Casey Atwood Revisits Integral Decisions That Were Made During His NASCAR Career | Dale Jr Download
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- čas přidán 24. 04. 2024
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with a driver from NASCAR’s past, Tennessee’s own Casey Atwood. After rapidly making a name for himself in the late model stock division at Nashville Fairgrounds, Atwood made a big splash in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, becoming one of the youngest winners in history. Casey explains that while his family grew up watching racing, he would become the first driver in his lineage after convincing his father to buy him a go-kart. The father-son team would start out at the Nashville Fairgrounds before entering the World Karting Association ranks and finding championship success.
Upon graduating from the karting world, Casey entered into the four-cylinder ranks at Highland Rim Speedway in Greenbrier, TN. It was there that he forged a friendship with Bobby Hamilton, a relationship that would help pave his entryway into NASCAR. A successful season in late model stock competition propelled his name into the NASCAR garage. After turning heads in 1999 by becoming the youngest winner in Xfinity Series history at the time, Casey was sure he would have a spot in the sport for many years to come. Unfortunately, a career gamble on a new team and a year of rookie struggles in the Cup Series would leave Casey Atwood in the “what could have been” category of NASCAR’s past drivers.
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I have to comment again! Casey Atwood has nothing to be ashamed of! Just because your career did not turn out like you had hoped, your talent is real and explosive! Do not underestimate yourself or your driving talents! Many people love you even today! Your fan base is still alive and well! You are a gentleman and a class act, Casey Atwood!
Agreed!
Agreed 💯
Well spoken and calculated person!
Unless you know him personally that’s a ridiculous thing to say. He could have a freezer full of human heads for all you know. 😂
Well said! I’ve been wondering about what he’s been up to.
@@petemitchell6788shut up fool
Jr., you thinking what Im thinking? get this guy in the cars tour!
Please 🙏
@@jasonfreeman2952 Just what l was thinking .
Honestly, Atwood in Dale’s late model in the CARS tour is definitely a preference over a one-off Xfinity race. He’d be so appreciated by the fans at a small track, driving Dale’s Sundrop car or his own #17, and the community thinks of him fondly.
I thought the exact same thing.
Sounds like BIGGLY Fun..
Dale, this is the best damn interview you have done thus far this year because you were patient and let the interview come to you! Casey was a little nervous getting started, but you built the rapport and made Casey feel more comfortable to open up! I loved it! I am so proud of you, Dale!
I agree totally. Dale was patient and was great with Casey.
Nah.. last one was
Yes, a very good interview with Casey.
Best interview Dale ever did period . Listened 3 times ! ❤❤❤❤❤
I agree. This one is up there with Michael McSwain.
Atwood is a man of few words and a real southern gentleman. I know guys just like him on the mic and just after.
Casey, you drove in the big league, don't you ever forget how rare that is, Sir. My hat is off to your humility and being a Husband and Father through it all.
Be safe!
Agreed!
He's definitely a class act! That doesn't come around often at all... It's kinda rare to find someone being that humble...
I respect that from Casey! You're a Cup Winner in my book! My hat is off to you as well!
I get the impression Dale and Casey have more in common mentally and how they look at success and failure than either one ever would have guessed. I think thats why Dale was so quiet and concerned about people letting Casey know he's not forgotten by fans in the racing world.
As someone who remembers watching and rooting for Casey Atwood in the 27 Castrol Chevy Busch Series, I’m glad to see him in an interview. He should be proud of what he’s done in NASCAR. He is one of the lucky ones who got an opportunity in the ranks. Many don’t ever get an opportunity in NASCAR. He is like most drivers, where things don’t go as plan. Keep your head up Casey. Thanks Dale Jr, for another good podcast. Appreciate you all. 🫡
It’s good to see Casey again
Humble man that is what Casey Atwood is , there needs to be more like him.
My son has just started racing and i hope he turns out to be a solid dude like Casey.
Casey is probably more down to earth and has much wisdom than you can imagine. His family is more important than racing but he still likes it. Good interview Dale
Dale thank you for being understanding and compassionate of Casey. Some people are just quiet and not too assertive and sometimes pay a price because of it despite their talent. But God knows we need folks like that for balance and so the world doesn’t become more vicious.
The problem was the same time Ray was grooming Casey to be the next Jeff Gordon, he started grooming Erin Crocker. Just straight up grooming her.
U are correct
Truths!
Then Ray became the groom and Erin became the bride...
That was more of a Mayfield impact I feel, but for as smart as Ray is he made a number of bad errors as an owner. One was how he treated Casey Atwood.
Yes, Thinking with the other head.
You don't have anything to be ashamed of, still made it to the big leagues of auto racing and that is something that we will never get to do. I take my hat off to you, Casey Atwood.
This is easily top 10 of my favorite Dale jr downloads. This has been my most wanted interview since I first learned about Casey's career. I'm happy that most of the questions I had got answered during this interview.
The ending left me feeling sorry for Casey. Sometimes the high road doesn’t feel right in the moment but gets you to where you want/need to be.
I felt the same way.
Yep, there's a certain sadness in his eyes. Thanksfor having him on; he's a good man.👍🏁
Dale give Casey a shot at a Busch ride, I would love to see it!
good dude was a pleasure to work with and around him and BREWCO
Casey is a wonderful person.
Dale send him some merc.
Put Casey in the Xfinity car for a race. Loved seeing Bubba and Carson get a shot.
That's what I was thinking too. He'd do well that's for sure...
My Grandad would be so proud of you today, Casey, if he was still with us, as he was in your racing days. He was so proud of you. He introduced me to you at Nashville MotorSpeedway before the race. And i was able to get your autograph. Glad to see your doing well.
Casey Atwood seems like a very respectable human being and a good guy. He has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, he made it much farther than 99.9% of us. He is, and will always be a racer. Respect.
This is by far the best interview and (follow up) that you’ve ever done. And that’s saying something, because you’ve done some great ones! I raced at Nashville from 1985 to 1989; I know a lot of people who know Casey and think the world of him. In all the years I’ve been around the Nashville racing scene, I never got the chance to meet Casey, but I feel like I have now. You have a gift, Dale, and thank you for sharing interviews such as this one. Casey, thank you so much for doing this, and good luck with your racing efforts. Would love to watch you run at one of our local tracks this year.
Casey comes across as a calm cool guy. Seems like a good dude
This is the best interview of the year by far. Two honest racers/men that spoke and listened to each other. It would be great to hear from him again soon. Great Interview Dale!!!
Casey was one of those drivers everyone liked. Great interview.
This was an excellent, heart felt interview with Casey! It is wonderful to see and hear from him and to know he’s doing well and still enjoying his lifelong passion of racing. I was amazed by how transformational Dale’s perspective was of him after the interview, and I tip my hat to Casey Atwood for driving all that distance so we could enjoy this content as fans! Thank you ❤
Much respect and appreciation for Casey Atwood!
How bout we put Casey in that 88 machine at one of them flat tracks he was talkin about! Come on Jr, that’d be epic!
I always wanted to see Casey succeed! Good to see what’s been going on in his life! Best wishes for him! Dale jr should give him a shot in one of his cars!
Casey may have been quiet and reserved about talking about his cup career but he did perk up and got some smiles going and more talkative when the discussion turned to his wife and daughters. Seems like a good family guy.
Casey freakin Atwood!!! So cool to see him again- maybe he’ll get another shot in NASCAR
Dale , you picked a true winner in interviewing Casey ! Casey you are too hard on yourself, we all saw the talent you have, sadly even back then “Corporate Execs.” Apply the pressure and force unwise decisions. I do think that Ray minus the pressure would have given you the time needed to develop and blossom in the areas you talked about .
Dale , sure would be awesome to see Casey wheel your CARS ride when your not in it !! Just an old school fans thoughts ! Thanks for all the great shows , this one especially !
One of the most eye opening episodes, lately... Much respect for Casey. Seems like he avoids voicing criticism and doesn't make a lot of excuses. Dude shows a lot of understanding.
1:08:09
This was great in so many ways, but also seemed a little sad to me. Like a song says, "some guys get all the breaks". Dale seemed himself and was very good interviewing. ❤
Not so much ‘understanding’ as being of good character. Understanding (wisdom) arrives for those with the self discipline to develop and maintain good character.
This was one of the best interviews you’ve ever done. This is probably first long interview I watched in it’s entirety.
I hope Casey realizes he meant a lot to race fans. I was racing in San Antonio during the time he was in the Cup series, so I didn’t have time to watch NASCAR very often and didn’t know what happened to him and how it went down. I believe he could have done great things if things had gone a little differently. I’m glad he’s doing well and glad to hear from him. Thanks Dale for having him on the DJD.
I liked Casey and enjoyed this conversation. Thanks Dale Jr.
I respect anyone who doesn't do interviews in any form of profession, I definitely respect Casey Atwood for that, he doesn't owe anyone any explanations on why, but for Casey to do this interview with Dale Jr says alot about a man who has done so much for NASCAR since he raced he's last race.
Casey, if you read this, just know that there are a gazillion people in this world that would have given LOTS to have the success you had in Cup and Xfinity. You keep your head up!
I would love to see him drive that 88 Xfinity car at Louden.
the end of this video with JR talking about Casey was very heart felt hope Casey should hold his head up high so sorry it didn;t work out for him he was just soooooo good
I always enjoyed watching Casey race and was at Milwaukee when he won. The Busch series during that time was some of the best racing. Thanks Casey!
Wow. We all miss Mike. But if interviews like theses are what we get when he steps away from behind the mic to run things then he deserves a bonus. Good job guys. As a Driver (former in reality), this hit home for me... especially being 37 and purching this grass roots go kart... a guy like Casey you hire for a wheelman and loyalty.. easy to finish behind a man like and wonder why. But thanks again for the grass root approach these podcasts have become.
Great interview, Junior. I wish Casey had gotten a better shake, but good on him doing the family thing successfully!
Holy Smokes!!! CASEY ATWOOD!!!!!
Put him in an Xfinity car. Just once.
one of my favorite interviews of Dale's
SOMEBODY PLEASE PUT HIM IN A CAR! Give him a chance! Great interview Dale!
Get him in a cars tour race! Man deserves some more big races. Congrats on being a nascar driver bud, dont shy away from it. Would love to see him do a xfinity race!
I still have my Casey Atwood Die cast. Glad to see he’s still around.
I still got my autographed #27 Castrol GTX 1:24 scale proudly in my display case
I also still have my Casey die casts. 2 of which are autographed. I have met Casey a couple of times and he is as nice a guy as you could ever meet.
We see so many in the sport so many thrust into the spotlight at a very young age with high expectations from fans team owners and contract sponsors. When things don’t always go well the fans owners and sponsors move on no big deal. The old cliché “it’s not personal it’s business” is the easy out obviously. However we saw in Casey that that stuff doesn’t go away despite the passing of time.
Casey reached and drove at the highest levels of the sport and only very serious wheel men do that. 😊
Great Show. Glad Casey is still driving like he wants to and having fun with his family
Love the “Where are they now” interviews . It is sad to see such a talented ,good, and likable person like Casey not being in high level racing when there are people in the sport that has half the talent and yet has the opportunities.
Maybe Casey would be happy being behind the scene building something and helping like Bobby did for him
Worked on the NADC late models back in Atwood’s days at the Fairgrounds. Wish him the best! Those where some of my favorite times in life!
Dale Jr did a great job interviewing Casey Atwood. I always wondered what happened to him. Very informative!!
Casey in a JRM xfinity one off? Might be an interesting idea
Casey has nothing to be ashamed of. He got to race at the highest level and won a couple of busch series races. He got to do what very few people are able to do.
It's crazy to think of him as middle aged, I still think of him as the kid in 99 driving the Castrol Busch car, when I started watching.
Take a drink every time he says "yeah" 😂
Thanks for driving all that way to do the show Casey. Great to hear from you.
850 mile round trip.
That’s pretty significant of a commitment!
BEST hour & 39 minutes I've spent in weeks. Junior, you may feel like you didn't accomplish ever7thng you should have while you were driving, but you are at the top of your game behind that microphone. THANK you,. . young man.
Atwood had so much hype and pressure behind him as he broke into the Nascar ranks. I remember being at the race, mopping the floor at Pocono in Arca.
Yep! And to make it even worse, we was driving for ray evernham, who is a piece of S.
That's awesome Jr, people drive all the way to your studio just to talk about NASCAR with You, who wouldn't do that.
This was a great interview. Hearing your comments at the end of the podcast on how you felt you were wrong about him, his demeanor, and how he carried himself, I can’t wait to watch this thing this time. The photo Dale posted of him, Casey, and Adam last night was a trip down memory lane. Made me think of Kenny Irwin as well. After Irwin’s death, I, at age 11, thought I would be an Atwood fan for a generation.
The best driver that didn’t get an opportunity
We actually drove to the lead in the Atlanta race Casey was talking about….he was really good… plugged him in the seat and went from running top 20 to racing in the top 5 those last races he drove for us… he was/still is a very talented young man
Seeing some of these people being interviewed in these segments just moves my soul to want more for them.
This Gentleman and Mr. McSwain in my views are two characters that I feel modern marketing are missing out on.
I feel they both present in a fashion that garners support.
Both honest people being themselves. Not trying to change themselves to be the perfect fit in just any old environment they encounter. It is a quality I’ll always respect and hope for when I perceive it from someone out there trying.
To me there is gold in these two people. They have much more to lend than what they have been allowed to and it grated on me to sit and watch. I perceive it as an industry damaging itself for not accounting for it.
Society as a whole has seemed to have moved away from human interests. Dale Jr. has not.
I regret having a complaint with no viable solution for it. it’s frustrating seeing these honest tryers not getting the recognition. I feel they’re the medicine this world needs right now.
I see greatness in them.
Thanks for the memories, Casey! Remarkable depth and contrast, Junior.
Wow, what a loyal guy to be committed to his team! I wish he would’ve made it further. He may have been the one to take over Dale Sr. Car and not Harvick if he would’ve taken the offer. Who knows, but this was a very interesting interview. I always rooted for him in the Castrol car, this just solidifies my opinion of him as a person.
Funny how people buy houses near racetracks and cry about noise,,it’s like someone buying a house next to someone who raises pigs and chickens, cry’s about the smell, usually the people that cry about these things,end up running and ruining the towns,
I’ve commented years back about Nashville fairgrounds speedway being I grew up across the street from turn one and it influenced my racing interest and eventually got to race myself after becoming and adult in Florida. Casey has always been a favorite of mine and a mystery why his career ended so fast.
Good to hear from Casey, always wondered what happened to him. Can we get Bobby Hamilton Jr on here soon? Would love to hear from some more of the drivers who kinda fell off
Awesome episode: Atwood was really the 1st underdog driver I liked in NASCAR, in fact one of my fave underdogs in the sport (along also with drivers like Johanna Long, Trevor Bayne, and now Michael McDowell)
Man that part of his rookie season being cut was hard to hear.
Casey is a class act and a hell of a driver. Ray to me was in over his head. Letting Casey go to hire Jeremy was the dumbest thing Ray could have done but when you have people footing the Bill sometimes its not your choice..Ray was a great c.c but being the boss is not what its cracked up to be trust me on that. Maybe next yr jr can squeeze Casey in for a one off at martinsville or a track of his choice. Great interview by the way. Starting a question then sitting back and listening makes a great show and lets the person being interviewed really shine.
Ray Evernham is one of the shadiest people in NASCAR
I believe it was dodge that had a hand in it and it was out of Ray Evernham's hands.
that's awesome man I'm from tn an always cheers for the tennessee drivers casey was one of the last now we got Josh berry
Casey we loved you back then and we love you now. So good to see you and know you are doing okay. You mean a lot to us man.
Just a suggestion...bring Buckshot Jones on. Would love to see/hear about folks you used to race against in the old Busch Series.
He did, there's already an interview with him on the channel
Fantastic idea
I really enjoyed this episode with Casey, thanks Dale for this. He was a real talent that was never allowed to get to the top and he was headed that way for Sure. Everham probably knows this better than anyone.
What could have been , a lotta factors involved here. Didn’t work out well for Jeremy either. Casey seems hurt, and never got ever that it didn’t work. Great interview.
Always liked Casey. Watched him race in Nashville. Always a good guy.
I enjoyed this interview alot I learned more about Casey then I've ever known and every question answered he was a great young driver and should be proud, he would have won we all know it ! One of Dale Jr best interviews I think
I have always been a Casey Atwood fan! I saw him race at the fairgrounds and thought this kid can drive! He is still a class act and a great person! I felt he was rushed up too soon and had a lot of pressure from the start! Great interview!
Damn now I know why I always pulled for this young man ! Awesome interview Jr.
Nashville still has a lot of love for Casey
Dale, this is your calling!!!!!! Amazing interview skills.. Very personable.
Being a girl dad. Especially me a father at age 37 to a 15 year old daughter. The biggest learning curve and to be a great dad is, PATIENCE. May seem easy to think, but you must have that. And Atwood learned that from such a early early age. Hes such a down home relatable guy. Much respect my man.
Personally I think it would be awesome if you could upload pictures of these driver's racecars and the team photos as you are conducting the interview. The Throwback photo journal would be awesome to see. It would definitely help with the "oh yeah I remember that" !!
I think that would help the memories of the time.
The biggest issue would be the extra time the Download team would need to put it all together on post-production. I think Dale Jr. wants it out ASAP, but your suggestion is a good one and I know the production monitor the comments, so I hope they consider it and build it into the program when its ready to post on YT. The audio they could release right away on the Dale Jr Download website.
This crazy world has changed so much! Hearing them talk about race tracks and the future sure makes me long for the old days! I’m in Greenville SC and it doesn’t look good for,Greenville pickens speedway! Sad!
Man , this show was a classic, Casey is a class act , part of being a super star is beating on your chest and getting your voice heard , some people just don’t stand up , I know the feeling 🏁🏁🏁🇺🇸🇺🇸
Just know Casey most people would die to have the story you're ashamed of and the life you lead. You should be damn proud bro and I guarantee your wife and daughters will say the same.
I always liked Casey Atwood. I thought he had talent.
Keep wheelin that thing Casey, you have always had it and still do.
one of the most relatable (for me anyway,) interviews that you've done on here. Junior. Thank you Junior and thank you Casey. :)
Thanks Casey, great to hear from you again! Be proud of your career, authentic race fans can acknowledge and appreciate your place in NASCAR history. I sure hope it isn’t another 10 years until we hear from him again.
Hi Casey, man its so good to see and hear from you again! I was always very impressed at how fast you always were back during your Busch Series tours, you always seemed put it up close towards the front almost everywhere you went. And Dale, your show is always so good, you're putting some really good guests across that table, please keep them coming! Thanks guys🙂
Jr, Casey loves racing. You hear me? He LOVES it. Bc he drove to YOU to talk about it without a plane, with a family at home. He's asking you without asking you.
Yeah good luck with future endeavors and family Casey
Thank you to Casey for coming on the show legend! Appreciate everyone’s time and effort too… enjoyed it all. 😊