Episodes

  • 562 - Donnie Rives: Dale Earnhardt's Best Friend Shares Stories You've Never Heard
    Jul 24 2024

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with Dale Earnhardt’s best friend, Donnie Rives. Donnie has kept these stories to himself, until today. It’s a heartfelt conversation swapping stories about the Intimidator from two people who knew him best.

    Donnie's first connection with the Earnhardt’s was through Ralph. Ralph’s signature “Earnhardt grin” left a lasting impression on those who knew him. Donnie shares moments of bird hunting with Ralph, along with the valuable racing advice he passed along to him.

    Both Dale Jr. and Donnie reminisced about hunting experiences with Sr. and came to an agreement that the Intimidator was an exceptional deer tracker, showcasing his skills in the great outdoors. With as strong of a friendship the two had, Rives shares why he turned down opportunities within the industry, particularly a position at DEI.

    The two finish off the conversation talking about Rives’ relationship with Teresa Earnhardt, where he details his respect for both her and Dale’s legacy. They discuss Dale Earnhardt’s passing and share heart-to-heart moments talking about what Dale Sr means to both of them. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss.

    21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

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    1 hr and 47 mins
  • 561 - Indy: An Unpopular Opinion About The Finish
    Jul 23 2024

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the Dirty Mo Media studio to discuss the heavily debated Brickyard 400 finish, and has an opinion that may surprise you. There was a lot of controversy at Indianapolis this year and the Dirty Air crew unpacks all of it:

    • Should NASCAR have waived off the final start?
    • How does Ryan Blaney feel about it now?
    • Did NASCAR make the right call with the final yellow flag?
    • Race winning crew chief Cliff Daniels joins the show
    • Penalties or warnings for blending back onto the track

    During the Ask Jr. segment of the show, listeners sent in questions regarding:

    • Team Xbox or Playstation?
    • Being in the Nickelback “Rockstar” music video
    • Dale’s choice in glasses
    • Dale’s next project car

    21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Celebrating 30 Years of The Brickyard With Jamie McMurray & Dale Jarrett
    Jul 18 2024

    30 years ago, NASCAR ran the first Brickyard 400 at the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway that featured the largest crowd to ever witness a NASCAR race. Today on DJD Reloaded, we relive iconic moments from one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels with a pair of iconic drivers. Dale Jarrett, a 2-time Brickyard winner, and the man behind the tradition of “kissing the bricks” calls in to share his stories. Plus, Jamie McMurray, a driver who won the Brickyard in 2010 amidst a historical season gives us his favorite memories from racing on the oval at Indy. And we’ll even hear from IMS President, Doug Boles, on what this event means for the Speedway, and how this race has evolved since its inception in 1994.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 560 - Winston Kelley: Intimidator Stories From The One Who Interviewed Him Last
    Jul 17 2024

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director and former MRN Pit Reporter Winston Kelley to share over 30 years of stories from behind the microphone.

    Winston's career is rooted in his passion for the sport of NASCAR, dating back to his first job working on road for free. From there, Kelley has practically seen it all. He recalls working iconic races in the sport's history, including Cale Yarbrough, Richard Petty, and Jeff Gordon's final races. Winston was also Dale Earnhardt's final interview at the 2001 Daytona 500, and recalls Earnhardt's mood on the grid before the race.

    With a career behind a microphone comes difficult moments. Kelley remembers interviews with Dale Earnhardt after his multiple heartbreak losses in the Daytona 500, and the moment he was caught in the middle of the feud between Rusty Wallace and Earnhardt.

    As the Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Winston is living out his own childhood dream working with his heroes and building the legacy of the Hall. Kelley has been with the Hall since they broke ground to build the museum in 2006, and describes what it's like to watch inductees go through the process of entering NASCAR's most prestigious club.

    They close the interview discussing the best and worst interviews of his career. Between cutting it up with Tony Stewart after the race, to the poorly worded question that cost him big, Winston has no shortage of great stories to share.

    21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov

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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • 559 - Pocono: I'm Going To Get Sh*t For This
    Jul 16 2024

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the studio for this week’s episode of Dirty Air to recap all of the action from Pocono. After a weekend full of action from the Tricky Triangle, there is plenty to discuss:

    • Dale picks his NCAA Football '25 Dynasty Team
    • Was Corey LaJoie and Kyle Busch's on-track contact a racing deal?
    • Should Bubba Wallace have been fined $50k for dooring Alex Bowman at Chicago?
    • Ryan Blaney calls in
    • Dale recalls epic paintball battles between the 48 & 88 teams on the road

    During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners wanted to know Dale’s opinion on:

    • Tire options for the Richmond race
    • Sting Ray Robb's crash at Iowa
    • Dale is back on track this weekend

    21+ and present in North Carolina. Opt in req. Wager requirements apply. Bonuses awarded as nonwithdrawable bonus bets or profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including bonus expiration. See terms and conditions at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

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    1 hr and 53 mins
  • 558 - Gary Nelson Part 2: Scarred By Driver Deaths Under My Watch
    Jul 11 2024

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues his conversation with longtime NASCAR crew chief Gary Nelson to discuss his time at Hendrick Motorsports, building SABCO with Felix Sabates, and his move to the officiating side as the Winston Cup Director.

    Gary details how Rick Hendrick used his car salesman skills to sell him on a job at HMS. Teamed up with Geoff Bodine, the two went on to beat Dale Earnhardt in the Daytona 500. Nelson shares stories of Bodine and legendary Crew Chief Harry Hyde that inspired the plot of Days Of Thunder. In 1988, Gary was taken on by Felix Sabates to help build SABCO. With Kyle Petty as the driver, he shares the moment that changed the entire history of that program. He also shares when he was convinced he’d be fired after a shouting match with Kyle Petty at Dover.

    They close the show by discussing Nelson’s time as the NASCAR Winston Cup Director. Gary talks about the tragic on-track crashes he witnessed firsthand that stay with him today. After numerous fatal accidents, it was up to him and his team to figure out how to make the sport safer. His multi-layered career and honest storytelling make this interview an instant Download classic.

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 557 - Gary Nelson Part 1: The King of Innovation
    Jul 10 2024

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with longtime NASCAR crew chief Gary Nelson, who worked with legendary drivers like Ricky Rudd, Bobby Allison, and Geoff Bodine. In the first installment of this conversation, Gary dives into the intriguing world of NASCAR innovation.

    If you raced in the 70s with a 100% legal car, you’d be out of business, and Nelson is here to prove it. He shares stories of finding ways around NASCAR’s scales, new innovations in aerodynamics, and how many of his cars looked a little “too good” to the inspectors. Nelson also dives into the early days of his career, discussing his relationship with Robert Gee, learning moments with Darrell Waltrip, and how he was directly responsible for Dale Earnhardt’s first win at Bristol.

    Dale Jr and Gary also break down his give-and-take relationship with Bobby Allison, and what it took for the two of them to finally find success. It’s a conversation so good we had to break it into two parts.

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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • 556 - Chicago: Post-Race Retaliation, Advice for Hailie Deegan, and Alex Bowman’s Two-Day Hangover
    Jul 9 2024

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the studio after vacation (or was it?) for this week’s episode of Dirty Air. After an eventful weekend in the streets of the Windy City, there is plenty to discuss, and Dale is joined by special co-host TJ Majors to lend his perspective from the spotter’s stand:

    • Dale doesn’t trust his golf cart
    • The rain won’t stay away from Chicago
    • SVG and Larson have up and down weekend
    • Retaliation after the checkered flag
    • The Playoff window is tightening for non-winners
    • Tyler Reddick had a shot on the last lap

    During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners wanted to know Dale’s opinion on:

    • Ryan Blaney’s chances for the ESPY “Driver of the Year” award
    • NASCAR’s EV Project
    • Rodney Childers moving to Spire Motorsports in 2025 to work on the 7 car
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    1 hr and 47 mins