The Dale Jr. Download

Episode: Phoenix… The Championship is Wide Open
Host: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Co-hosts: TJ Majors, Russell, and Travis
Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode captures the energy and anticipation of the NASCAR playoff finale in Phoenix, as Dale Jr. and his crew dissect the aftermath of the Martinsville races, discuss the upcoming championship showdowns, and offer candid thoughts on everything from driver behavior to tire performance. With Dale Jr.’s trademark storytelling and the crew’s banter, the episode moves from serious racing insights to quirky personal stories, all while building up to the “wide open” championship battle.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cars Tour 2025 Season Schedule Announcement (01:34–04:51)

• Dale Jr. runs through the next season’s Cars Tour schedule, revealing new and returning tracks, sponsor updates, and the enthusiasm around supporting young talent and veterans.
  • Caden Koppel going full-time, but car number (8 or 88) undecided.
  • Heavy backing for Jerky Boys Beef Jerky as a sponsor.
  • Detailed rundown of tracks/dates: Coastal Plains (Feb 21), Southern National, Wake County, Nashville Fairgrounds (Apr 11), North Wilkesboro (July), Florence (Sept, during Darlington Cup weekend) and finale at South Boston Speedway (Oct 17).

"We're going to try to put everything we can behind the Jerky Boys promotion and try to sell some more jerky, but also go win some races."
— Dale Jr. (02:28)

2. Martinsville Xfinity Drama: Sam Mayer vs. Jeb Burton Incident (04:56–13:01)

• Discussion of Sam Mayer’s intentional post-race crash into Jeb Burton and whether Mayer should be suspended, referencing similar incidents and NASCAR’s precedent.
• Dale Jr. doesn’t shield his own team: he holds Mayer to account and says a suspension is appropriate.
  • Emphasis on young driver judgment and reputation.

"Look, this was an intentional crash. The precedent has been set. A suspension is the call. I can't see it any other way."
— Dale Jr. (05:53)

• Examination of the ‘chip on the shoulder’ mentality for drivers like Jeb Burton, especially those who feel overlooked or under-supported compared to others.

3. Xfinity Championship Four Preview (13:38–17:03)

• The crew discusses the personalities and chances of the Xfinity Championship Four: Zillich, Allgaier, Jesse Love, Kwapo.
• Emphasis on shop work, preparation for both primary and backup cars, and the toll of the playoff grind.

"...at this particular weekend you better prepare the backup car as well as you prepare the primary. There’s a ton of work..."
— Dale Jr. (15:26)

4. The Mental Toll and Preparation for Phoenix (17:16–21:37)

• Insights on emotional fatigue from the playoff system and the anxiety teams endure leading into the final race.
• Dale Jr. shares his approach to coaching his drivers: stay calm, don’t panic if the car isn’t perfect at the start, and avoid intra-team mishaps.

"Don’t take yourself out of it in stage one or two because you’re panicking. That’s easy to do."
— Dale Jr. (21:36)

5. Cup Series at Martinsville: Tire Fall-off and the Role of the Driver (24:08–27:26)

• Praise for Goodyear’s new tire at Martinsville which allowed for multiple grooves, more passing, and strategy.
• Discussion about tire management becoming a larger part of the racecraft, separating veterans from aggressive newcomers.

"Martinsville is the one track where you know it's going to be bottom dominant. If you can go to Martinsville and produce what we saw with guys changing their entry and moving around, you've got it. Don't touch it.”
— Dale Jr. (25:03)

6. Phoenix Championship: Is It Really 'Wide Open'? (28:20–35:52, 71:15–84:13)

• The central theme: Media narrative stresses the championship is “wide open,” with no clear favorite.
• Breakdown of the final four: duals between Hendrick (Byron, Larson) and Gibbs (Hamlin, Briscoe), with Penske missing.
• Dale and crew debate the value of “momentum” in racing — is it real, or does everything reset at Phoenix?
• Odds and betting discussion: William Byron is the statistical favorite, but championship could still go to any of the top four.

"All I've heard since the end of Phoenix race is how wide open this is...I also agree: it’s wide open."
— Dale Jr. (71:47, 73:40)

7. Betting Advice: FanDuel 'Dirty Modeau' Segment (71:15–84:13)

• Analysis of favorites based on model predictions (Byron highest, but Bell, Blaney, and others in mix).
• Discussion of championship four’s head-to-head odds and top-10 parlays.
• Humorous side bets and banter: “Experts tell you not to mess with them parlays.”
• Dale Jr. quips about not being allowed to bet on NASCAR as an owner.

"If you bet, if you think x driver is going to win the championship, better odds to bet they win the race."
— Russell (74:05)

8. Personal Stories & Q&A (Ash Jr. Segment) (42:11–69:30)

• Bands Q: Dale names his dream festival lineup: Nirvana, Elvis, Billy Joel (43:05–44:34).
  • Crew joins in with various classic artists.
• Music and Mosh Pits: Dale’s love for 90s alternative concerts, mosh pit adventures (especially with his mom!), and sharing stories about meeting his musical idols (e.g., Dwight Yoakam, 47:40–54:07).
• Hunting Tales: Dale relays his Ohio hunting trip philosophy on selective hunting, the peace of the woods, and the camaraderie with friends and NASCAR pals like Martin Truex Jr. (56:52–64:44).
• Video Game Voice Acting: Fun anecdote about voicing a mechanic character in a Scarface game, beating himself up in the game just to hear his own lines (65:18–68:12).
  • “I'd get in my vehicle and run over to that shop...I just kept beating the shit out of myself just so I could hear myself go, hey, dudes, come on. Cut it out.” (00:00 and 65:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Driver Accountability:
  "We call like it is on this show. Even our guys that drive here… aren't immune to getting called out when they make mistakes." (05:53, Dale Jr.)

• On the Track, Off the Track:
  "I would say to Sam [Mayer], if he were sitting here right now, his ass was out of line all night." (08:19, Dale Jr.)

• Martinsville Tire Management:
  "You heard Rudy Fugle telling Byron...save me some tires.” (26:03, TJ Majors)

• On Betting as a Team Owner:
  "No, I won’t. No, I won’t… I have to actually remind myself that I cannot bet in NASCAR." (76:04, Dale Jr.)

• Wide Open Championship:
  "I believe. I also agree. It's wide open." (73:40, Dale Jr.)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamps | |:---------------------------------------------------|:------------------| | Cars Tour 2025 Schedule Announcement | 01:34 – 04:51 | | Sam Mayer vs. Jeb Burton Debate | 04:56 – 13:01 | | Xfinity Championship Four Preview | 13:38 – 17:03 | | Playoff Grind & Phoenix Preparation | 17:16 – 21:37 | | Martinsville/Martinsville Tire Situation | 24:08 – 27:26 | | Phoenix “Wide Open” Debate & Team Breakdowns | 28:20 – 35:52, 71:15 – 84:13 | | Dirty Modeau Betting Segment | 71:15 – 84:13 | | Personal Stories & Ash Jr. Q&A | 42:11 – 69:30 | | Music, Mosh Pits, and Voice Acting Stories | 43:05 – 54:07, 65:18 – 68:12 | | Hunting and Ohio Trip | 56:52 – 64:44 |

Flow & Tone

The episode weaves between technical analysis, inside-shop details, and classic Dirty Mo humor, blending stories of competition with personal anecdotes. Dale Jr.'s tone is candid, self-deprecating, and enthusiastic, whether critiquing a driver or recounting mosh pit memories.

Useful Recap for New Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll come away with a comprehensive look at the evolving Xfinity and Cup playoff picture, preparations for the Phoenix finale, and a fresh perspective on both team and individual dynamics at the highest levels of NASCAR. The personal stories and banter add depth to Dale Jr.’s industry insights, serving both racing diehards and casual fans.

For more, follow @DaleJr and Dirty Mo Media on all platforms, and stay tuned for next week’s championship reactions and stories straight from the garage and the hunting blind.