NASCAR's Mike Helton talks losing Dale Earnhardt with Kyle Petty | Coffee with Kyle | NBC Sports

[@spg1026]

Kyle Petty you must have one of the biggest hearts in Nascar. To have that compassion for another man when you lost your boy is amazing.

[@meggiles6848]

I was just thinking the same thing. I always liked Kyle but man, I see him in a whole new light now.

[@vze2fnfg]

I was lucky enough years ago to get into the garage area on a weekly basis as a photographer and on several occasions I sat in church service with Kyle and Richard and had lunch with them a few times...What you see with Kyle is the real him, One of the nicest guys I ever meet, both him and his dad just real folks.

[@tfajsh]

@@vze2fnfgthat had to be an amazing experience

[@thelurker9472]

Compassion for others helps you deal with loss.

[@diegoxalv]

Kyle is such a good interviewer. His chemistry with everyone he sits down with is amazing. Never an awkward moment and he knows how to tell a story as opposed to it sounding like a Q&A

[@signoresantinoburnett1169]

Mike Helton will always be the boss in my eyes. Respected across the board for over 30 years. Nascar between 1990 and 2006 were the golden years, that will never be replicated. Ever.

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

Poor Mike Helton. If only he were in charge instead of Brian France

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

@John Haas When Mike was NASCAR President, Brian France was still in charge

[@robertsmith9397]

Had MH been in charge, we wouldn't have these gimmicks like stage racing or the ridiculous repair rules we have today. Racing would have stayed racing. Humpy Wheeler even said that the France's are using gimmicks to save Nascar. Mike said that we can never go back to the way it was. Why not? Why do we need stages, why do we need a regular season and then a playoff? Why do we need inspection rules that come down to 1000s of an inch? Why do teams get eliminated just for going to the garage for repairs? Racing is being lost for the sake of the gimmick and the sport continues to suffer.

[@r.c.d.creations7402]

Amen,,,, couldn't have said it better!!

[@mikedegregorio9113]

He also recognized that the sky wasn't the limit for nascar. He would have kept it relevant to it's design, rather than demanding it's growth .

[@ptiwms]

They needed rid of Dale in order to ruin Nascar and change it forever which happened immediately after Dales death so....... They either killed him or paid him to go away! There are no coincidences!

[@PoleBear5]

I could watch 9 straight hours of just mike Helton talking about NASCAR

[@davidstout8604]

Yep!

[@garysimons1608]

This was a very insightful interview with a very respected man. You can tell how much they both miss Sr., and the no nonsense talk about the state of the sport was intriguing.

[@MrBigShot110]

I think anyone who follows or is involved with NASCAR today can feel that it's dying. No one knows how much time it has left but when I look at the state of affairs right now I don't believe it will ever recover. People don't have the attention span for NASCAR these days.

[@whatincarnation95]

It must have been heartbreaking to say that publicly.

[@ptiwms]

They needed rid of Dale in order to ruin Nascar and change it forever which happened immediately after Dales death so....... They either killed him or paid him to go away! There are no coincidences!

[@molonlabe1509]

@@@ptiwms your tinfoil hat needs to be adjusted

[@blazeroranger]

ptiwms yeah you use meth too much

[@ChuckRussell87]

I've always admired Mike Helton, and even more so after watching. Fantastic interview. Thank you so much for this.

[@anitagarrison6916]

People talk about the influence that Dale Sr. had on NASCAR but when I look for the leader today, I still see Mike as being the one who knows and sees it all. I'm getting used to Steve Phelps and Steve O'Donnell but Mr. Helton will always be "The Man" in my eyes.

[@ptiwms]

They needed rid of Dale in order to ruin Nascar and change it forever which happened immediately after Dales death so....... They either killed him or paid him to go away! There are no coincidences!

[@davidstout8604]

Amen!

I was at that 500 right at the start/finish line and all these years later I still can't stop the tears when I go back to that day. I have nothing but respect for these two men. God bless them and Dale Sr. and Adam Petty and their families.

[@pricey4ever330]

I enjoyed this so much, I personally would like to thank Mike Helton for everything he's done and still doing. I became a fan in 86 and wish I was born later so I could have seen some of the racing in the 70's instead of reruns. As for Dale Sr. I'll always be a fan of the man but I'll never forget that awful day.

[@jeffpropeck4150]

You are a class act, Kyle Petty. I love these interviews.

[@RustyWells2]

With Dale losing his life i think he gave the greatest thing he could to the sport he has saved a bunch of drivers lives because of his wreck because the safety that went in too the cars after that was insane!

[@spg1026]

Rusty Wells Your words about how many lives Earnhardt saved are so true. No one driver could have saved as many as Dale. He was Superman at least to me ( I cried like a baby and I was a 27 year old man at the time).

[@iankhan4614]

I don't like the trade off of Dale's death, but they are no doubt more proactive than before. It was to have been a slow process towards drivers safety if it wasn't Dale.

[@JJA1987]

Respect for Mike. Great interview Kyle

[@78FullSizeBronco]

Kick Brian France out and put Mike Helton in charge! He knows what NASCAR needs to survive and grow, Brian only knows how to demolish it, and he's almost there!

[@fishxy2123]

78FullSizeBronco - Exactly! Get France out of here.

[@JackLikesTrackhouse]

Brian’s out for good. 😉

[@Pwg1985]

Mike is the Dale Earnhardt of our sport today. Respect that guy✊🏻

[@jasonstacy5587]

Don't stop doing these. They're great.

[@SIMCOMotorsportsTV]

Beside my dad being one of the reasons I got into racing in the first place. To me, Dale Earnhardt was the other person, the other influence that gave me that push to want to race since it's not just something to have fun doing; but, also to the point that racing was life to both of us (I don't know what I would be doing if racing wasn't part of my life). I may just be a local and a regional racer that doesn't have pro potential; but, racing is one addictive drug that Dale had and what I have had for 20 years that will never go away. Ever since 2001, I felt like part of me went with Dale when he passed and since then it's not been the same seeing him out there at Daytona, Talladega, or any racetrack!

[@GraySpeedProductions]

This was a great interview. Thank you so much for doing this. Mike Helton is an amazing leader and amazing person. I thank him for his dedication to NASCAR.

[@williamcap2236]

God i miss Sr. And nascar of the 90's

[@edrudder2148]

exactly what our sport needs...the family side and honest looks at what the future holds for tracks, owners, Nascar, drivers and fans..Kyle does an excellent job trying to tie these all together. Keep these coming!

[@allabouthewaves4354]

And to think people hated Kyle Petty when he was on TNT when I loved him in the booth. Dude is chill and has great racing

[@SingerDinger]

That TNT booth was doomed to fail and it was never Kyle’s fault. He was authentic and understanding of the sport and the other guys clearly didn’t give a rip about on track stuff

[@IrishOhionan]

I haven’t had the passion for NASCAR since that February day.

[@morganmarcella47]

Its hard to believe Dale has been gone 18 years

[@koraanderson7765]

Dale Earnhardt senior is NASCAR and he loved it so much he took it with him much love to the number 3

[@BrandonCrosslin]

God bless Mike Helton.

[@joeljohnson3515]

I didn’t realize that MH was the one informed KP about AP.

[@taylorb7191]

Too many acronyms

[@RaceSimCentral]

@@taylorb7191 Mike Helton. Kyle Petty. Adam Petty.

[@ernietumminello2418]

Great interview. My nephews enjoyed seeing Mike Helton at New Smyrna Speedway during the World Series Of Asphalt

[@dpm-jt8rj]

Another terrific conversation. Thank you.

[@Kanawha_Railfan]

Bill France Jr. was wise in putting Mike Helton in this position back in the 1990's. Mike has done a lot of things for NASCAR that have gone under appreciated for years.

[@johnharding91]

Keep it up Kyle!! Like others have stated you have a stellar approach to this.

[@FlakMonky20k]

What a great interview. I've enjoyed these a ton. NBC, you have to keep these up. They are so good!

[@ethan41623]

Wow mike has aged pretty good

[@Rough_justice]

Still get goosebumps when seeing him announce that. I was there, sitting outside of turn 4.

[@LY22235.]

Were you able to see him in his car after wreck?

[@Rough_justice]

I could Barely see him. I knew what was up when they threw the blue tarp over the car.

[@speedtwitch]

First, respect to Mr. Helton for always having a strong mustache. Second, the Cup cars need to lose the tapered throttle spacer, put the horsepower back in the cars. Lose the side skirts, front splitter, the long rear quarter panel. Run a wider tire on all four corners, and build the car bodies completely out of sheet metal. The composite stuff looks like cheap cardboard any time the cars wreck, and the teams can't bang the body back into place any more. The cars look less 'hand crafted' and more like they are stamped on a production line any more, and the craftsmanship in the older cars (80's, 90's, early 2000's) added a ton of intangible value to the sport. They used to be hand shaped, hand painted and cleared and they weren't pieced together like they are today. The cars used to have character and life to them, and they would be stars just like the drivers were. Now the cars seem expendable, and aren't really the focal point they used to be. Just my .02c

[@sledgehammerk35]

Agreed. Sadly the Gen 6 car has been a disappointment since it took to the track and I think it's too little too late to make it better. Just hope they keep all this stuff in mind with the Gen 7.

[@larrydavis5246]

SpeedTwitch you make a good point there boss

[@brianscwh535]

Yes let’s go backwards and make car bodies stronger so that we hurt and kill more drivers like Adam Petty and Dale Earnhardt. The cars breaking apart take impact away from the drivers body. Unleashing the cars is also bad. The cars would flip a lot more.

[@MrBigShot110]

People just don't seem to have a love for cars in general anymore. Look under the hood of any new car, everything is covered up. People just go to the dealership for repairs now. Very few people work on their own cars anymore.

[@tombo6245]

You really just said that 'stock' cars need to look less like production cars?

[@2002jaiden]

That was a great interview. Really enjoyed watching.

[@nothinghere7391]

I'm so glad they included Steve Park in there. BTW... Whatever you make think of Kyle Petty, he and Dale Jr are propably the best people to talk to about the History of this sport, charismatic, funny and knowledgeable

[@matildaharden1064]

A lot of voices but no Dale Earnhardt

[@snowman374th]

3:22 What an AMAZING picture.

[@M1lesJames]

Too bad Jimmie never got the chance to get in on a pic like that

[@Eric-yn6ur]

This is a great interview Kyle. Every NASCAR fan should watch this

[@lurkintomgaming397]

This is a great interview. This is the nascar content fans are really longing for. Good job nbc and Kyle

[@ShockWaveOffroad]

Kyle, thank you for these videos. I grew up a Dale Sr. fan, and watched you come up through the ranks. I remember vividly when you slapped the visor down of Bobby Hillin in the Daytona 500. As well as the 3 or 4 year span when NASCAR went to Rockingham, everyone was running for 2nd, because you had them all covered. As a fan, many have never gotten closure over Sr's death. Do we deserve it? No. But, it doesn't make it any easier. Your show, and that of JR's has helped me. Keep doing what you do, Kyle. And, thank you for doing it.

[@iankhan4614]

Mike I have so much respect for you as a president of NASCAR. I like you and the directions you have taken you and your team are the right steps.

[@thisischavez]

I still miss Dale Sr. A lot.

[@HuntinwithHattaway]

Plot twist. Kyle doesn't drink coffee.

[@donbarnes3953]

Really appreciated this interview me myself along with Nascar have been lost in the wilderness since the passing of Dale Sr and I still watch but it's lost it's edginess and I really want it to have a weel deserved resurgence

[@JeffersonMartinSynfluent]

I can suggest one button to push for Mike Helton: North Wilkesboro.

[@johnneal5623]

Jefferson Martin, Mr. Martin. In my mind, I think NASCAR dies once they left their roots @ North Wilkesboro

[@robinreece920]

We need more short track racing back! Bring back North Wilkesboro! Thank you, Mr. Helton for your honesty and compassion for the sport.

[@joeangell5652]

One of the best interviews ever. Thank you Kyle and Mike.

[@timcastens1150]

Just found this lately Kyle great stories , great job

[@Frankseuropeanservice]

Best thing on KZbin, coffee with Kyle. Thank you.

[@mikemike388]

I’ve been watching the sport since I was 3 years old. Went to my first Winston cup race in 2002 at Daytona for the Pepsi 400. Been to numerous races since. At 23, I still enjoy watching a race on Sunday every now and then. Although a lot has changed over the years I’ll always love the sport thanks to Mike Helton.

[@nealieanderson512]

Good discussion. Everyone that loves Nascar should hear this interview. I do so much remembering of the old days and it’s hard to translate that racing to now. I feel more prepared to watch the new way with this understanding. Thanks.

[@toyman81]

I think 22 years later the fans still feel the Big Hole that Dale left in Nascar.

[@GodBlessedAmerica]

RIP Dale and all the drivers that lost their lives doing what they loved. Thank you to NASCAR and the officials for being involved in creating more safety for up and coming drivers. God bless you all! 🇺🇸🏁😎✌🏼

[@the_road__warrior6185]

I have got so many questions for Mike Helton, Not to mention all the questions I have for KP.. Both Awesome dudes.

[@barryquinn9368]

Great interview, and a wonderful insight.

[@michaelsorrentino7409]

Another fantastic interview by Kyle!!!!

[@Str8pipe7]

I don’t know if this has been a conversation amongst others. Mike Helton for lack of a better term in my eyes has been The Godfather of NASCAR a man that commands respect. He has been in the spotlight for so many years, while still in the shadows..... that is until is it needed to make his presence known..... hopefully I described it to be understood by some, but others will know exactly what I mean. Also, who is the next big man on campus ..... I for one don’t see anyone in the background commanding the respect Mike Helton has

[@rickbaerlin1905]

Kyle, your pragmatic approach of interviews makes you the most relevant personality in the current era, period.

[@stevensmall9398]

Being a father of 5 i couldn't even imagine or want too ever get that phone call. Rest in peace adam,dale,Tony and Kenny.

[@markmcdowell6637]

Amazing interview Kyle and Mike

[@GARTHBOOTS]

I feel so bad for you Mike and you are a up standing man.Your job must be so hard because of the loses we had and being so close to all the drivers and teams.It's family.I think very highly of you.Your a kind and caring person who I would be proud to have you as my boss and friend. Your the best!!

[@43STEELERS43]

0:30-0:40 I'll NEVER forget this image of Dale praying. I truly believe he was making his piece with God right then bcuz he was gonna make sure "HIS boys" run that race no matter what. Even though every racer prays before every race, this one just seems different, like he felt something. Even his wife hugged n kissed him like she didn't want him to race. The hair flip says it all. I'm not talking any trash. I respect Dale with all my heart. I just feel like he might have sensed something. We all love and miss you Dale. NASCAR will never be the same. LONG LOVE #3!

[@racer111259]

he was dozing off, not praying einstien...

[@JJA1987]

Dale usually slept for a bit in his car before a Race that's what he was doing

[@DevontaTravis]

Even if he was sleep. He still couldve prayed and made his peace with God. No need for the comments of disrespect man

[@garychapin9095]

And what he told dale jr before the race also where dale said he never spoke to him like that before a race

[@patmurphy2472]

Love it Kyle, great interview.

[@harringtonbenton334]

A little less playing with the kids and watching the race...would have added up to a few more wins kyle...are you sure you're a Petty?

[@jillhuddle7379]

I love you Mike Helton , you need to be in charge....Just as Kyle Petty , i felt your heart break when you annouced Dale was gone , #3 Forever ....and Nascar

[@brandonb4971]

I love NASCAR I watch every race since 2013 too now and still love watching NASCAR.

[@rcracer8872]

I love NASCAR too i have been a NASCAR fan since 1995 Dale Earnhardt is my favorite driver all-time

[@user-cs3zs6jn1d]

Undoubtedly the hardest thing he ever had to do was announce that Dale Earnhardt was lost on public television. Its one thing to make a call to tell someone a friend passed away, but to tell the entire world that a living racing legend had died.I don't think I could have. I'll never forget watching him say those words.

[@robertporter7414]

Great Interview! Great Video!This is what makes NASCAR The Greatest Sport in The World!

[@SkeeterHoss]

No captions on this video NBC? Not everyone can or is able to hear the audio of this video!

[@iankhan4614]

Mike I do feel bad that you were the first one to announce Dale's death on the podium.

[@mr.christopher79]

not a single soul that has been a fan of nascar/Earnhardt can keep the tears back in remembering that day that we all lost a piece of us

[@stargazer7876]

Mike Helton is the most respected man in the whole Garage at that time and even to this day. He in my opinion is the single greatest leader and most respected leader of any sport to this day. I look up to Mike Helton. He is an amazing man. As a fan all I can say is thank you Mike. Your leadership is second to none. We all thank u for all that u have done. Thank you Mike

[@debbyde3]

Kyle....many fans have never moved on or forgotten even to the point of leaving racing. Mike Helton....I agree with everyone here. He should be the one to lead NASCAR.

[@danchumley312]

What a great interview

[@CapstoneTider]

I loved NASCAR the most as a kid and then again after age 40. It's a natural fit for older people and will attract new older people every year.

[@storyofcory]

I know it's been said many, many times, but I don't think I'll ever forget where I was when I heard that Dale had passed. It's just one of those things where, if you are/were a fan of his, you just won't forget about it. :(

[@DC322]

Hurts my heart that day.

[@adamgropper2072]

Mike Helton is a true genius also a true listener. He deserves to be in The Nascar Hall!

[@seankeating5005]

Where's the coffee? Great interview.

[@Nickearl1]

Never thought about all the things he had to announce before dale and I never would’ve thought about the connection with Kyle through Adam.

[@jennifursun3303]

that accident broke Mikeys heart too. he said in his book he never got over it

[@joeking9800]

He is the Rick Hendrick of the NASCAR staff. He's a true leader who knows how to mentor and foster people and ideas and put it together.

[@rustywalrus]

Man, in tears about a minute in. Love Kyle Petty

[@lurkintomgaming397]

Also shoutout to Bobby Labonte for being referenced as a leader in the early to mid 2000’s after dale left us.

[@sandrahunter5749]

It's a shame, it took Dale Earnhardt's death to change things in NASCAR today. RIP #3 Dale Earnhardt

[@peterwolf2832]

DE was the intimidator on the track and Mike Helton was Nascars intimidator. He gets it and had a tough paper route for a bit but I respect him too the max

[@stargazer7876]

You talk about great men and great men who demand and earned respect....well Mike Helton is def one of those men. His job in his career with NASCAR is second to none. Mike helton is a great man...maybe one of the best presidents or leaders of any sport in american history. I have the utmost most respect for him as a fan and from what I seen every driver respects Mike Helton. So thank you Mike. You were the voice and the leader of the sport that I love and cherish so much. Thank you Mike Helton. Your induction to the Hall of fame is waiting. It well be well deserved. Thank u Mike

[@jamesmcintire3800]

This interview really confirms what I observed as a fan; the sport changed after Dale's death. It just wasn't as much fun anymore. That's why so many fans have walked away.

[@jameskim62]

I like and Respect Mr. Helton !!!!~~~ Cheers and Live Long ~~~~

[@geoffreyblack5982]

I had to tell my father that my step-father had been killed. They were best mates. I was only 12 and a half years of age and then went to school. No councilling no nothing. Nine months later I got kicked out of my mother's place and three months later she and my brother went to live in England. What I am saying is this I know that sometimes you have to do the hard things like saying someone has been killed. This bloke said on TV and the world. I only had to do one phone call and it took me a fair while to get over it. I looked up to my step-father like the nascar world looked up to Dale Sr.

[@THEDonnyB]

Personally my guy was always Tony Stewart. I loved his no nonsense , no give all take attitude. Now, 7 years after he retired, my guy is William Byron. I kind of lost touch with the sport but after last year I really started liking Byron. He races clean, keeps his car in good shape and does well.

[@billp5656]

I remember Mike Helton dabbling with dirt racing at Senoia Raceway in the late 70's

[@donaldthomason4588]

Mike, bring back NASCAR before 2007, it sucks today!

[@wrldchamps04]

I can honestly say, until this interview, the clip of Mike Helton announcing Dale's death, I literally didn't remember anything he said after "we've lost Dale Earnhardt"...my mind went blank....

[@robertsmith9397]

Same here. His death didnt sink in until I saw Dale's face on CNN.

[@skippingrhyme4386]

9:10 What Crash was this?

[@jcscss9527]

Bring back more short track races

[@MAVU2AC]

BRING IN MORE SHORT TRACKS

[@hectorlopez1069]

When Nascar was starting to get on top of the sports world.

[@michaelpaulpadillamdacgrou7904]

The problem I see, as a long time Nascar fan, is the loss of Authenticity, the good old boys made the sport work and it seem to us, that these guys were like all of us,because they were! The manufactured drama doesn't equal the true Drama and competition that existed in the early 2000's, 90's 80's and further back ! The cosmopolitans who entered the sport, changed it forever, and not for the better! DaleJr leaving has pretty much killed any attraction, for many fans! Its really kind of sad, for those of us who love the sport! I believe Brian France will lead Nascar to Bankruptcy, in the near future!