The Dale Jr. Download – Becoming Earnhardt, Vol. 8: The Race To The Finish

Date: December 20, 2025
Host: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Podcast: Dirty Mo Media / SiriusXM

Episode Overview

This gripping episode of Becoming Earnhardt delivers a blow-by-blow account of the dramatic close to the historic 1979 NASCAR Cup season. Host Dale Earnhardt Jr. guides listeners through the final four races, unpacking high-stakes battles for both the Cup championship and Rookie of the Year titles. With expert storytelling, archival broadcasts, and inside knowledge, the episode celebrates not just victory and heartbreak, but the sport’s evolution and Earnhardt’s legendary rookie impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Championship Showdown: Waltrip vs. Petty

• Four races remained with Darrell Waltrip holding a slim points lead over Richard Petty, “King Richard.” The season’s tension boils as the championship swung back and forth right to the finale.
• Dale’s father, Dale Earnhardt, mostly secured Rookie of the Year early but a mid-season injury let Joe Milliken tighten the contest, making the close of rookie battle just as riveting.

Race-by-Race Recap

North Wilkesboro: The Holley Farms 400 (Oct 14, 1979)

Timestamps: 02:59–12:00

• Earnhardt Sr. (“Dad”) set a new track record for his fourth pole of the season. A short track legend’s crash during practice and qualifying drama set the stage.
• In the race, Dad led the opening 12 laps. Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison dueled fiercely at the front, culminating in a dramatic collision:
  • “Waltrip tapped Allison in turn three and caused them both to get sideways...” (06:40)
  • Allison got payback, sending Waltrip into the wall. Waltrip returned to the race but was repeatedly black flagged by NASCAR while interfering with lead-lap cars.
  • Waltrip: “I think NASCAR was a little bit out of line by black flagging us... Their job is to run the race, to do what they think is right. And the same way with me on the racetrack.” (09:30)
• Benny Parsons claimed victory—a pivotal win for his team’s future; Petty finished third, closing the points gap to just 17.
• Richard Petty: “I’m here to race, not be a referee. But if those guys want to get into it, let them.” (12:00)

Rockingham: The American 500 (Race 29)

Timestamps: 16:18–21:38

• Junior recounted a bout of father-son tension: Larry Pearson, son of David, ignored crash warnings and wrecked in qualifying.
• Pole favorite Cale Yarborough’s engine blew, foiling his bid despite a “hand grenade” motor.
• Neil Bonnett led early; Waltrip, fighting car issues, split an oil pan and lost crucial laps. Bonnett suffered a major crash (unharmed).
• A fiery crash between Allison and Rudd shocked onlookers but both escaped mostly unscathed.
• In a thrilling finish, Petty bested Parsons by a tenth of a second to take the win and the points lead—his first since early in the season by a margin of eight.
• “Miraculously, Richard Petty has made up 229 points in just two months.” (20:52)

Atlanta: The Dixie 500 (Race 30)

Timestamps: 21:38–29:58

• Earnhardt Sr. relished returning to a track pivotal to his early career; a strong run here would almost guarantee Rookie of the Year.
• Sponsorship and lineup shakeups for 1980 were announced.
• Buddy Baker secured his seventh pole, earning $100,000 in pole money for the year (25:48).
• Waltrip and Petty each suffered pit misdemeanors, black flags, and spins—both ended a lap off the leaders.
• The race climaxed with a three-car battle; Bonnett edged Dad by half a car-length for the win.
  • Earnhardt Sr.: “Neal was simply too good off the turns for me... My only chance was to get back to the gas real fast and I just couldn’t do it... I just got beat.” (28:45)
• Waltrip reclaimed a two-point championship lead thanks to bonus points for leading a lap.

Ontario: Los Angeles Times 500 (Season Finale, Race 31)

Timestamps: 32:43–41:01

• The championship decider unfolded in California at a financially troubled, under-attended track—neither TV nor a full crowd was present.
  • Dick Jones: “For himself and Waltrip, it’s the seventh game of the World Series and today will decide it all.” (33:43)
• Waltrip led the standings by just two points but opted for a safe finish. Petty planned to “run hard all day.”
• Cale Yarborough took a long-awaited pole, finally rewarding Busch Beer’s sponsorship.
• Disaster struck Waltrip early—he spun to avoid a stalled car and lost a lap he couldn’t recover, sealing his fate:
  • “Disaster is going to strike for Waltrip… On lap 38 he’s going to spin out trying to avoid a stalled John Resick.” (36:09)
• Petty ran up front and finished fifth, clinching his record seventh Cup championship by 11 points.
  • Richard Petty: “Seven is just a number one higher than six. Now, if I'd have won the race, I'd be sky high. I wanted to take the title by winning now. That's how it should be done.” (38:24)
  • Waltrip: “It’s hard to swallow. I ain’t never gonna figure it out… I’m leaving with a broken heart.” (39:15)
• Dale Earnhardt Sr. finished ninth, securing the Rookie of the Year title over Milliken by 17 points.
  • “He won at Bristol on April 1. He’s won four pole positions. He’s won more money than any rookie ever: $215,675...” (40:25)

Legacy and Reflections

• Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s impact as a rookie was unprecedented: 1 win, 4 poles, 11 top-fives, and $274,000 in winnings despite missing four races with injury.
• Joe Milliken made the rookie chase intense through relentless consistency.
• The episode declares the 1979 season “the greatest in NASCAR history,” cementing Earnhardt’s status as Petty’s heir apparent.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Darrell Waltrip (Pressure):
  "I'm not under any pressure. I'm a race driver. I take a win, I'll take a lose... Everybody going around and dramatizing the whole situation has really gotten on my nerves." (24:10)
• Richard Petty (Winning Philosophy):
  "Now, if I'd have won the race, I'd be sky high. I wanted to take the title by winning now. That's how it should be done." (38:24)
• Dale Earnhardt Sr. (Atlanta runner-up):
  "My only chance was to get back to the gas real fast and I just couldn't do it. I hoped the outside challenge might rattle Neal, but it didn't. He was just as determined as I was. I just got beat. I do think this will help a lot towards the Rookie of the Year. That's what we've been shooting for all season." (28:45)
• Bobby Allison and Waltrip collision:
  "He has to learn that when you want to pass somebody, you go around them, not through them. I passed a lot of cars during the race, but I had no trouble with anybody except for Waltrip." (10:08, Allison)
• Dale Jr. on Earnhardt’s rookie season:
  "Standing on top of the mountain of stock car racing is once again King Richard Petty. But this time, he will share the spotlight with his Successor, this scrappy 28-year-old rookie from Kannapolis, Dale Earnhardt." (42:10)

Important Timestamps

• Opening Points & Season Context: 00:57–02:59
• Wilkesboro drama: 03:49–12:00
• Rockingham recap: 16:18–21:38
• Atlanta tight-rope: 21:38–29:58
• Ontario championship finale: 32:43–41:01
• Rookie records and future promises: 41:01–end

Tone & Style

Dale Jr. balances reverence, humor, and candor throughout, providing direct quotes, sharp observations, and palpable appreciation for the drama and personalities of the era. The tension, heartbreak, and celebration of 1979’s conclusion are vividly rendered with stories and radio broadcast snippets.

Conclusion

This penultimate volume of Becoming Earnhardt encapsulates the drama, triumph, and heartbreak that define NASCAR’s golden age and the dawn of the Earnhardt legend. Both championship and rookie races come down to the slimmest of margins, with King Richard and a fierce young Dale sharing the headlines in racing’s most storied year. Tune in next time for a special retrospective featuring insights from past guests and a nuanced reflection on the lasting legacy of the 1979 season.