The Scene Vault Podcast -- Larry McReynolds on Struggles with Dale Earnhardt, 1998 Daytona 500 Win

NOTE: This is a remastered version of a previous release featuring better sound quality.
In this extraordinary conclusion to our interview, Larry McReynolds describes his tumultuous tenure with Richard Childress Racing and driver Dale Earnhardt. They did win the 1998 Daytona 500 together, but also endured one of the driest spells of Earnhardt's career. Ultimately, McReynolds would be moved over to helm Mike Skinner's RCR efforts before moving on to the Fox broadcast booth.
NOTE: This show is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owner of the Scene brand.
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[@dalejr183]

Dale Earnhardt was just ashamed to admit he was injured. Larry you’re too hard on yourself. You are the hardest working and you have been thru more grief then anyone.

[@dalejr183]

Thank You for signing the big picture for me at TMS trackside 2004.

[@robbielewis889]

@@dalejr183 0l

[@montecarloss305]

There's a lot of truth in this comment.

[@Weezy10580]

Severely underrated podcast

[@joshhuffine4522]

Larry Mac is a Living National Treasure. I absolutely love hearing him talk.

[@craigdilbeck]

Miss Larry Mac in the booth. Top notch crew chief analyst is what the broadcasts are missing.

[@johnschwindt3049]

Todd Gordon would be good to move over to the TV side.

[@Sam-el6hq]

Blows my mind 2 crew members can get so drunk they are late to the garage. I wish I had an opportunity like they had, I would be the first there and last to leave the garage!!

[@rebelscumspeedshop]

Chronic pain does funny things to you. It attacks you subconsciously. I went from training soldiers, running marathons ect ,basically living life. To bone spurs and then a freak accident at work which broke my foot and suddenly everything was out of whack. It was even hard to tell the Dr what was going on.

[@buickgn1897]

Man, I have small spurs in my toe joints, it will stop you dead it hurts so much.

[@pittsky]

Amazing. Love Larry Mac!

[@charlieblackwell5792]

This is the first time I've seen your podcast, I know how I have missed it, but I love the format, and Larry Mac was on (my very favorite NASCAR crew chief) and I watched about 2hrs I was thoroughly impressed. My first driver was Davey Allison, so I am hooked. Charlie Blackwell

[@TheSceneVault]

Thank you! We also have an audio-only version of the show. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scene-vault-podcast/id1667952334

[@daviclar867]

Hard to believe Skinner never won a cup race in 286 starts. 6 poles and only 39 top tens.

[@fatpatlives1998]

Came close so many times 😢

[@bw6891]

This is the BEST Nascar interview i have EVER seen...

[@TheSceneVault]

Thank you ... Larry Mac is one of the world's very best storytelles!

[@Brooks22n]

Larry Mac is a Treasure

[@shanew.williams]

Excellent. Larry Mac (being a fellow native Alabamian), i thought our heavy accent might be a problem for him coming across (on TV). But it's not, because he's obviously a hard worker, NOBODY's gonna out-work Larry. He's the "all in" type you'd hope to find to run a fast food franchise (but thankfully he applied that work ethic to racing).

[@alanhyde1261]

Great interview Larry

[@louislepage5111]

The man has certainly had a career 😊

[@Nate-iy8dv]

Hell yeah, keep these videos coming

[@dionte7562]

Hell, a guy like Larry Mac SHOULD run for president! He sure as shit would get my vote.

[@streamlinehotel2105]

Larry Mac is a Hall of fame crew chief and a good man

[@barry1705]

I went to the Richmond race when Larry was Dales crew chief . I listen to the radio head phones . Dale was getting aggravated with Larry. Larry was trying to tell Dale how to drive the car in the corners . Not a nice conversation.😮

[@fatpatlives1998]

Yikes that's crazy ....seems like Kevin and dale clicked immediately after the swap

[@toddschlicher]

I’m a little late to this but it was nuts. It wasn’t just Richmond, and not just during the race. Larry was trying to tell him where to lift and where to get back to the gas, entering and exiting the turns. Larry was a great crew chief and an even better person, but I knew it wasn’t going to work when I heard that.

[@brandonjustice6338]

There is radio communication audio from the '98 Daytona 500, there is a partial version of it on the DVD they released. Unfortunately, I don't believe you hear this exchange. That said, it has to exist in complete form somewhere, it needs to be found!

[@davidcenci2240]

You were working with a injured Earnhardt..and dealing with a race team that had fallen behind in aero and handling.

[@fatpatlives1998]

Andy petree should have stayed that was the real issue couldn't find anyone to click with dale post Andy Era outside of Kevin Hamlin

[@Tobaccovillan]

You are secure for many more years. Then you will be a legend.

[@clarenceghammjr1326]

Clashing personalities 😂Larry has a way, dale has a way, poor Richard 😂😂😂

[@earnhart7002]

Live ole larry mac

[@jefferyrobertson7520]

Larry Mcreynolds With Only Three Wins Crew Chief Number 26 Quaker State Buick Regal Thanks For Uploading Rick And Steve

[@CraigGrant-sh3in]

My brother kept saying in 97 that Larry was getting two paychecks

[@EclecticHillbilly]

You have to question the credibility of a sanctioning body whose president is in radio contact with a competitor during an event.

[@shanew.williams]

Back then things like that were a well kept secret, before social media, so nobody much knew (or questioned).

[@terrylansford893]

Wish Dale was healthy when he had the best crew chief in that time

[@richardtracy2627]

Old Sayre boy…if you know you know

[@SDCBMS]

Mr. Larry McReynolds: Will you please come to the suite at Bristol Motor Speedway and say a few words of wisdom to our company. Our suite is next to the spotters suite.

[@gregfaircloth6606]

Larry sounds like he's got a chip on his shoulder because He and Dale never got on a roll. Kevin Hamlin became Dale's crew chief after Larry and they won five races over two seasons so I don't think Dale was the problem with why they struggled when Larry was with the 3 car. Larry acts like Dale got his feel for the car after he had his surgery but Dale won three races with Hamlin in 1999 before the surgery so I'm not buying Larry's story. It's easy to blame someone who isn't around anymore but thankfully some of us remember the facts.

[@barry1705]

I agree 👍

[@evanwilliams6406]

I feel the same way, I always have felt that way. I never liked Larry as Dale's crew chief. Two different personalities and ways of working.

[@harrygourley6443]

This was a great interview with Larry and I enjoyed it so much

[@kevinhoneycutt238]

You should have never been moved off the 3 car

[@corruptduboiscountyindiana5058]

larry always seemed like a guy that would abuse animals and women, maybe not, but he just seems like that kind of guy

[@jsimm4587]

I think Larry needs to shut the hell up and be glad Dale let him ride along for a win they were happy you left and we are too !

[@King1614]

Dang dude, let me brush that chip off your shoulder

[@braedonshelton2305]

Dale was lucky to have Larry lol, bitter much?

[@drewtaylor651]

But you wouldn’t say that to his Face if you did he give you the hands black belt Larry knock that dick in the dirt for yee

[@wcm68tn]

Let me guess... You were going to be the #3 crew chief until Larry stepped in.

[@gteefxr3094]

Ha, no doubt.

[@rickwilliamsjr.4003]

larry was a horrible crew chief for dale.

[@JJA1987]

Larry wasn't the issue - Dale was racing injured during that period and it affected his ability to feel the race car

[@rickwilliamsjr.4003]

@@JJA1987 was larry. he worked against dale. larry sucked!

[@2838Steve]

leaving RYR to work for Ironhead was a HUGE mistake