Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with NASCAR Cup standout Ross Chastain to catch up with him and learn more about his progression to becoming one of the front runners in stock car racing. Since his last appearance on the Download, Ross has found his footing in the top echelon of stock cars and can be considered a threat to win week in and week out. Ross explains that the confidence that Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks has in him plays a huge role in that and having quality cars under him that he doesn’t feel the need to overdrive. Ross and Dale talk about the modern approach to being a Cup driver which involves a rigorous weekly routine of exercise and team interaction. Ross explains that through his time with Josh Wise at Wise Optimization, he’s learned to embrace his training routine and looks forward to running and cycling in the off-season.

The guys chat about Ross’ new partnership with Busch Beer and how it came about for the 2024 season. They also chat about Ross’ call with Rick Hendrick after his string of run-ins with some of Hendrick Motorsports racers, what he took away from the call, and how it shaped his approach to driving. Ross fills listeners in on his family’s watermelon farming company and what role that plays in his future. He explains that his brother Chad recently stepped away from pursuing a career in racing to help out more on the agriculture side, and he believes one day down the road he will follow suit.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins special co-host TJ Majors to react to the action packed NASCAR weekend at Homestead. After Tyler Reddick’s stunning last lap pass on Ryan Blaney to lock into the Championship Four, there was a lot to chat about:

• Was Homestead a near perfect race?
• What are Ryan Blaney’s regrets about the last corners of the race?
• How does the NextGen run at Homestead compared to Xfinity cars?
• The stage is set for a wild weekend in Martinsville
• How will Hendrick Motorsports teammates handle the race on Sunday?
• Teammate mentality in elimination races
• Race winner Tyler Reddick calls into the show
• Dale & TJ preview their Halloween plans

It’s a blast from the past as Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with longtime NASCAR crew chief Tony Eury Sr. to talk about what he’s been up to and their years together at Dale Earnhardt Inc. As the week kicked off with Dale Jr. announcing a Budweiser partnership to bring the iconic red, DEI-styled No. 8 car to the Florence 400 late model stock event, it was only fitting that he catches up with the man who was atop the pit box for the glory days. Tony explains that he has been working with his son Tony Eury Jr. at Fury Race Cars, where they stay active in late model and grassroots competition. They unpack Tony’s years spent behind the wheel as a driver at Metrolina and Concord before his family ran out of funds to keep competing. Around this time, Tony was juggling the decision to work on Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s car for a living or continue his career at Great Dane Trailers. Ultimately, after he put enough time in to receive some retirement benefits, Tony left Great Dane and headed over to DEI full-time.

Dale Jr. was eager to learn more about the decision to put him in a full-time Busch Series ride, to which Tony was instrumental in making it happen. Tony recalls having a conversation with Dale Sr. about the hire, and Tony suggested that instead of spending money on other drivers he should give Dale Jr. a chance. They also talk about capturing back-to-back Busch Series championships and making the jump to NASCAR Cup competition. Dale marvels at Tony’s confidence that they would do well from the start, and Tony explains it was thanks to the team’s long track record of success with other racers. The guys reflect on some of their favorite moments working together and how they got DEI’s plate track program up to speed, becoming one of the most dominant forces in the modern Cup era.

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The legendary Bud 8 is back. This morning Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he is partnering with Budweiser to bring back the DEI-styled No. 8 along with the iconic red Budweiser scheme at Florence Motor Speedway. Dale fills listeners in on the details of this partnership and unpacks NASCAR’s weekend in Las Vegas on this edition of Dirty Air:

• Bringing the red Budweiser No. 8 paint scheme to the Florence 400
• How the Bud partnership came together in light of the No. 8 trademark expiring recently
• Bringing more eyes to late model stocks and grassroots racing
• AJ Allmendinger’s surprise win in Las Vegas
• Who else can lock into the Xfinity Championship Four?
• Joey Logano was out and now he’s IN
• Chase Elliott is in a tough position
• Race winner Joey Logano joins the show
• Our four-person parlay ahead of Thursday Night Football

21+ and present in North Carolina. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly to learn about his storied career in the NFL, battles with concussions, and how he turned into of the best defensive players in the league. After showing glimmers of brilliance during his time at St. Xavier High School, Luke selected Boston College thanks to their strong academic program and Jesuit leadership. Due to a number of injuries to other players on the Eagles roster, Luke became a starting linebacker in his freshman year. He would receive the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award before moving to middle linebacker in his sophomore season, a move that Luke credits with opening many doors in the rest of his playing career. Luke and Dale discuss the responsibility the middle linebacker holds on the roster, as he is usually the player with the in-helmet headset relaying the play to the rest of the defensive squad.

Luke also explains his process for preparing for professional games, which includes watching film and trying to absorb the other teams’ signaling system for plays in an effort to get a leg up on defensive strategy. He admits that while he had a promising freshman season in college, it wasn’t until his sophomore year that he thought the NFL would be a possibility for him. The guys chat about what the NFL combine was like for Luke and his experience on draft day when he received a call at his parents’ home to inform him that he was being selected as ninth pick for the Carolina Panthers. They also dive into Luke stepping away from playing professionally at an early age due to the effects of a series of concussions, and what events led to that difficult decision.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back from his birthday vacation to recap the end of the NASCAR Cup Playoffs Round of 12 on this edition of Dirty Air. The Charlotte Roval produced many compelling storylines, and he joins special co-host TJ Majors to recap it all:

• Hendrick Motorsports will NOT appeal Alex Bowman penalty
• The Roval’s new turn 7 was a success
• The fans would like to have the Charlotte oval back in the Playoffs
• The problem with track limits
• NASCAR Cup Playoffs Round of 8 preview
• Updates to the Damage Vehicle Policy
• Overhauling NASCAR’s race control process
• Dale's move to wearing contacts