When we think of a NASCAR-NBA crossover, we usually think of the heavyweights. First and foremost is Michael Jordan. The six-time championship winner with the Chicago Bulls set up another home in stock car racing with 23XI Racing. Jordan’s Cup Series race team is vying for the championship for the second year in a row. Then, LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, once played in Bristol. But this article is not about these high-flyers, but about some amateur basketball players – like Dale Jr.

The veteran driver is a 26-time Cup Series race winner and champion Xfinity team owner. But Dale Jr. is also a 15-time Most Popular Driver, and part of his charm comes from his quirky habits off the racetrack. One of these habits, however, spiraled into dangerous misadventures, as Brad Keselowski recently revealed.

When Dale Jr.’s ‘unathletic’ side came out

Technically, all NASCAR drivers are motorsports ‘athletes.’ However, we can accept that with a grain of salt, as not every driver has the physique of a top NBA athlete. Yet Dale Jr. loves to play basketball, and the NASCAR veteran continued his hobby into his later years. After Junior’s concussion and subsequent retirement from full-time racing in 2017, he took it up passionately. Travis Mack, his former car chief, said back then, “The doctors had him playing basketball a lot to help with his balance and sight.”

But while attempting to improve his racing skills, Dale Jr. also ended up injuring himself. He founded the “Dirty Mo Basketball League,” a three-on-three, half-court league comprised (in theory) of average-to-below-average basketball players. Brad Keselowski recalled a story from that league to The Athletic recently.

The RFK Racing owner was embarrassed after a video of him making a mess at a Charlotte Hornets event went viral. To exact revenge, he joined Dale Jr.‘s personal basketball league. But more challenges awaited, as Keselowski said, “Dale Jr. started a basketball league in his garage. I joined, and we got super competitive. It got way over the top. Dale Jr.’s engine tuner actually broke his arm playing basketball, and I was like, “I need to stop right now, because I don’t know how I would explain this.” We got so competitive, we were hurting people pretty much every night.”

According to Junior, the league is meant for “people that aren’t good at ball.” That is why Austin Dillon did not get a second invite after absolutely excelling in the league. Dale Jr. said in 2017, “In our league, if you play too good, you get kicked out. Austin Dillon … kicked out’s a strong word, but he was not invited back after his first season because he was too good.”

Dale Jr. was not a basketball fit quite early on, as we can see from a 1980s picture of his basketball team at the Oak Ridge Military Academy. A teenage Dale Jr. is on the far left of the photo with middling height, while his classmates tower over him. The veteran posted that picture in 2014, writing an emotional caption: “I wish I was a bit taller…I wish I was a baller…Oak Ridge Military Academy JV Basketball. #13.”

Clearly, Dale Jr. chose to play basketball despite his lack of prowess. Although his league did not last for long, Dale Jr.’s other off-track venture has lasted and thrived.

Scaling up for a bright future

Dale Jr. is not just a NASCAR driver. He is so much more, from being a proud dad to a championship-winning team owner. Also, the veteran is a podcast host. Dale Jr.’s podcast empire, Dirty Mo Media, carries the strongest voices in NASCAR at present. It all started when Mike Davis, Junior’s PR manager, pitched the idea in 2013. Now, Davis is the Dirty Mo Media President and Executive Producer. And Dale Jr. owns a big line-up of popular podcast shows. Fans tune into the ‘Dale Jr. Download’ and ‘Door Bumper Clear.’ In the latest addition, ‘Bless Your Hardt,’ Dale Jr. and Amy delve into their marriage misadventures. 

Dirty Mo Media put out a press release announcing a round of promotions. The new recruits include Tiff Powers, Executive Vice President in charge of overall operations. Then, Kolby Bass is the Vice President of Content and Digital Strategy. Alex Timms has become the Head of Original Programming. And Travis Rockhold has taken the role of Head of Content Operations.

Mike Davis explained how these role updates would help the enterprise. “These promotions are both a recognition of the exceptional talent within our organization and a critical step toward scaling for opportunities ahead. It’s so important to stay versatile in the always-changing media landscape. And each of these individuals brings unique skillsets, expertise, and drive that help us do just that.”

Clearly, Dale Jr. is excelling in a field other than basketball. Although his league resulted in injury, it was a memorable misadventure indeed.