The Dale Jr. Download
Episode: Legitimate Champions, Playoff Formats & Bandwagons
Host: Dale Earnhardt Jr. & Dirty Mo Media Crew
Date: September 12, 2025
Overview
This episode dives deep into the legitimacy of NASCAR champions in the current playoff format, dissecting which drivers truly “deserve” a title, how the playoff structure impacts outcomes, and whether consistent performance is properly rewarded. There’s lively debate around Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and “playing the game” of modern NASCAR. The show also explores fan bandwagons, the complexities of balancing fan excitement with fair competition, and features a moving interview with David Reutimann about his career and personal health battles.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Is Denny Hamlin the Best Driver Without a Title? (00:00–03:54)
- Dale and crew praise Denny Hamlin’s consistent excellence:
“Every year we say, man, this is his best shot... maybe for the first time that he's the best car in the field at this point.” (Dale Jr., 01:19) - Denny is always among the top drivers, but hasn't gotten his elusive championship.
- Travis remarks: “He's definitely the most consistent right now.” (02:19)
- Consensus: Hamlin “deserves” a title, but the current playoff format complicates things.
2. Does the Playoff Format Reward the Right Champion? (03:54–08:45)
- Dale argues: “This format doesn't favor or lend itself to anybody. This format is more about being great on one singular day, you know, the rest of the season be damned.” (Dale Jr., 03:20)
- Travis counters that Logano thrives in this system, liking the underdog/chaos aspect, but Dale expresses skepticism:
“I have a hard time buying in to this idea that there is anybody... that actually can be better at this format than someone else.” (03:25) - Example: Joey Logano benefiting from points resets, crew chief strategies, and luck (like other drivers being disqualified).
- Key Dale Jr. quote: “It's easy to thrive when somebody gives you 150 points.” (04:21)
- On strategy vs. luck:
“Nobody's going into Vegas going, we're going to run 14th all day and then win on fuel mileage.” (Dale Jr., 06:37) - The group acknowledges team strategy (especially from crew chief Paul Wolfe) can tip the scale, but luck remains a big factor.
3. Are Playoff Champions Always Legitimate? (11:34–13:09)
- Discussion on Corey Heim and Connor Zillich dominating their respective divisions but possibly losing championships due to playoff flukes:
- “The problem... is they are clearly the best cars, best teams... but that's not this format.” (Tommy, 11:57)
- “If neither of them win the championship, it's going to be another... talking point of here's why we need to change the playoff format.” (Jordan Bianchi, 12:17)
- Austin Cindric weighs in: Dominance across a season doesn’t guarantee a championship in the modern playoff system, which prioritizes winning at key times.
- “What sets Conor apart [is] the win total... but the playoff format is exciting for those who understand it... any changes in the future... [should be] simplifying in order for more to understand and appreciate.” (Cindric, 14:14)
4. How Should the Playoff System Evolve? (13:09–18:17)
- Tommy and the crew discuss trade-offs between a season-long points championship and playoff drama.
- Cindric expresses that simplicity and clarity matter most:
“If there's anything to refine, it's a simplification to help our race fans and maybe our casual fans be more on board with what's on the line and what's at stake.” (Cindric, 14:44) - Hypothetical: Would a four-race championship round make things fairer?
- “What’s fair for the drivers and competitors is never going to be what’s best for the fans.” (Cindric, 16:58)
- Most agree a full season-long format is “never going to happen” again (Tommy, 18:17).
5. Fan Bandwagons & Denny Hamlin’s Rallying Cry (22:13–27:36)
- Post-race, Denny Hamlin encouraged fans to "jump on the 11 car bandwagon," meaning they'll see more wins if they root for him, not promising a guaranteed championship.
- “Jump on the 11 car bandwagon because you're going to win more than you're going to try.” (Ryan Ellis, 22:37)
- “I want to win races... I like to under promise and over deliver when it comes to that.” (Ryan Ellis, 22:41)
- Debate over whether fans want to “hop on a train” if the end destination isn’t a championship.
- “The fans want to hop on this train, but they want clarification the train is going to Phoenix.” (Dale Jr., 25:37)
- “What does it matter where you're going? When you jump on a party bus, who gives a [bleep] where the end destination is?” (Ryan Ellis, 25:53)
- Banter over boos vs. cheers:
- “The bulk of them are not fans of mine... I just love ruining their day.” (Ryan Ellis, 24:32)
- Ultimately, Dale notes if Hamlin wins more races, he'll be seen as a deserving champion regardless of the final outcome.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Dale Jr. (03:20): “This format is more about being great on one singular day, you know, the rest of the season be damned.”
- Travis (04:24): “This system aids... it definitely aids guys like that,” referencing drivers who capitalize on playoff resets.
- Austin Cindric (14:44): “If there's anything to refine, it's a simplification to help our race fans and maybe our casual fans be more on board with what's on the line and what's at stake.”
- Ryan Ellis (22:41): “I want to win races... I like to under promise and over deliver when it comes to that.”
- Dale Jr. (25:37): “The fans want to hop on this train, but they want clarification the train is going to Phoenix.”
- Ryan Ellis (27:03): “I just want to win races and beat the [expletive] out of everyone else every chance I get... They're going to fix this playoff format for next year... then let's talk about legitimacy.”
Extended Interview: David Reutimann’s Reflections (28:17–36:02)
- Reutimann talks about the pride (and unexpected pressure) of winning in NASCAR:
- “Why can't I win all the time? The car was just so good.” (Reutimann, 29:11)
- On not watching racing after retirement: “It's just self-preservation, I guess, really. If you're a drug addict, you want to get clean, you don't hang around with people who do drugs. That's kind of the same thing.” (Reutimann, 30:44)
- He opens up about health issues post-retirement:
- Undergoing brain surgery for a benign tumor, which impacted hearing and motor functions.
- “I'm not coordinated. I have no balance. I walk around like I'm drunk... It's really, really easy to get down on yourself.” (Reutimann, 35:20)
- On coping: “You just kind of have to adjust to the new norm, I guess.” (36:02)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:19 – Discussion of Denny Hamlin’s legacy and skill
- 03:20 – Argument about whether anyone excels at the playoff format
- 07:07 – Team strategy, luck vs. skill in the playoffs
- 11:34 – Talking about “legitimate” champions, Corey Heim, Connor Zillich
- 14:44 – Cindric on format clarity/simplification
- 16:58 – Balancing fairness for drivers vs. excitement for fans
- 22:37 – Denny Hamlin’s “bandwagon” speech and reactions
- 25:37 – Fan expectations and the journey vs. the destination
- 27:03 – Ryan Ellis on race wins vs. playoff legitimacy
- 29:01 – David Reutimann on winning and looking back at his career
- 30:44 – Reasons for not following NASCAR post-retirement
- 31:19 – Reutimann’s health battles and recovery
- 35:20 – Emotional challenges post-surgery
Tone & Style
- Candid, conversational, and often humorous: The group drops insider knowledge, playful jabs, and genuine reflections.
- Direct and unfiltered: Dale Jr. and guests are honest about what they dislike in the current system and don't shy away from controversy.
- Grounded in racer and fan perspectives: Commentary shifts naturally between what’s “fair,” what’s “entertaining,” and what it means for legacies.
Takeaways
- NASCAR’s playoff format continues to fuel fierce debate about what makes a “legitimate” champion.
- Strategy, luck, and crew chief calls play a bigger role than ever—and some see that as at odds with how racing “should” decide a champion.
- Despite frustrations, the format delivers drama and unpredictability that keeps fans talking, even if it sometimes leaves season-long greatness unrewarded.
- The episode closes with a reminder that behind every racer’s stats is a human story—one of pride, struggle, and personal evolution.
For more highlights, listen to the full episode of The Dale Jr. Download on Dirty Mo Media.