Slugger Labbe Takes Us Through His Time At DEI Coming To An End | Dale Jr Download

Dale Earnhardt Jr and Mike Davis ask SluggerLabbe to chronicle the circumstances surrounding his departure at DEI. Slugger talks about his time with Michael Waltrip, the opportunity of becoming Dale Jr's crew chief and how he felt after it all went done.

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[orion]

2004 has always been my favorite season. It was so tough to watch things fall apart in '05, and then for that beautiful red Bud number 8 to disappear after '07, but it's great to hear these stories.

[sebfettel]

If you asked me today, Slugger is my all time favorite guest. He was very authentic and open IMO

[bevnracin]

Things would have been totally different at DEI if Big E had been there....💙

[ryanbringedahl]

I grew up in a family of huge nascar fans. I'm going to the coke 600 in like 2 days with my mom for her 60th bday. I love this podcast, love the Earnhardt's, and love these insider conversations from back when! Keep it up dirty mo team!

[randytingen]

Junior, so proud of the lessons you’ve learned in life, there ain’t no instruction manual to go along.

[S.K.R.E.Inc.]

Too many factors resulted in DEI's downfall. But it all stemmed from that day in 2001. Everyone got into that deep of a depression because of how close they were to the founder of the team. And then, the witch made it 1000x worse, even furthered by the abuse both drivers went through by her, be it physical (in Jr's case) or psychological (in Waltrip's case). By 2005, it all came to a head. The Eurys fell out hard, Jr and Waltrip got into fights a couple of times (Phoenix was most apparent), Slugger got fired, and they were all lost. To this day, the long-term effects still linger

[fredmcconnelliii]

9:04 is a leadership lesson. How do I aspire to be a leader that projects confidence and commands the respect in such a way that stupidity leaves the room. These conversations are so real. Thank you.

[racecar]

it's still shocking for me to learn of all the issues/drama that happened at dei. I never knew it was like that. I was alot younger back then, so I guess I didn't pay close attention. I just remember the good years 04 & prior. I've don't remember seeing the big fight between Tony sr & dale Jr. still so many things that I'm learning. I do understand why, though, once dale sr died, they lost their leader. i guess its shocking to me how lack their leadership was. i assumed even before dale sr died, he made sure he hired great employers

[DevilR]

So cool for sharing this Dale. Got Brothers of the RCPT in Charlotte today. Go JRM!

[shafferjoe]

As a Grief Share leader, this is why I push and support grief share class for everyone who has suffered a loss. I am sorry to you all for your loss and the rough road you all have traveled. May God heal all your hearts. God bless.

[xcop]

These conversations are so great. Thanks to everyone, especially Jr. xCop

[stevej]

I now know why Mike wears a hat most of the time. 🤣 Love ya Mike!

[psinclairjr]

Seeing and hearing from Slugger was awesome. Now I have a request, I WOULD LOVE to see Y'all interview DAVID REUTIMANN!!!! Seemed like a cool guy, took a couple terrible hits in crashes then just disappeared

[IFUPokeTheLAMBULWakeThaLION]

omg i love this. no other way to do things than to keep it 100. Slugger, man, been in your shoes regularly -- especially being a smart woman who wont dumb or back down a bit. not only do i know it well, but that hole in the pit of your stomach you can drive a planet thru never really gets gone even though we keep it movn behind someone else getn their knickers in a twist. thnx guys. always a great show. and Slugger, talk to Mikie...he's never really grieved & that shows, but he'll love u for taking the time to spend time with him.

[GenoSalvati]

Imagine how the questions from that day when Slugger was your crew chief for 12 hours still haunt him... This is really good work, sir. Thank you.

Your interviewing style is fearless, even when the topic involves things that you could have done better.

For your next appointment, Dr. Earnhardt, I suggest: Michael Waltrip from Murfreesboro, TN. His name has come up quite a bit lately on your podcast, and I would like to know more about how 2004-5 looked from his point of view - and yours.

[Mister_Matt_X]

I remember watching Blink of an Eye for the very first time and when the cameras were focusing on Michael I felt and sensed this incredible sadness and grief on the tone of his voice. Some were good and some were not so good and I feel so sorry for him every direction possible known to man that he did not share his win in the 2001 Daytona 500 with Dale Sr. and Dale Jr.

[shanebrooks]

I feel like there is WAY, WAY, WAY, did I say, WAY, more to this entire story that has never been laid out to the Tried and True NASCAR fans that lived through that entire era… I think millions of people across this country, in a way, deserve to hear all the inner workings of what EXACTLY all happened at DEI that made out fail. I believe Sr getting killed came at the worst possible time and ultimately was the reason that it “died” with him essentially… He was the leader of course. But, I got one, would love to know more. And after this interview, I feel like no one really knows exactly what happened. Which is really sad! You all worked together! You did amazing things! Work it out now for the better of all! Not to develop DEI of course… But damn. It was an empire in the making.

[sublime]

Such a sad time for NASCAR... And it's never recovered as far as I'm concerned

[nicksterl.]

Great podcast lads. It's a shame that the full video format is restricted to peacock.

[bloqk]

Impressive how Dale Jr. moderates this discussion with his verbal restraint, allowing Slugger Labbe and Mike Davis have their say, when one considers the role Dale Jr. had in DEI.
Other people I'm familiar with, if placed in the same position Dale Jr. was in this video, would have been very talkative; possibly taking over the discussion.