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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reveals His Favorite NASCAR Movie

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 24, 2025 11:34 AM ET

Dale Earnhardt Jr. might have a cameo in "Talladega Nights," but under no circumstances would he consider that his favorite NASCAR movie of all time.

Earlier this year, Cup Series drivers Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott criticized "Talladega Nights" for the way it portrayed their sport. Wallace admit that it's a very good comedy, but the actual racing in it isn't great. If anything, those scenes are mocking NASCAR.

During this week's edition of "The Dale Jr. Download," the two-time Xfinity Series champion steered clear of dissing "Talladega Nights."

That being said, Earnhardt let his fans know that his favorite NASCAR film is "The Last American Hero." This sports drama film came out in 1972 and starred Jeff Bridges.

"Last American Hero, Jeff Bridges is the star. It’s about Junior Johnson, loosely, and Junior Johnson’s story as a moonshiner and a driver. I think the reason why I like it is because it was before — it was done in ’71, ’72, ’73, and it’s before — Hollywood eventually is going to sensationalize," Earnhardt said, via On3. "When we see movies made about people that we know, the story, you see some of the Hollywood sensationalism creep into the story. They embellish parts of it. They’ve got to make it, right? It’s a movie. But this was made about racing, about NASCAR, before that was really a thing, I believe. So, it’s authentic. It’s really authentic

So, when they’re filming at the short-tracks, and filming his rise to the big time, it’s a really authentic feeling. Staying in boring old lonely hotel rooms, and getting in disagreements with these punks at these local race tracks. There’s some football of Ralph Earnhardt driving at Metrolina, which is really neat. I don’t know, I just felt like it was really — it didn’t feel like they stretched any truths in that movie. Yeah, it was really authentic. Some cool actors in it too. Jeff Bridges, badass. Back before Jeff Bridges was super, super famous, he played Junior Johnson in a NASCAR movie. How cool is that?"

Most critics would agree with Earnhardt's assessment. "The Last American Hero" currently has a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

What do you consider to be the greatest racing movie of all time?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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