Dale Earnhardt was the definition of NASCAR, winning seven Cup Series championships in his legendary career. For Earnhardt, being the face of the sport included special privileges, such as close ties to NASCAR bosses.
In the most recent Download Dale Jr. podcast, Larry McReynolds genuinely shocked Junior when he revealed how comfortable his father was with some of the NASCAR bosses. McReynolds detailed an unbelievable incident that happened just minutes before Earnhardt won the 1998 Daytona 500 and how that moment almost cost him his job and his career at NASCAR.
Dale Earnhardt joins Larry McReynolds
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In 1997, Dale Earnhardt was looking for a change. After winning consecutive Cup Series championships in 1993 and 1994, Earnhardt finished second in 1995 and lost his team boss Andy Petree after the season.
The following season, Earnhardt’s old jackman, David Smith, changed to the role of team leader. Earnhardt won only twice that year and finished fourth in the points classification at the end of the year.
After the 1996 season, car owner Richard Childress had long discussions and lured Larry McReynolds away from Robert Yates Racing, where he served as the team leader for 1992 Daytona 500 winner Davey Allison. Many experts thought that joining one of McReynolds’ team leaders with Earnhardt would result in victories and more Cup Series titles in the years to come.
Pair without victory in the 1997 NASCAR season
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The 1997 NASCAR season came with a new team leader and new expectations from Dale Earnhardt’s field. In the first race of the season at Daytona, Earnhardt looked fine for most of the race and was in the race late. But Earnhardt fans did not have much hope. They had traveled this road many times before and burned themselves. And it happened again.
With 12 laps to go, Earnhardt was involved in an accident that knocked car # 3 off its roof and slid down the track before straightening up. The Intimidator was denied again in Daytona. Unfortunately, it was a precursor to what was to come.
For the second time in Dale Earnhardt’s illustrious career, he failed to win a race during the season. Despite not making a trip to the victory track in 1997, Earnhardt finished fifth in the points standings. It certainly wasn’t the start that McReynolds or anyone in the Earnhardt camp wanted, much less expected.
Shocking radio communication between Dale Earnhardt and Bill France Jr. during the 1998 Daytona 500
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After a disappointing NASCAR season in 1997, Dale Earnhardt and Larry McReynolds planned 1998 to be different, starting with the Daytona 500. Things started well in the first race of the year. Earnhardt was, without a doubt, the field gang throughout the day. With about 20 laps to go and ahead of the race, a warning came up.
McReynolds called for a quick stop with a change of two tires. The rest of the field did the same, and team # 3 left the pits with the lead. With Earnhardt back on the track in front of the pack and behind the pace car, McReynolds said what happened next was something Richard Childress warned him about when he signed with RCR before the 1997 season.
“Richard said to me, ‘I just need to warn you about something. As you know, Dale and (NASCAR President) Bill France Jr. are very close, ‘”McReynolds told Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Download Dale Jr. podcast. “’And Bill France Jr. has a radio, and every now and then, it’s rare, he talks to Dale on the radio under caution.’”
“Holy cow!” Earnhardt Jr. responded without believing.
“We do the pit stop. Suddenly, on the radio, I hear a voice that says, ‘Hey Sunday Money, this is Captain Jack.’ I’m thinking – who the hell is Captain Jack? McReynolds recalled when Earnhardt started laughing. “Who’s on our radio? And Richard (Childress) saw me and he knew I was about to fall apart. Captain Jack is about to be cursed. continued pointing (towards the press box). I said, ‘Oh, Captain Jack.’ He said, “Hey Sunday Money, this is Captain Jack. Why don’t you take that big one today?” And of course your dad knew who it was. He said, ’10 -4, we’re going to do this. ‘”
“Wow!” Dale Earnhardt Jr. responded with genuine admiration for what he had just heard. McReynolds said that if Childress had not intervened when he did, he would certainly have cursed France Jr. and lost his job. But he didn’t, and instead, several laps later, he watched Dale Earnhardt Sr. capture his one and only Daytona 500.
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