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The Dale Jr. Download
Becoming Earnhardt Vol. 7 - Back In The Fight
00:38:14
As we roll into the CRC Chemicals 500 at Dover Downs International Speedway, our hero Dale Earnhardt has settled back into his role as driver of the Osterlund Racing number 2. However, six weeks out of the action has compromised his stamina, and his first race back the prior week in Richmond saw him seeking out assistance from fellow racer Lennie Pond. 500 miles at the challenging, high-banked one-mile oval in Delaware is demanding enough for a healthy driver, but for someone who is still mending two broken collarbones it’s unthinkable. Then again, that’s the Dale Earnhardt we’ve all come to know so well: never backing down from any challenge
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- [00:00]
Commercial Narrator
Struggling to see up close. Make it visible with viz. VIZ is a once daily prescription eye drop to treat blurry near vision for up to 10 hours. The most common side effects that may be experienced while using VIZ include eye irritation, temporary dim or dark vision, headaches and eye redness. Talk to an eye doctor to learn if VIZ is right for you. Learn more@viz.com the College Football Playoff is.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Every toughness, roles, sacrifices.
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College Football Playoff Announcer
Everything you got all damn day.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The attention to detail is like none other.
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College Football Playoff Announcer
Be physical. Keep playing. We are the winners.
- [00:39]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Tain takes on Ole Miss followed by James Madison in Oregon. It's time to bring it first round coverage of the College Football Playoffs presented by all state today at 3:30 Eastern on TNT and HBO.
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Sports Broadcaster
Max, are you ready?
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College Football Playoff Announcer
Let's get out.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The following is a production of Dirty Mo, media.
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Race Commentator
Critical but stable. JC Elder, the crew chief on that car. The Osterlin machine has backed him down a little bit to kind of conserve himself and go as far as he can here this afternoon. Or if there is a problem on the car, here's Earnhardt across the striping. What a remarkable story on this youngster. All year he's been one of the top drivers, very impressive in talent, but so are several of the other rookie drivers. The competition has been extremely close in that battle for the first national City Rookie of the Year honors. Earnhardt very certainly one of the most impressive in that crop.
- [01:41]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
When I set out to create becoming Earnhardt, I wanted to tell the story of my dad before he became the intimidator, before the 76 wins and the seven championships. I wanted to tell the original story of the sport's greatest superhero through the lens of the sport's greatest season, the 1979 campaign. And through this journey journey. I've learned so much about my dad, things that I never knew and things that honestly blew my mind. But at the same time I noticed things that were familiar to me, mannerisms that I remember being uniquely dad, and character traits that made him Dale Earnhardt. But nothing embodied the man quite like the way he answered this question from the Motor Racing Network prior to the September 1979 race at Dover.
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Race Analyst
Yesterday, as he was sitting in the garage here, I asked him, dale, how tough was it? We know you're hurting now, but how tough was it to sit out many races and watched David Pearson and Jake Elder go to the win in the Southern 500? How hard was it for you as a rookie?
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Dale Earnhardt Sr.
It was rougher than it is. Getting back in it and hurting. You know, I was real uncomfortable about Watching the car run and not me being. And, you know, we had been building something all year as a team, and I was competitive in the rookie race and, you know, point, Chase and everything. You know, it just defeated me to have to sit and watch the points dwindle back down and them guys fasting it back. It was good getting back in it.
- [03:09]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dad's admission that it was more difficult watching David Pearson win in Dad's number two Oscilland racing car than dealing with the excruciating pain of two broken collarbones is, frankly the tough sob I remember the most. I'm Dalen Hart Jr. And on this episode of Becoming Earnhardt, dad has just eight races left to prove that he's the top rookie in 1979. The problem is he's no longer the leader in the Rookie of the Year point standings. That's Joe Milliken, and he's close to claiming what dad has worked all year to get. This episode of Becoming Earnhardt is presented by Chevrolet. To keep up with all of Team Chevy's winning programs in NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and IMSA, visit Chevrolet.com Motorsports or follow team Chevy on all social media platforms. Coming up later, I'll share with you my family's deep history with Chevrolet. But for now, let's get on with volume seven of Becoming Earnhardt. At the end of the last episode, dad has returned to the driver's seat of his Austerlin Chevrolet, and he's going to sit on the pole for the race in Richmond. Now, while he didn't drive the entire race needing relief from Lenny Pond, they did finish in the top five, and they gained on Joe Millike in the Rookie of the Year standings. He now just sits six points behind Joe. And around this time, Dad's gonna write another BI Monthly article. Okay, so this is the fifth and final BI Monthly article that Dad's gonna write during the 1979 season, and I haven't read this one. So we're gonna. We're gonna learn everything that's in this one together. Starts off by saying that Dad's writing this from Lake Norman. And here we go. It wasn't any special miracle drug that helped me get over my injuries from the Pocono wreck. I wanted back in that race car so bad, I must have just psyched myself back to being healthy. The doctors couldn't believe it. My regular appointment wasn't until Thursday after the Southern 500, but I called him, and we moved it up to Tuesday. The day after the race in Darlington, he checked the X Rays and just shook his head. He told me nobody was supposed to heal that fast. He said everything looked fine, but I might have a stamina problem. In the first few races. He said he didn't know what I'd been doing, but I must have been doing something right. Then he released me and wished me luck at Richmond. All the way to Richmond, I kept thinking how nice it would be if I could sit on the pole, really, Because I knew there were some people who had already figured I was flat out of the picture. Jake Elder, my crew chief, and the guys had that car set up perfect for qualifying and zap right on the pole position. Boy, did that answer a lot of questions in a hurry. Cole Earnhardt was back in action. I led some of the race, too, and the car was competitive all day. Right early, I kind of suspected it was going to be Bobby Allison's race. I could tell when he got by me early that his car was just working super good. I could pull anybody but him. I felt pretty good, but the muscles in my neck started pulling about halfway through the race. I tightened my straps trying to get comfortable, but it was still hurting. I told Jake on the radio that my neck was starting to hurt, so he had Lenny Pond standing by in the pits to relieve me. I kept remembering that Bobby Allison had told me at Darlington, if you start hurting to get out. So we got the next caution, and Lenny took over. It's still going to take me a few more races before I feel like I've got myself sorted out physically. I've been doing a good bit of exercises, especially riding my bike, and just being back in the race car helps, too. All thoughts of ever being hurt went out the window when our crew unloaded that race car at Richmond. We were back together again. It's really amazing to be part of a team like that. You can't describe the feeling. I was back, and those guys were just as excited as I was. They went crazy when we sat on the pole. I'll say one thing about coming back from an injury. The other drivers are anxious to help you. Bobby Allison, Kell Yarborough, Richard Petty, they all spent a good bit of time talking to me, telling me what to expect. The advice that they gave me helped a lot. If there's ever been anybody hurt who had to come back, it's those guys. They told me what to do to feel more comfortable in the seat, what physical signs to look for, and they all told me to have enough sense to get out of the car if I'm hurting. I'M feeling pretty good now, though, and I'll be 100% in another week. I know it takes time, but I must be a fast healer or something. What's really amazing is that it's almost time for Charlotte again. The NAPA 500 is the first weekend in October. I knew it must be getting close because all of my buddies around home started asking for tickets. If I gave everybody a ticket who asked for one, they'd have to build another grandstand. Please, guys, I just drive the race car. I don't have any tickets. I was out at Charlotte the other day looking over the new paved turns in turns three and four. Man, are those drivers going to be in for a few surprises when they show up for practice. It's going to be like going to a new speedway. They're not going to believe the speeds either. We'll be faster at Charlotte this time. And think of all that money, all the lap money and all the qualifying money. Somebody, though, has got to put a stop to the Wood Brothers. They have been winning poll money at Charlotte for as long as I can remember. We were talking about the Charlotte poll at the shop the other day. The folks around Kannapolis think it would be kind of nice to see an old Earnhardt win that poll. While they might have to close down Cannon Mills if I did, it was last October at Charlotte when things started looking pretty good for me. I'll have to write about it next time. And that's it. That's the final article that Dad's gonna write. This one felt personal for sure, but you could see or sense some of the PR work in the behind the scenes. He obviously, you know, had a hand in writing all of these articles throughout the year. And it's a shame that we don't get another one of these at the very end of the season. But that's the last one. These were a lot of fun for me to read, and I think they really added a lot to the series. More becoming Earnhardt coming right up. But first, a message from our sponsors. Hey, everybody, Dale Jr. Here. Let's take a minute to talk about Chevrolet. You know, as you know, the Earnhardt family is a Chevrolet family, and we've always raced Chevys. And my dad's relationship with Chevrolet is well documented. Dad's connection to Chevrolet is as much a contributor to his legacy as anything else. Consider this. Dad's career spanned across several race teams, car numbers, paint schemes, and even nicknames. But not a single one of his seven championships came without the Chevy bow tie on the hood. So do me a favor. Before you buy your next new or pre owned vehicle, check out Chevrolet's lineup of durable, innovative, award winning performance focused models. You'll be glad you did and we'd be honored to have you in the Team Chevy family. One great option is Chevrolet's factory lifted trucks so you can tackle the trails. The first ever Silverado ZR2 Bison offers the extreme performance and capability you need to make easy work out of the most Difficult terrain. Featuring a 13 touchscreen display, the versatile multiflex tailgate 33 mud terrain tires and multimatic DSSV dampers, this truck allows you to stay connected while taking adventure to a whole new level. Dare to be different with the first ever Silverado ZR2 Bison Chevy. Find new roads struggling to see up close.
- [11:37]
Commercial Narrator
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- [13:18]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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Commercial Narrator
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- [13:56]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Podcast. Indeed.comdalejr Terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the Right Way with.
- [14:03]
Race Commentator
Indeed. Well, good afternoon everyone from Dover Downs. They call it the Incredible Mile, Dover Downs International Speedway. It's a track that plays no favorites from rookie to veteran. It'll just reach out and grab you when you least expect it. It's one whale of a racetrack and there's always some of the best competition on the Winston cup tour when we come.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Here. But heading into Dover, we're going to race 25 on the season and dad knew there was going to be a tough, tough challenge ahead. The speeds and the G forces his body would have to deal with at the one mile over were going to be difficult on his injured.
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Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Collarbones. I think I do pretty good here. The banking on the track helps me out some that don't. You don't have the pressure pushing over to the right as you think you would have. You lean over in the car and you just about set straight up and down for is what the racetrack you press on the.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Racetrack. You this was the CRC Chemicals 500. That's 500 laps these days. We only run 400 lap events at Dover and those were considered relatively lengthy races today. Imagine 500 laps. Just the thought of any contact or collision forcing his body into the shoulder harnesses. That gives me chills. The pain that he could endure would be unbearable in those.
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Race Commentator
Situations. And Jackie Root, the rookies this week have done a number on the field and the Winston cup circuit, particularly here at Dover, starting on Friday afternoon, the first round of qualifying when the rookie driver Dale Earnhardt picked up two pole positions in a row. He did it at Richmond, Virginia last weekend. He came here on Friday and he did it.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Again. But when the day ended on Friday, the blue and yellow number two was back on top of the board again. Dad had won the poll now two weeks in a row. Quite an accomplishment, honestly, as I would not call dad one of the better qualifiers throughout his long career. Dad's quick time may have been aided by a brief rain shower that cooled the track surface right before he went out. Only the top two positions were locked in on Friday with Darrell Waltrip running the second fastest lap. All the other positions would be settled in second round qualifying the next day. And Harry Gant would put down a lap on Saturday that would set a new track record. Temps were cooler, speeds were higher, and Gant used those McQuarrie race tires to break a record set by David Pearson back in 1975. Also on Saturday, the track held a 50 mile baby grand event. NASCAR's baby grand division was for compact sedans with four cylinder engines. The track also brought in Joey Chitwood's thrill show for fans to enjoy. My favorite sideshow was Jimmy the Flying Greek. He would jump a school bus nose first into a pile of cars at Charlotte Motor Speed in the early 1980s. There's a video of him doing that on YouTube. Driver Donny Allison spent his time in the garage walking around letting everybody know that he might be interested in other driving opportunities for next year. His current owner Hoss Ellington's decision to cut back his team schedule doesn't suit Donnie's driving.
- [17:10]
Race Commentator
Interests. Diving onto pit road. The pace car hits the pit road. And here they come down to the line. Green flag and the CRC Chemicals 500 is underway. Earnhardt gets up through the gearbox quickest hits the number one corner and pulls out front by about two. Car.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Leaks. On Sunday, a crowd of 34,000 were present to see dad lead the field to the green flag. 34 cars barrel into turn.
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Race Commentator
One. Oh, trouble down in turn number one. A couple of cars spinning down to the bottom of the racetrack. One appears to be the Elmo langley car, number 64. Baxter Price goes up and on.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Lap two, there was a spectacular five car crash involving some of the cars near the back of the field. Dad would lead the first 35 laps of the race before Richard Petty takes the.
- [17:51]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Lead. Oh, trouble to turn.
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Race Incident Reporter
Three. A car into the wall looks to be Waltrip just climbed the racetrack and smacked the wall midway between the third and fourth.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Turn. The car bad luck would find our championship point leader, Darrell Waltrip. On lap 58, he blew a tire and crashed into the wall. Waltrip entered the race with a 187 point lead. And this issue coupled with a strong run by Richard Petty would take a giant chunk out of that cushion and Barney.
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Race Analyst
Hall. The caution is about to be displayed to the starting field here as they come across the start finish.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Line. At one point early in the race, the caution flag flew with Cale Yarborough leading. A crew member working on the damaged car of Darrell Waltrip back in the garage was stung by a bee. An allergic reaction caused enough concern for medics in the infield care center that a trip to the local hospital was requested. For Dover, that meant slowing the field and opening the tracks gate. There was no tunnel at Dover, no walkover, access to the.
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Race Analyst
Infield. Well, the caution has come out for the fifth time this afternoon. Starter Chip Warren waving the yellow flag to the entire starting field. Again, a non racing related incident has called for.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The. This race would actually have a second yellow to allow an ambulance to cross after a fan in the infield had a medical.
- [19:05]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Emergency. Oh.
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Race Incident Reporter
Trouble. Earnhardt is loose, sliding towards the infield retaining.
- [19:10]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Wall. The car goes around, smacks the.
- [19:12]
Race Incident Reporter
Wall with the right.
- [19:13]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Side. Dad would bring out a pair of cautions himself with a couple harmless spins. After the first spin, the team went looking for a relief driver to try and finish the race. Young Bill Elliott, who was not entered in the race, was asked to suit up and help the team. You see, earlier in the week, Jake Elder asked Bill to come along with the team and be available should dad need.
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College Football Playoff Announcer
Relief. Dale Earnhardt has gotten out of the Austrian Enterprises car and Bill Elliott, who was a standby driver, has gotten in that.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Car. When dad spins the second time, he decides to get out and let Bill Elliot have the.
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College Football Playoff Announcer
Wheel. Dale, you came out of the car. Were you hurting? Your injury bothering.
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Dale Earnhardt Sr.
You? Well, my neck bothered me a little bit, Ned, but I got the car. I spun the car out over there, got to Richard Petty on the second corner over there and first time and messed the front end up on it. And then I lost it down there the next time. So they decided to pull me out of the car and give me a rest. I thought I was getting tired, but I felt pretty.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Good. Reporters would ask dad how he felt. I'm not tired, I'm fine. I'm just taking a breather. Taking a breather. I mean, that's an interesting way of putting it. I just can't imagine. I mean, is he gonna get back in the car or what? Well, Bill would keep the car in the top 10 before. Yeah, you guessed it. Dad's gonna climb back in the car with the final 100 laps to go. So he really did just need a.
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Race Analyst
Breather. Well, just as we said, time in and time again here at Dover Downs International Speedway, when things get long in the tooth, things begin to unfold. Racetrack and they have in turn two in front of Mike.
- [20:43]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Joy. The finish for the race was set up with a late caution in a sprint to the end. Yarborough has the lead, but Petty and Donnie Allison, they want.
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Race Commentator
It. Petty's right underneath.
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Race Incident Reporter
Kale. Yarborough back in two at traffic will be a factor. Kale gets way loose and.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Almost. Kale would slip up and turn four and nearly crash. It was an incredible save. But he falls to third.
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Race Incident Reporter
Place. They'd go into turn three for the final.
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Race Commentator
Time. Richard Petty slowed up a little bit of the number 1/4. Here's Allison going to make his move on the outside. There's a lap car directly ahead. Donnie's on the outside. He's up there. Half a.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Car. Petty and Donnie are going to race each other door to door around the final corner with Petty edging out Donnie for the win. Now Petty's thrilled about this win, but he's even more excited about the effect the race had on the championship points battle. The crash for Darrell Waltrip calls the die guard crew to go to work for an hour and a half. That relegates Daryl to a 29th place finish and his 187 point advantage is now 83. Hale finished third in the race, Buddy Baker was fourth and Joe Milliken's going to finish fifth as the day's highest finishing rookie. Dad. With relief help from Bill Elliot, he brings his car home in ninth, five laps down. Petty's comments on the championship battle. The pressure's got to be on Darrell. He's got to be worried about having to protect his lead. Me, I ain't got nothing to lose. Nobody expected me to be anywhere near the point.
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Darrell Waltrip
Lead. I didn't get out of the car at Dover because I was tired or my neck was bothering me. I think Jake told me to get out of the car. He said take a rest. You know, you don't want to wear yourself out and overdo it. So I got out and put Bill Ellet in for about 80 laps and then got back in and finished the race and felt real good after the race and didn't have any problems or pains or anything like that. So I'm looking forward to having a good race here right at.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Martinsville. As the teams headed to the tight paperclip shaped short track in Martinsville, Virginia. Richard Petty was just over 80 points behind Darrell Walter with only six races to go. Petty had struggled for two years, but now seemed the team to beat as the die guard crew was stumbling to get results. But upon arriving at Martinsville, the die guard team unloaded their Caprice named Dolly and Darrell would put Dolly on the pole for the.
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Darrell Waltrip
Race. We should do well here. If I finish here, I usually either win or finish in the first couple of spots. We don't anticipate anything any different. We do have the Caprice here. We sat on the pole with it in the spring and we were finished third with is a brand new car then. We have made some considerable improvements in the car and we think it's going to be a good car for this track. We would have preferred to have our Monte Carlo here, but it got to up last week at Dover so we brought the Caprice. We don't feel like that will hinder us in any way. I think with our knowledge and my experience on a track like this, if we won the race by two laps, it wouldn't surprise.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Me. Joe Milliken, who entered the race a single point behind dad in the fight for the battle of the rookie of the year, qualified a blistering third.
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Race Commentator
Place. As they come out of that fourth quarter, still not coming up through the gears. They're about a 50, 100ft away. And now they drop the green. And here they come shuffling down into the number one corner. Walter gets a little jump on Bonnet, takes the inside groove and he pulls.
- [23:55]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Hedera. Waltrip is going to dominate the race early. And unfortunately for dad, something broke on the front of the Austrian Chevrolet and he hits the wall hard. Only 67 laps into the 500.
- [24:06]
Race Commentator
Lap event, Earnhardt gets out of control going out of turn number two and slams it into the wall. It looked like the front end just took off, broke loose as he came out of the number two corner. And caution will be on the speedway for the first time this afternoon at Jackaroo. What a tough break for Dale Earnhardt this early in the.
- [24:20]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Race. It was a huge disappointment. After a decent fifth place qualifying effort, rookie Joe Milliken is going to lead for a time before making contact with Cecil.
- [24:29]
Race Incident Reporter
Gordon. Well, Joe Milliken was coming around to lap Cecil Gordon. It looked like the two of them made contact. Milliken's left front of his appliance wheels. Chevrolet slamming into the back of Cecil Gordon's car. As Cecil tried to cut down and out of the racing.
- [24:42]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Groove. Gordon was red with anger and then swore his revenge. Once his car was fixed, Gordon came back onto the track and he crashed into Milliken, resulting in him being black flagged and scolded by NASCAR's steward, Ray Hill.
- [24:56]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Whoa.
- [24:57]
Race Incident Reporter
Trouble. Darrell Waltrip spins in turn three and taps the retaining wall up at the north end of the speedway. Racing back to the line. Go Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and Richard Petty. As Waltrip's car sits in a cloud of smoke up against the wall in turn number.
- [25:10]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Three. Unbelievably for Waltrip, he blows another engine on lap 275, causing the die guard team to go to work. And making a change. This time it only took the team 11 minutes and 36 seconds. That's a new unofficial record changing engines. And this allows Waltrip to finish 11th, 29 laps down. That's incredible. I mean, that is really fast to be able to change a.
- [25:36]
Race Analyst
Motor. The crowd have come to their feet and they applaud Buddy Baker of Charlotte, N.C. less than a lap to go for Buddy Baker as he seeks his first victory in Martinsville, Virginia, and the grandfather clock that's donated by Clay Earls as the.
- [25:49]
Race Incident Reporter
Trophy. This time he dives low into turn number three. And again, as it has for 500 laps. The car pushes a bit in the turn. It comes out, waves to the.
- [25:56]
Race Commentator
Crowd. Checkered flag for Buddy Baker at Martinsville, Virginia, as he wins the Old Dominion 500. It is Baker's first win ever here at the.
- [26:04]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Speedway. Even while losing his breaks in the last 100 laps, it didn't stop Buddy Baker from leading the final circuits and winning the fall Martinsville cup event. Oddly enough, it was only Baker's second short track victory in 22 years on the cup circuit. Richard Petty came home second, 18 seconds behind, to chop another 35 points off of Darrell Waltrip's point lead. Joe Milliken, Bobby Allison and Dave Marcus are going to round out the top five after the race. The points margin between Waltrip and Petty stands at only.
- [26:38]
Darrell Waltrip
48. Of course, Richard's running super. And the thing that's really hurt us is that he won two races that have been really critical as far as we were concerned was the Michigan race where we blew up on early opening laps and got a poor finish and Richard went on and won the race. And in Dover, we cut a tire down, hit the wall and tore the car all to pieces and we were way down and Richard won the race. So those have been two really big swings right there in his favor that have really tightened the thing.
- [27:08]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Up. I've got a lot more coming your way. But let's take a moment to hear from the people who make this.
- [27:15]
Sports Broadcaster
Possible. Primal Kitchen is known for outrageously delicious sauces and condiments. And now their pure avocado oil can be a staple in your kitchen too. With its high smoke point, neutral flavor and healthy fats, it's perfect for grilling, baking, sauteing, marinating, whatever you're cooking. Primal Kitchen pure avocado oil gets the job done. Pure, quality, tested and trusted. Grab a bottle at Walmart stores nationwide or online@walmart.com the College Football Playoff is.
- [27:45]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Everything. Toughness, gross.
- [27:47]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Sacrifices. Life's a focus. This is where I sit. Everything you got all day.
- [27:52]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Today. The attention, attention to detail is like none.
- [27:55]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Other. Be physical, be flat. We are the.
- [27:57]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Winners. Tulane takes on Ole Miss, followed by James Madison in Oregon. It's time to bring it first.
- [28:03]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Round coverage on the college Football playoffs.
- [28:05]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Presented by allstate today at 3:30 Eastern on TNT and.
- [28:08]
Sports Broadcaster
HBO. Max, are you.
- [28:10]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Ready? Let's.
- [28:10]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Go. The next race on the Schedule is a 400 lapper at North Wilkesboro. Rain had flooded its parking lots all weekend, and even though the sun was out early Sunday morning, NASCAR decided to postpone the event to October 14th. Race teams are going to have a rare Sunday off and a week to Prepare for Charlotte's 500.
- [28:37]
Race Commentator
Miler. Good afternoon everyone from Charlotte Motor Speedway. Well, if they could have ordered this weather by a prescription like you write them for drugs in the drug store, you couldn't have asked for a better day than we have here at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Not a car. Cloud in the sky, beautiful visibility, sunshine out all morning long, and the temperatures are forecast to be in the low 70s. Just ideal racing day here at.
- [28:59]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Charlotte. I sat down and watched this race on YouTube just a few weeks ago and I encourage anyone to watch any of these races from the 79 or 80 season, especially at the 1.5 or 2 mile tracks like Charlotte and Michigan. The new NASCAR Classics website has several of these to watch and it's amazing how the cars could pass with ease. How well the draft kept the leaders together, but also how handling on the long run was critical. The field could tend to spread out when everyone had new tires, though it was going to be a 8 to 10 car lead pack, mixing it up like crazy for 20 or 30 laps. And Charlotte in the fall of 1979 was all of this and.
- [29:36]
Race Analyst
More. We see some new pavement in Turns 3 and 4 with the announcement that prior to the World 600, the entire 1 1/2 mile facility will be covered in some 2 inches of brand new asphalt which should accelerate speeds. Despite the fact that we had a record breaking pole position qualifying day on.
- [29:52]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Wednesday. As dad mentioned in the BI Monthly article, track officials decided to repave part of the Track just turns 3 and 4. And this threw teams, drivers and tire manufacturers for a loop with the new asphalt. Down in turns three and four, cars were rocketing into the old asphalt of turn one a full eight to ten miles an hour faster and than in the spring race earlier in the year. Harry Gant, who had run the McQuery tires at many races this year, had to start the race in the rear because he switched back to Goodyears after qualifying. Gant and the team were worried about the durability of the McQuarrie tires after seeing some issues in practice. The grand marshal for the race is going to be Hal Needham. Now that might be a familiar name. He was a one time famed stuntman and for this race he's going to hang outside of a helicopter holding a large American flag in front of the grandstand crowd during the national anthem. Just incredible. That sounds.
- [30:52]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Awesome. If I'm going to be the grand marshal, I can't just come down here, walk out on the.
- [30:56]
Darrell Waltrip
Field. I got Bill and you people.
- [30:58]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Saying the greatest stuntman in the world. I got to do something a little different, don't.
- [31:01]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
I? Needham called himself a new fan of nascar but had been driving a little bit on the west coast in some late model Sportsman cars. He would become well known for his collaborations with Burt Reynolds on many movies like Smokey and the Bandit and then also co own with Reynolds the number 33 skull bandit Harry Gant driven car. Starting in the 1981 season, dad was returning to his home track for the second time in his rookie season. Over the years he'd had spectacular runs in the Sportsman series races at Charlotte, but now in the big leagues he has captured the attention of all motorsports fans in the region. Race promoter Humpy Wheeler says that more fans from surrounding areas, like Dad's hometown of Kannapolis, have purchased tickets just to see their adopted son compete at the cup level. Dad enters the race only six points behind Joe Milliken in the rookie of the Year battle. As dad also mentioned in his BI Monthly article, the Wood Brothers streak of 12 straight pole positions at Charlotte was a popular topic of conversation during the weekend. But Neil Bonnet is going to silence all the doubters with an amazing sizzling four lap run in the number 21 Ford, making it now 13 races straight that they would start from the number one position at.
- [32:21]
Darrell Waltrip
Charlotte. Yeah, Barney, you know, the woods come here. That was number 13 for them, but that was just number two for me. If I'd had number one, it just been, well, he got one of them, you know. You know, the car is getting nothing. Do you know it's going to carry him along like that? But then to come back and get the second one in a row where it wasn't just a fluke deal that I managed to get a lucky lap in the first race. So you know what people don't realize? Every week I get to feel a lot better in that race.
- [32:44]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Car. Dad's gonna hustle the number two Austrian Monte Carlo to an eighth place starting position on Wednesday during first round qualifying. Joey Chitwood's thrill show was back on the NASCAR circuit this weekend, entertaining fans after first round qualifying was.
- [32:59]
Race Commentator
Complete. Green flag just 50 yards away as they dive down into the number one corner. Bonnet comes up through the gearbox.
- [33:04]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Quick. A total of 69 cars had entered the event, but at the drop of the green flag, the fastest 40 in qualifying drive off into turn one for the first of 500.
- [33:15]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Miles. Dale Earnhardt trying to stay right with the O' Bonnet as they work their way down the back straightaway, up the 18 degree banks of turn three. There goes Earnhardt stepping on it. Neil Bonnet having to back off. Just a bit of Buddy Baker goes underneath.
- [33:26]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Him. Dad's gonna press the button and jumps into the lead early. His car looks super strong, but wily veterans like Allison and Yarborough might just be riding out this first half of the race, letting the rookie be the one to push his car to its limits. A cycle of stops under yellow would put control of the race in Bobby Allison's hands for a bit. But soon Richard Petty would take the lead. Richard looked really impressive in this race. Everyone's running right on the wall in Turns 1 and 2 all day on that older asphalt. But the King, he's even closer, looking like he might hit the wall any lap. Dad would lead another chunk of laps and MRN played a few sound bites they had grabbed from dad during the weekend. Listening to these sound bites, Dad's entire demeanor sounds and feels different than from the world 600 in the spring. You see, back then he was carefully maneuvering for the veterans respect and in awe of his quick rise to contender. But now he sounds like this cocky rookie and full of confidence on today's race. His comment of we came to win and his thoughts on the next season. We gonna Win the championship. I mean, he sounds like he's.
- [34:39]
Race Analyst
Convinced. Dale Earnhardt has already stated what his goals for 1980.
- [34:44]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Are. Be the Winston Cup grand national.
- [34:46]
Race Analyst
Champion. Do you really think you can do it yourself? More.
- [34:49]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Years? We're gonna run it. We're gonna run it as hard as we can go. We got the equipment and the manpower, and I feel like I'm capable. And whether I'm ready or not, we're gonna run at.
- [34:59]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
It. Dave. Marcus falls out early after a crash. Continuing a grueling year of disappointment. Rumors are that he and famed crew chief Harry Hyde are looking to join forces for next year. And the off season can't come quick enough for Marcus. Richard Brickhouse was competing at Charlotte for the first time in nine years. Brickhouse famously won the inaugural race at Talladega, where most of the competitors had boycotted. That 1969 win in Talladega would be the only win of his career. And his comeback would be a brief three races. He would finish 39th of the 40 starters after engine troubles. Making a mid race appearance in the MRN booth was Jim and Tammy Faye Baker. Jim and Tammy Faye Baker were American evangelist television personalities who were famous for their television program, the PTL Club. Around this time they also built a Christian themed amusement park called Heritage usa. And later they would find themselves in a heap of.
- [36:02]
Race Analyst
Trouble. Mr. Baker, your impressions of automobile racing as you see it today at.
- [36:06]
Race Incident Reporter
Charlotte.
- [36:06]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Wow. This is probably one of the.
- [36:07]
Race Analyst
Most exciting races that I've ever been at, especially since the man leading right now is driving a car that's owned by one of my best friends. And it's kind of getting exciting.
- [36:18]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Down there in the booth where we are. But it just goes to show you that back then, you never knew who was going to be at Charlotte. Promoter Humpy Wheeler, he had many, many surprises over the years. And this set Charlotte apart from most of the other racetracks on the NASCAR circuit. Now, the race had a lot of tire problems. Darrell Waltrip, Donnie Allison, Richard Petty, they all had to make unscheduled pit stops for tire issues throughout the.
- [36:43]
Race Commentator
Event. There is a serious problem on the Earnhardt car. He's made two unscheduled stops and he is not yet back to racing speed. Let's go to Ned.
- [36:51]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Jarrett. Okay, we're standing by here with Jake.
- [36:54]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Elder. Jake, what's going wrong? I think I got a set of tires.
- [36:57]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Equalized. Well, they thought they had a.
- [37:00]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Good set of tires on.
- [37:01]
College Football Playoff Announcer
It. They came in and changed the.
- [37:02]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Left side, then had to come back in and change the Other side. So he has lost a lot.
- [37:06]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Of valuable time here under this, under.
- [37:08]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The green flag, dad would even have to pit early for a blistered tire while in a commanding lead on lap 151. In addition to that, he would lose a cylinder, slowing his pace considerably. And by the end of the race, he'd fallen all the way to 10th position. As unfortunate as that was, he still outran his closest competitor for the rookie of the year title, Joe.
- [37:32]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Milliken. Problems. We've got Joe Milliken, who's been problems up in turn number four. He hit the wall, discards some debris on the.
- [37:39]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Racetrack. Joe had some problems halfway through the race, crashing into the turn three wall, and he retired with suspension trouble. As we said, most competitors had tire issues. In total, 27 tires were damaged during the race, and Goodyear decided not to charge any of the teams for tires that failed. Right around the 250 mile mark, Buddy Baker takes over the lead. Baker, Benny Parsons, Bobby Allison, Kale, Yarborough have rose toward the front of the field. These four seemed to recognize the tire issues early, and they set a pace that was more reasonable for the durability of the tires. But suddenly Parsons is forced to pit with a blistered tire. Shortly after, Allison too is forced to pit road. And now Baker is leading the race late and Cale's right behind him. They are the only two on the lead lap. And entering turn three, Baker and Cale approach slower. Cars that are too wide challenge for the.
- [38:37]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Lane. In turn number three, Buddy Baker.
- [38:38]
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Works up under the.
- [38:39]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Wall. Cale Yarborough comes down. Baker spins. He t bones with HP Bailey.
- [38:44]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Iron. Baker tries to go to the top, making it three wide, and he slips in the marbles and makes contact with the third turn wall. This caused Baker to lose control and spin down into the apron. Cale goes low and avoids all of it and takes the.
- [39:01]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Lead. Cale right now again pointing the car to the high side. It floats to the outside groove. He brings it back down and looks ahead to the checker.
- [39:08]
Race Analyst
Flag. The Bush beer livery is on their feet as Cal Yarborough sticks his hand.
- [39:13]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Out. Karl Yarborough would go on to win his fourth event of the season. Bobby Allison, who led 61 laps, would finish second one lap down. Darrell Waltrip fought all day just to finish ahead of his chief rival in points, Richard Petty. Walter would only gain five points on Petty for the day, extending the championship race to 53 points. Now with four races remaining. I have to say I used to always get asked who my favorite drivers were, you know, besides my dad and one of them was Shirley. Cal Yarbrough. His style in and out of the car was one that I always appreciated. Cal ran his first NASCAR race when he was only 17. You're supposed to be 21 years old. Cale commented once that he figured he had about five incorrect birth certificates on file at nascar. He was also a star football player in high school and got an offer to try out for the Washington Commanders. But he stayed on the family farm instead and eventually found racing to be his calling. As we come to the close of episode seven, dad has now returned from his injuries and he started four events. The results aren't good. Now. He's qualified well, two poles, a fifth and an eighth, but the driver and the team were underperforming. We can give Dad a break at Richmond and Dover, where he probably came back too soon. He needed relief drivers in both of those events, but the following two races were an early crash and a 10th place run at Charlotte. Considering the great run the team had with Pearson at the wheel, dad has to be feeling the pressure to figure it out. Four races remain in the season. A strong run to the finish will motivate the group over the winter break and set them up for a better year in 1980. But if they struggle to the end, keeping morale up over the offseason will be difficult. Next time on becoming Earnhardt the 1979 NASCAR season is racing toward the checkered flag. Both the season points championship and the Rookie of the Year crown are shaping up to be fights all the way to the finish. Petty versus Waltrip, Milliken versus Earnhardt. With only four races left, which names will be made synonymous with the greatest season in NASCAR history? Becoming Earnhardt is a podcast series by Dirty Mo Media. It is written and produced by myself, Dale Earnhardt Jr. With Bobby Marcos and Mike Davis. Sound designed by Ben Potts Production assistance by Tiff Powers, Michael Caldwell, Dustin Lee, James Brosan, Andrew Curlin and Alex Timms. This project is in partnership with nascar, NASCAR Productions and the Motor Racing Network. For full replays of classic races, visit The Motor Racing Network's website@mrn.com Special thanks to Can It 13 and Silver Tribe Media. For additional content on Becoming Earnhardt, including exclusive videos, visit DirtyMome Media's YouTube page and follow us on all major social media.
- [42:24]
Sports Broadcaster
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- [43:06]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Everywhere. Toughness, roles.
- [43:08]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Sacrifices. Life's a focus. This is where i50 everything you got all day.
- [43:13]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Today. The attention to detail is like none.
- [43:15]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Other. Be physical, be quiet. We are the.
- [43:18]
Commercial Narrator
Winners. Tulane takes on Ole Miss, followed.
- [43:21]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
By James Madison in.
- [43:22]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Oregon. It's time to bring it first.
- [43:24]
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Round coverage of the College Football Playoff presented by allstate today at 3:30 Eastern on TNT and.
- [43:29]
Sports Broadcaster
HBO. Max, are you.
- [43:30]
College Football Playoff Announcer
Ready? Let's.