314 - Ernie Irvan: Cheating Death

Legendary NASCAR racer Ernie Irvan lived to tell his story, barely, and joins the Download for a tell-all interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Irvan discusses his California racing roots and how his missing father led to a journey to stock car country in North Carolina. From welding bleacher seats to daring the local short track scene, Ernie quickly made a name for himself. As quick as he found success in NASCAR's Cup Series, he found criticism and controversy. Irvan discusses his aggressive approach and how it led an apology that was a turning point in his career. That career and a life almost ended in a horrific practice crash that left Irvan with severe head trauma and a 10 percent chance to live. He shares details of his bloody crash and the pocket-knife tracheotomy that saved his life. After rehabilitation, Irvan beat the odds again to not only come back, but to come back and win. A journey that came full circle in victory lane at the track that nearly stole his life, Michigan International Speedway. The same track that a few years later saw Irvan with another major head injury and subsequent retirement from racing. Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis get deep with the former racer who doesn't shy away from the trials and tribulations that shaped his unbelievable racing career. All clear...the DJD also discuss the Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott incident at Darlington and the art of a driver clearing himself on track. They also react to the big news of the day, California's Auto Club Speedway's announced reconfiguration. A change that sets Dale Jr. off into a state of beaming excitement. Will this move start a landrush of more short tracks for the sport? Also, Mike shares his Darlington experience watching Ross Chastain's Dirty Mo Media #77 and how it gave him new perspective on the battle within a race that most don't ever see. The Download finds out about Dale's yummy experience with a food he can't pronounce, a Bolgagi bowl. We learned about the original character known as Suitcase Jake and why beer was once considered healthier than water. All of that and more on the Dale Jr. Download.