The Dale Jr. Download

Episode: "Do It For Dale, Hauler Fights, Moonshine: Best of DJD"
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dirty Mo Media, SiriusXM

Episode Overview

This "Best Of" compilation celebrates some of the Dale Jr. Download's most memorable moments and iconic guests. Spanning themes from motorsports legacy, behind-the-scenes racing tales and notorious hauler fights to moonshine-running origins, head injuries, and the human side of NASCAR, the episode highlights why the show remains a must-listen for racing fans and anyone interested in sports, risk-taking, and Americana. The tone is warm, frank, and often humorous, with Dale Jr.'s signature blend of candidness and nostalgia.

Featured Discussion Highlights

1. The Legacy of Dale Earnhardt & “Do It For Dale”

Guest: Cletus McFarland
Timestamps: 22:15–28:10

• The Enduring Impact of Dale Sr.: Dale Jr. reflects on his father’s legacy and his initial fear that Dale Sr. would be forgotten as time passed.
  • Quote: “My fear is that he’ll one day just be forgotten... I just hope he’s never forgotten because he left such an impact on the sport.” – Dale Jr. (23:00)
• ‘Do It For Dale’ as Lifestyle and Mantra:
  • Cletus McFarland shares how he ends every YouTube video with “Do it for Dale,” echoing Earnhardt’s influence.
  • Quote: “Do it for Dale is like a nod to Dad and his legacy. ...It’s like a lifestyle.” – Dale Jr. (24:05)
• Fans’ Participation in Legacy: “That’s cool. I’m glad you like it,” (24:45) Dale says—expressing gratitude for how fans keep his father’s memory vital.

2. The Making of a Special NASCAR/Whiskey Collaboration

Guest: Chris Stapleton and Justin Allgaier
Timestamps: 06:30–15:30

• Chris Stapleton on Creating the Project:
  • Stapleton expresses excitement about bringing his whiskey brand into NASCAR, collaborating with Dale and Justin, and seeing the dream car at Daytona.
  • Quote: “Sometimes in those moments…I didn’t think those things really happen, you know, like. And then we’re here doing this, and I’m going to show up at and get to watch the Daytona 500 with a car that has a whiskey that I’m involved in on it...It’s like winning the Super Bowl or something.” – Chris Stapleton (12:55)
• Owner vs. Driver Perspective:
  • Dale explains the difference between being a car owner and a driver at Daytona, highlighting the pride and anxiety imbalance.
  • Quote: “...As an owner...once it’s on the grid and before, ‘gentlemen, start your engines,’ it’s out of your hands at that point.” – Dale Jr. (14:45)

3. Raw Truth: Concussions, Racing, and Walking Away

Guests: Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Rico Abreu
Timestamps: 29:00–1:20:00 (segments throughout)

Kasey Kahne — The Price of Racing

• Leaving NASCAR for Health:
  • Kahne discusses how health struggles and dehydration forced his hiatus, the difficulty watching NASCAR go on without him, and how concussions affected his perception and well-being.
  • Quote: “So I tried to really get away. It hurt to pay attention to it. …My body just, you know, I don’t know why it went that direction, but they say...your body goes certain directions, but mine went that way with the heat...” – Kasey Kahne (32:20)
  • Both Kahne and Dale Jr. discuss the subtle and varied ways head injuries impact drivers, sometimes without their full awareness.

Carl Edwards — Heartbreak and Acceptance

• Losing a Championship:
  • Dale Jr. recounts how a controversial yellow flag seemingly shattered Carl’s spirit.
  • Edwards opens up about the pain, perspective, and what made him walk away.
  • Quote: “I knew that whole weekend...there was a bigger plan than mine...I was just along for the ride. …That caution...it was the final thing to say, ‘damn it, you’re not supposed to win this thing.’” – Carl Edwards (45:20)
  • Quote: “Now I realize it was the best thing...I was able to get the message that I did not belong in a race car. …Looking back, I’m so thankful for it.” – Carl Edwards (47:15)

Tony Stewart & Rico Abreu — The Risk/Reward Balance

• Sprint Cars & Drag Racing Danger:
  • Stewart describes the violent nature of crashes, even in dragsters, and how once you’ve had a concussion, it becomes easier to get another.
  • Abreu emphasizes learning to avoid unnecessary risk in sprint cars, prioritizing longevity over momentary gains.
  • Quote (Stewart): “With concussions, it’s the same way. If there’s not enough time in between to let your brain heal...you’re susceptible to it even easier.” (1:12:00)
  • Quote (Abreu): “If I have a 15th place car, I’m going to finish 15th tonight and I’m going to make sure this car rolls into the trailer so we can work on it and get better for the next night...” (1:15:15)

4. Dale Sr. Tributes & The Daytona Stories

Guests: Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins, Doug Fehan
Timestamps: 55:00–1:07:50

• Final Conversations:
  • Andy Pilgrim recalls his last talk with Dale Sr. during the 2001 Daytona 500 yellow flag, providing listeners palpable chills.
  • Quote: “He asked me, ‘You got any advice for me here?'…I just laughed...What the heck else can I say to the guy?” – Andy Pilgrim (58:05)
  • The emotional impact for those in the racing community upon hearing about Dale Sr.’s death is retold with reverence and heartbreak.

5. Legendary Hauler Fights & Secrets of the Garage

Guest: Robin Pemberton
Timestamps: 1:08:00–1:11:10

• When Tempers Boil Over:

  • Recounts Tony Stewart punching Kurt Busch in the NASCAR hauler, the inside story of navigating driver conflicts.
  • Quote: “Tony comes across with a left hand and just drills him. …You didn’t tell me Tony was left handed!” – Robin Pemberton (1:09:50)
  • Unfiltered, funny, and frank about garage politics.

• Garage Gray Areas:

  • Tony Gibson tells the story of creative “engineering” (cheating) via wing mounts, and the crazy lengths teams will go to avoid NASCAR inspectors.

6. Moonshine, Bootlegging, and Racing’s Wild Roots

Guest: Richard Childress
Timestamps: 1:45:40–1:49:00

• Childress on Being a Real Bootlegger:
  • Quote: “Yes [I ran moonshine]. …These bootleggers would park the car, come in there, give me some addresses…these drink houses, you deliver this there...I’d do that.” – Richard Childress (1:46:00)
  • He describes “drink houses” and the dangers of the trade, sharing what made him leave after witnessing a killing at a young age.
  • Quote: “If you didn’t know the day you were born, how old would you be? I think I’m about 40 with maybe 39 years of experience.” – Childress (1:48:20)

7. Racers’ Human Sides: Friendship, Rehab, and Resilience

Guests: Carson Hocevar, Edwin McCain, Jack Sprague
Timestamps: 1:35:00–1:44:00

• Carson Hocevar:

  • Earnhardt Jr. probes why Hocevar is so solitary among drivers.
  • Quote: “You have no other racer buddies?” – Dale Jr. “Nope. None.” – Carson Hocevar (1:36:20)

• Edwin McCain – Addiction and Recovery:

  • The singer-songwriter shares his experience with addiction, family strain, and the realization—shared in rehab circles—that his story isn’t unique.
  • Quote: “That began the journey of...getting rid of the ego and learning about acceptance and balance and being able to say no.” – Edwin McCain (1:42:42)
  • The openness resonates as both rage and redemption.

• Jack Sprague—Tom Cruise in a Stock Car:

  • Recounts the time Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman lapped Concord in Sprague’s car, and how Nicole’s heels scratched up his cherished aluminum interior.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Dale Sr.’s Legacy:

  • “Do it for Dale is like a nod to Dad…It’s tasteful…It’s a lifestyle.” – Dale Jr. (24:05)

• On Owner’s Anxiety at Daytona:

  • “Once it’s on the grid and before, ‘Gentlemen, start your engines,’ it’s out of your hands at that point.” – Dale Jr. (14:45)

• On Head Injuries & Racing’s Toll:

  • “I was questioning kind of my head…when I thought I was entering the corner at the right time, it was like 100ft late…” – Kasey Kahne (35:00)

  • “With concussions…if you don’t give your brain time to heal, you’re susceptible…even easier.” – Tony Stewart (1:12:00)

• Carl Edwards on Loss and Fate:

  • “I realized there was a bigger plan than mine…If I try to write down a list of all the things God didn’t give me, that I did myself, there’s an empty sheet in front of me.” (45:20)

• Garage Fights:

  • “Tony comes across with a left hand and just drills him…I said, you didn’t tell me Tony was left handed!” – Robin Pemberton (1:09:50)

• On Moonshining Roots:

  • “I’d take whiskey to drink houses, I was 16, 17, and there was a killing...I heard the gun go off and I ran.” – Richard Childress (1:46:50)

Timestamps Overview

| Segment | Start | Guest(s) | Topic/Highlight | |------------------------------------------|--------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Whiskey Collaboration | 06:30 | Chris Stapleton, Allgaier | Daytona car, whiskey, creative process | | Do It For Dale, Sr. Legacy | 22:15 | Cletus McFarland | ‘Do it for Dale’, legacy anxiety | | Health & Head Injuries | 29:00 | Kasey Kahne | Leaving NASCAR, concussions, personal struggle | | Carl Edwards on Homestead Loss | 45:00 | Carl Edwards | Losing championship, destiny, walking away | | Dale Sr. Daytona Stories | 55:00 | Andy Pilgrim et al. | Last Daytona 500, last conversations, emotional toll | | Hauler Fights & Gray Area Tinkering | 1:08:00| Robin Pemberton, Tony Gibson | Fights, cheating, tech-inspections | | Racer Isolation | 1:35:00| Carson Hocevar | Friendship (or lack thereof), the driver’s life | | Edwin McCain on Addiction | 1:42:00| Edwin McCain | Recovery, ego, rock bottom | | Bootlegging & Moonshine Roots | 1:45:40| Richard Childress | Moonshine running, drink houses, racing’s wild roots |

Tone & Takeaways

• Candid. Personal. Hilarious at times, sobering at others.
• The “best of” format gives a sweeping look at what makes racing special—its people, history, and the willingness to be vulnerable.
• From the serious (trauma, injury, legacy) to the eccentric (Tom Cruise at a test day, racing-inspired t-shirts), the episode encapsulates both gravity and the camaraderie unique to motorsport culture.

Whether you’re a diehard racing fan or new to NASCAR, this highlight reel stands as proof of the Dale Jr. Download’s unique power: To entertain, to enlighten, and to keep telling stories—good, bad, funny, and vital—that ensure racing’s human side is never forgotten.