Finally Found It! DALE EARNHARDT - ONE TOUGH CUSTOMER - 1981 Wrangler TV Show

I have looked for years, but have finally found where a video copy has been posted of DALE EARNHARDT - ONE TOUGH CUSTOMER . This was a 1981 television production that sponsor Wrangler Jeans funded, produced by the Dancer, Fitzgerald, Sample ad agency of New York.

We (Wrangler) distributed this 23 minute special, slotted to run in a 30-minute time slot to the top television stations around the country free of charge. They were able to sell 7 minutes of advertising. We had approval of the time slot and many stations ran it on Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon during the summer of 1981. Not an infomercial , but an advomercial, featuring our Wrangler name throughout.

Those were the days when we had our pit crew wearing those super hot 14 ounce denim Wrangler Jeans on pit road.

This is the first time I have seen this piece since it aired in 1981, 32 years ago. Many of you have heard me reference it.

The primary focus was to follow Dale during his spring 1981 "home" weekend at Charlotte during the World 600 Winston Cup and Mello Yello 300 Late Model Sportsman races. There is also footage from the spring 1981 races at Riverside and Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. This may be the first time many of you have ever seen the Winston Cup cars on the Texas World Speedway track. Ironically, Dale finished second that afternoon to Benny Parsons in the same Bud Moore T-bird Dale would drive for Moore the next season.

At Riverside, Dale also finishes second. We thought we had the race won until Junior Johnson walked down to Richard Childress' pit a few laps before the end. The next lap, RC kissed the wall and stopped, bringing out the caution that allowed DW to catch Dale. Ironically again, Dale would be driving for RC before the 1981 season was over.

Regardless of who you pulled for, you'll find interesting stuff here. Earnhardt is in the Rod Osterlund / Wrangler Pontiac and there is good 1981 footage from inside the old Osterlund shop on Old Statesville Road in Charlotte. Also some beautiful footage of the Wrangler sponsored Robert Gee superspeedway Late Model Sportsman ride Dale drove to 2nd in the Saturday Charlotte Mello Yello 300. Good in-car camera stuff, too, from Charlotte.

You'll see a lot of folks in this television special who are no longer with us. You'll also hear folks no longer with us. I just about cried when I heard the late Joe Whitlock's uncontrolled off-camera laughter as a very young 6 year old Dale Earnhardt, Jr. attempts to get up on water skis at Lake Norman and yells out he has torn his butt up!

Youll see RR member Barry Dodson with the #27 Cale Yarborough / MC Anderson ride.

You'll see Kyle Petty before his ponytail!

You'll hear Dale Earnhardt say that Bobby Allison and Richard Petty are the two drivers who've helped him the most. You'll also hear him mention his rivalry with DW as the camera shows a shot of the two.

If you are doing a double take, I can confirm that you are seeing Dale Inman in a blue and yellow Wrangler shirt on Dale Earnhardt's pit box. He went to work for Rod Osterlund as Earnhardt's Team Manager beginning with the March 1981 Atlanta race. In fact, at the charity softball game shown in the film from the Greensboro Hornets baseball park in Greensboro, NC, Dale Inman's wife, Mary hit a home run.

There is so much special stuff to me in this show. I see my old Wrangler show car driver, Ricky Parham who was killed in 1983. Just watching Dale Earnhardt up close in the Osterlund Wrangler Pontiac at Charlotte strapping on those blue tinted bubble goggles brings back a million memories.

Anyhow, as I said, regardless of who you pulled for, there's some great archival stuff in this piece we made for television. It's priceless to watch the Charlotte Motor Speedway security guard try to stop Dale and hear him hollar, "I'm Dale Earnhardt," then apologize to the camera crew for acting like he had the "big head."

I think the very best clip in the whole piece may be the little girl at the Greensboro ball park naming her favorite drivers - led, of course, by The King, Richard Petty. Anyhow, if you find yourself with a little time on your hands over July 4th weekend, I think you'll enjoy the 23 minutes below.

Watch as Dale goes from his 5th starting spot to take the lead at Charlotte's 1981 World 600 in just 1 1/2 laps. It was classic Earnhardt!

I watched this a few weeks ago. Pretty cool little documentary.

Wow Dave, that was very good. Out of all the decades of NASCAR, the 80's is my second favorite (right behind the 1940's). I always liked Dale in Wrangler colors, especially before the mid 80's with RC. This has some great footage and shows how fan-friendly drivers used to be. Especially playing a baseball game - that was cool! I just wish I could find me one of those cowboy hats that it seemed like every driver used to wear back then. Looks like the same ones Petty wears to this day....but those run about $600+.

Thanks again for sharing that Dave! I truly enjoyed it 100%

-Cody

Maybe Legend can get you on a hat deal!

August 29, 1981 television listings for Ocala, Florida from Ocala Banner:

Had to notice just how tall Cale's hat was compared to the others...lol.

Dave, that is some incredible footage! Love it. Thanks for your efforts to find it and add it here. Videos like that just aren't made anymore.

I really loved the retro STP ball cap Richard Petty wore at the charity softball game in Greensboro. That game benefited the Grand National Racing Wives Auxiliary for their medical fund. EVERYBODY showed up to raise money - not like these days where you have to beg and plead with racing folks to all show up.

I'll always remember the home run Dale Inman's wife, Mary hit that afternoon in Greensboro. She knocked the cover off the ball. I don't believe she'd have had any trouble at all breaking into the 1981 Yankees' lineup!

Curiosity question - Around the 7:31 mark of the video, is that by any chance our RR member Harlow Reynolds shaking Neil Bonnett's hand as he climbs out after his World 600 pole run in the Wood Brothers #21 Purolator Ford?

Jeff, I expect when your nickname is "No Neck" you have to find a way to compensate for your shortness!

Dave, just a warning to you. You are in BIG trouble with my wife today. I watched this video four times this morning as it absolutely takes my breath away to return to those days of yesteryear when the racing was so awesome, as shown in this video. Knowing that the camera would rapidly swing over our motorhome in that Charlotte infield, with about 20 of us on the roof, made it even more special to me. In spite of the fact that my wife may give you a hard time, I want you to know that I deeply and sincerely appreciate you finding and posting this video. I will probably watch it many, many more times. I will NOT, however, give Ann your cell number.

Thank you, my friend. That makes at least two wives I'm in trouble with, if you count my own!

Legend, I was the same way. I watched this film about 3 times, and every time just got better. Like I said, aside from the 40's, the 1980's was my favorite era of Nascar racing. It's just eye candy!

-Cody

Cody, are you in trouble with anyone's wife? You're right about it being excellent. Dave did good!

I like seeing Pontiac racecars racing and winning on three tires.

#2 Dale Earnhardt Wrangler sponsor 1981 Pontiac racing and winning on three tires.

Notice it was broadcast on Channel 8 - Ralph Earnhardt racecar #8

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#3 David Pearson racing 1961 Pontiac Catalina and winning the May 28, 1961, Charlotte World 600 on three tires.

1961 Pontiac Catalina - The David Pearson Story
His Legendary NASCAR Grand National Wins Began In A '61 Pontiac
By Christopher R. Phillip
High Performance Pontiac, February, 2009

On May 28, 1961, Pearson buckled into the driver seat of the No. 3 Pontiac Catalina at the Charlotte World 600 and took on the giants of NASCAR, including Fireball Roberts (who placed Second in his Yunick-prepared No. 22 '61 Pontiac Catalina), Marvin Panch (in the Yunick-prepared '60 Pontiac Catalina), Jim Paschel, Jack Smith, Bob Welborn, Junior Johnson, Joe Weatherly, Ralph Earnhardt, Tommy Irwin, and Bob Burdick-all in '61 Catalinas. Pearson commanded the race. He led 255 of the 400 1.5-mile laps in the grueling 5-hour, 22-minute, 29-second event in front of 46,538 paid attendees. He was declared the winner. The press was quick to give Pearson a new name, "David the Giant Killer."

HPP: Do you remember the first time you met Ray Fox?
DP: He called me and asked me if I wanted to drive his Pontiac and I said, "Yes." I threw everything down and took off for Charlotte. That was the first time I met him.
Ray Fox Front View
Race-car builder Ray Fox in the driver seat of the re-creation of the '61 Pontiac Catalina

HPP: What did you recall the first time behind the wheel of the Ray Fox No. 3 Pontiac Catalina at the Charlotte World 600?
DP: I went out and practiced, and I came in and Ray asked me how it felt. I said, "Ray, I don't know. How are you supposed to feel? I've never run this fast before in my life." I had always run in the short dirt tracks.

HPP: What do you remember of the Charlotte World 600?
DP: I started third and I took the lead the first lap. I led about three-quarters of that race-about 400 miles they said.

HPP: How was the Pontiac built?
DP: It was a Catalina two-door coupe. It had a 389ci, a four-barrel carb, and a four-speed on the floor. It felt good, and it drove good.

HPP: The Charlotte World 600 had an unusual ending. Do you remember what it was?
DP: Of course I do. I had a bunch of flats that day. I don't know exactly how many, but I was running over stuff and blowing tires. In fact, I won the race on three tires. The last two laps I ran on a flat tire and sparks were flying everywhere when I crossed the finish line, from what I was told.

HPP: You were a second-year driver at the Charlotte 600. Did the starting line scare you?
DP: No way. We lined up ready to go and I looked at that Pontiac and said, "This car doesn't know if Fireball's driving it, or Joe Weatherly, or Jack Smith, or Cotton Owens. It doesn't know who's driving it. If they can do it, I can do it."

HPP: How did your win at Charlotte change your life?
DP: It fixed me right up. Right after that, Ray Fox asked me if I wanted to go to Daytona and run there. So I went down there and ran the Firecracker 250, and won the race. And then I went to Atlanta and won the Atlanta Dixie 400-all in the Ray Fox Pontiac No. 3 Catalina. Nobody had ever won three big races in one year. I was the first one to do that.

HPP: After winning the World 600, did Pontiac become your street car, too?
DP: It sure did. I won the pace car, a new '61 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, for winning the race. I took it as part of my purse.

HPP: What was your favorite Pontiac?
DP: The '61 Bonneville convertible I earned for winning the Charlotte World 600 was really nice and I enjoyed it.

Read more:
http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/features/hppp_0809_1961_pontiac_catalina_the_david_pearson_story/viewall.html
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1961 Pontiac Catalina - The David Pearson Story - Photo Gallery
http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/features/hppp_0809_1961_pontiac_catalina_the_david_pearson_story/photo_01.html
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At Daytona in 1961 David Pearson and QUEEN OF SPEED Linda Vaughn??

Thank you very much for any information or photos posted.
Dennis Garrett
Richmond,Va. USA

Childress helped out Junior Johnson again in 1981 even after hiring Dale. In the season ending race at Riverside (the 3rd Riverside event of the year & 2nd WW500 with Ontario closing unexpectedly), Junior put Childress in a 2nd car as a points hedge for Waltrip's championship hopes over Bobby Allison. He raced a #41 Buick and finished 39th in the 40 car field.

No sponsor is listed for the car. I'm guessing it was painted Mountain Dew green - but just may not have had the sponsor decals on it.

RC lasted only 5 laps with the official reason for being out as "quit". I've long searched for a picture of the car but haven't found one yet.

I have the vaguest recollection of that, but would have never remembered if you hadn't brought it up. I was there, but have no memory of what the car looked like.

I had completely forgotten that we ran 3 Winston Cup points races at Riverside in 1981 - January, June and November. Three more than today. Miss that place.

Chase, I HAVE seen a picture of that car. This morning when I saw your post, I immediately tried to find it, but came up short. The best I remember, it was one of Darrell's cars from earlier in the year, so I think it might have had the same paint job, and just made the first '1' into a '4'. I can't recall if it still retained Mountain Dew logos or not....I think it might have.

I believe I saw the picture on the randy ayers modeling forum - even if your not a model car builder....it's a great site to check out. Lots of history.

-Cody

I'm definitely a fan of Randy Ayers forum. Some great info over there. I don't post often as I'm not a modeler, but I do use it often for references. If you find a link, definitely send it my way. "GaPettyFan", a member there, posted a request for me many moons ago before I joined. His request may have gotten a response that I missed. Will definitely search again there.

I'm pretty sure I saw it there, if not there, I have no clue. I'm not a member there, just a fascinated lurker. However, I will certainly let you know if I ever come across. I have a strong feeling that I had saved it to my old hard-drive.....before it crashed last August.

-Cody

GaPettyFan
http://www.randyayersmodeling.com/modelingforum/memberlist.php?mode=username&order=ASC&start=1260
http://www.randyayersmodeling.com/modelingforum/search.php?search_author=GaPettyFan

Thanks for any information or photos posted
Dennis Garrett
Richmond,Va.USA

Interesting timing. The production crew contracted by Wrangler focused on the late May World 600 and early June races at Riverside and Texas. After filming, the company obviously had to edit and do all the post-production work to make it ready for airing. No idea how long that takes - several weeks at a minimum I'd think. And then *boom* on June 28th, the sale of Rod Osterland's team to J.D. Stacy hits the paper. Guessing the Wrangler folks weren't particularly thrilled to hear that news after springing for this show.

The television film was the least of our Wrangler worries. Stacy told Wrangler he didn't care if he had a sponsor or not. Earnhardt was totally blindsided by Rod Osterlund's sale and hated Stacy. New GM, "Boobie" Harrington told the media that racing didn't need them to be successful. And poor Dale Inman had just come to work for Osterlund in March. It was a TOTAL disaster. We renumbered the car as soon as we went to Childress with Earnhardt and the Wrangler sponsorship from #2 to #3 following Talladega.

All of our Wrangler promo materials were burned.

As Sports Editor, Luther Guillard wrote in the August 5, 1981 Spartanburg Herald-Journal:

And, as reported in the October 5, 1982 Florence (AL) Times Daily:

St.Petersburg Evening Independent:

Dennis, don't forget Buck Baker and that 1960 Pontiac win in the Southern 500 on three wheels.

Attention Billy & Barbara Scott:

"Barbara & Billy, This is the direct link to the YouTube video of the 1981 television show we made at Wrangler Jeans titled "Dale Earnhardt - One Tough Customer."