Dale Jr. Doesn't Think Cleetus McFarland Is Ready for Talladega
About this episode
Dale Jr. and TJ dig into the latest racing talk, starting with Rodney Childers’ early experience in the Xfinity/Junior Motorsports world—how the garage culture feels more family-like, and how he’s adjusting to coaching younger drivers like Carson and Connor. They also break down William Swalich’s first Rockingham win and debate driver readiness, using Cletus McFarland as the example: Dale Jr. doubts he’s ready for Talladega/Daytona yet and argues for more development races. The show also covers a Cars Tour appeal ruling, plus Ask Jr. segments on trading-card etiquette, space/aliens, and betting picks for Bristol and the Masters.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series was the star of the show this past weekend at Rockingham, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back in the studio to break down the action. He joins co-host TJ Majors to discuss William Sawalich’s first win, Cleetus’ debut, and more:
- Every driver could benefit from a couple of years in the O’Reilly Series
- We have not seen enough from Cleetus McFarland yet
- Breaking Doug Barnes CARS Tour penalty appeal process
- Should Cup race at Rockingham?
- Should NASCAR change its championship eligibility rules for lower series?
- Crew chief Rodney Childers joins the show
- Rockingham winner William Sawalich joins the show
During the Ask Jr. portion of the episode, listeners sent in questions regarding:
- Regretting purchases a day later
- Would Dale take a rocket to the moon?
- Does Dale believe in aliens?
- Which human would you send to greet aliens if they landed on Earth
- Die-cast cars Dale wishes he had
- The Figgy Earnhardt debacle
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Arby's
"Hey, everybody. It's Dale Jr. back again for another episode of the Dale Jr. Download with my co-host, TJ Majors, wearing the Arby's Studio. This episode is presented to you by Arby's and they have the new Meet in Three Box."
Arby’s is the restaurant chain sponsoring the show. It’s just part of the podcast’s ads, not related to cars.
Arby’s is the fast-food brand sponsoring the episode. While not automotive, sponsorships like this are common in motorsports media and can influence how segments are produced and promoted.
spin out
"And he, you know, he did spin out. He did have a couple of goof ups in the O'Reilly race, but, you know, everybody survived it."
A spin-out is when the car starts sliding and turns around instead of going straight. It usually means the tires lost grip.
A “spin out” is when the car loses traction and rotates uncontrollably, often due to oversteer/understeer or reduced grip. In stock-car racing, spins can happen from tire wear, contact, or throttle/braking mistakes, and they’re a key indicator of how well a driver manages car balance.
NASCAR
"to what the conversation is like in the NASCAR building around, around, um, Cletus and where they kind of think they,"
NASCAR is a big American racing league focused on stock cars, mostly on oval tracks. People in the sport talk about who’s ready to compete and how drivers should adapt.
NASCAR is a stock-car racing series in the U.S., where drivers compete on oval tracks and race for points and wins. The “NASCAR building” reference points to how the sport’s teams and officials evaluate drivers and readiness for specific events.
Lionel Racing
"nobody [1415.3s] does it better than Lionel Racing, the official diecast of NASCAR. [1419.7s] Their race win diecasts are some of my favorite cars in my own collection."
Lionel Racing makes official NASCAR model cars for collectors. They’re known for making the models look like what the real race cars looked like after the race.
Lionel Racing is a brand that produces officially licensed NASCAR diecast models. The segment emphasizes that their models replicate race-car details—like scuffs, tire marks, and damage—so collectors feel like they’re owning a snapshot of the actual winning moment.
diecast
"And when it comes to capturing all of that on track action in collectible form, nobody [1415.3s] does it better than Lionel Racing, the official diecast of NASCAR."
Diecast are small model cars you can collect, usually made with metal. Here they’re talking about NASCAR versions that look like the real cars from races.
Diecast refers to miniature model cars made with metal parts, typically sold as collectibles. In this context, the host is talking about NASCAR diecast models that replicate real race cars and moments from Victory Lane.
junior motorsports
"...one of the great additions to junior motorsports this year has been Rodney."
Junior Motorsports is a NASCAR racing team. It’s connected to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and runs cars in NASCAR events.
Junior Motorsports is a NASCAR team organization associated with Dale Earnhardt Jr. It fields cars in NASCAR’s national and development series and is known for driver development and competitive race programs.
victory lane
"We've definitely figured that out. We've had past cars, but we need to get in [1688.5s] victory lane. And I think once we knock one off the checklist, we'll knock a lot more off."
“Victory lane” is where the winner goes to celebrate after the race. It basically means “we need to win.”
“Victory lane” is the area where the winning team and driver celebrate immediately after a race. It’s a NASCAR tradition and a shorthand for actually winning the race.
pole
"him to Kota and he's just incredible on those road courses and sit on the pole and, you know, leading the race."
Pole is when you start the race from the very front. It’s a big advantage because you avoid getting stuck in traffic early.
Pole position means starting first on the grid, usually earned through qualifying speed. In NASCAR-style racing, starting up front can reduce traffic risk and help the car stay in clean air longer.
brake rotor
"And then we broke a brake rotor and had to kind of ride around the whole second stage until we could replace that. But to watch him drive from 30th back to fourth, you know, before the end of it was crazy."
The brake rotor is the metal disc your brake pads squeeze to make the car slow down. If it breaks, the car may not stop as well, so the team has to adjust and fix it.
A brake rotor is the disc that the brake pads clamp onto to slow the car down. In racing, a rotor failure can force a driver to change strategy and manage braking carefully until the car can be repaired.
penalty
"But eventually they deliberated for a couple of hours and decided to change the penalty. Doug will not be allowed to go to the open practice on Thursday... but he can show up Saturday. There's two 20 minute practices that morning."
A penalty in motorsports is a punishment for a rules violation, such as limiting practice time, affecting qualifying eligibility, or other restrictions. Here, the penalty is adjusted to change Doug’s availability for practice and his ability to qualify and race.
one race suspension
"If the, if the same, if I think a guy intentionally wrecks another car, I'm going to give him a one race suspension tomorrow... my precedent for that type of deal is the one race suspension."
A one-race suspension means the driver doesn’t get to race the next event. It’s a way for officials to punish dangerous or intentional wrecking so it doesn’t keep happening.
A one-race suspension is a penalty where a driver is barred from competing for the next race (or a specific next event). In racing series governance, it’s used to deter intentional or repeat dangerous driving and to enforce sportsmanlike conduct.
rocker panels
"...we're knocking the rocker panels and the noses and the tails off of these cars..."
Rocker panels are the metal pieces along the bottom sides of the car. In a crash or heavy contact, they often get bent or scraped first.
Rocker panels are the body panels along the lower sides of a car, between the doors and the floor area. In racing, they’re vulnerable to side impacts and scraping, and damage can indicate contact severity and poor clearance control.
tight corner entry
"And I do think one thing I like about Rockingham that is the entry of the corners is really tight. Like when you're side by side with somebody, it makes racing, you're going into a funnel kind of,"
“Tight corner entry” means the track squeezes you as you set up for the turn. That makes it harder to pass cleanly, so cars end up running closer together.
“Tight corner entry” describes how narrow or constrained the approach to a corner is. When entry is tight, drivers have less room to line up, which increases the likelihood of side-by-side “funnel” racing and contact.
Goodyear
"Goodyear has been doing a great job bringing tires. So I don't see, I think the race would be pretty good."
Goodyear makes the tires. In racing, tires are a huge deal because they control how much grip the car has and how long the tires last during a race.
Goodyear is a major tire manufacturer and a long-time supplier in motorsports. In NASCAR, tire performance and consistency are crucial because they affect grip, wear rate, and how well a car can maintain speed through turns.
Cup
"...If we can't be there with Cup, maybe we can get there one day..."
“Cup” means NASCAR’s top series. If the biggest NASCAR races can’t happen at a track, NASCAR might use other series there instead.
“Cup” refers to NASCAR’s top-level Cup Series. The speaker uses it as the benchmark—if Cup can’t be scheduled at a track, other series (like Xfinity or Truck) might still work as a compromise.
Corey Heim
"Corey Heim is leading the truck series points, but he is not eligible for the playoffs."
Corey Heim is a NASCAR driver. In this discussion, he’s doing great in points, but the rules say he can’t make the playoffs, which is why they’re debating the fairness of the system.
Corey Heim is a driver referenced as leading NASCAR Truck Series points but being ineligible for the playoffs. The segment uses his situation to argue about whether eligibility rules should be adjusted.
Cupra Born
"...s, let's talk about that. The O'Reilly series is born out of the sportsman car series that raced in the..."
The Cupra Born is an all-electric car shaped like a hatchback. It’s designed for normal daily driving, but it’s made to feel more sporty than a typical EV. The podcast mentions it in the context of racing-style sports categories.
The Cupra Born is an electric hatchback from Cupra, built as a compact, everyday-friendly EV. The podcast context ties it to racing and sportsman-style competition, which suggests they’re discussing how the Born fits into a broader performance-oriented lineup. It’s relevant because it represents Cupra’s move into electric vehicles while keeping a sporty focus.
pit stops
"Do you have live pit stops? You don't have to. I mean, I would, I would be fine sacrificing something as trivial as pit stops for them to be there."
A pit stop is when the race car pulls into the pit area during the race to get service like tires or fuel. “Live pit stops” means you can see them happening in real time for the broadcast.
Pit stops are scheduled stops in the pits where teams can change tires, refuel, and make adjustments. The speaker asks about “live pit stops” and then suggests sacrificing that feature if it helps get the series at the track.
pit stalls
"Yeah, they have enough stalls. Yeah. But it would, it would probably be best to do no live stop."
Pit stalls are the numbered spaces in the pit lane where a specific car pulls in for service. Track layout and the number of stalls can limit how many cars can pit at once, affecting strategy and congestion.
card collecting
"We're going to do it next week, I suppose, about, you know, [4215.5s] just some unwritten rules about card collecting. [4219.1s] And when do you get your cards graded and all that bull."
Card collecting is when people hunt for sports cards, keep them, and sometimes trade or sell them. Some cards are worth more because they’re rarer or in better condition.
Card collecting is a hobby where people buy, trade, and store sports or trading cards, often with an emphasis on rarity and condition. In many collecting communities, value is driven by factors like print run, demand, and whether cards are graded.
cards graded
"We're going to do it next week, I suppose, about, you know, [4215.5s] just some unwritten rules about card collecting. [4219.1s] And when do you get your cards graded and all that bull."
Grading means someone checks a card’s condition and gives it a score. It helps collectors know how good the card is without guessing.
“Grading” is the process of having trading cards professionally evaluated for condition and authenticity, then assigned a numerical grade. Collectors use graded cards to standardize quality and make buying/selling easier because the grade acts like a condition benchmark.
little things add up in a race
"And we just, I honestly couldn't get the little things right last year. So I think I learned that for this year and everything, every little thing adds up in a race."
In racing, tiny errors can matter a lot. One small mistake can cost time, and if it happens repeatedly you end up losing the race.
This highlights how race outcomes in motorsport often hinge on small execution details—setup consistency, tire management, pit timing, and driving inputs. Even if each mistake seems minor, the cumulative effect can cost laps, track position, or tire life.
Joe Gibbs Racing
"[4882.3s] and help you're getting through Joe Gibbs racing? Who's sort of, you know, who's responsible, I [4890.1s] suppose, for making sure you're in the gym every day besides yourself?"
Joe Gibbs Racing is a big NASCAR racing team. The guest is talking about how that team helps with preparation and support.
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is a major NASCAR team organization. In the episode, it’s referenced as the environment where the driver’s training and preparation are supported.
crew chief
"And my crew chief, Jeff Mendring, has worked with Brandon for many years in the O'Reilly series. So we can always, you know, have a good connection through that."
The crew chief is basically the team’s boss for race day. They tell the driver what to change and help decide the best plan for the race.
A crew chief is the team leader who makes strategy and setup decisions during a race weekend. They coordinate with the driver and crew to adjust the car and plan race tactics based on what’s happening on track.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...y regrets was an automobile. I bought a Callaway Corvette and Callaway is a great brand that built they ta..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car made by Chevrolet that’s designed to be fast and fun to drive. A “Callaway Corvette” means the car was modified by Callaway to improve performance. People talk about it because it’s a more performance-focused version of the Corvette.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance sports car built by Chevrolet, known for its strong acceleration and track-capable design. In the podcast context, a Callaway Corvette is mentioned, which points to an aftermarket-tuned version where Callaway enhances performance beyond the standard car. It’s discussed because it represents how owners can upgrade the Corvette’s capabilities with a specialized performance builder.
Xfinity
"And thank you Xfinity for waving the red flag on internet price hikes. You'll get great savings now. You'll get the speed, reliable Wi-Fi that you need all at one price for five years."
Xfinity is a company that sells home internet and cable service. They’re sponsoring the show and advertising their plans and pricing.
Xfinity is Comcast’s consumer internet and TV brand. In the segment, it’s being used as a sponsor to talk about pricing and service features like Wi‑Fi and “no surprises” billing.
FanDuel
"It's time for the dirty mode dose segment. Um, presented to you by FanDuel. FanDuel is, is a premier gaming destination in the United, States and also here in the studio with our group."
FanDuel is a website/app where people place sports bets. They’re sponsoring the part of the show where the hosts talk about betting lines.
FanDuel is a sports betting and daily fantasy sports operator. The segment frames it as the sponsor for the “dirty mode dose” betting portion, including point spreads and wagers.
sleeper pick
"Ty Gibbs is really good there. Yeah. So he'd be your sleeper pick here."
A “sleeper pick” is a choice that doesn’t look like the obvious favorite, but could still win. The hosts are saying Ty Gibbs might be a smart under-the-radar bet.
A “sleeper pick” is a bet on someone who isn’t expected to win by most people but has a credible chance. Here, it’s used for Ty Gibbs at Bristol, implying the hosts think the odds may not fully reflect his potential.
Larson
"It's hard to go against Denny at Bristol. And I think Larson's really fast as well. ... Larson is a groove move up, sling it around the high side."
“Larson” is Kyle Larson, a NASCAR driver. They’re saying he’s especially strong when the outside line becomes the faster way around the track.
“Larson” refers to Kyle Larson, discussed here in terms of line choice—especially his ability to run the high side when the track supports it. That’s why the hosts say he can be hard to beat once conditions shift.
Denny Hamlin
"So, yeah, I mean, I feel like that in those type of situations, I trust Denny Hamlin, race manager, he's good at just kind of not making the little mistakes."
Denny Hamlin is a NASCAR driver. The hosts are saying he’s good at staying out of trouble and making smart decisions during the race.
Denny Hamlin is a top NASCAR driver, and the transcript frames him as a “race manager” who avoids small mistakes. That’s a key performance trait in short-track races like Bristol where incidents can decide the result.
top 10
"[7184.7s] TJ don't screw us up if we bet Brad. No promises. If you don't get a top 10, don't come back."
This is betting that someone finishes really high—usually in the top 10 spots. It’s easier than betting they win the whole thing.
A “top 10” bet is a wager that a golfer finishes within the top 10 positions in the tournament. It’s a common way to bet without needing a win, since top-10 finishes are more frequent than first place.
parlay
"[7273.0s] But yeah, I'm with Tim's like, so Tim's Russ LaTarmi will put together what we call the United [7279.4s] Nations parlay. We'll, each of us will pick a top region player and put it together for [7285.5s] a big parlay and hope it hits Russ."
A parlay is like bundling multiple picks into one bet. If any pick fails, the whole parlay usually fails.
A parlay is a multi-bet where several selections are combined into one wager. All legs typically must win for the parlay to pay out, which makes it higher risk but can offer higher returns.
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