Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t just good at Talladega; he’s a master of the place and a driver whose name is practically woven into the fabric of the superspeedway. With six wins at Talladega and a reputation for restrictor-plate brilliance, Dale Jr. has spent years schooling the competition and carrying on the legacy of his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., who won here an astonishing ten times.
From his aggressive moves in the draft to his uncanny ability to stay out front when it matters most, Junior’s approach has made him the guy to watch every time the green flag drops. Even after hanging up his helmet, the man’s still the go-to authority for superspeedway smarts. And recently, that expertise came in handy for a very special qualifying run that had fans buzzing. It was not because of who was behind the wheel, but because of who was riding shotgun.
Dale Jr. breaks down Talladega qualifying strategy
Dale Jr., a six-time winner at Talladega Superspeedway, recently shared his insights with Garrett Mitchell, more well-known for his YouTube fame as ‘Cleetus McFarland’ on mastering qualifying laps at this iconic track. Dale Jr. and McFarland share a special bond; the latter appeared on the Dale Jr. Download after his ARCA Menards debut at Daytona earlier this year, and Jr. was captivated by his passion for the sport and its history. Now, as Cleetus prepares to take on his next superspeedway challenge at Talladega this weekend in the ARCA Series, Dale Jr. is telling him all the tricks of the trade.
Known for his strategic prowess, Earnhardt Jr. emphasized the importance of minimizing lap distance by staying close to the apron at the 2.66-mile oval. He advised, “Now we just want to run the shortest route possible. So, stay right against the bottom… The tighter you run to the apron, the shorter the distance of the lap.” This approach reduces lap time by covering less ground, a tactic that contributed to his success, including, ironically, his first and only career pole at Talladega in 2017.
However, Dale Jr. explained how positioning the car near the apron is a delicate art. He pointed out, “You can get a little tighter to the apron than you think.” That extra inch can sometimes be the difference between a front-row start and mid-pack frustration. But flirt with the apron too much and risk losing everything, as you can damage your car.
Precision is crucial when navigating Talladega’s high-speed turns. Earnhardt Jr. cautioned against oversteering and positioning the car higher, stating, “Keep the wheel straight. If you go into the corner and the car moves off the apron like a foot, don’t steer it down. Just leave it. You f—- up, that’s okay, but if you steer it down now, you’ve f—- up twice.” Maintaining a straight wheel ensures stability and prevents the car from drifting. This is vital for maintaining speed and control during qualifying laps. McFarland joked that if he hadn’t gotten this piece of advice, he would’ve probably crashed, “I would’ve totally just steered back. I have to mentally block that.”
Ride along with @DaleJr as he gives Cleetus McFarland qualifying tips for Talladega.
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— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) April 21, 2025
Avoiding contact with the apron is another key aspect of a successful lap. Earnhardt Jr. warned, “Do not hit the apron with the splitter. It’s gonna slow you down.” The splitter, located at the front of the car, helps the car basically suction itself to the track. Damaging it can disrupt airflow and reduce speed, if it scrapes the track. Keeping the car just above the apron maintains optimal aerodynamics and speed.
Dale Jr.’s tour was a lesson in Talladega discipline. Stick to the shortest route, avoid unnecessary wheel movements, and trust the car’s rhythm through the banking. In a place where hundredths of a second matter, those little habits separate the contenders from the crowd. We do not doubt that Cleetus was paying attention, as he is one of Dale Jr.’s biggest fans.
Cleetus McFarland’s full-circle moment at Talladega
If there’s one thing Cleetus McFarland’s ever been loud and proud about, it’s his die-hard fandom for Dale Earnhardt Jr. The YouTube motorsports star has carried Junior Nation’s torch for years. Remember him plastering “Do it for Dale!” across his garage and naming his burnout machine the legendary “Dale Truck?” It’s a running gag among his followers and a genuine homage to one of NASCAR’s greatest.
So when Dale Jr. offered to ride along and give Cleetus Talladega qualifying pointers, it wasn’t just a content collab. It was a full-circle moment for Cleetus, sitting alongside the man he grew up idolizing. The kicker? They weren’t in any ordinary car, as highlighted in the collab teaser. They were strapped inside Cleetus’ beloved “Dale Truck,” the same one that’s starred in Freedom 500 races and countless burnout battles.
For Cleetus, hearing tips about mastering Talladega qualifying at the Talladega circuit from the master of Talladega driving his truck was surreal. This wasn’t a podcast clip or throwback interview. It was his idol coaching him through one of the most iconic speedways in America. He pointed out tricks that only Talladega veterans know how to pull off cleanly.
For a guy who’s spent years building a brand around his love for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr., this ride-along felt bigger than just a lap around Talladega. It was a nod to how grassroots fandom and big-league racing can collide in the coolest, most unexpected ways. Now, all that’s left for Cleetus is to put this advice into action at Talladega this weekend. How do you think Cleetus McFarland will do at Talladega? Let us know in the comments!
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