334 - Dick Berggren: In the Pits

Legendary NASCAR pit reporter Dick Berggren joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a conversation that covers Berggren’s racing career, rise as a journalist and pit reporter, and New England racing history preserver. It’s a special episode as Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads off the program with a big announcement, that includes Berggren himself. After sharing the exciting news, Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis reveal it’s a two-interview episode as Bill Lester joins later in the show.Berggren enters the studio as if he was fresh off of TV from pit road, wearing his iconic cap and all. He explains the story behind his hat and how Ken Squier influenced his decision to wear it. Dale Jr. first explores Berggren’s racing career. Hear how he got involved racing in his native New England and why it influenced him to get a PhD in psychology. Then hear why he pursued a job as a college professor and what happened when he brought his race car on campus once. As he transitioned to a journalism career, he details the phone call that led him to becoming Stock Car Racing magazine’s editor. He shares the story of how he helped it turn around and how it helped grow his career. Plus, he explains how he got his start in photography and what motivated him to write about racing. A magazine rivalry? Berggren shares the story of two rival publications from his early days in the sport. As the editor for the magazine, he talks about seeing Cup drivers read his work and why he took so much joy from working around his heroes in racing.One crash ended Dick’s racing career. He shares details of why seeing people everywhere while flying through the air made him quit racing forever. How did Berggren get his start as an announcer and reporting in the pits? He explains how he got his first announcing gig at Arundel Speedway in Maine and what the Easter bunny had to do with it. Then, find out which famous Daytona 500 marked his MRN reporting debut. Hear how he developed respect and gained credibility among the characters in the garage. In a conversation surrounding racing’s legendary voices, Berggren shares his Mount Rushmore of announcers and brings Dale Jr. to broadcasting school as Dick shares his approach to the craft and makes suggestions to help Dale grow. Did Berggren ever dread an interview? Find out his answer and why it’s a name you may recognize. After leaving NASCAR on FOX, Dick channeled his passion into developing the North East Motor Sports Museum located at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He explains why he decided to build the museum and how it all came together as a way to honor the region’s rich motorsports history.Afterwards, Bill Lester joins Dale Jr. to talk about his book “Winning in Reverse.” Bill shares his unconventional path to racing’s highest ranks, how he overcame obstacles and why he stepped out of his comfort zone in his Truck Series return last month at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In Ask Jr., Dale reacts to the rain tire test at Martinsville Speedway, Daniel Ricciardo’s special deal if he earns an F1 podium and what Marcus Smith and Marcus Lemonis may be up to.  Check out Dirty Mo Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.