“I might delete your number”: When Dale Earnhardt Jr. received a warning from Ryan Blaney about joining a reality TV show

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Blaney once pondered if they would ever be on the hit dance competition TV show Dancing with the Stars in an episode of the former's podcast. In a humorous manner, the 2023 Cup Series champion gave the retired 15-time Most Popular Driver a warning if he ever joined the show.

In an episode of The Dale Jr. Download released back in 2019, Earnhardt applauded Blaney for stepping up and promoting the sport by doing things outside of the racing bubble, such as media or shows. Blaney went on to say he doesn't mind doing it and believes it's healthy for NASCAR and himself.

However, there was an opportunity the driver of the #12 Team Penske Ford turned down, as he said no to a unique reality show that he was requested to be on.

"I forget what the show was called, but they wanted me to go on a blind dating show," Blaney said. "I was like, you will never, ever see me doing that. Ever." (1:37 onwards)

Earnhardt responded by saying that's how he feels about Dancing with the Stars and how he would never do the show even if the opportunity presented itself. Blaney then told Earnhardt if he ever saw him on the dance competition show, he would no longer have his number in his contacts.

"Yeah don't do that," Blaney said. "If I ever see you on Dancing With The Stars, I might delete your number off my phone," Blaney said to Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1:48 onwards)

Mike Davis, now the former co-host of the podcast, asked Blaney if he'd compete on Dancing with the Stars. The North Carolina native vehemently denied that he would ever make an appearance on the show, though didn't rule it out completely if he was given $1 million for it. Overall, Blaney said he doesn't see himself ever being on the show.

"I just couldn't do the damn salsa and then be out of breath and wait for somebody to judge my salsa or something," Blaney said. (2:34 onwards)

---

Mike Davis recently explained why he left Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s show

Mike Davis has been Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s right-hand man for years as he's served as the co-host of The Dale Jr. Download. However, ahead of the start of the 2024 season, Davis stepped away from the role.

In a recent interview with retired NASCAR driver and TV personality Kenny Wallace, Davis explained that it was time to move on as he wanted to focus more of his time on building their media company, Dirty Mo Media.

"It was time," Davis said. "I wasn't enjoying it as much. I felt like the show needed to change and I just felt like it was time. Sometimes, you just have that instinct that, 'Oh, wait a second.' Sometimes, you have to really self-reflect." (0:19 onwards)

Meanwhile, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is set to join to TNT Sports/Amazon booth next year as a commentator. On the racetrack, he scored his fourth Xfinity Series championship as an owner this past season with Justin Allgaier behind the wheel.