“We’re not cool anymore”: Elliott Sadler reminisces good old days with Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

On Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s podcast "The Dale Jr. Download," Elliott Sadler looked back on the days when he and Junior used to hang out, reminiscing about the songs that got them revved up. However, Sadler said his son Wyatt recently gave him a bit of a reality check about his current "cool" status.

Sadler, who made his mark in the Xfinity Series over a 22-year racing career, that lasted until 2019, came close to clinching a championship several times but never quite grabbed the brass ring, consistently proving himself a strong contender. However, he had his share of moments with his fellow drivers, including Earnhardt Jr.

During the recent podcast, Elliott Sadler shared a nostalgic moment, reflecting on the times he and Earnhardt Jr. would stir up trouble. Dale Jr. mentioned that they "used to pull a lot of hell together," prompting Sadler to share a humorous anecdote. He said:

"I will tell the short story for you viewers, Wyatt and I were riding in the car the other day and Limp Bizkit came on. And I'm like, 'Hey, man, me and Junior used to listen this all the time in his black impala man, he had the speakers in there and it was so loud. I mean, it just jams and gets you pumped up.'"

"He looked at me and he is like, 'Daddy, that sound sucks.' (laughing) Yeah, we're not cool anymore. We thought we were something. No, no cool points. But we had a good time," Sadler added.

---

Elliott Sadler reflects on his closest NASCAR championship bid

NASCAR veteran Elliott Sadler recently revisited a painful chapter from his racing career during a discussion with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sadler recalled a pivotal race from 2017 that dashed his championship hopes, primarily due to an on-track clash with Ryan Preece.

Elliott Sadler had just maneuvered past his teammate William Byron and was leading the race with only five laps to go. However, an aggressive move by Preece cost him dearly, derailing his near-win into a big loss. The incident, Sadler shared, was especially bitter as it prevented him from claiming a NASCAR championship after two decades of pursuit.

Remembering the day, Sadler said:

"It's tough for me to talk about because what I don't think people realize I have been chasing a NASCAR championship for 20 years."

During the conversation, Elliott Sadler vividly described the race, saying he managed to pass Byron with about 12 laps left. He then made a move to pass Preece, going into turn one.

He thought Preece would give him space to clear but the latter struck right on Elliott Sadler's right rear, bogging both of them down. And just like that, the title slipped through Sadler's fingers.

Reflecting on his intense emotions from the day, Sadler said:

"I wanted to break his jaw in three places."