The Dale Jr. Download - Inside the Playoffs: NASCAR Wives Tell All and Frankie Muniz Chases Racing Dreams

Episode Date: October 31, 2024

In this episode of DJD Reloaded, we are taking you into the intense world of NASCAR Playoffs, diving into the raw emotions and pressures that come with it. Morgan Bell and Jordan Fish, significant others of Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, share the highs, lows, and superstitions of supporting drivers through the playoff grind. Then, Frankie Muniz joins to talk about his leap from Hollywood to the track, opening up about what fuels his competitive fire and the bond he’s building with fans as he takes on a new role as a full-time driver in the Truck Series. Plus, Dale Jr. reflects on the charity concert for the Carolinas put on by Luke Combs. He also shares a thrilling moment from the Commanders game, celebrating the highs, heartbreaks, and connections that make us all fans. Check out Dirty Mo Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So we know that fans always want to know what drivers are thinking ahead of a big race or after a big moment. But the only problem with athletes, and this is really across the board, that it's only on rare occasions. Do they actually tell us exactly what they're thinking? So today on DJD Reloaded, we're going to get a different perspective, hopefully get to the source of the truth with the significant others of the NASCAR drivers that are still in the hunt for the NASCAR Cup series at playoff. So a conversation, of course, you do not want to miss. Plus, we're talking with a driver who's not afraid to share his thoughts. It's Hollywood actor turned race car driver Frankie Munez. Going to be talking about going full time in the NASCAR truck series in 2025.

And as always, we will end it with a segment of ASS Jr. DJD Reloaded starts right now. The following is a production of Dirtymo Media. Welcome into another episode of DJD Reloaded. We were going to do something different. No idea that a tradition was going to be started. The racing world is Conorzilian to the oyster. Is he truly the next NASCAR prodigy?

Hey, you did a cartwheel down the stands. Holding your cooler, your arm never bent. It was like watching an Olympian at its, and it's pod. So I can't think of a more high-pressured situation than some of the NASCAR Cup series drivers heading into Martinsville this weekend. It is a cutoff race, of course, for the championship four in Phoenix the week after. And you're going to be hearing from all the drivers this week, next week ahead of Phoenix. but one familiar faces probably that you're not going to hear too much from until today on DJD reloaded

are the significant others of the drivers. And so I have the pleasure of being joined by Christopher Bell's wife, Morgan Bell, and of course Denny Hamlin's fiancee Jordan Fish. And we are so excited to have you here. I don't want you to be nervous about all of this because we want to get kind of that inside perspective of the drivers and kind of what they're going through this week, which is something that you probably are very familiar with. but first I guess we'll just kind of start with how are you feeling ahead of martinsville and we'll start with you morgan uh we're feeling pretty good um obviously in the way Vegas went for us we could have been feeling a lot better but we are still in a pretty decent point situation so that's helping ease the mind just a little bit but you still just never know what's going to happen

yeah so currently just inside the the cutoff line and then jordan for you with denny how are you feeling kind of being slightly below the cutoff line? Yeah, we're a little under the line a bit. We're kind of nervous, but also I think he feels like at peace, I guess. You know, whatever happens happens. And we can only hope for the best or that Christopher wins and we get in it on points. And, you know, we just hope that we're there at the end. Yeah.

What's the toughest part? I mean, this is a Thursday. So, you know, you kind of start thinking about all of this. I'm sure right after the race on Monday of where, you're currently sitting. Does the pressure build as the week goes on or do you feel it right away just until the playoffs are over? What's that like? I'll let you go first. Well, the pressure doesn't really build for me until the race and when it's actually going on. I have a lot of going with like the kids at school and taking kids back and forth to things. But I don't know. I mean,

I think he feels it a lot more than I do for sure, especially being an owner and that whole aspect. now he's got Reddick in the final four, so that's awesome. But, no, he definitely, he definitely feels it a lot more than I do. I definitely feel, like, on race day. Like, I kind of, like, block it out until I'm there, and then it's kind of game on. So you're good today. I'm good today. Yeah, check with you on Sunday.

Yeah, check with you on Sunday. All right, how about you, Morgan? Does it continue to build throughout the week? I think for me it does, but unlike Jordan, I don't have to chase two littles around. Yeah. So it's really just, I feel like I'm 110% just all in on what is happening right there, just because it's really just me and Christopher right now. So that's all I have to worry or think about is just what's going to happen.

Yeah. So let's go into Sunday. I mean, you're watching a pretty high-stake race. Like, do you, where are you when you watch the race? Does it matter? Are you pacing? Kind of what's that like? Well, during the race for me, we go back to the bus, and I usually, like, clean up.

It's like my nervous energy habit. So I clean up, I pack up. I just kind of, like, move around a lot. And then I, like, really start and focus to watch the race. His mom is usually there. She's watching on the couch with her fingers double cross. We've got people coming in and out of the bus. And the girls are there, too, unless they're at MRO.

But we pretty much watch it from inside the bus. Unless, like, he's not doing so well, then I'll go on the pit box. because I think, well, if I go out there, he's not going to, like, do worse than what he's doing right now, so maybe it'll help, you know? Change position, yeah. Change position or whatever.

But I don't like to go out, like if he's doing really well, I don't like to go out there because I don't want to jinx anything. Yeah, okay. I watch every lap from the pit box, but again, we're very different to where. Jordan's going back to watch the girls and everything.

So I watch every lap, and this might be like a weird superstitiony thing, but, like, if I have to, like, use the restroom. And like it's like I, sometimes I like refuse to get down because I'm like, if I get down something bad's going to happen. Like that's just.

Has that happened before or you, that's just something that you? Actually one time in Darlington. So now normally I will at least like, if there's a caution, I'll let them come in, do their pit stops and then, um,

leave and start and get the race kind of settled because I left once. Right when a caution came, I was like, oh my gosh, I got to go to the bathroom. I got to go to the bathroom. So I go and I come back and I actually come back to one of our TV monitor screens on the pit box being shattered. And our crew chief has his hand wrapped in paper towels and is bleeding.

So I'm like, I come back and our one friend's on the pit box. I'm like, what in the world happened? And he's like, it was pit stop. It was bad. And I was like, clearly like, we're missing the screen. Yeah. Oh, my goodness. superstitions seem to be kind of important than on this side of the side of things.

Do you think is NASCAR a more superstitious sport than others? Dirt racing, I know growing up was insanely more superstitious than I think NASCAR is like, you don't, some people are like you don't carry 50s in your wallet. So I know like when we were dirt racing even I would sell t-shirts and merchandise. ice. Christopher was like, don't let people pay in 50s. I'm like, no, I'm going to let them pay me however they want to pay for it. But like, but there's no 50s, no peanuts, no green. Yeah, you can't wear green, but I still wear green. I definitely still wear green. We got over that and I was like, you know what, it's fine. But nobody and I don't feel like anybody in the NASCAR world

has any weird. I don't think so. I mean, I think the green thing was one thing I heard when I first got into the sport and I didn't wear it for maybe like 10 years and the last what's the reason for that for listeners that may not be I have honestly no idea I was just told don't we're green and peanuts okay yeah I have no idea about the green either because but then I think about it and one of which we run interstate cars so like those are green but then I'm like one of the greatest sprint car races of all time Steve Kinzer was a his sprint car was green yeah so I was like clearly it's all right it's okay yeah it's an okay color I mean green flag. I mean, you know what?

That also brings me to the point of the dog. That was almost a superstition this year. Like, let's have an update. The dog gets so blamed for so many things. And like, she is the sweetest dog ever. Literally, we got so, so, so lucky with her.

Yeah. Because we had Milo, who was, like, kind of rambunctious, and she really has, like, mellowed him out and, like, they're best friends. But I think they call her superstitions more, or, like, she's bad luck, but she's really not. She's really like a sweet, sweet dog and we couldn't be happier. Yeah. Kind of sticking with the superstitions, pre-race traditions, pre-race, you know, routines

that you go through. Do you have those? And then what are some of the pre-raced traditions that you have with your significant other? So we get up in the morning and Denny kind of gets on his like homework, I guess, for racing. And I get up, we do breakfast, get the girls ready, get myself ready. And that honestly takes up most of my morning until we go out on pit road. Usually he goes out to the driver's meeting about 20 minutes before. And then me and the girls and his mom will go out there for driver intros.

And then we start the race that way. Yeah, I mean, Christopher is very on schedule. He wakes up. He eats the same breakfast and lunch. Which is what? It is peanut butter and banana toast on sourdough bread. And then every lunch our bus driver makes grilled chicken and broccoli.

Okay. And we, so we grilled chicken, broccoli, and rice. Is that every lunch? That is every race day lunch. When I tell you, we eat the same, it is the same thing. It's very healthy. It is very healthy. Although I think he's more too.

I think he gets worried about like, which I honestly would understand like not wanting to eat different things because like what happens if your stomach is like not feeling it that day. Does he eat that every single day or is it just like a Sunday? It's just a Sunday ritual. Thank goodness.

Yeah. No, he knows those things like before he gets in the race car, you know, for four hours that it's probably not going to do anything to him. Right, right. He'll be good. Anything before they get into their cars on Sunday. The prayer and the anthem and say good luck. I love you and wish them luck. With your girls, do they have anything that they like to do?

I mean, they just kiss them and hang on to them a little extra longer. Yeah. And we've kind of talked about like the big. pressure going into this race on Sunday. Do you, is there any way to prepare emotionally for the results of that or you just kind of have to handle it as it comes? I think you just got to roll with it. You have to roll with it.

I think it's really important to be really like supportive and positive, even if it's like not a good day, you know? Like, because things could be really bad, you know, but like you just kind of have to find the silver lining and all of it. And just remind him of that because like, I know it for. At least for Denny, his mind kind of goes like worst place scenario. Yeah. So it's kind of like, I feel like my job to kind of like, hey, it's okay.

Like you did really good. Like you finished there. Like everybody else finished behind you. Yeah. The positive. Yeah. Same thing. It's just trying to find that like finding the good if it does turn out bad.

Right. Right. Totally. Totally. Yeah. And we, I bring up the Netflix documentary because there was kind of that moment. Was it at Phoenix, I think, where there was like, there was a lot of emotion from you too.

I mean, that's got to be hard to be in that moment, to be supportive, but you're also dealing with your own emotions because you probably want it just as bad for him as he does. Oh, yeah, for sure. Like, you want it just as bad for him and for all the guys that literally bust their butts for, what is it, 38 weeks a year. Yeah. And, like, they're away from their families to sacrifice to, like, make the whole team better and do well. And it just, it hurts to, like, not see them. Yeah, definitely. I mean, we haven't been in the last few years or the final four at least,

so we haven't had that gut punch. I think it's almost worse to like, well, we haven't won a championship yet, so I wouldn't know what a real. Right. But I think it's almost worse to get into the final four and not win the championship than, you know, like I'd rather almost be, yeah, I'd almost rather be cut before so that way you can just go into the last race and kind of relax. Because I remember when Denny would be in the final four,

it was like so like devastating. Yeah. It was like, yeah. The whole week was just tarnished. Yeah. The whole week it just pins and needles.

Yeah. And then the whole like rest of the years was like, yeah. Yeah. But do you feel that way too that? I mean. I mean, because Christopher Bell's made, yeah,

made the final four, the last two. And I mean, that's difficult. And I feel like the first year he made it. We just, we just weren't the fastest car. And like I felt like that sat easier with me.

Last year hurt. Because like you felt like you did all the work to make it there. And then it was taken away so quickly by something that's completely out of your control. Right. It's all out of your control. It was out of everybody's control. And you're like, wow, it just really sucks to not even know. Like then you just go through all the what ifs, which is just a downward spiral.

Yeah, exactly. And Jordan, not only are you. you kind of dealing with your own emotions and Denny's, but you've got two young girls too. And I feel like they're at ages probably that they're really understanding like what's going on, that they really probably want, you know, their dad to win. And so how difficult is that managing theirs as well? Well, it's hard because they get, they do get invested in it and they get really upset. Like last week when we kind of all thought he would win because, you know, it was my

birthday. And I was like, okay, I want to win for my birthday. And so he was like leading and then it went away so quickly. And so they were, of course, upset. But, like, also, you know, they kind of have, like, a rollercoaster of emotions themselves. So they're upset. And then they're happy five seconds later. Right.

Yeah. Does one of them get more upset than the other? Taylor, for sure. But then Molly gets upset, too, because she just, like, has such that, like, sensitive soul, I think, you know. When the season ends, how far past the season, do you and, like, your household kind of carry the results? of the season. Until the next season? No, I don't know.

So I guess Christopher's thing even like, I guess I don't know, because it doesn't end in a championship or it hasn't ever for us. So like we just kind of dwell on it for maybe that night, maybe the next day. And then it's just done it on to next season. But I know like for race wins, we get rid of it. But if we win, the trophy will literally sit on our kitchen island. until we leave for the next race. So like, it depends.

Like, celebrate the happiness a little longer and try and push the sadness away quicker. Yeah, right. For us, when the season ends, the season ends. And it's like Thanksgiving, Denny's birthday, we got Christmas and Taylor. So it kind of just, like, we just move on to the next thing. But, I mean, we're pretty sad about it.

I mean, right, for probably a few days, you know, but we move on and life moves on. During the season, do you talk about wins or losses more. Like, you mentioned, like, leaving the trophy up for the whole week. Like, do you, or do you try not to maybe even talk about racing? Because that could also be the bad option. I think he probably focuses on the losses more of the ones that got away for him.

You know, that's just kind of like, I think a driver's racer's mentality is like, gosh, I could have had that one. And, like, you know, I should have won that. And I'm like, well, it wasn't meant to be. Yeah. It's okay. Yeah. But I guess I wish I had a little.

little bit of more of that in me because sometimes I'm like sometimes Christopher's like I think you're more competitive than I am like we should well you were saying too that you grew up around yeah yeah you grew up around racing and so that probably adds to that a little bit yeah I think it definitely just adds to all of it because there's times where obviously I know it is my job to try and be the positive person but there's sometimes we'll be driving to the airport after the race and I'll just be sitting there and all of a sudden I can't help I'm just like why for what like why this, why that? And then it's just like, I feel like I need to get it out of me sometimes.

Damn. It's definitely like, it's really interesting, like, listening to you because I can tell, like, you definitely grew up in it. And, like, I didn't. Right. So, like, I never watched it. You know, I was introduced to it when I met Denny. So, you know, you probably know and understand the ins and outs of things, like, so much more than,

you know, I do. And I've been in it for 16 plus years at this point. but no it's really interesting to hear you talk about it. Oh, yeah. No, I just, I say it's like Netflix has asked her like, so is it like a blessing or a curse to feel like you have a lot of knowledge in it? And I'm like, well, it depends because there's sometimes where it's, I feel like I know what's going on, but then sometimes I know too much of what's going on and then it just can make you mad. Right.

All right, so to play off this, like when have you been the most mad after a race? like mad or like upset like sad you can you can do both maybe maybe they're separate stories man it's just it's really hard for me to look back like there's so many there's so many there's so many i mean if we just go back to Vegas right like that was just absolutely crushing yeah like arguably the fastest car all day and it it went away from having a very untimely caution and somebody throwing a hill like a hill mary call yeah and it's sticking and that is it's incredibly again it's like pretty much out of our control but it was just like absolutely heartbreaking to know that our pit crew was it was probably one of the more fabulous days they had yeah on pit road

clearly adam and the engineers like put together a fast fast race car and Christopher made no mistakes and it just like wasn't good enough. Yeah, that's tough. That's always the hardest when you know you've done like all you can do. Every single piece did as fabulous as they could. Yeah, and it's just like, how? Yeah. And it's like, why do we love this sport?

We do. But like, why do we love it? All right. So on the reversal of that, what's the most memorable win? For me, it was all the Daytona 500s. Right. Are all three of them now they're all three different feelings. Like the first one with Martin, you know, being like inches away and how exciting that was.

The second one was also kind of special. I'm trying to think like in my head of which one because I think about it. It's kind of weird, but I think about what was I wearing? What was I wearing that day? Because I have pictures of us. And I'm like, okay, that one, that one. And then the one with Ryan Newman, you know, flipping that was like so, like we couldn't even, you know, you can't celebrate. Right.

You know, it's like, oh, goodness, like, he, we don't even know he's alive. Yeah, you want to celebrate, but you're, like, still thinking, like, oh, is he okay? Like, thinking of his girl. Exactly, exactly. You have to think about that differently, like, just, like, thinking of Taylor and Molly saw that. Exactly, exactly. So there's just, at least the Daytona is, like, I would say that are the most memorable for me. Just because those were, like, the most, the biggest, yeah.

The biggest and the most special, and we don't have a championship yet, so. Yeah. What about you, Morgan? I know. Finger scrolls. I mean, I would say probably our Martinsville win two years ago just because we were in a must win and did. So it was just like going into the weekend kind of like, like whatever. Like it may not happen like whatever to the extreme high of like holy crap. Yeah.

Like we get to race in Phoenix for a championship. And it's funny because there is this picture of, like it's really a picture of Christopher getting out of the car and he's excited. But I think my favorite part, if you look in the background of that picture, is our crew chief, Adam Stevens. And I don't think I've ever seen that amount of emotion out of Adam. And it is just, it's great. Oh, I love that. I love it when the team's like so excited. Oh, yeah.

It's like, you know how hard they work every single day, every single weekend. They're gone from their families. Like, at least we're like, we are so blessed to, like, go and be with them every single weekend. And, like, they don't get that with their kids. They miss those, like, softball games, soccer games. And they don't get that time, you know? So, like, we are, like, so blessed to be able to do this with our spouses. Yeah.

Do you think the preparation level this week has felt extra, maybe a little, just more time put into it, maybe, knowing that there's so much on the. line at Martinsville this weekend or is it seem pretty, pretty normal? Maybe a little more, but fairly fairly normal for us. Probably same for us. I mean, he does a lot of sim time anyway.

And he did a lot of sim time preparing for Miami as well. So I think he's going to definitely put the extra time in this week and hopefully it'll pay off. Is there anything that you want fans to know about kind of being on the other side of this, like with the support and fans are really outspoken, whether it's you know, for Denny, against any,

for C-Bell against C-Bell, you know, is there anything you want them to know from, like, the opposite side? But they're real people. They're real people. Denny's not as mean as he might seem. He's not as, like, scary. He's a good person, and he's a great dad and a great spouse. And he's a lot of fun.

And it's hard for, because they don't really get to see that side of them, you know. They only get to see Race Cardinian. Race car person. Exactly. And their podcast has probably helped a little bit with that maybe. Totally. I think so too. I think the podcast has definitely helped, like, see that other side of him that you probably wouldn't get to see on race day. Because on race day, he's, like, a whole different person. Like, when he puts that driver's suit on and his helmet, I'm like, I don't like, I don't like, I just, that might not be your favorite dinner. He's not my favorite dinner. He really isn't. Like, I, I like him when he's not in it. You know what I mean? And I'm sure you might feel the same way. It's like a, it's like a, I just wish people could, I get it. They're.

they're really cool and like some of the fans look up to race car drivers as like they're idols or whatever but it is crazy to think that like this is the most stressful time of the year and these well I guess there's six left that are not locked in but there's these six drivers and people are literally screaming their names and think you're so rude if you don't sign every autograph literally 30 minutes before they get in the race car I'm like they're literally trying to prepare like This is their job. And I am so thankful for race fans because obviously if it wasn't for race fans, there would be no NASCAR.

But just a slight more understanding of like they are real people. They do have feelings. And this is their job. Right. Yeah. No, I think that's a great point. I think it's so crazy. We have a friend that is in the basketball world and he's like, he came to a race and

he asked, and he like, how do you sign all these autographs and do all this stuff? before a race, like before I play, like, I can't do any of that. Like, he's so, like, and Denny's like, it's just kind of part of the routine, you know, it's just kind of part of the gig. Like, it's wild to, like, go to a basketball game. Right. And we've had the privilege of, like, sitting near the floor. And it's funny because, like, I had never sat on the floor, but there's literally

little cards on the chairs that are basically like, don't speak to the players. If you do, you'll probably get out. And here, there is, like, there has been times where Nancy and I now just stand on pit road until Christopher physically climbs in the race car. because he will literally be putting his head sock on, like, trying to, like, National Anthem's over.

Like, they are trying to go, like, get them in the race cars, and there's fans trying to stick things in their face to sign, and we're like, does this look like the time and place? Yeah, I know. A lot of it is, like, read the room.

Like, read the room. It's not the time or place. But, I mean, they're so, like, good with it now. Yeah. But I think, oh, I had a thought of my head now. I forgot it. Yeah, it'll come to you. I think, and I cover a lot of,

different sports too. And that's always the one thing that is really interesting. That's what I, that's exactly what I was going to say. It's like basketball is not like, yeah, basketball, you literally, if you go to the game, you're probably not even going to get within, like, shot of any of the players. And NASCAR is like the most accessible sport, I think. Of professional athletes.

Absolutely. Yeah, football players, you know, you get fans that are in the stadium up, up against the wall. They're going to be asking for autographs. They may or may not get them if they can, like, wrangle them. over to the side, but that's before and after the game, and there's a wall separating them, too. So there's definitely just a lot of, yeah, barriers put up there. Whereas NASCAR, you're like, free range. Yeah, inches away.

Yeah, inches away, really. Yeah. So, truly. All right. Well, we appreciate y'all joining us today. I think that was some good perspective, and we wish you both luck. Obviously, two spots left in the championship four. I'm sure JGR would love to get both of their drivers into Phoenix.

For sure. We would love that. All right. Thanks so much, guys. Thanks for having us. All right, now we're going to shift gears quite literally and talk to a Hollywood actor that's now going into the NASCAR truck series full time next season. We're talking with Frankie Munez to learn how he got into racing, how long he's been a fan, and what the plans are for 2025. Well, if you grew up in the 90s, much like I did, then this interview might mean just a little bit more, but we are joined by former Hollywood actor, now race car driver, Frankie Munez. And we get to say that. in a big way because you are now taking your racing career full time next year. Yeah, I'm super thrilled to announce that I'll be racing full time in the NASCAR Crasping Truck Series.

It's something not, I can't even say that it's been a dream. It seemed like something that was so far-fetched, you know, as a kid, you know, growing up watching the sport, I never really thought I would be a race car driver. But the fact that I made it here and just ready to get to work, right? ready for the season already and to prove that I can do it and be out there. What did this transition look like for you? And I'll just go ahead and make mention. I interviewed you yesterday locally. So this is a big challenge that Dirty Mo Media is putting me through, putting you through that we're going to make this interview even more interesting,

more in depth. But you were telling me a little bit about your story yesterday. And it's pretty intriguing because not only were you a race fan before your acting career, but you did racing after that, too. Yeah, I mean, I grew up a huge fan of racing. I don't come from a family that was involved in racing or even watch racing, but I would wake up Sunday mornings and watch the Formula One race and watch the IndyCar races and watch the NASCAR races. Eight years old, I came down here to Charlotte Motor Speedway and went to my first NASCAR race, you know, slept in an RV and infield with some friends and was hooked. But even at that moment, like, I never thought, it didn't even cross my mind of going like, man, I want to do that. It just seemed like saying you want to be an astronaut.

Yeah. You know, if you don't grow up in that world, like, how do you become a race car driver? How do you become, you know, one of those things to me? So I was even at the 2001 Daytona 500. You know, I was 16 at the time, but I still didn't have the urge to go racing. I just loved it as a fan. And I got to do the pro-celebrity race that they put on in the Long Beach Grand Prix in 2004, and I won that. And honestly, that feeling of crossing the face.

finish line first. Like, I've never experienced joy like that. And I was, like, addicted, you know. But even at that point, how do you become a race car driver? A pro team had approached me and just offer me a test just for fun just to see how I did. And it ended up, I was quicker than their driver that they had already signed. Wow. So they signed me to a two-year development deal. I did form of the BMW for a year. They moved up to the Champ Car Atlantic Championships with the ambition of going to Champ Car, you know, what is now IndyCar. And next thing I knew, I was a race car driver. Like it happened really fast. So I kind of threw myself off the deep end then, right? I think I had like two or three test days before my first race in former BMW. I was racing against Sebastian Vettle, who became a

F1 champion, Daniel Ricardo, you know, a bunch of indie car, you know, now current indie car drivers. And it's kind of how I do things. You know, like, if I'm going to commit to something, I want to do it. But I also like, I don't want to beat around the bush, right? I want to, I want to jump in and I feel the best way to learn is to is to just dive in and and and do it and you know had some success there until i got hurt and sorry i talked a long time i told you no you're fine this makes my job super easy yeah no but you know even then so 2009 i got really badly hurt i broke my back i'd pins put my hand um you know lots of broken bones from a from a crash that happened and always thought i'd go back racing but it just took so long to heal so i had an indy car ride for 2010 couldn't do it because i

still healing at that time. And then life just kind of took over. I started doing other things. I joined a band. You know, I just on tour doing that for a while, you know, just jumped around a bunch of things. And it wasn't until 2021 my son was born. And, you know, I think a lot of people, when they have kids, they usually maybe stop taking risk or like slow down a little bit. But I was holding him literally the day he was born in the hospital room. And I was looking at him. And I went, who is my son going to grow up and think that his dad is, right? Because I could say like, oh, I used to do this. I did that.

I did all these things. But I wanted him to see me like working really hard towards something that isn't easy, right? That, you know, is very few people find success in it. But like working really hard and the ups and downs that come along with it and grow up, have him grow up seeing me try to achieve those goals. And I said, you know what? I want to go back racing. I've unfinished business in the racing world.

But you know what? I know I did open wheel stuff. I want to go NASCAR racing. I want to go stock car racing. So really my debut in a stock car was Daytona last year in the ARCA car. I had no idea what to expect. But, you know, I loved it and, you know, came up to speed pretty quickly. And, you know, here we are going truck racing now.

I love that about your son. I have two young kids. And I think it's so important for them to see that you're chasing your dream while also, you know, just showing them kind of what hard work and that determination. looks like. I think that's really cool. I want to kind of rewind the back. You know, you were saying you got a couple of chances early on in your career and you just stepped in a car. Like did you not, I mean, for those race, those early races, you didn't have any experience before that? Nothing. I mean, minus the celebrity race, they would bring you out to Willow Springs for like a few weekends

before the race to kind of and had instructors and try to teach you as much as possible. But no, I mean, I really had no idea what I was doing. Like I remember even showing up to the first couple races and being like, I don't know the rules. Like I don't, like, what am I not allowed to do? Like, what am I supposed to do? Like, you know, but, uh, yeah, I just kind of dove in and, and learned as I went. And, you know, fortunately, like, I feel like with racing, there's a little bit of, you either have it or you don't, you know what I mean? Like, I don't think anybody can just jump in a race car and be quick or even eventually become quick. Um, so you have to have, I think, the natural ability to begin with, which I guess I had. And then just trying to perfect it in the best way to do that, just

being in a car, right, is to do it, to be racing. And that's what I did. Yeah, I don't even know how long we've been talking currently right now, but we've made it through this interview without mentioning Malcolm in the middle, which is how I feel like, you know, people, like I said, in the 90s, if he grew up, then that's certainly where you're recognizable from. You also had several other movies like Agent Cody Banks. I mean, this is either going to date, I don't know if it's going to date me for listeners.

I mean, they're going to seem old or too young for our listeners, but like Miracle in Lane 2, The Disney Channel original. I should say that that's where I got the racing bug. There you go. Doing the soapbox derby. Is that? Yeah. That's your first experience.

We all got to witness that, yeah. But I don't know. I guess just going back to your acting career and kind of how you got involved in that and now turning over a page in your career to a race car driver. Do you like that fans recognize you from that? Do you feel like that adds maybe a connection to some of the race fans out there? Yeah, you know, I've always been proud of the things I've done in the past, especially the older I get, right? You have a greater appreciation for, you know, the opportunity you had.

And the fact that people come up to me, the show ended in 2006, so what, 18 years ago? Yeah. And I get people all the time coming up saying, oh, I love the show, it brought my family closer, or whatever it may be. And that's a pretty cool feeling to have been a part of something that people love. So I don't shy away from it. Like, I think there are some actors that don't want to, you know, they want to move on from what they used to do in the past. I love it. It was a great thing.

I got the opportunity I have now. I'm saying, you know, even becoming a race car driver because I was in a pro-celebrity race, you know. Yeah. So it all kind of lent a hand. I would say the only thing that's, it's not even tough. You know, when I made the debut last year in ARCA in Daytona, you know, there were a lot of eyes on us. Where when most people make maybe their debut, no one's really looking. But it was really cool for the ARCA practice.

We had one practice session in Daytona. I was fastest. So it was pretty cool to come out with a bang like that. You know what I mean? And I think it shocked me. So I know it shocked everybody else. Yeah. I'm not sure how Hollywood is.

I have to imagine there's kind of like getting in with Hollywood and then getting out. And then I kind of wonder about NASCAR and just kind of your acceptance as you have started racing and other race car drivers, other teams out there. What's that acceptance level like do you think personally? You know, I think initially when I said I was coming back racing, because even when I raced, you know, 15 years ago, there wasn't social media like there is now. So like, I don't even think people really, people knew, but not really, not like they do now. But I think people thought it was just going to be like a publicity thing. I was going to run in the back in ARCA. You know what I was just going out there, wasting my money. I've heard that a lot.

But the one amazing thing about racing that I love definitely compared to being an actor, is is it's not subjective, right? It's not like, you know, I can think I did a great job in the movie and think I did a good job acting and I put my soul into a character and people see it and they were like, man, it was okay. You know, if you're good and you belong, you're at the top of the, you know, the leaderboard and you at least can always kind of see where you stand. So I love that.

So what I want to do is I don't want people, I don't want to tell people I'm a race car driver, right? I don't want people just to talk about it. I want them to believe it. I want them to see it. I want them to see me racing and being competitive and, you know, earning respect as a driver. That's what I want to do. I don't expect people to accept me or respect it until they, until I've proven it.

But that's happened. You know, like there's only so much that people can say about someone not belonging when they're beating you. Yeah. You know what I mean? So like even in ARCA, I remember like people being like, oh, he's going to be no good. It's going to be awful. And then like I was leading the championship half through the season. You know what I mean?

Like, you know, we were doing pretty good. So, you know, that's the best way. And, you know, hopefully we can do that in the truck series. Obviously, it's a big step up, you know, everybody who's out there is really, really good and has tons of experience. I still think, like, this weekend at Homestead will be my, I think my 25th oval race of my life. Which is crazy. Yeah. So it's not, I really don't have a ton of experience in the stock car.

So I know I have a ton to learn, but I'm working so hard inside the car, outside the car with the team. I was in the simulator for four hours yesterday, like doing everything I can to not be at a disadvantage, considering I'm at a little bit of a disadvantage with the amount of experience I have. Right. And yesterday, and earlier this week, it was the big announcement that you're moving to the truck series full time. And that's a huge move. Did any other of the teams, race car drivers, did they reach out to you at all, congratulate you? Like, what's that level of acceptance? No, I've had a ton of people reaching out and saying congrats. You know, this year was a little tough for me because my plans fell through very, very late, like, you know,

right before Daytona. So I became a part-time driver this year. And it's been, it's really tough to be part-time, right? Especially when you do lack experience. It's hard to come in, you know, on race 12 for your first race and, you know, compete against guys who are racing every single week. But I'm so excited to have the announcement out early. You know, we have time as a team to work together to really, really prep for the season.

And it's just nice to be able to look at the schedule and know where I'm going to be next year. You know, even just for me as a human and my family and planning and, you know life so uh i'm so thrilled to have the announcement out and the response has been super super positive but you know now i got to back it up and go perform and experience is going to be helpful in that regard next season but you do have a little bit more of experience to uh on the track ahead like before the season yeah yeah i'm racing at homestead and then i'll be racing at phoenix uh with my team and you know we're using that as a i don't want to call it a test session it's not obviously i'm going there and are going to be as competitive as i can be

but really just kind of continuing to gel. I've still in my life only done a few green flag pit stops. So like as weird as that sounds, like that's something that I just got to keep doing to experience different scenarios to where when I'm in the scenario next year, it's not a first. And so we're taking it as like a really good practice session,

just keep jelling as a team and see what we can do. You were talking about this with me a little bit earlier, but what were the differences between Nashville and Kansas? because you said that one, maybe you didn't really notice the difference in the truck, and then Kansas was a little bit different. Nashville was the first time I ever drove the truck ever. And, you know, everyone was like, oh, you know, the trucks move around so much in dirty air. And, you know, if someone comes on your outside, like, they'll suck the truck around.

And so I don't know if I had in my head that it was going to be this crazy, crazy feeling. And I didn't really feel that. Like, I felt just comfortable and, you know, came up to speed pretty good. but then Kansas, I definitely felt what they were talking about, you know, how much your vehicle is affected by anybody around you. So what did you feel? I don't want to say you feel out of control, but like it literally like change, you know, depending on where that car is or where they go, like it completely changes what you feel in the corner.

And you have to learn to anticipate what the truck's going to do. You know, you need to be ahead of it. And because I'm experiencing it for the first time, I don't know what it's going to do. So that's part of why we're like, hey, we get a few extra races this year to to kind of learn that and be better prepared for next season. And that's what I'm doing. But, you know, it's a lot of fun. I really enjoy the two truck races I've done because you can affect other people's races so much

with your car placement and all that and just kind of trying to figure that out. But I think the racing is really fun. The trucks race a little bit closer because they poke such a big hole in the air. So everyone kind of gets sucked up and, you know, it makes for, as a driver, it's never not exciting. Yeah, I want to move a little bit off track for a second and kind of get back on that too in a sense because you've done Hollywood. You mentioned the band.

Now you're a race car driver. I mean, I don't even know if anybody has this much versatility in life ever, so that's pretty cool. But is there anything from maybe the band or Hollywood that you can at all implement in the racing world, like any lesson? I'd say the only two, there's two things. One's a very simple one. I'm used to being interviewed.

Yeah. You're really good to interview, so it's easy, thanks. Yeah, I don't have to go through media training, you know what I mean? But so I could say that. And then the other thing is with the band or even as an actor, like, when it's time to perform, like, you have to do it. Like, especially anything live, you know, if I started in theater, I was on Broadway, like that kind of thing. Or the band, you've got to go out in front of all the people and you've got to do it perfect. You got to perform.

And so in that sense, I mean, obviously I still get nerves, you know. Even yesterday, like for the announcement, I was super nervous before that first interview, you know, just like, just with, I guess, excitement. But that's what I think draws me to it as well. You know what I mean? The fact that it does get your juices flown in any, in some kind of way, you know. But I don't know. You know, I never fully felt like, and I don't mean this in a negative way. I always felt like a little bit of an outsider when I was in Hollywood.

You know what I mean? I remember I was nominated for an Emmy. the first year, I think 2001, 2002. And I remember showing up to the red carpet and feeling like, how did they let me in here? But never mind, like, I was nominated. You know what I mean? Like, I just never felt like I was part of that Hollywood world. It always just felt like I was just like an outcast that got to show up, you know?

And, you know, as a race guard driver, even though I'm still new in it, when I'm at the racetrack, I feel like it's where I'm supposed to be, if that makes sense. You know what I put my helmet on, you know, no matter what the nerves are, no matter what it is, I put that visor down. I go, this is what I'm supposed to do. And it's a cool feeling having done a lot of different things. I've owned businesses. I did the band.

I did the acting. I've done a ton of things in my life. But to feel like you're doing what you're supposed to do, it feels pretty good. So hopefully I can do it for as long as possible. You know, I'm an old rookie in the Craftsman Truck Series. I'll be 39 next year. So I'm older than most of the moms of the kids who I'm racing against. Oh, man.

But it's all right. I'm ready for the challenge. Yeah. How challenging is it going to be in comparison to what you've already done? Or what is most challenging? I know it's going to be challenged. Every aspect of it. Like I said, the competition level once you get up to the truck series is a totally different beast.

So, you know, I don't know. I know that I'm, like I said, trying to prepare any way I can to be. ready, but really the only way you're going to be, or to learn and to be ready is to do it. It's to throw yourself in there like I did at Daytona and the Arc of Carr last year, like I have in really every race I've done so far and, and just keep experiencing things. Obviously, you know, I don't want to set too high of a goal that is unachievable. You know, I want to be realistic, knowing that the series is so tough. But at the same time, like, I want, and I know the team, you know, Rayon Brothers is super,

super motivated to be to step it up, right? To step up the performance. And I hope that we can do that together for Ford and we can impress some people. So that's what, that's really the goal. You know what I mean? Going back to when you were a younger fan of racing before this was even maybe thought of as a dream, who was your favorite driver back then? This is probably an answer.

Nothing against him, but this is probably an answer you're not expecting me to say. I was a huge David Green fan because he drove the Slim Jim car. And as a kid, I was like, oh, man, I love Slim Jims. Totally 90s kid, yeah. But I got to do one of the, not one of the first things, but I did an episode of Spin City. And it was with Jeff Gordon. I played a sick kid in the hospital, and he came in saying how he was going to win these races for me. And, you know, it was a funny skit.

So I met him when I was maybe 10 or 11. So that, you know, I don't know if I'm allowed to say that in this building, but I became a pretty good Jeff. big Jeff Gordon fan just because he was always nice to me. You know what I mean? But I was just a fan of racing in general. Like I never specifically had like an alliance to someone. You know what I mean? I just enjoyed watching.

I really didn't even know who was in each car. I just was excited watching cars go around the track. Have you talked to Jeff Gordon at all recently? I have. I saw him. I think it was maybe Talladega last year. And I've seen him over the last, let's call it, 20 years at random events. And what's funny is, you know, it was way before Malcolm.

It was way before anybody knew me as an actor or knew my name. And he always, whenever he saw him, he always came up and was like, Frank it. You know, it was always such a great guy to me. But I saw him in the Talladega pit lane. And it was so cool. He's like, man, I'm so proud of what you're doing. I don't know, it was just a weird thing. You know, like to go from that, never knowing that, you know, 20 years later, I would be in his world.

You know what I mean, competing in NASCAR. Yeah, that's pretty cool. Got to be a full circle moment a little bit from each career. Is there any big moment, and I'm sure you've had fans from Hollywood. Now you've got fans in the racing world, but is there any moment with a fan that really stands out to you that is like a pretty crazy story to tell? Just in my whole life or just in the NASCAR world?

Man, I don't know. I have a lot of crazy stories. I think one of the craziest experiences for me, you know, let's call it, I'm trying to think what year may have been, maybe 2016, 2017. So the show has been over 10 plus years. You know, I'm used to people coming up to me, like here in the States. Like, you know, and they say things.

Everyone's kind of nice, you know, and good. But I had never experienced what I'm about to tell you. So I was, I flew to Switzerland and my now wife and I, we were just walking. And I had people like they were going crazy to where eventually they were chasing us down the streets. I didn't realize that in France and Switzerland, Malcolm in the middle is still to the day the number one show. You know what I mean? So like, but it airs, there's a Malcolm in the Middle channel that airs 24-7 and they

watch it all the time. So that was just a weird experience to like feel like I knew the popularity of the show, but then to go somewhere that you've never been. Like I even just went to Ecuador this year. It was a similar thing. Like Latin America, the show is so massive. And I don't know. It's just so, like I said, being older, I have a greater appreciation for the fact that

like my show how to impact on on people. And the fact that they get excited to meet me or see me is pretty cool. I will say one of my favorite moments as a race car driver, A, is when anybody comes up to me and they're like, I've been following your racing, like there's nothing that brings me more joy than that. But I remember being at Daytona last year, 2023,

so I hadn't even done a race yet. And there was someone wearing my, like, Frankie Mena's racing shirt at Daytona. Nice. And that was like the coolest thing ever. I don't know why. You've reached Pete. As an actor, like,

Nobody's wearing like a Tom Cruise t-shirt. You know what I mean? So it's pretty cool. Like that's pretty cool. Yeah. So I don't know. It was like a different experience. Should Hollywood have fan gear like that?

Yeah, why not? I know. Like just incorporate NASCAR gear into Hollywood. You know what? Maybe I'll start that company. That would be good. I have to know, too, from your wife's perspective, you've done all these things. She's obviously super supportive of you and I'm sure she's excited to kind of take this on,

especially with your little boy too. She has to think, though, like, what's he going to do next? Yeah, I mean, when I met her, what was I trying to do then? I think I was trying to get on the PJ tour. Like, actually? Like, seriously. She was a pro golfer when I met her. Oh, wow.

And we met at a golf event, and, like, that was my life. Like, I just played golf four or five times a week. Does she beat you? No. Okay. We're going to pull this up, yeah. Yeah, maybe. She has.

Yeah. No, so, but what's funny is, like, I remember telling her, when we met, because she didn't know that I was on TV. Like, she had no idea. I remember her saying, like, oh, what do you do? Like, you know, and I had the awkward moment of going, like, how do I say I used to be an actor on a TV show? So I was like, yeah, you know, I used to act a little bit.

I was a race car driver. I played a drunk. She's like, you sound like a douche. Yeah, like just making it up. I'm like, no, like, what am I supposed to say? That's what I did. That's what I do. I don't know.

But I remember talking to her about it saying, like, I wish we were together when I was racing before because there's something about, like, the community of, like, being in a race series, right? It's like a traveling circus. You know, you see everybody. You get to, you know, it's like a fun lifestyle, I think. And I thought that you would really enjoy it. And I remember her actually saying, like, I don't know if I'd like that. I don't know if I'd like the fear of watching you race. Yeah.

So, like, but at that time, I really didn't think I was going to go back racing. didn't really cross my mind, but when I decided to and I went to her, she's always been so supportive of anything that I do. Like, it doesn't matter. She's got my back. And so when I decided I wanted to do it, I asked her, and she's like, let's go. Let's do it. You know, and, and, uh, even now, she's still so supportive. One thing I, I will say, like, I decided to do this for my son, for my family. And it's hard. You know what I mean? I'm gone. a lot and try to bring them with me. But at the same time, as she's the most incredible supportive wife that I could ever ask for,

but it's not her dream, if that makes sense. You know what I mean? Like, she's supportive of me, but it's not the lifestyle that she asked for, that she's signed up for. So I've got to be, I've got to remember that, you know what I mean, that, you know, make sure she's getting to do the things that she wants to do and strive for. And, you know, at the same time, go try to win a championship. And you also told me off camera this week, too, that so now you're a race car driver,

but your wife, when you met her, she didn't even have her driver's license? She didn't. No, she had always lived in cities that she could take public transportation or she walked or rode a bike. And so when I met her, she was maybe 23, 24, and she had never driven anything. But she didn't tell me that. And I remember, like, I had like two cars that needed to move. I was like, hey, just follow me. And she's, no, no, no, I really don't feel comfortable.

I'm like, no, we're just going down the street. Like, it's fine. Like, it's not a big deal. She's like, no. And then she finally said, like, she got there and she was like, trembling, shaking. And I'm like, what's wrong? She's like, I've never driven before. And I'm like, why did you tell me that?

But, you know, like, what do you mean? So, like, I had to basically teach her how to drive. And, but now she's a champ. So now she's a real good driver. That's awesome. Thanks to you. And we were talking about this, too. It's like this, for our listeners, this is kind of a fad recently for a lot of younger people.

People are not getting their driver's license. And for us, like when we grew up, it was like the one thing that made you close to being an adult was getting your driver's license. I think my two like milestone birthdays were, well, 15 because I got my permit. But then 16 because I got my freedom, right? Having my driver's license, that was the only thing I cared about. I didn't care. Like I was filming Malcolm in the middle at the time and there, you couldn't ask for days off. Yeah.

But I was like, just so you know, I will not be here on December 5th, 2001, because I'm getting. getting my driver's license. You know what I mean? And that was like the biggest thing for me. And I think the other milestone birthday was turning 25 because I didn't have to pay that young driver's feet or rent a car. Everything had to do with, you know, driving. Driving. Yeah. So it's weird to me that I do hear these stories that the kids are like, nah, I don't really care. I don't need to get my license. I'm like, what? How? Like, what do you do? You know, but I don't know. I'm happy to be the age I am. Yeah, absolutely. Good, important life lessons to learn and the true value of getting your

driver's license. I don't want to overlook this because you did mention it earlier in our interview, but you were at the 2001 Daytona 500. You got to meet Del Earnhardt, Senior. I did. Before the race, what was that like? I remember just being just so in awe, I mean, of the whole day. I got to be the Grand Marshal for the parade. I drove in the pace car that day. And everything about it was like a, you know, as a racing fan, like a kid, like magical. You know what I mean? I had, I was in Kenny's Trader's garage and he gave me an M&M's jacket and Schrader signed it, Sterling Marlin signed it, Mark Martin signed it, and Dale signed it. Those are the four signatures I have on that jacket. And I met him at the driver's meeting and he actually, he said to me, he goes, man, I just got to say,

I love your show so much. Thank you so much because it's really brought my daughter and I closer together watching it. And like I remember being just so in awe of that. It's Dale Earnhardt. You know what I mean? And as I was, uh, walking to the pace car, he had stopped me again. So, like, pretty much right before he got in the car. And, obviously, you know, tragic, tragic day. And still affects me now, you know what I mean? Obviously, and everybody.

But just grateful I had the opportunity to meet him. And, yeah, it's a wild to think that now I'm racing and all that. But, yeah, yeah. I think that's something that makes NASCAR so special is that there's all of these memory like nostalgic memories and i know like the NFL and other sports have this but there's such a connection that you can have with drivers who are talking to you right right before they get in their cars and i think um that's a pretty cool thing thing to have and now you're going to get to have that with fans do you think about that it is weird you know there's not many sports if you

think about it or many athletes that are about to perform that like you can be on the pit lane or be in the garage and literally be talking to them as they're about to go and do it, right? You know, you go to a basketball game, like, well, they're in the locker room. They're getting in the zone. They're doing their warm-ups. You know, I mean, then they play the game. Like, you really don't have access to them. But, you know, NASCAR does a really good job of allowing people to come in and have the autograph sessions. You really do get to meet a lot of your heroes. So it is a weird thought to think that, you know, the way I felt meeting Dillenhard or meeting Jeff Gordon, meeting all those guys back when I was a massive fan that I may have that impact on people too. So I always try to give people the time

and you know, and you don't realize that like by you just taking a picture, it could make someone's day. You know what I mean? It could make their week, their year, you know, whatever. Or their dream. They could be a race car driver one day. True. Yeah, exactly. So, you know, it's sometimes it's, I'm not saying it's hard to remember that, but you know, you are so focused on like what you have to go and do. But, you know, the reason why we're doing it is also for the fans as well. So, you know, you've got to keep that in mind that, you know, you've got to perform, but, you know, nobody, if nobody's watching, what are you doing? Yeah.

You know, so it's important. What is Frankie Munez's mindset right before you step into the car for a race? What's that like? It's evolved over the last year since I did my first couple arc erases. I was a nervous wreck. Like I'm talking like just neurotic. Like, don't ask me to do an interview. Don't ask me to do anything.

Like, I'm so focused, like, so focused on when I need to eat. what I need to eat, like all that kind of stuff. And I've definitely gotten a lot more comfortable with the fact that like, you know, I know what I'm doing, right? I know I can jump in the car. I have time before we're going to roll out. You got the few pace laps to really kind of get your head in it and be ready to go. But, you know, I've realized that I always tried to plan if that makes sense.

I always try to think like, oh, what happens if this happens? And you really can't do that. You know, like you, it's just a natural reaction in the moment. And, you know, that's what separates the good guys from the bad. right? Because anytime you try to make a plan, it never goes to plan, right? What you think is going to happen never happens, you know, and the unexpected happens. So I just realized that, you know, I did the preparation that I needed to do and now it's

time to go do the job. So I'm a little more calm, you know what I mean? I used to not sleep before races, all that. Oh, my gosh. Now I'm like, oh, it's race day. Oh, I mean, where's my gloves? I don't even know. Take a nap.

Yeah. I'm not that comfortable. Is there anything else that we need to know about your journey before you step into the truck series full time next season? No, I just, you know, I want people to know that, like, I'm taking this seriously. Like, I don't expect it to be easy. I don't expect a handout. I don't expect any of that, you know, and I hope people can see the passion I have for it and see the work ethic that I'm putting in. And, you know, hopefully I can earn the respect on track, you know what I mean, with our results.

but no, I'm, I'm, I'm super grateful to everyone who has been accepting and to NASCAR for allowing me to do it and Ford performance. And, you know, it's really, I hate to keep saying it is a dream come true. Like, it's, it's wild to think. I remember even yesterday I called my wife after we made the announcement official. And I went, babe, like, I'm actually a NASCAR driver. Like, I'm a NASCAR driver. Yeah. Like, that's crazy.

You know, it, like, it hit me. So, you know, I'm grateful to be here and want to be involved in the sport for a really long time, whether that's just a driver or, you know, in some capacity, as a team owner, whatever it may be, I want to be in this world. And, you know, this is just the beginning. Man, that's awesome. And I'm excited for you and for your family next season. I know a lot of fans are as well.

You're an easy guy to pull for it. And I'm just going to put this out there, NASCAR. Frankie Munez needs to give some media training to the drivers on how to do interviews. This is probably one of the more fun interviews I've had recently, so I appreciate it. I mean, I just try to speak what I truly feel. You know what I mean? I watch a lot of interviews of the NASCAR guys, and I go, tell the truth. Come on, just tell the truth.

Don't just say the talking points. You're saying what we're all thinking in those moments. But anyway, Frankie, we appreciate it. We wish you all the best next season, and we'll be following along. Thanks so much. Thanks for having me. And just once again, thank you to Frankie Munez for stopping by our Dirty Media Studio last week.

A great conversation with him there. And we got a lot more coming up still on DJD Reloaded Up next. It is your favorite segment of the week, Ash Jr., with all of the most pressing questions that you have for Dell Jr. All right. Are we live? I think we are. Live.

All right. Good job. Hey, everybody, it's Dale Jr. And we're here for the Ash Jr. part of our show on the Dale Jr. Download. And it's been a good morning, but a long morning. TJ was here earlier to talk about the race at Homestead. We had our winner Tyler Reddick call in and we talked to him and saved a lot of

the personal stories for the Ask Junior segment. We'll also run this on our Thursday, DJD Reloaded, if you want to catch it again. Before we kick off into our questions, I want to thank Xfinity Mobile. Exfinity Mobile customers now get exclusive access to Wi-Fi hotspots all across the country. and with its nationwide coverage, they're always going to come in in a clutch situation. We're taking our phones everywhere we go. A lot of times I'm consuming most of whatever I'm watching sports or NASCAR,

whatever, through these devices. Rarely are we sitting at home on the couch in front of the TV watching all this stuff anymore. And so, Exfitting Mobile is the type of service that can give you that access and keep it coming. So thank you for Expending Mobile. Mobile and Exfinity their Pramara partner of NASCAR. Let's get to our questions. Yes, and the YouTube chat

is already populating. Hello from Montana. It's very exciting. Hey, I was just there. Oh, yeah. Yeah, maybe you saw them. But this first question coming from Twitter, it's from Eric. What did your girls think of the relief concert on Saturday night, the Eric Church, Luke

Colmes Show at Bank of America? Well, first off, Luke text me and he's like, hey, man, we're going to do this thing. He's like, I'd love you to come if you can, but they were looking for auction items. They put together an auction. So we gather a lot of things together.

One of the things I wanted to let everybody know, so when I go race the bud car, I'm going to get some uniforms made, I'm going to use them for practice qualifying in the race, and one of those is going to go to this charitable initiative. or this auction that they have. So either way, whatever, however it gets done, it might already be on the site for people to bid on. I'm not going to use the suit till the end of November, and then whoever wins this will get it.

But that's going to be donated. We really enjoyed being a very tiny, tiny, tiny part of, I was grateful he asked me to help throughout this whole process. I think all of us have been eager to find ways we can assist, however that may be. And so this was an easy ask. We did decide to go, and we wanted to take our girls. And I can tell you, we wanted to take them to the concert to see how they would enjoy a concert. And there's a good reason for that, because there's another concert that one of them may be going to,

that we wanted them. This would be a little nice test run. And Luke was going to play. Luke wasn't going to go on until 940, so we weren't going to see Luke play. But we got to see Eric Church and a lot of things leading up to that. The girls were great. They were bouncing around a little bit and out of their seats.

Because, you know, I go to something, anything like, that I'm like that's this I'm in my seat my seat's my seat I don't I know I shouldn't be up running up and down the aisle I shouldn't be bothering other people's experiences right but kids don't understand that and so I'm trying to tell them like guys stay in your seat it's your seat can't go there that's that you can't mess with that person that's a complete stranger they want to watch the show you can't ask them to play um it's because they will they'll they go up to any female will you play with me and I'm like now ain't the time And so, but they really had fun.

It was fun to see them in that big environment around a lot of people. They didn't really ever experienced anything like that. There was 80,000 or so people there. They raised over $24 million, just incredible. Luke and his folks bringing all the people that they brought into that, Cheryl Crow and Eric Church and all of the. of those things. So that was really cool.

Luke ended up playing until 1 a.m. We left around 9. The other thing I wanted to say is I'm living in Charlotte. I'm around a lot of fans of the Panthers. A lot of my friends are fans of the Panthers. They give Tepper a hard time. But say what you will, man. The guy lent the stadium, the concessions.

I think I've started to see other people starting to post about this on social media. And so it's good to see people. get that credit to be able to make that event, that event's expensive to put together. And that allows them to really get all the money they can funneled toward the right places when it's a charitable initiative that really helps when you get some of that stuff for free. So I thought that was really cool. And I'll be honest, I haven't been to the Panthers Stadium.

I know it is used for other reasons as well as soccer team and sports in a concert. It's a clean, clean stadium. I was talking to Luke about that. He's like, man, this place is amazing. He's talking to Teper, and Teper's like, man, I just want the team to be as good as this place looks. He's like, I want people to really enjoy it, him trying to make the stadium as good as they can make it,

and they just want the performance on the field. He badly wants it to succeed. But anyways, back to the concert, we're sitting there, and we were having a great time, and all of a sudden, Amy had this really shocked look on her face. and I thought at first I thought something was wrong but she was like and like looked at me

and she goes Randy Travis oh yeah and he was sitting right behind us oh wow that's awesome and I turned and looked and I'm like damn sure he is so he was in he was where I was up there yes

just part of the crowd just sit there and he hung out for probably 30 minutes guy he's sharp He's, his mind's good. He speaks very softly, quietly. But, but he was, he was enjoying the music, you know, bobbing along. And, you know, he's, a guy can't go anywhere without people like going, holy cow, it's Randy Travis. That was the loudest I heard the stadium all night was when they brought him on stage.

Yeah, so we missed that. It was so cool. Yeah. Gosh, what a moment. And so he was up there with us for earlier in the night. And Amy got to have, Amy got to talk to him. And I said, man, what an honor to be, you know, near you. It's, you know, heard him.

I just told him I was very honored and thankful. That was really, really cool. I text Luke and I was like, little heads up would have been nice. Thanks, buddy. Yeah. Yeah. But also next door, I met a team of veterans. I wanted to get this right, the Savage Freedom's Relief. They remind me a lot of team Rubicon, who I had helped in the past and met through our Mountain Dew partnership. But this is just a, this is literally a group that is formed during the relief process of Helene and in Western North Carolina.

this sprung up out of. So basically there's the veteran military network, there's this unique way that they all sort of can communicate and hear from each other. And it might be like a chain where

one says, hey, I'm going to go do something over here. And his buddy hears it. And that guy hears it. His buddy hears it. And they don't, they just show up. and I was asking on my we had a little break in the concert and I was out in the lobby and they were I was like how do y'all organize this and he's like this guy's like well I heard he was going so I was damn sure going and this other guy's like yeah I heard it from this guy and so and and I'm you know and they just is like I heard the call and I answered the door I answered the door you know and they drop everything they're doing and they's like we're there till we're done whenever that is it's amazing yeah and uh and so they've created this savage freedom's relief

project right out of the right out of this you know these past month or two this has sort of sprung up and now they're all motivated to like continue it to the next necessary um event and um they were great uh but we had a good time we got home and uh and i was uh i just was thankful you know uh there was it was a very emotional you guys were there um it was very emotional in many moments uh you could feel that a lot of people were glad to be there to be supporting the calls and the they

they they were absolutely completely happy with uh all the all the effort that uh that was being put together and and how their money would they knew every i just felt like man this is the this is the This is an easy yes. This is absolutely going to go to the right place. You know, there's times when you're doing a charitable initiative or you're working with certain programs. And you're not 100% knowledgeable about how the program might work. And you know you're putting in an effort or you're doing a monetary effort. But you're not 100% knowledgeable, I guess, how this divides down and what it reaches, where it really, what it reaches, where it really truly ends up.

But you do it because you know it's supposed to be good. It's supposed to help and it should help. And so I'm hoping that it, you know, but it was no question that night that what was happening was absolutely going to be a benefit. And that's a great feeling, you know. So that was pretty cool. You know, there's these moments in your life where it was very similar to Dover. Wow. You know, where all of the fans in the grandstands are waving the America flag.

It was a giant venue. Everyone was like-minded. And, yeah, I mean, that doesn't happen very often. It's a good, I don't know how, I can't articulate it. But it was a very good, it made you feel great about humanity, about, you know, about feeling like you were in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. Yeah, I mean, they raised $24.5 million that night alone. But like the biggest takeaway from me and the biggest moment that got me was everyone there was so proud to be from North Carolina to be living in North Carolina.

And you saw the beginning of Eric Church's set when he opened with Carolina acoustic and the entire stadium just lit up Carolina Blue that got me. That was the other thing. that was those were the moments where you get a little you definitely get the chills and I teared up a little bit get a little emotional and he cried four or five times yeah I the other thing that blew me away was most if not all these artists got up there alone with an instrument I love that and played just individually in front of 80,000 people and I mean all of them but let's just take Eric Church for example it It mattered none that there wasn't a backing band, a drum set, a bass player.

It mattered none. It sounded amazing. And he hit, you know, they know how to play a set stripped down like that, and for it to resonate and sound as amazing as it did, and you didn't miss the band, which is really hard to do. I think it made the moment bigger. I agree. Yeah. Pretty remarkable that 80-something thousand people.

can have something that's so intimate, you know, like it's such a, it's like, I don't know, I wasn't there, I wish I would have been, but man, yeah, everything I saw was just, I don't know, makes you feel proud, like you said, everybody was on the same side. Yeah, you know, that's, and that's just the nice and. That's a great way. And everybody's on the same side. Right. In any point of time, you know, there's tons of things to argue about, but for one night, everybody kind of came together. Yeah, and that, that was beautiful. The next day, um, we got up and got on an airplane and went to Washington, Yeah, and I want, hold on, I want you to talk about this, but I want to give credit to someone who's asking it,

just so they know that their question was asked. But Tyler Wilson on Facebook asks, how was the game the next day? That's great. So I'm wearing, oh, I ain't got my jersey on. Where is it? I folded it up a minute. I wanted to, I wore this earlier, and I wanted to let everybody know. So I wore this on the first half of today's show, Tuesday's show.

Dexter Manley, he was a defensive lineman. defensive end in the late 80s and early 90s. And one of the many players from that era, there were so, so many players that I could name that were just fun to watch. And he was a menace, man. He got you the sack when you needed it. You know, one of them players that you just knew when you got to get a stop and he's the one that got it.

And he dominated. But, you know, I've been a fan. since 82 and it's been tough. There's been some good times, but some tough times. We've got a great new quarterback, Jaden Daniels. And, you know, we've had great new quarterbacks before. So you temper your expectations or your excitement. You don't temper your expectations.

They're always high, but you temper your excitement around it a little bit. And you're hoping, I guess, the best, case scenario is is that A, that everyone can stay healthy, everyone, right? Not just Jaden, but that the team can stay healthy, not to be successful, but

just to have a great productive year and future. And then it's okay if we get blown out. It's okay if next week's game doesn't go great. It's okay if he throws three interceptions. It's okay if the defense stumbles. We've lived it. We've understood that. That is

absolutely something that that that you know we can deal with but it seems like that with all new ownership all new coaching and literally almost an entirely new team they flipped this thing and overnight usually these builds take a while but they've really got some great momentum and have turned it into a productive fun team to watch and so um i hadn't been to a game since 2019 we went to one every year for about four or five years there and then when COVID came we kind of shut everything you know everybody changed everything about life but um it was fun man um we uh they said hey you want to meet the coach absolutely hey gonna get gonna meet Josh Harrisdale owner absolutely they did ask me to wave a flag so they got this flag and it says raise hell

which i think is awesome right because everybody says raise hell praise dell right so they've adopted raise hail but it's H-A-I-L, hail, because that's part of their fight song. And so this is a new thing I think they're doing this year. And last week they had Mark Ripman, which is one of the quarterbacks from the 91 Super Bowl, go out and they wave this flag kind of firing up the fans right before the team comes out. And they said, hey, man, you want to wave the flag? I was like, I don't. I was like, I was like, I loved having,

I love seeing that former player out there waving that flag. The franchise had had such a tough time. And with the name change and everything, all of that really kind of separated or distanced a lot of the alumni from the organization. They might not have felt welcome or felt, you know, didn't know if they were invited to be part. part of it, right? And at least that's some of the messaging that I was hearing at the game.

Last week, the week before we went, they had 200 former players attend Darrell Green's jersey retirement. And I was like, I told them, I said, as much as waving the flag would be really cool for me, I don't think fans want to see their heroes. I want to see a former player out there. And so I said politely, I just would rather watch the game. I got my wife. I want to have this great experience with her. And wherever we're setting, we're the hospitality where you have the low expect, you know, we don't expect anything.

We're just going to go and have fun and watch it. And meeting the owner and the coach would be really cool. So we go down, we go on the sidelines, got to meet the coach, and stand down there and watch the players come out and warm up. It was really cool being on the ground and watching, Scary Terry and everybody on team sort of preparing and saying to Amy, this guy's this, this guy's that.

And we met some of the executives come by that have been there a few years and recognized and that I'd recognized. And we caught up, right? It was great. Go up and getting our seats. And I'm looking down on the field and they bring that raised hell flag out. And they had Dexter Manley, the guy who's jersey I have over here. That's cool.

Out there waving that flag. I didn't know who was going to get to do it, and if it would be a player. And so I am so glad that I got to stand there and watch a former player, Dexter Manley, one of my favorite guys, wave that flag that day. And I'm telling you, if I was choosing, I would choose that former player every day, every week. I mean, how many home games are there? You've got plenty of people to choose from to bring out there for the fans to see, because you don't otherwise see those guys.

And when they come out and they're part of the franchise, and this is for any sports team, it shows that they're supporting the new direction, the new name, the new team, whatever, right? They're in support of what they're seeing and what the team's accomplishing. It was a blast. I wore my John Riggins jersey to the game,

and I was a big fan of his. And then that was our day. Oh, of course, you know, The finish. Yeah, the finish. So they had this, if you know, if you hadn't cautioned, not everybody's seen this. I know a lot of people have, but Washington played well,

should have been up 28-0-0, but they were only able to get field goals. They're up 12-0. Chicago scores. They score again, and now with 20 seconds left in the game, we're behind 15, 12. So the game in most people's mind is over. We were sitting there having a great time And then all of a sudden the air is out of balloon

The whole place And the Chicago fans are on the other side of the stadium Just raising hell Boy, they are like in They are happy And oh man it was tough Because they're just in our face Right

There's a lot of Chicago fans there There's a good amount of Washington fans too Which was good because we needed it on third down But They get down there and they threw an out past the Terry at the 50-yard line, and we got three seconds left or so on the clock or whatever it was, and I thought, well, we don't have time to try to get inside field goal range,

no timeouts or anything left, so it's just pretty much over. I don't know how much effort they'll put into this final play. And even if Jaden can get the ball down there, I wasn't aware of how much arm strength he had, so it was a pretty good toss. So right before the play starts, just out of the corner of my eye, I didn't really think nothing of it because I didn't know what the outcome would be, but I see the Bears player taunting the fans. And I'm like, God, that sucks, man.

They're just, they're going to, you know, it just was like, oh man, yes, we're losing. Okay. Yeah, rub it in. Rub it in. Yeah, whatever. Like, God, y'all, you know, you just went up into the lead for the first time tonight with 20 seconds left. okay. And then out of the corner of this eye, I see the plays going.

And he's still, and I'm like, he's still not paying attention. I'm like, hey, I'm like, I don't know if it's completely necessary. You know, it's not going to make or break the play, but you might want to turn around. And so, you know, now I'm watching Jaden. And Jaden's moving around, moving around. And I'm like, all right, okay. You know, he's moving around. and all of a sudden he rares back and sends that thing ball in the air and we all watch it and listen

we're all still at least i feel like we're all still like there's a one in a hundred shot that this right you know it's not not good it goes up and tip called and i was like and guess who tipped it too i still have yet to see it i've watched the it was that guy i don't know I've seen the play, but I don't, I've yet to know that it's number 23. Was it 23? 26? No. Whatever his name was.

Hold on. I'm pretty sure it was here. I've heard that in the office. I know. I've heard that in the office a couple times a day, and I've yet, I don't believe it. But if that same, I don't think that guy got over there and was the same guy that tipped the ball. Now, he might have been in the scrum.

Number 29. 29? Don't you believe in instant karma? I won't watch it back. Yeah. But so the ball gets tipped and it's caught by Noah. And I mean, I'm gonna tell you, man. Me and Amy lost our shit.

It's awesome. I can imagine. Lost it. Amy's crying. I'm getting a little. You're cresting. The water's crested. That's right. Yeah, we got a little full of it.

You got a trough. Yeah. It didn't dribble down. But I'm like, I mean, we stood there just saying all we could do was look at each other and say, I can't believe it. Yeah. I can't believe. I just saw what I saw. And my gosh, man, I've never been to a college game where they've rushed the field or rushed to court.

You're ready? The team just pouring out on the field, I'm like, it's real. I was waiting on the flag. I was waiting on the reason why that wasn't going to win the game. and I'm like, it's real. We did win. And it's a regular season game in the middle of the year. It's not.

Yeah, against the Bears. It's not even a rival. It's not the Super Bowl. It's not a wild card playoff. It's nothing. But it felt like it might as well have been the Super Bowl. And I'll, I mean, if you're a fan of any sports team or any race car driver, of me.

God, you deserve those moments. And I probably can relate, right? Like a lot of people that followed my career. We had success. We won, but boy, there was some space, right? There's some down years where your loyalty's tested. And mine was tested. I asked myself, like, who would I pull for?

What team would I go to? What would I do with all this shit I got? how eagerly would I embrace the other team? I don't know. Got too much equity. I can't. And I just never did. I think if you said,

hey, who would you go to? Probably the Chargers. Just because I always thought they were cool because of their yellow and blue. Just like the Wrangler. Yeah. Like the Wrangler cars. Yellow and blue race cars were part of my childhood.

Big part of it. And so I always kind of secretly. pulled for them. But man, that was incredible, and we didn't even come close to leaving. Like, I'm gonna, if I'm getting

free tickets to that game, I've sat there and watched them win, and I've sat there and watched them get their teeth kicked in, and I am not getting up until it's over, over. Yeah, you soak that out. I let it marinate, lose or win, whatever.

And I'm not one of them getting up with five minutes left. Oh, we're, we've lost. I'm going to beat the traffic. So, uh, we, man,

we just couldn't believe it. We couldn't believe it. And we sat there and talked to everybody around us and everybody that was near. And all of us just kept saying the same thing over and over. Like I just, I just, I just can't believe that was, I can't,

you know, just such a very luck, look, they, they practice that play. They talked about it. Noah's standing back there for that tip to come to him. There's also a player on the front end of the scrum

in case it's batted that direction. They're ready for what could happen, what might happen, and they put themselves in those positions and spots intentionally, smartly. But still the odds of it really coming through, I think Jaden said he's never had a Hail Mary win in his life. And so that was his very first in all of his experience. playing football. But just cool.

I'm so glad we were there. It's a great moment in the team history. It's an instant classic moment for a team to have something like that happened. So we'll see those clips from time to time. But just a great, great state. The new ownership group and all of their, you know, all their folks were incredible. the stadium had a lot of upgrades and so they put a ton into

making it a better experience it did not the stadium I don't believe had a really great reputation up until the last year or two so they've made some great improvements for the fans' perspective but it was great man I was walking around in the midway

and just a vibe everybody excited happy about a winning team happy to be there, hopeful for a win. That was, I've been to games in the, in, you know, 2015, 16, 17, 18. You were there. You wanted to be there, but you weren't sure right about the outcome and it could be disappointing and oftentimes, you know, was, but it's exciting. They, they got to go do better, though, man.

To go down there and have to kick four field goals, being in, you know, being in or near the red zone is unacceptable. and I know they know that, but I'm sitting there with Amy, I'm like, this is going to come back and bite them. They got to get touchdowns. This is going to come back and bite them. And then Swift broke that run for a touchdown,

and I'm like, all right, here we go. This is what's up. You know, it's a bend, don't break mentality with our defense. We don't have a ton of, you know, we're kind of, they're very well coached. They got a ton of energy. in great culture, but there's still some weak spots, and it's a bend, don't break, but it's going to break it.

There's going to be a big, big play, and that was deflating. And then they kept driving. We luckily got a fumble right at the one-yard line. Luckily, somehow, on the next drive, Jaden was like one inch short of a first down that would have extended the drive and hopefully got us, you know, in a position to run the clock out. but man, it was so tough watching that game grind down and go the other way

late in the fourth quarter. Incredible. We were drugged down into the depths of emotion and then brought all the way back up instantly to the very height. It was a big swing. Well, there is

unfortunately one Bears fan who is in the YouTube chat. They said that they turned the TV off right away. It's tough. I would too. I mean, if I was the Bears... It's tough for the Bears fans. If I was the Bears fan

or if I saw that team, that happened to my team, I would have had a hard time with that. I still have a little bit, I lost my voice. Like I was really, yeah, I gave it all I had on third downs. Like the whole stadium. Hell yeah. So on third down, you know, we'd get a third and eight, third and five. And the whole stadium was trying their bit.

So earlier in the day, one of the past players, I think it, I can't remember who it was. But he came out there and he said, he said, He said, if you guys show up like this, they will win games for you. And you guys are part of the play. The more noise you can make, you're part of the play. Be part of the play today. And so, man, on third down, the place would get insane. And me and I'm sitting there in my chair, I'm like, I'm going to holler, but I don't know how much it's going to matter.

You know, and man, I didn't have much left. And it's just starting to get my voice back today. That's good. Yeah. Going full tilt. That is a good place to end Ash Jr. this week. I know there's, we only got two questions. I marked a lot of the questions down that I saw on the YouTube chat and Twitter and Facebook

that are going to be good for the weeks to come. So stay tuned. Well, I hate to say bye because I have had so much fun today and I have missed everybody. I have really, I don't know. I feel like I've been gone again for a while. but I've enjoyed being back in the studio today. I hope you're having a great week. If you're into the Halloween thing, be excited about that.

I'm going to take the kids trick-or-treating in a couple days. Follow Amy's social media to see what everybody's wearing. I've got something up my sleeve. It's going to be pretty fun. Thank you, Xfinity Mobile, for supporting the Ask Junior segment. Xfinity Mobile has Wi-Fi hotspots all across the nation, giving you that free access and coming in clutch in those moments when you're trying to watch the race and you're in the middle of the transit,

to another location or whatever it may be and you're trying to keep up with your football team and whatever's going on on that final drive. Xfinity Mobile will come in and help you out and make sure you get to see that moment that we're all enjoying. So they're a proud of my partner of NASCAR and we appreciate them here at the Dale Jr. download

and I will see y'all after a while. Another great segment of Ash Jr. this week. We appreciate Dale Jr. taking the time to answer all the questions from the fans. of course, all the fans for entering in all of those questions as well. And we just want to take one more time to thank our guests this week, Jordan, and, of course, Morgan and even Frankie Munas joining us as well. A lot to look forward to this weekend in Martinsville, as it is the official cutoff race for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and the championship four out in Phoenix. We hope you enjoy the race, and we'll see you back here next week.

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