The Dale Jr. Download

Kelley Earnhardt Miller is back for another installment of the Business of Motorsports as she and co-host Mike Davis sit down with JR Motorsports’ Senior Vice President of Business and Strategy Joe Mattes. After spending years in the banking and garment industries, Mattes was connected with Dale Earnhardt Sr. through Don Hawk. Before Joe knew it, he was moving into Dale Sr.’s lake house and taking over a racing empire. Joe fills listeners in on how he and the Earnhardt team created some of the most iconic racing souvenirs of all time, including the Winston 25th Anniversary and the 1996 Olympics diecasts. He also explained the importance of not only working with large distributors and outlets but also directly with smaller vendors and collectors. The episode explains Joe’s departure from Dale Sr.'s enterprise and his early involvement with e-commerce through NASCAR.com. In part two, Joe details his journey back into the Earnhardt inner circle, this time through Dale Jr. and JR Motorsports. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2023 Coca-Cola 600 winner Ryan Blaney joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis fresh out of victory lane to discuss how he celebrated and what the win meant to him. Dale and Mike ask Ryan to weigh in on the Chase Elliott/Denny Hamlin incident and what he saw during the race. They also discuss Ryan’s time in the broadcast booth and how it makes him view driver feuds and conflict differently. The guys look ahead to this coming NASCAR weekend in St. Louis at Gateway International Raceway and Ryan gives his opinion of the new NextGen short-track package. They also reflect on the race at North Wilkesboro and how Ryan liked returning to the famed oval after its nearly 30-year absence from the NASCAR Cup schedule. Ryan’s victory at the Coke 600 was special because it snapped a 59-race losing streak, and he fills listeners in on what kept him motivated during the tough time period in his Cup career. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins co-host Mike Davis after the greatest weekend in racing to recap all the action and speculate on what news may come out this week from NASCAR: Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin’s on-track incident  How will NASCAR govern this situation? Emotional win for Blaney Dale’s time with NBC for the Indianapolis 500 broadcast During the Ask Jr. segment of the episode, listeners wrote in questions regarding: Drivers celebrating in the grandstand Watching old races with friends Preparing for NBC’s return to NASCAR broadcasting Restoration project updates To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The LAST Speed Street episode before the Greatest Spectacle in Racing is here! Conor Daly and Joey Mulinaro chat about what to expect in the upcoming 100 Days to Indy episode, Joey successfully predicting who will wave the green flag, how close the race is to being sold out, why Honda could have had concerns about Graham Rahal filling in for Stefan Wilson, and Conor answers questions from Denny Hamlin. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis are back once again to wrap up the Dale Jr. Download week. The guys react to their stunning interview with Slugger Labbe which answered a lot of questions about the Dale Earnhardt Inc. days, and provided some closure to the turmoil the team experienced in 2005. Also, we hear from the Short Track Insider and play another round of Guess the Driver. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After NASCAR’s triumphant return to North Wilkesboro Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis are back in the Bojangles Studio to recap the weekend. Why the weekend was very much a success, the NextGen car’s short track package problems once again were on display and provided much to discuss: The new format was designed to showcase the track Rain tire experiment during the heat races How do we fix the short-track package? The future of stock car racing at short tracks is in jeopardy During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners sent in questions regarding:  Dale’s most sought-after throwback t-shirt Weird Christmas gifts NASCAR having elimination qualifying like the Indianapolis 500 Will the return of North Wilkesboro spark other lost speedway revivals? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is fresh out of the driver’s seat after competing in the CARS Tour late model stock car event at North Wilkesboro to join his co-host Mike Davis in the Bojangles Studio. Dale recounts his experience in the race and how an on-track traffic jam led to his car being damaged, altering the rest of his race execution. Dale and Mike also discuss the impressive talent in the CARS Tour ranks and preview the upcoming NASCAR All-Star weekend. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s North Wilkesboro week, and before hopping behind the wheel of the JR Motorsports Sun Drop #3 Late Model Stock Car, Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins his co-host Mike Davis in Bojangles Studio for some Dirty Air. Dale is fresh from his trip to Darlington, where he was honored as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. Dale and Mike discuss: Interactions with Geoff Bodine Carl Edwards’ unexpected reception  Kevin Harvick’s hot take on drivers fighting Ross Chastain and Kyle Larson’s Darlington dust-up During the Ask Jr. segment brought to you by Xfinity 10G, listeners sent in questions regarding: What video games Dale plays Which events at North Wilkesboro Dale is most excited for If Dale could ask him pets and animals one question, what would it be? Least favorite household chores To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conor Daly and Joey Mulinaro are back on Speed Street to discuss the “spectacle” that was the Miami GP, the importance of attracting celebrities to big events, Joey hanging at the Kentucky Derby, how impactful Ross Chastain and Noah Gragson’s fight was on the sport, why IndyCar needs more intense rivalries, and answer a couple of questions from Dale Jr. and Mike Davis.  Then, the guys talk with Arrow McLaren Racing driver Felix Rosenqvist about his rise through the F1 feeder series, racing in the early days of Formula E, why it was his dream to make it to IndyCar, and transitioning from Ganassi to McLaren. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns from his broadcasting stint at the Kentucky Derby to reunite with co-host Mike Davis for another episode of Dale Jr. Download. The fans have spoken, and they love what they saw at Kansas Speedway over the weekend from the superstars of NASCAR. Dale and Mike discuss the action and more: Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson’s last-lap battle Noah Gragson and Ross Chastain’s pit road punch NASCAR’s next potential superstar Dale reports on his Kentucky Derby experience During the Ask Jr. segment, listeners sent in questions regarding: Balancing out-of-the-car obligations on race day What Dale would do if he didn’t get into racing Dale’s favorite, lesser-known music artists Dale’s love for sushi To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The month of May is HERE and Speed Street is back with Conor Daly and Joey Mulinaro to welcome the neighborhood into the greatest month of the year. Conor and Joey break down Conor’s rough weekend in Barber including his contact with Graham Rahal during Sunday’s race, which 1980s Indy 500 segment should be brought back to the TV coverage, their thoughts on the first episode of 100 Days to Indy, and Conor shares his experience from Nitro Rallycross’s summit even in Las Vegas including meeting Dana White. Then, the guys talk with former Red Bull Junior F1 team driver and current music producer Jaime Alguersuari (@squire.music) to talk about his experience signing with Red Bull when he was 15, his quick turnaround to getting an F1 seat, the difficulties of racing at Toro Rosso, how the development drivers are programmed like machines to win, and shares his frustrations of leaving the sport. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time to wrap up the Dale Jr. Download week as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis reconvene to react to their interview with Bill Davis, discuss the rules of the Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge, play another round of games, and recap the Truex brothers’ sweep during NASCAR’s weekend at the Monster Mile. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis are back in the Bojangles Studio to kick off another week of the Dale Jr. Download. The guys had a wide variety of topics to catch up on and discuss, here’s what was on the docket: Denny Hamlin’s Bracket Challenge (1:30) Dale at the Kentucky Derby (10:45) Mental Health Month (20:12) Isla’s birthday bash  When the Download Gang went live on Youtube for Ask Jr., listeners sent in questions regarding: (38:00) Dale’s time with Neil deGrasse Tyson Dale and Mike’s bucket list items Fighting with crew chiefs on the radio Ross Chastain’s on-track aggression To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dirty Mo Media worlds are colliding this week as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis welcome Dirty Mo Dough host Steve Letarte to the Bojangles Studio. They discuss the sports betting podcast, Steve surprises Dale with a meaningful honor and the guys play a couple rounds of guessing games. Also, Amy joins Dale and Mike to give her account of Dale’s first core class. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Talladega is known for two things: plate racing and infield parties. We'll be going over our top 4 drivers that we would invite to a Talladega Infield Party. Who are you bringing? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined by his wife Amy and co-host Mike Davis to further discuss his recent adventure in cryotherapy. Amy arrives early to give her perspective on their date to the “cold box”, and then they fill listeners in on how it compared to their recent homemade ice bath. In solidarity, Mike spills the beans on what really happened at the end of his Grand Canyon vacation and the guys play a couple more rounds of tic-tac-toe. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a reunion of the “8’s” this week as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sat down with longtime NASCAR Cup racer Hut Stricklin. After rising through the ranks of the NASCAR Dash Series, Stricklin went on to race for legendary car owners like Rod Osterlund, Bobby Allison, and Junior Johnson before arriving in the famed Stavola Brothers number-8. He would occupy the ride until 1998, and shortly after the team would dissolve, with the number 8 being sold off to Dale Earnhardt Inc. to prepare for Dale Jr.’s 1999 Cup debut.  Hut explains how he cut his teeth in the Alabama short-track racing scene, following in his father’s footsteps. They discuss how a chance encounter while driving around in Panama City would lead to Hut meeting his longtime wife Pam, daughter of racing legend Donnie Allison. Hut also fills listeners in on some of his favorite rides in Cup, how he became Tom Cruise's driving coach for the movie Days of Thunder, the story behind his career-best run at the 1996 Southern 500, and why he decided to walk away from the sport after the 2002 Bristol night race.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a week’s vacation, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis are back in the Bojangles Studio for some Dirty Air. Mike details his trip to the Grand Canyon with his family, and Dale Jr. chimes in about his trip to the beach in Texas to visit family. They also discuss: Dale and Amy’s recent adventure in cryotherapy  Attending a Charlotte Football Club event  How the new short track package delivered at Martinsville  What short-term changes can be made to brakes and tires When the gang went live on Youtube, listeners sent in questions about: Talladega infield parties Best girl dad advice The most popular drivers in Cup today Favorite non-racing athletes To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As things wind down for the week of Dirty Mo Media programming, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis reunite to examine their illuminating interview with Tony Furr. They discuss how Tony’s insight painted a unique picture of Dale Earnhardt Sr., and detailed a lot of experiences that likely helped mold him into one of stock car racing’s greatest drivers. They also preview next week’s Business in Motorsports installment with Kelley Earnhardt-Miller and Marcus Smith, and Dale sets out to even the score with Mike in another round of tic-tac-toe. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fans of Earnhardt family folklore are in for a treat today as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with longtime NASCAR garage fixture Tony Furr. While Furr worked as crew chief in the NASCAR ranks for several years and has a couple of wins to his credit, his roots rest in the Carolina red clay’s competitive short track ranks. They chat at length about Tony’s father Henry, who had a long legacy as an influential race promoter at both Concord Speedways and Metrolina. As Tony grew up helping out in his father’s endeavors, he eventually took over his fleet of Ford and Dodge late models and went on to field entries for some of the best racers in the Carolinas, including none other than Dale Earnhardt Sr. Tony provides listeners with a unique look at the humble beginnings of Dale Sr.’s legendary race career and the struggles they faced as a team. After finding his way into the NASCAR Cup garage through stints at Hendrick Motorsports and Cale Yarborough Motorsports, Tony became known for his “innovation” on cars, and faced a few hefty penalties throughout the years. The interview digs deep into some of the “developments” that landed Tony in hot water, and a few that may have slipped under the radar. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices