The Dale Jr. Download

Episode: Last Driver to 60 Wins?
Host: Dale Earnhardt Jr. with TJ, Chris, Tyler Reddick
Date: October 14, 2025
Network: Dirty Mo Media, SiriusXM

Episode Overview

This episode circles around two big themes: celebrating Denny Hamlin’s milestone 60th Cup Series win and a spirited debate about whether any current or future NASCAR Cup driver will reach that number again. Dale Jr. and the team reflect on the evolution of key drivers, the difficulty of stacking up wins in the modern era, and shifting attitudes in the garage and among fans. The show also touches on racing strategy, changes in NASCAR points and car formats, memorable moments from the weekend’s races, and audience questions about everything from chili recipes to sheet metal memorabilia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Denny Hamlin's 60th Win and What It Means

(Segment starts ~22:53, major discussion 23:32-35:24)

• Emotional Victory: Denny’s Vegas win (his 60th) carries extra significance given his dad’s health struggles:

  “His dad hasn’t been feeling well over the last year or two... I think that's been the, you know, tough for Denny to manage... So you know, that's where Denny is in his life and he's having to deal with losing somebody or the possibility of losing somebody that, that means the world to him and that is... maybe single-handedly responsible for the life that Denny's been able to have.” – Dale Jr. [24:41]

• Denny’s Human Side: Listeners hear about Denny’s family’s sacrifices and rare glimpses into his softer side:

  “We don't really get to see Denny be humanized... but I think that the fans can really appreciate it. I see a ton of comments from fans: 'Hey, I'm not a Denny fan. I'm not a Denny bro. But feel for the guy and what he's going through.’” – Dale Jr. [26:21]

• End of the Road? The hosts question whether Denny can stop racing while he’s still winning:

  “If the guy’s still winning races, how do you quit in that final year? I don’t think he does.” – Dale Jr. [28:43]

• Chasing Legends: With 16 wins to tie Dale Sr.'s total, Denny still has plenty of motivation:

  “How would you not want to tie that guy?... Because you could really say, hell, I won as many races as Dale Earnhardt.” – Dale Jr. [28:52]

2. Will Modern Drivers Hit 60 Wins Again?

(Starts ~34:33, peak debate 34:48-40:13)

• The Math & Mindset: Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott are considered possibilities, but everyone agrees the modern era makes reaching 60 much harder.

  • Joey Logano: “Joey needs four or five wins a year to get to 60, in my opinion.” – Dale Jr. [35:16]
  • Kyle Larson: Could do it in terms of raw talent, but likely to retire early and focus on dirt racing.
  • Chase Elliott: Hosts believe he’ll step away early, content with what he’s achieved.

• Changing Career Arcs:

  “It was absolutely common to see guys race beyond 50... and that number has sort of crept down.” – Dale Jr. [38:57]

  • Drivers today often value time with family over chasing record books.

• Cultural Shift:

  “I mean, there’s other priorities in life... at some point you look back and say, 'I've won three championships, a Daytona 500...' Why do I want to miss that time?” – TJ [39:42]

3. Race Recaps and Strategy

Cars Tour & Xfinity

• Short Track Racing Exposure: Dale praises streaming platforms like FloRacing and their impact on local racing visibility. [6:04-10:11]
• CARS Tour Title Fights: Landon Lewis vs. Connor Hall in Late Model Stock; Ben Mayer set for Pro Late Model championship through consistency rather than wins. [10:11-11:40]
• Xfinity Recap: Connor Zillich’s aggressive effort impresses Dale Jr.; discussions on tire management and risk vs. reward in playoff racing. [14:47-19:58]

Cup Series Vegas Recap

• Denny’s Race: Strategic drive to the front, emotional post-race interview, and implications for his championship odds.
• Penske Troubles: With Blaney and Logano deep below the playoff cut line, they’re likely in “must-win” mode at Talladega or Martinsville. [31:33-34:26]

Super Speedway (Talladega) Preview

• Teammate Dilemmas: At Talladega, drivers must balance helping teammates with self-interest.

  “I'm going to try to be a good teammate when that's possible, but I'm not going to do anything that I think is detrimental to me, even losing one position.” – Dale Jr. [54:16]

• Team Orders Fade: Manufacturer and team alliances are less rigid than in the past; desperation and playoff math drive risk-taking.
• Surviving the Wrecks: Racing “up front” is considered the best way to avoid ‘The Big One’:

  “If you’re racing hard all the time, then there’s a better chance of you being in front of the crash when it happens.” – Dale Jr. [58:33]

4. NASCAR’s Format & Future Changes

(Main topic at 60:13-68:02)

• No Instant Fixes:

  “There is nothing...that changes next year that delivers results (right away)... To build it back is going to take a long period of time. You don’t build something that big and that great in a 12 month period.” – Dale Jr. [60:59]

• Points System Debate: Any changes to format or horsepower (like boosting to 750hp) won’t yield overnight success but are “moves in the right direction.”
• Patience and Process:

  “If we don’t change it... we’re going to continue on this route that we’re on that none of us like. So whatever changes come, you... have to buckle in and own it for a while because it’s not going to produce results immediately.” – Dale Jr. [65:44]

Notable Quotes

• On Winning 60 Races in Modern NASCAR:

  “60 is going to be tough to get to, man. Like, I don’t... there’s not enough wins a year.” – TJ [37:44]

• On the Career Tipping Point:

  “If you get out of the car, you didn’t get quite the result you needed, and you know, at points of the race you were settling, that’s hard to handle.” – Dale Jr. [18:30]

• On Patience for NASCAR’s Revival:

  “You can destroy this thing quickly, but to build it back is going to take a long period of time.” – Dale Jr. [60:59]

• On “Teammate Help” at Talladega:

  “If you’re going to take a win from your teammate, you better be able to know for sure that that move is the one that will win you the race... you can’t cost both of you the race.” – Dale Jr. [55:05]

Memorable Moments & Lighter Segments

• Chili Debate: Beans or no beans? Turns into a running gag about culinary skills among the crew. [80:36-83:25]
• Sheet Metal Collector Talk: Dale Jr. discusses the odd nostalgia and market for door panels, including rare pieces from his own collection. [77:02-79:17]
• LEGO Titanic Update: Crew jokes about Dale’s stalled LEGO project; the metaphor for unfinished business draws laughs. [79:30-80:09]

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Topic | |----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:56 | Show intro, Dale Jr. broadcasting remote (“fall break” with kids) | | 04:05 | NFL vent session, fan emotions | | 06:04 | Big CARS Tour finale; value of streaming short track racing | | 10:11 | CARS Tour championship scenarios | | 14:47 | Xfinity race: Connor Zillich’s epic drive, playoff breakdown | | 22:53 | Denny Hamlin’s 60th win: context and meaning | | 34:33 | Will someone else reach 60 wins? Joey Logano, Larson, Elliott talk | | 40:13 | Changes in career longevity in modern NASCAR | | 54:16 | Teammate or not? Talladega dilemma, playoff positioning | | 60:13 | NASCAR’s points/format/hp changes—the “heavy boat” analogy | | 77:02 | Ask Jr.: Favorite sheet metal; discussion of memorabilia | | 80:36 | Beans-in-chili debate | | 87:18 | Dirty Modo: Talladega betting tips and philosophy |

Summary Table: Drivers’ Prospects for 60 Wins

| Driver | Career Wins (as of episode) | Panel Prediction | |----------------|----------------------------|--------------------------| | Denny Hamlin | 60 | Could go higher, won’t retire yet [28:52] | | Joey Logano | 37 | 50-55 possible, 60 unlikely [37:44] | | Kyle Larson | 32 | Has talent, early retirement likely [36:04] | | Chase Elliott | 21 | Will leave early, no shot at 60 [36:13] | | Brad Keselowski| 36 | Unlikely to reach 40 [35:54] |

Audience Q&A (Ask Jr.)

• First driver/track in NASCAR 25 video game: Dale Jr. says he’ll play career mode starting with an ARCA car at Rockingham; crew shares their first picks. [74:07]
• Collecting Sheet Metal: Dale Jr. considers selling non-personal historic doors, wonders about fan reactions. [77:02]
• Talladega Team Orders: Will non-playoff drivers push teammates or go for wins? Focus on Brad K, Stenhouse, Chastain, and team duties in the draft. [98:41]
• Chili Styles & Cooking Philosophies: Beans, no beans, and the art of grilling vs. “real” cooking. [80:36]

Conclusion

This episode of “The Dale Jr. Download” blends nostalgia, strategy, and inside-the-garage candor. The hosts mark Denny Hamlin’s 60th win as a rare feat likely never to be surpassed, dissect the culture shift in driver longevity, and analyze how both points systems and teamwork affect modern racing. They deliver both insightful analysis and the signature light-hearted banter fans expect, all while emphasizing the slow, generational work required to revive NASCAR’s golden era.

Recommended Listen:

• Denny Hamlin post-win interview (~23:32)
• Teammate dynamics at Talladega (~54:16)
• Old-school vs. modern career paths for star drivers (~38:57)

Final Note:
If you’re a NASCAR fan pondering whether anyone will ever match Denny’s 60 wins—or if you just want to understand the deeper currents shaping today’s Cup Series—this episode is required listening.