Dale Earnhardt's Early Days: Inside Rod Osterlund's Former Race Shop with Doug Richert! (Crew Chief)

[@Stapleton42]

I can’t believe this place has as much left in there as it does…which is exactly why we do this stuff. You never know what you’re gonna find! Help history stay alive and hit thumbs up on this video 🏁

[@rodney1818]

I actually am a snob when it comes to channel lock I will not buy any other kind of Vise grip

[@rodney1818]

You should see if you can get that crane I know I would like to have it I even know which beam in the building I'm in I would put it on

[@rodney1818]

The spray paint on his back kind of looks like the cool aid man I Shirley am glad he got fired for property destruction rather than turned into Kool-Aid person

[@danielclayton4489]

You need to check out Laughlin Racing Products history in Simpsonville SC. It's called Ortec now but they built all the Winston Cup stuff back in the day. Mike just passed away but there are plenty of people around who can help you with the history and stories. I can tell you lots about being a kid growing up there

[@haroldbirckhead9997]

Hey just FYI, Caliber collision had the old Robert Yates building in Charlotte. I’ve been in it and it still had the surface plate and some other stuff.. had an upstairs with beds for the guys to grab a few hours sleep. Kinda of neat to be in the building where all that stuff happened during the #28 era. They might let you go through it.

[@Sicklajoie]

Every interview I've seen with Doug, from when he was a crew chief to today, he seems like one of the nicest, most genuine people in racing.

[@evanwilliams6406]

Imagine winning a championship as a crew chief at the age of 20?! That is what Doug Richert did after he inherited the job after Jake Elder left.

[@CraigGrant-sh3in]

It's like being 16 and getting an 18 point buck your first time out hunting

[@Travisesty]

Exactly like being 18 and marrying Olivia Dunn etc. awesome story and beyond awesome video!!!

[@hockinghillshoneyfarm9273]

Give us more of Doug what he has been doing the last 40 years

[@Stapleton42]

Absolutely!

[@greghagemann3225]

Agreed. Need more Doug!

[@Rogue_Wave5150]

What is Doug’s career after ‘85

[@ErnieStautner_70]

@@Rogue_Wave5150Greg biffles crew chief around 2004-06

[@sametozkan9175]

Doug was the youngest winning crew chief ever at age 20

[@haroldbirckhead9997]

I toured this place in 1979, I had a friend of a friend ( Ed Negree) and we got to go through the place led by Roland Wlodyka himself. I could not believe all the equipment and cars they had at that time. I think I counted 9 complete cars, not counting one in primer to sell and one on the jig being built. They had a room full of engines… 20+ all complete Carburetor, headers, sump pump, transmission ready to drop in a car. It was unreal to see an operation that size, we saw the Dyno room and the room where they did the heads… took one man a week to grind out the heads back then.. I remember Roland said they only ran the engine components one time (except for the billet crank) he said it wasn’t worth the risk, they could sell the parts and defray the cost of new…No wonder they were so successful, that equipment and one of the best drivers ever.. it’s a shame where nascar is right now…never go back to this era for sure..

[@Stapleton42]

Wow. That’s amazing I wish you had pictures!

[@haroldbirckhead9997]

Back then… no cell phones.. I was 19 and don’t own much :) certainly not a camera..

[@Dd13200]

These old race shop videos with the people that lived it,are the absolute best. You are the man for preserving the meat and potatoes of racing. Keep up the great work

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man

[@paulbreen5885]

As a Huge Earnhardt Sr. fan you hit this episode out of the park!! So much I didn,t know about the early days of his career, thank you for your time to bring this history back to his fans.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man we appreciate you!

[@mikemaccracken3112]

I love Doug. He is such a smart man and he was always great at giving interviews. Thank you Mitchell and Logan.

[@justinbrittmotorsports]

I met Doug on my 16th birthday at Team RedBull in 2007! Such a genuine man! I saw him again this past October at charlotte. We talked about this shop! My dad met Doug here back in 1980, the year they won the title. He also met Dale that day

[@justinbrittmotorsports]

Doug mentioned to me about the crane! He was tickled it was still there!

[@jeremymundy8608]

Guys, you’re awesome! So great to see you gaining the respect and access to all these places! Thank you!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks for watching!

[@Ada-zn3pw]

Can't wait to watch this one tonight. Love me some Earnhardt history

[@Stapleton42]

Absolutely!

[@jonathonhowlett6295]

It’s cool to see the team photo and see Steve Blackwell in the photo and also hear Doug mention Steve. Steve is still building racing engines to this day and builds awesome engines! Thank you for these videos!

[@Stapleton42]

That’s awesome. Maybe I should talk to him about this place

[@jonathonhowlett6295]

@@Stapleton42 I’ve seen some pictures in his shop! I don’t remember any shop pictures but I’m sure he has some memories of the place!

[@louislepage5111]

I always liked Doug Richert , he's a great storyteller. He always said that Osterlund Racing was a first class operation. Thanks again for the excellent content 😊

[@nascarnate3]

You continue to impress brotha, preserving history forever that would've otherwise been lost. You're awesome Mitchell, keep up the amazing work!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man we appreciate you

[@nascarnate3]

@Stapleton42 Absolutely brotha! Was good to see you pop in on the vintage race car page on FB to clarify the red-headed step child car that they were talking about. I can very much appreciate keeping the history accurate, and you're becoming the staple of Nascar history preservation very quickly 🤟

[@jaredoaks6317]

Doug is one of my favorite people in NASCAR. One of the nicest people in the sport

[@genedwg6689]

You have a knack for finding the people and places. More importantly, you get the people telling stories. Great content!

[@John-uv7zp]

The good old days of nascar man that time capsule was awesome thanks yall for doing this.it’s neat to remember history ….rip dale

[@George-on3zm]

Great job! Yea Doug is a great guy!! I was just with him a few months ago.

[@georgedreisch2662]

Y’all need to get these guys all together at once. Maybe a reunion.

[@scotthall756]

Awesome video. These guys are so nice to take time out to walk around these old buildings and share the memories. Crazy that the crane still works and the view out front still looks similar to Dale’s postcard picture. Would love to see Tim Brewer or Jeff Hammond walk around the old Junior Johnson shop like this. Especially ole cocky Brewer lol Love to hear him talk.

[@Stapleton42]

Doug worked there too 😂

[@scotthall756]

True. Future video?

[@kainslance]

Man seeing the guy who worked there with Dale just light up with the crane makes me so happy. Your videos are so awesome, and I just keep on sharing your channel. I got my 80 year old dad to watch your videos. He used to race with Dick Trickle, Rich Brickle, Lowell Bennet, Rusty Wallace, Dale Earnhardt, and Mark Martin back when they came up to Wisconsin.

[@robertmilstead4950]

Another Great Video Mitchell and Logan! Really cool listening to Doug and seeing the old shop.

[@ralfcatsnap6897]

OMG, that championship belt is the most epic thing that I have ever seen!!!!

[@2dogsmowing]

The person that spray painted the back of Doug's shirt is a legend. I've been chuckling everytime it's shown on here. 😅 At the end with Doug showing the belt. There was a moment he reminisced to himself. He was about to get choked up.

[@Stapleton42]

Very true

[@Smith-wk6pb]

I bet Dale himself did that. It seems like something he would do. He put a frozen fish in Rustys car at the start of a race by the middle it was stinky....

[@thegrimstreaker4669]

I'm blown away at this entire series, everytime i watch a new video it reminds me why i love racing so much. Keep up the great work y'all.

[@gregorygolden1296]

Your videos are second to none. You always ask the right questions. I really enjoy and look forwards to each one.Thanks for all the insight, history, and finding all these great people of motorsports. Keep 'em coming brother.

[@racerdad6455]

The smiley face on the back of his work shirt had me rolling all through the video. Great stuff Stapleton42🏁

[@Stapleton42]

Me too 😂

[@bradrosenbeck7919]

Love these old shop tours with the many Racing Icons you have telling these stories is so interesting! Keep it up

[@therealfazethree860]

That's awesome buddy! Ya know Doug was Greg Biffle's crew chief in the truck series for his whole truck career, and he was the most dominant driver in the series during his time, I talked w Doug at the truck race in '98 @ Portland Speedway which was our local home track.

[@Stapleton42]

I knew Doug with with Greg in the cup series but I didn’t know he was with him back in trucks too. That’s really neat

[@klh471]

Don't stop doing this!. I enjoy hearing all of the old stories and facts. GREAT JOB!

[@speedwaystevecronk6680]

Another Outstanding NASCAR History video! So cool to have the now owner of the property give full access tour with Doug telling the story's. I know you like working on the cars and making videos, But it seems you have found your calling with these wonderful History videos. Thank you for all the Camera and Edit work. Congratulations on new sponsor, I have some blue handle stuff in my tool box.

[@Stapleton42]

Heck yeah thanks Steve!!

[@ehss192]

I don't comment a lot but I watch a lot. It blows me away the company you two are keeping these days. Also, the personal unseen from anywhere else photos you throw in there for a visual is a really nice touch. It's also really cool seeing the current owners perspective of what is vs Doug's what once was. Thanks for taking the time and making these videos!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man! It’s a lot of legwork to find these old shop photos

[@irongoatrocky2343]

Mitchell, and Logan...one can only imagine the stories Dale would have had about this place as well! You seem to have a way of uncovering and keeping the history alive.....please please keep it going!

[@Stapleton42]

We will!!

[@DejonColeman94]

Need more on this place, more Doug too really liked this episode.

[@05Glm]

Oh man this just keeps getting cooler Doug is a legend.

[@05Glm]

It’s so cool to see you getting recognition here in Australia mate bloody awesome

[@benjensen8341]

Another awesome video! I'm super pumped for the video with Dave Marcis! Such a legend! So much determination!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man! The filming with Dave turned out great

[@benjensen8341]

​@@Stapleton42 I'm sure it did. Keep up the good work

[@artmccartan4911]

Another impressive job Mitchell, you're right. It's amazing how much history came out of that 1 little strip building's amazing. it's also amazing how things have escalated and somehow lost the human touch.

[@Mtlmshr]

The more of your videos I watch makes me want to go back to some of the old race shops that I worked out of to see what they are like now!

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

Same Race Shop Blue Max From The 80s And Early 90s Thanks For Uploading

[@greenmirror5555]

Mitchell you are one hell of a miner! Another amazing vein of pure gold given to the interwebs forever! Thank you Mr. Richert, Stapes, and Art Ferren too)! I think hot wheels is gonna be making a little blue 42(with pennzoil yellow stripes) pulled by an escalade replica one day!

[@Stapleton42]

That would be awesome!

[@TracksideViews]

So awesome that so many people in or previously in the industry are doing these videos!

[@Stapleton42]

I agree!

[@johnmorgan4921]

Super cool that you guys got to go back there and get this tour!!! Cheers!

[@stephenbreen7570]

I absolutely love these videos. Being a fan of history and of NASCAR. What more could you ask for.

[@shawns57garage]

Another great trip back into racing history

[@Stapleton42]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@timothymcmullen2056]

That's the same place you did with Rusty Wallace. This is more in-depth tour with Doug and the current owner. Thanks for do this history of NASCAR .

[@Stapleton42]

Yes. We did the top side buildings with Rusty. The main side here was what Osterlund used. Same property but both teams had home base in different sides. It’s a fascinating property

[@ZipTieGarageANDDRAGRACING]

It's great seeing the younger Generations keeping this historical racing alive,and documenting history! I'm 51 years old and have a daughter around your age, always been an avid drag racer and I watched the old school nascar but I still say Nascar died when Dale did and it was cremated when Dale Jr retired. I just started this channel, our old channel was hacked, we lost over 300k subs that took 7 years to build but we're gonna attempt 1 more time. Keep up the great work, you do something that nobody else does that I've seen on YT. Sending 🙏🙏🙏 to you both for safe travels and A Merry Christmas.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man we appreciate you!

[@alblake5994]

Carry on man your doing a heck of a job with the NASCAR teams ,drivers and history !!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!

[@midminnesotamotorheads267]

Yes more videos with Doug, keep up the great content

[@dustinstan21]

Definitely need more content from Doug and the people like him that are interested in letting ‘the walls talk’ to give us fans a better insight.

[@steveperyer4850]

Doug seemed like a great guy even today, and thank you as always for this great interview 😊

[@Stapleton42]

Our pleasure!

[@ryanfolks6024]

This is Gold!!!! Another great history lesson. Thank you guys so much!!

[@richardparker7168]

HOLY GRAIL! Thank you Mitch

[@bouverscustoms1652]

Great video. I can remember wanting wrangler jeans when I was a kid because of Dale Earnhardt. I hope he finds some photos to share.

[@carlbreaman5651]

Great work as always Mitch and Logan. Seems like the guys from Dougs era really enjoy the opportunity to tell their story.

[@BigfootSOH]

Spectacular video!! You guys are the best! As more time passes, you are going to be the "go to guy" for NASCAR history for the next generation to learn from. Fantastic job on this one!

[@jamiehess6443]

To know that much of the original shop including the crane it's still there makes me wonder these other buildings that used to house race shops how much of the original is still in them too. Mitchell I can only imagine how much scheduling you have to do to put a story like this together. I want to personally thank you and Logan for pursuing the history of NASCAR in the way that you do. I can watch your videos over and over and never get bored. I can't wait fot the next story to get posted.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man! A lot more left in these places than you’d think!

[@bcbloc02]

The swinging lights were my favorite. Dresser made industrial air compressors amongst other things so I bet that is what they built there to begin with.

[@Stapleton42]

Interesting!

[@tngtacticalmiata1219]

So cool watching these... I grew up in the 80s watching these guys race... And it looks a lot like I imagined it would. What stands out, though is the guys you're finding to bring back and talk about it. Just regular guys with talent that saw an opportunity and went for it.. Well done, guys.. I'll be looking for the next one.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man we appreciate you 💪🏻

[@dennybarlau8065]

As always great show, it almost makes me want to race again, the memories

[@hdbikerdave5835]

Another awesome view of the past. Thank you for sharing. Well done !

[@02dburns]

What an awesome video!!! What is more interesting is Doug and the owner of the property are totally into passing on the history of NASCAR. Great Job Mitch and Logan and Thank you for what you guys are doing. Love watching to the end. Cheers

[@Stapleton42]

The owner knows almost nothing about nascar he’s never been around it. His willingness to learn and allow us to do this is certainly admirable

[@7viewerlogic670]

That belt/buckle is badass!

[@eddie8279]

my dad loved channel lock tools,I use them today. excellent video on the history of the building and racing

[@Stapleton42]

Heck yeah! Thanks man

[@JMRomberger3]

Thank you for taking the time to tour all these old race shops with people who were there.

[@Stapleton42]

thank you for being here to watch it !

[@JMRomberger3]

@@Stapleton42 of course! If only I could come on one of these tours with you.

[@nascarjim0223]

I like seeing and hearing you speak to NASCAR old school guys

[@woodyholland9865]

Great video. These videos are keeping history alive

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you very much!

[@mikemathis3936]

At the end when you said "It's there, it is all still there" it got me to thinking, and I figure that it is only sort of there. What I mean is that while some stuff still exists, you need a guide and an interpreter to see it and make it exist again. This time you had Doug and the current property owners bringing life to the old shop. And not to put any pressure on you, you are the guide and interpreter who make these things exist for those of us on You Tube. Thank you for bringing back parts of motor racings past while they still can be brought back

[@Stapleton42]

Well said my dude

[@a11young]

Another incredible episode! Doug is a cool guy and much appreciation to him for all that he shared with you and us!

[@richdiscoveries]

Always enjoy it brother.. Thank you for all that you do to help keep this history alive and sharing it with us.. Train going by was kinda cool too

[@jerequallio9052]

Hey guys, I really enjoy your channel. I've been a race fan for as long as I can remember. 40+ years or so. I'm very interested in the history of the sport. The '70's, 80's and '90s are my favorite eras. I think it's cool how you know all these people who were involved back then and bring them on your channel. Rusty Wallace even. My wife's favorite. Keep up the good work. 👍 😎

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!

[@diecastman]

Great video! Love hearing all the stories about Dale and that era of NASCAR. Keep up the great work and can't wait to see what's next!!!

[@n4bhpat]

I haven’t seen him in years , I think I told u he hooked me up with one of Dale’s 4 spd transmissions , went in my 68 cougar ! Brings back the hot road days for me

[@tommoon2700]

Really appreciate how you keep up w this history man, super special to the American culture 🤙🇺🇸

[@bowtieguy6870]

Another great job! I’ve thanked you many times before and thanks again. The best NASCAR content anywhere!

[@Stapleton42]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Speedwaycrazy74]

what a neat video. when i hear channelock i automatically think of sammy swindell and his iconic blue channelock sprintcars back in the 90s early 2000s

[@Stapleton42]

I think of the Busch series cars they sponsored 😂

[@Speedwaycrazy74]

@@Stapleton42 I will admit,I'm more of a dirt racing fan than I am of anything else, but I'm someone who also has a deep appreciation for motor racing history, no matter what discipline it is. And watching your videos and following your channel has helped me grow my knowledge of NASCAR and NASCAR history I'm very grateful for the hard work you guys put in to bring these videos together and in your own way, help keep the history alive

[@Speedwaycrazy74]

@@Stapleton42 also interesting to note that Sammy tried his hand at NASCAR, including stints in the Busch series and truck series for a short while back in 90s also carrying channelock sponsorship but didn't really set the world on fire Interesting history nonetheless Regardless he will always be a Sprintcar legend

[@heavyhitter3185]

Yes! Definitely Have Doug Back On As Much As Possible! Bet You He's Got All Kinds Of Earnhardt Tales...Great Idea Stapleton 🏁👍

[@wideslammer]

You continue to put together some very interesting videos. It takes me back to the days when I subscribed to the weekly newspaper Grand National Scene -- later to become Winston Cup Scene. I also subscribed to the slick monthly magazine Grand National Illustrated which became Winston Cup Illustrated. They always had two foldout pictures in each issue that I would remove to put on my garage wall.

[@gmwillys]

Excellent coverage! Can't wait to watch see where you go next.

[@wesrobbins111]

Another great video! I love watching your history videos that remind me of back when I was growing up watching NASCAR. I appreciate the Lake Speed comeback tour shirt I got this week. I’m glad I was able to support your channel through that purchase. I am grateful for your work you do! Thank you for keeping history alive!!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!!

[@stevendezwaan5707]

Another really cool video Stapleton! I'm always looking forward to the next one. All of the stories you help bring to us is fantastic. Doug is another fantastic person from Nascar to be on your channel here. Thank you for keeping Nascar history alive.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks for being here for it!

[@apatriotofhopedanjohn4781]

Y’all just keep on AMAZING !!! Another Great show guys, Thanks for keeping history alive

[@htalbott1899]

You guys get better with every vidio.cant even start to tell you how much they mean, I have told you before this to me was the best of nascar, from the 70s thru the 90s love what you and Logan do.thank you so much.

[@roadkingryder6685]

Would love to hear Doug reminisce about his 2 years working for Junior Johnson as crew chief for Neil Bonnett #12 Budweiser Chevy. I bet he has some good stories about Junior, Jaws, Jeff and Tim. You and Logan are absolutely killing it with your videos and stories of Nascar's glory days. Keep up the good work. Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man. That one is on my list!

[@WayneB27]

It would be great to hear more of Doug's recollections.

[@waynekimball6503]

Amazing work you two. As allways.

[@timkoryciak5622]

Great video ! Love that you are keeping race history alive ! Keep up the great work Mitchell and Logan.

[@travistaylor9503]

Thanks again, Stapleton42, for yet another awesome video! Keep it up brother! Being almost 40 years old these videos bring back amazing memories of a time when nascar was worth watching!

[@rosswilson4196]

Thanks for another good one. Let's hear more from Doug

[@mattrandolph2944]

I became familiar with Doug’s career when he was at Roush. Such a vast career!

[@davida2874]

I love all the stories and all places you guys go it's amazing how much stuff is still preserved after all these years. Keep doing your thing and thanks for doing the tour of the winston cup museum. I never got to make it down there because it's about 9 hours from my home and I work a lot of weekends so I got to take a virtual tour because of you guys.

[@Stapleton42]

Glad we could help man

[@davida2874]

@Stapleton42 Not gonna lie when I get a chance I've got a whole bunch of places I'm going to visit in the Charlotte are thanks to you guys.

[@ericdanielson1138]

Sand in the block walls is used as sound deadener it works really and is in used still today. They also used to do it between floors in NY so you didnt hear the foot traffic from above. I know these things from holes I have had to drill only to find a flow of sand to come out. Curiosity prompted the question and answer. You Guys are knocking it out.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!

[@PhillipHoskyn]

Cool Dave been waiting for that one should be so cool. the coverage of Nascar we got in NZ back then he was in his final years of competing and i always found him interesting came across as a real gentleman in interviews. CHEERS

[@briananderson5284]

WOW Awesome once again Thank you for the great history lesson love this Channel. You two are Awesome thanks for all the hard work you put in to finding this awesome History!!!!!!

[@andysandlin57]

Awesome video! I love the memories that come back to life with each guest you have. You can see it on their face. May the stories inspire a new generation and educate everyone of the amazing Nascar history🏆🏁🇺🇲

[@392HemiM59]

I am simply amazed by this video. Great job!

[@KEngle0315]

Yet another masterpiece. The amount of work that goes into these videos is astounding to me. We see the finished product but I very much appreciate all you both do to make these happen. And Doug.... what a great guy. Seems to be a theme with all these old, cool stories... awesome people go along with it all. Thank you again for doing what you do and obviously love!

[@Stapleton42]

thank you very much!

[@IGHRebel]

Another awesome video from you guys. Thank you for what you do. You are an archeologist of Nascar.

[@glennhebets]

Thank you enjoyed verry much. Was at Daytona starting in 1967 with Jim Scott who ran in the Arch race. I helped build his 1967-68-69 race cars. Enjoyed that era so much. Worked on Jims pit crew in 1968. Got to see all the big named drivers of the time. Thank you so much.