The Dale Jr. Download - 155 - Commentator Dale

Episode Date: October 24, 2016

Dale Earnhardt Jr. rehashes his time in the broadcasting booth at Talladega; NBC’s Steve Letarte discusses a Talladega race that included a Chase tiebreaker and a sandbagging strategy; NASCAR.com’s Matt Crossman talks about his Dale Jr. article. 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.

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I'm working at the Chevy Simulator, getting some good rehabilitation and also trying to help out our HMS guys as they prepare for the next several weeks. Had a great weekend. Went to Talladega and read to some. elementary school kids on Friday morning. We went to a very low-income, high-poverty area, and within miles of the track, actually. And this school had five-year-olds to 10-year-olds, about 400 students, real small school, you know, barely scraping by. But we got to read to those kids and promote how important reading and all that good stuff is to your future.

And Unilever, the parent company or the umbrella company for Helmonds teamed up with Dollar General to give the school $50,000. That was a big surprise that the school didn't even know about. So all the students were very happy. all the teachers and the principal were crying. It was very emotional. And I was overwhelmed to be a part of it and be a witness to it. That was a great day. We signed some autographs for Mountain Dew over at the Hall of Fame on Saturday morning

for a big group of fans. That was great interacting and meeting everybody. And we did a few other things. Had a good time. Obviously on Sunday we had all our hospitalities for the racetrack and so forth that we typically do on Sunday mornings. Then since I wasn't in the race car, I thought I would ride in the tractor that carries the 18-wheeler around the racetrack for the anthem. They've done that for years. The truck is owned by Johnny Ray who actually gave my dad a race car to run in Atlanta in 1977, red, white, and blue.

Blue number 88. That race didn't end too well for Dad, but Johnny's been a family friend for many, many years, and he's drove that truck around carrying the American flag with the anthem for as long as I can remember. So I rode in the truck for that. That was a great thrill. And then I went up into the TV booth. We did a little interview on the pit box in the pits for Mountain Dew and True Timber to promote the call the wild the wildest calling this new commercial we have where we're talking deer I know I'm all over the place rambling but we've been doing a lot of different stuff here lately and we went up into the TV booth that was so much fun I felt super comfortable up there being great friends with Steve and

knowing Jeff Burton very well and Rick Allen those guys are pros and I got a new respect for those guys, Darrell O'Waulthrop and Jeff Gordon and all them. There's a lot going on up in there in that booth, and those guys are all on top of it. It was really impressive. So it's fun to be a witness to that. I don't know if I'll ever have a future in broadcasting, but it's a personal experience for me to be able to get up in there and look at it. But anyways, it's a personal experience for me to be able to get in there and witness it and kind of understand that side of the sport.

Being a fan of the sport and loving the history and all that and to get an opportunity to go to all these different avenues and see all kinds of angles and perspectives of what goes into a Sunday at the racetrack is pretty neat. So I felt very lucky. I also took the opportunity to go into the MRN booth, which was fun. Same thing there, you know. Never really had that chance to do that.

and put it on myself to go check that out and experience it. Calling the race for doing radio versus TV, two completely different things. So the radio guys, they really describe the action as they're seeing it on the racetrack, and they're tossing this invisible baton to each other around the racetrack as they describe the action. The guys on TV don't really cover the action as much. as they talk about why you're seeing what is happening and describing drafting and how that stuff works and you're actually seeing the racing action so they don't really talk about what exactly is happening as much as they sort of describe how the sport works so definitely

two different two different approaches to just you know conveying the the experience to the fans at home. So I don't know which one I enjoyed better. They're both pretty unique and fun. I think I get to go back up to the booth in Martinsville for a little bit and call a completely different style of racing. And I'm excited to have that opportunity. I guess I didn't do too bad, so they want to have me back. And I hope all the fans at home enjoyed the insight that I was able to give. I'm obviously not a professional broadcaster, but But I hope that I was easy to understand and did a good job explaining myself. The draft's a real technical thing, but I like to try to explain what's going on out there to folks

so they can kind of maybe even enjoy the race a little more, knowing a little bit about how the draft works. We got a lot going on and got a pretty busy week doing a lot of stuff and getting ready for the next race and going up there and being a part of that but then we're going to do some deer hunting and the racing season will be over before you know it so it's a pretty uh pretty fun weekend and i think that's pretty much everything we got ourselves into i can't remember anything else that i might have missed anyhow i hope everybody's doing well enjoy the download take it easy you Dale Jr. We appreciate that. Of course, this is the Dale Jr.

Download presented by Spy, the official sunglasses of Dale and R. Jr. now features the official camouflage of Dale Jr. He just mentioned it. The Signature 88 Collection sunglasses now feature true timber camo. Go get yours at spyoptic.com. With Mike Davis and with First Name Davis. I'm Taylor Zarser. More on First Name Davis coming up a little bit later on in the download. Mike, the one thing that Dale Jr. didn't really cover there was how excellent of a job he did in the booth yesterday. He was really good.

Yeah. Really, really good. I mean, I'm not just saying that because he gives me my paycheck, okay? The insight that he gave taught me something, and I've been with the guy since 2004, right? And I've been to many plate tracks with this guy. And I've seen many wins. and yet to hear him talk about what was going on in that draft. When we watch Restrictor plate races,

do you ever watch knowing that they're three-quarter throttle or half-throttle when they're in the pack? I don't. I always just assume they're just matted, you know, going as hard as they can. But no, junior's sitting there telling us what's really going on. The only one that's got it matted is a leader. And so there was just a lot of different things that he brought that otherwise you wouldn't have got. I thought he did a great job.

He did do a great job. Matt Crossman was there. and we'll get his perspective. Steve LaTart, obviously, it was next to him. He'll be with us today on the download as well. I love what Dale Jr. just said about the difference between television and radio, because that's my life. Let me tell you something.

Now, I don't know if you caught the radio broadcast. Right when he got done with TV, he went to MRN, okay? And I listened to obviously both. I watched the TV. I listened to him on the radio. And Joe Moore goes, Dale, you agree. read to call a couple laps. So here they go.

Restart. You got the mic. And it was like, uh-oh, this ain't TV now. I mean, this is different. It's a completely different game. And I think that without even talking to him, I'm glad he said what he said in this audio, because without even talking to him,

I knew that at that moment, he understood the difference of the crafts between TV broadcasting and radio broadcasting. It was so different. And it was a... Honestly, he got put on the spot right there, having never done it, having never done any radio call.

And yet he goes, okay, they're coming up to speed. And it's like it was a little awkward at first, and he had to get the hang of it. And the way they throw the baton, that invisible baton that he's talking about. I mean, it was really fascinating. But I thought he did a good job there too, but it's so different. It is really different. You know, one week I'll do a college football radio broadcast, and the next week I'll do television.

And obviously, I've done NASCAR radio for PRN in the past. I don't know which one I like either more than the other. but I will tell you this, radio takes a whole lot more work. Yes. Because you have to completely describe what you were seeing. You have to paint a picture. Obviously, nobody can see it. They're listening.

So you have to describe that as best you can and give play-by-play, non-stop play-by-play. There can be no dead air. Television, you're putting captions under the picture. Now, let me ask you, though, because you're a career radio guy. Is it harder at a place like Talladega to call, or is it actually easier because there is no? never a shortage of things going on.

It is easier because there's never a shortage of things going on and it's such a big track. I think describing all the beaten and banging that you're going to hear next Sunday on MRN is more difficult to do at a short track, at least in my experience, than it is at a super speedway. But it definitely requires skill, and Dale Jr.'s got a lot of it. I know that he wants to get back in the car and we're excited about 2017, but there's There's definitely another future out there if he wants one.

He's got options. He definitely does. I know we got a lot of people coming up. The only other thing I wanted to say, Mike, is I try to be objective as best I can when it comes to NASCAR. Honestly, I really don't. Not anymore. You're honest. I really, really don't like watching Joey Lagano win a race.

I just, I really don't. I think I know why. I mean, if you're like me, you still haven't actually come to grips with what happened last year. Not at all. I think, you know what, I'll say this. This year, like, at least he won it. I mean, I don't know if earned is the right word, but last year I think he just got lucky. He got very lucky.

He definitely earned it more this year for sure. Right, right. So I think I can take some solace to that. I mean, look, I speak for myself. I'm not speaking for you, for Dale, for anyone else. And I think, well, maybe I do speak for Junior Nation. I don't know. You know, we all have our favorites.

They're all certain people that we don't like, and it has nothing to do with personal experience. Every time I ever did an interview with him, he was very gracious. But it just as a fan, you know, it's kind of like you don't want to know the truth about certain people you don't like in sports. Mike, you know, you don't want to be clouded by your disdain. Yeah. I've got it for Joey Logano. You know what you are? Your Doc Holliday in that scene in Tombstone when he's sitting there looking at Johnny Ringo and he says, I don't know, there's just something about him.

I think I hate him. I don't know, darling. There's just something about him. Yeah. That's a great scene, by the way. Yeah. Terrific scene. He does the thing with the shot glass. I knew you would like the tombstone throw. I knew you'd like that.

Ain't all around here, law, dog. I didn't like Austin Dillon losing a tiebreaker, and I really didn't like Martin Truex Jr. being eliminated. Didn't like that at all. Big names getting cut out of this, which is, you know, to be expected, I guess. But Brackzlowski, I think, was the favor to win that race. I mean, he was racing really good. He had a good car and then blows up.

I don't know, maybe you guys know. Did the reason he blow up because of the trash that it did his engine overheat? Then he let Blaney get by him and try to get it off. Well, so. I hate to see Chase not get in and obviously Bowman. That stunk to see that. But that was weird. It was just weird because the guy just was racing his guts out all race.

He gets up there to third and then there on that last restart, he just loses it. was the second last restart, I guess, because he was, no, yeah, his caution brought out the green white checker. Right. And that was unfortunate. That was unfortunate because he had a good race that whole time. And I thought that if Joey and Harvick could get to racing for the win, maybe Alex could sneak around them.

Can we agree that Dale Jr. wouldn't have been laying back in 30th? No, sir. No. He would not have handled that well. Do you have an opinion about that? Do you have an opinion about Gibbs? I know we'll ask LaTart here in a second. Like, what's your opinion?

I hate it. Yeah. I hate it. It doesn't, I understand it completely, but I hate it as a fan. You're not trying. I understand you're considering the greater good and you're looking at the big picture. And I'm not saying if I was Joe Gibbs or any of the crew chiefs or drivers, I wouldn't do the same thing. I'm saying as a fan, that's not what I've paid money to watch.

I don't, if I go to that race, which I have, and I've loved going to that race, both of them, I would be disappointed, especially if I was a fan of that team. Thankfully, I'm not. Yeah, and you just hit it. You hit exactly what I was wondering. I'd like to take a poll of loyal Joe Gibbs racing fans because I hear a lot of people saying, I'd go to Gibbs right now if I was a Gibbs fan and demand my money back. Well, I don't know a whole lot of Gibbs fans, if I'm being honest.

I'm just thinking about it. I'm just thinking about a few years ago, if Jimmy Johnson and Dale Jr. During the two-car tango era, remember that? and junior pushing Jimmy all the way around the track, most amazing you've ever seen from like 20th to first and fourth, if those two had just laid back there and said, we're good, we don't need to do this, we're into the next round,

I would have been really disappointed. I'll put it this way. I mean, we actually alluded to this last week. I mean, we can't be surprised that it happened. Didn't we say we know who's going to go up there in race and we know who's not? The people that are sort of comfortable in the chase and have a lot to lose by being in a big race.

they're not going to race. Now the ones I didn't think, I didn't think Harvick would be racing as hard. And sure, not only was he racing hard at the end, but then he got in a fight after him. So I was wrong about Harvick. But, yeah, man, I don't know. I would love to have a poll of Gibbs fans

because they're the ones that matter. If they feel like they deserve their money back, because the rest of us just don't like, we'll find things to not like about Gibbs. And them sandbagging, that's an easy one. But what about Gil's? Gibbs fans. That's something that I can't actually do myself. So maybe we'll, maybe somebody else will. Let's ask Steve LaTard about it.

Speed dial. Let's talk to our friend Steve LaTardt. I used to love doing this. We did this all the time a few years ago, of course. It was a great crew chief for Dale Jr., Jeff Gordon. Before that, did you ever think you'd live in a world, Steve, where you'd see Jeff Gordon filling in for Dale Jr.? Okay, it's been a confusing year. I started the year with Jeff Gordon in the booth, and I'm finishing in the year with Jeff Gordon in a race. car. The NASCAR world was turned upside down. Yeah, it certainly is. I know you had Dale Jr. in the booth on Sunday, and that had to be a lot of fun. You guys bust his chops pretty hard before you put him on? Well, I would like to say that unprompted, the first interview of the day, Dale Jr. says that I don't ever talk to him or hang out with him because I'm too busy.

And I think that that was unfair that he got the first shot on the microphone. So when he got up to the booth, I let everybody know that actually his schedule is the one that is too full for me. But on a serious note, it was a blast. We both are so busy. We don't get to hang out as much as we would like to. But to bring him up to the booth was cool to just hang up with a buddy. And more than anything, just to talk racing. I track that he had so much success at.

I think it was very enlightening to the fans to hear him describe the drafting action we saw on the racetrack. And to see him and Burton's dance were back and forth. It was amusing. By the way, Steve, he might have got the first shot, but you got Dirty Moe Radio, which is a far bigger audience. That's right. It's true. You win. Unbelievable.

Right. You know what? I've got so many questions about the race, and I'm going to hit you with the high heat right off the bat, okay? Love it. Joe Gibbs Racing. Now, see, when I think about what would I do, like, I care less about what people think because I think a lot of people just don't like Joe Gibbs Racing. But, like, if Dale Jr. was in that situation where he was, you know, had a good points,

It's a nice comfortable points lead, but he didn't have a win. I like to try to think, what would I do? And I would like to think that Dale would want him to race. But as soon as I entertain the possibility of screwing him out of a championship, I'm laying off the throttle. I totally am. I'm just being honest. So I'm asking you to put your crew chief lens back on just for a second.

What would you do? I would have done exactly what Jason Rackcliffe, Matt Kensington's 20 card, did as unpopular as it was. The goal when the season started in February would have been to win a championship. and here at Talladega, race 32 of 36 with the championship on the line. You know, they earned the right to approach Talladega by any means necessary. They ran well enough with Charlotte, well enough at Kansas, had the points lead for the, you know, the gap over the cut line to go to Talladega and race like they wanted to race.

This is no difference than a quarterback being sat in week 17 of the NFL once you make a playoff. You do whatever gives your team the best chance of the ultimate prize with the championship. And it was a strategy. They weren't affecting other people's rates on purpose. They were purely running their own rate while people don't love it. And I didn't love it. I didn't love to watch it.

I wasn't a fan of it. But if I'm Jason Rackcliffe, I call for the same strategy. Are you suggesting that Tom Brady shouldn't play in week 17 against the Miami Dolphins? Because as a Dolphins fan, I know you're a Pat's fan. As a Dolphins fan, that's fine with me. Listen, I'll go one step further. I paid my hard-earned money to fly to Foxborough to go to a Patriots game, to watch the bills beat the Patriots with Tom Brady standing on the sideline

because they were already in the playoffs. So I'm saying I would do what Matt Kenseth did, and I literally sat in the stand, you know, it's warm in Foxborough that time of year, too, let me tell you, sat in the stand and watched the best quarterback in the NFL stand on the sidelines because that's what had to be done for the team. And I supported my team for that because I think they were making the right decision. I don't think this is any different. I don't like it when Mike Davis makes a level-headed comment, by the way. It really bothers me. It doesn't happen often. And it really does. It's just, it kind of gets me in a bad mood. I want

you to be irrational and scream and yell as a fan. In all seriousness, you know, you put yourself in the situation and sometimes you end up with a completely different perspective. In fact, I think that most people don't necessarily have a problem with what they did. They have a problem with who they are. And so let's just admit it. Let's just call it what it is. Mike, I think the problem they have is that they didn't try to sugarcoat. The problem that they had is they pull out a line before they ever keep the green flag.

They publicly say they're going to do it. There was never an accident, so there was no reason to go into the PAC. They took a strategy that we have seen in Talladega for years, and they took it to the farthest degree we've seen that applied. I think that's the issue that people have. that, you know, a problem with, but it's going to be a moot point because next year Talladega is not race three of this round. It's race two. You can't protect a lead you don't have. I don't think there's any reason you can even talk about it. When we go to Talladega next year, they're all going to be races as hard as they can to try to gain point. Let me ask you guys both a question. Mike starting

with you. Do you think the Taladega, I mean, everybody talks about this. Do you think Talladega should the second Taladega race should be positioned where it is in the chase? Because obviously that has a whole lot to do with the way that Gibbs attacked this past weekend and it has a whole lot to do with how future teams will do it as well. Well, you're saying as it is in 217 when it becomes the second race of the round two races, is that what you mean? Yes. Do you like it being in the chase at all?

Yes. Listen, if it was before the chase, then people are going to throttle back or race. I mean, like, there's nowhere where the restrictor plate races, in my opinion, can be set where there won't be some strategy put into it. it because there's too much to lose if you wreck. And so I think that as long as there's a restrictor plate races, no matter where you put them, unless you just put them all at the beginning of the year, which that doesn't make any sense. So, I have no problem with Talladega being in the chase.

And I think it's actually a good move to put it as round two second race than the third race. What do you think, Steve? I think that I have a problem that we have saw 37 cars race as hard as they can for a win. And all we are talking about is a three that didn't. Right. And I don't mean to be ugly when I say that, but I watch Chase Elliott, zigzag, change lanes, high, low. I watched Austin Dillon try everything he could to find one point coming through the trial.

Well, Danny Hamlin's through one of the biggest blocks we've seen of the year on Kevin Harvick, yet we talk about three drivers that chose to run a conservative strategy. And I think that's just, you know, where do we want to put the focal point? It's not like the entire race where 40 drivers riding around trying to be safe. breathe and chose to implement that strategy. But the race for the win, I thought, was great. Brian Scott, potentially getting his first win of his career, running second.

Joey Logano somehow finds victory lane again. This guy's unbelievable in the chase. So I think that it was still a great race. Where is position? I don't think makes a huge difference. I think next year in race two will eliminate some more of the conservative strategy. So if that's what bothers saying, then it's going to be

in a better position, but we'll see what they have to say next year. I'm glad you said that because, you know, the very format that sort of gives us this type of racing where people can choose to throttle back and stay in the back. It also gave us Denny Hamlin versus Austin Dillon, which after 1,400 miles, they end up in a dead heat. That's crazy. That's a good storyline that needs to be focused on as well.

What did you think about that little bout at the end of that race? That was, it was exactly what this format brings to the table. We've now seen, we saw a tie last year where Dale Jr. and Jamie Murray. We've now seen another tie this year with the driver being eliminated. You can always look at the negatives, and there's a negative in every format. People don't like the one game playoff in baseball. There's all these different things. But the simple fact is the format is clear.

The schedule is set. Points are rewarded. If you win, you can eliminate the points altogether. But, you know, someone has to raise for points. And that battle leading up to that green-white checker, that NASCAR overtime, man, I was in the blue. and I was amped up and ready because it was so clear that Austin Dillon had to find a few points and Denny Hamlin had to protect. And that race there was as exciting or perhaps more exciting than Joey Lugano getting the checker flag.

And I think we owe all the competitors a big round of applause because you know what we got, Talladega that we hadn't got in a long time? A finish. Under green, across a start finish line. No one will figure out who finished where on the yellow. So they race two clean laps all the way back. Yeah, I'm still not ready to talk about what happened last year. I think a lot of people listening to this podcast probably aren't either.

If we talked a couple of weeks ago, Steve, and had you on after the first round of the chase format, and I said who are legitimate contenders to win the entire championship, your answer might have started with Martin Truex Jr. And now he's not even into the next round. It's just crazy what can happen in a few weeks. Well, it is crazy, but I'd like to point out that we had to pick our final four for NBC, and my final four are still a lot. So I'm feeling pretty good right now.

I have Matt Kenseth as my champion, he's still in it. I had Joey Legano going to Miami. He's still in it. So I'm feeling pretty good. The only concern I have right now is shame on me. I have Jimmy Johnson getting eliminated, and I'm having a little buyer's remorse with that because I think Jimmy Johnson's going to end up in Miami. Hey, explain something to us.

You guys did allude to it for a moment when Alex Bowman spun out on the tri-oval. Jeff Burton gave us a pretty good description of how it's more difficult in the trial oval, especially when those cars are packed together. But explain that to us again and help us reason with what happened with Bowman there at the end of the race. So basically what happens by these white turns 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 look like the abrupt turns because it's a tighter radius. Also, it's way more banking. So when the car goes down in the corner, the vertical load just smashes the car into the racetrack

It's going to have way more grip, really. The backstretched the car is kind of light, but you're not turning the wheel, so as long as you don't hit anybody, you should be able to run straight. The tribal is real precarious because when you turn down in there, especially on that bottom lane where Alex Bowman was, it's very flat, which means the car isn't pushed down into the asphalt, so it's kind of light, kind of slippery, and they're tugging on the wheel because while it's a big, wide open corner, you know, it's easy by yourself,

but they're never by themselves. They're three wide on the bottom, very little air, and it looked to me that he just got in that position, where that left front tire hit that flat of that bottom lane, and it spun the 80. I mean, you saw how he came around. It looked like you had a flat tire, and we've seen that before in the triobles.

I've had, as a crew chief, more complaints about cars handling bad through the triobal at Daytona and Talladega than anywhere near the corner. Really impressive. I know it's stuck to see that, but really impressed by what he has done the last couple of months filling in for Dale Jr. And listen, you've been on several times since you've no longer the crew chief and you've been up in the booth. and I know even in your last season you raved about the job that Greg Ives did and why you felt he was qualified to be the crew chief on the 88. I really feel like we have seen his best stuff in the less couple of months given trying circumstances. Just talk a little bit about that and what your expectations are with Dale Jr. and Greg next year. Yeah, I think Greg has done a great job of rallying the team around Alex Bowman, putting the best cars out there.

Swapping drivers between Jeff and Alex is very difficult. you know, Dale is the leader of the group. He's the driver with him not being in the car. It takes an extra effort from the crew chief. I thought Greg has done a great job. Alex and him have put some great runs together. They have zero luck. If they ever get something to go their way,

they're going to run up inside the top five for sure. You know, so I expect a lot. I expect a lot when we see Dale back in the car next year because I think Hendrick was a little off over the summer. I think they would admit it, but it's like they're finding their stride a little bit. And it's going to be interesting to see who makes games. over the winter and how everyone unloads in Dayton and February.

All right, my man. Enjoy Martinsville. Feel free to bust Juniors chops as much as possible on Sunday. Oh, listen, I'm going to tell him. I'm like, listen, don't be getting carried a second week in a row. Let's not play professional TV guy and try to take Burton in my position here. We sit up there and we grind it out all these weeks. You know, you want to fly in, do 80 laps and then leave, all right?

It's a lot of 48-lap race. I don't know where you went, Buzz. 40 to go. But on a serious note, listen, Dale and I are friends. So I'm a little partial when I say this, but I applaud a guy who's in a difficult situation. He wants to be. You could see him sitting beside me in the booth. If the fans could have saw him,

every move to 24 made, every move to 88 made, he was on the edge of his seat. He's a race car driver. He needs to get back to a race car. You can tell how much you want to be back to a race car. And it was fun to watch a race with him. And it's going to be really excited to go back to Martinsville is a place where we got our last win together. And I'm actually staring at that picture right now in front of the grandfather clock.

We're going to sit up there and talk about what it's like to go from the biggest track of NASCAR to the smallest and the beating and bang in the Mortonzo. It's awesome to hear how much it still means to you because it means a whole hell of a lot to everyone listening to. Steve, thanks, my man. Great stuff. We'll talk to you soon. All right, thanks, guys. Speed dial.

You are live on Junior Motorsports up front. Tune in to Dirty Mo Radio every Thursday as Jonathan Davis I talk about everything, Junior Motorsports, welcome guests and more. Well done. Good job. I love it. Time now for the nationwide segment. Ever wondered what's in Dale Jr.'s garage.

Now is your chance to find out thanks to Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR, and nationwide. Dale Jr.'s partners are giving you a chance to win a 2016 Chevy Silverado and a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to NASCAR Champions Week in Las Vegas, including access to the exclusive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Award ceremony. Go to www.W.W.W.W.W. Win your Chevy.com today to enter for your last chance to win. No purchase necessary. See official rules for details. So on the phone with this is Matt Crosman. Matt Crosman wrote a piece for NASCAR.com today. You can go to NASCAR.com and read it. It's called Behind the Seenade. Matt, are you there? Matt, are you there? Matt, are you there? I got you, man. We've been selling at a parking lot and hearties. Well, I tell you what, a parking lot of hearty. So you can go ahead and grab you a bite to eat while you're there, if that's your thing.

Matt, you write this terrific piece, and I just wonder, had you planned on a Dale Jr. Behind the scenes vantage point story in the booth? And if so, how did this come about? No, I was having an in-depth piece, and it was just my good luck that the day I chose to be in the TV booth, Dale Jr. would be there, too. It was just dumb luck. That was pretty good. And my perspective was, I mean, this booth was, I was surprised at how small it was.

I mean, it was smaller than, like, a garage. it was tiny and there was 11 people in there and so I was you know standing behind it went with Hart Dale Jr. Burton and then Rick Allen and I was behind them. Explain to us like all the intricacies of TV broadcasting like you know for all of us that watch on TV and we don't really process all the elements and the opportunities for error can you kind of give us an idea of what's all going on like in the headsets and the booth and all that stuff. Oh yeah, I mean, that's the thing that I found the most interesting. That they're, you know, a couple of hundred feet up in the air watching these incredibly complicated race cars drive around

in the world simplest sport, you know, start here, finish there, and that's it. And the things that they're saying in the images are then being beamed into outer space so that they can come back to us on either our TVs or our laptops or whatever. But then they're also like writing each other notes so they don't have to talk out loud so the microphones pick it up so it's everything from the most complicated thing there is to the simplest thing there is now let's get to the most important question evaluate dale earnhardt junior as a NASCAR analyst i well i think anybody who has ears to hear could hear that that was some of the most insightful analysis you're ever going to get i mean that talking about the draft and the way that it works i mean it was utterly fascinating but was but

equally interesting to me was how excited he was doing it. I mean, there was one point where he was either raising his hand like you wanted Rick Allen to call on him or he was pointing at the track. I'm not 100% sure which one he was exactly doing. But, I mean, his body language was

off the charts good. And especially considering the last few months of kind of dour news, and unsettling news about him, that was really encouraging. Yeah, tell us a little bit more about that because, you know, we've lived through all of it these last couple months and it's been And for anyone that cares about him, it's been tough to watch.

But he's talked openly on this podcast and in public about the confidence level that he has, and his peace of mind has certainly changed. And you certainly witnessed that on Sunday. Yeah, I did. I've always thought, maybe you guys know the answer to this question, that he is probably the worst poker player on earth because his body language is so transparent. You can tell just by looking at that dude, what kind of mood he's in and what his confidence. level is and in the booth he looked like the guy who jumped out of the car after winning the

500 in 2004 or when he won it again in 14 or 15 whatever year that was I mean he was just his body language was completely different than it has been in the last few months when he's been talking about such depressing news now I don't want I don't think we should get carried away I don't think that means that the concussion related symptoms are over I don't think it means it's healed I don't think it's guaranteed he's going to be back in the car but it certainly was good news after a lot of not so good news. You just hit on it. I mean, this weekend was sort of compelling for those of us that are close to Dale

and just kind of watching because it was almost like a trip to Disneyland for him, with the exception of that he wasn't able to race it. And so there he is volunteering himself to go get in that 18-wheeler or that big rig, the big Talladega flyby with the American flag out. He went to go ride shotgun in that thing just because he wanted to. And now he's up in the booth and he's pumping his fish. You give really good color to the behind the scenes going on and the story on NASCAR.com. Is it because he's just a fan of the sport?

I mean, where's all this enthusiasm coming from? Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. I think that's what makes him such a compelling person to write about. I think that's what makes him such a good analyst is not only does he like understand it in depth in ways that people who haven't done it can't. but he also, he just really likes it. I mean, the enthusiasm with which he said the things that he said and the things that he said were compelling on their own, but the way he said it just sort of amplifies that.

And I think the Disney World thing is a good one too, especially considering, you know, that could bum you out to be at the racetrack when you want to be racing and you can't. And I just, I didn't sense any of that. And I was looking for it too. And I sense nothing but excited to be there. So Matt, did you go with him to the?

MRN booth because there was an observation I had about that. I just, did you go with him? No, I had to write this other story that I already had. It was just dumb luck that I got to be with him. Right, your original assignment, in other words. Yeah, you had to do that. I was actually doing the job I was paid to do, so yeah. Taylor and I were talking how different it is,

and Taylor knows this being in the radio business, but I was listening to him on the MRN broadcast, and they actually let him call a restart, like Joe Moore's job. They said, okay, Dale, take it away. And I think at that moment, Dale realized the difference in crafts between radio broadcasting and TV broadcasting. I wasn't sure if you were able to observe that as well, but just how starkly different those two booths are. Oh, yeah, it's the difference between being able to see it and not being able to see it, and having to tell people stuff that you don't have to tell them.

But I noticed one other thing about his, like, the quality of his commentary. and it comes so naturally to him. Like if you listen to other drivers who are very good at explaining things like, you know, Brad Kessalowski or Carl Edwards, they have thought about those things before they're asked about them. So it's like they formulated the answer beforehand. Dale Jr. just seems to be winging it. But it comes out in like complete paragraphs. You're like, how the hell did he just do that?

He's a really bright guy. He really is. And he does have extensive vocabulary, and it's impressive to watch. to certainly doing this podcast or any other public appearance he makes, you definitely notice that. Matt, Steve LaTart said just a minute ago that it was really cool to watch how Dale was on the edge of his seat and how badly he wants to be back in that race car. Did you notice that?

I did. The seats that they're sitting on are kind of like bar stools. And, you know, I mentioned in Bidivor. And, you know, when he's in that not-confidence thing, it looks like he's trying to grind his back. and that he's got like an anvil on his shoulders. But he was, you know, perched on the edge of his feet, his feet were bouncing on the little footrest, and he was, you know, his body language was straight up

and, like, leaning, like, almost towards the track. Yeah, and he and, you know, Latart and Burton being on either side of him certainly helped because, I mean, Latart used to be his crew chief, and he raced against Jeff Burton for, what, 15 years? They probably raced against each other 500 times at least. So he was in his element, too, and I think that helped a lot. Well, Matt, thank you so much, buddy, for pulling over at a Hardy's parking lot and calling into the Dale Jr. download. We really appreciate it. Again, fans, go to nascar.com, read Matt's story. You can also follow him on Twitter at Matt Crossman underscore. Matt, thank you so much, buddy.

Oh, sure, yeah. I thought it was also worth noting that even the bad Redskins news that he got in the middle of the broadcast did not dissuade him, did not crush his mood. Wow, that would have been a crossroads. I mean, it could have gone south really quick there, but he kept it together is what you're saying. Yeah, and I was like one of the assistants was writing on these dry raceboards, score updates to him, and he told him the game was over when it wasn't. I'm like, dude, you had one job. The game wasn't over.

You told him it was over and they won and they actually lost. He had one job, and he screwed it up. But he rallied. So that was pretty interesting to see. That's good news, man. Well, thank you so much, Matt, and safe travels back to home. in St. Louis. All right.

Thanks for having me on, guys. All right, take care. We have something to give away, Mike. You know what? It's been a long time since we've given away some spy sunglasses, so I figure, let's do it. What's the criteria this week? What do you want to do? Best call.

First name, Davis, you get to make that call. Well, if it's another ballad, you all want to. Another ballad? Yeah, there's another valid. It seems like Davis might have an indication of that. No, so that's, I mean, that's giving away who we'd give it to, but there is another ballad, Taylor, for you. So let's just go with most creative.

Most creative, and first name Davis will make that decision when it's over. There's lots of comments about Dale's style and fashion and the jacket he wore in the booth. All right. Well, if they get good points in, then maybe we consider them. But it's most creative. Let's go. Let's do it. We'll do a dictatorship.

First Name Davis gets to decide unless he makes the wrong decision. That's right. Perfect. We'll overthrow him. Who we got? You know, I have to give it up to Greg Biffle for his. drive and determination. Not only did he wreck an Earnhardt at Talladega.

He wrecked an Earnhardt at Talladega while an Earnhardt was on the call at the track that Earnhardt has dominated for his entire career. Kudos Greg Biffle. I hate you even more now. How did that song go tell it? Because he's Biffle. You know how it was? Yeah.

Congratulations to Biffle. He is still referred to in this house by my daughter as the guy who didn't want to win. That's right, Daytona. Daytona. 2,000. Instead of trying to beat Kenza. That's right. That's his name in this house.

Who's next? Oh, Joy O'Glano, who stole the race from Junior before. God, don't think it'd be worse would be Kyle Busch. God. Oh! Oh! Don't think part of the race with Gil Jr. was in the booth for a very short, too short a time. I can't wait to next year.

Oh, God. Come on, 2011. And Bill Ginger, yes. So Taylor called in reaction theater apparently. She's going to do something. Yeah. I have a similar feeling. I express it a little differently.

Yeah. So she does not like Ligano winning. Got it. No. Does not like the back half of 2016. She's not alone. Who's next? Hey, Mike Davis.

You suck. You jack. That was definitely super creative. Great call. Wait, that's the end of the call. That one is leader in the clubhouse by my standard. Don't think too hard on these calls or anything. That thought was fantastic.

Who's next? Well, first off, best thing was Junior in the booth. He did an excellent job. Next, I just want to say it's pretty sad when you have three teammates right around, the freaking back of Talladega the whole day, even dropped to the back before the green flag even drops. Yep, they're true champions in the word of racing. This is becoming a joke.

Wish I wouldn't have even watched it. Really, and we watched it because you listen to it, because Junior was going to be in the booth. What a joke. Sorry. Joke City. Let me play devil's advocate for a second. You ready, Taylor? I'm ready.

People that don't like Gibbs Racing, what would they want more than them finishing 30th, 31st, and 32nd? So you don't want them racing for the win Because aren't they kind of likely to win it? And don't you hate that too? Yeah. Just throwing it out there for you. Let that one settle.

Man, that kind of blew my mind just now. Three of the four Gibbs racers finished god-awful. Right. I mean, forget how they finished God-awful. Isn't that all you want in life? I guess you want to compete with them and wreck all of them. I guess is what everyone was hoping for. But chances are that wasn't going to happen.

You were cheering for the Gibbs wreck. Okay, got it. Yes. Teabone them into the fence. Who's next? All right. I know Dale Jr. gets to do a lot of cool stuff because he's Dale Jr. I get that.

But I am officially jealous of Dale Jr. Never have been before, but I am officially jealous. Dale Jr. got to ride in a truck with the American flag around Talladega. Motor Speedway during the national anthem. Are you sh**ing me? That is like the badass thing ever. I am so super jealous. And then Dale Jr. goes up into the booth and knocks it out of the park.

Absolutely phenomenal. I want to listen to Dale Jr. call a soccer match between like Germany and Ecuador or something. I don't know. That jacket he wore was the biggest hunk of junk. It looked like he was going to the seventh grade science fair award ceremony. He was getting an award, and he wore his dad's coat to the science fair banquet. That was exactly what it looked like.

I hope you do better. I hope you have a, I'll be interested. I've never cared about what you wore before, but I can't wait to see what your wardrobe is for Martinsville. Dale Naw. That jacket was a little big on him. But he's also lost about 10 pounds in the. rehab process. And I'm not even sure he had 10 pounds to lose. I was going to say.

So maybe that's the excuse. That's what I'm going with. That's the official PR statement. There you go, Dad. There you go. Dado. Fired up. As usual. Who's next? I'm going to be honest. Today's race absolutely sucked. There was

no big one. The 88 once again gets loose in traffic during a restrictor plate race. And that squinty-eye douche-ch-ch- Joey Lugano wins again. But if you believe that the real winner this weekend isn't Dale Jr., then you are sadly mistaken. He got to ride around in that big rig that flies old glory high and proud during the national anthem. That's more American than Bato doing the same thing at Texas Motor Speedway with floppy yellow.

And then, of course, he got to call the race for NBC with Steve with Hart and the guys, which begs the question, Dale? Why didn't you ask Steve why he hasn't? accepted your friend request. That would have been the perfect opportunity. And speaking of opportunities, I'll take this moment to tell Junior Nation to go vote for Dale Jr. for Sprint most popular driver. And don't forget to vote for me, the macho man, for president of Junior Nation.

Oh, damn. Send that man some sunglasses. Congratulations, my friend. What a night Saturday night was. That was pretty special. That was pretty. I loved that game. They were in control from start to finish.

I don't want to make this about the Cubs, though, but that is pretty special. I like this guy. That atmosphere was something else, man. That was something else. It was. Can you imagine Friday night what that's going to be like? I mean, look, Cleveland will be great. They are fantastic.

And Wednesday. Yeah. But Friday night, game three, first World Series game in Wrigley in 71 years. Have you seen what the ticket prices for that are? They're like $2,000. For standing room, not even a seat. It's $2,400. So how many did you buy?

$2,400. You know what? That's just a little too steep for me. My cousin has a ticket to game four. Really? He's from Chicago. Did he pay for it? No, his family has tickets.

His family has tickets. But, like, they are split four different ways, and he goes games. It would be awesome to be there. Macho Man is so far the leader in the clubhouse if I have a vote. I've helped you out in the past. I don't think I can be much help for the World Series, though. I think everybody's asking for those, though, this time around. macho man for president who's next

hey i just want to say uh dale jr did a great job in the booth today i don't know about his fashion these days just kind of looking like mr rogers in my opinion but uh nevertheless i just want to talk a little bit more about uh joe gibbs racing and there are three guys that decide not to give 100 um i get it what they're doing they're playing the system but if I was a fan of theirs and I paid to go that race, I'd march my ass over to Joe Gibbs' race the next day,

turn in all my receipts and say I want my money back because that's not racing. That's not fun to watch. Get your ass up there. The two guys that should have been in the back, Johnson, Harvick, were in the top 15 all day, three wide, and they had no reason to be up there. But at least they try to win the race. So it just discussed me to see those three guys in the back. I can not even try it.

So whatever. Hey, I got a question for you, Taylor. All right. Did you see what Steve O'Donnell said today on Sirius XM about that very thing? Because some people are saying, doesn't this violate the 100% rule, which NASCAR instituted a couple years ago? Now, did you hear what he said? That was after the Richmond race, right. That was.

He says, quote, I'd say they do not fall into the 100% rule. The spirit of that rule is really to prevent somebody from intentionally allowing another teammate to do something that would not be in the spirit of the rules of the race. In this case, we look at the strategy decision that the team made. They executed it. It's obviously part of the format. It's a decision that they made during the race. But in this case, that wouldn't be something that we look at that violates the rule. Do you have an opinion on that?

I don't. His explanation is fair, but it shouldn't be called the 100% rule. That's a good point. It should be called something else because they did not give 100%. Anyone, I don't care, Steve O'Donnell, Mike Elton, Brian France, Joe Gibbs, anybody else, they can't with a straight face say they gave 100%. They did not try to win the race. And what's more, as much as we dislike it, if you listen to what the drivers, the JGR driver said,

they hated it too. They did not have fun. They said it. They did not sugarcoat it. They said that it was not fun for us. It was what we had to do. In fact, I did disagree with this point. They're like, these are just the cards that we were dealt.

Well, not really, but they did not like it either. It was different than obviously what happened with Michael Walter Phrasing, but it was still very self-serving, and it was not committed to winning the race. Having said that, I understand what you said earlier, and I don't know what Steve said. Chances are if I was in their position, I would seriously consider it too. But they didn't try to win the race. Come on.

But then again, that happens in every sport, you know. Correct me if I'm wrong, but them hanging out. the back probably helped Denny advance. That's a good question. No, no, no, really, that's a good question. Because you would like to think that one of them might have, Did he finished third? Yes.

Okay, so he ended up with a tie. So you're assuming that. That's a good point. Yeah, it is. Kyle, Carl, or Matt could have finished first or second. Man. That's what, I'm not. On the flip side, not to just keep playing devil's advocate on about half of the JGR,

but Denny didn't have any pushers. That's true. He talked about that afterwards how hard it was racing up top with not any teammates around. Let's play one more. Oh, no. No. I can stay awake just to hear you speaking. Talking fama football playing.

Nick Saban always game winning. I can spend my life soliciting your vote. Oh, away from thato with a nose. Can keep him away. Send him off in a boat. Oh, God, make it stop. You will open your eyes. Daddo needs to fall asleep.

His game is tired. And I don't want to lose your votes. Because even when I sing to you, that's something he would never do. do to get to you and I don't want to lose your vote Dale yeah, great job in the booth hashtag Mike Davis rocks

hashtag Taylor come to the light Let me just tell you guys what just happened There were three guys in the store listening to this on the speaker and as soon as he hit the chorus They were looking at me going what is this And as soon as he hit the chorus Taylor They just jetted out the door

They left, I've never seen people fly out of the Junior Nation retail store. These three guys just did as soon as Mike hit the course. It's cost us some sales. I'm not saying that it wasn't funny because it was so god-awful. It was funny. It was funny.

But I'm going to have to tell you that I can no longer consider Submarine Mike as president of Junior Nation. Why? Isn't it where his heart is? I appreciate where his heart is. but that I just I would rather someone not sing to me to be honest with you you know what on the contrary I love it when people sing to you

I understand that I understand how you would feel that way but it's not nearly as comfortable for me next week Mike I need to hear some Otis Redding sing directly to Taylor Zarser now if it's Otis Redding is singing that but you'll consider it you'll consider it submarine Mike I can't do that wow you want to play some Sam Cook or some Otis Redding, I'm all in. Listen, I'm going to tell you something right now. I'm going to vote right now for Submarine Mike on this, on this qualification only.

It takes balls to do what he just did. Am I wrong? Maybe. Big balls. It takes, no, Taylor, to call up and sing. It didn't sound like it. No, no. Actually, it did sound like it.

It sounded like, he's like, you know you can't sing, and yet he just did that. That's balls. Give him a vote. Even though he has decided not to vote. run for president. After a lot of indecision on my part, I am going to write in

Dato's vote for president of Junior Nation. Even though he's no longer running. I can't vote for macho man Randy Savage because he's no longer with us. And I can't vote for submarine Mike because he sings to me. Randy Macho Man Savage, in my

opinion, just won the sunglasses. So don't say he's dead. Because first name Davis. Who wins the sunglasses? Yeah, who wins? You're going to go. Submarine Mike is in the running here now. Can I give you all choices? Because I can't decide between macho man and the biffle guy.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, the biffle guy was pretty good. Well, I've already said my vote. I say macho man. I'm good with that. Okay, macho man. We can give it to the macho man. May you rest in peace.

R.P. Do you know where he's buried? Because you've got to know where to send sunglasses to you. This is the Dale, next to Elizabeth. This is the Dale Jr. download presented by spy the official sunglasses of Dale and R. Jr. now features the official camouflage of Dale Jr. The signature

88 collection sunglasses now feature true timber camo. Go get yours at spyoptic.com. Let's throw the white flag. White flag right there. White flag. White flag and all. Dirty Moe radio podcast are brought to you by Exalta. Exalta also brings you Exaltoracian.com so you can stay up on the 88 team. Follow at Exaltor Racing on

Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And you know what else you can do? Shoot them note every now and then and tell them how much you appreciate their support, Dale Jr. and Dirty Moe Radio. I'd mean a lot to us. All right, at this very moment, Dale Jr. is in the simulator, as he actually said when he was doing his audio. He likes

that simulator, you know? He spoke recently how much he enjoyed it as he continues his rehab. The next two days will be very busy for Dale. He's doing production work for nationwide and degree while doing appearances for Mountain Dew and Freightliner. That Mountain Dew appearances at Walmart. You love these Walmart Mountain Dew appearances,

don't you, Taylor? I do. I do. You just like the idea of it, don't you? I think it's great. I really do for a lot of reasons. I love Walmart. Guess where this one is? Guess where this one is. Tell me.

University area Charlotte. Oh. You going to be in line? That's my spot. I mean, that's like six or seven minutes from my house. It's open for everybody. So if you are in the area, that's, that is on, that's tomorrow, Tuesday. Tuesday, the 25th.

Oh, wait, no, that's the university one. No, no, that's a little further away. Yeah. He comes to the. Whoa, pal, pal. You can get there. He comes to the Independence Boulevard location. I'll be there.

You just get your driver to take you to university. My driver. In your limo. On Thursday, he is sounding the siren. Like, the Carolina Hurricanes' NHL hockey team, I guess they do a siren. Yeah. To kind of like usher in the game. You have?

Yeah, I have. So what do you call it? Are you the siren sounder? What are you? Yeah, you just sound the horn. You go up there and you spin the horn, if you will, whatever is connected to it, and you go up in the, I guess, the sweet level makes a big sound, and that says, let's, you know, drop the puck, let's play some hockey.

Well, it's the home opener for the hurricanes, this NHO hockey game. So Dale's going to be the siren sounder. That's not the official name for it, I don't think. That's just what I'm going on. He'll get a loud ovation, for sure. So that'll be fun. Dale will be at Martinsville this weekend for the cup race. You'll be hearing some more news on Del Jr. on Sunday, this on behalf of his partner,

goodies, which that's kind of become an annual thing for this Martinsville race. Goodies uses that race to sort of launch some good. he's promotion. Dale Jr. is always involved with it. So also, like one of the call, like the macho man suggested, don't forget to vote for Dale Jr. as Sprint most popular driver. He needs several more of these to catch Bill Elliott. I think

Dale's, what, at 13? I think Bill Elliott had 16. So there is some, like, I don't know what the competition is like this year, but Dale being out of the car, you don't know what to expect. So we really, like, we really need you to vote. You don't know what's going on. So we need to

We need to vote off, and I think you vote daily on most popular driver.com. So please do that. Also, I definitely want to say this. We're thinking about our friends at Hendrick Motorsports today. Today is a 12-year anniversary of the plane accident where we lost all the lives. And I tell you what, it's still, it's very much real today as it was back in 2004. I can't believe it's been 12 years. That was a very emotional day and for a lot of different people.

I can still remember Jim Hunter being on that television broadcast at Martinsville saying that we've lost contact with the plane right after the race was over. Jimmy Johnson won. They had to kind of usher him off to kind of tell him. It was an emotional day. So really thinking about the Hendrik. All 10 of those guys. Right. It's rough.

Lastly, I want to say this. We have some exciting news for one particular person in the Exalta studio right now. It's sad for the Exalta studio and Dirty Mo Radio, but it is exciting in the grand scheme of things. This is First Name's final show for the Dale Jr. Download. He is moving on. In fact, Davis, why don't you talk about what you're about to do? You've taken a new job. I am.

I'm taking a new job. We're moving up to Washington, D.C. Capitol just in time for the craziness of the election. And you're not joining the political campaign, Davis. That was a terrible way of saying what you're moving. Moving to Washington, D.C. And time for the election. I'm ready for president. I wish you would.

Davis Dada, 2036. Oh. I think that's what I'm eligible. I don't really know. I'm going to work for Sirius XM's PGA Tour Channel. The PGA Tour Channel on Sirius XM. You're going to be a producer. Yep.

So Dirty Mo Radio will always be the thing that got you to the PGA Tour Channel. Is that what we're saying? Mike Davis, Taylor, Zarzer, Dirty Moe Radio. It's off the studio all the time I spent in here. WF and Z. wherever all those things. You have had several stops along the way, haven't you? And this is going to be a big one for you.

We're excited. I mean, I tell you what, when Davis first told me about this, I was just nothing but happy for him. And I thought he would be the best person for that job. And so our loss is certainly serious XM's gain. And I'm proud of Davis, and I really appreciate everything you've done, not just for Dirty Mo Radio, but our social media,

Davis obviously runs that, as many of you know. And so we're going to have to find somebody to replace this guy, and they've got big shoes to fill. So Taylor, what do you think? He's joining the Sirius X-M family. You ready for him? I'm ready for him. I'm proud of him.

Series 208 XM-92. I give you a phone number and give you the show list, any of that information if you want. But I hope you give First Name Davis a listen over there as he'll be a producer. And chances are with all the crazy people we have on that channel, he'll be on the air too on Series 208 and XM-92. But, you know, Davis is as good a friend as I've ever had. period, but also he's been as fun as anybody and as professional as anybody I've ever worked with as well. So I'm real proud of him and definitely earned it.

I just want you know, Taylor, that Mike said he's going to be the first caller on my first day to get some tips on the golf game. Yeah. And then I'm going to end it with – Damn, yeah. A lot of them. Hey, man, I love Boo Weekly. All right, Davis, congrats.

That'll be Mike Davis' call. I appreciate it, guys. We're proud of you, my man. We're going to miss you. I know the Junior Nation will miss you as well, but certainly well-earned and deserved what you're doing in the future. Thank you. All right, Mike Davis.

We'll be back next week. We will. We'll do another one. If I can muster enough care to do this without first-name Davis in the studio, I will be here. It'll be tough. Sort of like Dale not being in a restrictor plate race for you. Davis not being in the studio for me just takes a lot out of me,

but I'm going to try. We love you, first-name, Davis. Thanks to Dale Earnhard Jr., to Mike Davis. I'm Taylor Zarzer. You've been listening to the Dale Jr. Download presented by Spy. Thanks for listening to Dirtymoe Radio.