Superspeedway. He became fascinated with the business side of racing and in the 1990s he went on to manage Tucson Raceway Park and work at NASCAR’s Los Angeles office. His tasks included capitalizing on NASCAR’s flourishing west coast fanbase while strengthening its connection to the entertainment capital of the world, which resulted in NASCAR’s integration into the mainstream television and film industry. After helping to negotiate NASCAR’s first national television package deal in 2001, the stage was set for Brian to try his hand at leading the sanctioning body.

Dale compares Brian and Bill Jr.’s leadership styles and what it's like having one strong character making decisions versus an entire committee of voices. Brian says he recognizes that many of the changes NASCAR has gone through over the last two decades may be alienating to longtime fans, but insists that the intention was always to promote growth through progression. He explains that NASCAR leadership often looks into untapped markets and develops strategies to help bring new fans into the fold including races in new markets, its diversity programs, and collaborative efforts with other sports and business entities.

In 2004, NASCAR along with its new title sponsor partner Nextel introduced the Chase for Cup playoffs system, which would radically alter the traditional points championship structure. Brian explains that the desire to create “big moments” in points racing inspired the inclusion of cutoff lines and races. They discuss how the Playoffs field was expanded from 10 to now 16 and the events that occurred over the years to influence those decisions. Brian admits that a lot of the structuring came from looking at how other sports leagues officiate their playoff systems and what effects it has on their respective championships.

Since Dale was an active competitor during Brian’s time in charge, he was anxious to get his insight on one of the most polarizing developments in the last 20 years: the Car of Tomorrow. Making its debut in 2007, the CoT was intended to increase competition while improving safety initiatives, but it became regarded as an inferior machine by drivers and fans. Brian admits that he viewed the car as a mistake and wishes that he would have gotten more input from the drivers and teams in its manufacturing. 

The conversation also touches on the Jeremy Mayfield scandal, the 2013 Regular Season finale at Richmond, Brian’s lack of presence at the races, and his 2018 arrest. Download listeners can expect a candid look at one of motorsports most influential leaders in modern history, as well as insight into the decision-making that shifted NASCAR into a household name.

The Download has a special episode...live from Ole Red on Broadway in Nashville. Dale and Mike chat about the what's happened so far in the NASCAR season, old stories from when Dale raced plus some personal stories from the guys. Barstool's Will Compton joins to chat about how he became friends with Dale and what the future holds for his NFL career. Alex Bowman stops by to chat about Sunday's race and how he's doing since his back injury. Lastly, Steve Letarte chats with the guys as NBC prepares to begin calling the races on Sunday and the storylines from this season so far.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with NASCAR royalty as Richard and Kyle Petty join this week’s episode of the Download. As part of the Petty Family’s 75 Years in Racing anniversary celebration, the guys wanted to stop by the studio and share some chapters of their legacy in the sport. The conversation starts with family patriarch Lee, who was entered in the very first NASCAR Cup race held on June 19th, 1949. The family operation steadily grew through the 1950s, with Lee amassing scores of victories along with three championships and Richard joining the driving ranks in 1958. All of this came to a screeching halt though as a result of Lee’s harrowing crash at Daytona in 1961, which left Petty Enterprises with virtually nothing.

The chat also covers what era of stock cars Richard and Kyle liked driving the most, and what it was like having Earnhardt family patriarch Ralph race for the team in 1957. The guys bring up one of Richard’s early run-ins with Dale Earnhardt Sr. at Martinsville in 1980, where the King had to give a young Intimidator a stern talking to. Listeners get some insight into what they can find at the Petty Museum and how the family held on to decades worth of “junk” because of the historic and sentimental value tied to it. They also discuss Kyle’s upbringing as a child, him working at the shop and his entry into racing. He explains that his relationship with Richard has come full-circle from the time he was young, and now they are closer than ever.  

21+ and present in NC. First online real money wager only. $10 Deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

 On September 3, 2018, a rancher in Laredo, Texas, discovered a woman’s body shot execution-style on the side of the road. When investigators identified her as a local sex worker, their search for the killer took them into the darkest corners of the city. Then, after days of false starts and dead-ends, another body turned up, terrifying residents and leading law enforcement to conclude a serial killer is at large. More would die before a survivor finally came forward and identified the killer… but his motives proved as confounding as his crimes.

Conor Daly's NASCAR Cup Series debut is upon us and Speed Street returns for another episode to break down his final preparations. First, Conor and Joey talk about some IndyCar news with Colton Herta extending with Andretti Autosport, Arrow McLaren SP setting their number lineup, and discuss a couple of tracks set for repaves. Then, they talk with the driver of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports car in the NASCAR Cup Series, Corey Lajoie, about some final tips for Conor about his upcoming race, setting realistic expectations for a small team, and the difference between his "flow" and a mullet. Finally, the guys answer some fan questions.

Follow @SpeedStreetpod and @Dirtymomedia on Instagram and Twitter.

It’s the crack era. The most violent time in New York City history. The NYPD is fighting a losing battle and instead of protecting the city from drug dealers, some police officers have become them. This is the never-before-told, first-person documentary of the biggest police corruption scandal in NYPD history and the investigation that uncovered it all. From Audacy Originals and Zak Levitt, the Emmy, Peabody, and NY Press Club Investigative Journalism Award-winning creator of Root of Evil, Gangster Capitalism, and Relative Unknown.

From beer bashing to bleeding, Stone Cold Steve Austin sits down with Dale Earnhardt Jr. for this tell-all interview.  They discuss the "hard life" of wrestling, beer bashing, making yourself bleed, the origins of Stone Cold and a ton more.  Dale Jr. and the DJD gang discuss learning to drive by crashing in the woods and keeping babies from eating rocks. 

On today’s episode of the Dale Jr. Download, we have a special bonus episode live from North Wilkesboro Speedway. On Wednesday, August 31st, Dale Jr. hosted a Q&A session with 7 late model drivers. 

Brandon Pierce (3:30)

Hayden Swank (16:46)

Kaden Honeycutt (23:41)

Carter Langley (33:00)

Dylon Wilson (41:!5)

Stefan Parsons (52:28)

Katie Hettinger (1:06:24)

Brandon Pierce just sounds like a race car driver's name, doesn’t it? Maybe that’s why one of the greatest late model drivers of all time, Lee Pulliam tabbed Pierce to drive for him. Pierce and Dale Jr. talk about turning their first laps at North Wilkesboro and how they plan to set their cars up for the race. Plus Brandon lays a friendly wager on Dale…and Dale does him one better.

Hayden Swank is from Woodstock, GA. To some racing fans is relatively unknown but you better start paying attention. Swank grew up racing with up-and-coming Truck Series winners, Corey Heim and Chandler Smith. 

Kaden Honeycutt is from Texas but many fans in North Carolina may know him as the occasional from in the NASCAR Truck Series for On Point Motorsports. Kaden’s dream is to move up the ladder and race in the Cup Series no matter what car it is. His passion is racing but his hidden talent is that he can get Dale to spill the beans on his future racing plans. 

Carter Langley is a newcomer to the CARS Tour. He grew up racing Go-Karts for Elliott and Hermie Sadler and is a true late model historian. He and Dale talked about all the old-school local track heroes and how they’re still idolized today. Plus Carter shares his future aspirations if driving doesn’t pan out. 

Dylon Wilson is Landon Huffman’s, right-hand man. Well in the content game that is. Wilson has a knack for content as well and his personality makes it natural for him. Wilson’s family roots are deep at North Wilkesboro Speedway, his great grandfather helped build the place. Dylon jokes he’s probably ridden more laps around this place on a bicycle than anyone. He had lived outside turn 3 for most of his life. 

Stefan Parsons is a name most of you will recognize. His Dad is Phil Parson and his uncle is Benny Parsons. Stefon and Dale talk about that upbringing as Phil’s son and trying to follow the footsteps his dad and uncle carved out. Plus Stefon shares a story of a short track fight Phil got into during one of Stefon’s races.

Katie Hettinger was the last driver to take the stage but she was certainly not the least. In fact, she’s the winningest female driver in Hickory Motor Speedway history. Katie is still in high school where she is on the varsity volleyball and basketball…in Michigan. That’s right she and her family travel from Michigan every weekend to compete in the southeast. She’s a name to watch in the next coming years for sure.

On today’s episode of the Dale Jr. Download, we have a special bonus episode live from North Wilkesboro Speedway. On Tuesday, August 30th, Dale Jr. hosted a Q&A session with 6 late model drivers. 

Brenden Queen (2:46)

Bobby McCarty (11:47)

Connor Hall (20:44)

Brian Obiedzenski (30:43)

Chad McCumbee (40:08)

Landon Huffman (52:28)

Brenden Queen hails from the Virginia Beach area. You can catch him racing weekly at Langley Speedway driving the #03 car with Mario characters painted all over it. Dale and Brenden discussed the car and its unique font style, making Brenden a favorite amongst the younger generation of race fans. They also discussed his famous nickname “Butterbean.”

Bobby McCarty is just 29 years old but considers himself the old guy on the CARS tour. Before hopping on stage with Dale Jr., Bobby was hard at work making sure his car was ready for practice, showing the true grassroots of the CARS tour. Bobby attempted to qualify for his first Xfinity Series race earlier this year in New Hampshire. He talked about how that deal came about and what future plans he might have to try the series again.

Connor Hall is Elliott Sadler’s favorite race car driver. The multiple-time Cup series winner and former JR Motorsports driver has high praise for Connor and believes his talent is real. Dale Jr and Connor talked about Connor's knack for finding sponsors, his journey from a small family team to racing for Chad Bryant, and how to make it all work on a small family-sized budget. 

Brian Obiedzenski may have a difficult name to pronounce, but his personality is hard to forget. Dale and Brian first connected over Twitter DMing back and forth about car parts. Brian is a limited late model driver, but by trade, he’s been a Cadillac service technician for 20 years. Dale and Brian shared stories from their days as service techs and talked about why Brian uses the #29 because of Kevin Harvick.

Chad McCumbee is possibly one of the more interesting stories on the CARS Tour. Not only did Chad portray Dale Jr. in the ESPN movie “3”. But Chad drove cars as a stunt driver in the film “Talladega Nights.” That’s right Chad McCumbee was the real-life Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. In addition, Chad talked about his transition to an ownership role in Sports Car on the IMSA circuit and how his journey through the ranks have NASCAR has prepared him to be an owner.

Landon Huffman’s content game is second to none in asphalt racing. The third-generation driver has the personality to stand out and attract fans and sponsors like no other. Maybe that’s the reason Dale Jr. approached Landon to sponsor his Limited Late Model with High Rock Vodka colors. The two talked about how that deal came together, plus Landon’s impending track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway. 

Conor Daly and Joey Mulinaro return for another episode of Speed Street to recap the rain-delayed Gateway race. The guys talk about Conor’s mechanical issues that plagued his top-10 finish, Felix Rosenqvist’s potentially jumped start, and the race’s TV ratings on USA Network, then, they bring on former F2 competitor and driver of the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing car, Callum Ilott, to discuss his transition to IndyCar, developing a new team as a rookie, his top three likes and dislikes of living in America since moving from the UK, and Joey’s new merch idea for the lad, finally, the duo talks about Kimi Raikkonen’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen and the drama between Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson.

Follow @SpeedStreetpod and @Dirtymomedia on Instagram and Twitter.

A special live taping of The Dale Jr. Download with host Dale Earnhardt Jr and Mike Davis at Ole Red in Nashville, Tennessee brought to you by Ally. The beers and the stories flowed on stage in front of a packed house at Blake Shelton's bar and music venue. NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip joins Davis and Earnhardt to share tall tales and loads of laughs.

Before DW showed up, Dale and Mike share some fun stories about their relationship, including the time a drunk Dale Jr. offered to be a perfect stranger's best man at a wedding. Oh, and the best man turned out to be a con-man. Dale talks about being back in the booth for this weekend's Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Dale Jr. also discusses recent test at North Wilkesboro Speedway in preparation for his return to racing a Late Model Stock car. Yes, that's an announcement! Dale Jr will be racing at North Wilkesboro on August 31st. How about that bombshell?

Dale talks about his buddy Martin Truex Jr.'s decision to run one more season. He also talks about JR Motorsports' desire to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Ally brought Darrell Waltrip to the stage and boy he didn't disappoint. Ole DW stole the show at Ole Red. Waltrip made a name for himself down the road at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Waltrip talks about being called "Jaws" and the how it balanced with "The Cale Scale."

This wasn't your ordinary talk with DW. Dale Jr found out the answer to something he's always wondered about. What happened when the cameras cut-away from Darrell and Dale Earnhardt after their infamous wreck at Richmond in 1986? DW reveals the Richmond revenge that was exacted in a never-before told story. Dale also seeks the truth about the controversial ending to the 1985 Winston when Darrell's Junior Johnson #11 blew an engine coming across the start-finish line.

The guys decided to do an impromptu version of AskJr. It was live, in a bar full of beverages and it was hosted by former NFL player Bernard Pollard, The questions and answers are epic as Dale and Mike let it fly.

Bonus content for fans of The Dale Jr. Download: Dirty Mo Media's newest podcast, Speed Street, is hosted by IndyCar driver Conor Daly and comedian and social media influencer Joey Mulinaro. Enjoy their most recent episode and then follow and subscribe to Speed Street on major podcasting platforms. Find it on Twitter and Instagram at @SpeedStreetPod. New episodes post weekly.

This is an alternate version of our "DEI Days: The Rise" episode. It is a mix of the episode that doesn't include the music scores during the interviews. We hope you enjoy!

About the Episode

The meteoric rise of a Motorsports empire. Dirty Mo Media and The Dale Jr. Download present a special look behind the curtain of Dale Earnhardt Inc, as told by drivers and key members of the team. This episode focuses on the growth of Dale Earnhardt's racing team from a part-time effort in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to a winning three-car team in NASCAR's elite Cup Series. Drivers Ron Hornaday Jr., Steve Park and Michael Waltrip share their experiences in getting to know the Intimidator and how he pulled them under his wing and into DEI.

One of the key members of Earnhardt's team, was Ty Norris. Norris wore several hats at DEI, but we learn his most important was being one of Dale Earnhardt's top "lieutenants." Norris shares how Dale Earnhardt took him from a public relations position to helping him operate his beloved race team.

Steve Park was plucked from the open-wheeled Modified ranks of the northeast to be the driver to build the program around. After some time seasoning, Park was Earnhardt's choice to race in the Cup level. This paved the way for Dale Earnhardt Jr. We learn that his first opportunity came on a suggestion from his uncle, the late Danny Earnhardt Sr. Dale Jr. proved he was a winner and joined Park. The trinity was completed with the arrival of Michael Waltrip who was tabbed to pilot the NAPA Auto Parts ride.

The formation of a third Cup team didn't come without sacrifices. Ron Hornaday Jr. describes how he was let go, in an unorthodox meeting with Dale Earnhardt.

The vision for DEI was clear: get the best drivers, build the best cars, and do it all from within. 2001 was to be the start of a new era. Unfortunately, with the death of Dale Earnhardt in the season opening Daytona 500, the new era took on an even more significant meaning.

What do you get when you combine a drug smuggling enterprise straight out of an episode of Miami Vice with the high-dollar sports car racing world of the 1980s? You get the story of Randy Lanier, and on this week’s episode he joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis to tell it.

At one time a top prospect in American motorsports, Lanier made headlines when he was indicted in 1986 for operating a multi-million dollar drug distribution effort responsible for bringing over 300 tons of marijuana to the United States from Columbia. Just a handful of months before he was Rookie of the Year in the 70th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Originally born in rural Lynchburg, Virginia, Lanier and his family of seven moved to Hollywood, Florida when he was 13. The sunny beach lifestyle was captivating for young Randy, and was soon introduced to the thriving marijuana subculture of the 1960s. His father, who worked as a draftsman, was concerned about his seemingly wayward lifestyle and got him a job in construction. But, due to his longhaired appearance, fellow construction workers began asking Randy if he knew where to buy marijuana, and his stint in drug dealing began.

Randy shares a frightening story of getting robbed at gun-point during a sale, which temporarily took him away from Florida to Colorado. It was there he met a guru, who invited him to an ashram in Boulder where he learned the art of meditation, which proved to be a big part of his survival in prison as well as a cornerstone of his life today. Upon returning to Florida, Randy continued on his new path until tragically losing his brother Glen in a motorcycle accident. The event was catastrophic for the Lanier family, and Randy explains it spun him out, back into the familiarity of selling marijuana. 

While he may not have realized it at the time, Lanier’s eventual career in motorsports was implanted in the back of his mind, thanks in part to listening to the Indianapolis 500 broadcast on the radio when he was a young boy at his family farm in Virginia. Randy recalls a story from the late 1970s when he was attending a car show at the Miami Beach Convention Center and noticed a SCCA-sponsored booth. He picked up a pamphlet and eventually made the call to inquire about becoming a licensed driver. Soon after, he purchased his first race car: a 1957 Porsche 256. After renting out a small warehouse to be his shop and preparing the car for racing action, he entered his first amateur contest at West Palm Beach Speedway in 1980. As legend would have it, he won. 

From there he rapidly progressed through the sports car ranks, arriving at the headlining IMSA GT circuit. After spending a few seasons in borrowed rides with minimal results, he decided to take matters into his own hands and form his own racing team. But, to win on a consistent basis required a large bank roll, and so the two roads of Lanier’s life intersected. 

DIRTY AIR

Before Randy joins the show, Dale, Mike and Matthew discuss:

• Listeners respond to Dale and Mike’s heated discussion
• The chaotic Cup race at the Indianapolis Road Course 
• Indianapolis Oval or Road Course?
• Dale Jr.’s return to North Wilkesboro

 

ASKJR presented by Xfinity

The fan questions came rolling in about:

• Doing commentary for other sports
• Should NASCAR return to Iowa Speedway?
• The 1995 Impala from MTV Cribs
• Dale’s perfect tailgate menu

New week, new format for The Dale Jr. Download. In order to provide Download listeners something to tune in a tad sooner on podcast days, the Dirty Air segment and Ask Jr. segment will be released on their own.

The duo started the segment with big news! North Wilkesboro must've given Dale the racing itch because he started the segment by announcing that he will be racing again soon and provides all the details where you can catch the action.

Mike couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask Dale about his WWE experience at Monday Night Raw in Charlotte. Dale attended the event as a fan and is on the lookout for a WWE superstar to root for.

The full episode of The Dale Jr. Download will drop on Tuesday, October 25, with an announcement-filled interview with Marcus Smith. What has turned into a yearly check-in provides Dale and Marcus the opportunity to break some news around the North Wilkesboro All-Star week.

In #AskJr presented by Xfinity, Dale, Mike, Hannah, and Alex discuss what happened to the possum found at JRM after Las Vegas, how the podcast got started, and Tony Stewart's NHRA debut.

Everyone in stock car racing dreams of being on a Daytona 500-winning team, but how about three wins in five years? For Tony Glover, that dream became reality in the early 1990s, and on this week’s episode of The Dale Jr. Download, he joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis to discuss the pieces of the puzzle that made it possible.

Glover has been a part of racing his entire life. He attended his first race at three weeks old. Tony recalls his earliest memory in racing, which consisted of his father Gene flying out of Cleveland Speedway in Tennessee. The trauma of seeing his father’s crash did little to deter his love for the sport though, and by his teenage years, Tony was cleaning parts and turning wrenches.

After spending many years on the road crew chiefing for his father’s late model program, which yielded the 1979 NASCAR Sportsman National Championship, Tony accepted a position at Petty Enterprises. Tony explains that the year he spent in Level Cross, North Carolina was the equivalent of a four-year college education. But, when his grandmother became ill in ‘83, he decided to move closer to home to spend time with her. As fate would have it, Larry McClure and Tim Morgan had just bought out G.C. Spencer and established their Morgan-McClure outfit in nearby Abingdon, Virginia and Tony was hired to work as part of the pit crew. 

Tony shares the story of how he became a crew chief for the team when Spencer, who had stayed on in the chiefing role, quit suddenly during the teching process at an event at Nashville Fairgrounds. This bumped Tony into the position and he remained there for the duration of his time with the outfit. They discuss the revolving roster of drivers Morgan-McClure had during the ‘80s, which included Lennie Pond, Tommy Ellis, Joe Ruttman and Rick Wilson. Tony explains that when Rick departed for RahMoc after ‘89, his choice to fill the seat was the hard charging Ernie Irvan. And while Phil Parsons would start the ‘90 season in the cockpit, after a few failed outings Irvan would eventually get the seat and help put Morgan-McClure on the map.

The Irvan-Glover combination was quite successful, bringing home seven Cup wins including the ‘91 Daytona 500, but would only last a few seasons as Irvan would depart for Robert Yates in ‘93. His replacement was a driver Tony was well acquainted with from his years in the late model scene: fellow Tennessean Sterling Marlin. The new pairing won in their first outing, the ‘94 Daytona 500. When they followed up with a back-to-back triumph in the Great American Race in ‘95, they had the entire NASCAR garage looking in their direction. 

Dale and Tony get into some of the innovation on the plate-track cars in the Morgan-McClure stable. Tony talks about the revolutionary X-pipe exhaust system that was brought to them by Boyd Butler, better known as Dr. Gas. The story of how they kept the technical advantage a secret is incredible, including a non-disclosure agreement and wrapping the car in blankets in the garage. Ultimately a crash photo on the cover of Stock Car Racing Magazine leaked the guarded secret to the world.

In ‘97, the desire to move up in rank and a little white lie from his wife convinced Tony to move on from Morgan-McClure and take a management position at SABCO Racing. Tony shares experiences from his years there.After a dismal season in 2011, Tony was released from the team and sought out a position at NASCAR through Mike Helton. In 2013, he became the overseeing technical director of NASCAR’s many touring series, a role he continues to fill today. 

DIRTY AIR:

·        NASCAR’s big weeked at Bristol 

·        NextGen parts failures

·        Dirty Mo Fan Experience recap

·        Chris Buescher’s big win

 

ASKJR presented by Xfinity:

·        Impressions about the 2023 NASCAR Cup schedule

·        Downtown Chicago’s worries about upcoming street race

·        SAFER barriers at North Wilkesboro

·        Brandon Jones to JRM

Phil Parsons has done it all. From being the little brother of a NASCAR Legend, a racer, a team owner and a broadcaster, the only thing he hadn't done was come to the Bojangles Studio to sit down with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Until now. On his 65th birthday, Parsons sits down with Dale Jr. and Mike Davis about his fascinating life.

All he wanted to do is race. Plain and simple. From the age of five, watching his brother Benny in daring Figure-8 races through his older brother's monumental ascension through the sport, little brother just wanted to drive. When he got his shot, it didn't come easy. He took a Vega and some infrequent opportunities and made the most of them by winning races in NASCAR's Baby Grand Series, which was to become the Dash Series. He won at places like Hickory Motor Speedway, Caraway Speedway, North Wilkesboro and Nashville. It's a period of Parsons’ story not often talked about and a time that Dale Jr. came to the table with curiosity about.

Parsons’ racing career hit rock bottom, when family money and opportunity ran dry. So, he humbly went to Humpy Wheeler for help. The advice led him to a "real job" working with Travis Carter on Hal Needham and Burt Reynold's Skoal Bandit team. The team's drivers were stuntman Stan Barrett and the legendary Harry Gant. The job created a relationship with U.S. Tobacco which blossomed into funding for his own chances back behind the wheel. The sponsorship sent Parsons on a course for Cup. At first, he was just trying to stick in NASCAR's Late Model Sportsman ranks (now known as the Xfinity Series). His rookie season produced success and an opportunity the next year with the Skoal Bandit team in NASCAR's Cup Series.

Parsons is well known for a massive crash he experienced at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama which sent his racecar tumbling violently on the high-banks. He details the wreck from his vantage point and the pain it produced. Phil also experienced the jubilation of winning in NASCAR's elite series, when he captured a win, five years after his flip, at Talladega. He explains the Zen of having the perfect car that day and matching it with perfect strategy and drive.

At the end of the 1989 season Phil elected to have cataract surgery. After the successful procedure, Parsons started in his next big opportunity, for the powerful Morgan McClure Racing team. But, only three races into his tenure with the team, he got a call saying that the team was going in a different direction. Phil opens up about taking that phone call and the decision that ultimately cut the growth of his Cup career. Parson's also reveals how false rumors about his eyesight then hindered potential chances in Cup.

His decision to return the Xfinity Series was a family matter. He details the choice and how he built part-two of his racing career.

Parsons goes into detail about his brother Benny and the wild repair job that netted him the 1973 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. He also talks about Benny's role as a television broadcaster and how his legacy lives on. Phil too followed in Benny's footsteps with a successful television career of his own, to which he still enjoys to this day.

DIRTY AIR

Before Parsons joins the show, Dale, Mike, Hannah and Matthew talk about:

• Dale and Amy's wild commercial travel adventures and their trip to France.
• The upcoming live DJD show at Nashville's Ole Red.
• Jeremy Mayfield and others winning after being on the show.
• The sport needing more short-track style road courses.

 

ASKJR presented by Xfinity

The fan questions came rolling in about:

• What songs pump up Dale Jr.
• Road Course suggestions like running a green Sonoma or The Boot at the Glen!
• Dale Jr driving a V8 Supercar.
• Dale Jr. asked to Le Mans for Garage 56?
• and more

Separated by generations, but forged in honor, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the legendary Red Farmer now share a bond that will last a lifetime, as two of the most recent inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

A racer for over 75 years, Red has competed at tracks from makeshift tracks on abandoned runways in Miami, a cardboard bordered track in Key West, the beaches of Daytona to the famed Superspeedways of America. The storyteller unlocks the secrets of a career that started In 1948 and is still going strong today. Yes, at nearly 90-years old, the old master still steers a racecar around the red clay high banks of the Talladega Short Track in Alabama. From Short Track to 2-mile speedways, asphalt to dirt, Red has raced about everything. Even speedboats! I bet you didn’t know Red Farmer once raced at a Yacht club, did ya?

Red is the leader of a legendary group known as the Alabama Gang, which terrorized local short tracks across America stealing trophies and collecting riches to feed their families. And a family it was. The bond shared by three short-track racers, Red, fellow NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, and Donnie Allison is something truly special.

The “table of truth” brings out stories of heroism and heartbreak. Red details his time serving in the Army, which interrupted his points leading NASCAR season. Many race wins and championships later, both Farmer and the Allison family experienced moments of grief and unthinkable tragedy. Red recounts his perspective of Davey Allison’s tragic helicopter crash, and doesn’t hold back his emotion revisiting Clifford Allison’s deadly accident at Michigan. Choked up, he shares his inner thoughts about the band of brothers that helped define each other's lives and careers.

There are stories about wrecks… a lot of them. Dale Jr. and Farmer take to the monitor to recap a few of Red’s famous crashes in real-time. Some he escaped, and others left him hospitalized for months. Regardless of the severity, Red always returned to racing.  There are also stories of pranks and fights, including a never-before-told tale of Allison brother's fisticuffs at a Miami bullring.

Red shares some of his most valuable life lessons that led to his remarkable life as a champion on and off the track. It’s a peek behind the curtain into the life of a 752-time race winner that few have ever heard.

Before Red’s interview, the DJD opens up about the Clash at the Coliseum. Earnhardt and Davis share their thoughts on the polarizing Exhibition race at the L.A. Coliseum in California. They also talk about Dale and wife Amy’s latest business venture, High Rock Vodka. A drink Mike successfully taste-tested at the Hall of Fame party. Speaking of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Dale Jr. shares some of his thoughts on one of the greatest honors of his career.

Ask Jr. provides his in-depth analysis on the new NASCAR Next Gen car and its debut at the Clash, and colored side skirts! 

He's a racing champion, but until 2021, few knew of 24-year-old racing phenom Ernie Francis, Jr. This piqued the curiosity of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis who welcome him to the table to learn about a racer that industry insiders can't talk enough about.

Francis broke through with a big win in Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham's SRX Series (Superstar Racing Experience) at Indianapolis Raceway Park last summer. The win came against some of the best racers in motorsports and sent shockwaves across much of the sport. Who was this kid? Well, first off he's a seven-time Champion on the Trans-Am circuit. His recent success brought a call from motorsports legend Roger Penske, who tabbed him to be one of his up-and-coming stars. Francis details the call that changed his life and unexpectedly shifted his career path from stock cars to open-wheel racecars where he'll compete full-time for Force Indy in the 2022 Indy Lights Series. The goal? Building experience and a team capable of stepping up in a few years to compete in the Indianapolis 500.

Francis' first opportunities in racing came with a lot less fanfare. As a child, he hung around and worked at his father's speed shop on the coast of Southern Florida. The family connection to speed took him from go-karts to his first racecar at the age of 13. From there, he honed his skills racing Mazda Miatas until the big decision to enter the Trans-Am Series. There, young Ernie blossomed, racing a beast of a racecar against some of the best road racers in America. He dipped his toes into the Stock Car oval-track world racing Late Models and K&N East races in NASCAR's diversity program too. But, it was the shot in SRX that put kid-Francis on the map.

Where else would he race in 2022? Francis spilled the beans about his future with SRX.

Before the show started, Dale and Mike chat about their recent trip to Daytona to watch racecars and promote vodka. From the High Rock party at the historic Streamline Hotel, to the ups and downs of the NASCAR Xfinity race, it was a trip full of surprises. None more surprising than the fun times had by family inside the racetrack. Dale reveals Amy and Isla's newfound love of the infield track experience. They also dive into the Great American race, its massive crowd, and the big-bad tangles that "Bad" Brad Keselowski was a part of.

Sadly, it's Leah Vaughn's last show, which has all in DJD-land sad, but she brings it one last time for a wildly entertaining AskJr segment. From racecars losing wheels, to drive-shafts going through Dale Earnhardt's windshield, it's full of great moments. We also learn about the level of interest from Dale about space travel and, of all things, Chinchillas. Or was it a rabbit?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back from a rainy weekend in Daytona to deliver another edition of Dirty Air. Despite Mother Nature proving to be unpredictable scrambling the weekend schedule, there was still a lot of NASCAR action to unpack:

• Amy is in the house to set the record straight
• Dale experiences a parking fiasco
• What can be done to cut down on wrecks in the Truck races?
• The latest on the NASCAR charter negotiations
• Daytona 500 Champion William Byron calls in
• How was the finish actually determined? 

During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners sent in questions regarding:

• Dale’s favorite Girl Scout cookie
• Favorite Earnhardt family tradition?
• Is Dale a good gift giver?
• Isla and Nicole playing sports

It’s time to gear up for Daytona, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a new edition of Dirty Air to get you ready for the high banks. After making his season debut in late model competition for the Icebreaker event at Florence Motor Speedway, there was a lot to chat about:

• Geoff Bodine’s new book
• Returning to roller skates
• Icebreaker recap
• Reliving the 2004 & 2014 Daytona 500 wins
• 10 years of Dale on Twitter
• Daytona 500 predictions

During the Ask Jr. segment of the episode, listeners sent in questions regarding:

• Sneezing during a race
• The Menards Super Bowl commercial
• Advice for first Valentine’s Day dates
• Favorite pre-race activity for the Daytona 500

On this episode of the Dale Jr. Download, it’s an Earnhardt family reunion as Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined in the Bojangles Studio by his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and their nephew Jeffrey Earnhardt. Jeffrey made headlines in the stock car racing world last April when he piloted the Richard Childress No. 3 that his grandfather Dale made famous to a second-place finish in the Xfinity race at Talladega. The interview discusses his time spent in the NASCAR ranks over the last 16 years and the path that has led him to be in a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series, driving the No. 44 Chevy entry for Alpha Prime Racing.

While he is an Earnhardt, Jeffrey has made it a point to earn his opportunities in racing based on hard work and merit, not his namesake. As a result, he’s followed a winding, sometimes turbulent road through the motorsports world. He provides great insight to listeners on the differences between top-dollar teams and smaller operations in NASCAR, and what he’s learned from his time spent with both. The Earnhardt family dynamic is also a topic of discussion, as well as Jeffrey’s memories of Dale Sr. and his relationship with his father Kerry.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on spring break, so his longtime friend and co-author of “Racing to the Finish” Ryan McGee is filling in. You might recognize Ryan from his longtime coverage of motorsports for ESPN and his popular show with recent Download guest Marty Smith, “Marty & McGee.” There was a lot to discuss after a full weekend of NASCAR action in Las Vegas:

• Writing “Racing to the Finish” with Dale Jr.
• Working with Dale Sr. as a young reporter
• Rajah Caruth’s big first Truck win
• John Hunter Nemechek continues to excel
• What Kyle Larson’s 24th NASCAR Cup win really means

During as special “Ask McGee” segment, listeners tuned into YouTube live and sent in questions about:

• Ryan’s favorite Dale Jr. stories
• What he learned about Dale Jr. while writing the book
• What it’s like working on “Marty & McGee”

So close, yet so far from victory. With Kansas providing the closest finish in the NASCAR Cup series history at 0.001 seconds, the DJD Reloaded crew decided to revisit iconic photo finishes throughout all eras of the sport. NASCAR historian Buz McKim calls in to look back at memorable finishes – plus tell us of a TIE on the record books – before he gets put to the test with photo-finish trivia. Plus, the driver of the No. 1 for JR Motorsports, Sam Mayer, stops by to share the emotions of the close win at Texas from earlier this season and how he deals with the heartbreak of being runner-up. Plus, we hear from the fans in our weekly Dale Call segment about their favorite photo finishes of all time. And lastly, we get a "surprise" visit from the only person who can give us insight into the crooked start-finish line.

As NASCAR gets ready to celebrate its 75th year of existence in 2023, its premiere division the Cup Series will set out on its most versatile schedule to date. On this week’s episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with one of the visionaries responsible for the swift transformation the sport of stock car racing has seen over the last few seasons, NASCAR’s Senior VP of Racing Development & Strategy Ben Kennedy.

Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Ben is a fourth-generation member of NASCAR’s founding France family, the son of Lesa France Kennedy and great-grandson of Bill France Sr. While he is only 30 years old, he has been around the sport his entire life in many capacities, from working odd jobs at Daytona International to being in the driver’s seat and owning his own race team. His unique insight and experience have allowed him to rapidly rise through the NASCAR executive ranks, originally taking a position as the General Manager of the Trucks Series in 2018.

With the incorporation of the Chicago street race and the Clash at the Coliseum, as well as returning to North Wilkesboro and the Bristol dirt race, the stock car racing mainstay has gone leaps and bounds from its original vision in 1948, while keeping its fundamentals in place. Ben explains that much of the decision to hold events like the street race or the Coliseum was based on wanting to connect to city centers where NASCAR has a large fan base while doing something out of the box, original to the sanctioning body itself.

During his time with the NASCAR Operations team, Ben learned a lot about NASCAR’s international fanbase and what efforts are being made to help grow it. While the majority of racing circuits overseas are road course configurations, the team began looking into building temporary oval tracks in stadiums or arenas to help display stock car racing in its original form. He explains that this is what put the L.A. Coliseum on their radar as a potential venue to house such a production.

He also goes on to talk about the conception of the Chicago street course and how the team settled on Grant Park as a location. The team originally visited Soldier Field as a possible setting for the Clash event. But due to the current configuration of the field, the potential racing surface would be far too small, thus leading to the event being moved to Los Angeles. However, thanks to Grant Park’s ability to facilitate a large number of spectators, as seen with Lollapalooza every year, the focus turned to creating a street course. With the help of iRacing’s scanning system, they were able to bring a realistic render to life and test it with a cast of NASCAR Cup stars last year.

Earlier in the interview, the trio discusses what Ben’s life was like growing up in Daytona and his interests before entering the motorsports world. In 2007, Ben tragically lost his father Dr. Bruce Kennedy in a plane crash, and he and Dale were able to bond over the shock of losing a loved one suddenly. Ben first got behind the wheel of a race car at age 14 when a family friend signed him up for a go-kart course held at New Smyrna Speedway. Ben fell in love with the sport immediately and in the years that followed he quickly progressed through the local Central Florida short track divisions into the regional NASCAR ranks, before finally arriving in the Trucks Series. After having a breakout season in 2014 and making his Xfinity Series debut a couple of seasons later, Ben retired from racing at the end of the 2017 season to begin his journey through the business side of the organization.

DIRTY AIR

Dale’s birthday activities

Was the caution for the sign the right call?

RTA and NASCAR discussions hit a wall

Buster’s Trip to Victory Lane

ASKJR presented by Xfinity

Birthday memories

Can iRacing bring a former track to life?

Another OEM entering NASCAR

Favorite childhood vacations

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with the driver of 23XI’s number-45 NASCAR Cup ride Tyler Reddick on episode 422 of the Dale Jr. Download. After impressing in the NASCAR Truck ranks driving for Brad Keselowski Racing and winning his first Xfinity Series race for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2017, Reddick took over the JR Motorsports number-9 for William Byron. He would win the 2018 season opener at Daytona and go on to capture the points championship while locking up Rookie of the Year honors. 

The guys chat about how fatherhood has changed Tyler’s approach to life, and how he became a more focused, hard-working version of himself. Dale also asks for Tyler’s opinion on the recently announced new NextGen short track package for the 2023 season. Other topics of discussion also include Tyler’s transition from Richard Childress Racing to 23XI, how he feels about seeing Kyle Busch in his former car, and what a weekly routine for a NASCAR Cup driver looks like.

The NFL and NASCAR combine as a pair of well-known 88's, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen joins two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the table of truth. Olsen opens up to Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis about his journey from a local New Jersey football family to playing in the National Football League. The two athletes met years ago, and forged a solid friendship through shared charitable endeavors..

Thanks our new sponsor Ally, Olsen walked into the Bojangles studio ready to hit the ground running. He detailed the ups and downs of his football life and the values instilled in him by his father that he took along with him every step of the way. Dale Jr. and Greg share their thoughts on the psychology of raising children in a sport and that there is more valuable lessons to be learned by a young mind than just winning a game. Pro football player Olsen is now coach-dad on the baseball field for his children's teams.. 

Olsen talks about the process of being recruited by colleges during his high school football career and the realities involved in the process. We learn that his father made Greg do something very difficult to let down the coaches from the schools that he wasn't choosing. In doing so he taught some valuable lessons. He also reveals his tenure with Notre Dame and the tough decision to vacate the famed Indiana-based academy for the palm trees of Miami beach and the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Curiosity over the combine events that scout college players before they are drafter in the NFL, Dale Jr. gets Greg Olsen to open up about his experience at the event. It's a rare peek into what really happens between player reps, scouts and teams during the NFL Combine. It also lets us in the killer-instinct and mental game that Olsen used throughout much of his football career. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end offers his memories of getting drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round. Then a few years later, one of the worst trades in Bears history sent Olsen to the North Carolina to play for the Carolina Panthers. Olsen saw the majority of his success in Carolina, and gives us a look behind the curtain of NFL locker room life. What was it like playing with star quarterback Cam Newton? Was the polarizing figure a distraction? Olsen also details getting released by the Panthers and the many difficulties he faced in his year with the Seattle Seahawks, from the CoVid-19 pandemic to coaching, that helped lead to his decision to retire from the game.

The biggest fight Olsen faced didn't come from a linebacker or a free-safety. It came from within his family. In 2012, he and wife Kara gave birth to twins T.J. and Talbot. T.J. was born with a congenital heart defect that required multiple surgeries, including three open-heart procedures. In 2021, his heart started to fail. T.J. received a heart transplant and is now an active nine-year-old boy. Olsen opens up about the decisions to share the incredibly tough journey with the public.

OPEN SEGMENT

Before Greg Olsen came into the Dirty Mo Media Bojangles studio, Dale Jr., Mike and the gang unpacked some feelings about the recent news of North Wilkesboro Speedway coming off the Lost Speedways list to host racing again. They explain how it’s now up to the fans to prove that North Wilkesboro, and other small market tracks like it, are viable racing facilities, by showing up to the races. Dale's ready to tailgate, are you? The revival has Dale Jr. so excited, that he is even thinking about hopping in a racecar himself at the historic North Carolina track. Wait, what? It's a revelation that had us all floored.

ASKJR presented by Xfinity

Hanna Newhouse brings fan questions from @XfinityRacing on twitter about:

• Dale Jr. joining the Fox broadcast team for the Talladega race.
• Cruising the Talladega infield
• The time Dale Jr. drove a Petty-43 Ford at Nashville Fairgrounds
• Dale Earnhardt's role in the motion picture "BASEketball.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis reunite to close out the Dale Jr. Download week by discussing how their picks in the Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge are faring after the first round at Kansas, watching some Macho Man Randy Savage clips and playing a couple of rounds of “Guess the Driver” and “Stump the Download”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis are joined by JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier to discuss his weekend victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. They also chat about the adversity the team has faced this year and what has kept them from winning races. Dale fills Mike in on a book he recently read and tells the story of his first tick bite. We also hear from the Short Track Insider and our Man on the Street reporting from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis wrap up the week as they react to their Wednesday interview with Josh Berry. The guys reflect on how much they’ve enjoyed documenting Josh’s career progression over the years through his appearances on the Download, and Dale explains that he wishes he would have touched on what Josh’s promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series means for late model racing. It’s also time to give out mid-season accolades for the Cup Series and make some new final four predictions. Plus, no Thursday show would be complete without hearing from the Short Track Insider!

In the dramatic conclusion of their conversation, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis talk to longtime NASCAR engine builder Richie Gilmore about his time at Dale Earnhardt Inc. Richie recounts the time at Talladega when he was approached by Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Ty Norris about coming to work at DEI, heading up the engine program for Dale Jr.’s imminent Cup debut. Once there though, Richie realized the grass is always greener on the other side, and work environment and disorganization almost sent him packing back to Hendrick Motorsports. It was then that he had an unforgettable meeting with Dale Sr. that would solidify his place at the organization for years to come.

Dale Jr. and Richie have a vulnerable exchange about the fallout at DEI and the responsibility they felt for the way things unfolded. Richie talked about the transition from running the engine shop to running the team’s day-to-day operation when he was promoted to Vice President of Competition after Norris’ departure. Richie also gives listeners some insight into the 2020 merging of Richard Childress Racing and HMS’ engine-building efforts and the effect it has had on Chevrolet’s NASCAR efforts.

After 27 grueling weeks, it comes down to the final four races. Somehow, after all the roster changes, crashes, fights and calamity, there are two tight points races to be decided. As the NASCAR Cup contingent prepares for the last stretch, the season points championship and the Rookie of the Year battles have never been closer. 

Dale Earnhardt surely had the rookie crown locked up after his stunning victory at Bristol in April, but the trusty DeWitt team and their unproven chauffeur Joe Millikan have kept him in sight. After Dale’s disastrous crash and time on the sideline, Millikan took full advantage and strung together a series of top-10 finishes to take over the top spot in the standings.

In the Grand National points race, Darrell Waltrip jumped out to an early lead and never looked back for most of the season. But after a catastrophic sequence of engine failures and crashes, the DiGard team seems to have begun to crumble under the pressure of winning their first season championship. Even worse, the King Richard Petty has been steadily getting closer in the rearview mirror, and he has his sights set on an unprecedented seventh Cup crown. 

Join us as we go down to the wire in the greatest NASCAR Cup season in history. We’ll unpack the final four events: North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, Atlanta and Ontario. By the end of it, we will have decided two incredible points contests, with winners who represent NASCAR’s past and future.

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Coming Feb. 6: Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin will give listeners an unfiltered, honest and bold perspective from NASCAR’s most polarizing figure. Hamlin and co-host Jared Allen will unpack the previous race and look forward to upcoming events throughout the Cup Series with candid commentary and insights from the driver’s seat. Here’s a preview of what you can expect from this dynamic new show.