Becoming Earnhardt 1980 Vol. 2 - Clash of the Iron Gladiators
About this episode
Dale Earnhardt’s 1980 start gets a spotlight: a rain-stopped Riverside opener where he charges from fifth but finishes second after going off course, then a five-year contract extension tied to full sponsorship from Mike Kerb. The episode connects the politics and motorsports link behind the Riverside grand marshal. At Daytona Speed Weeks, Earnhardt wins the Bush Clash with bold outside passes, but engine failure ruins his Twin 125s. In the Daytona 500, a costly lug-nut mistake and young crew inexperience trap him a lap down, leaving Buddy Baker to dominate and finally win after years of heartbreak.
With the scene set, it’s off to the races in 1980. The NASCAR Cup Series heads out to Riverside, California, to begin the season, and sophomore Dale Earnhardt is hoping to improve his road course performance. He will, in fact, finish runner-up to Darrell Waltrip, who, after a narrow loss in the 1979 points race, is regarded as a championship favorite for this year. Dale caps his successful West Coast trip off with a new season sponsor and a contract extension with Rod Osterlund, and he’s understandably feeling at the top of his game.
He rolls that confidence into Daytona Beach, where he shows his first glimpses of supernatural ability on the superspeedway high banks. He makes a last lap pass on the outside of Darrell Waltrip to pick up his first victory at the track, the Busch Clash. But when all the marbles are on the line in the Daytona 500, he has to go toe to toe with Buddy Baker and the fastest stock car in the country: Waddell Wilson’s Gray Ghost.
This episode of Becoming Earnhardt is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops. North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Plan your next adventure at a Bass Pro Shops near you, or online at BassPro.com.
This project is in partnership with MRN, the Motor Racing Network, and the Appalachian State University Stock Car Collection.
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