The Dale Jr. Download - 321 - Kyle Larson & Rick Hendrick: Second Chances

Episode Date: October 28, 2020

In a Dale Jr. Download exclusive, we sit down with Kyle Larson for his first interview since being reinstated into NASCAR. In May the use of a racial slur during an online race resulted in Larson's suspension from NASCAR and the loss of his Cup Series ride at Chip Ganassi Racing. Larson opens up about how he used that time to educate himself and experience true life change. Now, he's getting a second chance in the big leagues. We speak with Larson and his new car-owner Rick Hendrick about one of the biggest announcements of the year.Larson opens up to Dale Jr. about his road back to the top-level of the sport, and how his approach and work to get back, needed to not just check boxes. The California native, known to be one of the most diverse talents in the sport of Auto Racing, explains how learning about social diversity has created that true change. Larson says he has something to prove and he'll get that chance in 2021 piloting a #5 Cup Series car for Hendrick Motorsports.During the period that Larson was suspended, he traveled coast to coast, collecting checkered flags at grassroots dirt tracks. In 82 dirt races, he amassed a staggering 42 victories. Larson discusses the mind-blowing success and if he'll still get to strap in at Short Tracks now that he has signed with Hendrick. Speaking of dirt, Dale Jr asks him about next years' dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway and how he thinks the race may go.After Larson's interview, we dial up Rick Hendrick for his take on signing Larson to drive for Hendrick Motorsports. Mr. H shares his thoughts on why he believes Kyle Larson deserves this second chance. He talks about channeling his inner-Earnhardt to bring back the original number that started Hendrick Motorsports. Rick also answers questions about the youth-movement in his driver-lineup and if he will let Larson, and his other drivers, compete at local race tracks on the side.In the AskJr segment, we find out Dale's thoughts on whether NASCAR could race with rain tires on ovals. We also find out the truth on how the deal went down that put JR Motorsports Late Model driver Josh Berry in the team's Xfinity Series ride in 2021. Also, Jr. discusses his favorite cameos.Just when you think the show was over and the bow was tied, Dale Jr. introduces the DJD gang to shredded beef jerky. 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.

Doesn't seem to be anybody around here. There surely must be somebody in the place. The following is a production of Dirtymo Media. Hello, very much of Big or Dirty here. Shall I take your hat and coat? That's how'd make a good story. I'm afraid I'm not much of a handler story, Tilly. You tell us then.

Where did this remarkable experience occur? Does this fellow seem to have any fear of the chair? Not at all. Totally unconcerned. No, the phenomena are. have been describing is not as easily explained in what you've just heard. I believe the legend is about to come true. Hey everybody, it's Dale Jr.

Back again for another episode of the Dale Jr. download. Today's show, we're going to have Carl Larson come on and talk about his road to recovery, his road back, his story of second chances. excited to hear what he's what he's going to tell us we're also going to get rick hendrick in the studio well on a zoom call actually and rick's going to give us his side of the story as an owner why he wants to team up with kyle larson i think i know the answers to that question is but let's see what he has to say mike davis is here matthew dillner lea everybody in the house so mike uh we've been i've been trying to get kyle to come on the show

for a long time. Months. I reached out to him and he said, look, I'm not ready yet. But I will be happy to come on and talk to you when I am ready. Well, the time is now

as things are starting to come to light about what his plans are for the future, we're going to get a chance to speak to him. So I know you're pretty excited about this too. I'm looking forward to it. You know, listen, everybody needs to always be striving to

become better versions of themselves. And a lot of times you glean information from other people's experiences. And listen, you know, for better or for worse, Kyle Larson has gone through an experience, and I think everybody wants to see, is he changed? What's happened? I think that if you don't feel like he is, then it'll come through. You know, people are pretty smart when it comes to that stuff. So I'm eager to get him in here and let's literally have a conversation with him and see, you know, like, well, you know, what we can take out of this. And, you know, I'm excited for him. I love redemption stories.

I love it when people, you know, extend grace in places where you don't have to. I think that we're seeing that out of Mr. Hendrick. I think we're seeing that out of, you know, the NASCAR community. But I don't think it comes without a price. And I'm curious to see if he has, you know, paid that price and what he's going to be doing in the future. All right. Do we want to bring in our guest, Kyle Larson? bring him in.

Age of five, Kyle Larson has only wanted to be a race car driver. When I get out of high school, I'd like to maybe move to Indiana and run with the USAC guys. He's up and Lucasar Raceway fast time. You've seen him in a bitch. I don't like having to wait six days to go racing. It's Wuss-U-Sack-Nash-Widgit. It's here for the talent in Kyle Larson. He spins him out.

Larson wins in Daytona. Oh, my. As he comes to the checkered flag, Kyle Larson's going to win in the Sprint Cup series. Larson out to the immediate lead. Finish at River City Speedway. Here he is, y'all. There he is. Come on in, buddy.

How you doing? I'm good. Yeah. Good. All right, man. So, hey, I've asked you to come on the show many months ago. I know you've been busy doing a lot of things racing and working your way back to try to reinstateed so we appreciate you coming on just want to catch up with you man see how you

doing the news that I guess you are officially reinstated yeah right officially and so help me understand what what the process is like um I you know when I don't think anybody really knows exactly what a driver has got to go through to get reinstated and what's NASCAR expect out of you in that process yeah so um you know right after I got suspended um you know I went home to California just be around family but while I was out there I started my sensitivity training and it was a little different I think than normal just because of COVID so it was all on Zoom and you got to do some things there to learn you know more about you know my derogatory term that I that I'd used and and it was good to do the sensitivity training but once I was done with that I felt like there was so much

more that, you know, I wanted to do to learn. And that's how when I came back here, I kind of got to work and, you know, hired a diversity coach, Doug Harris, and then, you know, started my journey to, you know, do good. And that was nothing that, you know, they required me to do, but it was all stuff that I wanted to do to better myself and learn more. And I felt like it was all beneficial. Looking at the timeline, the sensitivity training that NASCAR asked you to do, you completed that within a couple of weeks. Yeah. And then the rest of that stuff you took upon yourself. What was probably some of, and I recognize some of the things that you did,

some of the people that you worked with, such as Rise. What was some of the things that you've been involved in, some of the training and some of the other things you've experienced? What are some of the things that stood out to you, some of the experiences that you really enjoyed? Well, I've done a lot, and I've raced a lot since then. You know, racing sprint card and stuff, but, you know, while I've been racing, I've been trying to find things to do,

that are close by to the racetracks I can hit. So like when I went to, when I raced in Minnesota early this year, I got to get linked up with Tony Sonna and his foundation. And, you know, that was during COVID. So all we could really do is just, you know, help, you know, pack and deliver food, which was nice and just trying to do good things.

The following week, I raced in around St. Louis. I got to meet Jackie Joyner Kersey. I've been racing a lot in Pennsylvania this year. So I got to do some things at the Urban Youth Racing School, which I've done in the past with Chevrolet and Chip Ganassie racing. So that was good to get back and help them guys out. And just there's been a lot. You know, I've had a lot of conversations with different people,

whether it be on the phone or in person. So it's all been, you know, very, very helpful for me. And I plan on, you know, continuing to do, you know, more of what I've already been doing. So when you raced in the Cup Series, you often, you know, you wanted to do more dirt racing. than you were doing. You know, and you would talk about how that, you know, you wanted to eventually, you'd never really kind of been messed with the world outlaw as much at that point. That's all you've been kind of racing pretty much for the most part during this year is the

wing car, right? A little bit of midget stuff. Right. But in your conversations and in your media and stuff, I got the impression, and you can tell me if it's not through, but I got the impression like you had this like, man, and we all kind of do this, I think, as drivers, as we had this sort of dream world where we're going to end up in. And I think that, you know, you're racing in the Cup Series,

and that was very frustrating a period of time for you with your performance and your cars and all that. At Chip Ganassi, things were okay and then not okay. A car wouldn't, you know, a car wasn't there every single week. But, and you seemed along to run more dirt stuff, and you had not really tapped into the world out, stuff yet and you kept saying like man one day I just want to do that and I want to win a world outlaw championship I want to race against those guys on a regular basis that's where I want to end up right

um as is that that that's kind of what the messaging was as far as is that right uh I mean I don't I don't know you know I've I think everybody has a passion for what they started out in what got them to where they're at um I mean you've got a love for short track racing so I think it's similar in that way. And, you know, I wasn't, I didn't hate my time in the Cup Series at all. I enjoyed it. I would never have, you know, raced in the Cup Series if I didn't have fun and love the challenge. It was definitely challenging.

But I think when you don't get to do anymore what you used to do, and, you know, I'm at a young age, too. So I think always, you know, my passion was for sprint car racing, you know, led me to one day, when I'm done, you know, cup racing, because I've always wanted to have a long career in NASCAR, but whenever that day was done, you know, a bucket list item of mine was to, you know, compete with the world of outlaws. And then, you know, this year with the way everything, you know, kind of worked out, my situation, I've gotten to be a full-time dirt guy. And it's been, it's been, it's been, you know, good to kind of reflect on, you know, the road that got me to cup. And then it's made me want to get back even more, you know, to spend, you know, this year,

racing and traveling up and down the road, driving my motor home, and, you know, making memories my family has been a lot of fun, but it also is a good reminder that, you know, I loved what I was doing before, and I can't wait to get back. You were reinstated. I was curious, and I think everybody is, is did, you know, not did you think you would ever get back to NASCAR, because I think that, if I'm, if I'm being honest, you may have not known there for a period if your pathway back was going to, you know, fulfill itself or whatever. Did you want to, though? Like, was there a point when you said,

I'm going to be content with just doing this, you know, the world outlaws and the midgets and the sprint cars and, you know, maybe I don't really want to try to get back to NASCAR? Did you ever have that moment? I mean, I think there was a lot of, you know, emotions and thoughts and questions, you know, in the very beginning of, like,

what's my life going to be like now? You know, because if you are as, sprint car race you don't really need to be in North Carolina. And so like, you know, I had a lot of thoughts like, where am I going to live? Like, what am I going to do if I never, you know, get to race and cup again? But, you know, that was very early on. And then once I kind of got to work and could see there was maybe a light at the end of the tunnel, my focus is kind of on back to, what do I need to do to, you know, better myself, but also, you know, get back to the Cup series and be able to prove a lot of stuff personally as well as professional.

because I feel like I've got, you know, a lot of, I don't know, not unfinished business, but I feel like I'm definitely talented enough and deserving to be a cup racer. You know, I made it there once before. So I want to be a champion. I want to win a lot of races. You know, there's a lot, like I said, left to prove personally but also professionally. And, you know, that's why I've kind of dedicated myself to try and get back. When all this went down, right in a real short period of time, you just told your house.

And I didn't know, and I wonder if there were some things that you might have done or decisions you made at the front end of this that maybe you made in, you kind of pulled the trigger on too fast, or was that sort of a necessity for you to, you know, sort of reevaluate your financial situation and put yourself in a situation that you were comfortable with. I didn't know if you were moving back to the Midwest or to commit fully to just being a world outlaw guy and go after that dream idea that you had of racing in that series. But I mean, you're still in North Carolina. You're still local. Yeah. So, yeah, I was, you know, in the middle. We were almost done, you know, building the house, you know, kind of our dream home on the water and a big house. So obviously that costs a lot of money.

So with everything that happened, you know, to, to. make myself and our family more comfortable. It was a tough decision that we had to make of selling that. And we listed both homes, the one that we currently live in, just to kind of see, because we didn't know what, I didn't know where my life was going. So, no, we're still, you know, in that same house. And I love North Carolina.

I'd always said before, you know, even if I wasn't racing in NASCAR, I would probably still live here. but then when that turns into reality, you don't really know what you're going to do. And I remember going home to California right after it all happened and just bored on the computer and looking at homes out there and stuff. And it's just a lot to kind of process.

And once things slow down, you kind of calm down and take a breath and you make a plan of going forward. And you realize that, you know what, this is North Carolina's home to me now, and I love it here. And I've got a lot of friends here. and if I want to get back to NASCAR someday, this is where I need to be. All right.

So when was the very first interest from anyone involved in NASCAR from the ownership side to pin you as a driver? Well, I mean, I've had conversations with people more so on like the friend, you know, them being a friend and wanting to reach out for support. So, I mean, that kind of, you know, happened right away just from the support. side of things. And then I think as, as, you know, people learned about what I was doing off the racetrack, as well as on the racetrack, you know, racing sprint cars and having success there, but more so, you know, what I was doing to kind of, you know, better myself and repair my image.

I think that's when, you know, people got more interested in me. And then you're now, you know, being reinstated, it's kind of helped things out a lot. All right. So you're going to drive at Hendrick Motorsports with Rick. And I don't. I know you mentioned that he was one of the guys that reached out early, just in support. Yeah, no, he was also, you know, he was one that reached out, you know, right away, you know, to lend support. And then, like I said, once he, you know, heard about what I've been doing, I think that really impressed him and being reinstated, that's really, you know, helped things out a lot and got the ball rolling.

Yeah, I'm very, very thankful for the opportunity and he's an amazing person. So for me to be able to be by his side and learn a lot off of him and how he treats people and his kind of network of people, I think, you know, that I can be around, it's only going to make me better. And I'm really fortunate for it and looking forward to the future. Had you spent much time with Rick before? Did you know what kind of guy he was? I mean, just throughout like the garage area and stuff, you know, I'd always, you know,

say hi to him, shake his hand. And, you know, when we'd blow an engine up or something at Gannasi, you know, I'd always get back to the motor home. and I'd have a text from him right away. And so he's very passionate about the engine side of things and definitely feels bad when a team that's outside of Hendrick blows an engine and he feels terrible. So I think that just shows kind of how good of a person he is right there.

But like I said, I can't wait to get to spend more time around him and all the people at Hendrick Motorsports and become even better. That's going to be awesome. knowing that he's about to experience a relationship with Mr. Hendrick beyond the surface level, we all know how special that is. You're going to end up realizing that not only is it special to you, not only does he mean a lot to you, but you're going to realize that he's also probably important in your whole personal life as well.

That is what Mr. Hendrick continues to impress upon us even to this day. He's just an amazing human being. That's, so I really feel good about you being with him. That's a fantastic situation, right? Yeah, I agree with that. I think in terms of you trying to, you know, better yourself, I mean, getting involved with Rick, I don't know of a better owner that could put you in a situation to be able to, you know, feed off of what he can teach you and what you can gain from him.

Incredible man. Yes, definitely. It's done a lot for many, many people. So they're going to rebrand this 88 car into the five car. which I think is pretty cool. The five cars got a lot of great history in Hendrick Motorsports. I mean, obviously, I doubt that you really cared what number the car was, but do you, you know, do you tap into that history at all? Do you know anything about what the car might look like? Do you have any influence on that? Is that part of the story, anything you're involved in?

I have no idea what the car is going to look like. But yeah, you know, I know it's number five. They asked originally, you know, if I had a preference on number, and I don't care. I just want to race. And I've raised a lot of different cars and had different numbers and all that. So, but yeah, you know, I'm excited that it is number five. You know, it's the original Hendrick Motorsports number, and there's such a long history with that number. So I'm hoping that I can add to that history and hopefully get a lot of wins in that car.

You know, I'm pretty close with Casey Cain. So, you know, I believe he's the last one to drive the five. So I'm looking forward to getting in that. And, you know, they've won championships without numbers. So it's going to be really cool. So what does this mean with your dirt racing? You know, you're never going to stop. I imagine dirt racing are never going to stop trying to dirt race.

Have you had those conversations yet about how that kind of fits into your cup program? what Rick is you know because racing for Rick I kind of know their approach to things like that is he going to be you know lenient with you to allow you to do the things you like to do during the off season take trips overseas and so forth to go racing yeah no I've I think everybody knows like that's something that's important to me so they've made it you know sound like they're going to you still let me continue to race dirt cars when I can and and who knows that the schedule is similar to how it was this year with single day events I think that opens up a lot of opportunities for me to get back in race.

But there's always the priorities, whether that be meetings or appearances or anything that has to do with cup racing, that's where my full focus is going to be. And I'm never going to miss a meeting or anything like that to go off in dirt race. So I think as long as I'm taking care of the obligations that I got going on within Hendrick Motorsports, then they'll allow me to race dirt stuff. and hopefully if I'm not crashing too much in that, they'll let me still race too. Have you had a chance to get over to the shop?

I haven't. I haven't yet. Have you ever been to Hendricks? I've been to Hendrick one time in 2000, the end of 2011, when I kind of came to North Carolina, the first ever time to meet all different team owners and stuff and met up with Jeff Gordon there. And I think from there I probably went to Gnassie and sign my deal then.

That's great. You bring up Jeff Gordon. Has he been involved in the conversations with you and Rick at all? Yeah. Yeah, he has. He's been heavily involved. And he was actually the first person to reach out to me as far as like, hey, I think there might be, you know, something we can do, you know, as far as you driving for me.

So that's been really cool to have him, you know, involved. And, you know, he's been somebody I've looked up to since I was a baby. so and he's you know become a good friend of mine and you know just his background of racing dirt stuff I've always you know looked up to him and you know now to see him how involved he is and the ownership side of things outside of racing has been really cool to see and you know he's he's very passionate about it yeah I'm curious Kyle you know now so we've got an announcement that you're signed with a cup team it's Hendrick Motorsports so if we can like how would you characterize the

last four or five months for you? Like what has the experience been like? I'm sure it's a roller coaster but now you know you're back. We can kind of reflect for a second and what has what has happened in the past four or five months that will stick with you and maybe how have you become a better person? Well yeah it's definitely you know we speak about Jeff. I remember him call me you know the next day after it happened and he's like you know get ready it's going to be a roller coaster and he's absolutely right. You know, it's been a roller coaster of, you know, emotions, of, you know, obviously, you know, some of the darkest days of my life.

And then to kind of, you know, slowly progress from that and, you know, educate myself and just become a better person, a better father, better husband, through it all has been, you know, very, very good for me and good for my family and good for the people that are close to me. So, and two, you know, just, not racing cup this year and being you know traveling up and down the road like I said I'm the one driving the motor home to the race track it's just been stuff that I never thought that I would do especially at a young age so it's been you know fun to share those memories with with my two young children who you know Owen just started kindergarten this year so I've gotten to spend a lot of time

with them and and just like I said just become a better person and you know staying busy racing too I feel like I've stayed sharp and I think I'll be better than I was before as a race car driver, too. Well, help us become better people. Like, what specifically have you taken away and learned from it? So, like, because, you know, what I hope happens in this situation is that people can also learn from you. You know, when we had Bubba on, we took a put, made a moment. We wanted to listen to Bubba and try to learn and educate ourselves. And I feel like everybody needs to continue to be on this quest for educating themselves

and improving themselves. And so I'm gleaning a lot of what you're saying for my own, for my own personal reasons, because I want to be a better person. So what can you tell us? I mean, you've gone through three or four months. Maybe it was an experience that you did yourself. You know, maybe it was something that you can help other people become better versions

of themselves. Yeah. Well, I think what I've learned a lot, obviously, is that, you know, words matter and stuff that you learn a lot, you know, growing up. But, you know, now you've been a good reminder that words matter and, you know, accountability matters, apologizing for mistakes matters, treating others with people with respect matters. And too, you know, I've experienced a lot and gone to different places and things. And really, you know, I went to Minneapolis before, you know, the George Floyd stuff happened and you got to do the things with Tony

Sonny and his foundation. And then after George Floyd, I went back. And that was, that was really eye-opening to me and very impactful because, you know, we walked around, you know, where it all happened and just seeing people, you know, a lot of white people, you know, have, you know, taking people and putting their arms around them and holding their hands and hugging. It was just, it was very, like I said, eye-opening and impactful. And then, you know, kind of driving around where a lot of the city was impacted and damage and stuff. And I remember asking, you know, why would somebody damage their city like this? And, you know, they told me when they haven't felt like they've been accepted by their community, you know, they don't take any ownership in it.

So that was a really big moment for me and realizing kind of the privilege that I've, you know, grown up with. And it's not something that, you know, I've ever paid attention to. So, you, that was, that was very good. And just, it kind of, you know, like I said, it just opened my eyes to what all is going on in the world. I'm curious for both of you guys. And, you know, we can, I'm always wondering what is, especially in today's cancel culture, what is, how do you get people to forgive you? You know, no matter what happens, like, how do you get forgiveness? And what do they expect?

And I'm curious, what do you think people expect of you on a pathway back? to redemption? Is it an apology? Because you've done that. You did it the day after. Is it, you know, remorse? Is it extensive sensitivity training, which you've done? I'm looking at a timeline here. But like, what do y'all think is the thing that people expect to be able to forgive and move on? And I don't know that people, you know, there's always going to be some people that probably don't. But I'm just wondering if that, you know, how is it in today's society do you capture redemption? I think for me, I mean, it's all of what you mentioned, you know, apologizing and doing all of that. But it's also, I think the thing that goes the furthest is just actions and actually doing things rather than, you know, talking about it or trying to advertise what you've been doing.

That's been important to me is just to go out and do all these things, but don't, you know, don't try and, you know, promote yourself doing it. Because I think people will see through the BS. and so that's been important to me just to do those actions. And I think there's already been people that I think have forgiven me for sure, but it's definitely going to take a lot longer than just these six months or whatever it's been to really get people to forgive me and get to see who I really am. So that's important to me, and I know it's going to take a long time. And I know there's some people that may never, ever change their opinion.

of me, but that's not going to stop me from you're trying to prove who I really am. Well, I mean, if it transforms you for better, then that's the upside. I mean, like, you know, if people fail, if people choose to not recognize that, that's their decision. All you can do is what you can do. And if you feel like you have become a better person through this experience, it's really all you can control, right? Yep, yep. And if you can be proud of where you've come from, then I think that's important. You definitely took accountability right off the jump, and I do think that owning up to mistakes, I mean, everyone is flawed.

Everyone has mistakes. Certainly I've made mine, but you took ownership. I think that was also a big step in it. Do you have any thoughts to any of that? Well, I think yesterday I was talking to somebody about Kyle coming on the show, and they said, well, I hope he can be a good example for us, for him. everybody. Sure.

And I thought, man, that's as simple as it gets, you know, that I think we all really appreciated Kyle being a part of the sport, you know, back when you were racing in the cup series. And we've all followed you through your season, your year, on the track and off the track, you know, as you tried to sort of work your way back. And I think that if, I think that people want you to succeed. I think people want you to come out of this changed for the better and back on the racetrack and successful as they were hoping, you know, everybody had this sort of idea that, you know, man, this Kyle Larson, he's going to be a winner in the Cup series for a long time.

He's going to be around for a couple decades. And people still want that for you, you know, and for themselves, you know, to be able to, as fans of the sport. So I think people want to see you back and want to, you know, the majority of people want to see you as a good example of somebody that can. they can own it and work their way back and, like you say, Mike, show us. Show us. Yeah, show us how to be better examples or better versions of ourselves.

Right. So this is all ingrained in you. You think this has changed you for the better and it's rooted in you for forever. Yeah, for sure. I mean, I have gone through, you know, so much these last, you know, six months. And I think, you know, right off after it happened, you know, I mean, I think instantly it changed you. But then as you educate yourself more, it definitely continues to change you.

And I don't plan on stopping what I've been doing. Oh, is that right? You'll continue to do these outreach, community outreach things, even now that you've been back and you've got your ride. Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. Everything that I've been doing and we've trying to come up with things to do, I've never wanted it to be a check-the-box thing.

You know, I've, you know, I've, I've wanted to be authentic and genuine through it all. And I've always been that person, you know, to be genuine. And, yeah, I plan on doing, you know, more. And I've, you know, done a lot with the Urban Youth Racing School already. And I plan to do more with them and Tony Saunay's Foundation. And once things to, once they open up from COVID, it's been really hard to do things. Sure. You know, and actually, you'll be hands-on with stuff.

So I think once, once coronavirus goes away, hopefully someday, you all have more opportunity to do other things and kind of help out and be part of a solution. You mentioned the Urban Youth Racing League. You'd been working with them since 18, 2008, or even before that maybe? I'm not sure, but you'd been working with them for a couple years. Yeah, and really in the beginning, it wasn't much. You know, I would just go to their kind of year-end banquet things and speak to the children there and hand out awards, which was always always.

really fun, you know, to, you know, see videos of them running the go-carts and stuff like that. But to be around them was cool. But now, you know, I've been back a few different times already and gotten to, I bought them a couple of simulators for their school and got to hang out there and try and coach a little bit on what, you know, how to drive faster. And so, you know, there's just little things to like that. I just want to, you know, build a friendship with everybody. Yeah, that's a great program that's been in Philadelphia that's been around for a couple decades. I remember going to see them in 2000.

Yeah, that's right. I remember that. That's a lot of time. All right. So during this past few months, what we have seen Kyle do on a racetrack, do you think that people have now gained an actual new appreciation for the talent

that he is in a race car? I mean, because it is, listen, he's been dirt racing, you know, his whole life, right? but I can't now he had all the attention on him and then we get to watch him I wasn't watching dirt races that much

I knew he'd go out and win him a chili ball winning this but I didn't actually start watching dirt racing as much as I did just to see his performance which was blowing my mind and now I actually have a new appreciation for the talent that he is

maybe you knew it all long people knew it all long I didn't Do you think that people are now on to what Kyle Larson is in the fullness of his, of his talent and his capacity? I think you are, you are a part of a very small group. Okay. Yeah. Everybody knew.

I think so. I mean, I don't, I mean, personally for me, I don't, what Kyle's done this year, he's done 84 races, 42 wins. She said stupid numbers. Doesn't surprise me. Doesn't surprise you. Yeah. And I'm not saying this because you're sitting here, but like, what you've done this year,

It's amazing. Hats off, but it has not, like, change. It has not improved how I feel about Kyle as a driver already felt. Got you. Like, this was who he was. You know what I mean? So, but, and I think most of the people that know Kyle are, especially the people in the dirt industry,

and most of the people in the cup industry or the NASCAR industry, already knew that he was that guy. And he goes out and does that. And everybody's like, well, yeah, that's Kyle. That's what, he's that good. But I think it's good for people like you, you know, to get, get a bit of a... The race where he came out of freaking nowhere. Where were you?

Yeah, it's like, which one that he went in the infield? Right. Like in the last lap made that, just sick passes, going high, going low. What was that, Matthew? North Dakota. River cities, right? Yeah, yeah, something like that. Yeah, because you ended up tangling with him, going through the infield, working your way

back on the last lap. Yeah. No, it was, I've had a lot of, obviously, a lot of fun finishes this year and exciting ones, but that one, that one was really exciting, yeah, because. I guess the one thing I want to ask you is, so you're, you've been wanting to race world outlaws and you got to do a lot of that. Was it what you thought it would be? Was it everything you hoped it would be?

Was racing against those guys as rewarding for you as you thought it would be? Yeah, I mean, it's all been rewarding. I think what's kind of stood out to me this year, because I haven't just followed the World Outlaws. I've done, I ran with Tony's All-Star Series. I've ran USAC stuff. I've ran some Dirt Lake Model stuff this year. I've raised from Pennsylvania a lot.

So I think, you know, I've always, and I still want to run the World Outlaws tour someday, you know, compete for a championship someday, but I also, I think this year was a good reminder. Like, I'm the type of dirt racers. that doesn't want to follow a series. I've always wanted to be a versatile driver, and I don't think you can really showcase that if you're running one series. So I've had a lot of fun this year, racing all those different series and kind of doing what I want, and you know, picking and

choosing our schedule, taking a weekend off when we want to. What drove the schedule? Big money races. Yeah, yeah, we've tried to hit, you know, all of the higher paying races. If there's an all-star race that paid more than an outlaw race, we're going to do that. And logistically, too, it had to make sense. We're not going to go back and forth across the country and all that. So, yeah, I would say the money kind of drove the schedule, and that's kind of what a true outlaw does, you know, a dirt racer. So, no, it's been a lot of fun and it's been busy, but when you're having success, it makes it all kind of. You got to run a dirt late model.

Was that the first time you'd ever drove one? Yeah, yeah. I raced in Port Royal, I don't know, a couple months ago now. How was that? It was awesome. I really have always wanted to race a Dirt Lake model. I feel like their races are really exciting. And those cars are really unique,

and I've always wanted to feel what that attitude kind of feels like. How is it different? You just feel like you're laying over to the right side a lot. So we went and tested at Gaffney the week. leading up to Port Rowell, I think. And we broke after like 20 laps, transmission or something broke. But anyways, in those 20 laps, it was like, I don't even really think I felt like what the car was driving like.

I was more like, okay, what do I need to do to my seat position and stuff like that? Because I was getting war out just from laying so far over and all that. So after the test had to go, we tilted my seat way over, added a bunch of padding to my headrest and stuff like that. And then once we got to Port Rowell, I was a lot more comfortable. and we won. Whose car was that that you drove? Kevin Rumley. He works at Longhorn Chassy, and Terry Labani's son actually owns Longhorn. So, what? Yeah, so. Justin? Yeah. Yeah. So I think, you know, that's kind of a cool tie-in to the five also, so. That heard that name in a long time. Yeah. So,

no, it's been a lot of fun, and Port Royal was a great weekend. And then we went to the Dirt Track World Championship a couple weeks ago, and that's their biggest race a year, and I was terrible. So, it was uh would you to finish second is that you're terrible no no i had to take my first ever provisional to get into the main event so we had speed i just i just didn't do a good job yeah but now it's been a lot of fun and those cars are uh those cars are cool and in the fan base is huge in dirt late models so to kind of to tap into that was that's so interesting to me is that they're the fan bases and like so there's the there's the dirt guys and then asphalt guys but in the inside Inside the dirt guys, there's the late model guys, there's fans-wise.

You know, there's the late model fans, and then the world outlaw fans, and then the midget fans. And I had no idea that the fan base was so sectional or compartmentalized. And adamant that, you know. That their driver is better. Oh, yeah, yeah. Like it almost is personal, right? Yeah, it is. I have a lot.

I put a lot of pressure on myself going into that weekend at Port Royal because, you know, I've got, you know, I could read stuff and like late model fans are like, oh, he's going to, you know, suck. And then, but the sprint car fans, like, you know, he's going to, you know, your late mall drivers aren't good and stuff like that. Oh my gosh. I don't, like, it wasn't about that for me going to race the late model. It wasn't about, like, trying to prove that sprint car guys were better by any means. But I just wanted to have fun. But I was putting pressure on myself to, you know, make the sprint car community proud.

And, you know, I was able to do that and win. So that was good. but no, the fan base, I feel like, you know, just getting to be around both fan bases now. I have built my fan base a lot, so that's been good. And, you know, just getting to sign autographs for thousands of people and stuff every night. It's been really cool. And he didn't just go out there, by the way, just for Mr. Humble Harry here and go run his first late model, dirt late model race at Gaffney or some other weekly racetrack. He went against some of the best in the business that do it for a lot.

living. So sorry, sorry, but that is of note that you went out there against the best to the best in a discipline that you're not accustomed to. That speaks, in my opinion, to the talent of Kyle Arson. Thank you. Is there ever any animus from the competitors? Like, if you're literally going into the big money races. What does that even mean? Animus. I guess it arrives from animosity. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I just never heard that word used. I'm sorry. So was there ever any animosity from competitors if you're going in and you're determining your schedule based off of somewhat of a short-term basis and going to money and going in taking the booty and leaving, does that create some friction at all? I don't know, I guess you have to us.

It never got to you if it did. No, I never got to me if it did. And I think people, I mean, in the sport, competitors, it's the same thing in NASCAR. I mean, nobody really cares about what the purse is in NASCAR, but if somebody's out there dominating, I think, other competitors, although it might eat at them a little bit, you have that respect and you appreciate what they're doing. So I think that's been a lot of what this year's been. And a lot of my best friends do are in the dirt world and sprint car world.

So they've been really cool to be around, and I think they've been proud of what I've been able to do on the track. and I think they'll be happy when I'm not full-time. I bet you're right. I bet you're right, yeah. So who goes when your car, so the car you're driving now, when you're not running it full-time,

who's going to drive it? No, buddy. Paul Silva, he owns it out of California. Yeah, he's, he's, I mean, he's, he gets along great with me, and I think, you know, we each make each other better, and I think we both know that we're not as good without each other. Interesting.

And he doesn't like to race a lot. So I think he'll be happy when we're not racing 80 times a year or whatever it's been this year. But no, it's been fun with him. And like I said, if the schedules are still similar what they are this year, I think we'll still get to race quite a bit. So it'll be busy. Is the chili bowl still at the top of the list for you?

as far as like, hey, man, I got to go to that one. I got to be a competitor there. Well, yeah, I mean, you know, it's before the cup season, so I can be there all week, which is nice. And hopefully that event happens this year. I don't know, or I guess next year. I don't know. I haven't heard, but it's definitely an event that, you know,

I'll go to the rest of my life. It's just a unique event and a lot of fun. But there's also, it's been, you know, this year with COVID, you know, I finally get the opportunity to race, you know, all these big sprint car races. and they don't happen to a certain extent. So that's been a little bit of a bummer, but those races always be around,

and hopefully someday again I'll get to run them. Outside of going into NASCAR back into NASCAR next year and the races that you've mentioned over the years, like the Chili Bowl, is there anything new? Like, is your new sort of version of yourself, do you have other things, aspirations, other goals in racing that have cropped up or interest?

such as more 24 hours of Daytona, or is IndyCar still something that you'd love to have an opportunity to try, even if it's just a test? Or there are other big dirt races that you weren't on your list one day that now are? I don't know. I don't think anything like that has changed. Still, you want to win every cup race. They're all big.

The Bristol Night Race has always been the one to me that I get pumped up the most for. And now, I mean, the Bristol Dirt race is cool. Yeah. Holy We found one. We found one person that likes it. Yeah. Well, well, I hope it'll be an exciting race. But then, no, I mean, this year getting to run the late model is really, you know, and I had success. It's like, all right, now I want to go try and compete at the big races for those. You know, whatever be the world or the dream or to show me 100. You know, I want to run Fairbury. That's probably the new one for me. After getting to learn more about dirt late models this year is I didn't realize like Fairbury, this little tiny quarter mile is like, you know, the hub and like the most

exciting race fans around. So I want to be able to run Fairbury. They have a big race there next year on our off weekend too on my birthday, so I'd like to do that. Now I'm going to catch all kinds of grief for asking this question, I know, but where is that? Tell me more about that place. Fairbury, Illinois. It's just a tiny racetrack. I won a World Outlaw Sprint Car Race there last year. But I had, like I said, I had no clue that it was, like, you know, big for dirt late model racing. And that town revolves around dirt late model racing.

So that kind of stuff excites me. And I guess that history there makes me want to go there. But, no, I mean, there's, yeah, all the big races that I haven't gotten around. I've never gotten around Kings Royal at El Dora. you know, this year they didn't have it. Knoxon Nationals they didn't have this year. So there's still a lot of big races that I want to win, but they can wait. All right.

So we've never had an opinion of a dirt guy on the show about the Bristol dirt race. And, you know, everybody thinks they got an idea how that's going to work out. But you'd know more than most people. So when you heard about that idea of them putting dirt on Bristol, I mean, it's been done before, and maybe you've even had a chance to talk to some of the guys who experienced that with the World Outlaw cars when they were there. How do you think that's going to work out? Do you think that the track will provide – do you think the track will work? Do you think that – is it possible to get enough moisture in the track?

Well, in March, I don't think that I have an issue getting moisture in the track. That's my concern, I guess, with it because it is in March, I think, still. it always rains in Bristol and March. But will the fact that it's like only just, you know, a few feet of dirt on top of that, does it have to have, does it have to be dirt ground to hold the moisture? Because it seemed to drought really fast when they had there in the past? I don't know. I don't know on that.

You know, Tony Stewart, he would know more about the track prep side of stuff. But I don't know. Bristol, as it is with concrete, is my favorite track. And it feels like a 500-lap dirt rinket. race. So, you know, it's fast, it's aggressive, you can move around. So with the dirt race there, I don't know what to expect. You know, it could be, I would assume it's going to be a lot slower. And with it being a march and all the rain that we get there normally, it could be really rough, which I think, you know, I look forward to. I like rough dirt tracks. I feel like

it adds character and you can move your lines around and stuff like that. And I think it's still 500 laps. so that's pretty crazy. That'd be wild if it's still 500 Latins. You're asking if he's going to do a 24-hour race. Yeah, that may be it. Yeah, yeah, it's going to be entertaining regardless. You'll be good. Christopher Bell will be good.

Who else? I hope we'll be good. Honestly, I mean, from race at El Dorah in the truck, it basically turns into a pavement race anyways there. So, you know, I feel like the guys who don't have any dirt experience, we'll do just fine at Bristol. And two, with all the banking that there is at Bristol, it's going to have way more grip than Eldora does.

So I don't think it would be, I don't think a dirt guy. Yes, I think, you know, guys like myself or Bell or Redick will, you know, have a slight advantage. But that, I mean, after 500 laps, that won't even matter. And I think, you know, Kevin Harvick could, you'll go out there and win. So, yeah, I mean, I think it's going to be entertaining. I think the fans will enjoy it. and we'll see if it grows into something.

All right, a cup driver comes up to you and says, I've never raced on dirt. I've got to get ready for this race. What should I do? Well, I come from, you know, 900 horsepower cars that weigh 1,400 pounds. So, you know, I don't know what horsepower will have for Bristol. I'm not sure if they've gotten the rules figured out yet, but I do know a stock car is really, really heavy,

about 3,400 pounds. So I'm not really sure, you know, what I would say. You know, I think it'd probably be more similar like a streetstock or something I would think, you know, but with more power. So I don't know. Like I said, I don't think it's going to drive too crazy different than what a pavement track would be like. So we're not going to see any, you know, back in, sliding out and all this, you know, craziness that we love about dirt already. None of that. I mean, the banking in itself is going to probably prevent that, right?

Like I said, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Come on, tell us. We got nobody to tell us this stuff. I've got no clue. I don't know. I think it's going to be like I think our lap times will be quite a bit slower than normal. I don't know what we run like a 14 second lap.

I would assume we'll probably be like 16 or 17 seconds probably around there. But I think if the track gets rough and builds kids. character. I think it could be exciting, but then again, it could be hard on the equipment and who knows. It's going to destroy the cars. Yeah, I don't know what to expect. I think 500 laps is a long. Long. A lot too much. Right. So I ran a, I embarrassed myself, but I ran a 25-lap race somewhere. I don't think it was 25 laps. It's traders. And it was, yeah, I was like, I'm more tired now than I was after any kind of cup race I ran, so I can't imagine running 500 laps. What's the longest dirt race there is? I think Big Blocks, they have like a 200 lap deal for their super dirt weeks. They used

to be at Syracuse, and I think this year they had it at Port Royal, but it was 200 laps. That's the longest I know of. I'm sure other kind of diehard race fans will know. I'm sure there's probably something longer than that. You won the Bettenhouse and 100. That was a long one. Physically, though, it's physically inside the car. What would you say? It's like one lap around a dirt track is probably like maybe 10 around an asphalt track. Because you work harder. I mean, it depends.

It depends on the racetrack. It depends on the conditions. Especially the guys that have never. It depends on where you're at in traffic. The guys that have never done it are going to be using muscles that they never use. That's right. 100%. That's right.

A sprint car. Grabbing the steering wheel so damn hard, you won't even... Your forearms will be cramping up. That's going to happen, for sure. Yeah. A sprint car, like, on a half mile that's slick and you're really working, like, I never get, like, you know, muscle tired or anything like that, but my heart rate will get max.

So I, you know, used to wear, like, a heart rate monitor and stuff, and I remember, you know, tracking that stuff in a dirt race. And, I mean, these races are, you know, an eight-lap heat race. my heart rate will be $1.90 the whole time. Really? It's crazy, you know, and it's just, it's insane. But, yeah, it takes different kind of physical stuff, I guess, for the two. Yeah.

All right, man. Well, look, we appreciate all the great insight, and looking forward to seeing you come back next year, get back into the Cup Series. You're working with a great man at Rick Hendrick. We're going to have him on the show to tell us a little bit about this relationship and what he expects out of next year. good luck to you man have a good off season and we'll see at the racetrack yeah thanks a lot

thanks for having me on and getting to talk a little bit more about what i've been having going on and and really excited about the future so thank you guys absolutely thank you Kyle arson on the Dale junior download all right we got Rick Hendrick in the studio well he's on a zoom call that counts and we really appreciate you giving us some time today Rick thanks for coming on yeah buddy and first of all congratulations on your little girl yeah thank you buddy I know You've got to get you all together, so y'all can meet. Rick called me. He had been out on a business trip for a couple weeks.

And when he got back home, he called me and said, hey, I wanted to congratulate you. So I appreciate you reaching out. That's the kind of guy he is. Kyle Larson was just sitting in here talking about Rick and how he's learning who Rick is and how personal he is and how involved in everybody's life he is, how knowledgeable about everybody's life and how plugged in he is. and said, I'm excited for Kyle to get that experience with you, buddy. I know that if I can talk about you just for a second.

You've impacted, you know, we've talked many times on this show and in other areas about how impactful you've been on my life. We know the effect that you've had on other people's lives. I couldn't think of a better person to come into Kyle's life right now to bring him back into the Cup series than you. You know, your leadership and your personal touch, the way you care about people and take care of people, he needs that as he goes on this journey. And I'm excited about that for him. So tell us, he did say you reached out to him early just as a friend as he's been trying to work through his issues and work his way back to get reinstated.

But he said the conversations to actually drive the race car have only been going on for. a very short period of time. Is that true? Yeah, well, we, you know, we've talked a little bit in just theory about what could happen, but he had to be reinstated first. And, you know, anybody that watched his kid drive knows he's got a tremendous amount of talent. But, you know, Dale, what I've been so impressed with is how he took ownership of what he said and how embarrassed he was and what he's done, you know, to help in the communities, around the country and the change in his life that this has made.

So I just, I love the new, new Kyle Larson, the one that is showing his heart and not, not ashamed to say he was wrong and take ownership of it. So I've been just very impressed with that part. Well, you're, you know, you're going to make some changes to the, to the team a little bit. I know that, you know, Alex Bowman's going to the 48 car. that's got to be extremely exciting for Alex. Just on a side note, I'm thrilled about that. You know, Alex has worked really hard to prove himself,

prove he belongs where he's at. In making that move, I think that you've shown your confidence in him. But you're, you know, bringing Kyle Larson in, you're going to rebrand the fourth car. And bring back to number five. That's a number that has a ton of history at Hendrick Motorsports. It's the first number that you guys had in the Cup series. Talk about that a little bit.

Well, you know, that was, that's my Earnhardt roots that I go back to the beginning, you know. And the five cars been really special to me. And to be able to bring it back, it's exciting. And I get to give you credit for Alex because you picked Alex to replace you when you got hurt. And he did a great job. And boy, he's running good now and a great young man. going back to bring Kyle in with the five car just means a lot to me because that number, I guess when I think about it, we didn't have a, didn't know we're going to be successful,

but we started with that number. Harry Hyatt always said you want a single digit number. And so I think about Harry. But anyway, I'm excited about that. I think the organization is excited about it. So we'll show up with it at Daytona. Well, you're an owner who often tells people that, you know, you're not really interested in hiring young drivers.

You want to go out there and get the veterans, the proven veterans. But if I look at this stable of drivers that you're going to have in 2020, Kyle Larson, 28 years old, Alex Bowman, 27, Chase Elliott, 24, William Byron, 22, man, you sure have got a lot of young drivers around you. All these guys have proven talents. So we're looking at a pretty stable and prosperous future if everything works outright for Hendon Motorsports.

Yeah, you know, I always tried to hire veterans, like you said, but starting with Jeff Gordon, got a young guy that did really well and watching William, of course, Alex. And then Chase had him kind of in the fold since he was 14. And they're coming all into their own right now, I guess, see them. Chase winning races, Alex, same, William won a race. So the future is bright. I don't know if I'll be around when they get to be 40 years old.

I won't be here, but anyway, I'm real excited about the group we have now, just the chemistry between them, and I think Kyle's going to fit in like a glove. Yeah, I agree with that. Mr. H, I'm curious on something. I know you can only speak for yourself, but I, I, I've always been curious over the last several months when it comes to Kyle Larson was what would owner, what would cup owners be looking for out of him? Is it just the NASCAR, you know, sensitivity training or do they maybe expect more?

You know, what exactly are you looking for to be able to get yourself into a confident and comfortable position to even talk about coming back? Yeah. Well, if you look at the body of work that he's done, you know, NASCAR is, I, I applaud them for the stringent rules they put in place. And if you look at what they warned him to do, and then look at what he has done, that over and above what he was asked to do,

that he did on his own. And he was actually involved with the urban racing school before this happened. So I look at the heart and look at the way he's changed. I guess he's focused on racing so much, but now he's looking beyond racing and he's looking at how he can make a difference. And when you see his heart, everybody deserves a second chance.

But in order to get a second chance, you've got to show people that you're willing to go more, do more than you were doing and more than people ask you to do. So, you know, I'm very impressed with what Kyle has done and the steps he's made and a commitment he's made beyond, you know, being reinstated, that he's going to do this forever. So when you look at all that and what he's, you know, the heart that he has now and he's not afraid to just say it was, I was ignorant. I shouldn't have said

something like that. I see how hurtful it was and take ownership and then say, I'm going to, I'm I'm going to do something about it. I'm going to make a difference. I can make a difference as time goes on. I was very impressed with that. We had that conversation here at the table with Kyle and just like, you know, what is it the people, you know, how do you achieve forgiveness no matter what you've done? I mean, everybody deserves a second chance.

But what is it that, you know, especially in today's society where everybody is almost out for blood, is that what can you do? And I think you hit it. Ownership is the first step. I think it's a multiple step process. takes time and Kyle certainly on his own volition said he's not done by any stretch of imagination like this is if if man is truly transformed and a better version of himself then this doesn't end there's no end date to his progression and we want to kind of become better versions of ourselves

by having Kyle here just to learn for what he's going through so you know I ask you the same question you know what is it in your experience that that people earn that second chance or earn that redemption. Well, I mean, you, I think our country is all about second chance. And people want to give you a second chance if, if you've shown that you've changed. And I think that's the key that, you know, are you just saying it or do you really mean it? What have you done? And what are you going to do? So I think that's when people see your heart, I keep coming back to your heart. I mean, just I'm around a lot of people and I've seen people that say this sorry, but then I've seen people that have legitimately taken ownership and made a difference going forward. So that's that's

super impressive. I mean, to have a guy that's willing to, you know, take ownership and say, this was a horrible thing I said. And, but you can't carry that burden for the rest of your life. So we know that Kyle loves to race, you know, dirt cars and other things. And that's always kind of been in when he was working, you know, with Chip and racing cup cars, that was always a part of the conversation with Kyle. Where can you race? How much can you race? Where are you, you know, and people are going to want to know that same thing.

They might not ask those questions today. But as he gets in this car and this cup car years and starts driving now, next year, that conversation is going to be part of owning a car that Kyle Larson drives, Rick. So what are you willing, you know, what are you comfortable with? I know when Chase, or not Chase, but when Casey raced in Hendonet Motors, those same conversations were had about what he was allowed to do outside of the cup car. So, you know, with Larson, he's going to want to go places and do things and how comfortable are you with that?

You know, I think in his case, it's shown that he's, the experience he's had on dirt, the experience he's had with the sprint cars, makes him kind of manhandled the cup car. And we had these conversations, and I said, I'm going to let you do it. But now, if you get hurt, that's on you. I mean, I'm going to have to put somebody else in the car. But I think looking back, and watching Chase Elliott's talk to me about running some, you know, late model dirt and other types of race.

And he wants to race. And with the one-day shows. And I think they have time to do it. So it's just a matter of, you know, you're on your own if you end up getting hurt. Yes, the chance you take as a driver. And you're willing to allow them to take that chance if they know the consequences. That's right. I didn't even think about the precedent he might set with Kyle.

letting him do dirt. You got Chase Elliott over there going, oh, well, if he gets to run all these dirt races, oh, what about me? And boy, you could have a... He's already talking about it. He's already got some schedules. That's a new piece of information

that we did not know or did not have about Chase Elliott. I figured that, you know, the guy would be pretty content with the busy schedule they've got. But I guess going to one-day shows has really kind of loosening them guys up a little bit to do some other things. Well, man, You know, we really appreciate you giving us some time today.

It's great to be able to chat with you. Like I said, at the start of our talk, I'm excited for you to become a part of Kyle's life, and I think that can only improve, you know, what's going on in his world. And he's going to be in great hands, man. So look forward to seeing. And I know also Chevrolet has really got things going in the right direction.

You guys have found some great speed. Your performance on the racetracks really improved. It's a great time for anybody in this sport as a driver to be a part of your program. So you guys are going to be tough next year, and I'm excited about that. Thank you, buddy. Well, good to be with you guys, as always, and I hope to see you soon in person. Yes, sir. All right, man.

Take care. We'll see you, Rick Hendrick on the Dale Jr. Download. See how professional he is now, Mr. H? He can do these intros and outros. That's what happened when he hosted, when he hosted the, the race for NBC. I just remember the guy that I'd walk up to the car and he'd looking at the ground. And if you pissed off at me or something, you can't, you can't speak to me, you can't look at me, you can't, you know.

He's a damn TV star and he can go to a bank and cut. Tell me. You've had an amazing effect on my life. You took a while. the impact is is visual now yeah one day we're going to tell the whole story about the posse and and you and you and i having a conversation about how long it's going to take certain things to happen you go no way and then then it happened just like i said it would you know so you were right you just wanted to you you you've been a big uh inspiration to me oh buddy very important part of my life

I remember when I introduced him to Amy or started talking to him about Amy. He had that look on his eyes like, you're about to make that commitment. I can tell because I'm like, hey man, I met this great girl. She's awesome. And he looked at me and he goes,

you're done. I can see it in his eyes. Yeah, when you told me she was so pretty, she hurt your eyes. I said, uh, oh yeah. Got hooked. He's done.

Man, yeah, that's right, buddy. All right. Hey, have a great day. See y'all. Thanks, guys. All right, we are live. Okay, it's time for my favorite part of the show. Ask Junior presented by Xfinity.

Proud partner of NASCAR and this podcast. Xfinity is supporting this segment of the show. Thank you, Xfinity. They do a lot for our sport, and they're a great partner for this podcast. And I'm a customer. I pay for their service, and I really enjoy it. It's time to hear the questions that you sent to Xfinity Racing on Twitter and in the chat. Leavon is here with those questions.

Let's get started. Yeah, Xfinity put the call for questions out during the rain delay yesterday, so you're going to have some rain delay related questions to get us started here. The first one coming from Matt Roth. What's your best rain delay story or shenanigans? The best rain delay story is the 2014 Daytona 500. We had a big six-hour delay in between the start and the finish of the race, and we ended up winning the race.

And I don't think we win the race without the rain delay. if you watch the race, I didn't have it the first half. Don't know what it was, but I was mired mid-pack, couldn't seem to figure out what I needed to do. My plate racing is a mentality, all right? The car matters,

being smart as a driver and all that matters, but it's a mentality, like it's an approach to the, you know, like when you get up in the morning, you go, I'm going to kick this day's ass. Like it's, you know, you've got to go into those races with a sort of mentality. I didn't have it.

I don't know. I couldn't figure it out. Wasn't clicking. Didn't feel it. So we had the rain delay and then I don't, nothing weird happened during the rain delay or nothing stands out. But when we got back in the car, it seemed like I was in a groove and everyone else had lost it. So, you know, the rain delays can have an effect on your, your personality.

It can have an effect on your, your willingness to do something or your get up and go. and some guys sometimes those rain delays can sap the energy out of you sometimes those rain delays can put the energy in you the emotion to go out there and commit and do what you need to do so that one to me is probably the most memorable next one coming from neil wagner with the amount of rain delays over the last few seasons do you think that nascar should or would bring rain tires to oval tracks so i i posted on instagram which is a platform i've been using pretty exclusively here

lately on NBC sports NASCAR or whatever they're their handle right so they they're they're like hey you know it's raining um should we have rain tires and uh or something about it being raining raining raining and not racing and I'm like we should have rain tires like and then I read the comments right and people are like that's impossible can't happen not not no way so um you know maybe it can't maybe it is impossible but it's It's worth trying. It's worth seeing if we could do something to race under the conditions that we have. At Texas Motor Speedway this yesterday and probably today, there's a mist, right?

It's not a torrential downpour. I know that you absolutely cannot race in heavy rain, no matter how good your rain tire is at an oval, right? Let's not even try to go there. I don't want that. I'm not encouraging that. But when we have what we had yesterday, for example, it was a light mist and it was on and off, I think that you could absolutely put the best 40 stock car drivers in the world that we have out on the racetrack on a decent rain tire. It doesn't have to be anything special and expect them to go out there and run the race and compete it and finish it, right?

I would be probably just as entertained by what I saw there is on a dry track. They would go a little slower quite a bit. And I feel more confident about that having watched them run the roval at Charlotte. They use banking in turn one and two, and they use the banking of one and two and three and four at Charlotte to run the roval. Now, I know that they're accelerating a lot slower out of corners to get up onto those corners, those oval banking corners. But think about exit of turn two at Charlotte.

They're carried pretty decent speed there, and they seem to be pretty comfortable with what they were doing. We didn't see guys out of control wrecking. Now, if you watch the Exfendiary race, and they're coming through turn three and four, we saw a guy sliding all over the place. They didn't wipe out into the wall. They didn't, when they slid a tire, it wasn't like, oh, they're gone. No saving it.

You know, they can figure out how to drive in that box that's going to put them in. drive give these drivers more credit to be able to go out there and and perform i think that the drivers would rather run not all of them but us most of them would probably say you know what give me some rain tires it's misting this is yesterday at texas i'd run the race let's run it i'd rather do that than sit here until thursday or whatever it's going to be right we're really looking at a forecast that could potentially put us racing on wednesday or thursday uh give me some rain tires, I'll slow down and make it work. And why would it, why is, why is, why is, why is it impossible to think that it wouldn't work?

Most ovals, all right, are banked. The water, whatever waters that, you know, we're going to race, we're only going to race in very light conditions, not heavy rain. We're not going to ask you to do that. but in conditions like we had yesterday we're going to say hey let's go out there and try to get this race done at a bank track the water runs off the track it doesn't set on the track

we don't have standing water puddles there may be some standing water on the straightaways and some of the dog legs of the back straightaway we need to we need to address that but where the car loads and where we're going to really be stressing this tire is the banking in the corners and the rain runs off of that So it's not ever going to be a situation where we're going to have a car hydroplaining through the corner. It's going to be a very good situation where the rain's drained off of the racetrack,

and it's a relatively reasonable ask as far as driver car and tire to go through the corner and make it. To me, that's why the oval, a wet, damp oval would be fine to race on or it, or it's worth a shot to try to see if we could develop it and make it come to reality. Of course we could develop it. I don't understand the logic behind people to say it's an impossibility. Nothing's impossible. It's impossible to run 190.

Yep. So in 1995, Terry Bonney tested rain tires at Martinsville. All right, it was part of Goody's effort that year to create rain tires for NASCAR road courses and ovals. And his comment, his quote, this is from Matthew, thank you. From NASCAR, man. Twitter. Well, you sent it to me, is what I'm saying. That's why Formula One guys make so much money. I felt like I was on ice. That's what Terry Labani said. That's what Terry said.

You know, in Martinsville is a flatter track. Probably not getting the drain off that I would that I would be talking about. And he's racing in torrential. He's racing in hard rain. That doesn't look good. He's got, I don't, I'm not saying if it's going to create visibility issues, we can't do it. Right. All right, you can't. You got to. You got to. have a situation more similar to yesterday that was very frustrating where we could almost get the track to start drying and then it would miss a little bit. That's the conditions I'm trying to say we need to race in or try to race in. Not when it's pouring rain and there's going to be rooster tails off the back of these cars. That's not what I'm asking people to accept or to open

their mind to try. Yeah. All right. Next question. Looking forward to next weekend at Martinsville, the Xfinity series goes there for the first time in many years. Do you have any predictions. Have you seen a truck race at Martin'sville? I would expect it to be a lot like that, a lot of beating and banging, especially with these cars and these bodies. I mean, they're plastic. The guys have gotten to where they don't mind hitting things with them because they're not worried about damaging anything critical that's going to affect the performance of the car. So I expect a lot of beating and banging. And there is a massive voice. of respect from driver to driver in that series that I haven't seen in a long time.

And I'm kind of liking it. I'm not sure I don't like it. Carl, you know, I mean, hey, our guys were involved in a lot of things that went on at Texas. But I got to take a step back and go, you know what? From a big point of view, drama is good. You know, that I hated that my guys were involved in it. It was extremely disappointing to see. But in a grand scheme, it's not bad for the sport to have all that up and down and all that excitement at the end.

But, you know, so I think that Martinsville is going to be the peak when it comes to disrespect, beating and banging. guys mad, people's fans taking aback, fans happy, fans mad, all that. I think all the emotions are going to be on display and intensified at Martinsville. It's certainly been that way for the cup races at Martinsville, which we tend to see relatively a good amount of respect shown between all the cup guys at all the races they run. And we don't have that kind of stuff that I'm talking about. series, but when we go to Martinsville, we kind of do. We seem to have a bunch of wild nights

at Martinsville, and I think that it's really going to be an insane race. I asked to be on the broadcast team for the Exfinity Race at Martinsville, and I'm sort of thinking maybe that was a bad decision because I want to just sit there and watch it because I think it's just going to be so crazy. And our guys are going to be in the middle of a lot. Crazy. Our guys are going to be in the middle of a lot of that. Cut off, cut off race, for the four.

Well, I got to go be a broadcaster and try not to be the owner. And I think in those situations, it gets really hard. And so, hey. We do a good job.

Checking out. That is going to be the test. All right. Next question coming from Hughes for Prez. Talking about Josh Barry, we had him on last week. And then later in the week, we announced that he's going to be

running the number eight, Exfinity car for us. How did that come about? Did you know when we recorded the show if that was coming? That's my question, too. Yeah. You know, me and my sister have always tried to have this conversation just about every year. When we're piecing together that eight car, we always have to ask ourselves,

what if any opportunity is there for Josh to get in this car if it's one race, if it's no races, if it's 10 races, you know, we always have to, make sure we explore that. And we don't ever want to have, you know, missed an opportunity to get Josh on the racetrack. And so we got to talking about it more. And, you know, this is an opportunity that came about. And this seems to just be the right, you know,

a lot of things lined up for it to happen. This wasn't possible in the past years. And it is this time. So it just seemed to be able to work out. It's very coincidental that he's a national champion. He's having this great year, and we're going to be able to get him in this Xfinity ride a little more often. He actually went this weekend to Greenville Pickens and won $130,000 in the final race

of the year for the Cars Tour. There is no Martinsville race this year. The Big 300 at Martinsville, the prestigious late-mile stock race that, hey, they have every season, is not going to happen this year. So to me, that kind of took its place at Greenville Pickens due to the payout of 30 grand. He also won the poll, which paid a little bit of money, too. Connor Mosaic won a rookie of the year in cars. I just got a text from Josh that the motor has passed tech.

Oh, yeah. They took a couple days to really tear it apart and destroy it. A couple days of tech. I know. I wonder who all got to look at it. That's kind of weird that they pull a motor and take it and keep it for a couple days. I think we need to dispel the idea that. this stuff was preceded

Josh's appearance on our show. As far as what, you know, there was news that was going to be announced because, Dale, you announced it on Sirius XM on Thursday. So confirm with me that that was not something that was a Tuesday announcement on, or ready to go packaged up. You're still alive on the Xfinity deal.

I know, I was just texting Josh back. Oh, I got you. Well, you were like, you know. But you were talking. You know, I think that, you know, it's just very exciting for us to be able to give Josh this opportunity. Well, did you hear my question? I didn't know you asked a question. That's exactly.

So I was saying, can you confirm that this was not something that we knew about on Tuesday when Josh's was on our show? Because you announced it on Thursday. And a lot of people were like, why did y'all not say it on the show? And I'm like, that wasn't a situation. No, we didn't know it. Man, it was, we knew Thursday. Like when we told Josh Thursday, me and Kelly made, me and Kelly, it was a decision made Thursday morning.

Wow. We were talking about it for maybe 48 hours. But Kelly texted me and said, all right, because we were trying to reach our other partners. We got Rick Hendrick who's an owner in this program, and he was over on a business trip, way far away. And so we had to reach out to everybody and say, hey, this is something that we think we can do and we'd like to do, and we've got to get everybody to check off on it. And Kelly texted me Thursday morning and said, we're good.

Let's do it. And I said, hey, I'm doing a lot of media with Josh today. I'd love to tell him during the media. And she goes, I have to get more approvals. So she had to run around the office to all the different departments here to get everybody to say works for me. And yeah, it was a hustle because I wanted to tell Josh. Immediately. Immediately.

You weren't going to hold that for another week. No way. And I've been texting with him every day. You know, this is what we need to do. Hey, think about this. Hey, we need to do this. All right, because, I mean, I want this to work for him. I want him, I want this.

We've tried really hard to give him opportunities, and I want it to stick, and I want him to, you know, get on up there. So we'll see. We got time for one more. Yeah, we got time. All right. One more question coming from Nick at the Races. What is your favorite cameo appearance you've made?

Oh, my favorite cameo? on anything? Yeah. MTV Cris was always fun. You know, back then when we were doing MTV Cribs, is that a cameo? Yeah. I don't know. I don't know.

I mean, I guess it could be. I was thinking more of like the music video stuff for TV. Yeah, well, you're not the actual subject. Yeah. Okay, okay. Yeah. Oh, I mean, any music video is always fun. because you, you know, you grow up never imagining you're going to be in a music video.

And I grew up watching music video television, right? MTV and CMT and you never really imagine that you're like watching these videos and you're like never think you're going to be in one. So anytime that happened, that was really awesome. I can't even remember any of the other cameos such as like sitcoms and stuff. I'm trying to think of the same thing. Like is King of Queens? Was that something you were in?

Yeah. You were on King of Queens? Yeah. Oh, wow. I didn't know that. He was in King of Queens. There was another sitcom, and I'm completely drawing a blank. I think it might have not been King of Queens.

It was the one before that that he did. He had a sitcom before King. He did? Of Queens. Are they saying in the chat, maybe? No, they're talking about other stuff. It's that guy's name, James. Yeah.

James' his last name. Yes, dear? Yes, dear. Thank you. That was it. That was it. Well, he's been in... They all blur together, honestly.

And they were fun and nerve-wracking to do, but... He wanted to be a cameo in the office. That never happened. God, damn, I wanted that. That's what he wanted. But who doesn't, right? No, no, we... Who doesn't wash the office and go, I can imagine myself being there and working,

living there, right? What type of character would you have been? Himself? I wouldn't, I'd have been myself, but have been my own character. Yeah, like, plug yourself in. plug yourself into that world, right? Even that miserable, like that, that challenging,

unfun world that they all seem to make look like a lot of fun. Same way with like Cheers or any kind of big, massive sitcom that anybody watched for a long time ago. Everybody wanted to go to Cheers, right? Sit and have a beer. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Right?

Yeah. All right, guys, well, that's it. I think most who listen to the show will agree. segment goes by way too quick, Mike. Yeah, not just quick, but like Xfinity quick. X-Fi keeps me connected with great speed. I'm a customer, so I know all about that. There's no better way to stay up to speed with NASCAR and DirtyMo Media than Xfinity X-Fi.

That's right. And remember, Dale's here every week to answer your questions live on YouTube and on this podcast. So hit us up at the ad-Xfinity racing handle on Twitter using the hashtag Ask Junior for a chance to hear from Dell. A big thanks to Xfinity for being a premier partner of NASCAR. All right. What we got? What you want?

Last call. Last call. Yeah. All right. Last call. All right. Last call. This show is coming to a close.

It's been a busy one. It's been a good one. I really enjoyed it, Mike. Yeah. Lost Speedways. So NBCSN aired a couple episodes of Lost Speedways, the Metrolina episode, or Metrolina, as my producer Marrard likes to call it.

They, they, during the rain delay. Middle Georgia also was one that got aired this week. So got a lot of great feedback from that. A lot of people haven't been able to venture on to Peacock and check it out. So a lot of people were seeing it for the first time. But it's been pretty awesome to have that, have that reaction and hear more people that are getting to see the show for the first time, have such a great positive reaction to Lost Speedways. If you haven't seen it, go to Peacock TV and sign up.

It's free to watch all episodes of Lost Speedways, season one. It's free. And Peacock is now on Roku, which I have a couple of Roku televisions. And so it's doing really well, I hear, on Roku. I hear that too. I'm sure NBCSN is going to continue to air episodes, you know, throughout the fall here. I know that's their plan. I can't tell you when.

but that's the plan. Door bumper clear. Whenever they get back from Texas, they're going to have a show. Those guys, their commitment. It's just kind of here and there, right? Yeah, I hope it doesn't break in any babysitting time T.J. has. It's a big deal for him. I wonder who he's got babysitting right now.

T.J. doesn't come back here and just say how bored of death he was sitting there in Texas in the rain. I mean, that's basically the whole show for this week. because that's all I got from the text message. They will complain about how miserable the life of a spotter is. That'll be the entire show this week about how the accommodations are either good or bad and they'll expect changes from Eddie Gossage. That will be, that's my prediction. But anyways, whenever they return from sitting around waiting on the race to happen,

they will come back here and do a show. Why can't we, you know, why can't they do their show there? They can. Why won't they? Because they're, you know, they're spotters. They're busy playing. They really have nothing else to do right now. Yeah, they could do one.

Shultz, you can get on them. All right, guys. Thanks for tuning in. Hope you enjoyed this show. We only got a couple more you left before the season is over. And we got some great ideas as well on those final few shows in terms of guests. And I can't wait to reveal who those will be. But until then, man, we'll see you later.

Sweet. Let's do. Oh, I forgot to talk about what is that. What's that? Oh, it's a mask. Dirtymo Media mask. Oh. Let's take a look.

You're selling these? They don't fit my face. They look like a tube top on my face. You have a giant face. I have a giant face, yes. Oh, man. Do you sell these? No, Mike had just had them made this past week.

Oh, so we probably will sell. Thank you. I needed a mask. Shredded beef jerky. Wait, what? Wait, what? That's kind of gross. Like, is it like a, like, cheer?

I can't. I don't know why that you'd be. guys don't know about this. Well, I love beef jerky, so I want to know about it. I mean, if you never been in any general store in the country, they sell this everywhere. Yeah, I was the other day. They sell this everywhere. Okay.

No, I've never seen it. Shredded beef jerky. Why do you have it? Was this a gift or did you bring it? I like, so, um, I damn love people. There's a couple things that, uh, that remind me of my childhood. Little cans of shredded beef jerky. So this has been a thing?

Oh, yeah. It's been around a long time. um gator gum remember gator gum it was like gatorade chewing gum oh gator gum it was so tart anyhow um i saw this uh you know i saw this come across uh my amazon and i was like you know what i'm gonna get some of this they had like a uh 32 units for such and such price buying in bulk that is a lot and so um yeah like one of these is one bite oh oh yeah like you dump all this in your mouth and you're good to go do you chew it or just it's shredded dip it Like a dip.

You eat it like you would eat shredded. Tobacco chicken? In other words, no, you don't dip it. Oh, I'm sitting there looking at it like a tobacco can. It is not, it is a tobacco can. So is it like a pouch? Like, no, it's shredded. Beef jerky.

Like shredded chicken. Like any kind of shredded meat, you just eat it. Why would you want it shredded? Is it more moist? Nope. It's still dry. Moist. She said that word?

I can't believe that. Most women won't say that word. No. Anyway, they hate it, right? Casey Bowell won't say it. I told Amy she laughed. She did not laugh. I said, this is like jerky, but it's, you know how sometimes you chew jerky and it gets into your teeth?

Because you got to chew it hard, aggressively. You got to floss afterwards. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Well, this is already chewed. So there's your answer. There's your answer. You don't have to floss.

This is already, already chewed. This is already chewed. You just put it in your mouth and you enjoy the flavor and the taste, and then you swallow it. I'm out. Can you show me what it looks like because I'm like really like seriously. I've never, I can't even imagine this. I love it.

I eat it. It's gross, man. It grosses. Most everybody out. So you just carry this in your body? Take a look at this. Is this like freaking beanie weas? No, that looks like cats.

Ew. No, it looks like spam. That looks gross. It's very dry. Yeah. And you've eaten that shit. Oh, look, I spilt some. It's kind of like a very fine sawdust.

Do you sit there and pack it like a dip can? Yeah He wears it in his back pocket Hey Dale's sitting there with his Back here again Looking him, he's going to the rodeo Meanwhile it's just beef jerky Shredded beef jerky

So good You were the most random Frickin human being I've ever been Do you carry it in your back pocket? No You don't? So your jeans don't have that The ring

I was walking in And I was like I'm just going to sit just on table because I don't want to sit on it. Oh, gotcha. So no. So you were, you did have it in your back pocket when you walked in. He brought it.

I didn't. I said, I was walked, I grabbed it out of my truck and walked in here and I went, I'm not putting this in my pocket because I don't want to sit on it. Oh. So I imagine you now driving with beef jerky. I have to be very like in your truck now. Specific with these guys. They want to put this in my back pocket.

But it's never been there. But it's in your console. Never been there. So what was Amy's reaction? I mean, you said she didn't laugh. She rolled her eyes. She thought it was. Well, she believes she doesn't like, she doesn't like, she doesn't like, she doesn't like me, how do I say this?

She believes that when I eat jerky, I get gas. Oh, my. I mean, that's kind of a fact. Well, not you and everyone. So when I show, when I present jerky in the house, she goes, no, no. Yeah. You're going to, you're a stink. It's coming.

Yep. So that's why it's in your truck. It stays in his truck. That's the ultimate security measure. Somebody is about to break into that truck, and they're like, oh, I'm out. There you go. If I eat anything that Amy doesn't like, this is like Amy's, this is like a defense mechanism for Amy. So if I bring that home jerky, right, she goes,

Ew, jerky, why you want to eat that? It's all shredded gross. Like you, right? Your same reaction. Two hours later, I fart. Is that jerky? It's that jerky that did that. If she doesn't like something...

It's going to be the reason for whatever. It's going to be the reason for the farce. A day later, a week later. There's that jerky coming up. I knew it. Yeah. It's in ugly shoes you're wearing. Yeah, yeah.

It's that dumb stupid shirt you're wearing. Yeah, it's the jerky. There you go. My goodness. All right. We'll leave him on that note. Sure. All right.

That'll do it. Signing off. This bit of bad assery was made by Madassery. It was made by Mad Ashery. Dirty Mo Media. Dirty Mo.