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“No One’s Replacing Mike” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Rubbishes Co-Host Change as He Reveals Massive DJD Podcast Overhaul

Published 01/24/2024, 9:49 AM EST

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Dale Earnhardt Jr has lived an adventurous life off the track. Since his unexpected retirement in 2017, the two-time Xfinity Series winner has explored his interests related to the sport wholeheartedly. From ownership of JR Motorsports and CARS Tour to the launch of High Rock, his vodka brand, there are only so many sectors he has tried his hand in. One of his ventures that has taken a chunk of his schedule is the Dale Jr Download.

The podcast has recently been one of the most popular productions from Dirty Mo Media. While his media house has given a platform to multiple personalities like Denny Hamlin and Steve Letarte, Dale Earnhardt Jr has tried to connect with the NASCAR community by revealing some unknown anecdotes from his life. Recently, there have been speculations about Junior getting a new co-host instead of his trusted long-time friend, Mike Davis. However, Junior has dismissed these claims sternly.

Mike Davis will continue to host the podcast alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr

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Even baseless rumors can spread like wildfire among NASCAR fans. Dale Jr understands this very well. With noises of him replacing childhood friend Mike Davis as co-host of the Dale Jr Download, he felt the need to address these floating speculations. Speaking to Dirty Mo Media, the NASCAR Hall of Famer also explained the upcoming changes to the podcast from an aesthetic standpoint.

“It’s not going to be a big departure from what people know the Download as,” claimed Dale Earnhardt Jr. “Visually, we may move some things around so that the shots look a bit refreshed if you will, but no one’s replacing Mike. There’s not going to be a new co-host, so we’re just going to roll with him.”

Speaking with the crew, he further added the role of his wife, Amy Earnhardt, in the proceedings of the show shortly. Dale Earnhardt Jr wants to bring Amy to assist him as he narrates some anecdotes from his treasure of stories. Junior also had a clear idea when asked about the possibility of opening the podcast to guests who can have a conversation on it when needed.

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The 49-year-old said, “There may be some weeks when for the Tuesday show, Dirty Air, where Amy comes because she’s been wanting to come along because I’ve been telling a lot of stories about my personal life, and she’s in a lot of those stories. She’ll see the clips on Instagram and go, ‘That ain’t how that happened.’ She’s really interested in coming in, quite a bit. Having the opportunity to bring a random person in is kind of a nice thing.” 

NASCAR fans have looked forward to the Dale Jr Download weekly episodes for quite some time now. The podcast is a medium for him to continue his legacy in the sport. Having been close to omnipresent in the progressive ideas of NASCAR as a sport, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s recent nomination for the NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is justified.

Dale Jr and Marcus Smith receive the 2023 NMPA Pocono Spirit Award

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One of the most notable initiatives Dale Earnhardt Jr pushed last season was the revival of the North Wilkesboro Speedway. The track had yet to host a Cup Series race since 1996. However, following the lead of Dale Earnhardt Jr, Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith and Save the Speedway co-founder Steven Wilson realized the dream of getting it ready for the All-Star Race.

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NASCAR has announced that NWB Speedway will return to the schedule as the All-Star Race host in 2024. To honor exceptional individuals for their contributions to the sport last year, NMPA recognized Terry Parsons and Wilson along with Smith and Junior. Since the inception of the Pocono Spirit Award, it has commemorated personalities who have been an asset to the motorsports culture in the year.

When Dale Earnhardt Jr raised the situation of North Wilkesboro on Dale Jr Download, it reached the corners of the community. Marcus Smith responded immediately after Junior’s call for a revival. Smith suggested to NASCAR that the All-Star Race should be moved to the SMI-owned North Wilkesboro Speedway after a repavement of the track.

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Terry Parsons’ efforts have primarily stayed in the backdrop. The wife of the legendary Benny Parsons supported the movement to restore the iconic racetrack, and its results are for everyone to see. Steven Wilson was one of the founding members of Save the Speedway in 2005. Wilson has finally come into the spotlight with the organization looking out for forgotten racetracks that used to be celebrated back in the day.

It is safe to say that the major contributors to the return of North Wilkesboro to NASCAR have been recognized for their efforts. Multiple such venues could use such help. Who knows, maybe another one of them is already in Dale Earnhardt Jr’s sight.

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Written by:

Ansuman Abhisek

850Articles

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I instantly fell in love with the sport as I witnessed the cars' breakneck speeds and the robust nature of the sport and its drivers. As I had a deep-rooted interest in automobiles, the sport naturally piqued my interest in a jiffy. Kyle Busch and his cutthroat style of racing played an important role in getting me hooked to stock car racing as I hopped on streams to watch him win races.
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Edited by:

Abhishek Ramesh