Gary Nelson Tells Legendary Cheating Stories and How He’s Dealing with On-Track Tragedies
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- Join Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download as he interviews legendary NASCAR crew chief Gary Nelson. Known for his innovative strategies and daring tactics, Nelson has worked with iconic drivers like Ricky Rudd, Bobby Allison, and Geoff Bodine. Gary delves into the world of NASCAR innovation, sharing stories about finding ways around NASCAR’s scales, aerodynamics advancements, and his cars that looked "too good" to inspectors.
Nelson also recounts the early days of his career, discussing his relationship with Robert Gee, lessons learned from Darrell Waltrip, and his crucial role in Dale Earnhardt's first win at Bristol. Dale Jr. and Gary explore his give-and-take relationship with Bobby Allison and what it took for them to achieve success together.
The conversation continues with Nelson’s time at Hendrick Motorsports, the creation of SABCO with Felix Sabates, and his transition to the NASCAR Winston Cup Director role. Gary reveals how Rick Hendrick's persuasive skills led him to join HMS, his experiences with Geoff Bodine in winning the Daytona 500, and behind-the-scenes stories that inspired "Days of Thunder."
Gary shares pivotal moments, including a near-firing after a shouting match with Kyle Petty at Dover, and his mission to enhance NASCAR safety after witnessing tragic on-track crashes. This episode is a treasure trove of insights and stories from one of NASCAR's most influential figures. Don't miss this compelling conversation on the Dale Jr Download!
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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Background of Gary Nelson
06:55 - Innovative Techniques and Weight Manipulation in NASCAR
14:12 - Challenges and Excitement in the NASCAR Industry
21:52 - Stories and Anecdotes from the NASCAR World
46:34 - The Challenges of the 1980 Season and the Return in 1981
56:07 - The Importance of Aerodynamics in Racing
01:05:07 - The Struggles and Successes with Bobby Allison
01:14:45 - The Role of Crew Chiefs in Setting Up Race Cars
01:22:26 - Transition and Success with the R&D Car at Daytona
01:28:15 - Engineering and Setup: Tire Temperatures and Panhard Bar
01:46:16 - Feuds and Rivalries in NASCAR
01:58:23 - Commentating and Transition to Sabco Racing
02:04:29 - The Dominance of the #88 Car and the Advantage of Radio and Tire Development
02:14:38 - Transitioning to Working for NASCAR and the Focus on Safety Innovation
02:19:45 - The Importance of Holding the Driver Tightly in the Car and the Development of Safer Walls
02:26:06 - Pride in the Safety Advancements Made During Nelson's Time at NASCAR - Спорт
These interviews from the “older generation” in the NASCAR early years are amazing!
Which one has been your favorite? Who would you like to see next?
@@DirtyMoMedia please get Harry Gant (33) Mr.September… he would have great stories 🏁🏁🏁🏁
If I remember right in that four race win streak in September harry(33) beat Earnhardt at north Wilksboro in a close race @DirtyMoMedia
@@Joehughes2869They did have Harry on already, but Dale did say be would have him back.
@@DirtyMoMedia Harry gant
He basically admitted to a level of PTSD from the tragic wrecks that took lives. For him to be able to talk through those years and about that subject, takes a lot of strength of character. Great interview and hats off to Gary Nelson for his contributions to the sport.
Yeah true innovation in his head always! And yeah he carried it with him in the bad stuff too, it would be hard to not carry it around 💯.
Hats off to Gary for sharing and clarifying a few details.
I've never heard anything but being a stickler, about him, picky is good and keep em thinking 🤔
Wow, best guest and interview ever. I sat and watched the whole 2 hours and 46 minutes in one sitting.
Man everyone who was a SR fan thought when he was taken away they missed the end of his career, but what nobody realized they would never get the chance to see was who he really was. After all racers are finished racing they lighten up and let the real stories out. I always think of all the stories that Sr took with him that we’ll never get to hear. I think it’s great that jr has all these guys to tell him the stories of who his dad really was and he gives us the opportunity to hear them too.
One of the best interviews yet!!!! A truly humble man...
I believe your interview with Gary Nelson is by far the best one yet! Gary is truly a brilliant man far beyond his 2 days of high school. His strongest point is exactly what he said it was in being able to gather the right people around him, and find the best solutions, then implement them successfully... Whether it was tire wear and traction with his engineer, or gear ratios with his driver and engine builder, or driver safety, he pulled the right people in and knew where to go to find help... He's a straight shooter 100% honest guy!
Excellent Fantastic Interview
5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, what an impressive interview
I'm 71 years old and have followed Nascar for decades.This was so informative, pure gold. I hung on every word. I have watched it twice just to make sure if I missed anything. THIS IS THE ERA OF NASCAR .
Thank you, Jr.
Ana
☯️☮️
Thank you so much for watching!
I love how Dale get these guys who are totally unknown to me and somehow I end up listening too and enjoying the whole conversation. The people behind the scenes really made the sport what it was/is.
The history of this sport goes back practically to the beginning of the automobile
When he talked about working on cars with his dad and anticipating the next wrench his dad would need....made me cry. It took me back...Anybody else?
Yeah, me too. Dad taught me that way too
I helped my dad fix his broken stuff in the cold of the NE. Never paid me any gratitude or attention. I learned a lot about narcissism though
This show is priceless to us fans. Thank you jr
Absolutely the best episode I’ve seen so far! Thank you Gary Nelson
Nitrous guy >
I’ve always had a lot of respect for Gary Nelson. What an incredible conversation.
A local Southern California guy that did well.
listened to this on apple podcasts earlier and my god, when i read the episode description i knew it would be a good one but i couldn’t BELIEVE how invested i got. fabulous interview, great guest
Glad you enjoy it! We loved it!
Thanks JR. For getting Gary on your show. That's one smart man. He knew what it took to make winners.
Gery should be in the Nascar Hall of fame in my opinion !!!
Love and miss the good ole Days. Thank You for sharing Sir.
Never has nearly three hours of my time gone by so quickly. I almost passed on watching this because of the length, but it was well worth the experience! Gary Nelson is a stud duck!
The Hall of Fame is great but the Download will be the video archives of what’s going to preserve the sport and document the history.
One of the best interviews to date. Could not take a break from it. Excellent!
I wasn’t sure at first about this episode. But I have to say Gary was a great guest and had an incredible story. Dale , you did a great job I believe in creating a comfort level for the show that allowed Gary to open up and give the details you had hoped to hear. I thought it might have been hard at first for Gary to get going but it didn’t and you gentlemen did a phenomenal job! Great job!👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you for watching.
Absolutely great interview with Gary Nelson !!!! Gary is largely responsible for many years of success within Nascar . Also it was so interesting to hear about all the experiences that he shared about his career and all the legends that he worked with. Awesome...Awesome and thanks for preserving Nascar history for all of us !!!
This was another one of the best interviews… now get an interview with Harry Gant (33)Mr.September. It’s always the best when y’all have the old guard in for talks 🏁🏁🏁🏁
Junior: One of your best interviews yet!!!
This is such a treat being a long time fan getting to hear and re-live the stories. When Mr. Nelson read those 10 names it really hit hard. So many people had minor and major roles in the sport that interwoven together make it so much more than just cars going in circles. Thank you Dale. These just keep getting better and better. ❤
I can never get enough of these stories. Dale Jr. - Keep bringing these legends on, as they have such great history and stories. For the ones that may be resistant to talking about it, tell them you have an audience that really appreciates what they have to say.
Imagine if it could somehow be done that you get folks like Jr Johnson, Bill France Sr & Jr, Neil Bonnett, Smokey, and many others who have passed on, on as well....Like a NASCAR Field of Dreams...
Gary, I don't know if you'll read these comments but this was AWESOME!! When I first saw the length of the video I knew I would have to watch it in segments but 2:46:16 later, I was wishing it hadn't ended. These behind the scenes stories were amazing and I'm begging you, please come back again and share some more. Thanks JR for persistently hounding him until he said yes.
I agree, and I came to the comments to say exactly that.
It's funny how my love of the sport grows as the time keeps speeding by. This was an interview with a pure champion of life. I believe, one of the best interviews ever
WOW - Gary Nelson. When you talk about great minds in NASCAR history his name is near the top of that list every time. Thank you Jr. for bringing this level history to all of us through your show. The safety improvements in driver cockpits from HANS, and especially seats has filtered down to grass roots racing. I remember seats in sprint cars from the 80s 90s and early 2000s and cringe. We were so far out of the park it's almost embarrassing. Looking at those same seats today we thank God for all of the work put into safety by Gary and his team and down through the entire industry.
These interviews are freaking awesome for us guys from back in the day. Thanks Jr. for doing what you do.
It’s apparent this fella feels some responsibility for the lack of safety in nascar during his time, but his passion & vulnerability is beyond commendable
Easily one of the top 3 episodes ever. You and your team deserve an Emmy, Jr. You do amazing work.
Geeze, I didn't recognize Gary Nelson until he sat down and began talking. He was a great guy and seems to still be a great guy. Always a no BS guy and still is. It takes a lot of guts to talk about all the greats who died during his watch and I hope he doesn't blame himself. As we all know there is more than one person involved. Safety is on everyone.
He is 71 years old now, and most of his visible career was in his thirties and fourties. He and Ray Evernham brought the job of the crew chief to a new and different level from what it had been with engineers and what not. They didn't invent it but their 'creativity' also set new levels.
This interview was great. I love hearing the people that made nascar . The real nascar when the cars were at the show rooms. Not a 4door cut down car. The history and how they did things is what I like.
I truly appreciate Jr's efforts to record these rich histories and often forgotten stories. I had only ever known Gary Nelson as a NASCAR official. What an awesome career!
Junior....i absolutely LOVE listening to stories like this from people like Gary and Mark Martin and others. it takes a lot of us old-timers back to "the good ol' days." Thanks, buddy.
Probably your best interview! Talk about a Hall of Fame worthy person, Gary Nelson!
I grew up in hickory going to the track and later moved to Myrtle Beach in the 80s i miss the old school NASCAR i remember watching JR in the mom and pops car at Myrtle
Still listening because I keep rewinding to listen again. This stuff is amazing!
DALE JR IS BY FAR THE BEST IN NASCAR,!!! PHENOMENAL TEAM AROUND HIM. ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!
Grant Adcox
JD McDuffie
John Nemechek
Rodney Orr
Neil Bonnett
Clifford Allison
Adam Petty
Kenny Irwin Jr.
Tony Roper
Dale Earnhardt
It really hit hard when Gary read off these names. These were drivers who paid the ultimate price. For all the true NASCAR fans, it's our obligation to never forget these drivers and their story.
Gary Nelson is a time capsule of NASCAR. Fantastic interview and exceptional person. I wish him continued success.
Dale, I appreciate the show so much, it bang back the real history and the real story behind NASCAR and the people that made it great. Young people today never know how this all started. What actually happened all they see is today’s suit and tie people this gives them the idea of what a real person with grease in their fingernails and tattered clothes to make NASCAR what it is, watched this from the beginning of TV and this is one of the most informative shows of the real NASCAR. Gary Nelson I wish you the best your endeavors and Dale Junior I thank you so much for bringing this delight made my day.
These interviews are absolute GOLD. Between the funny stories and the heart wrenching moments and memories it really humanizes the sport. I absolutely love all of these interviews.
JR
This is one of the best interviews you have done. I learned soo much about Gary Nelson that I thought I knew about 5%. The stories about your Dad were incredible. Tears were in my eyes. Keep the face Brother Dale
I thoroughtly enjoyed this interview. I was a total fan of racing in the 80's and 90's when I lived about 20 miles from Martinsville. Like another of your viewers, I watched the whole thing at one time and wasn't ready to quit. Please bring Gary back. Thank you.
To me this ranked up there as one of your best guest interviews. Gary's career was fascinating to listen to. Thank you Dale & Gary.
Gary had my respect as a Crew Chief, this interview brought about a whole new Appreciation for his Life's work. A Heartfelt Thank you for the Honesty,and personally emotional stories.
Best episode yet. Thanks for getting the older guys on to share their stories.
Who would you like to see on next?!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Best podcast interview ever! Gary Nelson’s career in NASCAR and my fandom started at the same time. I’m 53 and remember sitting on the front porch with my granddaddy listening to races on MRN in the mid to late 70s up until he passed away in 1990. I continued as a major fan until the mid 2000s. I was a Bill Elliott fan until his career winded down then I stayed on as a jr. fan until he retired. I tried to stay a casual fan but the new car and parity ruined it for me. Parity has no place in racing. It should be about fast cars. It doesn’t matter how fast they are if they’re all going the same speed. Anyway…… I loved this interview with Gary Nelson. I lived NASCAR through his career. This brought back so many memories and offered clarity on several things that I didn’t fully understand as it was happening. You outdid yourself on this one, jr..!!!! Thank you!!!!!
Thank you for bringing Gary in. This is one of the best most informative interviews I have watched you. I so enjoy hearing all he shared. I can’t express to you enough how great this interview was! Has to fall in you top 5 in my book.
Glad you enjoyed it! Who else is in your top 5?
Not just all-around broadcaster, Dale Jr. is an incredibly good interviewer, too!
This is one of the better interviews. Gary Nelson is a prime example of a wonderful person who is also a "self-made man."
Nice one! It's aggravating to me, though, that two people aren't in HOF already. Jerry Punch and Gary Nelson. Both are very deserving
I agree 1000%
Oh my god, I’ve been waiting on this one!!! I can’t believe he got him on the show.
We were super excited about it. Thank you for watching!
@@DirtyMoMedia get Jimmy Fennig, Philippe Lopez, and Ronny Crooks on here and my life will be complete
What a great interview. I loved how uncomfortable he was telling some of those stories. Those are the stories that need to be told the most.
I'm a huge fan of these interviews with former drivers and officials. To hear stories from those who were there and participated and/or were witness is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for keeping this going. It is so important to hear these stories and see where the sport came from as it is heading to where it is now and beyond. Keep up the great work and great interviewing.
Jr, that was an amazing interview. I had never heard of Gary Nelson before today. Now I find out he is the reason I'm such a fan of NASCAR. Top Notch guy!
Bravo! Tell Gary thanks from me please.
Awesome interview!!! And he absolutely saved many racers lives, not just in NASCAR, but so many other local race tracks that adopted safety innovations. A huge benefit to the sport for sure. Look forward to the next time he swings by!!!
Full disclosure, I've only been catching the Dale Jr Download for the last couple of months and regrettfully, I wish I had started watching sooner. I've really been missing out on quality interviews like this! Dale Jr is such a legend, historian and asset to Nascar; and Gary was such an awesome guest to feature! I don't blame Gary for being modest because he certainly does not seem like the boastful type of person, but considering he's accomplished so much in his career, it was so entertaining to hear him open up and share many aspects of his life. Thank you for being so persistent to have him as a guest! I will be tuning in regularly going forward and I'm looking forward to Gary visiting Dale Jr in the future!
Which interview is your favorite so far?
@DirtyMoMedia I don't think it would be fair to choose a favorite interview, especially from the handful that I've seen thus far. Each guest has come from a unique background and they all possess an important piece of the puzzle that has shaped Nascar today.
Gary Nelson Was NASCAR Winston Cup Series Crew Chief From The 80s And Early 90s Including Buick And Kyle Petty Number 42 Thanks For Uploading
Absolutely the best best interview that had me from the beginning. I’ve heard the stories about the lead radios and helmets and had no idea that Gary was the guy. I had no idea. This guy is incredible. From his sheepish beginning to the emotion of these drivers deaths. Bravo! Thank you DJ. I stayed up until 4 am CT and watched every min.
Thank you Jr. for another amazing interview. Gary is amazing man his history in the sport his emotions what a amazing interview
Thank you . I am 60 and loved the old NASCAR since I was little, what a great insight into the past .
Amazing interview, I always appreciate learning new NASCAR history. I can only imagine what these stories would be like if Dale Sr was here to put his 3 cents in.
And, bring back Lost Speedways! 😉
Used to go to the Rock twice a year for several years. I was there when Kyle was running. Y'all had that track figured out. Kyle was awesome for a while there. 👍🏁
Gary's concern for safety is the most compelling thing about him. His safety accomplishments are the biggest trophy he could ever win.
Thank you Dale, this has been, without a doubt, one of the best interviews to date. Thank you to Gary as well.
Thank you Dale Jr., I love watching your show! My grandfather had a supermodified in the 70s that he ran at Stockton 99 Speedway and he told me the reason for white pants in the pits was for safety, more easy to see people in the pits.
Long interview but loaded with interesting stories which left me wanting more. Mr. Earnhardt, your preparation is nothing short of amazing.
Great interview, please thank Gary for taking the time for us old time fans. Felt like I lived his stories.
For me - spellbinding - start to finish - great work getting this one put together Dale - as a side note (because the entire interview was fascinating) and yes, I personally know it's very old news to many that will NEVER feel old or get old for me, but the loss of your dad changed countless lives way beyond your own family, it's as if the world itself changed that day - for Gary to pass along some of the details of the efforts behind the scenes of all of Nascar losses, especially your dads, was very precious to hear about and gain some understanding about. 🙏
This was great. Love the fact he mentioned why he had a LeMans hat....what a place LeMans
I hope you bring him back. It’s 2024 we all know, who have followed NASCAR since the 80’s, for me, that was part of the sport. Steve L said it best, when Chase used the wall at Martinsville, there are rules written w his name by it! I raced stock sailboats & when anyone races “stock” everyone tries to “bend” the rules. It’s kinda part of the fun of racing. We never called it “cheating”. It’s not like Lance A who doped. The drivers were not enhancing their driving skills, ppl were trying to get more speed. Totally different & these stories of “bending the rules” are great! Funny, and heart warming, to me. Reminds me of the time when a sport starts out and contestants try to “gives themselves an advantage” 🤷♀️ No one’s coming to take championships away. Or wins. Imho after 2000, let them spill the tea! These stories are great! TY because they come from the history, and you’re the only one documenting it.
I'm on day 3 trying to get through this great interview. I can only give so much time each day, but it's great hearing these great stories.
Dale, I think this was one of your best interviews ever and was so very informative. Love all the history from the inside with humble honesty.
Wow! Such a special historic interview, Dale Jr & Gary! Brought me back to the good ol' days when innovation was tried & tested. Thank you both👏👏👏💥💥
Outstanding interview with Gary Nelson. I was at Rockingham that day Kyle dominated the entire field. Wow, that was a great car. Can't wait for Gary to come back on and he and Dale talk about what Gary's done since he left NASCAR.
One of your best interviews , and that’s a high bar. I enjoyed learning more about Gary and his intellect. Get him back soon!
In a different direction from my earlier comment, I spent 28 years in motorsports, from being an official in SCCA road racing and working on pit road with Championship Auto Racing Teams/Champcar, I was deeply involved with the sport at the time much of this was happening. I remember seeing the initial prototype HANS devices as they evolved into what's in use today. I remember the loss as drivers that I knew were killed on track and the rarity of having to go through that today. Race cars are still going as fast as they ever did -- perhaps even faster -- yet drivers are walking away from crashes that 25 or 30 years ago would have been fatals. We can only be thankful for the efforts of people like Gary and Steve Olvey to make the sport so much less dangerous than it used to be (keeping in mind that it is still dangerous as hell!). This has got to be one of the best interviews on the evolution of the sport, as well as interesting as the dickens when looking at Gary's life in NASCAR. Great work!
If you don't do this now, all of it will be gone in a few years. This is special. Dad was big NASCAR fan so stationed in California went to Riverside for all the cup races but many others. To hear Gary talking about sliding under fence to get to turn 6 brings back to many memories, as that was where we sat at every race.
Great interview! Thanks to the safety innovations, there are lots of drivers today taking tremendous hits, walking away, and driving again next week. Those same hits a few years ago would result in driver's missing the next race or worse. Never before have so many drivers been able to eventually retire under their own terms. Thank you Gary Nelson.
By far my most favorite interview of all time. I was involved with NASCAR during the same years and he described it exactly how it was.
Dale, each time I listen to your interviews I think that's it best you have done,then you do it again. Thanks for these amazing stories.
Wow, thank you!
I could listen to these racing stories all day long . Keep them coming .
Absolute great show, that was amazing and to see how emotional he got naming those 10 drivers that we lost. Thanks Jr & Dirty Mo Media!
Dale, you are hitting home runs. Good job. Gary Nelson was a great show.
Best interview ever. Thanks for having this on it. Reminds me of the race cars I worked on and the trophies that I wanted to win too too. Thank you so much!!!!
That was a really interesting interview. I enjoyed that thanks Dale. Thanks, Gary Nelson.
Great interview with Gary Nelson and you on what he did for NASCAR safety 👍
Was great to hear Denny explain on Kenny Wallace's show how you and Mike have given him free rein right from the start to go in any direction he chooses with Actions Detrimental - even to the point of going out on his own with it. You guys had some serious insight seeing his potential. Thanks!
What a great interview! This is from my era, races I grew up with. Just a marvelous series of memories from a guy that I had not known about. Just amazing, and you did a great job giving him room to tell his story. Thank you.
Love hearing from OG's of Nascar. The ingenuity these guys came up with was amazing.
As a society we really should start celebrating recognizing interviewing documenting the life's of our old timers so much life lived so much happiness hurt lessons learned so much we can take from there lives loved this interview
Thanks Dale Jr. for doing these. Great job getting these guys to come in and record this wonderful history of Nascar. One of the best shows I have seen on Nascar. I am 64 and was a Bobby Allison fan back in the day.
Absolutely unbelievable show !!!! I've watched it twice. For me, it was like reliving those times. Fantastic interview 🎯
This is an awesome interview, loved it. Please let Gary know he did fantastic and would love more!
Super interesting! Thank you Gary for indulging Dale Jr. and granting the interview.
Awesome interview Jr. Thank you for that!!
Wow, incredible interview, hats off DMM. Gary Nelson what a career and caring person.
This could have been ten hours long. Amazing interview.
Love hearing these interviews. Just so different compared to now
What an amazing interview. I loved how you let him figure out how to say what he felt he needed to say, and the way to say it. Your insight into his life was so helpful as well. I didn't have any idea who this guy was but I trusted that you'd bring it to life because it was important to you...and, man, it tied up some neat loose ends from your project last year...so helpful, so fun, and couldn't get enough of it! Great job! My favorite part...he blames himself for everything...he got into a role with NASCAR that he never thought to be in, took it on did the best he could, then the icon was killed...if he wasn't in charge at that time, as humble as he is, could NASCAR say they'd have the track record of no deaths since? Perfect guy in the spot at the time to make it as safe as it is today...hate that it took that, but, as he said, they were headed in that direction, especially after Adam's death. If ya'll get a chance, do five more hours, and have a couple of them be on a fishing boat.
This guy needs another interview hes a wealth of technical knowledge and a histoian of the most popular era in nascar