Dale Jr. Download - The 1979 Daytona 500 with David Hobbs

Legendary racer and broadcaster David Hobbs joins the Dale Jr. Download this week. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is thrilled to discuss the history of motorsports and learn all the details behind NASCAR's biggest race - the 1979 Daytona 500. Hobbs shares behind the scenes details of that day and shares a hilarious story of Cale Yarborough mimicking the sound of a racecar engine while driving.
The podcast is available in its entirety on all major podcasting platforms.

[@grungyflannel]

David Hobbs may be the most under appreciated man in motorports...really miss him on f1 coverage when nbc had the us rights. Love listening to him. Could listen to this man talk all day every day.

[@hunterwofford02]

hobbs is my favorite motorsports broadcaster. such a cool dude.

[@ethanweeter2732]

He did good on Speed with the 24 Hrs of Daytona.

[@benjiholland6263]

Hobbs looks, speaks and acts with youth beyond his actual age, he's great

[@Carohaulic1946]

Years ago I was a cameraman for CBS based out of LA, I was assigned to the Times 500 held at the old Ontario Motor Speedway sometime in the late seventies. I was one of the few on the crew who was a huge NASCAR fan (I'm from Oklahoma). The camera I was operating was the back stretch position which followed the cars out of turn two down the back stretch. It has been so long ago I couldn't tell who the director was or who the announcers were, I think this was a taped race not live. My story is as the cars came down the back stretch the announcers were talking about drafting so I zoomed in on the rear of the lead car and front of the second car as tight as I could to show how close they were. The director started to scream at me "what are doing, what are you doing" at the same time the announces picked up on it and started to tell the audience about close the cars were going close to 200 miles an hour. The next thing I know the director giving me an attaboy all within the same shot! That is a memory I will never forget.

[@drivewaystar6485]

Love David Hobbs! Dale needs to get Cale on the show and ask him about engine noises lol.

[@RjIONAz]

Now that's a man that you can have back 50 times. It's a crying shame that we lost Benny because I think like Mr Hobbs we could listen to him and Benny forever.

[@MrGaryGG48]

I'd watch David Hobbs any chance I got. He is one of the best commentators I know of. His range of experience in a car gives him credibility that few of his peers can demonstrate. Another that I enjoyed for hours when I was driving a semi at night was Buddy Baker. I got to talk with him a couple of times on his Sirius/XM radio show and always enjoyed his stories. It was a sad night when I heard the announcement of his passing.

[@composerdave68]

I love listening to Hobbs. But Benny... my all time favorite. I credit BP with really getting me into NASCAR. I was already kind of watching, but BP's enthusiasm and avuncular nature made me a real fan.

[@RjIONAz]

Benny is the best there ever was ....... "How did he do that"

[@layoutman69]

Benny was the best Nascar and David Hobbs did Nascar for one network and the U.S. feed for F1. And Ken Squire had control of the English language like no one else. I miss them!

[@crobx4]

That part about Cale Yarborough making engine noises, like a little kid pretending to drive a racecar, had me rolling. Absolutley hilarious.

[@WEHenry]

The story with Cale Yarborough making his engine noises around a track is hilarious🤣🤣🇺🇸

[@matthewkent6258]

Cale comes spinning outta 4 Cale: Skrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@jamesscully529]

I remember watching back then - it might have been the 1983 race - and Dale Jr is right you can hear Cale over the radio and I think Squier even mentions it.

[@sicfrynut]

@@matthewkent6258 thats awesome!

[@markdodd1152]

How cool would it be to have Cale on a Dale Jr podcast

[@thedistractedcanadian4355]

@@matthewkent6258 Cale comes spinning outta 4 and makes contact with the inside wall. All you hear on cales radio “SKKKKKKKRRTTT BAAAANNG

[@nathanderover6929]

David Hobbs is a national treasure. He, Leigh Diffey, and Steve Matchett are doing an event next month in Charlotte. If you have a chance, you must go. The stories are timeless and they're all such great storytellers.

[@thecausalgamer7916]

Love hearing his commentating when watching those old races i am glad to say i grew up with Ned Jarret and Buddy Baker and Benny Parsons

[@ronzombe]

Jim Foxx me too I also miss the old cbs theme song for the opening of a race I will never forget that

[@sicfrynut]

david hobbs was the reason i would watch F1 races. everyone was all PC and watched their "P's & Q"s" and there's david hobbs with his 100% completely honest comments during races about blocking, team orders, etc. one favorite was when 2 Jaguars wrecked in a race and bob varsha asked david, "what would be going through your mind as a driver?" and david goes "i dont know about him (the driver being hit) but I'd be thinking what in the hell are you doing mate ? once he retired / nbc redid the booth, i stopped watching the races.

[@TheBrainSpecialist]

@@sicfrynut I managed to catch the tail end of Murray Walker before he retired. To me, he is F1's English voice, and it's showed because every broadcaster after him has shamelessly tried to rip him off.

[@joshuagardner8474]

There was another guy I can't remember his name damnit

[@petebribble4651]

David Hobbs is a treat. My son and I once attended the Rookie of The Year dinner in Daytona and sat at the same table as David Hobbs and Dick Beatty. Good times . Also watched the 79 Daytona 500 in Toledo, Ohio-- snowed in.

[@SolamenteVees]

Dale's love and genuine appreciation for NASCAR history is unique. He's a true fan of the sport, aside from his past as a driver and an Earnhardt.

[@brucehansen7278]

Ken needs to be a guest soon. David hobbs is hilarious and should be on the ballot for the HOF. I met ken at the hall of fame in 2016. We were there for the night they choose the next 5 and I had a chat with him and he is hilarious too. He asked where I was from and I said Wisconsin and he replied we can’t all be perfect lol. I told him that he deserved to be in the hall and was so glad he got in the next year. I love all the 80’s and 90’s broadcasters. They all fit together perfect and enjoyed every race I watched.

[@superbird4351]

Of all people I would least expect Cale Yarborough to mimic the engine lol.

[@mikeske9777]

I was in Maine in the Air Force and at a buddies place and CBS broadcast of the race, We were really getting socked by the blizzard that hit the eastern part of the country. I was already NASCAR fan and I am at a buddies place and we are watching the race and the fight broke out at the end of the race. My buddy had never seen a NASCAR race and he was hooked right there. He asked me if they always fought when they wrecked. I said no but you got to remember this is the biggest race of the year. It was a awesome sight to see the race live. I always considered the Dave Hobbs and Ken Squire to be the best. They were the first to broadcast these races live flag to flag.

[@DaytonaPrototypes]

David is a legend. Awesome broadcaster, great guy! 👍👍🏁☺

[@yimmys85]

This is fascinating. He's sharp as a tack in his 80s. What an interview.

[@johnkuehler2608]

Awesome history lesson there. Glad Dale got Hobbs on the program.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

The tape delayed voiceover race part that he mentioned literally shocked me! I bet that was hard as hell! I used to think it was the guys on the booth to see the race, and then the race was tape delayed some days or weeks later. Well, I learned something from the Dale Jr Download broadcast on TV from last night.

[@tighescott691]

Thank you David.WE that are old enough and where there appreciate you and your broadcast yet today.SINCERELY Tighe Scott.Oh by the way

[@Skillbiscutt]

David Hobbs is an absolute icon and I don't think he understands how much he really and truly is an icon. I thoroughly enjoyed him calling Formula 1 races and I wish he still did.

[@toddb513cashapp3]

Absolutely one of my favorite guests. Was waiting on mike or junior to call him a dork

[@jonp3890]

Todd Barrett He got that Gomer Pyle vibe going on, somehow. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE David Hobbs, but he has a...natural advantage?...to add to his storytelling skills and his knowledge of the sport.

[@toddb513cashapp3]

J Pysmythe I see your point and agree to an extent

[@AndyBrownt4]

Absolutely, Jr! The pinnacle of NASCAR broadcasting.

[@ash7700]

Awesome! David Hobbs is a dang hoot! More Hobbs!

[@bigfatno]

I always liked David Hobbs on NASCAR broadcasts, but man oh man, do I love this guy more now. He's a great story teller, and is fantastically humorous. He should be a regular on your podcast.

[@johntaylor7969]

I don’t know if Mr. Hobbs coined the phrase “he’s gotten off into the clagg “ but he’s the first commentator I heard use it (during a Formula 1 broadcast). Loved his commentary...

[@michaellorenson2997]

I remember that! He was working F1 with Bob Varsha on ESPN, I think. Hobbs noted that someone had to drive through "all that clag". Varsha cracked up said something like, "Excuse me?! What did you just say? Clag?" Hobbs, very deadpan, says "Well yeah, you know, clag". Nope, Varsha didn't know anything about "clag" at all. I always thought those two made a good team.

[@AMR_Krissy]

@@michaellorenson2997 remember that too! Haha love that group!

[@DerekBCook]

@@michaellorenson2997 Agreed. Varsha, Hobbs and Matchett was my favorite crew. Speaking of strange phrases, I remember around 2006 or so, Hobbs exclaimed "Love a duck!" I never have learned what in the world that means! LOL!

[@daleirish6682]

how anyone could 'down vote' this is beyond me. Great job Jr. I love these interviews

[@podcastbunker]

David Hobbs is by far one of the most colorful motor sports broadcasters of all time. His peak was F1 coverage on NBC. Can’t stand watching F1 now.

[@wingracer1614]

Hobbs and Matchet F1 on Speedvision, best commentary short of James Hunt ever.

[@DerekBCook]

I have warmed up to the Sky F1 crew, but they are a poor substitute for Hobbs and Matchett.

[@marknan5352]

Well , it's been a year since my last comment and I saved this and watch it once a month . So enjoy David's stories.

[@brad6420]

I really miss David Hobbs on broadcast. He was fantastic!

[@mountainmandale1587]

I've heard that noise in the broadcast. It's hilarious! You gotta love these old stories. 👍

[@deantait8326]

Watched it live! Was incredible! Yes I'm a senior.

[@teebrown8683]

Dean Tait Sr haha wish I was alive then to watch it live!

[@robertrhyne7429]

I watched it live as well

[@alvarsdzenis4739]

i wasn't there but i did watch it on the tv live. i was 18.

[@granddad-mv5ef]

I watched this on NBCSN and it was one of my favorites. Dale, you have a gift in addition to driving.

[@XA351GT]

I remember watching the race with my parents. It was HUGE deal to see any race flag to flag back then. Back then there was only about 7-8 channels so for a major network to dedicate an entire afternoon to a car race was monumental. I live in a NE and it was a miserable weekend with the snow and cold so to see cars racing in the sun and warmth was a big deal. Before the advent of cable TV the most racing coverage you would get is about 10-15 minutes buried in between ski jumping and water polo on Wide World of Sports. It's easy to be spoiled by all the variety and amount of racing available to watch today and information instantly available through the internet.

[@ThePrimusSucks]

David Hobbs does a southern accent surprisingly well hahaha

[@respawnmarathon6429]

God, I miss Hobbo covering F1. Dude, you are the best!

[@soonerlegendspodcast]

What a jewel David Hobbs is. Love his stories

[@Maverick33]

Hobbs was always a NASCAR fan. He just seemed so invested in it

[@stevegabbert9626]

That Cale part was hilarious. I'm also going through the 85' Daytona 500. I'll have to pay attention.

[@jamieday6602]

There are plenty of rednecks up North! There was many local short tracks with many great drivers back then a many fans! It was simply that it was on TV! But glad it happened, definitely loved this episode!

[@larrywt656]

Still to this day I love watching races where David is part of the broadcast crew. He is so freaking funny that you know he's gonna deliver a real zinger at least seven or eight times every hour.

[@sicfrynut]

he made F1 races bearable to watch with varsha and hackett. that takes a lot of talent to make F1 races watchable.

[@300rcm1]

Good to see David Hobbs. Well done. 10 points to all.

[@trglocke]

Dad took me to Brainerd, Minnesota back in the 70s to watch what I think they called Camel GT cars. Would be like IMSA now. Met David Hobbs in the pits, got an autograph and pic with him. He drove the #2 BMW. Also met Sam Posey and Danny Ongais. Back then fans could wander the pit area freely. Great memories. You're awesome Mr. Hobbs, great to see you on Dale's show!

[@DamnStraightM35A2]

You can still wander the pit area freely at IMSA races today, one of the best parts of going to a race.

[@alexseiler1604]

Jr this is wonderful! Hobbs a driver hero of mine and I was very lucky to drive a F5000 Chevron many years later in vintage. Thank you thank you

[@ddotdonrock1783]

I watched David on Dave Dispain a few years ago. Dave ask him do commentary of a driver jumping through a another drivers windshield after a wreck. I wish I could find video of it. It should be in the hall of fame. I have never laughed so hard in my life.

[@wingracer1614]

I remember that, freaking amazing.

[@almattei88]

Yeah! Toledo Glass 200 or something!

[@pookysdad4884]

I distinctly remember my Dad and I watching that Daytona 500, with Cale "humming" in his seat. We both cracked up laughing. We thought he was humming some unknown song!

[@kevinhuber8723]

Hobbs is a treasure. His driving resume is top notch as those F1, Indy, F5000 and Big Bore Sports cars were serious pieces of kit. He's lucky he survived and he was damn good. He of course will always point to the best of these all arounder's who go un noticed and that is Brian Redman.

[@JaredR1996]

I cracked up when David asked how do you spell 4 wide. Dale- W-A-A-A-Y-D 😂😂😂😂

[@jeffcoon4279]

lol I went and looked it up and for sure you can hear cale . That made the car go faster !

[@peashooterc9475]

"top of the cam about to start down the back side"🤣

[@joneshuntingadventures7971]

I remember watching the race with Cale making the engine noises. I think he was talking to the booth in one race while making the winning pass for the lead on the last lap. lol The old school stuff was incredible.

[@Bojangles5-2]

This is a great find, thanks for posting! I have watched stock cars since late 60's/early 70's and this is fantastic to hear these behind the scenes stories from the quintessential David Hobbs.

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

Great guy, I was at the Le Mans 24 hours in 84 when he finished 3rd in the Skoal Bandit Porsche

[@snchilders]

At the 1979 NASCAR awards banquet Cale Yarbrough was asked about "the fight." In typical Cale Yarbrough style he said; "It really wasn't a fair fight, I should've had one hand tied behind my back."

[@christophercastor6666]

My wife started watching F1 with me because David Hobbs made auto racing sound interesting to her. I appreciate him every GP weekend. Leigh is awesome too; especially for supercross and motocross racing!Thank you! -CY Castor

[@DerekBCook]

Listened to the podcast and loved it! I am primarily a Formula 1 fan and it was great to hear David discuss F1 and European racing in addition to NASCAR. Really miss him, Steve Matchett and Leigh Diffey and/or Bob Varsha doing the U.S. broadcasts here in the state. I have warmed up to the Sky broadcast team, but they are a poor substitute for Hobbsy and company. Thanks for having him on!

[@andyhamilton8940]

“‘Top of the cam lobe” referring to his buzz😅-hilarious!

[@sntstafford]

According to Racing Reference, Hobbs led 2 laps and finished 34th in 1976 Daytona 500 after 68 laps........due to a crash. Love to hear how that came about in Hobbs' own story-telling way.

[@prochrgedLT1]

Great content here guys. I have always admired and respected David Hobbs for all he has done for motorsports. Very cool to hear his side of things!

[@tonymargiottajr6576]

It was the first race I saw I was 5 still remember what a great afternoon I had with my dad and then the crazy finish and then the fight of course

[@ZekenStreak]

I’ve waited a long time to hear David’s take on the ‘79 500. Thanks for this!! Cheers

[@confusedsay]

David Hobbs, thank you Sir!

[@Danstaafl]

That's exactly how I watched the '79 500! Grandma's tube t.v in the living room. It was awesome!!

[@natemiller448]

Love david Hobbs!!!! Thanks for this. Hobbs, ken squire, Barney Hall.....I smile when I hear those men call a race

[@allanhaggai5418]

in 2018, David Hobbs joined us for dinner in Elkhart Lake during a Road America IMSA race weekend. What a delight! He's a gentleman and a motorsports legend.

[@MrZcotty]

My favorite broadcaster!! Gonna save this for the big screen later!

[@williambowen1771]

Legend!!

[@marknan5352]

Dale ! Great guest , great interview , great stories. Bring David back soon !

[@xero0083]

Love David Hobbs he's definitely my favorite announcer his racing career is amazing also yes he a Nation treasure 😀👍👌

[@PatrickJMele]

without a doubt the most entertaining Dirty Mo show I have seen to date "THANKS DAVID HOBBS"

[@chasee3797]

Such a cool guy.

[@stellingbanjodude]

Wow, he nailed that southern accent! Didn’t expect that hahahahaha

[@tgfabthunderbird1]

I grew up 11 miles from Catamount Stadium in VT, and my dad and I would go to the track in the summers, best times. Now, one of my childhood friends works for Ken Squier--he was the Dean of Stock Racing, when it came to announcers, and I always admired David Hobbs. He knew when to not talk, if you get me...two class acts. And yes, we were snowed in, and watched that race...!

[@bobke114]

Hobbs is a gem. I asked him where is the best place to have a drink at Spa....He told me go to Stavelot for a good drink

[@jennifursun3303]

this was such a cool show. only saw David when he was a broadcaster, never saw him race. wish Dale could interview Jackie Stuart

[@Hollowsmith]

David is looking good at 83! Still a fast and energetic mind. Might live to be 100!

[@bloqk16]

David Hobbs seemingly was an unlikely candidate to do NASCAR commentary on TV, but he did it well from what I can recall. I vividly recall one year when a SPAM sponsored car was being poked fun at by the others in the TV announcing crew; where David seriously chimed-in with his take on SPAM, being a child in World War II England that suffered with food privations: He recalled, in his childhood, that SPAM was considered a delicacy by the English civilians in WW II.

[@AMR_Krissy]

You got Hobbs?!?! Hell yes!

[@russscott552]

I saw the race that day and i was rooting for the allisons and heard bobby later saying cayles face commenced to beating my fist . A great line a great im portant event for the sport 😢

[@holdenracer11]

The first time I ever heard of David was watching a video of the 1981 Bathurst 1000 where he was driving a JPS BMW 635csi with a Channel 7 camera fitted to the car and back then in Australia, they used to get the drivers to talk to the commentators from the drivers seat as the race was going on and David did it so well and it was later on I found out he was a broadcaster himself.

[@JoeL-kn9tc]

Loved listening to David Hobbs. He was a bit of a comedian. He would say things like Racing Rookie Ricky Rudd, and tars instead of tires. LOL!

[@John-783]

2:27 gave it a thumbs up right there 😂😂😂

[@carguy3504]

that ranks up there with the john force video. keep it up guy's

[@toddtccummings]

Awesome interview! I was one of the southerners watching the live 5hundurd!

[@pamelamaloy9778]

Really enjoy watching y'all especially when he's telling the story,its so dang good and I'd love to know how I watch that 79 Daytona 500 ,Its definitely gr88t if DaleJr watched it so many times,Thank y'all for another gr88t show ❤❤❤it❣🌞⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@SLArmstrong]

I was waiting for 2019 F1 race in Brazil to begin and decided to listen to this interview. I was amply rewarded for my effort. I absolutely love Mr. Hobbs and am currently reading his recent book. Thanks to all involved! (Hey Mr. Jr., I would love to hear from Dave Despain and Robin Miller.) Time to light's out - 00:41:10.

[@bdubbs75]

love hearing david hobbs during the F1 races.

[@lis8814]

Cake making engine sounds me rolling. Love this podcast

[@TheNyarcangel]

Can I give this multiple likes? This is legendary

[@RAEckart22]

Hobbs interviewed Dale Sr. after the 1990 Daytona 500 that Dale lost, hitting the bell housing. Would love to hear about that interview - 2 great men in a tense, tense situation.

[@ronniecardy]

Very good interview as all ways

[@dngnascar]

If time travel becomes possible I’m gonna go save Dale Sr.

[@jeremeymcdude]

You save Dael, you save NASCAR

[@spooler7828]

I watched that live when I was a kid. Saw the fight and everything at the end. I lived in South West Ga. I watched it off a Dothan, Alabama TV station.

[@BarryJowers]

I hope y'all can get Rick Mast on the show sometime soon. He's got so many awesome stories

[@mikeleo7189]

I love his socks !

[@Caleb.Collects98]

Awesome! This interview was great. LOL. Yeah I think I'd make engine noises too, to be honest with you. LOL

[@louielouiepks]

That was fascinating

[@BradKing1975]

Hope i look like David when i'm 80, he looks great!

[@shanelen]

Hobbs is such a gent, so funny

[@loganhuesemann6264]

i mow this man’s lawn in elkhart lake wisconsin. awesome guy

[@Cody-ch2lc]

He was a commentator on some legendary F1 races too

[@frankhollein7093]

I always thought Cale was grunting, while he was driving. i didn't know he was making engine sounds.