The Dale Jr. Download - 136 - A Few Good Men

Episode Date: May 31, 2016

An optimistic Dale Earnhardt Jr. discusses Sunday’s race and explains why he is excited for NASCAR’s upcoming summer stretch. We are gifted with one of the greatest Reaction Theatre calls of all-time that parodies a famous movie scene. Check out Dirty Mo Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is Dale Jr., and you're listening to Dirty Mo Radio. I know y'all work hard. Appreciate that work. You did a half good job, you know, keep it with it all day and getting the best finish we should. So I appreciate that. Hey, everybody. This is Post World 600 Audio. So, anyhow, let's see.

I know everybody was looking at this race as a sign of whether we have. had things improved or going in the right direction. And if you look at it from the surface, I don't know if you see anything there that gets you too excited. But if you were there every step of the way throughout the entire weekend, and you were on the phone with me and Greg late night and at the house with us together

and throughout the entire weekend working and working and talking. and discussing and going through everything. If you were there during the final practice, watching the lap tracker, looking at the laps we were running, looking at the way the car was driving, the speed we had. If you were there watching the beginning of the race, the first couple of runs several times throughout the event,

you would have noticed that we made it some games. So we started off the weekend Trying some new stuff on our setup for qualifying That didn't really work out at all Seems like You know we try the normal stuff and that doesn't seem to work So we go way outside the box and try something else And that doesn't work so

I don't know exactly what to do for qualifying It's just something I It's not my strong suit So For now until we fix it until it gets better, you can just put all that on me, because I don't know what it is. I don't know, I can't put any,

I can't put the responsibility on the car because we've tried about everything. Anyhow, Saturday, we had a couple practices that were important. The first one didn't work out too great. The car wasn't all that good. We got the car really going good in the final practice. The first run was great. We had a couple of good runs after that.

that I thought were really good. I love racing there during the daytime, man, especially during practice. You can use the top, the bottom. It's a wide racetrack. At night and during the 600, it's not a wide racetrack. We all run the bottom because it gets real cool and the grip comes up and everybody goes to the bottom.

So the top doesn't, the top's not an option. So I didn't like that race that much. I wish they'd run it in the afternoon. I know the fans like the temperature. the cool temps at night, but it's going to be a fun of race to watch. It's going to be a race that you're going to want to buy a ticket to the next year if it's something we can do during the day. It's just a better race track by far in the afternoon.

So anyhow, the race started pretty decent for us. We moved up a few spots, and the car was driving pretty good. We had a couple of adjustments on the first stop that got the car even better. We drove up inside the top ten pretty easily. felt like we had a lot more speed than all the guys around us. So, certainly looking at a top five car for sure. And that's when things started kind of going downhill a little bit.

We lost a little track position on a pit stop and didn't have the car to get it back. The car wasn't as good as it was at the start of the race. We made a lot of adjustments. We made big swings, changed a lot of stuff. Couldn't really ever get anything. to respond the way we wanted. I mean, the car would run top five lap times, but we're sitting there running an 11th spot, you know.

And there's a lot of long green flag runs, which I like. And we had plenty of time to sort of drive back up there. We just didn't have the car to do it. But I thought the car showed a lot more speed and was more competitive than what we had seen at Dover and Kansas and Bristol and Richmond. versus the competition and how I felt like I was getting some things done, able to do some stuff, race, and move around. I felt a lot better about the car than I felt in the last month, month and a half.

Had a lot of them other races that we just were way not competitive, not a car wouldn't feel good and comfortable. But tonight it had some good moments. And, you know, I think me and Greg have sort of, reaffirmed our commitment to each other. He was over, after qualifying so poorly, he came over to the house Thursday night and was here till midnight, just me and him talking one-on-one about our, you know, what we need to do, what me and him need to do better.

We spent hours on the phone throughout the weekend, FaceTime and talking about the setup and the changes we're going to make and what I liked and didn't like and what he likes and didn't like. We just really recommitted ourselves to trying to get things going and get them runs improved so that our fans are satisfied and everybody's happy with the way things are going. The guys are working hard and they're taking these runs hard. So, you know, they certainly are a good group. It's the same group we won races with in the past.

So this is a group that can get the job done. and so I'm I'm looking forward to the rest of summer, particularly like the tracks we're going to, Pocono and Michigan, I think, are two tracks where we can learn more and get better and have some opportunities at either getting a win or reaffirming ourselves into the top five, top ten. So I know it wasn't the, you know, it wasn't the run that we were hoping for. the card didn't really show the gains that we all wanted to see, but there's some improvement there,

and there's some direction. And trust me, I mean, among the guys, there's some confidence that we're leaning in the right direction. So there's a lot going on behind the scenes that's not documented, and only the guys on the team know about. about and it takes a you know it takes a lot to get these things to the racetrack and make them competitive this is it's not easy running in top five it's not easy it's a very very competitive sport and when you lose just a little bit and and when you sort of you know when you when you when you

get get off a little bit man it's so hard to to go out there and compete because there's 20 to 25 cars out there that are good enough to outrun you any weekend if you're just off a little bit. So, you know, it seemed like there for a while running in a top five was coming pretty easy. And showing up and being off would be a, you know, a top ten. But we'll get it back and I feel good about, I feel good about what I saw throughout the weekend. and it definitely isn't going to show up on paper and won't really be obvious to a lot of people, but there were some good things that came about this weekend that I'm pretty happy about. So we got, you know, we were going to run around 10th or 11th,

and one of those debris cautions caught us on pit road, and we had to take the wave around late. The whole field was getting ready to pit the next lap. So we came up just a little early, but that really kickstarts the whole pitting process. Once one guy comes down pit road, everybody has to start going. But there was a piece of debris out there, I guess, that was, they urgently needed to get, and they couldn't wait for the pit cycle to come that was obviously right there in front of them. So that was frustrating.

we'll you know we'll go to the next one and give a hail I hope everybody had a good weekend Memorial Day weekend is a very special

one for our sport we NASCAR always has a you know there's a there's a you know the military

is very visible at our races every weekend. We have folks that we bring in as guests, and we honor and recognize folks in the military weekend and week out at all our races. But obviously Memorial Day weekend, there's a lot more emphasis on that particular part of our program, and that becomes really what the entire day is about. so I hope that everyone had a good safe Memorial Day weekend.

I was honored to meet a lot of great people today at the racetrack connected to the military, Aaron Reed and his family. It was great to be able to spend time with him. That was the young man that we carried on the windshield of the car, and that was a true honor. And it's overwhelming thinking about how all the teams must feel that honor with every name on every windshield. So I appreciate our sport and how much emphasis we put on honoring and recognizing the military each week. And having worked in partnership with several branches of the military, it's an incredible thing.

It sure is. What a commitment it is to serve. So I hope everybody, you know, had a good weekend, and we definitely want to thank all of the members of the military, all those who have served and are serving, all of those that we've lost. And we will definitely continue to honor and show our support week in and week out on the circuit.

So I hope you guys are, hope you guys will remain patient and give us, give us through the summer to try to sort this thing out and get ready for this chase. We're going to need to keep working hard and I promise you we're giving our best effort each week every day. So we're going testing this week at New Hampshire

and our, you know, That's, you know, our guys are working their guts out, warring the hell out. I'm freaking war the hell out. Run 600 miles. I've been running race after race after race every damn week. And we're going to New Hampshire to test this week. That's called commitment. We're trying to get better.

I hope y'all guys know we're trying. If you get an opportunity, give my boys on the team a paddle on the back every once in a while. They sure, you know, it's easy to do that kind of stuff when we're running great and running well, but they always need that kind of support. I see it all the time. Our fans are with us through thick and thin. But, you know, if you're at a race, you see our guys walking around, shake our hand,

tell them how much you appreciate the effort they do. Them guys don't get much credit. So, yeah, we're going to test, try to get better. We've been real close at New Hampshire, so we're going to go there and try to put a good test in and try to find that extra speed we need to take ourselves from top 10, top 5 to win in the race. And we'll see how that works out for us when we go there and run. I'm looking forward to it. I like that racetrack and always wanted to win there.

Congratulations to my buddy Truex on his awesome run. What a dominant performance. He's got a great team. They got it all going in the right direction right now. So we'll keep working to try to get there. Y'all take it easy. Thank you. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On the Dale Jr. download presented by Spy. It's the craziest paint scheme yet. Get the all-new limited edition Spy Rangler Daga sunglasses online at Spyoptic.com. Live from the Exalt of Studios with first name Davis Williams. And Mike Davis, I'm Taylor Zarzer. And I really appreciate in particular what he said about Memorial Day. and all those that have served our country and coming from a family,

a father and a grandfather that served our country, I especially appreciate what Dale said about that, Mike, and about what NASCAR does to honor our military all the time. The 600 goes all out for that, and we certainly appreciate Marcus and everyone there that does all that they do for our military. In terms of the race, my man, I think Dale Jr. nailed it. I did a great job of covering everything there,

I'm glad to hear that he leaves that race with some confidence. I think it's good to hear that from the driver we're pulling for. I mean, yeah, we were looking for improvement this week. Now, depending on how you measure improvement, then a lot of people say, well, how did that look like an improvement? Junior recognizes that. He said it at the beginning of his audio there. I looked at improvement on whether my driver's voice sounded optimistic or not.

We heard him two weeks ago. there was clear frustration. There was frustration with us. And we all take our cues off of Dale Jr. Because I don't pretend to know everything that goes on. And I don't even try to. But he does. And he said there was improvement.

He said there were gains. So I look at some of the stuff he talked about. I mean, technique and effort. I mean, like you think I've been working hard every day. Well, clearly they're working hard every day in night now. He said it on Friday when he was in here in studio. And we were talking to him for that last podcast. So these guys have found a new level of commitment that they are putting forth.

They recognize everything. And Junior Saw games this weekend. And that's all I need to hear. Listen, we were not going to come in here and win this race. Have you seen how we perform on mile and a halfs? Like, it's not our best. It's not our strong suit, these mile and a halfs. Junior has not won on a mile and a half since 2005.

And even that was a fuel mile. That was a pit strategy race. I remember that at Chicago Land Speedway. I have to say, yeah, Chicago. That's right. So listen, mile and a half, it's not our strong suit.

So how are you going to measure success? How are you going to measure improvement? You're not going to go get all this back. It's a big engineering's arms race going on right now in our sport. And so we need to inch at this. We need to take baby steps. And they saw some baby steps this weekend. And junior left there feeling good.

It wasn't a great finish, 14th. It's one of those finishes. But I like what I'm hearing out of him. I like what I saw. Well, I like the I don't like the 14th place finish But there were some fluky things The damn debris yellow

Not the dumb debris yellow The damn debris yellow That came out It cost probably four or five spots In my opinion Overall And it would have been nice to have a top 10 finish I think that would have made people

All of Junior Nation a little bit more confident And what was It was the most dominant race We've ever seen literally In the history of NASCAR It was the most dominant race ever. Jeff Burton. Jeff Burton in Hampshire.

Yeah, let every lap in Loudoun. And with all due respect to him, I completely agree with the boys in the booth. I thought this was more dominant than that was. Yeah. It is insane what Truex did. Was that Jeff Burton race not the one where they put restrictor plates on the cars after Adam Petty's death at New Hampshire? And he led every single lap. I didn't think about those two things together, but that's right.

Yep. If I remember correctly, that was the race. just like, oh my gosh, this is, you know, safety is certainly paramount. But this, he's leading every lap and they're going very slow. But yeah, this was a dominating, dominating. I mean, and you know what? I didn't look at that as making this a bad race. Now, I know I might actually be in the minority on this, but I can appreciate what that

accomplishment was, what I just saw. Like, you know, when you witnessed greatness, I witnessed greatness and I appreciated that. Was there a lot of, you know, crazy passes? and all that stuff? No. But I appreciated what Bart and Truex and that team did, especially being who they are and where they are located. Well, you can have both of those things, though, Mike. You can appreciate and be fired up for him and Sherry and everybody associated with the team, which I think all of us are. But, you know, I like to see passing. I like to see competition for spots,

and we had very little of that on Sunday night. And I think Dale's point is a good one. It's the day night stuff is really difficult for many drivers out there. And clearly Dale's car was better during the daytime than it was at night. I gain a lot of confidence because of the way the car performed in the first 75 laps or so, going from 25th to 7th. Yeah. And, I mean, he had it on a rail. And yeah, it's frustrating because you couldn't continue that dominance throughout the race.

And, you know, the changes didn't work, et cetera. but like he said, I really appreciate the effort. And I'm with him about what he said about Pocono and Michigan. Look, he's won at each of those places numerous times, swept Pocono two years ago. I'll be honest. I'm not going in there expecting this team to win. I'm expecting them to do everything it takes to win, but I'm not expecting a win. What I am expecting is what he said, while everybody's trying to win, man, a top five sure would be nice.

And that could, at a place like Pocono or Michigan, that could give everybody a lot of confidence. So if we continue to see some positive results and some really good finishes the next couple of weeks on places Dale is excited to race on, I think that that could serve everybody well. And you know why? To that point right there, we need top fives. I'm not looking for wins either. I need top fives because our last five races, here's your finishes, 13th, 40th, 15th, 32nd, and 14th. That's an average of 23rd. Our first eight races this year, our average was 10.5. And that's with Daytona's poor finish. And, you know, we were caught up in a wreck at Daytona.

And so we had, you know, 36, I think is where we finished there. So our first, you know, our average for the first eight races was 10th. Our average for the last five races is 23rd. We need to get all this back. You know, we need to just get it back. And let's not go crazy. Let's not. Nobody needs to jump off ledges here.

I think what we got to take away are things like Junior just said. This was a good weekend. I found Gaines. Greg and I and the team, we are committed. We've affirmed our commitment. We're trying even harder. That's all I need to hear out of Dell. You know, last Friday, what we heard two weeks ago from him and what we just heard in his remarks there, it's just so transparent, Mike.

I don't know of any other world famous, successful superstar that gives you this kind of access and is so transparent and honest and forthright with their thoughts. thoughts. Really, really appreciate him for that. Friday was a lot of fun to have him there in studio and have all those people crowded around listening to him. That was, you can tell, you can tell it meant a lot to the fans. And you deserve a lot of credit as well. So does first name for all the hard work you guys have put in with all these podcasts. You can tell he's really proud of that. That was a lot of fun.

That was Friday. And, you know, it was good having you in here. There's still a good amount of fans in here right now. I guess some carryovers from the races past weekend. So it was really neat. And we brought in somebody. It was a really good moment, I thought. We brought in that guy from Canada.

Dale Jr. gave him the Exalta panel that he signed. Turns out that guy had been going through a lot recently. We made a contest kind of on the spot. And it turns out this guy needed it. I mean, he just lost his wife. He's grieving. His wife, and he was coming down here with his wife. His wife has recently died.

He decided to make the trip anyways, by himself. It turns out he got to meet Dale, take his picture with Dale. It made his life. He was so, so grateful. From Saskatchewan. From Saskatchewan, Canada. Right. So that was a good moment.

That was a lot of fun on Friday. I appreciate you being here and doing all you did for it. That was a lot of fun, man. It was good stuff. Well, I think Dale Jr. pretty much said all there needs to be said about that race. And I think right now we're excited. we're really, really anticipating what's going to happen with these summer races.

I know it's a hard to, I know you laugh every time we talk about being excited for the summer races because you remember back in the day when not many people associated with the 88, we're excited for the summer portion of the series. But that's the truth. You think that, you know, you look at the success that he's had at Pocono and Michigan. He's come really close at Sonoma. The last couple of years, he sat on the poll in Kentucky. We know about the success, and Daytona is the defending champ of the firecracker race coming up in a few weeks.

So, I mean, there are a lot of places I think he'll have a lot of confidence. Yes, even the road course I might add. Yeah. You want to even go there? I said Sonoma, yeah. Too early or no? I said Sonoma. I did not mention Watkins Glenn, but I did say Sonoma.

He has been a road course ringer at Sonoma. I like him on road course. A couple times. I know you do. To your point, the summer. races used to be just terrible for us. In fact, if you look back at our, you know, some of our best seasons, 2004 is often referred to as our high water mark. We won six races that year. But the summer of that year was so dreadful that it actually forced a crew chief change,

like a complete, you know, they completely like tore apart the team and did that big switch with Michael Wattrop and juniors' changes jobs after a six-win season. That's how bad that summer was. And so, yes, summers have never been really good for us. But that's a long time ago. That's changed. The summer actually ends up being some of our best racetracks. Yeah, and looking forward to them. Really am.

All right, radio chatter replay presented by Nationwide. Junior Nation, check out the ride with Dale Jr. To help Kids Everywhere campaign from Nationwide and Nationwide Children's Hospital. In case you missed it, Dale Jr. is driving the number 88 Nationwide Children's Hospital Chevy SS during the Kentucky race weekend. And you can have your name on the car. Junior's really fired up about this. Simply donate to the hospital at nationwide children's hospital.org

slash Dale Jr. And your name will be placed on the hood of the car. What? Only limited spots are available, so you have to act quickly. Check out nationwide social channels on Facebook at Nationwide 88, on Twitter at Nationwide 88 for more information. The barks are creeping, by the way, ready. Go, go, go, go, go.

Go, go, buddy. Keep digging there. We're going on the outside. Just stage you in the back. It's getting better as I ran. The air pressures came up, it got a little better. I don't know if the air, it did not take off very good. It's the start.

Air pressures felt low and the car was wandering around all over the place. The front was lazy and the back was wandering around. Wheel moving inside the tires in the back, lots of the flexion and movement. That's all, we're going to put that rear air back. We're going to only put a half round into left rear and take a half pound out of the right front. Okay. I felt like we should ask there in the right front because of the way it feels tip nozer on the right front. All right. The problems I got here are the right front is fucking love this and it's a little bit 80 in the back.

Okay. Step for it. It seems like it's going through the center better, but I don't know if it's fast enough. You are getting faster as we run here, so give us up for them. I'm not real good for a while now. The car is getting rigid and skipping all four tires. Come on. To this time, to this time. Not sure if he already knows.

And this time. Yellows. Right here. Kind of way talking about debris, Greg. You are five, four, three. All the way down here. We've got to stop. Yeah, we'll beat 78.

All the way to the line right there. All right, buddy. You'll go around this pace car. Careful here. All right. All right. So where's this debris at? Oh, they say it's by the DMX sign.

First it is. We'll take the space. way we're on here. All right, Famous Davis. Let's see if you cleared out reaction theater this week. I did. All right, let's play them. Spoiler alert, I did. Hey, this is Heather in Wisconsin. This is my first time calling, and I have something funny to tell you guys. It was actually my first time on Periscope night, and lo and behold, I started watching Dan on Periscope, and I was the first one to say that Mike Davis sucks, and he acknowledged it, and I thought that was really funny. But I was, I really don't think my Mike Davis sucks, so just for the record.

But big fan, we've been better tonight. Hopefully we'll get them next week and somebody will win $88,000. And hopefully that person's me. Hey. There is that. You got $88,000 on the line this week. Yeah. The thing I love most about Mike Davis sucks is that you're starting to get a little

annoyed with it. And that's what's great. I'm not annoyed with it. Yeah, you are. You're a little annoyed by it, which means we're going to continue it for many years to come. But like somebody outside the other day at Fan Day came up to you, shook your hand, and then said, oh, you do suck, by the way. This is getting old. This is getting ridiculous.

But it's great. I love it. No, it's fine. I'm not annoyed by it. Do I do cartwheels every time I hear it? No, but it's funny. It's funny. Who's next?

All right, now, this is the first time since 2011. We've got five straight races without a top ten finish. We need speed. And the only way to get speed and get it quick is to get Mike Davis up there as the crew chief and Taylor Zaza up there as the car chief. If you're ready for Mike Davis to be the car chief and Taylor Zaza to be the crew chief, give me a Dale yeah. That's my favorite guy. As you know, as I've made it clear, I want to hang out with that dude. But he did get a little confused.

chances are you had a really fun night because at first, Mikey, you as the crew chief and me as the car chief and then give me a Dale yeah if you want me as the crew chief and you as the car chief. Does it matter? I mean, does it really matter which roles we take? I mean, I think that the performance

would be the same, would it not? What would be fantastic is based off of Junior's performance in the car during the race, you would be the crew chief and say, Taylor, let's switch. Here, you're the crew chief now. We would switch during the race. That would be fun. That's right. Oh, God.

That sounds like a terrible idea, but very funny. Who's next? Well, it's too damn late to go run, and I've been drinking since yesterday, so it's not safe anyways for me to do that. But how damn hard is it to keep the splitter off a damn pavement? I mean, I know I'm not an engineer. I didn't go to some bullshit school like Greg Eyes did, MPU, or whatever to hell. That sounds like some bullshit football movie school.

Stop the caller. Like a B movie or something. Just pause it. Dotto is proving why he didn't go to those schools right now. He can't even say the letters. He can't even say the words. He's been drinking since yesterday. I got it.

Are we surprised he didn't go to any engineering school? Listen to the guy talk. He can't. All right, go ahead. PCU is a good movie, by the way. quarterback for M-TU. Keeney Reeves means to be... Keenan Reeves.

Keene and Reeves. Johnny, Utah went there. I don't know. I'm getting off track. Yeah. What is it to keep a splitter off the damn ground? How hard does it talk? It's the same thing we've been dealing with for the last five weeks.

I don't understand it. Also, how can NASCAR throw a damn caution because there was a Coca-Cola bottle cap on a damn entrance to turn four, but the 18 and Ryan Blaney blow up tires all over the damn place. But that's not cause for concern for a damn caution, but Junior gets put down a lap because of a bottle cap. One thing for sure, great guy's got to get his shit together. He's got to get it together now because we ain't got time to waste. This has now become a situation.

This is not a happy situation. is a situation we're all hands on deck. Let's get our shi-t together. Let's get focused. Let's go to Pocono. Let's have a fast damn car. We have to have speed in this car. Have to have speed in this car.

No excuses if we don't have speed in this car. Pit crew, let's have a good time. Let's get on an off pit road. And let's go to Poconoa and get us a damn victory. And then we'll forget all about this shit. We'll all love great guys once again. That's what we need to do. Dale, yeah.

All right. And thanks for all. all the people who sacrificed their lives so I can sit my fat ass, my fat ass on my couch, playing blackoffs too, because of the sacrifices they made for this country. It is a pretty amazing country and amazing the sacrifices they made so that one day a man that we called Datto could periscope and actually have hundreds of people that are watching him. And self-included on Periscope. Hundreds would be a little bit far reach there.

No, he did. Come on now. did. He had hundreds of people watching him on Sunday night. I was one of them. Well, America really is going to crap then. I'm telling you. I love Daddow. I love Datto, and I appreciate him so much.

Who's next? Wow, I can't be happier for Martin Searix Jr. What a dominant car. He deserved it. But, I'm ready to see that 88 in Victory Circle, man. But I know it's going to happen. They got

all they could get tonight. They had to do what they could. They're the best for what they had tonight. Okinaw probably a goal for us. Hashtag Delia. Four beers, aka Jake Davis from Ellison, Mississippi. You've got to know my damn name. That's my guy.

Mike Davis sucks. Wait a second. What do you mean that you're got? I'm confused. I thought the guy that called in earlier with the crew chief and the car chief was the guy. I think this one is the one. Yeah, this is your guy. This is your.

Jake Davis. Jake Davis. Jake the Snake Davis. From Mississippi. There we go. Guy related. Probably, actually. I got some Mississippi Davises over there.

Yeah, I bet you do. Yeah. What is that supposed to mean? What is that supposed to be Mr. Farmer's Hand? Mr. I did golf work. Who's next? Well, that was the wrong junior to be seen in Victory Lane tonight. but you can't feel upset or mad to see Martin Truex in Victory Lane.

What a dominant performance that was. I mean, that was the outright kick. There's no better way to put it, I think. We sucked, kind of like this whole month. He just sucked. And it's not like we've been, we had decent quickness. I wouldn't call it speed. I'd call it quickness.

but luck didn't even luck wasn't even on our side like god damn we can't even we can't even catch a break we can't even make our own break let's go to Pocono

and let's hope Junior can make someone $88,000 richer Dale yeah Dale yeah Dale yeah to that we can't catch a break that's for sure that caution was untimely who's next

look I know this is the Dale Jr. down low but damn it, hallelujah. San Martin Trix Jr. win and dominating fashion like that,

setting a NASCAR record for Miles Led, I don't know. There's something redeeming for the little guy, but he's not a little guy, and maybe it's a little teen,

but it's not, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I'm just excited. Martin Trix Jr. is a freaking stud. He's long overdue.

this victory. So glad to see it happen. And on this, too, the Cope 600, this crown jewel. Like after the Monaco and Indy comes the Coke 600, and he nailed it, and it was so awesome to see. Dale Jr.'s coming around, yeah,

and that's awesome, and hashtag Dale yeah and all that. But damn, I'm excited for Martin Truex Jr. I'm just freaking thrilled. Good work, buddy. Absolutely. Amazing performance. And I think everybody had a big grin on their face watching that.

Probably got a little emotional watching Sherry and Martin and Victory Lane, given all that they've been through. That was cool stuff on Sunday night to see. And man, he did. He dominated the race. I thought it was great what Junior said. Jeff Gluck tweeted about it the other night during the race, Mike. He said, do you guys think Martin's a championship-level driver?

And Dale Jr. basically just answered it by talking about how the 88 team needs to get to that level. I don't think there's any question. The 78 is a championship level team right now. Somebody was making the point that, oh, this is just because he's now in Toyota, but they were competitive last year. They only went to Toyota this year. Is that right?

Yeah. Yeah, so, okay, this team needs its credit now. It's not just a toy. Now, I think the Toyota thing is helping. Again, I think that the Toyota engineers have hit on something that certainly Gibbs is reaping the benefits from, but all of those Toyotas are running well. But the fact of the matter is that team out in Denver, man, give them credit. Pete Rondo out there, their competition director, our old crew chief back from 2005.

I mean, those guys are awesome. They're good. They're really good. Having a hell of a year. Who's next? All right, guys. I know March 3rd here, how rocks it's night. But still, the first quarter of the race, the year was in contention. After that, somehow it's the way we upped it up, honestly. Somehow, the grip wasn't right. Gear was coming to Ives, and my son-in-law and somehow, we dropped like a fucking

ocean and can't do shit for the rest of the race. Honestly, guys, you got to get together. We got to get this together because I know Jeer, Ives, Junior, engineer team, let's get his shit together. Let's get to be competitive during these

races. Hashtag, Dale, yeah, hashtag Grimbing, hashtag, no beers. Did he say Ives and Jeter? I don't know, but that'd be a great combination. Hit that baseball. Derek Jeter coming out of retirement to help the 88.

That old Greg Eye from PCU and Derek Jeter? Kane and O'Reese. Canaan Reeves. Kenan Reeves. Unreal. Who's next? Well, I know 14th wasn't what really any of us wanted. car looks fast at times, look like a dump truck or other times.

I know a lot of people are frustrated. I've been frustrated just with the way they've been running, but after listening to the podcast on Friday and just hearing Dale talk about how him and Greg have been getting together, just hashing it out and talking and just figuring things out.

I'm pumped up, man, and I really wish a lot more people were because these guys are going to figure this out, and that 88 car is going to be in Victory Lane a lot sooner than I think a lot of people think it is. is. And I can't wait to see that. I know these guys are going to figure it out. And we're going to get there. So Daddo, quit freaking people out. For real. We're going to be fine, man. It's going to be good. We're not even halfway through the season yet.

We'll get there. But so happy from Truex and what that team's done and him and Sherry and everything they've been through. So, yeah, on the next week, Mike Davis still sucks. What a level-headed, rational reaction theater caller there. Stop freaking out, Datto. I'm confident after listening to Dale Jr. Mike Davis sucks. He said a lot of great things in there. It's a well-put-together human being right there, isn't it?

Yeah. Good one. First name. We got any more? One more. One more. It's a doozy. Junior Nation, please call your next witness.

Junior Nation calls to the stand. Greg Ives, crew chief. of the nationwide 88 Chevrolet. Greg Ives, did you order the setup? You want answers? I think we're entitled to. You want answers? I want the truth.

You can't handle the truth. Fans, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be raced in by men with cars. Who's going to do it? You? You, Mike Davis, I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You're weak for junior and you curse me the crew chief.

You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing when he knows. The juniors finished while tragic provided information, and my existence while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, wins races. You don't want the truth because deep down on places you don't talk about at parties, you want that crew chief on that pit box. You need that crew chief on that pit box.

We use words like wins, speed, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life-spinning company. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to people who rise and sleep under the blanket, of the very enjoyment that I provide. And then question the manner in which I provided. I'd rather you just say thank you.

Thank you. And went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up an air gun, stand on a wall. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to. Did you order the setup? I did what I had to do. Did you order the race setup? You've got to what I did.

Hashtag deal, yeah. Hashtag, fix the car, Greg. Hashtag 10 beer flavored waters. The greatest call ever right there, boys. I'm telling you right now. They recreated that scene. It's arguably one of the greatest scenes in movie history, if you ask me. It is.

It is such good acting. They recreated it and put Greg Eves in there, and their point is well taken. I mean, right, right? Like, you're going to question me and then appreciate the entertainment that I provide you? I'd rather you say thank you. I loved it. I loved it. I almost want to play it again.

I'd say play it again, but podcasts aren't live. You can just rewind it and play it again, right? That's exactly right. It's a beauty podcast. Everybody rewind right now and play it again. That's beautiful, beautiful. That's good stuff right there. What's Submarine Mike's wife's name?

She needs a shout out too on this. She does. Submarine Mike's wife is not a good enough shout out. No. We need an actual name for Submarine Mike's wife. She played Tom. crew's very well right. She did a terrific job. Absolutely. Absolutely.

Good job. Reaction theater. Unbelievable. What we've created here. 855-740 1902. 1855-740 1902. Be happy with the all-new spy Dale Jr. Paint Scheme sunglasses. It's called the livery series. They're available in the popular dirty mode, General Daga McCoy and Admiral Frames.

The craziest paint scheme yet was released last week at the all-new limited edition spy Wrangler-Dega sunglasses. That's a spy wrangler-Dega sunglasses. You can get them online at spyoptic.com. Let's throw the white flag. Let's see. White flag. Where are we here?

It's sponsored this week, too. Is it? Yes. Are you going to tell us who? By the NCAA College Baseball Regionals, which you can watch on ESPN3, ESPNU. Wait a second. Are you broadcasting it? Are you the voice?

I will be at the defense. defending champion Virginia Cavaliers Regional this weekend. Calling the game or just watching? Calling the games. Good for you. Man, Taylor Zarser. Featier Star. East Carolina Pirates are there too.

Argue. Are you going to do that on the air? If they win the game, yeah. Let me take something. Listen, if they have a dramatic walk-off win, yes. I love college baseball, Taylor. I know you do. I know you do.

I really get into the college softball. I really do. I'm not. They have not been asked to go to the women's college world series. But would you if you did? Absolutely. I mean, it's very competitive, very competitive. Anyways, all right, well, good for you.

So this is brought to you by the NCAA college baseball regionals. Is that right? As seen on ESPN3. As seen on ESPN3. Got it. ESPN you. Okay. A big thanks to everyone who came out to Junior Motorsports fan day.

If you missed Friday's special edition of the Dale Junior download, you can find it on any of the Dirtymoor radio platform. So go check it out. Also, a big thanks to my boy Jamie Hill out here in the studio. He came and watched door bumper clear this morning, and the Dale Jr. download my man from Canapolis. I scared the fire out of those guys this morning. You did.

Yes, you did. I loved it, too. They got really scared. Do we want to explain how that happened? They talk a lot of junk. We were getting ready to tape our podcast, and I connected my equipment at the end, and they weren't ready to hear somebody, and I was really loud in their headset. I scared the fire out of them.

You know, they talk a big game about door bumper clear, but obviously they're scared of us, Mike. Well, Jamie was out there listening to him, and I walked in here, and I said, Jamie, how they sounded? He says, I think Brett's been dropped on his head a few times as a kid. And I think he's right. I think he's right. But, yeah, they were doing it.

They were good good. Hey, good job scaring them, though. I'm all for that. I can support that all day long. All right, where are we here? Dell and the 88 team are testing this weekend, Loud, New Hampshire. So, Dale's schedule is pretty, but that's pretty much it. I mean, when he's in New Hampshire testing, there's not a whole lot else you're going to do it.

It's going to be a Ced Junior tomorrow. He does. Have media availability. Is that right? Yep. Said Jr. Right here on Dirty Mall Radio. This weekend, the Cup and Xfinity series head to Pocono.

This is an official Junior Motorsports Tour stop. This one's actually cool. It's an infield campground takeover just for Junior Nation. You can still take part in this. It's $75 per person for three days, June 3rd through 5th. It includes a campsite for your RV or tent, a Junior Nation goody bag, a Q&A with Kelly Earnhardt, an autograph session with all the Junior Motorsports. drivers, visit Pocono raceway.com slash junior nation or call 1-800 raceway to purchase this

package. It is really cool. So the last time we did a tour stop, Taylor, was Richmond. It was for that Xfinity Series race that Junior won. And so there was a section in Richmond that was just the people who purchased this ticket. And it's just junior fans, right? And they got t-shirts and everything. It's something that Junior Motorsports has been doing this year. So this one for Pocono is a campground takeover. And so there's just this big section, a big block that that Brandon and the folks at Pocono reserved for just Junior Nation. And so if you take this ticket package, you go camp this weekend, take in all the good racing at Pocono,

but also get all these other little perks that come with this Junior Nation package. That's really cool. That's really cool. Good on you guys for coming up with that idea, but that's fun. It's one of the few places I have not been to on the circuit that I've always wanted to go to. I give those guys a lot of credit for how they've evolved over the last few years. They've honestly, and I know that I'm, well, it's because juniors won there. Well, that does help.

Yeah, but that's not true. But the racing there has become so much better since the repave and not as many laps. I really do. I think it's one of my favorite races of the year now, Pocono. Dead serious. I'm with you. I'm with you 100%. And I love the people up there.

I love the fans up there. A whole lot of NASCAR fans in Pennsylvania. So good. Yeah. So, all right, where are we here? That is, by the way, speaking of Pocono, the first Xfinity series race, at Pocono. So Elliot Sadler, Justin Algar, and Alex Bowman will be going for Team Junior. Bowman's back. He had that awesome run at Dover in the 88 of Advanced Auto Parks car. So he's

going to be back. We'll see how he does. That race is Saturday on Fox. Is that right? It's on Fox? Not FS1. Wow. See, even bigger for Pocono. That's a good deal. Listen, don't forget this weekend is the weekend you can win $88,000 if Dale Jr. win. So to be eligible, you must go and fill out the form at Pocono Raceway.com. if you want the specific URL, it's Pocono Raceway.com backslash exalta racing giveaway. It takes just one minute of your time, but it's the only way you're going to be eligible to win the cash. So once you do that, sit back and watch Dale Jr. run in this race, he'll be the guy in the

Exalted paint scheme. It's the Exaltta. We Paint Winters 400 on Sunday. Fox and Motor Racing Network will bring live coverage of that race. So it's a big weekend for Exalton. They're obviously key partners of ours here at Dirtymoe radio. Green flag drops at 1-18 on Sunday racing during the daytime. I love it.

You can dig it. That's a tricky triangle. That's right. Yeah. I'm fired up about this. I have a good feeling. We're going to be excited next week off of the performance on Sunday. No, that's not a prediction on winning or anything else.

It's just I've got a good feeling going into this weekend. And I think all this effort that Dale Jr. is talking about is about to really start paying off. Yep. Good stuff. Appreciate everybody listening. Thanks to Dale Jr. Thanks to Famous Davis. Thanks to Mike Davis.

For all those people, I'm Taylor Zarza. Remind you that you've been listening to the Dale Jr. Download presented by a spy. We'll be back next week. Thanks for listening to Dirty Mo Radio. Hey, Dirty Mo Radio listeners, make sure you follow at Exaltor Racing on Twitter. Because if they've reached 20,000 followers, before May 13th, they'll partner with Pocono Raceway and give away $88,000 to one lucky winner

if Dale Jr. wins the Exalta. We paint winners 400. Go follow them. At Exalta Racing, you'll be glad you did.