Dale Earnhardt's Early Days: Inside Rod Osterlund's Former Race Shop with Doug Richert! (Crew Chief)
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
Before Dale Earnhardt was "The Intimidator" known for driving the black 3 car, he was just Ralph's boy from Kannapolis looking to make a career in NASCAR racing. His first of 7 cup series championships was achieved out of THIS building right here. His former crew chief and good friend Doug Richert has not been back here in 40 years until today! Back in the late 70's this was the home of Rod Osterlund Racing, who they hired a young Dale to drive full time in 1979. He won rookie of the year in 79 and became champion in 1980 attracting the iconic Wrangler sponsorship for 1981. Shortly after the 81 season began JD Stacy bought the team and Earnhardt left for RCR, taking Wrangler with him. The shop later became Blue Max racing and was also used by Hendrick Motorsports in some capacity back in the day before falling into disrepair and being converted into retail space by Art.
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Пікірлер: 616
I can’t believe this place has as much left in there as it does…which is exactly why we do this stuff. You never know what you’re gonna find! Help history stay alive and hit thumbs up on this video 🏁
@rodney1818
5 ай бұрын
I actually am a snob when it comes to channel lock I will not buy any other kind of Vise grip
@rodney1818
5 ай бұрын
You should see if you can get that crane I know I would like to have it I even know which beam in the building I'm in I would put it on
@rodney1818
5 ай бұрын
The spray paint on his back kind of looks like the cool aid man I Shirley am glad he got fired for property destruction rather than turned into Kool-Aid person
@danielclayton4489
5 ай бұрын
You need to check out Laughlin Racing Products history in Simpsonville SC. It's called Ortec now but they built all the Winston Cup stuff back in the day. Mike just passed away but there are plenty of people around who can help you with the history and stories. I can tell you lots about being a kid growing up there
@haroldbirckhead9997
5 ай бұрын
Hey just FYI, Caliber collision had the old Robert Yates building in Charlotte. I’ve been in it and it still had the surface plate and some other stuff.. had an upstairs with beds for the guys to grab a few hours sleep. Kinda of neat to be in the building where all that stuff happened during the #28 era. They might let you go through it.
Every interview I've seen with Doug, from when he was a crew chief to today, he seems like one of the nicest, most genuine people in racing.
Imagine winning a championship as a crew chief at the age of 20?! That is what Doug Richert did after he inherited the job after Jake Elder left.
@CraigGrant-sh3in
5 ай бұрын
It's like being 16 and getting an 18 point buck your first time out hunting
@Travisesty
5 ай бұрын
Exactly like being 18 and marrying Olivia Dunn etc. awesome story and beyond awesome video!!!
Give us more of Doug what he has been doing the last 40 years
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Absolutely!
@greghagemann3225
5 ай бұрын
Agreed. Need more Doug!
@Rogue_Wave5150
2 ай бұрын
What is Doug’s career after ‘85
Doug was the youngest winning crew chief ever at age 20
I toured this place in 1979, I had a friend of a friend ( Ed Negree) and we got to go through the place led by Roland Wlodyka himself. I could not believe all the equipment and cars they had at that time. I think I counted 9 complete cars, not counting one in primer to sell and one on the jig being built. They had a room full of engines… 20+ all complete Carburetor, headers, sump pump, transmission ready to drop in a car. It was unreal to see an operation that size, we saw the Dyno room and the room where they did the heads… took one man a week to grind out the heads back then.. I remember Roland said they only ran the engine components one time (except for the billet crank) he said it wasn’t worth the risk, they could sell the parts and defray the cost of new…No wonder they were so successful, that equipment and one of the best drivers ever.. it’s a shame where nascar is right now…never go back to this era for sure..
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Wow. That’s amazing I wish you had pictures!
@haroldbirckhead9997
5 ай бұрын
Back then… no cell phones.. I was 19 and don’t own much :) certainly not a camera..
As a Huge Earnhardt Sr. fan you hit this episode out of the park!! So much I didn,t know about the early days of his career, thank you for your time to bring this history back to his fans.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man we appreciate you!
The person that spray painted the back of Doug's shirt is a legend. I've been chuckling everytime it's shown on here. 😅 At the end with Doug showing the belt. There was a moment he reminisced to himself. He was about to get choked up.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Very true
These old race shop videos with the people that lived it,are the absolute best. You are the man for preserving the meat and potatoes of racing. Keep up the great work
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man
Y’all need to get these guys all together at once. Maybe a reunion.
I met Doug on my 16th birthday at Team RedBull in 2007! Such a genuine man! I saw him again this past October at charlotte. We talked about this shop! My dad met Doug here back in 1980, the year they won the title. He also met Dale that day
@justinbritt5116
5 ай бұрын
Doug mentioned to me about the crane! He was tickled it was still there!
You continue to impress brotha, preserving history forever that would've otherwise been lost. You're awesome Mitchell, keep up the amazing work!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man we appreciate you
@nascarnate3
5 ай бұрын
@Stapleton42 Absolutely brotha! Was good to see you pop in on the vintage race car page on FB to clarify the red-headed step child car that they were talking about. I can very much appreciate keeping the history accurate, and you're becoming the staple of Nascar history preservation very quickly 🤟
I love Doug. He is such a smart man and he was always great at giving interviews. Thank you Mitchell and Logan.
Awesome video. These guys are so nice to take time out to walk around these old buildings and share the memories. Crazy that the crane still works and the view out front still looks similar to Dale’s postcard picture. Would love to see Tim Brewer or Jeff Hammond walk around the old Junior Johnson shop like this. Especially ole cocky Brewer lol Love to hear him talk.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Doug worked there too 😂
@scotthall756
5 ай бұрын
True. Future video?
Doug is one of my favorite people in NASCAR. One of the nicest people in the sport
I always liked Doug Richert , he's a great storyteller. He always said that Osterlund Racing was a first class operation. Thanks again for the excellent content 😊
Can't wait to watch this one tonight. Love me some Earnhardt history
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Absolutely!
It’s cool to see the team photo and see Steve Blackwell in the photo and also hear Doug mention Steve. Steve is still building racing engines to this day and builds awesome engines! Thank you for these videos!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
That’s awesome. Maybe I should talk to him about this place
@jonathonhowlett6295
5 ай бұрын
@@Stapleton42 I’ve seen some pictures in his shop! I don’t remember any shop pictures but I’m sure he has some memories of the place!
Your videos are second to none. You always ask the right questions. I really enjoy and look forwards to each one.Thanks for all the insight, history, and finding all these great people of motorsports. Keep 'em coming brother.
The good old days of nascar man that time capsule was awesome thanks yall for doing this.it’s neat to remember history ….rip dale
You have a knack for finding the people and places. More importantly, you get the people telling stories. Great content!
I'm blown away at this entire series, everytime i watch a new video it reminds me why i love racing so much. Keep up the great work y'all.
Another Outstanding NASCAR History video! So cool to have the now owner of the property give full access tour with Doug telling the story's. I know you like working on the cars and making videos, But it seems you have found your calling with these wonderful History videos. Thank you for all the Camera and Edit work. Congratulations on new sponsor, I have some blue handle stuff in my tool box.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Heck yeah thanks Steve!!
Man seeing the guy who worked there with Dale just light up with the crane makes me so happy. Your videos are so awesome, and I just keep on sharing your channel. I got my 80 year old dad to watch your videos. He used to race with Dick Trickle, Rich Brickle, Lowell Bennet, Rusty Wallace, Dale Earnhardt, and Mark Martin back when they came up to Wisconsin.
I became familiar with Doug’s career when he was at Roush. Such a vast career!
Guys, you’re awesome! So great to see you gaining the respect and access to all these places! Thank you!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
I don't comment a lot but I watch a lot. It blows me away the company you two are keeping these days. Also, the personal unseen from anywhere else photos you throw in there for a visual is a really nice touch. It's also really cool seeing the current owners perspective of what is vs Doug's what once was. Thanks for taking the time and making these videos!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man! It’s a lot of legwork to find these old shop photos
Definitely need more content from Doug and the people like him that are interested in letting ‘the walls talk’ to give us fans a better insight.
Yes! Definitely Have Doug Back On As Much As Possible! Bet You He's Got All Kinds Of Earnhardt Tales...Great Idea Stapleton 🏁👍
OMG, that championship belt is the most epic thing that I have ever seen!!!!
Another impressive job Mitchell, you're right. It's amazing how much history came out of that 1 little strip building's amazing. it's also amazing how things have escalated and somehow lost the human touch.
It’s so cool to see you getting recognition here in Australia mate bloody awesome
The smiley face on the back of his work shirt had me rolling all through the video. Great stuff Stapleton42🏁
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Me too 😂
Oh man this just keeps getting cooler Doug is a legend.
I haven’t seen him in years , I think I told u he hooked me up with one of Dale’s 4 spd transmissions , went in my 68 cougar ! Brings back the hot road days for me
Doug seems like a real super cool- chill guy.
That's awesome buddy! Ya know Doug was Greg Biffle's crew chief in the truck series for his whole truck career, and he was the most dominant driver in the series during his time, I talked w Doug at the truck race in '98 @ Portland Speedway which was our local home track.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
I knew Doug with with Greg in the cup series but I didn’t know he was with him back in trucks too. That’s really neat
Another awesome video! I'm super pumped for the video with Dave Marcis! Such a legend! So much determination!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man! The filming with Dave turned out great
@benjensen8341
5 ай бұрын
@@Stapleton42 I'm sure it did. Keep up the good work
Mitchell you are one hell of a miner! Another amazing vein of pure gold given to the interwebs forever! Thank you Mr. Richert, Stapes, and Art Ferren too)! I think hot wheels is gonna be making a little blue 42(with pennzoil yellow stripes) pulled by an escalade replica one day!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
That would be awesome!
Mitchell, and Logan...one can only imagine the stories Dale would have had about this place as well! You seem to have a way of uncovering and keeping the history alive.....please please keep it going!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
We will!!
It's always a treat when us old guys go to our old stomping grounds when were young and bullet proof. The light in Doug's eyes was not that of a 60 something year old but a very young man remembering the good times and the heyday of NASCAR.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Absolutely!
The more of your videos I watch makes me want to go back to some of the old race shops that I worked out of to see what they are like now!
Dale, yes I’m taking to you, the Man! You were a legend before your time and I will always miss you!
It's great seeing the younger Generations keeping this historical racing alive,and documenting history! I'm 51 years old and have a daughter around your age, always been an avid drag racer and I watched the old school nascar but I still say Nascar died when Dale did and it was cremated when Dale Jr retired. I just started this channel, our old channel was hacked, we lost over 300k subs that took 7 years to build but we're gonna attempt 1 more time. Keep up the great work, you do something that nobody else does that I've seen on YT. Sending 🙏🙏🙏 to you both for safe travels and A Merry Christmas.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man we appreciate you!
So awesome that so many people in or previously in the industry are doing these videos!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
I agree!
As a train guy, its kind of funny hearing that the trains would stop and they'd let the guys drive the engines for a little bit. Just thinking of Earnhardt behind the throttle of a big ol' diesel locomotive is funny.
The current owner has done a ton of work to put these two buildings to use and seems to be an interesting fellow. Doug was great as he walked around commenting on what was done 40+ years ago. I sure hope Doug can find all of those photos. I was googling Doug and found that his wife just passed from cancer on June 3, 2023, so to have Doug do this tour was extra special (not exact as to when you filmed this video).
More Doug please! The old stories are the best. You guys could put up a camera and just tell stories around a fire pit and i would love it
@Stapleton42
2 ай бұрын
You’ll get a lot more Doug very soon!
Super cool that you guys got to go back there and get this tour!!! Cheers!
Don't stop doing this!. I enjoy hearing all of the old stories and facts. GREAT JOB!
Another Great Video Mitchell and Logan! Really cool listening to Doug and seeing the old shop.
Spectacular video!! You guys are the best! As more time passes, you are going to be the "go to guy" for NASCAR history for the next generation to learn from. Fantastic job on this one!
Congratulations on your channel lock sponsor I,m a snap on guy but have lots of channel lock pliers in my tool box
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
They’re the best!
Thank you for taking the time to tour all these old race shops with people who were there.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
thank you for being here to watch it !
@JMRomberger3
5 ай бұрын
@@Stapleton42 of course! If only I could come on one of these tours with you.
To know that much of the original shop including the crane it's still there makes me wonder these other buildings that used to house race shops how much of the original is still in them too. Mitchell I can only imagine how much scheduling you have to do to put a story like this together. I want to personally thank you and Logan for pursuing the history of NASCAR in the way that you do. I can watch your videos over and over and never get bored. I can't wait fot the next story to get posted.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man! A lot more left in these places than you’d think!
Smiley face has me cracking up everytime he walks in front of the camera.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
me too!
Need more on this place, more Doug too really liked this episode.
I don't think you have to be concerned about who may like you or not! I think true Nascar fans and especially those of us who love Nascar history, actually loves the fact that you are doing what you are doing by filming these episodes for us all to enjoy! We all like you very much! lol :-) Keep up the great work!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
That’s my poor attempt at being funny 😂 appreciate you man
Thanks again, Stapleton42, for yet another awesome video! Keep it up brother! Being almost 40 years old these videos bring back amazing memories of a time when nascar was worth watching!
Always enjoy it brother.. Thank you for all that you do to help keep this history alive and sharing it with us.. Train going by was kinda cool too
Doug seemed like a great guy even today, and thank you as always for this great interview 😊
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Our pleasure!
I absolutely love these videos. Being a fan of history and of NASCAR. What more could you ask for.
Another great job! I’ve thanked you many times before and thanks again. The best NASCAR content anywhere!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoy it!
Another great trip back into racing history
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
I went to the Super Chevy Sunday race at the 131 speedway in Martin MI back in the 80’s. My Dad took me there to see his friend race his car. I was wandering around the vendor alley, window shopping because I was a poor 10 year old kid. I walked up to the Dale Earnhardt vendor. The guy in the trailer did me a solid by giving me a poster of the Wrangler car. Dale was driving for GM at the time, but I was still happy to have a Wrangler poster. That free poster is what made me a lifelong Dale Earnhardt fan.
Mitchell sand in the block work was for sound deadening!!!💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Hey guys, I really enjoy your channel. I've been a race fan for as long as I can remember. 40+ years or so. I'm very interested in the history of the sport. The '70's, 80's and '90s are my favorite eras. I think it's cool how you know all these people who were involved back then and bring them on your channel. Rusty Wallace even. My wife's favorite. Keep up the good work. 👍 😎
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man!
Those are two nice gentlemen.Once again Logan and Mitchell.Well done!
It would be great to hear more of Doug's recollections.
What an awesome video!!! What is more interesting is Doug and the owner of the property are totally into passing on the history of NASCAR. Great Job Mitch and Logan and Thank you for what you guys are doing. Love watching to the end. Cheers
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
The owner knows almost nothing about nascar he’s never been around it. His willingness to learn and allow us to do this is certainly admirable
As always great show, it almost makes me want to race again, the memories
Great job! Yea Doug is a great guy!! I was just with him a few months ago.
Doug seems to be a genuine person. He’s not to busy to share his history.
Another really cool video Stapleton! I'm always looking forward to the next one. All of the stories you help bring to us is fantastic. Doug is another fantastic person from Nascar to be on your channel here. Thank you for keeping Nascar history alive.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks for being here for it!
At the end when you said "It's there, it is all still there" it got me to thinking, and I figure that it is only sort of there. What I mean is that while some stuff still exists, you need a guide and an interpreter to see it and make it exist again. This time you had Doug and the current property owners bringing life to the old shop. And not to put any pressure on you, you are the guide and interpreter who make these things exist for those of us on You Tube. Thank you for bringing back parts of motor racings past while they still can be brought back
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Well said my dude
That belt/buckle is badass!
Another great video! I love watching your history videos that remind me of back when I was growing up watching NASCAR. I appreciate the Lake Speed comeback tour shirt I got this week. I’m glad I was able to support your channel through that purchase. I am grateful for your work you do! Thank you for keeping history alive!!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man!!
Great work as always Mitch and Logan. Seems like the guys from Dougs era really enjoy the opportunity to tell their story.
I was born in September of 1980, I can tell you now just closing my eyes and goin back to my earliest memories of then you would think it was a different planet back then. I can’t explain it but things were way more emotionally exciting, like getting out on the weekends and seeing family was mandatory, sick or not we’d have the same 25 family members every Sunday rain sleet snow, the Tv only played 2 things Racing and Football. The food was soul fulfilling, I don’t know I feel like every moment of life was so important then, we didnt stare at phones and disconnect, we walked outside, helped out one another without expectations! Those were the days !! 1980s but I appreciate every day God gives my family friends and I That’s includes all of you out there too
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man 💪🏻
Same Race Shop Blue Max From The 80s And Early 90s Thanks For Uploading
I would love to see you get into Bill Elliott’s shop in Dawsonville. An episode or two on the old NASCAR Sportsman series would be awesome. Most of the guys that raced in that are getting some age on them…
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Working on it!
Great video! Love hearing all the stories about Dale and that era of NASCAR. Keep up the great work and can't wait to see what's next!!!
Yes more videos with Doug, keep up the great content
This is Gold!!!! Another great history lesson. Thank you guys so much!!
So much history, all most too much to record. Can't believe so much is still there. I bet Dale Junior would love to see all this as he and his sister have been doing a past history of their father. Thank you SAW for bringing us this great content. I know its a lot of work but what a job Baby!!! Once again everyone is so comfortable with you and Logan, which makes people really open up. Up next Dave Marcus! God Bless you both.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man! Dale did watch the video he sent me a message about it. We’re glad you’re here for it and Dave will be a fun one to watch!
I like seeing and hearing you speak to NASCAR old school guys
You continue to put together some very interesting videos. It takes me back to the days when I subscribed to the weekly newspaper Grand National Scene -- later to become Winston Cup Scene. I also subscribed to the slick monthly magazine Grand National Illustrated which became Winston Cup Illustrated. They always had two foldout pictures in each issue that I would remove to put on my garage wall.
Doug was really cool doing this for you 👍
that has to be the coolest place yall have ever been too..thanks for letting us tag a long..
Great video. I can remember wanting wrangler jeans when I was a kid because of Dale Earnhardt. I hope he finds some photos to share.
Carry on man your doing a heck of a job with the NASCAR teams ,drivers and history !!
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man!
You guys get better with every vidio.cant even start to tell you how much they mean, I have told you before this to me was the best of nascar, from the 70s thru the 90s love what you and Logan do.thank you so much.
Once again, another great video!!! Thanks for making all these.....brings back great memories of when I started watching Winston Cup racing back in the mid 1980s
So cool watching these... I grew up in the 80s watching these guys race... And it looks a lot like I imagined it would. What stands out, though is the guys you're finding to bring back and talk about it. Just regular guys with talent that saw an opportunity and went for it.. Well done, guys.. I'll be looking for the next one.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Thanks man we appreciate you 💪🏻
I was a fan of the car before the man. I was born in 73 so I was a kid when I saw the blue and yellow Wrangler car and instantly loved the car. Then I got to know the man behind the wheel. Cool story with Doug. Current owner was very hospitable.
That's the same place you did with Rusty Wallace. This is more in-depth tour with Doug and the current owner. Thanks for do this history of NASCAR .
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Yes. We did the top side buildings with Rusty. The main side here was what Osterlund used. Same property but both teams had home base in different sides. It’s a fascinating property
Thank you enjoyed verry much. Was at Daytona starting in 1967 with Jim Scott who ran in the Arch race. I helped build his 1967-68-69 race cars. Enjoyed that era so much. Worked on Jims pit crew in 1968. Got to see all the big named drivers of the time. Thank you so much.
I love all the stories and all places you guys go it's amazing how much stuff is still preserved after all these years. Keep doing your thing and thanks for doing the tour of the winston cup museum. I never got to make it down there because it's about 9 hours from my home and I work a lot of weekends so I got to take a virtual tour because of you guys.
@Stapleton42
5 ай бұрын
Glad we could help man
@davida2874
5 ай бұрын
@Stapleton42 Not gonna lie when I get a chance I've got a whole bunch of places I'm going to visit in the Charlotte are thanks to you guys.
Man this was so fun! Doug looks like an older AJ Dinger😮
so bad ass to be hanging out in the spot of that iconic wrangler car photo was taken ......