Jerry Nadeau Details His Career-Ending Accident

[@paulstephens1517]

Thank you for this interview. I was on scene with the safety crew and assisted with this wreck. I followed Jerrys recovery for several years then info became hard to get. I am glad to hear he is doing good these days.

[@youfillmylifewithjello6661]

You are a hero

[@jdhaase1417]

Junior, the more I listen to these podcasts the more I think that racing was your training ground for you to be an announcer in the booth and have a successful podcast. It’s hard to be under the shadow of your dad but you did it well. But this is who Junior is and your legacy. Love how you’ve handled life, became a respectable family man, a great commentator for Lost Speedways, Dale Jr Download, and race announcer. Thanks for everything you do for the sport! Hope you have Jeremey Mayfield on the show sometime!

[@chrislane5145]

I agree. It seems that he conducts interviews from the perspective of a fan. That is why his interviews are intriguing.

[@michaelanderson2742]

Another show that hits home hard being a person who's had multiple head injuries please keep it up we need all the help out there to get this out to people cuz we really don't mean to call people by the wrong name or do dumb things sometimes it just happens maybe Amy is right all things happen for a reason I was very fortunate to get to know your mother you might have Junior in your name but you have a lot of her in you

[@67Aquaholic]

To me he was never under his fathers shadow. Maybe to the fans he was, but he has done his own thing and excelled at it. He is definitely his own man. He never had his dad's support until after he had his success.

[@af4od02]

I agree.

[@davidrice3337]

quit it - he's already married

[@clintonwhite3589]

Jerry, I was a fan then and I'm a fan now. You are truly an inspiration. I can relate to things that you are saying. I had a brain tumor that caused me to slam into a bridge in 1999. I know what your saying about the expected plateau after two years. But even after twenty years I still feel like the clarity and things are still improving. I know I will never be the man I once was, but the fog is still lifting. Your a true inspiration, keep getting after it!

[@ytgre7767]

Clinton White no true words have ever been spoken.. As someone who had a TBI I can relate to everything you said..I realized early on I was no longer that same person before the accident... Reading Junior's book about his crash log brought everything in perspective...

[@alwaysopen7970]

Dude, I'm having another surgery on my head Monday to clean up what's not healing from a tumor resection. That will be #5 this year. I was in an accident Tuesday because a mail truck made a U-turn in front of me at 35 mph.

[@buckeyefangirl1976]

I was just thinking about Jerry the other day. Glad to see him on your show, JR. I remember that awful wreck. Being a Gordon fan, I always liked Jerry. He was great team mate to Jeff. Thanks for having him on your show.

[@buckeyefangirl1976]

I wanted to add that although most of us haven't seen or heard him for years like Jr has, he sure looks and sounds great. I hope JR can get him involved back in the business. He was and is a good guy. Kudos to his wife and blessings to him, his wife and kids.❤️❤️❤️

[@jonmancill6824]

There's tons of race fans too young and never experienced seeing cars crash into hard concrete walls that are completely unforgiving. The safer barriers I believe are the most important safety innovation implemented. We've all forgotten how hard those wrecks were. Today, when we see someone wrecked hard into the wall it's almost as if we have just come to expect them to pretty much walk away, which just proves how effective it has been and preventing serious injuries

[@jamesford3648]

I Doubt you will ever read this But Jr you are a FANTASTIC interviewer, Your Racing Career has Definitely Prepared you to be a GREAT Interviewer, You know what questions to ask and do it in such a Respectful way. I did quit watching NASCAR a long time ago but since I watch your podcasts you have brought me back to the sport & I Thank you for that so much. I really do enjoy watching your podcasts.

[@joeshelton1077]

Man, I never heard from Jerry Nadeau in a long long while. I even remember his lonely win at Atlanta in the 2000 season finale, nearly won it again a year later, leading with less than 20 laps to go and on the last lap, he ran outta gas and Bobby Labonte stole the win away. I even felt bad for Nadeau in 2002 when he lost his ride with Hendrick for whatever reason, almost won at Sonoma until a gear broke, and 2003 when he had a little bit of a good run until a practice crash that ended his racing career at Richmond, and hasn't raced since. I like Nadeau he's awesome.

[@lesbratton]

I think he lost his ride at Hendrick because his sponsor went bankrupt or something. I'm thinking it was builder named Michael Holigan(sp)?

[@christopherweise438]

@@lesbratton - Damn . Great memory. You are correct about the sponsor. The official press release was they "mutually agreed to part ways" which is usually code for you can resign or be fired....but you're not coming back. Your choice how you want to spin it.

[@jameswiggin2631]

I remember that day well. Final cup race called by Bob Jenkins. RIP Bob.

[@slicktwilly]

Jerry Nadeau your first cup win was my first time going to a Nascar race. I can still see you leading at the end, and how awesome it was to see a first time winner at my very first race. I am just so happy to see how well you're doing Jerry Nadeau! You are a prime example of the human spirit and it's ability to use resiliencey as a main factor in why you've improved so much. Without other people resiliencey doesn't exist and from the looks and sounds of it you've had amazing people in your corner including your family and great friends like Dale Jr. Junior, words can't describe how awesome it is to see Jerry doing so well. Leave it to our best Nascar historian to present an amazing clip of a great driver that is still getting better after such a heart breaking incident that ended his career. We all love you up here in Maine, Jerry Nadeau! Thanks Dale Jr. We all love you too brother and we miss your Dad just as much.

[@gallennorris782]

Glad to see Jerry Nadeau doing so well after that scary wreck. Just a shame that his career got cut so short because I think he was bound for greatness in the 01 Army car.

[@tomchrisfield7348]

Jerry needs to talk to Ernie Irvan about his racing thoughts and feelings, if he hasn't already.

[@Ibelikemj]

He really seems like Alex Bowman of the early 00’s

[@Bizz4r2m0ke]

​@kidracer325 imo i think Jerry was better, Bowman is a good racer dont get me wrong.

[@rcr-zt4of]

While he was doing good things that with MB2 team could not keep up with the top tier teams. It did have a Hendrick affiliation but they did not have engineering support.

[@terdferguson1736]

@@rcr-zt4ofsometimes I think people really inflate what some of these guys were doing back then , maybe it’s the nostalgia I don’t know. But nadeau at best was mid tier at best. And ya this season where he was doing better I mean he wrecked it . And by no means do I ever want to see what happened to him happen but it’s like he was doing better but then he wrecked it.

[@bbrcummins1984]

He seems like a happy man considering everything he's been through .

[@sota_59]

bet he has as many or even more bad days sadly.

[@JEEntertainment89]

He deserves to be happy to be honest. Ive never seen a video of a driver Ive never really heard much of (got into the sport 2012) and immediatley tell the warmth and greatness of his soul. I want nothing but the best for this man

[@chrisbattlesox2114]

@@JEEntertainment89love it

[@reinbeck1156]

Was sitting 2/3 way up in turn 2 when that happened. Had just looked away, but then I heard the impact. First thing I said to my friends was that sounded different. So loud and was instant then nothing. We knew it was bad. So glad to hear him on this interview. He sounds/seems to have improved so much over the years.

[@SueGunelson]

Dale Jr., This post with Jerry Nadeau is excellent, have wondered about Jerry for several years.

[@Diecastbuffet]

The guests keep getting better & better Dale!! Keep it up 😄👍🏻

[@mac9983]

Jerry is a hell of a guy. Cool to see him doing so well.

[@Superneoncj]

I was one of the few thousand fans in the stands that afternoon. I had seats in turn 1 and when he wrecked the sound his car made was one of the loudest I had ever heard at Richmond. I am glad to see he is doing well today. We all thought he wasn’t going to make it once we saw how long it took to get him out of the car.

[@markwedge3720]

I was there and happened to be watching him when he crashed. I`d swear that he hit one of the weepers on the tract that had been working on earlier.

[@jasonmichael6292]

I really hope Junior Motorsports is able to help Jerry find something to do with racing. There is someway to use his passion to help the Junior Motorsports organization!

[@buckeyefangirl1976]

Ditto.

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

Hopefully I get Graham Rahal podcast

[@williammatthews2948]

This brings back memories of my experiences with 5 concussions, a skull fracture, a craniotomy for an unruptured aneurysm behind my left eye, degenerative disc disease with associated chronic pain and nerve damage, and the conversations I had with multiple doctors. I'm glad to see Jerry is doing well. God is amazing.

[@David-uu1oj]

.....yes He is, near death a few times only years later to realize, He was there to save me, im a thankful man.

[@teresagoodwin7458]

William Matthews GOD IS GREAT AND STILL ON THE THRONE AND STILL ANSWERING PRAYERS AND PERFORMING MIRACLES 🙏 GOD HAS NEVER LEFT ANY ONE OF HIS CHILDREN AND HE NEVER WILL 🙏🙏🙏💞🤗💞🙏 GOD BLESS YOU 🙏💞🤗💞🙏🇺🇸🏁🏆🏁💞🤗💞🙏🙏

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

After watching the crash, we really take for granted how violent even "regular" crashes can be.

[@bleedorange1998]

Every time I see Earnhardt’s wreck it just doesn’t occur to me that it was that hard of an impact cause I’ve seen so many other cars crash into a concrete barrier much harder and the driver lived.

[@racecitypatriot5017]

@@bleedorange1998 190mph to 0 instantly

[@alwaysopen7970]

Rear ended is the worst.

[@easyenetwork2023]

At 120 mph and 128 Gs and driver’s side first into a concrete wall, that is not a normal crash.

[@scottsigmon926]

Everything happens for a reason and we as humans will never be able to make sense of these tragic things. Glad to see Jerry doing so much better. Hang in there buddy. Great stuff Dale Jr.

[@jerrycraig6522]

EVERYTHING, is in our God's hands, every single thing and when we do get to a place we understand it, NONE of those things will matter!!!

[@JamConcerned]

So thankful to you Junior, I became a fan of Jerry Nadeau, watched the practices, every Friday, back then. I remembered it as a violent crash and was so happy he was alive. His accident seem to be the tipping point to get all the tracks done with the softer wall and upgraded driver safety seats. Since then no one in Nascar has gone through such a damaging injury. I think if it wasn't for Jerry we wouldn't have the safety measures we have now, and it's worked. Many more accidents have come and gone and many drivers have walked away still with the opportunity to race again next week.

[@JEEntertainment89]

I love this guy so much, how excited he gets during certain moments is genuinley so heartwarming

[@mikeege7643]

Jerry has always been one of my favorite people/racers. His first job in NASCAR was installing drywall in my shop that was next to the Mooresville drag strip, (that I later sold to Dale. Sr.). I'm glad he could drive, because he wasn't going to make it a tradesman. He was slated to drive Greg Pollex's (Chad Little's owner) 2nd car for the 1995 season. The plan was to use Chad's leftover V-6's even though 95 was the first year for the V-8 9:1 compression engine. I was amazed by Jerry's driving ability, but mostly, I was amazed to see how humble and kind he was. He never complained about anything. The last time I saw him (7 years ago), the first thing he said was "how's your mom and dad?". This interview is awesome for me because I can see just how well he is doing. Gone are the lapses in his speech and recollections. Go Jerry! You deserve to be happy and I hope all is well with you and your beautiful family. Thanks Mike and JR for inviting JN to your show.

[@spencerbrayall8678]

Excellent stuff. Should of called the episode “Jerry was a race car driver”. Get Johnny Benson on soon.

[@dirtybirdsrise]

The intro song could have been, well.. you know. 😂

[@justingriffith735]

I would love to see Johnny Benson on here!

[@wvusmc]

Primus 🤘

[@sillygoose2508]

Johnny benson was in a race at Columbus motor speedway and hit the wall in a ASA race and that's a small track but the in car camera showed how violent it can be it was a ouch moment I hurt just watching it

[@SamanthaEatsCookies]

A true opportunity missed

[@bcap3385]

Great Episode, glad to see Jerry doing well. Gotta get his MB2 teammate Johnny Benson! JB is always a fun talker & one of the biggest class acts in NASCAR during his time.

[@lbdct]

Jerry was and still is a local hero to Danbury area race fans. Great to hear his memories of the Danbury Fair Speedway RaceArena. That's where I spent my teens and watched his dad race. Great Interview!

[@kevdonew1412]

So happy for him and his continued improvements ,

[@SKRRebelRacing]

Good to see that Jerry is doing well. Peace

[@vtd3271]

I always found myself pulling for Jerry when he was racing, glad to see him and hope her finds fullness of life. I think this interview and the one with Jimmy Spencer are my favorites because it shows juniors compassion for others and appreciate him more now than I did when he was racing

[@David-uu1oj]

Interesting, i have only really watched this and the Spencer shows and Jr. does have a great compassion for these special drivers.

[@TheTotallyRealXiJinping]

Painted my wood sim rig after his #25 UAW car. My all time favorite journeyman ever

[@scottmcmichael1386]

I always liked Jerry, I remember that win at Atlanta when he finished 1st and Dale Sr. 2nd, that was cool and Dale Sr. congratulated him. I also remember when he had to retire at a fairly young age but he had to, another head injury could have killed him, but great to see he seems to have a happy life, that’s what matters 👍🏁

[@deanr4475]

Thank you Dale, been waiting for this episode! Super happy to see that Jerry is good

[@coreyh33]

My very first NASCAR experience was watching that very practice session at Richmond, as a kid that was a surreal thing to see. Drivers we’re invincible to me back then!

[@buckeyefangirl1976]

His wreck was like Steve Park's that caused Steve's head injury. Neither wreck looked that bad but look at the damage both did to the drivers. Hated it for both of them.

[@DarcyCarmen]

I feel the same way whenever I see the Dale Sr crash…yeah, it did some damage but you never would have thought it deadly.

[@tadldopp1]

@@DarcyCarmen what are you talking about , Dale’s on some island somewhere drinking Beer , c’mon

[@skipperrine2168]

I never saw the accident, I wish that they would show it!

[@DarcyCarmen]

@@skipperrine2168 Well, you can google it and find it no problem. That being said, I don’t “wish” that anyone would show it because you’re watching someone die. It was a jumble of emotions as Michael Waltrip won and DW called him in, in tears, from the booth and they gasped, “I hope Dale’s alright.” I just wish it had never happened.

[@skipperrine2168]

@@DarcyCarmen omg, was it the Earnhardt crash? I cried when he died, he was my hero, he wasn’t supposed to die!

[@KarenFields64]

Sweet Jerry. So happy he is doing good. Enjoyed this so much.

[@DerrickRG]

I think it's fair to say that his Doc was right about the 2 years thing. You'll see the most improvement during those 2 years and anything after that is limited and subtle. It goes unnoticed if you see that person every day, but if you see them again a decade later, you'll notice those subtle improvements, where most others wouldn't. Stoke patients are kinda the same way. Just glad to see he's doing well.

[@brandonbakervideos]

Jerry is an inspiration. Glad he is doing better and enjoying life!

[@cameronkaeding2772]

Watching this reminded me so much of reading Jr's book. No one who hasn't experienced a brain trauma can only learn from these experiences. I believe we are just at the beginning of understanding brain injuries and how they heal

[@Probowler37]

It is so great to hear from Jerry after all these years. Glad to see is doing well!

[@kevincorbin5371]

Outstanding interview with Jerry Nadeau.

[@dewayneamerson1179]

I talked to Jerry at the 2018 all star race . he just came up and started conversation outside at the consessions .

[@jerrynadeau7186]

Lol.. w head injury I remember.. keep going!!

[@dewayneamerson1179]

@@jerrynadeau7186 you tried to make out like you were no big deal but hell it was probably one of the coolest experiences I've ever had at any race I've been to . I wish i had a pen and paper for your autograph. I tell about us talking and of course no one believes me . lol ! mabey I'll see you the Southern 500 in a few weeks . drag the camper up there for 4 days every year !

[@fengetaset9488]

I had met him and some other drivers just before the Daytona 500 that year. One of the nicest guys in person. Man, I was shocked when I saw this happen a couple of months later.

[@gallopingoose6742]

I met Jerry the day before this accident as an 11 year old kid. Went to bed and woke up and turned on Speed Channel back in the day and....yep the hero I met the day before is now fighting for his life. It woke me up to reality as a young boy.

[@braedonshelton2305]

Thanks for having Jerry on the podcast! I am glad that he seems to be doing well. Great job by junior bringing Jerry back to the main points (on several occasions, Jerry seems to stray away from the question). Dale junior has become a very good podcast hosts. He asks great questions. Side note: that table is odd. Or is it the chairs? The table seems super high!

[@Downtown-us9tb]

I died when he started messing with the Tim Flock die cast while talking lmao

[@SingerDinger]

A lot of people that have gone through traumatic brain injuries like that tend to need something to fidget with. When he wasn’t playing with the flock car, he would be brushing the table I noticed

[@benscovil]

Jerry was my first ever favorite driver and still one of my top 3 all time favorites. I was a mess when the crash happened, I was 12 years old. He was the first driver I was truly a fan of to go to Victory Lane, but I was in school cause it was postponed to Monday. I live in the Charlotte area and would love to meet him someday.

[@tadldopp1]

Sounds like all’s you need todo is hang out at Costco

[@chrisgrabowski2678]

It is remarkable that he could make such improvements over the ten year period. Y'all have very interesting shows. Thank you.

[@darkhelmet4248]

Sounds like he has proved the doctors wrong with his continual improvement. I think that's great! The part of this that is blowing my mind right now is 128g. Unbelievable

[@Ultimate23Dragon]

I am so happy that Jerry is doing so much better. An article from 5 years ago left us all concerned for him, but it looks like things have finally changed for the better for him! :D

[@42kubota]

Awesome Dale! Absolutely awesome interview. Thank you. Jerry, you do look and sound fantastic.

[@bryanswing135]

Another Great Interview , totally had forgotten Jerry, not intentionally he wasn't my driver. Weird how that works.Glad to see he's doing good now.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

I really do enjoy it when Jr. tells stories about traumatic brain injuries. I wish I had heard what they went through back when I was almost killed by a drunk driver. When you have a severe brain injury you begin to think your crazy because absolutely everything is different in the way you think and feel. Everything you go through after a TBI is normal, but it feels like God just downloaded a new operating system for your brain. It wasn't until I met someone who went through the same things I did, that I fell normal again.

[@alwaysopen7970]

PTSD is a real thing, right?

[@teresagoodwin7458]

AndyFromBeaverton Hang in there and keep your FAITH!! We never know what life will hand us but I promise you that GOD kept you here for a reason 🙏 We may not know why but you can share your story and your testimony and it's no telling how many people you will HELP just by sharing your story. While I am sorry that you had to go through everything you did, make good use of the time you are here. GOD WILL MAKE THIS TRIAL A BLESSING AND THE WHOLE WORLD WILL SEE🙏 I was in a wreck this June 10th will be 4 years ago and my case still isn't settled. They found I had a torn rotator cuff and my humorous bone was shoved up above my shoulder instead of where it was supposed to be 8 months after the week. The woman who hit me ran a red light totalling my car leaving the unconscious and trapped in my car and SHE REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!! Immediate Red Flag!! Thank GOD I got a lawyer. After they found the injuries in February 8 months after the wreck, it took until March of last year before surgery was done to repair everything because of the pandemic shutting down everything!! I believe GOD needed me to be still and rely on ride services to get to and from doctor appointments and taxi's to get to the bank and grocery store and pharmacy and wherever I have to go. But it's outrageously expensive and I'm on a fixed income!! I know GOD will provide me a car in HIS TIME not mine. I guess I am to learn something or spread the word of how great GOD is while I'm stranded without a car of my own. There's days that I may feel down and occasionally cry because I lost my Soulmate Best Friend LOVE OF MY LIFE and Husband and I don't get to see my children or grandchildren or great grandchildren regularly which breaks my heart but I put it all in GOD'S HANDS and left it there!! GOD WILL WORK IT OUT!! I'LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU 💞🤗🙏

[@teresagoodwin7458]

​@@alwaysopen7970 Yes! PTSD IS VERY MUCH REAL!!!💞🤗💞🙏

[@mroptical1982]

Hello Dale and Mike and Jerry great interview I always enjoyed watching Jerry when he was driving still to this day I remember his crash and how bad he was injured I'm very happy to see how he is now Wishing Jerry and his family well and wishing everyone there well Take Care Guys

[@MyDogFulton]

Didn’t know much about Nadeau. He seems like a super chill cool guy. If I owned a track I’d hire him in a heart beat.

[@abhuffman100]

That was a great conversation. We never know what all goes on after the bad ones!

[@williamfoster4072]

Jerry signed a diecast I bought from his hauler at talladega when he drove for Hendrick..such a nice guy I never forgot how nice we was

[@julieloofbourow3042]

This episode was exceptionally good! Jerry is cool in every way! Thank you JR!

[@bradsanders407]

I'm still trying to grasp that there are people out their that seen Jerry Nadeau and Dale Jr on the same trip to Costco.

[@Blackflag9661]

I was at the track when he had this wreck, first race I saw in person. I've never heard a place get so quiet so fast. I remember walking around merch tents after and EVERYONE had Jerry merch for the rest of the day. Pins, hats, shirts, everywhere you went fans had something with the #01 or Army on it. A lot of folks were tearing up to, we all figured he had passed.

[@chardab8824]

Never got to see him race but he had one interesting career and would have love to see him race

[@alwaysopen7970]

He was racing every week and saw him several times at Richmond.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

A lot of people don't realize what is a bad crash and what isn't. No crash is good but the flips that look spectacular are often not as bad. The car is shedding parts and energy through all that. Angle of impact has an awful lot to do with it and the worst ones are like Nadeau's, when the car hits and stops. The car and driver take the total force of the impact in those. Glad to see he is doing as well as he is.

[@mrFiiSKiiS]

Those cars from the 90s and early 00s (Gen 4) didn't do drivers any favors, either. They were designed with the classic "big, solid cars are safer", ideology. They didn't understand forces back then and through bad luck actually designed the cars in a way that directed a lot of through through the driver compartment. A lot of guys got hurt by those cars that wouldn't have otherwise.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

@@mrFiiSKiiS I don't disagree with your take on the 90s and early 00s but I do disagree that they didn't understand the forces. I was a Grand National crew member back in the 70s and there was a big push back then by car owners/crew chiefs/car builders trying to get NASCAR to let everybody build cars with more give in the front and rear clip areas. NASCAR did finally give in on it to some extent but the list of people arguing for this was a basic who's who of NASCAR greats. It really surprised me when this new car came out with so little give in it. That lesson was learned at least 40-50 years ago so whatever possessed NASCAR to regress in such a way? The big thing then was they wanted all roll bars to be .090 wall thickness. The argument, which finally won out, was make the center section .090 but for most of the front and rear clip sections, use .065 so they would give. I don't remember the exact spec but the frames were thicker and they wanted the front and rear to be a little thinner than the center so they would give some too.

[@luinhaden]

One of the best podcasts yet!!

[@frevazz3364]

He sounds way better than interviews I saw from years ago.

[@zerodos_02]

I think after years your brain rewires itself to manage the condition as best as it can. It gets "better" but it's never fully "better" It sucks that thinking its been 18 years since Jerry got hurt. That was such a devastating injury to see. I know Jerry's had such a hard time adapting to this too, wish it wouldn't have been that bad but I'm sure Ernie Irvan is the harsh reality of how bad a reinjury can be.

[@chrisrice2083]

Jerry I loved watching you race what a day that was iam so glad your here

[@seancrooks9372]

Good to see you have Jerry on. Great to hear his story and to see he is doing well. Would love to see you have Paul Tracy on. Colorful on and off the track and controversial at times, I am sure he has some stories about his Penske days the open wheel split, his limited time in Nascar and the SRX series.

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

Glad to see hear him doing well, good guy !

[@jasonsimpkins9069]

These are fun. Takes me back to the great times of Nascar. My era: 90s to early to mid 2000s. Got into because my dad worked at Dupont. (Jackson Lab)

[@jamesscully529]

Nadeau actually fractured his skull as well, and that was the cause of all damage. He was fortune to even survive. Compared to how he was in the years after the accident, he is light years beyond that.

[@joea9608]

I think the brain can continue to heal or adapt. My mother had a brain injury about 14 years ago & things are still improving. Recently she had an issue with the bank rejecting her signature for not matching the image on file and we found it was returning to how it looked pre injury. Im not a doctor but maybe that means that after the initial plateau of about 2 years there is still some slow progress?

[@mintedcow]

If you watch Steve Park videos, he had a speech problem a couple years after his crash, but recent vids show him talking closer to normal. So I believe he was still healing years after the accident. Maybe even still healing today. The brain is still kind of unknown how it heals I think.

[@ytgre7767]

Having a TBI is a life changing event for everyone in the family. I can imagine the anger she felt.. After my TBI and brain bleed my whole world completely changed.. I'm a total different person.. life changing in a moment..but I'm lucky I survived ..

[@brendanflaherty6696]

Man, he’s doing so, so much better. So great to see

[@ClaireBear8686]

“I cut the padding off my headrest” Since mike or dale wouldn’t say it I will. Turns out that was pretty fucking stupid, wasn’t it?

[@truevendetta308]

I had to go back and watch that crash while listening to this, and his injuries are/were just shocking. Probably JUST the way he hit but also goes to show the continuing safety precautions and measures NASCAR continues to make.

[@NizRacingNY]

Ok buddy hop in your car, drive 125mph into a corner, pancake the driver side into a concrete wall, and tell me how “shocking” the outcome is, Einstein.

[@AeroGuy07]

I've still got Jerry's Cartoon Network collectible car from RCCA. His wreck and Steve Parks took out two very talented racers in their prime. I'm glad Jerry is doing well!

[@joeshelton1077]

I hope u keep that, it maybe worth valuable 😁

[@joego7924]

Seen him race at Sonoma in 1998, Jeff Gordon was on the poll, Jerry started second, he went of the track trying to beat Gordon on the esses, he got a flat tire and had to retire his car a few laps later, I believe he was driving the Dan Merino number 13

[@ryanmorrison3699]

This is the first time I’ve physically seen Jerry Nadeau in the 18 years since the crash. It’s amazing how well he seems to be doing. I miss seeing him at the track.

[@FesterHAter]

Jerry is one of the good guys.

[@hutrod7721]

Good to see Jerry doing well that crash was scary to watch

[@weirdscience1]

At WIR (Wisconsin International raceway) in i believe 1996 a latemodel driver by the name of Jim Pagel was fatally injured in a similar wreck. Now i didn't witness the hit but i was in the ticket line and could literally feel the "thud". He hit so flat on the driver side that it left an imprint car number and sponsor (ironically enough it was Budweiser). May he rest in peace, at least he went out doing what he loved. Glad you had a better outcome Jerry. God bless.

[@benjiaustin7787]

I think Dale Jr does a great job with these interviews.

[@SyonTube07]

When I see you interviewing, it brings up some memories

[@marcnelson2645]

Good to Hear from Jerry. Amesome Show Dale.

[@MCscarfacematt]

after my head injuries I was told at 2 months and 2 years "what you've got is all you're getting" I was still in a wheelchair so i stopped the physiotherapy and started walking around the mall one store at a time. after 2 weeks into my 6 week coma, the doctors said id never see walk, or talk that id be dead in months my mother says i told him to F off from my coma. im coming up on 14 years since they said that

[@austinblansett9900]

IVE WANTED THIS ONE FOR A WHILE

[@kidwave1]

Hey Jerry, if you see this, I'm glad you survived. I hope your doing ok. Looks like you are. Youre a good dude, stay strong.

[@gabbylemaster1213]

Sounds like he hit like Davey at the all star race when he spun across the nose of Kyle and I was thinking the same thing when mike said his story sounded like Ernie Ervan’s story of him waking up in the hospital you think it might be peoples passion that makes them recognize the car it has to be the love of getting in these things because to chase this dream you have to love it eat sleep and breath racing I’m glad he’s okay sounded rough that’s why it’s good to be right with god you just never know I always say this can happen to any driver at anytime no point in fearing it we can die on the couch might as well go doing what you love. Thanks for sharing your story brother it means a lot. Sky rocket 🚀

[@jeremymurphy7320]

How come Mike and Jerry are sitting on the floor?

[@DC322]

When I saw Nadeau's practice crash at Richmond on the tube years ago, I really thought this was the end and another driver has passed. Jerry survived but sadly never race again. The only cup win Jerry had was at Atlanta with the #25 Hendrick Chevy. Good to hear him doing good.

[@theknightowl728]

Jerry had all the potential to be a Martin Truex Jr late bloomer type racer. Glad to see him well despite his severe injuries. I remember his win in the #25 Hendrick car.

[@greglewellen4510]

Always like Jerry it’s amazing how good he looks and speaks. God does amazing work

[@easyenetwork2023]

I had no idea Jerry was in a coma for 3 weeks, that is unreal he survived honestly. 128 G crash is insane, those are similar forces to what killed Dale Sr at Daytona.

[@TheJer1963]

The doctors put him into that coma.

[@easyenetwork2023]

@@TheJer1963Understood, but still crazy.

[@sallymann-cox5312]

I LOVE YOU ! So GLAD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

[@edfulginiti8798]

Great show. God speed, Jerry...

[@billyphillips9465]

I was walking by the wall when Jerry hit at Richmond, it was very loud and scary... still can't believe I was right there...

[@alwaysopen7970]

It sounds like bombs exploding when they hit the wall at Dover.

[@briankbender5757]

Great interview Dale JR

[@jp6614]

That was as scary of a crash as it gets. Glad to see Jerry is doing well. 128 g's yikes!

[@christopherpettit2304]

Im so happy Jerry is alive. That said, you can see the affects of his wreck.

[@kenboris9235]

Great interview, alway's enjoyed watching him race and glad he recovered. The man needs to resize his watch bracelet, it's bugging me how loose it is. Lol

[@RobbieWilliamsandJakobWilliams]

I was there when jerry crashed at RIR and unfortunately i had photos of the accident which i threw away

[@curtissmith8568]

Love Jerry man, awesome guy!

[@Footyshorts923]

I like how he keeps opening the trunk on the car in front of him

[@ShaisTime]

God bless him 🙏🏽