The Dale Jr. Download

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sets out to learn more about the world of open wheel motorsports as he sits down with the CEO of McLaren Racing Zak Brown. Big news brought the open wheel executive to town as McLaren joined Hendrick Motorsports in announcing that Kyle Larson will return to the Indianapolis 500 in 2025 for another attempt at the Memorial Day double. Zak explains how the partnership with Rick Hendrick came together through an adoration for his race team, which he views as a North American equivalent of McLaren. He also credits Larson’s versatility with being reminiscent of yesteryear’s drivers like A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. As McLaren continues to flourish open wheel racing, Zak says his sights are set on becoming a top-outfit in the sports car ranks, competing in both WEC and IMSA in the future.Zak’s background in racing can be traced to the 1981 Long Beach Grand Prix, which he attended with his parents and brother. A successful appearance on Wheel of Fortune when he was 13 and advice from Mario himself led to a door opening in go-kart racing, which Zak entered and never looked back. After finding a knack for securing sponsorship, Zak realized he was better fit on the marketing end of the sport and started his own company, Just Marketing, Inc., which quickly rose to being one of the top businesses in racing. Zak would sell the company and find himself at a professional crossroads before being faced with the ultimate career decision: be in line to one day run Formula One or help direct McLaren Racing. Thanks to his love of competition, Zak took the position at the legendary race team and helped it return to its former glory at the forefront of the racing world.Dale and Zak share one strong common thread, through Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s 1980s Nova, which currently resides in the JR Motorsports garage. Zak was a longtime owner of the vehicle before Dale Jr. was able to acquire it through auction, and he shares an incredible story of how he was able to confirm its authenticity.

9/11/24 • 85:47

The NASCAR Playoffs are underway, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in the studio to unpack the action from Atlanta. The NASCAR charter agreement has progressed and several drivers are in early points predicaments after the weekend:Atlanta is already showing signs of wearWhat caused Kyle Larson’s car to snap into the wall?Denny Hamlin’s conservative approach during the racePlayoff points update23XI and Front Row hold out on signing the new charter agreementRace winner Joey Logano calls into the showThe voicemail Dale left for AndrewDale's new evening routine that Amy isn't a big fan of

9/10/24 • 118:41

In this special episode of DJD Reloaded, we’re taking the show on the road! Join The Athletic’s motorsports journalists and hosts of The Teardown, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, as they take you behind the scenes of their first-ever exclusive driver sit-downs at NASCAR Playoff Media Day. But don’t expect the same usual questions you’ve heard drivers answer before.  These guys were candid, unfiltered, and so much fun. From surprising insights to raw reactions, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities and pressure fueling the Playoff contenders. Plus, Amy Earnhardt joined Dale Jr. on the Download for #AskJR – or, shall we say, #AskAmy – this week, so you won’t want to miss it!

9/5/24 • 58:38

Join Dale Earnhardt Jr. as he sits down with former NASCAR Crew Chief and team owner Travis Carter to discuss his past working with some of the most legendary race car drivers in history. During his two-decade-long time in the sport, he was a championship-winning crew chief with Benny Parsons in 1973 and was Cale Yarborough’s crew chief during the iconic 1979 Daytona 500. Over the years, Travis also worked with Bobby Allison, Junior Johnson, and Darrell Waltrip.  He also speaks on his time working for Penske, the teams who sought his employment, and the rise and fall of his team, Travis Carter Motorsports.Listen as Travis shares stories, including his friendship with Dale Earnhardt Sr., his start in NASCAR, and his complete exit from the sport.21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

9/4/24 • 78:40

It’s the first Tuesday of the month, so that means Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined by his wife Amy in the Dirty Mo Media studio for Dirty Air. After an exciting conclusion to the NASCAR regular season at Darlington, there was plenty to chat about:Darlington is a pinnacle of stock car racingChase Briscoe’s Game Seven momentRace winner Chase Briscoe joins the showKyle Busch’s late race chargeHow did Dale’s February Playoff predictions hold up?Dale and Amy have a CARS Tour adventure in Florence, South Carolina21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

9/3/24 • 94:52

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.

8/29/24 • 51:58

Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes legendary NASCAR Crew Chief Buddy Parrott to the Dirty Mo Media Studio to learn more about the pivotal role he played in some of NASCAR’s greatest moments. Growing up in Gastonia, North Carolina, Buddy participated in competitive diving all through high school before finding his way to a race at Birmingham International Raceway on behalf of Huggins Tire Service. Buddy would take a job with the company working as a tire man for their NASCAR events, mounting tires for the entire Cup field on a regular basis. It was through this service that he met the legendary Harry Hyde, and not long after Buddy would approach him for an opportunity to work on his famed K&K Insurance Dodge team. Buddy explains that his time with Harry was invaluable, and he considered him to be his mentor, teaching him everything he knew about race cars and racing setups.Buddy would make the decision to split from the team when Kentuckian Ferrel Harris came to the shop to purchase a racer and some Raymond Fox-prepared engines. While working with Harris, Buddy also spent time teaming up with Robert Gee to help prepare his dirt cars, which were chauffeured by none other than Carolina ace Hayward Plyler and a young Dale Earnhardt. Dale Jr. was surprised to learn that Buddy served as crew chief for his father’s 1976 Atlanta 500 attempt in a car owned by Johnny Ray, which was famously destroyed in a crash. Buddy would move on to the DiGard Motorsports outfit to team with Darrell Waltrip and take the NASCAR Cup scene by storm in the late 1970s. Listeners can hear all of this, plus more about Buddy’s time working on Harry Ranier’s Gray Ghost, helping Richard Petty score his 200th win, and the 1990 Daytona 500.21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov

8/28/24 • 132:48

After a surprising finish at Daytona, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the studio to catch up on the latest racing headlines on this week’s edition of Dirty Air. It's a star-studded lineup on the show this week, with Bubba Wallace, Harrison Burton and Jeff Burton all jumping on the show. Harrison Burton’s unpredictable win means the Playoffs cutline moved again, and several drivers face a must-win situation rolling into Darlington:Harrison wins number 100 for the legendary Wood Brothers“Winning the lottery” is a good thing for smaller teamsWas Parker Retzlaff in the wrong?Bubba Wallace stops by the studioThe Playoff bubble shifts againNASCAR returns to Mexico City in 2025

8/27/24 • 93:44

In this episode of DJD Reloaded, we are joined by NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Media and Revenue Officer Brian Herbst, who explains how race start times are determined. Learn about the factors influencing these decisions, from broadcast windows and viewership trends to the balance between TV audiences and trackside fans. We also discuss Richard Childress Racing’s penalty appeal, and what it means for the team moving forward. Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, co-hosts of The Teardown join and explain the nuances of the appeals process and what happens next. Plus, the fans ask Dale Jr. their burning questions in Ask Jr.

8/22/24 • 57:32

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined by longtime NASCAR competitor and winner of the 1990 Daytona 500 Derrike Cope to learn about his journey from the Pacific Northwest to capturing one of the greatest upset victories in racing history. After growing up with a father who competed in the NHRA Drag Racing ranks, Derrike learned the finer points of being a mechanic working in various speed shops on the West Coast. After his initial focus in life of baseball was curbed by a devastating injury in college, Derrike followed in his father and brother Darren’s footsteps and strapped into the driver’s seat. After competing in late model races, Derrike would find himself on a path that would lead him to the heart of the fast-growing world of stock cars through the NASCAR Winston West Series. Dale and Derrike give listeners some insight into the former Winston West outfit, which ran from 1971 to 2003 and was essentially its own separate entity sanctioning Cup racing on the West Coast.Derrike explains that Winston West fixture George Jefferson was instrumental in helping Derrike get his first Cup ride, and it was in this series that Derrike found his footing and learned the craft of racing top-speed stock cars before making the journey east. Derrike’s initial efforts out east were plagued by financial difficulties, but thanks to a relationship with Purolator he eventually found his way to Bob Whitcomb and they established a state-of-the-art operation with the legendary Buddy Parrott at the helm. This potent combination armed with a Dorton-built engine set sail for Daytona in 1990 and brought home stock car immortality when a dominant Dale Earnhardt Sr. ran over debris on the final lap and slowed. Dale and Derrike recap what he remembers from this memorable week, as well as his time racing for Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, working with StarCom, and what he occupies his time with today.  21+ and present in North Carolina. Full price of NFL Sunday Ticket will be automatically charged seasonally after free trial. No refunds. Terms, restrictions, and embargoes apply.  Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov

8/21/24 • 110:38

The NASCAR Cup race may have been delayed until Monday, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. is right on schedule with this week’s edition of Dirty Air. After a late-race caution caused much debate among racing fans, Tyler Reddick held on in double overtime to win his second race of the season:Did Martin Truex Jr.’s crash warrant a yellow flag?Does NASCAR change its officiating throughout the race, case by case?How will NASCAR respond to Corey LaJoie’s flip?The great start-time debateNASCAR’s 2025 schedule is starting to get out The NASCAR Playoff bubble pictureRace winner Tyler Reddick calls into the show21+ and present in North Carolina. Full price of NFL Sunday Ticket will be automatically charged seasonally after free trial. No refunds. Terms, restrictions, and embargoes apply.  Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

8/20/24 • 100:19

After Austin Dillon’s controversial last-lap decisions at the Richmond Cup race, NASCAR stripped RCR of Dillon’s Playoff eligibility with an unprecedented penalty. Did NASCAR do the right thing? Is the line for hard racing now defined? We discuss the limits of aggressive driving with Mark Martin and Dale Jr. in this episode as they react to the news.

8/15/24 • 54:33

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined in the studio by former NASCAR racer and Driver Performance Manager for Chevrolet Racing Josh Wise. The two discuss Josh's post driving career, and his influential role in coaching NASCAR's top athletes.After moving into the stock car ranks as a champion dirt sprint car racer, Josh spent ten years moving through the NASCAR ranks before finding his calling to become a driver development coach and manager. Josh admits that though he was the first driver in Toyota’s development program, he was ill-prepared for the world of fendered racing and feels he failed during his time behind the wheel in NASCAR. In 2016, he came to the realization that he was ready to end his pursuit of being a race car driver and wanted to move into a position to help other drivers unlock their full potential. Josh explains that after setting his sights on this goal, he struck up a conversation with Max Jones at Chip Ganassi Racing and pitched the concept to him. Max suggested he work with a young and upcoming racer in their ranks who needed help with focus, who just happened to be Kyle Larson. Wise Optimization hit the ground running with Larson, Jamie McMurray, Tyler Reddick and Brennan Poole and quickly grew from a single-man operation focusing on workout regimens to an all-encompassing driver overhaul program. Josh attended night school to earn a degree in psychology so he could help drivers with their lives away from the track, which he found to be a major key in growth potential. Today, the operation is a facet of Team Chevy and helps some of the most successful drivers in stock car racing hone their craft.21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov

8/14/24 • 66:03

Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns to the Dirty Mo Studio to react to the highly controversial NASCAR Cup race finish at Richmond on this episode of Dirty Air. As the racing world awaits NASCAR’s weekly penalty report, Dale weighs in with this take on the issues:Ricky Stenhouse sets up calamitous endingWas Austin Dillon’s bump on Joey Logano against the driver code?Did Austin Dillon intentionally get into Denny Hamlin?What will the NASCAR penalty report say?Race winner Austin Dillon joins the showThe Goodyear soft tire worked! 21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov

8/13/24 • 76:19

In this episode, Jeff Gluck, Jordan Bianchi, and Guest Host Hannah Newhouse dive deep into the latest news in the NASCAR world. They kick off with updates from the two-week break, exploring what’s next for driver Cory LaJoie and who could potentially be the next driver of the No. 7. Jeff and Jordan also explain why NASCAR might reject foreign investors for the future of the sport. The conversation then shifts to the highly anticipated 2025 NASCAR schedule and the surprising return of Juan Pablo Montoya to the track. The spotlight also falls on rising star Connor Zilisch, with comparisons to other young talents and predictions for his impact on the sport. Plus, Max Papis joins from Italy to weigh in on the new driver’s hype along with Connor’s ARCA crew chief, Shane Huffman. Rounding out the episode, the hosts share their thoughts on the upcoming Richmond race. Plus, hear Dale answer your questions in Ask Jr.

8/8/24 • 61:23

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with one of the top prospects in the stock car racing world Connor Zilisch to learn about his career and upbringing in the sport. Owner of Trackhouse Racing Justin Marks joins them to announce that Connor will be racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025 in partnership with JR Motorsports.

8/7/24 • 82:12

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is fresh off the plane from a vacation in Ireland, and joined by special co-host TJ Majors for this week’s episode of Dirty Air. Even though we are into the second week of auto racing’s Olympic summer break, there was still plenty to chat about:• Stock market turbulence• East coast storms are causing worry• Tim Dugger calls into to chat about their Ireland getaway  • NASCAR Cup Mid-season review• Catching up on the industry newsFor more content head over to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia

8/6/24 • 75:47

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.  

8/1/24 • 43:34

Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes longtime NASCAR competitors Elliott and Hermie Sadler to the studio on this episode of the Dale Jr. Download. After growing up in Emporia, Virginia, the accomplished brother duo picked up their father’s interest in racing and entered into the go-kart ranks. They explain that their father owned dirt cars that competed on the short tracks of Virginia and North Carolina and were maintained in their family-owned Chevy dealership. Hermie would win a World Karting Association national championship for dirt karts in 1988 and would graduate to late model stock cars with the support of his parents. Hermie explains that after initially struggling, his father tried to convince him to give up his racing career in pursuit of something new. In what was supposed to be one last attempt behind the wheel, Hermie would win his first-ever late model race in Manassas, inspiring him to continue onward.When Hermie graduated into the NASCAR Busch Series and found early success by winning his first race and the Rookie of the Year title in 1993, Elliott followed him up the racing ladder, occupying the now vacant family late model seat. Elliott would keep the Sadler name in victory lane by winning the 1995 track championship at South Boston before making a splash in the NASCAR Busch ranks himself. Elliott tells the story of getting a call from the Wood Brothers to drive the famed 21 NASCAR Cup ride and how he scored an emotional victory for the team at Bristol. Meanwhile, Hermie struggled on his path through NASCAR and would eventually settle into the broadcast booth, where he became one of the most known on-air personalities in the sport. Elliott takes listeners through his journey from Yates Racing to Evernham Motorsports before moving back to the NASCAR Xfinity ranks, where he’d finish up his career at JR Motorsports.

7/31/24 • 143:32

NASCAR may be on break for the Olympics, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the studio and he brought his wife Amy in for a special edition of Dirty Air. The Download crew teed up Dale and Amy to play a round of The Marriage Game, and of course hilarity ensued:Houseboat debacleSilly argumentsWeird fears and habitsDale-ismsPlus, as Dale says, there WAS a race this past weekend. Dale Jr. weighs in on the eventful Cars Tour race and welcomes race winner Ronnie Bassett Jr. for our weekly call-in. 

7/30/24 • 78:29

What is the state of Late Model Stock racing? Well, Dale Jr. had a lot to say about it after he competed in the 16th annual Hampton Heat 200 at Langley Speedway last Saturday night which treated fans to a physical battle in the closing laps between Brenden Queen, aka “Butterbean”, and Connor Hall. In the end, Butterbean emerged victorious, earning his third Hampton Heat win, tying C.E. Falk III for the most all-time. Dale Jr. came home with a 5th place finish. Today on DJD Reloaded, we’ve got Dale Jr. and Butterbean in-studio, plus Butterbean’s crew chief, Lee Pulliam, calling in to recap an exciting Hampton Heat, and discuss the state of Late Model Stock racing. 

7/25/24 • 63:15

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with Dale Earnhardt’s best friend, Donnie Rives. Donnie has kept these stories to himself, until today. It’s a heartfelt conversation swapping stories about the Intimidator from two people who knew him best. Donnie's first connection with the Earnhardt’s was through Ralph. Ralph’s signature “Earnhardt grin” left a lasting impression on those who knew him. Donnie shares moments of bird hunting with Ralph, along with the valuable racing advice he passed along to him. Both Dale Jr. and Donnie reminisced about hunting experiences with Sr. and came to an agreement that the Intimidator was an exceptional deer tracker, showcasing his skills in the great outdoors. With as strong of a friendship the two had, Rives shares why he turned down opportunities within the industry, particularly a position at DEI. The two finish off the conversation talking about Rives’ relationship with Teresa Earnhardt, where he details his respect for both her and Dale’s legacy. They discuss Dale Earnhardt’s passing and share heart-to-heart moments talking about what Dale Sr means to both of them. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss. 21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

7/24/24 • 106:33

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the Dirty Mo Media studio to discuss the heavily debated Brickyard 400 finish, and has an opinion that may surprise you. There was a lot of controversy at Indianapolis this year and the Dirty Air crew unpacks all of it:Should NASCAR have waived off the final start?How does Ryan Blaney feel about it now?Did NASCAR make the right call with the final yellow flag?Race winning crew chief Cliff Daniels joins the showPenalties or warnings for blending back onto the trackDuring the Ask Jr. segment of the show, listeners sent in questions regarding:Team Xbox or Playstation?Being in the Nickelback “Rockstar” music videoDale’s choice in glassesDale’s next project car21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

7/23/24 • 89:48

30 years ago, NASCAR ran the first Brickyard 400 at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway that featured the largest crowd to ever witness a NASCAR race. Today on DJD Reloaded, we relive iconic moments from one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels with a pair of iconic drivers. Dale Jarrett, a 2-time Brickyard winner, and the man behind the tradition of “kissing the bricks” calls in to share his stories. Plus, Jamie McMurray, a driver who won the Brickyard in 2010 amidst a historical season gives us his favorite memories from racing on the oval at Indy. And we’ll even hear from IMS President, Doug Boles, on what this event means for the Speedway, and how this race has evolved since its inception in 1994. 

7/18/24 • 64:08

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director and former MRN Pit Reporter Winston Kelley to share over 30 years of stories from behind the microphone.Winston's career is rooted in his passion for the sport of NASCAR, dating back to his first job working on road for free. From there, Kelley has practically seen it all. He recalls working iconic races in the sport's history, including Cale Yarbrough, Richard Petty, and Jeff Gordon's final races. Winston was also Dale Earnhardt's final interview at the 2001 Daytona 500, and recalls Earnhardt's mood on the grid before the race. With a career behind a microphone comes difficult moments. Kelley remembers interviews with Dale Earnhardt after his multiple heartbreak losses in the Daytona 500, and the moment he was caught in the middle of the feud between Rusty Wallace and Earnhardt. As the Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Winston is living out his own childhood dream working with his heroes and building the legacy of the Hall. Kelley has been with the Hall since they broke ground to build the museum in 2006, and describes what it's like to watch inductees go through the process of entering NASCAR's most prestigious club. They close the interview discussing the best and worst interviews of his career. Between cutting it up with Tony Stewart after the race, to the poorly worded question that cost him big, Winston has no shortage of great stories to share. 21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov

7/17/24 • 106:13

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the studio for this week’s episode of Dirty Air to recap all of the action from Pocono. After a weekend full of action from the Tricky Triangle, there is plenty to discuss:Dale picks his NCAA Football '25 Dynasty TeamWas Corey LaJoie and Kyle Busch's on-track contact a racing deal?Should Bubba Wallace have been fined $50k for dooring Alex Bowman at Chicago?Ryan Blaney calls inDale recalls epic paintball battles between the 48 & 88 teams on the roadDuring the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners wanted to know Dale’s opinion on:Tire options for the Richmond raceSting Ray Robb's crash at IowaDale is back on track this weekend 21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

7/16/24 • 113:14

Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues his conversation with longtime NASCAR crew chief Gary Nelson to discuss his time at Hendrick Motorsports, building SABCO with Felix Sabates, and his move to the officiating side as the Winston Cup Director.Gary details how Rick Hendrick used his car salesman skills to sell him on a job at HMS. Teamed up with Geoff Bodine, the two went on to beat Dale Earnhardt in the Daytona 500. Nelson shares stories of Bodine and legendary Crew Chief Harry Hyde that inspired the plot of Days Of Thunder. In 1988, Gary was taken on by Felix Sabates to help build SABCO. With Kyle Petty as the driver, he shares the moment that changed the entire history of that program. He also shares when he was convinced he’d be fired after a shouting match with Kyle Petty at Dover.They close the show by discussing Nelson’s time as the NASCAR Winston Cup Director. Gary talks about the tragic on-track crashes he witnessed firsthand that stay with him today. After numerous fatal accidents, it was up to him and his team to figure out how to make the sport safer. His multi-layered career and honest storytelling make this interview an instant Download classic. 

7/11/24 • 72:18

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with longtime NASCAR crew chief Gary Nelson, who worked with legendary drivers like Ricky Rudd, Bobby Allison, and Geoff Bodine. In the first installment of this conversation, Gary dives into the intriguing world of NASCAR innovation.If you raced in the 70s with a 100% legal car, you’d be out of business, and Nelson is here to prove it. He shares stories of finding ways around NASCAR’s scales, new innovations in aerodynamics, and how many of his cars looked a little “too good” to the inspectors. Nelson also dives into the early days of his career, discussing his relationship with Robert Gee, learning moments with Darrell Waltrip, and how he was directly responsible for Dale Earnhardt’s first win at Bristol.Dale Jr and Gary also break down his give-and-take relationship with Bobby Allison, and what it took for the two of them to finally find success. It’s a conversation so good we had to break it into two parts. 

7/10/24 • 102:53

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the studio after vacation (or was it?) for this week’s episode of Dirty Air. After an eventful weekend in the streets of the Windy City, there is plenty to discuss, and Dale is joined by special co-host TJ Majors to lend his perspective from the spotter’s stand:Dale doesn’t trust his golf cartThe rain won’t stay away from ChicagoSVG and Larson have up and down weekendRetaliation after the checkered flagThe Playoff window is tightening for non-winnersTyler Reddick had a shot on the last lapDuring the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners wanted to know Dale’s opinion on:Ryan Blaney’s chances for the ESPY “Driver of the Year” awardNASCAR’s EV ProjectRodney Childers moving to Spire Motorsports in 2025 to work on the 7 car

7/9/24 • 107:05

Carla Gebhart is joined by The Teardown’s Jeff Gluck on this week’s DJD Reloaded. We react to the Carson Hocevar penalty and how it could affect his long-term career prospects in the NASCAR Cup Series. With Josh Berry’s move to the Wood Brothers announced, where’s a possible landing spot for Rodney Childers? Plus, “The Professor” from Dirty Mo Dough, Russell Weinrich, calls in to dissect the data on whether the most dominant car actually finds its way to Victory Lane. Numbers never lie and they may surprise you. And finally, we hear from the winner of this year’s Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge. 

7/3/24 • 43:31