The Dale Jr. Download - 158 - Racing: Love, Hate Relationship

Episode Date: November 14, 2016

Dale Earnhardt Jr. recaps the Phoenix race as Mike Davis and Taylor Zarzour get animated talking about Alex Bowman’s shot to put the No. 88 Chevrolet in victory lane this past weekend. Fans praise the 88 team on this week’s Reaction Theatre. 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 Moe Radio. Hey, everybody, it's Junior. Just finished watching the finish of the Phoenix race. Man, this whole day's been about damn miserable watching that race, golly. I don't know how y'allie. You know, for the longest time. I haven't felt that way since watching Dad race. It's not.

so clear now all the nerves and sick feeling in your stomach, even not only halfway into the race. I knew, though, that the end would come down to a lot of cautions and track position and where you lined up on the inside or outside, and it didn't really work in our favor. But, golly. Alex really did an amazing job. We ran second really fast. in this race earlier this year. We won last year.

So, I mean, we've ran good at Phoenix and Greg and those guys. Did an awesome job giving him a great car all weekend. Gave a kid a pole. Man, he was thrilled about that. I know he had a blast today. I'm sure Alex will replay what, you know, happened in those last 50 laps over and over in his mind wondering what he might have done different to put himself in position to win

because I know he feels like he had the best car and he did. but you can't control a lot of the stuff at the end, and I was really proud of him. It's really, really hard to be in the position he was in, too, at the end of the race, racing around all those guys that are in the chase. With the current situation, you know, being out of the chase, if you're a driver that's out, knocked out,

but racing for a win, it's an awful position to be in because he's sitting there trying to win the race, knowing he's got the car that can win the race, the team hopes he's going to go out there and try to win it, and he's got three chase guys, literally for the last spot to get into the last round to go win the championship. I mean, it's just a terrible scenario for a driver.

And Alex carried the weight of that on his shoulders really well. I know that he certainly regrets getting into the 20 car and, you know, it's debatable how all that went down and whose fault was what. But, you know, he kind of got shoved into the corner a little bit. There's a lot happening at once. And I don't think, I think it was kind of inevitable, but that's not a fun position to be in. So I know Alex regrets how that ended for Matt and regrets how that ended for him for Alex. The takeaway from today is that Alex proved again why that we felt he deserved the opportunities he's gotten late in the season.

Obviously, Jeff is the number one choice, and he's ran the races that he preferred to run, It's opened the door for Alex to be in the car, and he has done an awesome job every time. Really impressed Rick, and all the people at HMS, all the guys on the team really enjoy working with him. He's a solid dude. He's really matured over the last several years going through what he's been through. The last several years have been really hard on him trying to figure out how to get his career going. so it's helped mature him into a pretty decent dude. So, man, that sucked.

Anyhow, I'm just so, I'm proud of my guys, and I'm so happy because our cars are so good. I'm going to get in that thing next year, and it's going to be as good or better than when I got out of it. So I feel like a very lucky guy in that regard. I've been talking to Greg, Getting excited about getting ready for next year and all that. I can't really wait.

I've got a lot of things going on in all season, getting married and everything. But, man, I'm really looking forward to getting back on the track and cutting some laps and just being a driver. I miss it, especially as I'm getting more and more healthy and more confident in my health. I miss it more and more. Damn. It was a tough week for a tough week for a. our Junior Motorsports game. I'm going to have a suspended crew chief on the one car going into Homestead,

but we'll make the adjustments we need to give the one car the best opportunity at Homestead to try to win that championship. I'm proud of that company to have two cars in that chase. Two cars make it to the final round. It's real hard on the company, and everybody works really hard and puts a lot effort in. There's a lot of pride in that for everybody at Junior Motorsports. So I'm excited to see how those guys do on Saturday. I'll be there Saturday and Sunday.

I want to be there to shake Jimmy Johnson's hand if he wins that seventh championship. That's about it. I just can't believe how the day he went. Man, it was hard being a fan. I really got a new appreciation for what that's like. I had forgotten. Got caught up in what I've been doing the last several years and had forgotten what that was like. I'm seeing so many new perspectives

A lot of them unintentionally It's changed the way I see everything about it It'll be a little bit different now when I get back in the car And I'll try not to forget what I've learned Gosh one more race And this season will be over Hopefully I can help Alex run that wall at Homestead That's a lot of fun I'll be jealous

You guys enjoy the download All right my man We appreciate you Dale Jr. download presented by Spy. The official sunglasses of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Now features the official camouflage of Dale Jr., true timber camo. You can find that and much more from Dale Jr. signature 88 collection at spyoptic.com. We're in the Exalta studio with Kelsey Tucker and Mike Davis.

I'm Taylor's Arzer. And, man, Dale Jr. was the emotions clear or obvious, Mike, in his voice there with his comments. And he felt the way that all of us feel watching him in a race car. And I have to tell you, I shared those feelings that he had on Sunday. I'm sure you did too. I mean, just watching that 88 on the pole and lead so many laps. I mean, it was a lot of emotions we haven't experienced in many months. And, gosh, it was heartbreaking to see him not have a legitimate chance to win that race

because of someone else's misfortune. Well, yeah, I mean, it depends on who you ask on that. I mean, I think that Alex did everything he could possibly do. I think Dale Jr. actually said it best in that what an awful scenario to be in if you're Alex Bowman, if you think about it. I mean, like it would be fun to go in and spoil someone's party, but to affect it, like to crash it, affect it and then not get the win. I don't even know where Alex finished. Was it like fifth or six? He was six.

So we finished six. But this was the most competitive. The 88's been all year. I know we've got a couple runner-up finishes, actually two or three, you know. But we didn't ever lead laps like that. First time we've led the most laps of a race. I think what was the previous high of laps led we had was like 34 or something, which I think came at Phoenix.

So nowhere close to 194. So, you know, here it was Alex who gets the poll. You're like, okay, let's watch this, you know. And you see if he, you know, loses the lead on the first or second. lap which one's it going to be and then he doesn't he stays out there he stays out there the entire green flag run actually is pulling away from him we're like okay well here's here's the part where he makes a pit stop and then he's going to come out about seventh to eighth and he's going to settle in right there and this is kind of kind of what the rest of the day is but you know what he didn't he came right back up

there he had the best car out there and the guy was wheeling it man it's like okay we may have a shot at this and then there's 50 to go i think they go take four tires now other people are pit strategizing to get around the 88. So the 88 does a smart thing. I do not fault them for taking four tires where everybody else really takes two because they got to find a way to get by the best car. And yet Alex comes back and he passes Denny Hamlin.

He passes Kevin Harvick. He passes all the best ones out there. He passes Kyle Bush. And he's chasing down Matt Kenseth. Needed a caution at the end. When you go back to that last restart, I mean, you know, initially I thought that maybe Alex spun his tires.

T.J. doesn't actually think he did. He just think that there was issues with restarts all day because those guys were kind of playing games with him and those restart zones. And he still did what he needed to do. He was on that line. He was in the right position. Next wall.

Right. I don't know how he was going to come out of two. I don't know how that was going to look. Maybe he has a lead. Maybe he's in second. Maybe he loses a couple more spots. But, you know, you just don't envy the situation and scenario that Alex was in.

And I thought he held himself very well. And I hope that on this Monday morning, he's not beating himself up over anything. My gosh, I hope he isn't. He left everything on the track on Sunday. Not only did he now, I will say this, everyone did. I mean, honestly, I appreciated everybody out there. You know, there was some murmuring going on at the beginning of the chase.

you know, ain't nobody trying for it. You ain't saying that after Phoenix. Listen, even Jimmy Johnson, who had to take it back into the garage, and he has his ticket to the final dance. His whole team was sitting there busting their butts trying to get that car out there in the garage. You had Kevin Harvick passed a million cars. You know, he didn't win.

He didn't make it to Homestead or he didn't make that final dance, but it wasn't because he lacked trying. Kyle Bush, those guys were going three wide at four. Phoenix. I mean, like, all of them. Matt Kenseth. You know, Kyle Larson was up there in the middle of it at the end. I mean, like, there was nobody left any out there. Like, they all put it all out on the line. And I had appreciate that. I appreciate how hard they raced and you're going to have incidents like that.

But I tell you what, it was such a, such a thrilling race to watch. And then to have your guy, your horse in there in the middle of it at the end, I tell you what, I really just appreciate that. 18, what they brought. What did you think of what happened with Kinza? I thought Kenseth came down on him. I mean, it's pretty obvious. I think Kenseth even thought he was clear.

And Chris Osborne, I'd be really interested to hear what the door bumper clear guys, what their take is on it. Because from a Spotter standpoint, I saw Chris Osborne, Kansas Spotter, apologized to Matt Kinzoth fans. It sort of breaks my heart, to be honest with you. It just, you know, a lot of things like Dale Jr. said a lot of things happened at wants there. So to sit there and place blame, I know we are living in a blame placing era, where everybody, especially in social media, there has to be a finger pointed at somebody

for every situation that ever occurred. Got it. But really, in this situation, I hate that there's anybody that's going to even accept blame because you got Alex Bowman in there trying to not just win his first race. He's fighting for a career, guys. He's not going back on his personal jet. He's not going back to his mansion. The guy's going back to, you know, an apartment. Maybe. I don't know. Where does it like Alex live? He has a house. Okay. He has a house. Forget it.

A small house. He's good. He's good. He's got a house. It's a small house. It's nothing like Mike Davis's house. I can promise you that. It's probably a little newer than Mike Davis's house. But, you know, it's the guy's fighting for his, you know, his career. And, you know, just I don't want to blame anybody to be honest with you. I don't even want to blame Kenseth. And in fact, I kind of hate it, that Kenseth didn't make the final four, and Kyle Busch did, to be honest with you.

And I hate that Joey Lugano make the final four. That's the thing of this crazy race that we can all appreciate. The two guys that I think Junior Nation least wanted in that were the ones that made it in it. Oh, don't worry. We'll get to that with reaction. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Matt Kinzeth definitely loses the most probably out of all this by not making the championship round.

and regardless of whose responsibility it is or not being able to spot where Alex Bowman was or clear someone when they weren't clear, my reaction, having a dog in the fight, cheering for the 88 was, golly, man, that was his shot. And he did. He had the best car all day. As Dale Jr. properly stated,

the 88 team has done such an amazing job these last couple of months. And Dale Jr., like he said, is getting into a better race car, the start of 2017 and the one he left. And I know he's very eager to race it. And Alex Bowman absolutely has proven he's a wheelman, and I hope he gets that chance. But that, to me, after the, you get the caution that you need,

and everybody is like, holy cow, you've got all these championship scenarios going on, and you're thinking about Bowman winning his first race, and he did, I thought, exactly what he needed to do to give himself a chance to win that race and get past the 20 there with a couple laps left. Man, it's stuck. Now, I know that, Mike, we were talking before the Dale Jr. download today about where to restart the cars.

And there's some people that have an issue with that because if you freeze the field, when that accident happened, the 88s in front of everybody. We'll hear the conversation on our nationwide. We actually do in radio chatter this week for nationwide. and we'll listen to T.J. and Greg Ives and Alex talk about that because it was a point. It was emphasized extensively after, you know, Alex was able to collect himself. He, I think the team obviously felt like he should have restarted in first place for that final green, white checker. I think where they put him was fifth, something, fifth or six, because NASCAR determined that he was actually part of the wreck. Now, I listen to Steve O'Donnell, actually, on Sirius XM this morning

and on the morning drive, and he was clarifying NASCAR's position, but I think that we sort of disagree on that position. That NASCAR says, well, if it's not the end of the race, then we go back to the last scoring loop. Well, the last scoring loop, Alex was the second, and we know Kenseth can't be put back in the lead, so that should put Alex back in the leave. What they decided to do was consider Alex part of the wreck, and so they put him back where they feel like he blended in to the line. And that was in fifth or sixth place, wherever it was. And that was disputed, and that was something that Greg Ives will listen to it here in a second. And, you know, just it sort of stinks. If he would have been able to restart in that first

position, it would have still been a fight, a two-lap fight, but obviously his chances to win that race were still just as good as it was before. You can hear all the emotion, the exhaustion in Dale Jr.'s voice since he was telling us about his feelings watching the race as a fan. That was the most, even with the result, that was the most I enjoyed watching a race, especially since Dale Jr.'s been out of the car, Mike. Yeah. Just with all the different things that were going on, with Bowman leading all the laps,

then you have Harvick trying to chase down Lugano and try to chase down, Kyle Busch you have Hamlin involved there Harvick trying to win a champion or get into the next round knowing fully well if he doesn't win the race he's got no chance You had Kyle Busch who was in fourth place and still three points behind the cut line

Yeah I mean it's just crazy because you had Joey Lugano winning leading the race Kyle Busch had to get in front of like he had to go lead the race at some point to try to make it I mean it was insane to be in fourth place and still not good enough. But we've admitted this.

I mean, all of us that are that are part of Junior Nation, whether you're listening or your Kelsey, your Mike, your Taylor, your Dale, whoever, we've all, our interest levels been compromised. And that's obvious. You know, it's something like

what happened this summer happens. But it was really great to be completely invested in a race again. And that's what happened, at least for me, on Sunday. Well, Junior doesn't know how fans do it. Isn't that what he said in his audio? I don't know how fans do it. Well, I'll tell you, we lose our minds.

We act irrational. We consider destroying property. Yep. And in one case, I have done that with my phone. But yeah, we find a or we get in tune with our destructive behaviors, and that's how we handle it. Wouldn't you agree, though, that was the first time you felt that way in a while? Without a doubt.

I mean, yeah, absolutely. Didn't fill it to the level that with Dale Jr. was in the car, because there's a lot more that rides. on that, but I'm telling you, it was just, it was, it was nice to be nervous again in a race. You know, another thing about emotional races is we had another one Saturday night with the Exhibitionary Series race. Dale Jr. touched on that. Yeah, that one, Zapp Jr.'s energy just as much as the cup race did because you have

the unfortunate scenario where you think you've made the final four for Homestead, and yet you're waiting on NASCAR to make a decision on a penalty. And it took about 30 minutes, Kelsey? What do you think? You were there. I was there. I was right outside the hauler because Josh was with Elliott. And so I stayed with the car and Kevin.

And it was about a good 30, 35 minutes of just standing there looking at a hauler that no one was coming out of. Here's the scenario. We should probably, in case somebody doesn't know, is that Elliot Sadler and Justin Algar, two junior motor sports drivers, go into this Phoenix race fighting for a spot in the final four to win a championship next week. There were six eligible drivers cutting it down to four. Elliot and Justin finished the race both inside that four. However, NASCAR, in the post-race inspection, determined that there were two loose lug duts on Elliot Sadler's car. And as we remember from earlier in the year, NASCAR made a rule because teams were blatantly, purposely,

leaving lug nuts loose, trying to only hit two or three just to keep the wheel on to make quicker pit stop. Well, they determined that's very unsafe, and it is. And so NASCAR made a rule that says, teams, if you do that, if you don't have all five lug nuts tight, then you will be penalized. And in some cases, pretty severe if you have encumbered the win or the finish, encumbered the finish. So here it is, Elliot has not even just one, but two. Now, this was not an intentional thing to gain track position. and Elliott was safe really through that whole race. I felt like there was no reason to get cavalier on their pit stops.

However, there were two loose lug nuts, and it was then a waiting game to see what would NASCAR do and what was the penalty. After about 30 minutes, they came on live TV, and I accredit NASCAR for this because they didn't make you wait until Monday or Tuesday, but they came out and they said, this is what the rule says. You had two loose lug nuts.

It's not a points penalty. Elliot will be one of the final four drivers competing for the Xfinity Championship. However, his crew chief, Kevin Manderin, is suspended for Homestead. And that is consistent with what the rule books say. And so while we were relieved that Elliott is in it, that was the most important part. We also have, you know, an uphill battle with the fact that the guy that got him there, Kevin Manderin, will not be his crew chief in that very important race this coming Saturday. So that was a situation.

That's significant. So Suarez, Sadler, Jones, and Allgaier, two JRM cars. And congratulations to Mike, to you to everybody. I mean, that's unreal to get two teams in the championship round. Yeah, Junior Motorsports versus Gibbs. Yep. This is what it is. Two Gibbs cars, two JRM cars.

So what's your confidence level like? My confidence level is very good. But I would say that we also know that Gibbs has really good race cars. And so I don't doubt our cars. I just know that the competition is real. And we have to bring our A game. Last name Tucker, what's your confidence level like? You're there.

I mean, I'm pretty confident. I mean, I travel with these guys every week and you know kind of what they've. The homestead car for the one is already put together. It's already set up. And Elliot said that in an interview. He said the car, Kevin's got the car already set up. Like, we're good. Like, I think he's confident.

I think he's kept his confidence level. Justin's just tickled to death to be in the chase. So, I mean, I'm fully confident in Junior Motorsports on this one. See, I'm confident in Justin, to be honest with you as well, because Justin hasn't won a single race all year, which is this is how these things end up happening. Yeah. The guy that didn't win that he's not even on your radar goes in there and puts it all together.

Dylan did that a few years ago, didn't he? Yeah. Listen, I mean, it's happened a good bit. And so Al-Gyre, why everybody's worried about Eric Jones and other things. pick look at look at our guy man he's just going to sit there and just sneak he's going to win the championship on Saturday you heard it here first I'm so good on predictions well you you know what I told you about your cup one still may be there yeah your cup one's still alive and speaking of that I mean please tell me Mike I speak for everyone listening that that's who they're cheering for I don't know I I've not listened to reaction theater I certainly am going for Jimmy is 100% of my fiber and beef is going for Jimmy Johnson in this chase. I've got no other dog in this fight. I mean, I can't understand how anyone would cheer for Kyle Bush to win again.

I would legitimize this championship more than last year if you've been a long-time listener of this download. Carl Edwards still searching for his first championship. Some aren't the biggest fans of his that are listening to this at the moment. Or co-hosting. But he lost in a pretty gut-wrenching way to Tony Stewart five years ago, tied him for points but lost because he didn't have as many wins. So he's got a chance five years later again to win a championship. And then you've got Legano. And I mean, I don't need to go through all the reasons.

No, you got Legano and then Kyle Busch. Yeah. I just, I would think that everyone listening is cheering for the 48. and the fact that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to be there, hoping Jimmy Johnson wins and ties Richard Petty and his father so he can shake his hand. Man, that fires me up. That really fires me up.

How cool would that be? And they're great friends and have been for a long time. But if Dale Jr. gets that chance to be there to shake Jimmy Johnson's hand to say, man, you belong right there with my dad. How cool a moment would that be? Well, he's already said it. I mean, even if he doesn't win this championship, Jr. has said that Jimmy Johnson belongs right up there with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

Yep. But to get to reach that milestone. Yeah, for the statistic people, the ones that need that seventh championship to even consider it, yeah, it would be nice. And I'm telling you something. I speak on behalf of Dirty Moe Radio. We endorse Jimmy Johnson as our champion. Yeah.

And can I do that? Yeah. You did. I just did, didn't I? I love it. Kelsey, you're not going to take it out, are you? No, never. We will take Junior download presented by the Jimmy Johnson download.

Let's see what happens this weekend. All right, we got some radio chatter to listen to. It's been a while. Hey, Junior Nation, be sure to follow Nationwide 88 on Twitter and Facebook as well as on Instagram at NW88. They have some exciting stuff coming up in the near future and you don't want to miss it. Here's some radio chatter from What Happened in Phoenix. Go buddy. Go get him, man. Fastest car on the track. Money I got to do it.

His lap time. Gotcha, buddy. Your 10th faster, two-tenths the last lap. And they go. 59. It's a 90. Two to go. Floating up on the bottom. Stay low, stay low, stay low, stay low. Come on low. Come on low. Cauts is out. Causes out.

Keep your fans on. Keep your focus. Open this time. Stay out. Can you make it on fuel now still or is he gonna run out now? 20 car was good on fuel, we're good on field. The only one that won't well good on feel, you keep those things cleaned up, you keep the fans on, keep everything cool. Make sure you're cycling your engine just to... We got a better type.

Don't let them push your on and a restart like you did the last one. Go get it. Yeah, buddy. Just get you a great restart here, man. He's probably going to try to screw you around a little bit. Do your normal deal there. I pace cars in. Nice fish in.

Go get them. And get ready. Go, go, go, go. Go, go. Back to bottom. right bottom and just one outside keep coming coming inside and inside still across the bill he came across my nose like I wasn't even there those you were trying to block D we are the leader they got to let you in here I don't know how

many times NASCAR's got to tell us 88 22 8 okay now they're putting us behind the four come on 88 22's what they just said now they're putting us behind the four again so drop low how is that Thompson came out we were in front of them I I mean, they say that we're, they're maintained pace, but there's a car in front of us. They weren't even, everybody was still going fast. Like, you know, we were just slowing down because there was a wreck. Yeah, I got turned sideways and he came across my nose, like, try getting your back up in the front there. I mean, we had to check up because he's in the way.

We can't just plow through him. They really need to check that. Now, we are 20-car news and 18 hedge-off, allways, and everything. You know, they two truck up high, steer-hills. And they go back to the last. Yeah, I think they really need to re-look at that. Put inside the 11, on you tight. Checker flag right here inside.

Checker flag. Inside. Good job, buddy. For our good job all day. He sure did a great job all day. It's radio chatter presented by Nationwide. I'll tell you what. I know you level-headedly, if that's a word, or two words.

It is now. Okay. You describe what Steve O'Donnell said on Sirius XM on Monday morning. I'm sorry. It's not, still, even after listening, after watching the race, on Sunday and listening to that right there. That's not acceptable because they're right. They didn't have anything to do with the wreck.

They were brought, collected in the accident. Absolutely the 88 should have been restarted in the number one position. Now, did Alex have enough car to hold off everyone? I'm not so sure. And he just said it at the end there, obviously after the accident. But he came up, like Alex said, he came across his nose there. And there's nothing he could do. It was fascinating listening to that.

You could tell how badly Alex wanted to all of them wanted to win. Man, in a way, it certainly is gut-wrenching to listen to. It's fascinating, too. He's a wheelman. What a day he had. I do. I hate it for him because I really thought for hours, I thought, Mike, wow, the 88 might win Phoenix again. I know.

Yeah. You know, that race that showed that Alex certainly can race with. with the best out there. I mean, he can race with them and he can contend. And it also showed that, and I know we've sort of repeated this recently with Jimmy Johnson's resurgence and Chase Elliott doing well, but if we could just say it again, Hendrick Motorsports, whatever they were lacking earlier in the year and speed, I think they found it. I think they're back, guys.

Jimmy Johnson absolutely could be considered one of the favorites to win this thing because I'm telling you, man, they bring speed again. It didn't take long. They fell off that top of the mountain there for a little while, but boy, they bounced back fast. You're not supposed to bounce back that fast. They did it. They're fast. Well, I think it says a lot about the way that the five has driven throughout the chase.

Even though he's not in it, they've had consistent speed. And I mean, you can look at each team in the improvement they've made, all four of them. Yeah. And it is. It's been very impressive, and it's one of the many reasons why you hear all the enthusiasm of Dale Jr.'s voice about getting back into the car in 2017. It's time now for Reaction Theater. I bet this will be lively. Let's hear it. Great job, Alex Bowman, but I'll be damned if I wouldn't put the 18 in the wall. We're starting it off. Well, I told Dale, or I said it, you know, Dale wondering how fans do it. Well, we start getting in touch with our destructive habits, our destructive thoughts,

and we want to inflict pain. Yeah. Can you imagine if something like that happened in almost said how crazy this off-season would be? All right. There once was a man named Bowman, whom Dale Jr. called the showman. He went down low with one restart to go, and Fibb, Kansas, and all of them screwed it up. You beeped one, but then like, like, what? Why does the last one get in?

No, I didn't. No, I beeped a different word. I know that, but I'm saying, how did the last word get in? You're cool with shit, right? I mean, I am. Clearly. Clearly, I thought that was a word we could use. She likes that.

It was a proper time to use that. Yeah, I felt. Listen, here's the thing. No matter what you say, if Kelsey echoes that sentiment, then she's going to let her go. She's let her fly. She ain't going to beep it out. My mom listens this show, so I can't let the other word fly, but I can let fly. So that's how we vet things these days.

What would Kelsey's mom do? Welcome to the Kelsey Tucker era. Officially, we have entered the Tucker era of the Dale Jr. Down there's right. Who's next? Kyle Bush is an ass. When is that dude going to learn? Please, NASCAR, take his license away. Okay, Taylor, it's on you now.

I'm asking you, did you have a problem with what Kyle Busch did? Well, I tend to always have a problem with what Kyle Busch does, but no. No, I didn't because I think that the way that restart went, Mike, I think that kind of was one of the reasons for that happening. So, no, I mean, the guy's trying to get into the chase or into the championship. I can't really fault him from making that move. And certainly, Alex got a little squirly, but think of it. Let's take that out of the equation for a second, what Kyle Bush did.

If Matt Kenseth does not come across Alex Bowman's nose, we're not talking about that. That's right. We're talking about Alex Bowman being at the perfect place on the track, on the bottom, to try to make a move. And like you said, I don't know if he could have made it or not, but he's the perfect place on the track on the bottom to try to get past the 20 and win the race.

So to me, listen, like you said, I do. I feel terrible for the spotter and for Kenseth and the championship ruined in that moment. But that is what, in my opinion, is the bigger thing that caused. lost Alex a chance to win the race. Yeah, I mean, if any, if anything, Kyle might have made him sort of pushed him into the right place. Right. Right.

But if anything, Kyle Bush making that move basically ensured that Alex was going to stay hugged down on that bottom line because he, Alex went to block. So without it, then the debate would probably flare up more. Who can't, did Alex go up or did Matt come down? Well, I promise you, in this case, Alex didn't go up. up because he was blocking Kyle. All right, who's next?

Man, what a phenomenal job by Alex Bowman. That was one of the most exciting races I've seen since Dale Jr. has been out of the car. If I wouldn't have known any better, it would look like Dale running around Phoenix in that car. So such a great job. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Dale, let's see, here's the difference in experienced Dale versus Alex, who is inexperienced, but still very talented.

Dale would have not had a bad restart. And I know that I sort of set myself up for that cliche joke that we have on here about Dale and his restarts, but Dale fixed that problem. Dale has been really good on restarts. Master restart. Right, yeah. Ron Hornaday over here is. So I think that I think Kenseth would have had no opportunity to cut down because Dale would have been right there.

Right there beside him. Sean, force of restarts. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. There was a point. I would have never thought I'd say that, but we got past it. It was fun watching Junior watching the race because he said he was either screaming for joy or ready to vomit. And that's how we are every week, every friggin' week. I miss him so much in the car.

And I think it would be really cool if Junior is Elliot's crew chief next week. No goodness. I mean, bummer on the penalty. Stupid friggin lug nuts. Sadler asking for Junior to be his crew chief, how cool would that be? I would love to see them go to the championship. You know what? So Sadler did say that as a joke in his interview.

Let's just be real. Let's just call it what it is. I don't think Elliot wants to go into his championship race with a first-time crew chief. Not first year. I'm talking never crew chief in his life. Yeah, I don't think Dale wants Elliot to have Dale as his crew chief. Love Dale. Don't want him as our crew chief.

Dale will be in the perfect spot to cheer him on and hope Elliot or Justin gets championship. Can you be a car owner and a crew chief? Well, yeah, Junior Johnson. Okay. Was Junior Johnson the actual crew chief of those? Like, I know Ray Evanham was it. Ray Evertonam was he? He actually the crew chief?

No, I don't think he was. I think they had their own crew chiefs. He had Tommy Baldwin. Junior Johnson was. Junior Johnson was a crew chief? Oh, yeah. When he was the owner? I'm sure he was.

Back then, though, they did those things. Yeah, just do whatever. It's different era. Junior Johnson probably started the race as the driver and ended as the crew chief or vice versa. I mean, like, they don't care. He had a 9 million gallon tank of gas in there, too. Right. Who's next?

Holy shit. What the race, man? I feel bad for Bowman. He had absolutely his best car on track all weekend long. Hey guys, this is the little John, the crazy Caging down here at the Philadelphia, Louisiana. Alex, great job, dude. That was fucking awesome. Team 88, great job all day.

Greg, I have great, great car you brought to the track, man. I feel bad for Alex. But you know what? It was bound to happen. I mean, late rate collarsions at Phoenix or another new when you know is going to happen. I just got one more thing to say, Joey Legano and fucking Kurt Busch.

And fucking Kyle Busch. I'm out. Okay. Apparently, Kelsey's mom endorses a s s' shit, too. Yeah. I just, yeah, I don't have to get rid of that one, too. No, no, don't. We got to leave it in.

Okay. Kelsey's mom says, this is okay. Listen, I was up until 1 a.m. doing this, so I might have missed a few here and there. This is Kelsey's first experience with the reaction theater late night run. Can you imagine, I mean, we have had some shocking things happen in our country, no doubt. But can you imagine if Kelsey was running the Federal Communications Commission, what we could get away with? Like Donald Trump would even be a little embarrassed about what Kelsey would say. All right, who's next?

Damn it, Kyle Busch. Alice Bowman, the showman was doing it up, man. Freaking Kyle Busch. Him and Joe Lugano, the only way they can win a championship is by taking out Matt Kenseth. Well, at least my Cowboys won a day. How about them Cowboys? Tell yet. Oh, my goodness.

They're on fire. What would Dale say to that if he knew that the Cowboys made a reaction theater? I know. have a big win they did they came back and beat pittsburgh yesterday crazy game okay all right well how about them how about the cavalry i think he would say you know what the redskins won and i think it it all matters to how many cowboys are on dale's fantasy team would probably what dale would say yes the miami dolphins have won four straight games and that's all that matters to anyone listening so you know who didn't win the panthers oh they blew it first name would be sulking today

How's Tyler today? I haven't seen Tyler. We ought to check on him. You know, speaking of Tyler, Tyler on this download last week, said it was a foregone conclusion that Harvick was going to win Phoenix. You remember this, Kelsey? Yep, I remember it. I mean, numerous times.

Oh, you know, Kevin's going to win. The four is going to win Phoenix. He always wins Phoenix. I mean, almost suggested not to watch the race. Yeah. Yeah. He was very confident. I thought about that the entire time.

I was going to crush him at Bowman won that race. Oh, wait a minute. I better not see you celebrating here because you said Harvick was going to win this thing. Well, he went alone in that. Everybody picked Harvick. Because Harvick wins a lot at Phoenix. But eventually, Harvick doesn't win Phoenix. So, you know, Tyler, you know, it's like you're going to be wrong eventually if you keep picking Harvick.

But listen, don't let me stop you busting his chops. I was going to say, you're usually the one that bust over streets chops. So I was just trying to participate this week. Just have a little fun. He did a good job last week. Did a good job. Who's next? Some turd was arguing with me on Twitter the other day

about me calling Bowman, showman Bowman, and he said he ain't shown nobody. I'm hoping that this old boy gets it done not only for the 88 team and also for me so I can tweet this team moron these race results. I had a guy go with me on Twitter this morning. So I listen to this. This is funny. I was relishing in the fact that Alex Bowman being up in first and second and third place,

depending on what lap it was, was affecting the chase outcome. Like it was affecting, like, again, you had Kyle Bush that was in fourth, but still out of it. And, you know, Alex was sort of this thorn in a lot of these guys who we don't particularly care for in their side. So I write a tweet. What did I say? I said, you race all season and Alex by God Bowman will decide whether your ass is advancing to the finals. This is beautiful, okay? That's what I said.

This morning, guy comes at me, he says, Kenseth came down on the 88. Kenseth's fault not Alex Bowman's. Get over it. I'm like, I wrote that tweet with 50 to go, man. Alex was leading. But this guy just reads it. Then I guess if you're going to, you know, come at me late like that, it doesn't make sense to you.

Or maybe you're going to misinterpret it. But I went back at it. You did? Yeah. Rightfully so. Get your facts straight, fellow, before you make it go with me. What's up? Like in my position.

I just see. If you follow me, you don't follow me, but for any other reason that I'm affiliated with this organization and with the team with Dell. Why would I be sitting there talking crap about Alex Bowman and causing a wreck and ruining it for Matt Kenseth? Why would I do that? What about the hundreds and thousands of people that retweeted and tweet it and favorite. Did you, did you react to them when they fist pumped and said that's awesome? Or do you just respond to the one moron? No, I send them all money. I send them all money. Good. If you engage with my tweets, I send you cash. Straight cold cash. Man, I need to get on that. I'm not kidding. I was thinking

just the same thing. Yeah. Start retweeting Mike. I'm going to just send a picture of Mike Davis on my Twitter. Who's next? Matt Kenseth should have been out of the chase shoot. I think they should have just let, They should just let Jimmy and whoever else run and let Jimmy just win it. Just call it right now. Jimmy Johnson, seven-time champion. Anyway, good race. Dale, yeah, like Alex, can't wait until Junior gets back in the car. I hate to take it away from Alex, but I think Junior would have won that.

Anyway, talk to you later. And I will experience. It does matter. It does. And look, I mean, Junior's won in Phoenix before. Junior was the defending champion of that race. Yep. And Alex will be a better racer because of this experience.

I just hope he doesn't knock himself down too much. because like Junior said, he'll replay that last 50 laps in his head for the rest of his life, or at least until he gets that win. I just hope he gets a lot more chances. That's it, you know. I think that the more chances he gets, I think it absolutely will happen for him. But I think he'll be okay. I think this guy clearly has been able to handle a lot of adversity this season.

He hasn't been put in the easiest position, and he's handled it beautifully. Who's next? Can't stand you call Bush. The only good thing that happened is it was. least car mix out of the chase. Why is everybody making a go at Kyle Busch? Like I get at the hatred for Kyle Busch, but I mean, so many calls.

Really, really. Kyle was feeling bad about it after the race. Yeah. No, there were a ton of reaction theater calls this week with hate towards Joey and Kyle. Just. Well, I can understand the hate towards Joey because, I mean, you know, nobody

wants to see him win. But, yeah, the Kyle, that's people just don't like Kyle Bush but there's if you're looking if you're trying to be objective which I know a lot of us don't try to do I don't think we can

say anything about Kyle Bush's being in that position because like you said it gave out if you want to argue anything it put Alex on the spot on the track you needed to be so all right who's next well old bone put the car up out front start to race weekend off

and I got it kept her up front all that wasn't scared. Just because they had the chase going on. He didn't get, he got right in the middle of that shit. Somebody signed his ass up next year. But go back to the Elliot Sadler thing that happened yesterday. I don't understand how they can suspend the crew chief when he wasn't going over the wild titan the damn lug nuts.

He didn't have nothing to do with it. Anyway, I guess he could celebrate the championship with the team. well no you got to suspend the guy that's in charge of the pit crew I mean think about it like god if if if if if forget in racing like if if if a running back got got suspended every time they screwed something up missed a block missed a blitz or something I mean you know eventually you run out of people to actually put out there but I don't know you got to go yeah we I'll put it this way junior motorsports understands the rules and we do not dispute the rule we know what the rules are we just think

it's unfortunate that we were in that position you know it's and to be honest with you we talk to the guy I mean we get our pick crews from hindrance they don't work at junior motorsports um and the guy felt like he had all of those lug nuts loose we were even uh curious about whether you know, maybe a gun malfunctioned, or maybe there was some situation, but there was really no worry that he left something loose. We would have come back in and addressed it. Yeah. Well, I know you guys will make an announcement later this week about what will happen,

but in terms of whose responsibility is what, but I hope it doesn't impact them negative. I mean, there is certainly some concern that it will, but I hope it doesn't. And I hope that when the race is over on Saturday night, that people, especially Sadler and everyone associated with junior motorsports, will feel like they were able to give their best effort. Yeah, we'll have a game plan.

We'll have a game plan. And we've got our car that's like Kelsey was saying. It's already set up. So, you know, you want your guy on the pit box, but we don't have that situation, so we're not going to worry about it now. We're going to make our plans and go try to win a title. Okay, Kelsey, do we have one left? This is the last one.

Okay, because I feel like you might have hit a button and we might have heard a little bit of data, so here we go. This is him. Well, as you might be able to tell, I'm pissed off. My fat ass is out running my damn neighborhood in Texas. Sunday night, I'll tell you, I ain't mad at Alex Bowman. Not mad at any of them guys. I'm not even mad at Mad Kansas. Matt Kensers didn't want to do that purpose.

The last thing Matt Kensers wanted to do is get in that. now it's Bowman and ruined its championship dreams. I tell you what I am mad at, though. It's Sunday, f*** night, and I know Kevin Meandering isn't going to crew chief, Elliot Sadler, and Homestead. It's Sunday, fucking night, and I haven't got a call yet from Junior Motorsports, asking me when I can be in town to get the car set up. I mean, I can crew chief circles around Robin, Pemberton.

What kind of fucking name is that? Robin? A victory for the number one, or even because of my presence, a victory for the number seven. Don't make this mistake, Jr. Give Dado a call. Hell yeah. Robin Pemberton. So Kelsey doesn't know this, but Daddo has been campaigning for a crew chief job for quite some time. Years.

Years. And Kelsey also doesn't know that when he really gets frustrated, he goes out for a run. And this is a run. Kelsey, we had a run a few years ago after a bad race in Chicago, and it completely changed the fortune of the 88 team. for the remaining nine races. In fact, if the current format that we used today was used that year, Daylor and R. Jr. would have won the championship.

And this all happened because, well, at least Dato, and to some degree I would want you to believe that it happened because Dato went for a run. Changed our fortunes, significant. And he hadn't run since until today. Mike, what are the chances that Lance McRue will be crew chiefing? this weekend. Oh, that's a good idea. At least to let Datto think that that's what's happening.

Right. That's awesome. That's really good idea. I wish I'd have thought about that. Yeah. Yeah. We announced that Lance McGrew will crew chief Elliot Sattler. I mean, I think that the only thing worse would say if we announced submarine Mike as the crew chief.

I would love to hear Dato's thoughts. I might have to watch this periscope, rant scope, whatever he calls it, just to see his thoughts about. the potential of McGrew. By the way, interim crew chief. I saw Dattoe Texas this past week. I know you did.

We talked a lot about it. And I have a sloppy yellow shirt. Nice. If you would listen to the Dale Jr. Download, you would know that we talked about you autographing the bus. We talked about the shirt,

the picture that you guys took. Datto hanging out with the crew at times during the long rain delay. We were all over it, man. Texas Motor Speedway. I did listen. If you'd like to go back and listen

And the good news is you can go to Dirty Moe Radio's Twitter handle. You can go to Dale Jr.com. They're available by podcasting. I don't need to. Go back to any episode you want. Don't need to. I listened in the tree stand, actually. Okay.

This probably explains why I didn't come back with a deer. As a matter of fact. Remember to call Reaction Theater on Sunday following the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway. You can call 855740 1902 after the checkered flag flies. Special thanks to Spy. better, feel better, perform better. It's the happy lens featured exclusively on spy sunglasses. Learn more at spyoptic.com.

Let's throw the white flag. White flag right there, white flag. A big thank you to Exalta for everything they do for Dirty Moe Radio. That flashy Exaltza paint scheme will be back on the number 88. Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports for the final race of the season at Homestead, Miami Speedway with Alex the showman Bowman behind the wheel. Be sure to go follow Exaltor racing on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest news.

It's the last week to vote for most popular driver. Make your vote count. That's right. Elections are not over. No. In fact, it's just, that was a warm-up. Yeah. To the election that really counts.

Most popular driver. Let's get Dale that 14th consecutive MPD award. Stiff competition this year with Chase Elliott on the ballot, but we have confidence. You all will help make it happen again for Dale. Vote daily through Sunday at mostpipulardriver.com. Winner will be announced at the NASCAR Awards Bank. in Las Vegas on December 2nd. Taylor, why are you laughing?

Because you're reading it like Tyler Overstreet. Guess who wrote it. Yeah, Tyler Overstreet. Right. Huge week ahead for junior motorsports with both Elliott Sadler and Justin Algar in the running for Saturday's NASCAR's Finney Series Championship at Homestead. So that means boss man Dale. Tyler just wrote Bossman Dale.

I mean, like he might as well just put, that means water cooler Dale will be out in full force to support the guys on the track Saturday. I'm Ron Burgundy. In the morning, he's got a few. Hold on, I got to, we can't bust on Tyler too bad because he listens and then he gets offended. I'm busting on you because you were going to read anything that he's put in front of you right now. That's kind of where I'm at in my life. I will just read whatever you put in front of me.

In the morning, he's got a few things on the docket for our Xfinity partners, but once the race starts, he'll be on one of the pit boxes supporting Salller and Algeyer. So, but which pit box will water coolerdale be on? Why not the 88? He could surprise everyone and sit on the 88. Right. I mean. Oh, now I see why you just got offended.

I'm offended now. Because you are the 88 PRR. I'm the 88 PRR. Now it makes sense to me. Yeah. Well, make it happen, Kelsey. I will. Make it happen like, you know, like bombs on reaction theater.

But I feel like that's the, like that's a level place to sit as the 88 because we're not in it either way. And so we don't want to show favoritism, you know? Well, save him a seat. Invite him. Send him an E.E. Evite. An Eivite. Send him an Eivite. Will you do it?

All right. Let's see. What was I on Tyler's script? That race fires off Saturday at 3.30 p.m. Eastern on NBC Sports Network. Sunday, Alex Bowman, will be in the number 88 exalted Chevrolet for the Sprint Cup series finale at 2.30 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC. Some unfinished business from Phoenix. So look for him to be strong up there doing his best to help Jimmy win that championship. Wow.

So what if? Bowman shows up at Homestead with the same type of horse that he had at Phoenix. But what if Jimmy is up there in second place or first place or starting alongside him? What do we do then? This is a precarious situation. Kelsey, what do you do? I don't know. I mean, I wouldn't like wreck anybody intentionally.

Not that Alex would ever do that. I don't know why the thought even crossed your mind. I think if Alex Bowman was a future at Hendrick Motorsports, he will be careful in that situation. But I know what I'm cheering for. I mean, listen, I love Jimmy, a huge Jimmy fan. You're rooting for him to finish second. I'm cheering for the 88.

Bowman the showman. Get past him. Do whatever it takes. Yeah. If anybody comes on the radio, say, offer me a full ride. Yeah. That's what you ought to do. If Bowman is in first place, and they're like, okay, listen, Alex, Jimmy is in third.

He's going to restart right behind you. Alex should bargain. He should negotiate under caution. Well, how important is this championship to you, Mr. Hendrick? It's very important to me. He goes, well, how important. Can you imagine the legendary status if he were to say that? He would be my hero.

That would make radio chatter presented by Nationwide next week. Or even if he restarts behind him. And Jimmy. Mr. Hendrick, are you on the channel here? Yes, I am. Alex, go ahead. How important is that Jimmy stays in the lead right now? Alex.

If you want to keep racing for us. You know, I'm not asking for a full-time ride. Maybe just a seat on your helicopter from time to time. Yeah. I mean, I would get whatever you can get if you're Alex. I've got my phone right now. Can you email me a contract? Right.

Can you believe that we have only two more shows remaining? Is that right? I thought we had one. Just one. After this show, then we have one. Okay, so this counts. Yeah, this is our two. We have had such a great season,

and we really want to thank Exaltor for their continued support to Dirty Moe Radio. We want to remind everyone that although our season is about to come to a close, you can still listen to our podcast and all of Dirtymoor Radio's podcasts anytime on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, etc. Thank you again to all our listeners, and be sure to rate and review us on iTunes. Also, you can tweet and Facebook us with any suggestions for next season. Unless you're that guy that made a go at me today, I don't care what you got to say, buddy.

I don't care your opinion. There's some people we just don't want to hear their opinions, actually. Can we say that? I got something for you to finish things up here today. I thought that you might enjoy. Let's hear it. All right. Well, it sounded like this on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

quick snap here's just a jet sweep to the left of Stewart Stewart's got daylight through the gut he might go all the way forget it our garius Stewart 67 yards touchdown Alabama listen I can appreciate that Alabama scored that touchdown and everything but Taylor you are really good at the big play man calling the big play like still my favorite call of yours is that college world series baseball walk off

that is an all-timer but man you You do the big plays very well. I don't know. And you can't prepare for that, can you? I guess you can. Well, you know, you try to have fun when those big moments, but I thought for your Crimson Tide, you might enjoy that. Hey, but let's just say this real quick.

What a crazy weekend for college football, huh? Crazy. Two, three, and four, all lose first time since 1985. That's happened on the same Saturday. So it was a wild day. Alabama's number one. The next team deserves to be ranked number nine. Great stuff today, man.

Man, it was, I tell you what, It was a lot of fun to have that kind of passion, that kind of interest, that kind of emotion associated with the race. You hate that it ended that way for the 88 team, but, man, you've got to be so damn proud of the way they race their ass off on Sunday. There you go. There's a couple of them for you, Kelsey. For Kelsey Tucker, for Mike Davis, for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Man, we're proud of Alex Bowman. I'm Taylor Zarzer.

You've been listening to the Dale Jr. download presented by Spy. This is Kelly Earnhardt Miller. Tune in every other Wednesday to listen to Fast Lane Family right here on Dirt. Dirty Mo Radio. Thanks for listening to Dirty Moe Radio.