Dale Jr. Download: Neil Bonnett was "Something Special"

James Finch had a multitude of drivers during his tenure as a NASCAR team owner but the one that sticks out in his mind is Neil Bonnett. The two had a great friendship and Finch recalls the dark days surrounding his death.
The full Dale Jr. Download podcast is available for free on any major podcasting platform.

[@lowcountryantiques3696]

Please Junior Get these older people up here, this is and will always be Gold.

[@TonyWud]

"That was a bad deal." Those words can make a NASCAR fan shiver.

[@oldblueaccord2629]

Thats a classic southern statement ....its in all seriousness.

[@jcearnhardt393]

This stuff is priceless to us old school racers, thank you junebug.

[@joshjarnagin3161]

Do realize that new school fans like it too

[@TellaSignTV]

Josh Jarnagin Okay? So?

[@larrywt656]

The day Neil Bonnett died was one of the saddest in NASCAR history (right up there with Earnhardt). Neil was one of the nicest guys and best gentlemen ever to drive a race car.

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

Especially after Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison in 1993 off track in air accidents

[@teresagoodwin7458]

Dale,Thank you for having Mr. Finch on!! I LOVE all the old stories even the painful ones that still makes me 😢 Neil Bonnett was a real gentleman and he and your Precious DAD were great genuine friends 💞Neil was also friends with Darrell Waltrip especially when they were racing together for Jr. Johnson. Went to their shops a couple of times and I got to see Jr. and Flossie coming out of the backdoor of their house. They both waved with huge smiles!! This was PURE GOLD as are all the stories from the mid 50's until 2001!! 💔💔💔 So much love and respect for you and Mike and your team and families 💞🤗💞🙏🏻🙏🏻 GOD BLESS Y'ALL NOW AND ALWAYS 🙏🏻💞🤗💞🙏🏻🙏🏻🏁🏆🏁🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@voodoo7008]

He was one of my favorite NASCAR drivers, before I quit watching.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Neil Bonnet, as well as anyone else that got into Dale Srs "inner circle" DEFINITELY must be/have been special. I've been a Dale Sr fan since 1979 and I'm diehard to this day! My daughter and I got to meet him and Taylor in passing once. We were standing in line at a concession stand to get our Martinsville Slaw Dogs. My daughter knew who daddy's driver was. She turned around in the line and started talking to the guy behind us and his daughter. I turned around and there stood THE MAN HIMSELF, holding Taylor's hand, waiting for a couple dogs of their own! He was Super Man, but, he was also every man! There'll never be another like him! R.I.P. Dale Sr!

[@MAsonTRIX]

#3

[@frankcastle5294]

That's pretty awesome, Mike. Never met him but would have loved going deer hunting with him here in Southern PA.

[@michaelh6667]

Amen brotha!

[@digital-millennial]

I am from Hueytown, and I truly miss the days of being a little boy being able to spot Neil Bonnett, Red Farmer, or the Allison's around town.

[@boldcitymike]

It had only hit me a few years after I met Dale Earnhardt in 1994, that Neil Bonnett had passed away earlier that year. The Goodwrench team signed autographs the first day and Chocolate was making my 12 year old self laugh. When we met Dale the next day, I had wished him good luck on his eventual 7th championship and he was even making me laugh, too. I’ll never comprehend how he was able to stand up there for hours and hours, signing hundreds, if not thousands of autographs, to laugh and cut up with the fans and create a lasting impression that still sticks with me to this day, even 26 years later. The deaths that I’ve experienced, it took me a long time before I knew how to put on a happy face again and it be forced.

[@charlesc.parker1164]

I still miss Neil. I'm sure it took a huge toll on Dale Sr.

[@tnrodgers]

I remember both Neil’s and Davey’s passings. I was heartbroken. My favorite drivers.

[@sunshinecoolwater3960]

Wish Neil never tried to get back in the car. I remember watching his tv show Winners.

[@kakluver]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIGrhXaGaa1sZ6M

[@kakluver]

@minibikemafia kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIGrhXaGaa1sZ6M

[@brucefrye8799]

Its almost impossible to keep a winner of the race he is still running and winning on a golden track

[@battlestar7779]

Thank you so much JR & Co. - Dark days are not forgotten, and we all need a check-up from the neck up. It’s why we all love you guys so much. All of you are very special. Never forget that!

[@russellpatterson7778]

That man talking right there’s has help more people than Goodwill I met him in 1986 racing dirt cars when he owned Jeff purvis dirt team one Hell of a man much respect

[@michaelmchugh2923]

Definitely miss old Neil bonniet, I'd love to rewatch all episodes of his show called winners, that was a tough segment to listen too

[@randyfarley8937]

I live in the same home town as Rodney Orr, I remember when Neil and Rodney got killed, that was a sad time here in Robbinsville NC!!

[@davidpitcher3054]

Love the way Jr. has such compassion during this interview. Junior, you're one of a kind, buddy.

[@daleburk88]

James Finch is a rare gem in these days! Absolutely loved this one!!!

[@travisrickett5681]

This is the one that needs a part 2. He has a life time not only in nascar, but short track dirt and asphalt racing.

[@69634100]

I agree.

[@sassysusan99]

This is one of my all time favorite interviews. I learned so much about the sport I Love by listening to people like James Finch.

[@michaelh6667]

Brings back some memories for sure! Neil was a good dude and a good friend of Dale Sr!!

[@marcuscompton3772]

James Finch is one of the most genuine people that you will ever meet. First class and loved by everyone in racing.

[@neilholschbach6704]

All I can say is I remember all of this, but still........WOW!, what a sad time for James Finch!! And the families of these racers.

[@joejohnson5651]

This is my favorite episode ever! James is pure entertainment, need to watch the whole show. This was the one serious part of the show but the rest of the show is priceless.

[@stevencurtis3693]

HEY GANG THANKU FOR APPRECIATING NEIL BONNETT THE WAY YA DID, I DIDN'T KNOW THE MAN BUT A BUNCH OF INFO GATHERED IN GOOD TASTE I FEEL LIKE I DID. THANKS DIRTY MO MEDIA, KEEP IT COMING!

[@jan3195]

Grew up in Bessemer and followed all the Alabama Gang. Big E and Neil had a great relationship that we considered him an honorary member. So many great racers left us way too soon. Thanks for this great reminder of, despite all the tragic losses, some of NASCAR's best days. Without disrespecting any current drivers, the sport just isn't the same.

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

jan3195 totally agree,I live in pleasant Grove

[@rickb3288]

My dad was born and raised in Bessemer. I still remember as a kid when we drove by the "Allison Brothers Garage."

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

I was working a factory job in 1994. We had a $2/week NASCAR "pool" for every race but, for our pool, innaugural Brickyard 400 was a little different. As always, we could pick the winning driver. This time however, we could also pick the driver that we thought would scrape the wall first. Since I'm a diehard Dale Sr fan to this day, I picked him for both. I knew that he'd test that grand old track to its limit and, if he didn't catch the wall first (maybe even if he did), he'd win that race! I won $38 that week (not counting my $2) since he did scrape the wall first!

[@T.N.D.88]

Sportsman division, man... Brutal. RIP Russell Phillips.

[@ChevroletS-yd7py]

First time I've heard someone talk about it. Nasty accident.

[@shenanigans17100]

I never knew about that accident until a year ago. How horrifying was that crash?! That Sportsman series never should have been on a track like Charlotte.

[@Painful3rection92]

@@shenanigans17100 Imagine a 200mph cheese grater. It was ugly.

[@shenanigans17100]

@@Painful3rection92 Yeah, I just found the video too. I really wish I hadn't looked for that🤢🤮😩

[@cartershank6568]

Next to the 1955 Le Mans accident, I think the Phillips wreck is the worst ever in the history of auto racing

[@teejay9929]

Damn I love this show!......just saying...I listen to all of these interviews, and as I’m listening word for word...it’s like I’m there....Big fan of nascar since the late 70’s....keep it up you two....great stuff!!!....🤙🏼🇺🇸

[@jayyoung5423]

I remember Neil, I know he was a food friend of DE Senior and for good reason,the man could drive the hell out of anything. A fierce competitor and a gentleman...miss him, thanks for this E.

[@ronniecardy]

I find it hard to talk about Dale Sr just hurts to this day even thinking about Dale when I walk by his Little cars 🚗 😢

[@davidsargent8374]

Dale, you understand what we the fans love about NASCAR. I wish NASCAR did. Keep up the great work!

[@arkansassteve]

Awesome show, I would rather watch this and 90s NASCAR.

[@Cj-mj4xg]

I remember meeting him in 1990(?) at Charlotte. I was with my dad as extras for Days of Thunder. Such a nice man

[@sherimitchell5751]

I love this nascar and stories. These are the names I remember💔

[@savedin87ify]

That was a good interview. Put tears in my eyes. Neal was one of my favorite drivers.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Neil Bonnett helped Dale Sr to discover airflow as an advantage. They did that during an IROC testing session one foggy morning in Daytona. They tried several different things with the two cars were close with each other. Dale Sr noticed how the foggy air reacted in various situations at various speeds. Airflow is another reason that Dale Sr always used an open face helmet. He even has the helmet sides trimmed back to help with his peripheral vision

[@andrewadkins7870]

Get more of these old school guys on the show. Pure Gold!

[@buckeyefangirl1976]

Love your interviews with the "older" guys cause I'm older too❤☺ Really enjoy all your shows and interviews but especially with the guys we haven't seen or heard from lately. Really appreciate you doing this. I rewatched a show after an Infinity race I think the other day about Neil. Hadn't seen that for awhile either. Made me cry. Wish he had never got back in that car especially for his family's sake but I know you drivers can hardly stand being out of those cars. Your Dad of course was prominent in the show and I cried but also liked seeing the two of them together. I know if God lets them, those two are still racing in Heaven☺❤❤ Sending you, Amy and your baby girl and all your family love, prayers for your safety, health and happines always and I dont just say that, I actually mean it.☺👍 I was a Gordon fan but truly love you and your Dad and your family. Sending the same to Neil's family.

[@williameichner7177]

Hey Junior sure do appreciate the people and the caliber of them back in the day that you have on your podcast it means the world to me you know I'm not much for watching the sport anymore but through some of your yes able to relive it God bless

[@ichi-goichi6184]

Soft rear spring setup is what killed Neil and Rodney. Tire was the scape goat. Neil was the nicest person I ever met in racing and he helped my rookie race team to a second place points for the year. I hope he and Dale are catching trophy bass and laughing at us all. It was a honor to be blessed to know him!

[@williambowen1771]

Been waitin for neil stories. Thanks jr and mr finch

[@heathermilligan393]

This gives you such an inside story. Davey Allison, Neil Bonnet, this is such a story!!! Oh my goodness ❤️❤️❤️

[@redram5150]

They say never meet your heroes, but Neil Bonnett genuinely seemed a great guy. My dad and I were happy to hear him commentate and watch “Winners”. I was happy for him hearing he was getting back behind the wheel. Shame it happened like it did. That whole point in time was marred with nothing but tragedy. Kulwicki’s plane crash the season following his championship and Davey Allison’s helicopter crash.

[@pricey4ever330]

After all these years that finally sheds light on what made that helicopter crash that Davie Allison was in

[@gothard5]

I have heard that what made that helicopter crash was an untrained pilot named Davey Allison

[@michaelflaherty3202]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnvIfJKHo6hkjKc has a pretty detailed analysis.

[@dks13827]

@@gothard5 correct. Did he have his heli license ?

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

@@dks13827 yes he did have his pilots license how many tranned pilots has crashed though?

[@FloridaManRacer]

@@gothard5 I have heard that disrespectful morons get theirs in the end.

[@edfulginiti8798]

I love these interviews. 👍

[@kellymountsr2358]

James started out racing bicycles when we were kids growing up in Lynn Haven and hanging around my family’s gas station.

[@billp5656]

James Finch is a panhandle legend

[@truckerk]

I’m wondering. These classic stories. My infatuation with 80’s and 90’s NASCAR. Does the younger generation NASCAR fans feel this connection? I watch the new races, but can’t love it like I did. I don’t know who drives what car like back then. Can’t pick them off the screen and know who was driving. I hope the new fans are getting the excitement I got out of it. I’m still trying NASCAR. Dale Jr. keeps my interest.

[@billp5656]

James Finch is awesome

[@allisondelight7381]

I grew up next to dolamite and fairfield and would see davie and friends at Shakeys pizza in midfield Alabama and also knew David& Kristen Bonnet so this definitely brings back old sad memories none the less thanks Jr. for putting it on your podcast buddy and you snd Mike keep up the good work i love what y’all are doing❣️

[@bparks_5095]

How does this channel only have 108k subscribers? That blows me away. This is as good as it gets if you are, or ever were a fan of Nascar!

[@Me20241]

I loved this interview ...thanks guys

[@alltree78]

I saw this whole interview on tv, i love all these guys jr has but this is top 5. This is a hell of a man who damn neer done it all when it comes to the buiseness of nascar

[@BigSkyModelWorkshop]

Never knew Russell Phillips worked for Finch. By far one of the most horrific wrecks ever. If you're easily disturbed do not search for it.

[@blaster8186]

Hueytown for ever. Moved away when I was 10, in the 90s. It was a great time

[@addisonroos5663]

#JrNation Dale Jr always!

[@jackson5781]

Asa diehard racing fan as a kid my 3 guys were Richard Petty Dale Earnhardt and Neil Bonnett and it sucks that two are gone. Cause Neil was one heck of a racer

[@BlueRidgeKat1]

Got to see Neil win a race at North Wikesboro when he was driving for Junior Johnson.

[@markmerrell4655]

Takes your breath away 😢 so sad

[@benjaminrizzo6573]

This form and the way you do this! Is Amazing! The history reeeks with so many Jaw dropping stories!!! Each form of racing should have this same style! And follow what you guys do! Thanx!!! So very much..racing is my life!

[@cathysheppard9091]

I don't even know how difficult it must be to get back in these cars after friends and family die...that takes mental strength and emotional fortitude. Hats off to R. Childers and the Petty's not to mention the France family etc...Especially Jr.

[@richardethridge9842]

Great channel.

[@ArchFundy]

I wish Nascar was as good as this show. They seriously need to rethink it before it totally implodes.

[@dks13827]

I totally quit NASCAR. I have no idea what the hell they are trying to do now. Clumps of cars going in circles. Big Deal.

[@FlyEaglesFly19111]

Great interview.. thanks a ton for sharing..all be safe have a great weekend.

[@basspro87]

Love you man!!

[@benrizzo2413]

Wow!! 😳.... I remember it all!

[@steveharvey1876]

Good show! Can't see this stuff on TV. Don't know where your going if you don't know where you been. Cheers!

[@bennybost7073]

Rest in peace Neil bonnet I know you and Dale Earnhardt is racing around the track together.Amen 9-13-21

[@Greg2600]

Good Heavens, if they'd kept Neil in the broadcast booth, him and Davey might still be alive today.

[@plastic1492]

Another great interview , i agree with another comment, lets get more of the older owners on the show to tell their story before they're all gone . Would be great to get one of Smokey Yunick's family or a crew member on the show >> i'm sure they would have some great stories .

[@kevinwiechmann787]

in those days men were men , ruff around the edges , sad days neil , davy , allen , and many others rip gents

[@coster3168]

God bless you Jimmie Johnson be humble it's your best attribute and it's the best you can have

[@RRaquello]

I was a big fan of Finch's Phoenix Racing team when they were regulars in the BGN series in the 90's. They were very strong, though a lot of times they ran with no sponsorship besides Finch's. They won a couple of races. I remember them winning a fuel mileage deal at Michigan where they ran some impossible number of laps at the end of the race and barely made it to the finish line. They were also strong every fall in that All American 400 race they used to run at the old Nashville Speedway in the fall, which was always one of my favorite races every year. Purvis was from Tennessee (I believe) and always made a strong showing. They were also one of the few part time teams that could run with the regulars in their handful of Cup races each year (usually at the plate tracks), and were also a major factor when ARCA would run at Daytona and Talladega. They were one of my favorite racing teams. On the Davey Allison helicopter crash. From what I read at the time and afterwards, so I don't know if the story has changed, he messed up the landing and tried to get the copter up to try it again, and the rotor blade hit overhead cables, and that's what caused the crash. I remember when the story was first reported, Davey was still alive, but it was like they knew his injuries were not survivable and it was just a matter of time before he died, and he died the next morning. I wondered why his injuries were so bad in the same crash where Red Farmer just got bumped and bruised up and some minor injuries. It turns out that when the helicopter's rotor blades hit the ground, part of one broke off, entered the cabin and took off part of the back of Davey's head. Just chopped it off. How true this is, I don't know, but that's what was reported. After that, he could not have survived.There is an interesting video here on KZbin done by a retired government aviation accident investigator where he goes into the Davey Allison crash in depth and it's worth looking at for anyone who wants to know what really happened.

[@WarHoss]

I remember Jeff Purvis putting on some really good battles in his car against Tim Steele in the HS Die car!

[@olgreengarageracing]

My grandpa watched that Russell Phillips crash in person. I don’t know if it was true but he said someone found the guys hand in the catch fence

[@DeBa1226]

Man Oh man... some of what these old warriors went thru, witnessed, endured, was just brutal...I’d rather hear these guys share the way things really played out, then listen to a reporter or media. God love these guys.

[@ronniecardy]

Miss all the old drivers Neil Davy

[@jeeprose4712]

I was unfortunately sitting to the left of the flag stand and watched the sportsman accident. The whole place went completely quite, a few people whispered his parents were at the pit wall. I stood there and could not understand the red strip across the trunk and the Styrofoam cups people were putting down in the grass between the concrete and aluminum stands. I will always feel horrible just thinking about his family and friends being there.

[@aaronkristofer18]

Met James' son on iRacing, he runs SLM's down in Florida, too. Great guy.

[@merlepalmer5025]

#28 Davey my favorite all time.

[@rickarra9396]

Neil was great

[@benjaminrizzo6573]

I'm BLOWN AWAY...DAVEY WAS MY FAVORITE

[@coster3168]

That was back when there was little tracks all across our nation we all raced now we only have a handful of places to go that's kind of sad

[@H_Shaw]

That’s the only time I’ve heard someone talk about Russell Phillips. He died at Charlotte motor speedway in ‘94. His car flew up in the air. The roof of his car facing the catch fence and grinned the roof of his car like a cheese grater. His arm got caught in the catch fence and decapitated his head still in his helmet and it slug it to pit road and rolled down pit road with his head still in his helmet.

[@twoblacklabs904]

Me and my little brother were in the garage area at Daytona during the Saturday morning practice session when Neil was killed. The car was immediately covered with a blue roofing tarp and some bungee cords and flatbed-hauled into the garage area with a handful of Security Guards all around the tow truck. They actually went so far as to try to confiscate any cameras that took pictures of that neon pink & bright yellow Country Time Lemonade Chevy Lumina...but I got a few shots of it before they got aggressive about it, and the car was a pancaked mess... I saw Dale Earnhardt later that day near his trailer and he looked very shaken up... it was truly a tragic loss to the sport and personally, to Earnhardt. You could just tell how defeated they all were because of the Hoosier Tire controversy and the uncertainty of the speeds and handling issues many teams were experiencing... That was a very tough Daytona Speedweeks...

[@2trdmustanggtfordf1hdsgsfa80]

Two Black Labs #Two Black Labs... significance of sun king logo?

[@hatzlmike1]

This is wonderful. I Hate idiocracy that does not recognize every day PTSD. There is more PTSD In regular every day people than we ever talk about with our soldiers. Love our soldiers for the US, but a lot of us suffer from the same shocking deaths. In whatever type life.

[@hatzlmike1]

Marine1775Preacher1611 American1776 I never thought of that.

[@cathysheppard9091]

Are there any interviews of R. Petty after his dragster wreck @ Dallas Ga speedway dragstrip?

[@dougford5259]

Neil Bonnett was one of my favorite drivers. Then he went in the booth and coined the term "NASCAR Yellow" - a yellow flag for debris on the race track no one but an official can see.

[@terryburgett3480]

neil and dale died in turn 4 at the track they both love

[@jasonfisher5811]

For anyone watching this, don't google Bubby Phillips. You don't want that image in your mind.

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

Could Imagine Stanton Barrett Was Driver Number 51 Chevrolet Lumina With James Finch Team Tribute To Neil New Chapter In 1994 ☺😎

[@jiggaman508]

Please upload the whole podcast to KZbin

[@alltree78]

It comes on NBC sports every Tuesday at 5 or so

[@TellaSignTV]

Or just go listen to it

[@jessicawells5145]

I got a picture of donnies short track chevelle at the house,taken at a Jackson Mississippi asfalt short track

[@brianb8830]

"They was gonna run outta people."

[@tommysimmons3258]

Neil's accident was on Friday...

[@BurnNotice2023]

I didn't know Richard Childress had a brother

[@AgtWashingtub]

Yeah, he is on Ancient Aliens

[@coster3168]

Because you get the most forgiveness of Our Lord you already know that speak little Walk Tall love kids

[@coster3168]

so you be you Jimmy make your daughter's better than you climb ladder don't go down it you know that already God bless you bro I don't even know you but you're my brother

[@nazcarcup]

7:39 Russell Phillips.

[@gagebusinger1847]

Steve Blakley brutal man just brutal. What’s the worst was Gary Batson, burned alive. God speed to all who have made the racing safer

[@bclautz]

@@gagebusinger1847 Didn't fuel cell failed in wreck and exhaust caught the car on fire. He was also upside down. I think

[@gagebusinger1847]

bclautz yes the car was pinned on its side, and the fuel shut off switch didn’t work with the car at that angle. the exhaust pipes from the other car was basically in the window net of Batson’s car and once the trail of fuel approached it was awful