Was One Of NASCAR's Most Promising Prospects, Casey Atwood, Called Up Too Soon? | Dale Jr. Download
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2024
- The buzz around Casey Atwood was almost palpable in the late 1990s to early 2000s. People compared him to the likes of Jeff Gordon, claiming he was going to be the next big thing in NASCAR. After a successful run in the Busch Series, now the Xfinity Series, he was called up to the big show to race for Ray Evernham in the No. 19 Dodge alongside Bill Elliott.
All seemed to be going in the right direction for Casey, but the on-track results didn't mirror the hype that surrounded his entry into the NASCAR Cup Series. He looks back on that time with Dale Jr. to discuss where he feels like things went off course for him.
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You can see the moment when Jr realizes if Casey would've gone to RCR he would've been his dad's replacement after the tragedy in 01.
One of few drivers that deserved another chance, a real chance with a solid team.
Casey seems like a great guy. I was a huge Jeremy Mayfield fan, so I was kind of happy when he took over the 19 car. When you see that he was really just a shy kid that felt overwhelmed to the point of basically ruining his career, you feel bad for him.
Dang. He got fast tracked for Cup but then Evernham never really gave him a shot. You really do wonder what would have happened if he took the RCR deal and stayed in the Busch series another year or 2. Would he have taken over what became the 29 after Dale Sr died? So many what ifs with Atwood’s career.
This is rewriting history . Atleast half of it's just flat untrue and not a word about Casey's dad . I was there and I would file this under fiction .
Well said . I met Casey back then & I got the feeling he didn’t care if we liked him . He was driving a Mercedes & would not give an autograph . I was at a friend of his putting a fence up . I was so excited to meet him ! After we left I was embarrassed for making such a big deal about him .
@@Trackratz-zl9di What was your memory of it? Specifically what was the deal with Casey's dad?
@@chrismitchell4632 I'm not sure if I want to respond to that counsellor. Non specifically Casey's dad was not that different then several very involved nascar dad's that had a very bumpy ride in nascar . As for Casey his behavior is legendary for a total lack of respect for everyone that was in his orbit .
@@Trackratz-zl9di Thanks for the response. Was Casey just quiet and choosing to live in Nashville like he said or did the disrespect go beyond that?
Casey Atwood is a class act. I wish he got a fair chance in the Cup Series.
He's such an old soul, great guy, old soul. Thats a great combo.
1 of the best interviews for DJD
Atwood is younger than MTJ and i wish he is still racing today alongside Adam Petty.
Bill Elliott’s resurgence became the focus of Evernham.
Ray Evernham did Casey Atwood dirty.
I would bet that sponsors pushed for the change.
Ray did a lot of people dirty. Tried to screw Rick by stealing Jeff as well.
Agree
@@johnw1052yep he’s a sleazy guy all around professionally and in personal life as well
@@johnw1052he also had a lot do do with the mayfield screw job orchestrated by him and nascar because Jeremy pretty much exposed Rays affair
I had forgotten about him. Dang!!!
I will say, this doesn't fully tell the story of why the relationship ended prematurely between Evernham and Atwood. Because he was so reserved and honestly quite shy, he didn't put in the effort it took to be a Cup driver beyond the race track. He was regarded as lazy and unmotivated. He didn't hang around the shop and make a bond between his crew, he didn't want to do sponsor engagements or fan events, it felt like a lack of drive for a 20-something that should have been worked on with him. Had he gotten some more time to build up (not just talent wise but personality and work ethic), maybe he would have stuck around longer, but this is a situation where both sides failed the other in my honest opinion.
Out of curiosity, how do you know?
@@larrysnellings7992 it's been widely spoken about across the last few decades, as well as at the time of his Evernham stint.
Additionally, I wonder if prospects like him failing in Cup as well as drivers like Mears, Sorenson, Stremme, etc., are why there was a large gap in young talent pools entering the Cup Series, to the point where we had Rookie of the Year candidates like Leicht, Lally, and Conway.
@@Festivus_Miracle That's a good question.
Tbh I just feel like he didn’t want to throw Ray completely under the bus.
Ray was already sniffing Crocker's seat ?
It seems pretty obviously he just wasn’t cutout to be a high profile racer. And that’s fine. But you don’t realize how much courage and confidence it takes to live this life until you hear people like Casey talking about his experience.
He got an offer from RCR but it scared him so he didn’t take it. Didn’t want to talk to media because he was nervous. It just wasn’t for him clearly.
Yeah it's a shame.. just seems like too much social anxiety.
I’m with you. He was a talented guy but there’s a minimum threshold of social competence that he falls WAY short of. Nothing against him I’m sure he’s a nice guy and all but I can see why Dodge/Ray dumped him. Being a big time racer is about more than just driving the car.
That’s my boy I pulled for him Dale Jr and Adam my generation. I’m a Texan born May 1980 so I related to them.
The new generation of Good ole Boys. Southern Proud
Why is ur @ dales name 😂💀
I plumb forgot about Atwood for a moment, but I won't forget when he drove the 19 and almost won at Homestead 2001. Plus when he drove the 7 in 2002, I knew he just wasn't the best driver in NASCAR, but gladly he had alot of talent.
Thank you for this interview Jr. Always like Casey. Glad to see he's doing well.
Another great interview by Dale.
The interview moved so smoothly and covered his career very thoroughly.
Just having Dale this year makes the interviews so much better.
Not an avid follower, what happened to the other dude that was on with Jr?
Great Interview. Casey glad to know all is well glad you still race. Great job Dale keeping History out there.
I remember watching Casey come up in Bush and get started in Cup.
I don't know that he ever really got a decent run in Cup because of things beyond his control because he came from outside of the traditional lines and groups that were in Cup, and his quietness.
I too learned the hard way that we have to toot the horn some to get time before people to get time to make a good impression. We have to build our reputation.
I still think that he could be great behind the wheel.
I have loads of respect for Casey.
Talked to him for a few minutes at Talladega when he raced. Seemed very reserved. Nice guy though!!
Dale is a phenomenal interviewer
I like Dale, but he's actually pretty terrible, he asks a question, then answers it, changes the question, answers it some more, than asks a question, dude needs to let the interviewee do the talking. What I do like about the way Dale interviews is, you actually learn a lot about Dale as you learn about the interviewee.
Feel him….however,,,you get your shot. Hopefully the future glide path for drivers put them in the best position for success. Otherwise, take it or leave it. Thank you Casey Atwood.
It was good to hear how Casey was still valued as a driver. Being used as a test driver isn't near like being in the seat for racing every week. It does show that they value your input on the car.
It also shows that Ray tried to keep Casey around, and that things behind the scenes had a big influence on why Ray did what he had to do.
p❤
I’m guessing Jason Ratcliffe valued his input. Jason was Yeley’s crew chief at JGR in 2005 and worked with Casey 1998-2000.
@@chrismitchell4632 I think that Casey is a much better driver and racer than folks gave him credit for. Had he been a bit of a showman he might have driven for a few more years. Showman being a stronger presence in front of the camera, not being mouthy or brash. Look at Wrad Burton, Jeff Burton and Mark Martin, Bobby and Terry Lebonte for examples.
Man I remember watching Casey’s at Daytona his first year. Man I’m pretty sure he was like 17 or 18. I think it was before the age restriction not sure about that tho
My dad has a 1:24inch die cast Truck of Casey's, he pulled for u for awhile.
My goodness has it really been that long ago!
I never thought this guy was as big of a bust as many think. I just remembered him being really unlucky
It was a great interview with very probing questions to draw profound answers.
I always like Casey wondered what happened to him. I wish him well nice guy wasn't like some of the personalities of the day. Put him in a truck series move some of the young folks around .
I wish someone like You Jr. would befriend him and maybe find somebody who would offer him a chance to try an arcade or infinity car . I don't think he's too old .
Heck put him in a good Truck
He was awesome … wasn’t ready for the camera which is bad and sad … especially these days and then .. he’s awesome man
Casey will always be one of my favorite drivers of all-time.
I just listen to the podcast. Jr. made a comment about him not ever winning a championship and people expecting him too. I just want to say that he became a Champion on this sport. There is no bigger champ than that. In my opinion anyway.
I’m assuming Dega in the fall?
Completely got screwed over
Ray did Jeremy mayfield dirty, Ray was the one who ditched SRX and caused that to be cancelled and also Ray did Casey dirty way it sounds. What a prick.....
I remember Casey running 4 cyl mini stock's at Highland Rim Speedway in middle TN.
Casey is a good Race Car Driver Ray must be a ass to work for .
I really enjoyed this podcast and loved hearing his story. I am a few years older than Casey and was super envious of the opportunity he got back in the day. Sounds like he’s doing well and it was good to hear from him.
With how much star power there was in the early 2000's the fact he really only got 1 season at Cup at so young is ridiculous
Dalr Jr., I saw an excellent TH-cam video by "Daze with Jordan the Lion". It's about your Grandfather and your Dad their lives and racing with video of the homes, DEI facility, their racing , Kannapolis, and their final resting places. I think it was well done, I think you would like it.
Such a nice guy--shame he didn't take RCR and the AC Delco car
Man he got screwed. Such a shame, he could still be racing.
Atwood was in Thunder 2002 (2001) and 2003 (2002) with the 19/7
That's right, I still got those and I play it sometimes
All I remembered was him flipping at Daytona, thinking he'd be real good one day and then wondering where he went. Such a shame to hear how things really were.
I was an Atwood fan and was always disappointed with his short career.
About the daughters to both of you. I had 3 no sons. Something to be to be the Dad of "Daddy's Girls"!
“He flew me over there on a jet and flew me back on a King Air (a prop) when I didn’t take it.”
The equivalent of being chauffeured in a Bentley to the interview and returned in an Uber after turning it down.
Put him in the xfinity car for some races Dale!!
I kinda feel like Casey never got a fair deal, Ray just threw him in unready, I think Bill Elliott having a great season really didn’t help
I was a big fan Of Casey he didn't get a fair chance.
I wish he had of got in the 2 car
Damn
Is Mike Davis gone from the download?
Caseys 7 car was pretty too look at
It made no sense why Ray bailed on Casey so early. They were doing pretty well at the end of the 2001. I really think that Dodge must have wanted Jeremy bad because he was let go by Penske that year. With Jeremy Mayfield available they saw an upgrade but honestly I never saw Jeremy as anything special. Wish they stuck with Casey.
Did you listen to Casey stammer through this interview? Being a big time star race car driver comes with a lot more than just driving. Casey was talented but a 0/100 from a sponsor appeal/personality perspective
Right
Im a fan of ray but honestly he screwed this kid royally
I believe Ray had all the money, knowledge and recruited talent to make Evernham a powerhouse, but they’re was nothing but distractions with Crocker, Casey and Mayfield
Yes and he also got dumped too soon. He came close to winning twice and was making clear progress when they dumped him and Mayfield did literally NO BETTER IN 2002.
Everham.....smart guy, but I can see why Kulwicki didn't like him. 2 peas in a pod...
Poor guy got boned for sure. All this time I just thought he sucked. We will never know.
Ray screwed everyone that drove the 19......
Especially Casey and mayfield
Shows the dark side of Ray here, he did just as good as Bill in 01 just 1 spot short at Homestead. Then he hired ol Methfield instead.
I applaud Dale for trying his best to get an entertaining interview out of this boring lump of flesh.
This guy seems like he’s afraid of his own shadow. Zero confidence.
Seems like the opposite of how most elite drivers are.
He's hard to interview, probably a nice guy but.
Evernham & Fitz probably had that kind of effect later on in his career. Before that, it was a simple case of being introverted.
Probably afraid to get the Mayfield treatment if he bad mouths Evernham lol
Kimi Raikanen made a career in racing. 🤔🤷🏼♂️🤣