“I know a lot of stuff I ain’t gonna tell”: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s recent guest insists on honoring his word to Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, “The Dale Jr. Download on Dirty Mo Media,” often features guests who share fascinating stories and insights about NASCAR’s history. This week, Dale Earnhart Jr. sat down with his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s one of the closest friends, Donnie Rives, who opens up about his cherished memories with Intimidator but kept most of the things private.

According to Dale Sr.’s friend conversation with Dale Jr., it seems like he has insider knowledge about certain events and stories from Dale Sr.’s racing days. However, Rives has chosen to keep some of the information private out of respect for the promise he made to the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.

In deep respect and admiration for the late Dale Sr., here’s what his best friend said:

“I felt like the only reason I've done it was Dale would approve of it. I mean, I hadn't went and told anybody anything, and I know a lot of stuff I ain't gonna tell. And not necessarily bad; that's the way it is.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s recent guest and his father’s best friend, Donnie Reeves, who doesn't do any interviews, reveals why he agreed to come on his podcast:

“Well, Dale and myself, he asked me one time, and he said if anything ever happens to me, do not write a book and don't go telling everything we know. But I figured that being how it was you, he would okay it.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s father’s impact in NASCAR and the respect he commanded among his peers make any stories related to him particularly intriguing to NASCAR fans.

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Donnie Rives opens up about the death of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s father

Further during the conversation on “Dale Jr. Download,” Donnie Rives spoke about the tragic crash at Daytona International Raceway in 2001 that took the life of his best friend and NASCAR greatest driver, Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Recalling that emotional and heart-wrenching moment on Dale Earnhart Jr.’s podcast, Rives said:

“After the wreck... I said Dale is bad. I said real bad. I'll just... I just knew it, yeah. And about 30 minutes later, I got a call from Daytona. They said... 'He didn't make it.' And I already had that feeling—I mean, yes! Come over me.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s father was one of the most iconic and successful drivers in the history of sport. Known as “The Intimidator” for his aggressive driving style and fierce competitiveness, he is tied with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson for the most NASCAR Cup Series championships in history.

Dale Sr. is remembered not only for his racing achievements but also for his influence on the sport and his role in popularizing NASCAR.