Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes longtime NASCAR commentator and his former NBC co-worker Rick Allen to the Download this week. The two discuss Rick’s upbringing, time together in the booth, and Allen’s departure from NBC following the 2024 season.

After growing up as a track and field collegiate star in Nebraska and competing on a professional level internationally, Rick first found his way into a commentator’s booth through boredom. Rick explains that during track and field events at the University of Nebraska, he began picking up the microphone and saying traditional phrases such as “quiet for the start please” and “the event is about to begin”. He found that he enjoyed the experience and asked for more opportunities, which began with a women’s gymnastics meet. When the hired commentator for the university’s football team didn’t show up, Rick was in the right place at the right time and became the voice of the Cornhuskers for ten years.

Rick’s journey into auto racing came thanks to a University of Nebraska alumni and donor, who purchased nearby Eagle Raceway. Despite having no experience in racing, he invited Rick to call the races through the summer. While there, Rick caught the ear of longtime NASCAR official Tom Deery who recommended he send a demo tape in to FOX and NBC, who were getting ready to take over NASCAR’s broadcasting duties. After a rocky start, Rick became the voice of the NASCAR Truck Series and went on to become synonymous with the sport until leaving NBC at the end of the 2024 season. The interview covers Rick’s rise to becoming the voice of the Cup Series, working with Dale Jr. in the booth, some of his iconic moments behind the mic, and what he’s up to this year. 

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