Becoming Earnhardt 1980 Vol. 3 - I Just Want to Win, Win, Win

Summary

Becoming Earnhardt 1980 Vol. 3 - I Just Want to Win, Win, Win

Hosted by Dirty Mo Media and SiriusXM’s The Dale Jr. Download, this episode delves deep into the pivotal moments of Dale Earnhardt's 1980 NASCAR season. Through a blend of firsthand insights from Kelly Earnhardt and expert commentary from Mike Joy, listeners are taken on a journey through triumphs, challenges, and the relentless pursuit of victory that defined Dale Jr.'s early career.

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1. The 1980 NASCAR Season Kicks Off

The episode opens with Kelly Earnhardt sharing her unique perspective on Dale Earnhardt’s approach to racing and team dynamics. [01:36]

Kelly Earnhardt: "Earnhardt, right tuck on tight. He's holding on to the back bumper of Cale Yarbrough as they go into the third turn. They've got about four cars."

This sets the stage for a season filled with intense competition against some of NASCAR's greatest teams and minds, including legends like Junior Johnson and Richard Petty.

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2. Early Races and Momentum at Richmond

The Richmond 400 emerges as a significant early race where Dale Earnhardt showcases his prowess. Despite a chaotic environment, Dale manages to secure a strong position.

Mike Joy: "Dad's gonna have another solid run. He's running fifth in a chaos-filled race that included dad's rookie of the year rival, Joe Milliken crashing out of the track." [04:26]

Kelly Earnhardt: "Nothing going through my mind but, you know, beating Bobby and what David was planning. He was back there and I knew he was planning something." [03:23]

These comments highlight Dale's strategic mindset and his ability to stay focused amidst distractions, contributing to his early lead in the points standings.

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3. Challenges Behind the Scenes: FBI Investigations and Team Struggles

The season faces turbulence as LG DeWitt's team, driven by Joe Milliken, becomes embroiled in an FBI investigation for the interstate traffic of stolen cars. [05:12]

Mike Joy: "Joe Milliken, who lost the rookie of the Year to Dad last year, but actually out-pointed him during the season, is out of a ride and on the outside looking in." [26:22]

This scandal not only disrupts the competitive landscape but also underscores the volatile nature of NASCAR's team dynamics during that era, where performance directly impacted job security.

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4. Triumphant Victory at Atlanta 500

One of the episode’s highlights is Dale Earnhardt's dramatic win at the Atlanta 500. Starting from the 31st position, Dale's aggressive driving and strategic pit stops propel him to victory, marking his second career Cup win. [07:20] - [10:38]

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: "Just move right by Bobby Allison. Had you been holding back all day? No, I was running as hard as I could go." [10:06]

This victory not only solidifies Dale's standing in the NASCAR hierarchy but also sets a record for the most wins by a single driver at Atlanta, a legacy that persists to this day.

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5. Relationship Dynamics and Team Pressure

As Dale's success grows, so does the tension within his team. Jake Elder, the crew chief, emphasizes the importance of strategic risk-taking, which sometimes leads to strained communications and heightened pressure. [09:08] - [24:09]

Jake Elder: "If you want to be a superstar, sometimes you have to take chances. They were down to the fabric, but I figured those tires had another 10 laps in them." [09:21]

These pressures culminate in aggressive driving maneuvers that begin to erode respect among veteran drivers and within the Osterlin team itself.

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6. The Martinsville Incident: Aggression and Its Consequences

A turning point in the season occurs at the Virginia 500 in Martinsville, where Dale Earnhardt's aggressive driving leads to a multi-car wreck. [27:57] - [32:26]

Kelly Earnhardt: "He just turned left, went up across the grass and jumped a curb and jumped right in the middle of that whole crowd." [30:13]

This incident not only results in a damaged car and a 13th place finish for Dale but also sows discord within the NASCAR community, as veteran drivers express frustration over Dale's driving style.

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7. Season's Progression: Ups and Downs

Despite setbacks, Dale maintains his lead in the points standings. However, continuous engine failures and team instability begin to take their toll. [23:53] - [27:40]

Deb Williams: "Joe Millikan was viewed as Richard Petty's prodigy. For L.G. deWitt to suddenly shut the team down and Joe be out without a ride and really never had one again, there was no stability in the teams like there is today." [26:22]

These challenges highlight the precarious balance between performance and team sustainability in NASCAR's competitive environment.

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8. Securing the Championship Amid Adversity

As the season progresses towards its climax, Dale Earnhardt's determination to win remains unwavering despite mounting pressures and internal team strife. His resilience and focus continue to drive him towards the championship, setting the stage for a gripping conclusion to the 1980 season. [32:23]

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: "It has. So Earnhardt is going to be called back to pit road. This could easily cost him the national driving title here this afternoon." [32:23]

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9. Relationships and Personal Insights

Interwoven throughout the episode are heartfelt anecdotes from Kelly Earnhardt, shedding light on Dale's personal relationships, his magnetic personality, and the supportive network around him. From hunting buddies to close friends like Jody Davis, these relationships played a crucial role in shaping Dale's character both on and off the track.

Kelly Earnhardt: "He always liked to pick around with people, and he always said if he was picking on you, then he liked you." [16:44]

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10. Reflections and Legacy

Concluding the episode, reflections on Dale Earnhardt's early career achievements and the foundations of his lasting legacy are presented. His ability to dominate races, inspire respect, and navigate the complexities of professional racing set the stage for his enduring impact on NASCAR.

Mike Joy: "Now the question isn't just whether dad can keep winning, it's whether this whole operation can hold together long enough to chase after this championship." [32:19]

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In summary, "Becoming Earnhardt 1980 Vol. 3 - I Just Want to Win, Win, Win" offers an in-depth exploration of Dale Earnhardt's formative racing season. Through a combination of race analysis, personal stories, and expert commentary, the episode captures the essence of what propelled Dale Jr. to become a NASCAR legend. Whether it's navigating intense competition, overcoming mechanical failures, or managing team dynamics, Dale's relentless drive to win is vividly portrayed, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of his early career triumphs and tribulations.

Transcript

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

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[Mike Joy]

It'S Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

To tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it.

[Mike Joy]

Turns out that's very illegal.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment $45 for a three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer.

[Mike Joy]

Offer for first three months only.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of taxes.

[Mike Joy]

And fees extra cement mobile.com the following is a production of Dirty Mo Media. This episode of Becoming Earnhardt is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, North America's premier outdoor and conservation company. Plan your next adventure at a Bass Pro Shops near you or [e-mail] later in the episode, my sister Kelly shares her unique perspective on life with dad away from the racetrack. Now buckle up. Here's a brand new episode of Becoming Earnhardt presented by Bass Pro Shops.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

You know, running with these guys, I run with Kel and Richard and Donnie and these guys, you race with them and you know if you're smart at all, you pick up on what they doing and they'll use it against you and they'll beat you with it. But they're not going to beat me with it but a few times and I'm going to be using it against them.

[Mike Joy]

It's pretty remarkable to see the speed that the Osterlin team is able to find so early in their existence.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Earnhardt, right tuck on tight. He's holding on to the back bumper of Cale Yarbrough as they go into the third turn. They've got about four cars.

[Mike Joy]

We know Jake Elder, the crew chief, is bringing a lot of experience to the table, but these are some of the greatest teams and minds in history that they're going up against. We're talking about Junior Johnson.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

I gotta feel like we are the best prepared for this race. We're definitely not going out there and wait for something to happen.

[Mike Joy]

Petty Enterprises, Bud Moore, Richard Petty and.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Dale Earnhardt are side by side. Coming down the Earnhardt leads, Buddy Baker across the stripe. Bobby Allison has shown us the third place car.

[Mike Joy]

Lot of great teams. Had a couple things gone differently in the first two races of the 1980 season. Dad might be sitting with two strikes in the win caller.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Dale Earnhardt down the back straight away, just exploding an engine as he works his way up.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Earnhardt diving back onto pit road again. A lengthy stop for him a Moment ago, over 24 seconds.

[Mike Joy]

Dad's eager to take the team back to victory lane because we got to remember last time that this team won, dad wasn't even driving the car. That was David Pearson behind the wheel at the Southern 500 with Dale Earnhardt.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Out with the broken collarbone. David Pearson wins his third seven 500.

[Mike Joy]

They've been running well, leading the points, But NASCAR in 1980 didn't hand out job security for close enough.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Nothing going through my mind but, you know, beating Bobby and what David was planning. He was back there and I knew he was planning something. You know, I just got outsmarted a little bit. But one of the most competitive races I've ever been in.

[Mike Joy]

Something had to break loose and it will.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Darrell Waldrup and Dale Earnhardt play hopscotch, leapfrog and change places. Earnhardt is wedged into the middle of the veteran. Darrell Waltrip playing the role of the rabbit, but closing down rapidly. Right up on his back deck lid now. Is that Dale Earnh? Number two? Dale Earnhardt is your new leader. Earnhardt's really found a home on the.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Rear buffer of Cale Yarborough, a young superstar from Kannapolis, North Carolina.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

If I can lead, that's where I want to be. From Richmond, the capital city of Virginia, the Universal Racing Network brings you the Richmond 400, the third event of this big 1980 season from Angelic Stock Car Racing.

[Mike Joy]

After the Daytona 500 and Speed Weeks, the series is headed to Richmond and dad's gonna have a solid run there. He's gonna run fifth in a chaos filled race that included dad's rookie of the year rival, Joe Milliken crashing out of the track.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

And action up in turn three. And we have a guard up over the wall. The driver of the car that is upside down right over the guardrail is climbing out on top of the car. He's standing up on it and he's waving, saying everything is a okay.

[Mike Joy]

Milk had tagged the third turn. Guardrail sails over the barrier and landed on his side against a wooden fence beyond the track surface. It was a savage crash.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

That's the first time he's ever used a transmission as a step ladder. Getting out of that race car.

[Mike Joy]

Darrell Waltrip, he's gonna go on to win the race.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

The spectators are getting geared for a battle that they know is inevitable. It's gotta happen. Waltrip down on the low side, and Waltrip and Petty are side by side. Darrell Waltrip wins the Richmond 400 and.

[Mike Joy]

He'S heading into victory lane in the next week at Rockingham. Dad's gonna have another solid run. He's leading a few laps there and coming home in seventh place. And he now leads the point standings by 52 over Richard Petty. He's 177 points ahead of Kale Yarborough. Now. During the race at Rockingham, it was reported as many as 11 FBI agents were investigating LG DeWitt's team, driven by Joe Milliken, who started second.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

The car, number 72, the DeWitt Chevrolet. Joe Milligan's gonna establish himself early. Yes. And he's had his problem. Go. A couple of weeks ago at Richmond, he went out of the track there.

[Mike Joy]

During the race, an anonymous phone call was placed to Tom Higgins in the press box saying the FBI was investigating the team for interstate traffic of stolen cars. The FBI was looking into a theft to order ring where car thieves would find customers who wanted a cheap car and they would go out and steal what the customer wanted. It was said that crew chief Bobby Hudson had bought a stolen Pontiac Trans Am from someone he met at Talladega later this year. In October, Bobby Hudson and two of his brothers were arrested on charges of receiving, concealing and transporting stolen vehicles. When the Cup Series heads to Atlanta, things get off to a shaky start for the Osterlin team.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Greetings, sports fans from the heart of Georgia and the 21st annual Atlanta 500 on a beautiful day at Atlanta International Raceway.

[Mike Joy]

Dad's gonna have mechanical problems in qualifying and settle for only a 31st starting position on that grid Sunday morning. Dad says, I only got a few hours sleep last night. I think the team's morale is about as low as I've seen it. We just couldn't get it running. Things sure turned around in the last 24 hours.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

We're gonna get a green, Buddy Baker. Neil Bonnet starts picking up the speed and the Atlanta 500 is gonna be underway. Dale Earnhardt, who started 31st in the field, is now running third after only 37 laps completed. A man on the move, we're gonna.

[Mike Joy]

Get this race going, and Cale Yarborough's gonna be dominant, leading 183 laps before his engine goes solid.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Something evidently wrong with Cale Yarborough's automobile as he backs way out of the carburetor. Dale Earnhardt looked like he was shot out of a gun as he gunned by Cale Yarborough on pit road. With the hood up and the crew.

[Mike Joy]

Is under it, I feel like we won the race. We just didn't get paid for it. That's what Cale says.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison side by side at 3 and 4. Dale Earnhardt on the high side. Bobby Allison on the low side. As they come out of turn four, they'll be running side by side. Dale Earnhardt shoots past Bobby Allison and takes over the lead in the Atlanta 500.

[Mike Joy]

In an article in the stock car racing magazine, Goodyear engineers are telling Jake Elder the tires on dad's car car were so worn that there was no way he could finish the race without a pit stop.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

This is the time of the race where the driver starts hearing everything going on in a car. He feels every vibration, he hears every knock, and he just counts the laps off with the starter.

[Mike Joy]

Elder said after the race, if you want to be a superstar, sometimes you have to take chances. They were down to the fabric, but I figured those tires had another 10 laps in them.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

And he has a big watermelon friend underneath that handlebar bustache. Dale Earnhardt, the rookie driver for just a few years back, now becoming a very big, strong veteran and a force to be reckoned with. Many of the fans on the back, down the back straight away raising their fists in salute to Dale Earnhardt.

[Mike Joy]

Dad was able to charge to the front and lead the final 29 laps. And he's gonna capture his first win of the season and the second of his cup career.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

ANNAPOLIS, N.C. last year's rookie of the year comes off of turn four. He's headed to the start finish line, and he gets the ticket flag.

[Mike Joy]

This 500 mile journey changed dad's early morning demeanor once he pulls into victory lane.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Dale, congratulations. A victory in second year on the super speedway. Here, boy, you did it. I ain't believing we did it, but you know, this crew worked hard, and it, you know, it just was a long day. We ran hard all day, had good pit stops. You know, it was just a super day. Well, you sat back there, seemed to control yourself. You finally made your move. Just move right by Bobby Allison. Had you been holding back all day? No, I was running as hard as I could go. Bobby slowed down, he had problems and luckily Kale had problems too. So it ended up we're by ourselves at the end.

[Mike Joy]

He goes on to say this. I could get used to this. Beats the heck out of any other feeling I've had recently. This is going to be Dad's first of nine total victories at Atlanta. Now that's a record that still stands today for the most wins by a single driver at this track.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Dale, congratulations once again on the radio network and everybody at Universal waking the sweet taste of victory for Dale Earnhardt from Atlanta International Raceway at Hampton, Georgia. This is so long from now from the Universal race.

[Mike Joy]

Now you'll Remember back in 1979, dad won his first cup race at Bristol in the Valleydale Southeastern 500. So fresh off this win at Atlanta, I'm sure he's pretty confident in defending his race win from the previous year. Every time a driver wins their first race at a particular track just seems like for whatever reason, every time they go back there, they always run good. That would be the case for dad and Bristol Motor Speedway. As long as I can remember. I loved going to those races at Bristol, particularly the night race. So much cool energy at that one. But I always knew that dad was always going to be running for the win. We got just as good a shot.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

At winning as anybody else far as competitiveness. And our luck's been running pretty good at this time too, so. So I feel like we can win it.

[Mike Joy]

After a rough practice session though, Jake Elder jokes, we were running so bad, I could have timed Dale with an alarm clock.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

They had quite a bit of concern about Earnhardt here. He likes his speedway. He feels more at home on it, I guess, than anywhere we go.

[Mike Joy]

But despite these struggles, Dad's gonna go out and qualify in fourth position.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

The fourth starter is the Winston cup point standing leader, Dale Earnhardt of Kannapolis.

[Mike Joy]

N.C. kel Yarborough wins the pole and he becomes the sentimental favorite for the race after he revealed that he spent the day with an 11 year old Brian Howell who was suffering from throat cancer.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

From Timmonsville, S.C. three time Winston cup champ Cale Yarborough in the Junior Johnson prepared Busch Oldsmobile.

[Mike Joy]

We talked about dad being a strong contender at Bristol, but anybody who drove for Junior Johnson at Bristol was always running for the win.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Just door to door, like a drag race, they ease off into the number one turn.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Cale Yarborough has Darrell Waltrip working the outside as they come out of turn two.

[Mike Joy]

And as this Race plays out. It looks like it's Cale's race to lose.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Cale Arborough, he's led this race five times for 187 laps. And now he's slowing on the racetrack.

[Mike Joy]

As he led most of the day, but then later he drops a cylinder.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

If you blow the engine, it's all over with.

[Mike Joy]

Cale's gonna go on to say, it was my race, it was no contest. That's two races in a row I've lost because something happened to my car. If things turn around, the rest of them better look out. Dad's gonna get by and lead the final 135 laps to win. For the second consecutive week, Dale Earnhardt.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Wins the Valleydale Southeastern 500 at Bristol for the second year in a row.

[Mike Joy]

He's gonna finish 8.7 seconds ahead of second place Darrell Waltrip and in victory lane. Dad was thrilled when I joined Osterlin. I really thought it would take a year to win my first race. But then we won this race last year and we'll win our share this year. I don't see any reason why I can't win the Grand National Championship this year. I just want to win, win, win.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

A lot of predictions, Mike Joy, that this youngster was headed for stardom when he first came on the scene. And that's coming true more every race for him.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Well, he is certainly bold, Barney. He has the boldness of Adaro Waltrip and the foot to the floor driving style of Buddy Baker. He has learned a lot in one short year on the Winston cup tour.

[Mike Joy]

Here's Deb Williams on the importance of dad winning back to back races.

[Deb Williams]

I don't know if this guy might be here to stay would be the right terminology. I think more of, oh, well, this is interesting. Well, was this a fluke? What did he do to win this race? And you know, after back to back then, it was more of, oh, this is gonna be an interesting season. Are we seeing the starting of the changing of the guard? You know, are we seeing someone else come in now who can truly challenge these people that are established? The way the season progressed from that point caused everyone to raise a little bit of an eyebrow.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

I think we took everything home today, didn't we?

[Mike Joy]

After winning their first cup race together last year at Bristol, Jake Elder told the media that dad had some bad habits and quote, he's got to learn to do as I say. Well, after this year's win, Jake says his bad habits are gone. He's taking my advice now and he's really listening. These Little nuggets from Jake will be important as this story unfolds and we kind of understand the type of driver that Jake Elder liked to work with and what he expected from dad. As the season wore on, not only would they leave Bristol with back to back wins, but now they also lead the cup point standings by 85 over Bobby Allison. We'll be back with more becoming Earnhardt, presented by Bass Pro Shops in just a bit. But before that, let's hear from my sister Kelly about dad's closest friends and the relationships that meant the most to him.

[Jake Elder]

You know, throughout the years of being around dad, he had a lot of hunting buddies and hunting friends. It kind of started early in South Carolina when he had some hunting land there with Richard Childress and Hank Jones. I remember, who owned Sports Image. There was a couple guys from the Atlanta Braves. I know Jody Davis was a really good friend of my dad's. He was a catcher for the Braves, and they did a lot of hunting together. And then when Johnny Morris came on and sponsored my dad's car and they developed that relationship, you know, there was a lot of hunting. Mike Collier, my dad's pilot, did a lot of hunting with them. Hank Parker, senior. Dad was good friends with Bill Jordan, who owns Realtree. So a lot of different people that came in and out of my dad's life from a hunting and outdoor perspective. You know, my dad was just a really personable, kind of caring individual when it came to making other people feel valued and appreciated. You know, he liked to pick around with people, and he always said if he was picking on you, then he liked you. Because sometimes, you know, people would get mad about that because he had this headlock that he would get you in or he would like grab you really hard on the neck. I used to go to him with different stories. Like, dad, people call me a redneck at school. And he's like, honey, if they're talking about you, then you got something good going on, you know, so he. He always felt like if that was what was happening, then things were good. And so I just think that he just made people feel comfortable. And whether it was meeting a fan or a business partner or going hunting with a friend or whatever it was, he just made people feel comfortable and special and spending time with them. So he just had a really easy, magnetic kind of personality. We are all the time finding a Bass pro. There's a few that we go in regularly, but I like to kind of go in. The first thing I do is like when I go in is I kind of stop and get a lay of the land because they're all kind of laid out a little bit different, you know, and trying to figure out what in there are the things that you want to go look at. Just look at. And then what do you want to go do for shopping wise? So I usually head to do the home and the decor part. Then I head over to the ladies section and look at the clothes and then I kind of go. I like going to the camping section and seeing what's about because we have a camper and you know, I'm always interested in kind of the latest gadgets and then kind of the food and snacks. They got some amazing candy options in there and all the kind of old timey candy that you can find in there and the licorice and the caramel creams and all those kinds of things. So. And I like to check out the shoe section because you may not know it, but they have a lot of fashionable kind of shoes. It's not all just for, you know, hunting or hiking or anything like that. They've got some. They got a lot of cool shoes. My husband heads straight to the hunting area and Wyatt generally likes to find. The first thing he likes to find is if they have one of those shooting ranges. Because a lot of the stores have the little shooting ranges that you can. And you can knock the things down and all that. And then fishing. It's kind of hard to figure out maybe what you do first because there's so much that you want to do. I also admire Bass Pro's unwavering commitment to those who serve our country. Their legendary salute program is one of the many ways they show Support, offering a 10% everyday discount to active duty military veterans and first responders. It's their way of saying thank you to the heroes who protect our freedom and way of life. To learn more and see full details, visit bass pro.com legendary salute.

[Travis]

Travis, I see you. You're on the Internet a lot. I always see these Ohio State tweets. Man, you got an online presence.

[Unknown]

I do love to tweet a lot. I live on my cell phone, unfortunately.

[Travis]

Do you worry about your data getting out there to people that you don't want it to get out to?

[Unknown]

Constantly. I mean, they already know like your birthday and stuff, but then you got these toll road text messages. I don't know what's getting out there.

[Travis]

Right. Exactly. Well, what if I told you I have a solution for you?

[Unknown]

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[Travis]

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[Unknown]

I kid you not. These websites, it's kind of scary because I once matched with this girl online dating app. She asked if I was married. I told her no.

[Mike Joy]

Why?

[Unknown]

Why are you asking? Well, she had searched my name and a website pulled up and said that I was married. And I'm like, no, never been married, never engaged. But it's scary that these websites kind of have information, some of it real, some of it not, and it's just out there for everybody.

[Travis]

Well, I think that's Travis's way of saying that he's single. But back to Delete Me, all you got to do is provide them with exactly the information you want deleted. Then they're experts. Do all the hard work wiping you and your family's personal information from data broker websites. Take control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for Delete Me now at a special discount for our listeners today. Get 20% off your delete me plan by texting DALE to 64000. The only way to get 20% off is to text DALE to 64000. That's DALE to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. Kubota Orange Days delivers the savings you need for the life you love.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

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[Kelly Earnhardt]

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[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

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[Travis]

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[Unknown]

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[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

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[Kelly Earnhardt]

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[Mike Joy]

Let'S step back for a second and try to see the full picture. Dad just accomplished a really impressive feat winning back to back races in just his sophomore season. So as a driver who has the hot hand, naturally you're anxious to keep rolling at the top. But unfortunately for dad, this next stretch of races would again be filled with attrition and disappointment.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

From Darlington International Raceway in South Carolina, the Universal Racing Network brings you the CRC Chemicals rebel 500 greetings at Darlington.

[Mike Joy]

A really tough, rugged racetrack. It kind of fits Dad's style. He's going to fall out with engine problems on lap 104.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

His engine is gone. So Dale Earnhardt and he led the race for a while. Right now the race leader, Cale Yarbrough.

[Mike Joy]

And Kale's now this is Going to be dad's third engine failure of the season, and we're only on race seven.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

He doesn't want to make a habit out of these engine problems he had at Daytona and here hopes to work those problems out.

[Jake Elder]

The perimeters of what you could do in the motor was also wide open as far as some of the rules.

[Mike Joy]

Go again, Doug, Richard.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

So how far do you push making.

[Jake Elder]

Power and you hope it lasts.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

You could build a grenade, but a.

[Mike Joy]

Grenade could blow a little bit of a history nugget for you. The race would be won by David Pearson in his first race with Hoss Ellington in that famous red number one.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

David Pearson driving car number one, the Silver Fox out of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Checkered flag goes out and David Pearson is your winner.

[Mike Joy]

So back to back wins for David Pearson at Darlington in rides that he just hopped into. It would be The Silver Foxes 105th and Final cup victory in his incredible career. Some consider David Pearson to be the greatest driver ever in nascar.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

And of course, Dale right now is leading the Winston cup standings and the money earnings for 1980.

[Mike Joy]

As we pick up the season again at North Wilkesboro. Dad's quietly going to come home with a sixth place finish after starting fourth.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Dale Earnhardt is really getting a lot of acceleration off the corner. I believe this is part of Jake Eller's plan on this car.

[Mike Joy]

He's going to be five laps down to none other than the King, Richard Petty, who brought home his first win of the season.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Richard Petty still setting a blistering pace. Richard Petty, a big smile on your face. The first victory in 1980.

[Mike Joy]

Also after the North Wilkesboro race, LG Dewitt announces that he's going to be shutting down his team due to the lack of a big buck sponsor, high cost and mediocre performance. Now he emphasizes that the team closing down had nothing to do with the pending FBI investigation.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

One disappointing crew down here, Barney, is that of Joe Milliken. Bobby Hudson and the boys had worked awfully hard. They had to replace the engine in that car. They blew.

[Mike Joy]

This is going to leave sophomore standout Joe Milliken without a ride. This just paints the picture for you how competitive and unkind the cup garage could be at this point.

[Deb Williams]

Joe Millikan was viewed as Richard Petty's prodigy. For L.G. deWitt to suddenly shut the team down and Joe be out without a ride and really never had one again, There was no stability in the teams like there is today. And I'm not talking about the charter system. I'm talking about Benefits and salaries. You know, the only thing you got was what you won. It was a situation where if you were winning and performing, you probably were going to keep your ride. But if you're not producing, then you're out the door.

[Mike Joy]

Joe Milliken, who lost the rookie of the Year to Dad last year, but actually out pointed him during the season, is out of a ride and on the outside looking in. Joe's gonna sit on the sideline for weeks until he finally teams up with Ramock for the final three races of this year. Dad had a lot of security, I think, due to his wins, sponsorships, contracts. And after getting some momentum and leading the points, he may have been feeling a little pressure as the season rolls into Martinsville.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Well, hello everyone from Martinsville, Virginia. I wish I could tell you the sun was shining here, but unfortunately it's overcast still, as it has been this 25th annual Virginia 500. Of course, it's the premier short track event on the nation on the Winston cup tour for these drivers. And it puts together the best Winston cup cup drivers in the world. It draws them all here.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

The tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia about set to be shattered.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Here this afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. They're getting ready to start the Virginia 500.

[Mike Joy]

That pressure is what possibly fueled a very strange move dad makes on the opening lap.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Well, it's going to be interesting to see who wants to set the pace. They come down, green flag, dive into the number one corner. Waltrip gets the jump and Petty is out of control. Petty gets banged two cars, he's gonna.

[Mike Joy]

Dive bomb into the first corner. Passing an entire row of cars driving over the curb and into the left side of Richard Petty's Chevrolet, taking out several contenders.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Six, seven cars are in it. It looked as if Dale Earnhardt piled into Richard Pettigrew into the first turn.

[Mike Joy]

Now, this was basically the end of Dad's day. He damaged the front suspension on the car. Would soldier home to a 13th place finish several laps down.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Earnhardt reported to be about six or seven laps down a moment ago. We'll keep tabs on his progress this afternoon. Very critical for Earnhardt for a good finish. He's leading the Winston cup points chase.

[Mike Joy]

Now. Richard Petty, he's going to rebound and have a spirited battle at the front of the field for the win between he and Darrell. Waltrip, who came from several laps down. Darrell got penalized due to a new tire changing mandate, which simply states that if a driver change tires under the caution, they're going to be penalized two.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Laps as none of the drivers will be allowed to change any tires under the caution. Of course they can change them, but if they do, there will be a two lap penalty for the race team.

[Mike Joy]

This is an effort to reduce tire usage and save the team's money. Probably a bad idea, but Darrell's gonna go on and get the win at the end of this race. And leads the series with three victories. Aww, Ned, that was just.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

I got us in a bad situation and I didn't know if I could get us out or not. But everybody gave 100%.

[Mike Joy]

As legend has it, after the race, King Richard is going to track down dad and give him a stern talking to about his over aggressive driving.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

What happened when the race started, he just turned left, went up across the grass and jumped a curb and jumped right in the middle of that whole crowd. That was my introduction to Dale Earnhardt. After that, he'd just take one at a time.

[Mike Joy]

Now this race is on NASCAR classics and everyone should go watch it if you've got an opportunity. Fantastic stuff. Now one of the things that's fascinating about this point in dad's career is his lack of hesitation when it comes to going toe to toe with the cup veterans.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Dale Earnhardt, Jack, he almost put them all into the wall there. The rear end of that car almost came around on him. And Richard Petty backed out of it and gave him a little room, breathing room. But it has allowed everybody to close up on the second place car, Mike Joy.

[Mike Joy]

So dad may have three wins total in his career now, but the respect in the garage area is kind of wearing thin.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Dale Earnhardt just put the move on Neo bonnet. They swapped a little paint and a little sheet metal. Earnhardt trying to go downstairs. As Yarborough stays up, he changes his mind. Slams the door on it. Goes right back in a single file formation.

[Mike Joy]

The veterans are fed up with his aggressive driving and carelessness.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Yeah, well, everything went good. I don't know what got into Earnhardt, but you know, I just made up my mind that I wasn't gonna let him pass me. Even though I knew it didn't make any difference. It was a stupid move on his part.

[Mike Joy]

And the tensions inside the Osterlin team are kind of starting to crack.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

With blown engines, smoke trailing from Earnhardt's machine. What a tough break for him as he heads down to back stretch and Barney hall.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

He must have had a premonition about the problem because Earnhardt was well off the pace as he entered turn number one.

[Mike Joy]

Short tempers and misfires in communication.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

They only changed one tire. They changed the right rear tire on it for some reason or another. They went around with the right front, but they never did put it on.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Everybody here wondering, has something happened to the Earnhardt car?

[Mike Joy]

Now the question isn't just whether dad can keep winning, it's whether this whole operation can hold together long enough to chase after this championship.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Earnhardt almost lost it.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Earnhardt coming into the pit.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Has the weight caused you any anxieties? Well, not yet.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

It has. So Earnhardt is going to be called back to pit road. This could easily cost him the national driving title here this afternoon.

[Mike Joy]

Becoming Earnhardt is a Dirty Mo Media original podcast series. It is written and produced by me D. Hart Jr. With Bobby Marcos and Colby Bass Sound design by Alex Timms Production assistants Tiff Powers, Mike Davis, Micah Caldwell and Evan Vecchia. This project is in partnership with mrn, the Motor Racing Network and the Appalachian State University Stock Car Collection. Special thanks to SiriusXM SilverTribe Media, NASCAR man and Bob Ellis. For additional Dirty Mo Media content, visit our YouTube page and follow us on all major social media platforms. Thank you to Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops for bringing us another episode of Becoming Earnhardt. They are such a great friend and supporter of everything we do. So remember to gear up for all your adventures at Bass Pro Shops, North America's premier outdoor and conservation company.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Welcome back to Listen to youo Heart.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

I'm Jerry.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

And I'm Jerry's Heart. Today's topic Repatha Evoloki Map Heart Why'd.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

You pick this one?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Well, Jerry, for people who have had a heart attack like us, diet and exercise might not be enough to lower the risk of another one. Okay, to help know if we're at risk. We should be getting our LDL C, our bad cholesterol checked, and talking to our doctor.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

I'm listening.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

And if it's still too high, Repatha can be added to a statin to lower our LDL C and our heart attack risk.

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Hmm, guess it's time to ask about Repatha.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Do not take Repatha if you are allergic to it, so serious allergic reactions can occur. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms. Common side effects include runny nose, sore throat, common cold symptoms, flu or flu like symptoms, back pain, high blood sugar and redness pain or bruising at the injection site. Listen to your heart, ask your doctor about Repatha. Learn [e-mail] or call 1-844-repatha. You know that feeling when someone shows up for you just when you need it most?

[Kelly Earnhardt]

Yeah.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I mean, we all need that. That's what Uber's all about.

[Deb Williams]

Not just a ride or dinner at your door.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

It's how Uber helps you show up for the moments that matter.

[Deb Williams]

Because showing up can turn a tough day around.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Or make a good one even better. Whatever it is, big or small, Uber is on the way, so you can be on yours.

[Deb Williams]

Uber on our way.