When Dale Jr.'s Bud 8 Team Was at its Lowest Point | The Dale Jr. Download

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mike Davis and guest Steve Hmiel discuss the rough final years for the Bud 8 team, Hmiel getting fired from Dale Earnhardt Inc. and what led to the organization's ultimate downfall.
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[@Timberns]

We are so fortunate that Jr is such a history buff and shares these podcasts with us… He could have just wandered off into obscurity like so many others have done Thank you Jr.

[@jamesince4015]

Steve Hmiel is by far the smartest Crew Chief I have ever been around. Nobody thinks faster on their feet and makes instant decisions faster than Steve except me after I stole his style. He helped my career way more than he will ever know.

[@davidzitterich6994]

What stands out most that Steve taught you?

[@gth804f]

If this is the real James Ince, I thank you so much for your effort with the 10 car when one of my all-time favorite drivers Johnny Benson, Jr. was there. Benson was just on the Scene Vault and just lauded your genius and workmanship. Thanks again.

[@JR10_RR]

Hope you are well James -- always was a fan when you and Johnny Benson about turned NASCAR upside down with that unsponsored 10 car and then the Valvoline deal.

[@davew7250]

The honesty coming through on these interviews is brutal. That’s the way it should be. Tell it like it is and let the chips fall where they may.

[@gailtaylor1636]

I'd name, names. These guys are thick skinned enough to take it. If not, duck em.

[@gteefxr3094]

Yup, I'm with you on that.

[@carloscrawford2454]

👍🏽

[@guitarman864]

I agree 100%

[@JRCreations92]

The more stories that come out about DEI the darker it gets. It’s really sad, Dale Worked Very hard to build such a great place and once he died it just rapidly declined like Ty Norris said

[@King1614]

Don’t you just love listening to two humble people brag on each other and still are humble enough to not take credit for something so big. This is the very definition of love and respect.

[@musicalbenjiman]

I love this! Best comment I've seen on one of these.

[@benjaminrush5562]

If we all could be so honest about our mistakes, fears and failures. Dale pulls the curtain back and exposes his insecurities, vulnerabilities, frustration and uncertainty. You handled a terrible situation better than 99% of us would have. Your dad would be proud.

[@rebelscumspeedshop8677]

I both love and hate these downloads. I love learning what happened. We all knew something was up but we never truly knew what. The hate was for Dale's legacy. To be a fan for almost his entire career and to know that a huge part of his legacy died when Dei fell apart is heartbreaking.

[@roadkingryder6685]

Steve Hmiel was brilliant and one of the greatest crew chiefs of all time. Mark Martin wouldn't have won all those races without him. Great Job Jr!

[@tomdalfonzo9959]

A shame that Hmiel and Martin never won a title together.

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

@@tomdalfonzo9959 we all know Mark Martin won the 1990 Cup…

[@michaelmcauley6572]

His humility and reflection is an ultimate reason why this young man is so revered

[@Space_Ache]

100%

[@evanwilliams6406]

Steve Hmiel got his last win as a crew chief at Chicago. That also explains how Dale Jr. and Steve's son Shane were in WinFuel commercials because Shane's dad worked with Dale at the time.

[@kwil6648]

The absolute best interviews / discussions happen right here!!! Props to the Dirty Mo Crew!!!!

[@jesseemullen]

It's amazing how long Jr got by on talent alone. I'm very impressed with the level of reflection and perspective he has developed since 2011, 2012.

[@jk-kr8jt]

On talent alone? He was always in top flight equipment. When did he have to get by on talent alone?

[@adamredden2007]

​@@jk-kr8jtJfc.... are you just trolling all over these downloads while screaming at your wife and kids? What a miserable prick.

[@barneyward6448]

Really makes you wonder if Jr's Dad didn't die, that DEI would still be a thing today and still thriving in the Cup series.

[@fatpatlives1998]

It was on its way to be on par with HMS

[@darrelladams4188]

Would have definitely picked up a couple more Xfinity/ Nationwide championships. Possibly 2+ Cup titles. ????? Would they still be around and staying competitive.. ( she ) still might have won.😢

[@zt5547]

When did DEI ever thrive? They were average even on a good day.

[@earlwedlake7817]

@@zt5547 haha and they had 3 Daytona 500 wins. One with Dale Jr. and two with Michael Waltrip. If Dale wouldn't have died I believe Jr. would have won the title in 2004

[@toddedwards5373]

@@zt5547you consider winning 2 truck championships, 2 xfinty championships,24 cup races,41 xfinty races,25 truck races and 5 arca races for a total of 95 wins average?

[@dandaniels4558]

Wow I feel so sorry for Steve Hmeil having to deal with that mess Terresa made of Dale Srs dream. Just a sad sad time in history at DEI. I didn't realise all that was going on but I knew nothing was right after Dale passed away and the poor kids Dale Jr ,Kelly & Kerry had to feel so lost not knowing where there future was headed with that witch in charge of everything. I can not to this day believe she didn't do what Dale Sr wanted for the kids to get and keep DEI running and we all know they wanted to do in there daddy's name to carry on his legend. But Dale Sr legend will never die anyways.That witch has no control over all the memories qe all ha e of him his dad and his kids and what the man built. I met Dale Sr a few times and I will never forget how gracious and kind he was with my dad and I. And with me all alone at the busch shop at DEI he and little Taylor came over to the gate and talked to me for a few minutes and I was on top of the world.i could not believe I caught Dale Sr at a time when it was just me him and little Taylor and we talked about the Winston the night before and he had gotten crashed out of the race and I said I was there and hated seeing that and lost that car.He Said it was a good car but are you coming to the 600 I sure am in turn 1 down by the fence. He said well wait till you see that car run, it is an even better car and it is fast. He was penalized 3 times and sent to the back and still came back to win that 600. I was so happy for him and so excited for him. When he passed away it was devastating. I went to DEI with many other race fans that were there and all the news and sports crews covering it. One if the saddest days I've ever experienced. It was hard to even want to watch nascar anymore but I did follow Dale Jr and pulled hard for him and got to experience the great wins he had. Just never did put it all together to win that elusive championship in the Cup series. Dale Jr is actually the only one I haven't met of the Earnhardt family.i met Dale Sr of coarse a few times .unfortunately Teresa and of coarse Taylor and Kelly at Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet and Kerry when I worked at Lowes in mooresville nc. I had bought a truck from Dale's dealership and Dale was still with us at that time.i went for oil service on my truck and asked if Dale Jr was there and the service manager said you just missed him I sent him on a parts run to Charlotte and he went make it back before we close today.i said crap he's the only one I haven't got to meet and talk to. Dale Jr was just maybe 16 at the time just getting going in his young life. So I have alot of good memories and went to alot of races at charlotte and north Wilkesboro and Bristol,Rockingham and darlington to watch Dale Sr. I don't think I ever got to a race when Jr was racing even when his dad was still with us and driving. Every now and then I will go for a ride out to DEI and walk around and remember all the good times like meeting Dale Sr outback at the old busch shop. But my anger for the witch will never fade because she did Dale Kelly and Kerry very wrong and very dirty in my opinion. She was never the racer in that family.she married into it and then killed the whole dream her husband Dale Sr built for his kids to won day take over and runs and race. Will never forget!

[@tnrodgers]

So much humility and truth in the room. Steve is like the Dog test. If my dog doesn’t like you, I wouldn’t want to be around you. Upper management failed the dog test.

[@jamescaron6465]

Good analogy

[@jesseemullen]

Steve Hmiel was a great spotter and crew chief. This interview made me love him even more than I already did.

[@szymonkunda2197]

Do you know how long was he at Ganassi? Was he a crew chief there? What happened with him in later years? Sorry for the questions but I got really interested in his story but he's not on wikipedia or anything like that and it's hard to get any info on his career tbh

[@douglashayes3167]

These are pure gold..... pure gold..... Jr, I know you won't see this, but it is so fun and enjoyable to watch you be and do what you were destined to do.... your interview style, honesty, humbleness is pure magic.... THANK YOU for sharing with us!

[@Chasing_777]

Dale Jr you are 1000% correct. I raced for many years and for many different teams. If the team I was driving for had faith in me, then I had all the confidence in the world to do well. The results were so much better

[@gailtaylor1636]

Slight hijack...used to race dirt bikes in the woods. Was there when the GNCC series was created. I sucked. Zero confidence. Dealership picked-up Husqvarna. 1980 or 81. I had ridden Yamaha my whole life. Bought a leftover OR250 Husky. Rode it 3 times, went to spring race at Big Bear campground that is really close to WV/Maryland border. Fell maybe mile in a tweaked the bars around, pulled throttle off part way. Engine would rev when bars were turned right. Made one 20+ mile lap, came in pits to quit. Guy the sold me the bike was a football coach type. Looked me in the eyes and said "you hurt"? Nope. Yanked bars back straight and shoved throttle back in. GO!🤪 That moment did more for me than all the riding I'd done to that point. Went back few months later and made 4 laps (at least 80 miles of nasty rocks) ran top 10 for all of it. Physically ran out of gas last lap, finished 28th? I think in class. For me it was about confidence. He had it in me. I had it in the bike. Confidence is possibly the most important factor in success.

[@MJForever1999]

DEI would still be around if Jr and Kelly had control. Just gonna leave it there

[@kendallc9542]

One you guys best show yet. The honesty and humbleness is without doubt admired by many.

[@ChucksPullingVideos]

Truly appreciate these interviews and the stories surrounding the history of the sport. Stuff we never knew about while watching, but always wanted answers to, finally so much of it is coming to light.

[@chrisdavis743]

Thankful for what Jr is doing here, respecting and sharing history, and some intimate details that we never would’ve known. I’m not afraid to say I was not a huge Jr fan when he raced, but as he’s gotten older I have a ton of respect and admiration for who he is and what he has become. Much respect.

[@mlt3820]

If Real had levels, this would be at the top. Even the jokes. Hope Mr. Letarte hears this. A crew chief making a driver believe he can drive. All the words, Real. Thank You!

[@jeeprose4712]

I always wanted to be a crew chief. I never wanted it bad enough or I was scared 30 years ago. I never really understood that I would have never made it until listening and watching your podcast. I never really understood how special mentality and emotionally you have to be. Steve Hmiel is someone who always interested me, but I had no idea he was that special. No idea I would have been competing against someone like him. What a awesome podcast!

[@orendz7740]

I’m so happy Junior is gonna race 2 times this year. I miss seeing him driving.

[@Timberns]

And Steve… You should have named names…. They said it… They reiterated it… And they never retracted it… You owe them nothing

[@rickgibson6632]

This number one in all of the shows you have done. You alone brought me back to Nascar, after I had completely stopped watching any Nascar. Maybe someday we can talk about it.

[@johndandrea8034]

Steve is such a class act. Terresa did him dirty

[@Wreckerboy]

His insight and honesty is painful and to be respected. DJ was basically a head case after Sr. passed and suddenly had to find his way in the world alone.

[@walterdanner6372]

He had Kelly!

[@Eric-wj3lw]

The win at Chicago is the last race I've been to in person and it completed everything for me as I had seen Senior win twice in person so I was pumped to see Jr. win!

[@FIFApepper]

Going out into the lot afterwards was so much fun. Everyone was happy.

[@jimmymccoy967]

One of the greatest guys in racing. This was one of the best episodes I’ve seen on here.

[@gailtaylor1636]

Steve seems like a really nice guy. Doesn't want to hurt anyone's feeling. Lay it out there man. It's been nearly 20 years. They get upset, duck em. Tell it like it was.

[@joegoveia6499]

That was a great interview. I always loved Steve

[@logansanderson3431]

DEI was destined for greatness it’s a shame it went down the way it did Jr is a heck a wheelman to have put those cars in victory lane with what was going on behind the scenes

[@Drumfisher215]

Honestly probably one of the top 5 guests you’ve had. Great episode.

[@shcaskey]

Great interview!! I’m not a nascar guy, don’t know who Steve is but he seems like a good guy! Dales honesty is remarkable!

[@thepspman116]

Nobody just tells Tony Eury "you're fired". Felt so bad for Steve that he was put in that position

[@daleblack3536]

Great episode! The interview seemed spontaneous and revealing to everyone involved in the discussion.

[@barryreid8877]

Best kinda stuff Dale Jr keep at it kid

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

I can see how Mark Martin & Steve Hmiel were so DYNAMIC together in the 90s! Steve Hmiel is a LEGEND

[@doomusrlc]

The Pocono race they were talking about, i swear that wasn't the only one they changed shocks or springs on pit road. 2007 Pocono 2, I *swear* they did it there too Edit: ah I was right. He spun on lap 123 at the 2007 Pennsylvania 500 and they changed the front shocks on the car. Finished 2nd.

[@bingdong8571]

Man dale, thanks for being so human and thoughtful about your past thoughts here! Very well said and inspirational in a very real way. Also Ross chastain should get some kind of pay bonus from nascar. I wish camera guys did a better job on that one but that just shows u absolutely noone saw that coming, even cameramen

[@Jimleben]

Teresa should be ashamed about driving DEI into the ground. What a way to honor your late husband.

[@Will-tm5bj]

If she had shame she would be

[@mattorey5816]

She doesn’t care about racing. Tough to be invested in something as insane to run as a race team if you’re uninterested.

[@altonbarbee8864]

She just wanted the money, didn't care at all about the race team. Dale JR. Kelly and Kerry Should have gotten the race teams.

[@jimdeaton1069]

She’s a Total Idiot and a Gold Digger. Dale deserved a better Woman. A better Human Being. He should have had his Will set up to give 51% to Jr. And 20% each to his other Boys. Teresa should be living in a Trailer Park, which is where She’d be without Dale.

[@jk-kr8jt]

Did any of you watch this video? Jr is tell how he childishly contributed to the demise of DEI.

[@bradfreer2132]

Jr. Tku for this podcast with Steve Hmiel, wow i just listen to the full podcast and it is at the top of the list, Steve was the soft spoken man who cared about everyone, what a Beautiful person again tku 🙏🙏

[@williamcraig1505]

Assume interview . Steve sounds like a gentleman's gentleman

[@Mikesacco1B]

This an amazing interview. Great stuff

[@JB-px3zf]

I have always had a deep respect for Steve Hmiel and treasure the times I was able to interact with him. He is a very special person.

[@rce59]

Steve seems like a very knowledgeable person and an asset to any operation.

[@jamesemory1505]

Serious question… what becomes of Dale Jr if… he never gets an opportunity at HMS? JRM certainly never happens like it has and look at all the jobs JRM has provided over the years. Unbelievable what went down at DEI. I just shake my head.

[@rtrfu9894]

Jr. You always were and always will be my driver!

[@dhackdaddymac]

Dale jr in the 8 bud car was so much fun watching. Wish Richard would of offered him a chance to drive the 3 car for him instead of waiting for Austin Dillion.

[@MayoFilms83]

He was exciting to watch the #8 on the Budweiser team. Teresa destroyed it.

[@mistabone3899]

The humility and honesty is healing.

[@carlyfriese6421]

I feel like this channel is putting all the versions of NASCAR history together and it’s very interesting to hear everyone’s take on things.

[@travisrickett5681]

There's more to racing than car going round and round. These stories about team work and struggles are what makes racing so hard to get out of system.

[@buckkinsel1081]

I enjoy all the episodes, but this one was special. I am a fairly new fan to NASCAR. Listening to the history of these events, is really special

[@7viewerlogic670]

Wow. Just wow.

[@kenmartin756]

I have always been a Steve Hmiel fan, since his days with Roush!

[@bgood424]

It was Brian Vickers not Ryan Blaney at Chicagoland that held off Matt Kenseth.

[@gcrauwels941]

Love hearing these stories from those who lived them.

[@raymondcarroll3876]

What I enjoy about these podcasts, is seeing and hearing Dale Jrs humility when he THANKS people for believing in him and pushing him and how important a role they played in his success.

[@vppnbrent]

This episode was gut wrenching to me. Shows real drama at dei.

[@scottvantassel2212]

another out of the park interview. Dale and Mike are a great team,, wish you guys would get a job doing national news reporting. no softball questions, going right for the jugular,, the way reporters are supposed to interview.

[@satyrcreekergang4985]

Big Budweiser nr.8 fan here from Kolding, Denmark (Scandinavia) And nr.88 fan after Junior changed car. Stay safe 🤘🇺🇲🇩🇰🤘

[@shawns57garage]

Mike : "we ran like a bag of ass" !!! 🤣

[@ferdterguson124]

This was a rough interview on all points. Glad it was put out though

[@squirrel8037]

Thank you Steve! THANK YOU JR!

[@teresagoodwin7458]

Dale this interview with Steve really helped shed light on how bad Teresa was at attempting to run a business that your Precious Dad had built and succeeded into a mega company and when he passed he would've come back if possible to make things right to where Dale Jr and Kelley would have been head of the most successful team and THE BEST RACE CAR DRIVER EVER, THE INTIMIDATOR DALE SR WOULD NOT HAVE TOLERATED TERESA'S NONSENSE FOR A SECOND!!!! THE INTIMIDATOR INTENDED FOR DALE JR AND KELLEY TO CARRY THE EARNHARDT LEGACY INTO THE FUTURE AND Dale, you and Kelley and Mike and the wonderful people in your inner circle have done AMAZING THINGS AND BEEN SUCCESSFUL BEYOND WHAT EVEN YOUR PRECIOUS DAD EXPECTED AND YOU DID IT YOUR OWN WAY WITHOUT DEI WHICH RIGHTFULLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOURS AND KELLEY'S. BUT THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE GOD WILL SEND DOWN HIS JUSTICE TO MAKE THE GUILTY AND GREEDY PAY . GOD DOESN'T MISS ANYTHING AND HE WILL STEP IN AND CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU FOR DOING YOUR FAMILY LEGACY JUSTICE 🙏🏻ALONG WITH YOUR PRECIOUS FAMILY AMY AND THE GIRL'S AND KELLEY AND HER PRECIOUS FAMILY 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻AND JEFFREY TOO. 🙏🏻🙏🏻💞🤗💞🏁🏆🏁

[@joshuaguenin9507]

Lisa Pressley was the musical act at daytona july 2005

[@gytrplr]

Man I miss those days the passion is gone these days.

[@Onemattressatatime]

One of the nicest guys in NASCAR

[@evanwilliams6406]

Tony Eury Jr. was back on the box by the late in the year by 2005 and in 2006.

[@jasonjackson5493]

Wow...... after that meeting.......it would have been some ass whooping going on

[@jamescaron6465]

Talk about a shitstorm. They were screwed the minute the old man died.

[@DavidVerch]

These interviews show how Dale Sr. put together a team of super capable people. Unfortunately his outsized personality was necessary to keep everyone in line and working together. Unfortunately #2 is that he did not have a plan that worked without him.

[@tflick41]

The foundation was solid! I doubt he could've foreseen what Teresa would do to his legacy. When he died Teresa knew she'd take a back seat and couldn't stand the thought! The future was built into the name and the name was NOT hers!

[@DavidVerch]

@@tflick41 Dale Sr, was 22 when his father died and he stepped in and became the patriarch of the family. Dale Jr. 26/27 when his father died. It is an interesting to see how children grow up compared to their parents. Teresa should have taken a back seat and let Dale Jr. be the face of the company. I still maintain there were too many egos at DEI and it took a Dale Sr. to keep them all in check and running smoothly. I would love to see the timeline where Dale St. survived.

[@regularperson7]

I would love if you were able to get Theresa to come in and sit down and have an open and honest interview. I know this probably won't ever happen but if it were genuine I think it could explain a lot more. These insights from people that worked at dei are so eye opening.

[@natural-born_pilot]

That would be the podcast that dominated the top spot and would love to see it. If it were to happen I know the whole team would be nothing less than professional but in this comment section, can tell you would be loaded with comments that would bring all hell down on those responsible for insidiously destroying one of the top most respected teams in all NASCAR history after Sr’s passing. Be quite interesting and yea enjoyable to take in.

[@gagelewis6264]

Fall 2005 at Atlanta Dale Jr DOMINATED , Led around 160 laps, but Carl Edward's wound up winning

[@bradley-eblesisor]

Theresa could be on top of the world right along with Jr., but she couldn't see clearly. The whole thing is just so totally sad, but you can't keep a good man like Dale down.

[@jesseemullen]

3:45 Wasn't that the same Pocono race when he had all the flat left front tires? (due to too much positive camber)

[@joefratianni8693]

Ok while this convo was good, I need that hat in my life! Where do I get one jr?

[@jenniferleigh7829]

I'm the saddest woman in the whole wide world, I lost all my Dale Jr collection to a seen fire makes me cry my heart out, it hurt my heart strings, and all my nascar cars 😭😭😭

[@timhalsey4277]

Hope nobody stole from you

[@jenniferleigh7829]

@@timhalsey4277 I lost my nascar collection due to a fire, but yeah lost everything else due to was my abuser!

[@timhalsey4277]

So sorry to hear about fire, but MORE importantly you walked away from both ❤️❤️❤️

[@jenniferleigh7829]

@@timhalsey4277 very true lucky to be alive, for both parts, and thank you 💙💙💙

[@davidconley3610]

Steve was probably the nicest person I ever met at a Nascar race!!

[@CWGRISWOLD93827]

This tells you how bad things got after Dale Sr. passed.

[@frederickking1660]

Confidence is so important. In all aspects of life.

[@frostysgrill]

WHO said it?!?!?

[@jenniferleigh7829]

You know I love Jr so berry muchos!!

[@IntriguedGaming]

A network TV or streaming show (Peacock) on Racing and the Politics behind the shop door would be awesome. Please get on that Mike Joy 👍

[@neilperry2224]

I think it should have someone who doesn't have a scooby about the sport to present the show, so they learn as the audience does. There should be no scripts like certain behind closed doors shows no-names or finger pointing......junior!!

[@philliplangley9302]

I remember the days that Steve was Mark's crew cheif and how well they worked together.

[@scottwhitmer2034]

Steve is a good dude. He gave my dad a tour of the Mark Martins shop and they talked about Kears Speed Shop in Tiffin, Ohio. Where we are from.

[@andrewbullers6302]

I was at that Pocono race in 2005 and it was really bad. Dale was literally a 37th to 40th car. And the car didn't even sound right.

[@Ghostmotorfinger]

10 races to go in 2005 Tony Jr took over as crew chief for Junior. Tony Jr got suspended for 4 races in 2007. Tony Gibson was crew chief.

[@55Reever]

It really reinforces the fact that good leadership is not that common.

[@georgehenry8422]

Steve Hmiel, one class act.

[@douglasenzor48]

I'll always say if Dale had lived Jr. would be a multi time champion because you could see Dale had built the dominant program and it just crumbled under Teresa...and when she and Jr had their differences come out I remember Jr had like 7 blown engines that year when dei never had engine issues I new it was over

[@shanepaynter5591]

I have pictures from the 500 in 04 from the top row in turn two and I could stand on the seat and see the runway and watched air force one and the F-16s land. Good weekend for the team.

[@litt222]

Jr tells it like it is. That's what makes him a beautiful soul

[@brianadams4309]

LOVE Jr's Hat!

[@nickihalcomb6517]

Teressa is the Yoko of NASCAR!!

[@wayneanderson4499]

What a nice respectable guy.....

[@moonshine5460]

In 08 He ran the test team at Ganassi .All I can say is. Shane was a bad ass driver they allways was nice to me..

[@outlaw11x]

Fullers knowledge of suspension dynamics is impressive

[@gailtaylor1636]

Wrong thread.