The Dale Jr. Download – September 19, 2025

Episode Title: Old School Bristol, Smoke & Rico’s Team Up, & Sugar Britches
Host: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Dale Jr.)
Guests: Tony Stewart (“Smoke”), Rico Abreu
Produced By: Dirty Mo Media, SiriusXM

Overview

This episode of The Dale Jr. Download dives deep into the evolution and nostalgia of Bristol Motor Speedway’s racing, announces a high-profile sprint car partnership between Tony Stewart and Rico Abreu, and caps it off with a lively, laugh-filled Family Feud game segment about racing life, marriage, and the beloved "sugar britches." Dale Jr. blends technical insight with personable banter, while the guests bring candid stories about their careers, family, and racing culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolution and Nostalgia of Bristol Motor Speedway

• Nostalgia Meets Reality:

  • Dale Jr. opens with reflections on how Bristol used to be the hottest ticket in NASCAR, famously difficult to get, and how times have changed with less frequent sellouts. (02:00–03:20)
  • He clarifies his stance: “This isn’t about nostalgia… It’s about what Bristol was and what it feels like now.” (01:50)

• Bristol’s Track Transformations:

  • Detailed recounting of the history: The original flat track, the move to banking, the switch from asphalt to concrete, and subsequent reconfigurations.
    • “When they first built Bristol... it was much flatter. You can see old races… where Bristol used to be quite flatter.” (02:50)
    • “After several years, they did the same thing at Rockingham… both reconfigured from flat to banked.” (03:21)

• Groove Changes & Racing Styles Over the Years:

  • Evolution from multi-groove, high-up-track racing on asphalt, to bottom-groove dominance after concrete was introduced.
  • Stories about variable banking introduction and tire changes affecting racing lines:
    • “One of the first races we ran on the variable banking version... Casey Kane’s leading, Carl Edwards is second, I’m third... everyone was running a different part of the racetrack. I was thinking, ‘This is badass!’” (07:10)

• Experimenting with Grip:

  • How track officials tried grinding the top groove and eventually adopted PJ1 traction compound, after consultation with Dale Jr.
    • “They narrowed up this application of PJ1 so you can only get the left side tires in it... you have to be so perfect..." (10:45)
    • “If you miss it, you saw what happens... more passing, more checking up, bumping and banging.” (11:00)

• Current State – A Nod to the Past:

  • “We’re almost all the way back… probably as close as we’re ever going to be to the Bristol that a lot of people love.” (11:13)
  • “No matter what version of Bristol you love, you got that version in one of the three events last weekend.” (11:46–11:53)

2. Tony Stewart & Rico Abreu's Partnership Announcement

• The Big News:

  • Dale Jr. introduces the segment: “Rico’s going to join Tony Stewart Racing. Right—putting all that together is a win for everybody.” (14:57)

• Rico Abreu’s Perspective:

  • Introspective look at his path:
    • “I’ve invested my entire life into sprint car racing… it takes an army of people to get a driver to the next level in this industry.” (15:54)
    • “I kept thinking about it, then called Tony one day and said, why don’t we just simplify… bring me over to your race team.” (17:10)
  • On blending successful organizations and partnerships: “Now they’re going to get the opportunity to come be a part of Tony Stewart Racing, and the partnerships Tony Stewart has built is going to get the opportunity to be a part of Rico.” (18:10)

• Tony Stewart’s Reflections:

  • On his unexpected journey into drag racing:
    • “Absolutely not… I enjoyed watching it on TV if it was on, but I didn’t search for it or plan my day around it.” (18:34)
    • “To get to do it with someone you love and care about... that draws you into it even deeper.” (19:29)
  • On changing family/racing dynamics: “Getting to race with my dad occasionally, that’s something I haven’t had the opportunity to do before. Once you’re a racer, you’re just always a racer.” (20:27)
  • On balancing risk and love for the sport: “Our crash the other day happened at 240 miles an hour... all I cared about was, what do we got to do to get ready for next weekend.” (21:19)

• Leah Pruett’s Return & Family Racing:

  • Discussion about Tony Stewart filling in for his wife Leah while she stepped back to become a mom.
  • “Me driving her car was about her and her decision for us to start a family together… I have this sneaking suspicion I’ll find something to do where I can still be involved myself.” (22:19–24:12)
  • “Next year is going to be a lot of fun.” (24:22)

• Lasting Commitment:

  • “Are you far from being done competing?” – “I don’t see an end anytime in.” (24:41–24:49)

3. Family Feud Game & Lighthearted Banter

• Fun and Laughter:

  • Dale Jr. and crew play a racing-themed “Family Feud” game, answering quirky questions surveyed from listeners.
    • Notably, “Name something in a bakery that a baker might call his wife.” (27:53)
  • Memorable, viral-sounding moment with “Sugar Britches,” as Dale Jr. jokes:
    • “That’s what I like to call Amy… the power of sugar britches.” (28:46–28:57)

• Other Fun Prompts & Laughs:

  • “Name a place where if her husband took her there for her anniversary, a wife would be mad.” (Sporting event, mom’s house, etc.) (30:35)
  • “Give me another word people say for rear end.” (“Arse,” “butt,” “heiney,” etc.) (32:42)
  • “Name something that grows faster than you want it to.” (“Hair,” “weeds,” “kids,” “debt,” “belly”) (34:50)

• Memorable Quotes from the Game:

  • [28:43] Dale Jr.: “Sugar Britches.”
  • [28:57] Dale Jr.: “Everybody in here is smiling now. Look at that. The power of sugar britches.”
  • [30:03] Crew: “Number two answer was his oven.” — “Who says that?”
  • [30:52] Tony Stewart: “His mom’s house.”
  • [32:51] Dale Jr.: “Bottom.”
  • [32:53] Crew: “Arse. That is a correct. Number two answer.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | Context | |:-------------:|:----------|:------------|:------------| | 07:15 | "Everyone was running on a different part of the racetrack. I was thinking in that moment, ‘This is badass. Like, I didn't think, how does it get any better?’” | Dale Jr. | On the thrill of multi-groove racing during Bristol’s variable banking era | | 11:15 | “That's kind of where we are. We're almost all the way back. It's probably as close as we're ever going to be to the Bristol that a lot of people love.” | Dale Jr. | On the current state of Bristol Motor Speedway | | 15:54 | “I’ve invested my entire life into sprint car racing… and now to align myself with a brand as big as Tony Stewart’s... that's amazing.” | Rico Abreu | On joining Tony Stewart Racing | | 19:29 | “To get to do it with someone you love and care about... that draws you into it even deeper.” | Tony Stewart | On racing alongside his wife, Leah Pruett | | 22:19 | “Me driving her car was about her and her decision for us to start a family together… I have this sneaking suspicion I’ll find something to do where I can still be involved myself.” | Tony Stewart | On stepping back to let Leah return to racing | | 28:43–28:57 | “Sugar Britches… Everybody in here is smiling now. Look at that. The power of sugar britches.” | Dale Jr. | During the Family Feud game segment | | 24:45 | “I don’t see an end anytime in.” | Tony Stewart | On his racing future |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:51–12:00] – Old School Bristol Discussion
• [14:57–24:50] – Tony Stewart & Rico Abreu Interview/Announcement
• [27:27–36:34] – Family Feud Game and Banter

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Dale Jr.’s trademark blend of technical racing expertise, candid storytelling, and homespun humor—especially as the crew lets loose with the Family Feud game. Tony Stewart brings his signature honesty and passion, while Rico Abreu’s humility and excitement are palpable. The energy is upbeat, reflective, and often laugh-out-loud fun.

Conclusion

This episode offers a satisfying blend of motorsport insight, exclusive news, multi-generational reflections on racing, and the straight-up fun that comes from personalities like Dale Jr., Tony Stewart, and Rico Abreu just being themselves. Whether you’re a lifelong NASCAR fan, a sprint car supporter, or just in search of a good laugh about “sugar britches,” this installment covers all the bases in a way only The Dale Jr. Download can deliver.