The success of sports is often built on rivalries. Auto Racing is no different. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis bring their favorite rivalries from the table of truth to this special episode. In the late 90's the NASCAR Xfinity Series was a hotbed for talent but also a series full of hot tempers. One of the great rivalries of the era was between an out-spoken northern driver, Champion Randy Lajoie, and an aggressive Georgian named Buckshot Jones. Dale Earnhardt had several rivals throughout his storied career. Most foe were created by physical contact between two racecars. Dale's rivalry with Ricky Rudd was personal. Rudd reveals how their shattered friendship lead to some legendary on-track altercations. Ron Hornaday Jr. is still not over it. In a 2011 NASCAR Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, he and Kyle Busch made contact on the track. Busch proceeded to wreck Hornaday under caution. NASCAR may have parked and suspended Busch for the actions, but it was Hornaday who suffered the most. The incident cost him a shot at the Championship. It's a wound that isn't fully healed to this day. Some rivals start as best friends. Some, under the same roof. Jeff Burton and Ward Burton open up about how their different personalities and upbringing, created bad blood between one of Virginia's most beloved NASCAR families. Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt were great friends behind closed doors. On the race track? Far from it. The two giants of the NASCAR world battled each other relentlessly, resulting in a library of contentious moments and altercations. Rusty opens up about it and we find out how it played into a rivalry with a young Jeff Gordon. Dale Jr. says that if there is a Mount Rushmore of Motorsports rivalries, the Geoff Bodine / Dale Earnahrdt rivalry would be on it. Bodine details his side of one of the sport’s most talked about feuds. Last but not least, a colorful Jimmy Spencer gets down and dirty about his distain for Kurt Busch. How did "Mr. Excitement" get so mad that he punched Kurt Busch? ASKJr presented by Xfinity Before the rivalry talk Hannah Newhouse brought fan questions to Dale Jr. about: What track should host the Championship finale? What dream racecars would Dale Jr. like to test at North Wilkesboro? The mysterious red left front tire at Daytona in 2004. Lugs Harvey or Harry Hogg? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tony Eury Jr. is more than a cousin to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He's a brother. Dale Jr.'s former crew chief comes to the table of truth to discuss their best days together in racing and the hard truths of the controversial breakups that made the headlines during their careers. From their two years of winning the championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Dale Earnhardt and the Eury's took their success to the NASCAR Cup Series. Tony, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis talk about the challenge of growing together as a team and a family. Dale Jr. wastes no time asking Tony about "creativity" he used on their racecars and how other's in the sport were talking about how fast they were. Tony and Dale laugh about re-gaining their mojo by drinking more. And yes, it worked. They also tell the hilarious story of a test session that ended in Dale Jr. doing donuts in the garage area. Eury details how the 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt impacted he, Dale Jr and the entire Bud No. 8 team in their approach and future trajectory. As many triumphs that the team earned, there was also tension and arguments. Like there typically is with family, the cousins didn't always see eye to eye. The tension led to a severing in the relationship and the first split between Dale Jr and the Eury's in 2004. Tony Jr. and Dale open up to each other about their feelings at the time and the regret they have to this day about the situation. The cousins discuss the Charlotte 600 impromptu presser by "Pops" Eury and how that lit a fuse in the media. Tony Jr. shares a never-before-told story about how Teresa handled the situation in the shop that week. They also open up about Dale's departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc. and how thinks could've been much different. The Hendrick years offered so much promise to Dale Earnhardt Jr. But just like at DEI, there were wins and painful losses. Eury talks about Dale Jr.'s mindset and lack of confidence through the trying times as the two detail the second split in their crew chief-driver relationship. He also brings us inside the Hendrick Motorsports dynamic to share the challenges and struggles within the organization during this period. The table discussion brings the relationship from Hendrick Motorsports through the Eury's next stint with the Earnhardts and Jr Motorsports. Tony Eury shares his thoughts on being Danica Patrick's crew chief and how there were similarities between she and Dale Jr. DIRTY AIR presented by FilterTime Before Tony Eury Jr. came to the table, Dale and Mike discuss: Dale Jr's high-pitched excitement in the broadcast booth at Atlanta The 2022 Ross Chastain Aggression Tour Corey Lajoie's near-win at Atlanta. ASKJR presented by Xfnity Hannah Newhouse brings fan questions to the podcast for Dale about: Ryan Ellis' tweet about stealing sponsors from another driver. Favorite Atlanta Braves players. What was miserable about being a driver and the worst part of being a broadcaster? Would the Xfinity Series benefit from an identity shift to V6 Motors or electric? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
He's the man responsible for starting a NASCAR team that has turned everyone's heads in NASCAR. Today, racer and entrepreneur Justin Marks sits with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis to discuss the wild journey from a no-name to someone shaking up the industry. Marks' exposure to the sport of auto racing came at an early age, when his grandfather, a fan of motorsports, took him to local dirt tracks in Missouri. From there, his passion grew. Eventually the Marks family moved to California, as his father Michael chased dreams in Silicon Valley. For young Justin, his dreams came in the form of an amateur ride in the SCCA road racing ranks. From amateur to pro, his career started to climb as he found himself having success in IMSA and events like the 24-hours of Daytona. But how did this road racer transition to the NASCAR world? Influences like Boris Said, a cross-over racer, took Marks to North Carolina. It also took him to a basement party at Dale Jr.'s house. Dale Jr. didn't even realize that the future NASCAR team owner was there. From there, his family's success created opportunities in the NASCAR ranks from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, through Xfinity and even the elite Cup Series. Marks admits that he didn't always do things right and revealed what it was like being fired from a ride that he paid for. He did find success in the NASCAR ranks, winning an Xfinity Series race on the windy and wet turns of the Mid-Ohio racing course in 2016 for Chip Ganassi Racing. Ironically, the same team he'd end up purchasing in his breakthrough in the Motorsports business world. Realizing his journey behind the wheel served a selfish need, Marks realized he had a "higher calling." He realized that he wanted to be a mover in the Motorsports industry. He did so by starting a team called "Trackhouse Racing." Trackhouse purchased two charters and longtime NASCAR team Chip Ganassi Racing. A purchase that happened one year before this appearance on The Dale Jr. Download. He admits that the decision was done in a risky order but he knew he needed to make some unorthodox moves to make his dream happen. In a year, a new team has created two first-time winners in the NASCAR Cup Series and has both of its teams in a playoff spot, running up-front each week and stealing headlines? How? Dale Jr admits that he was among the plethora of doubters, that didn't see the rapid success of the first year team coming. The mantra of Marks' approach is rooted in "belief." A philosophy in creating a business and culture that differs from the norm and placing belief in his drivers and employees to produce results. Marks discusses the rise of NASCAR superstar Ross Chastain and how he has ruffled the feathers of some of the sport's biggest names. He opens up about discussions with Ross and with other car owners like Rick Hendrick. He also talks about conversations with Denny Hamlin after a run in with Chastain in St. Louis. Dale Jr. and Mike Davis get the young team owner to open up about his thoughts on the state of the sport and how he sees the business model moving forward with the cost of the Next Gen car and the up-coming television deal that NASCAR will have to make in 2025. How does he view the current Charter system and the potential of new team owners, potentially ones sitting at the table, entering the Charter system? DIRTY AIR presented by FilterTime Before bringing Justin Marks to the table the DJD Gang discuss: The Download live at Ole Red in Nashville. Lightning delays and race start times. The reality that everything is going to streaming. ASK JR presented by Xfinity Hannah Newhouse tees up fan questions about: Dale's rain delays as a driver. Who closed down the bar in Nashville? Fiery Tony Stewart getting physical with Ernie Francis in the SRX race Dale Jr.racing a Late Model at North Wilkesboro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
They say, it ain't cheatin' unless you're caught. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis share some of the best cheating stories to ever be heard on the download, with some surprises thrown in. Has the statute of limitations passed? And is it really cheating? We like to call it creativity and innovation. From Todd Parrott illegally cutting NASCAR templates while officials are being distracted, to Darrell Waltrip using Nitrous to boost his racecar, these are tales that are of legend. On this episode we also hear from racing great, convicted felon and creative genius Gary Balough. He reveals some tales from his days cheating up racecars on the short tracks of America. Ward Burton even brings a Daytona cheat to the floor. One of Dale Earnhardt's early car owners tried to skirt around a Dale Earnhardt cheating story. Dale Jr. and Mike hold him to the fire and get one of the wildest admissions of cheating the table has ever heard. No cheating show would be complete without some stories from former crew chief, car owner and racer Andy Petree. Oh, and just when you think the show is over and all the tall-tales are done, we bring a new surprise into the studio and an unexpected guest. Dean Jones worked with Petree, at Leo Jackson's team, in a secret room making some intriguing things for their racecars. Jones brought something to the table that stole the show. DIRTY AIR Before getting to the dirt from our guests, the Dale Jr. Download gang comes to the table with their own admissions. What have they cheated on? Fess up! ASK JR presented by Xfinity Hannah Newhouse hits Dale Jr. with fan-submitted inquiries about: Who's the more trusted babysitter, Mike Davis or Matthew Dillner? Favorite and least favorite broadcast booths Goodwood dream ride? Some bucket-list tracks for Dale Jr to hit. Oswego Speedway and Supermodified glory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In part one with Jeremy Mayfield we dove head-first into the former driver's failed drug tests, lengthy court battles, indefinite suspension from NASCAR and the tangled web of alleged conspiracy that shrouds his story. Today, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis speak with Mayfield about the mighty rise before his world came tumbling down. The Kentucky native started as a fabricator before working his way onto the Nashville Fairgrounds Late Model racing scene. Through hard work came opportunity. On the short track scene, Mayfield won races, even ones he wasn't supposed to be entered in. Yes, there's a story there! His short track success led to a rise into the upper-ranks of NASCAR. But at first, Mayfield didn't have the speed. So he had to get "creative" to gain and advantage. But first, he needed to get some soaked tires by NASCAR's technical inspection process. Mayfield reveals the "wink" that paved the way to furthering his young career. Mayfield opens up about negotiations with Cale Yarborough when he signed his first major deal with a NASCAR team. His timeline, though jagged, rose upward to the Kranefuss-Hass team and then to driving for the great Roger Penske. During this time, he was clearly making it know that he was a force to reckon with. An in-team rivalry with Rusty Wallace got to near ridiculous levels. The day he planted his flag in the ground was at Pocono in 2000 when he moved Dale Earnhardt, on the final corner, to win. Jeremy details the controversial tangle and what the Intimidator's reaction was the next time they saw each other. The biggest break for Mayfield came with Dodge and Ray Evernham's No. 19 team. Mayfield won races and raced his way into NASCAR's playoffs in the high-profile ride. But it wasn't without drama either. Internal struggles with Ray Evernham went public. Then, Mayfield made a final mistake. Dale Jr. gets to the bottom of what led to Mayfield's departure, and eventually led to the downfall of his racing career. DIRTY AIR Before getting to part-two of the Mayfield story, Dale Jr. & Mike Davis get animated discussing: A wild St. Louis Cup Series race full of its own drama Ross Chastain's post-race "trolling"? Will Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott exact revenge? Conor Daly and Joey Mullinaro bring it in Speed Street debut. ASKJR Presented by Xfinity Fan questions delivered to Dale with X-fi speed by Hannah Newhouse about: NASCAR Crown Jewels. Let's pick it and be done! The Future of the Xfinity Series. Electric? Safety response teams. Where can it improve? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jeremy Mayfield is still indefinitely suspended from NASCAR. Today he sits down with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis to share his story about the drug test that changed his NASCAR career, and life. The year was 2009, and Mayfield was a race-winner in NASCAR. May 1, 2009 he was called to perform a random drug test at Richmond Raceway. The test, and the result eight days later, would become one of the sport's biggest controversies of the era, and play out publicly and in the U.S. Court system. To this day, Mayfield denies any drug use. He contends that the positive test was a result of a combination of prescribed Adderall and over-the-counter Claritin-D. He was the first driver to trip a positive test under NASCAR's new substance abuse policy. Mayfield refused to play-ball and decided to fight America's largest motorsports sanctioning bodies. He not only contested the result, but questioned the head of NASCAR's drug lab, Aegis' Dr. David Black. The battle between NASCAR and Mayfield was all over the news and played out for years in the courts. Trouble seemed to follow Mayfield after the test and suspension. There was a July drug test in 2009 that resulted in a lengthy delay between the time of the call to test and Mayfield reporting. The Kentucky native opens up about what his lawyers were telling him to do and why the delay happened. That test, by NASCAR's lab, showed positive for high levels of methamphetamines. Mayfield says his independent tests, taken just hours later, showed no trace of the drug. In 2011, Mayfield's personal shop and house were the subject of a warrant and a raid by law enforcement. He details what happened from his vantage point when the SWAT teams arrived with machine guns and broke down the doors of his home. The raid resulted in a string of felony charges for stolen items and a charge for possession of meth. Mayfield denies the meth that was found and tells his take on the baggie they discovered in his safe. Mayfield still believes that all of the drug tests that tested positive were false or were a part of a greater conspiracy. He claims that a personal feud with NASCAR's Brian France was the root of much of his troubles. Now, this might not be "the' story, but it is "his" story. The Download gives the former racer a chance to share his account of the fascinating story.. DIRTY AIR Before Jeremy came to the table, the DJD crew talks about: The World 600 and why it shouldn't be named anything else. Chase Briscoe's Hail Mary full of crash. The new Dirty Mo Media podcast, Speed Street, with Indycar driver Conor Daly and Joey Mulinaro. ASKJR Presented by Xfinity Hannah Newhouse brings it with fan questions from Twitter and the live YouTube chat. The Snake Pit at the Indy 500. Dale's anxiety of having two aggressive JR Motorsports driver gunning for a win. The Roval wouldn't be here if the racing was as good as the 600 a few years ago. Dale going to a World of Outlaws race? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
He's a NASCAR winner. He co-owns a race team with Michael Jordan. He's not afraid to tell it like it is. Denny Hamlin joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis at the table for a bold and honest conversation about the sport. Hamlin comes in "full send" mode with his takes on the sport and the direction it is headed. His unique perspective, as a current competitor and car owner, gives him an even bigger voice at the table. Boy, does he use it! While he is candid about what he feels isn't right, he points out that his intentions are to make the sport better. Sometimes Denny's presence and opinions on social platforms and in the media have created controversy, but his voice has become one of a leader in the garage. Hamlin opens up about the conversations he's had with NASCAR CEO Jim France about the potential expansion of his team, 23XI Racing, and how they are on hold until further notice. Denny talks about what he needs to see before he and MJ take the two-car operation to the next level. Hamlin lets us in to how he feels about the business model of NASCAR between drivers, tv partners, teams and tracks. He says that the pie is big enough, but it needs to be divided differently. The veteran NASCAR driver pulls no punches in expressing what he believes needs to happen. Hamlin and Earnhardt discuss the state of the charter system in the sport and the pros and cons of starting a team in the Cup Series. If the sport expands to a higher number of charters, how much should a new team pay? Fresh off his second-place run at the NASCAR All-Star Race, Hamlin shares his disappointment in the controversial yellow flag and Ryan Blaney's window net issue. Plus, did his post race comments and use of the "F" word get him in hot water? Denny also explains what he thinks about the All Star Race as a whole and how the event, and other aspects of the sport, have become diluted. Dale Jr. asks Denny, who currently races the FedEx #11 for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, if he would drive for his own team someday. Earnhardt also gets Hamlin’s insight into the current dynamic at JGR with four full-time drivers, contract questions, and the emerging talent of Ty Gibbs waiting in the wings. What's gonna give? Denny also talks about his exit plan from behind the wheel of a racecar and what that will look like.. After struggling for a good chunk of 2022, Hamlin has reached victory lane. The season though, has only resulted in two top-five finishes. Denny gives his take on the Next Gen car's performance and which issues need to be addressed. He talks about Bubba Wallace's performance and 23XI Racing’s big win in Kansas with veteran driver Kurt Busch. DIRTY AIR Before Denny came to the table, Dale Jr., co-host Mike Davis, Hannah Newhouse and producer Matthew Dillner share some conversation about: The All Star Race and the controversial caution. The Window-net debacle and what should have been done. NASCAR owning one mistake but not the other. What should happen to the All Star Race in the future? Jimmie Johnson's run to the Indianapolis 500 has come with some big risks ASKJR presented by Xfinity Hannah Newhouse brings fan questions to the table about: Dale Jr.'s wildest appearances, including driving a tank and landing on an aircraft carrier. How Blaney handled the anxiety of the end of the All Star Race. Dale's childhood love for wrestling and how it was stifled in the Earnhardt homestead. Late Night drunken Waffle House orders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices