During a thrilling NASCAR race at North Wilkesboro last weekend, Ryan Blaney reignited the legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr iconic slide job catchphrase, creating a moment that resonated with fans and participants alike. This unexpected revival linked generations of racing excitement, drawing direct inspiration from one of the sport’s most electrifying and unforgettable calls.
The Unforgettable Origin of “Slide Job!”
On July 1, 2018, Dale Earnhardt Jr. began his career in the NBC broadcast booth covering the Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway. The final moments saw Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch locked in a fierce battle, with Larson making a daring inside move in Turn 1—one of those edge-of-your-seat decisions that can define a race. As Larson executed the classic maneuver, Earnhardt erupted in pure excitement, yelling out, “Slide job! Slide job!” delivering the phrase with genuine, unscripted emotion in his signature Southern drawl.
This spontaneous reaction quickly spread across the NASCAR community and social media platforms like X, symbolizing the exhilaration and raw thrill of live racing. The phrase “Slide job!” went viral almost overnight, spawning a wave of memes and leading to the production of T-shirts that astronauts, crew members, and even total newcomers wore with pride. When Earnhardt arrived at Daytona International Speedway in the weeks following, he was greeted by a sea of NBC staff, each proudly wearing the now-famous “Slide job!” shirts, highlighting just how deeply the phrase had permeated the culture.
The enduring popularity of that call, made in a split second of passion and conviction, transformed it into an iconic moment. It was embraced by everyone from fellow broadcasters to dedicated NASCAR fans, symbolizing a collective love for racing’s unpredictable and emotional moments.
Ryan Blaney’s Spontaneous Homage at North Wilkesboro
This past weekend, Ryan Blaney found himself in the broadcast booth at North Wilkesboro, lending his voice to the Craftsman Truck Series finale. As the tension ramped up on the track, Blaney mirrored Earnhardt’s legendary excitement. In the midst of the final lap chaos, he echoed, “Slide job! Slide job!”—delivered with the same unexpected enthusiasm that made the original call so memorable years before.
Post-race, Blaney shared his thoughts in an interview with Peter Stratta, emphasizing that his outburst was not premeditated but a true response to the intensity unfolding before him.
“The moment that I said the first one, I said the second one because it reminded me of Dale’s call at Chicago.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Blaney’s homage was warmly received by Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself, who watched the clip with clear enjoyment and appreciation. Far from seeing it as imitation, Earnhardt recognized the magic of the moment—a sign that racing is as much about shared emotion and community as it is about competition on the track.
Legacy and Anticipation in NASCAR Broadcasting
With Dale Earnhardt Jr. now returned to commentary for Prime Video’s NASCAR coverage, fans are eagerly watching to see whether he’ll coin another phrase that captures the spirit of the race the way “Slide job!” did, or if this iconic moment stands alone in broadcasting history. The lasting impact of these energetic calls lies in their authenticity, connecting personalities like Earnhardt and Blaney to legions of fans and crew members throughout the NASCAR family.
From the instant a bold pass shapes race results to spontaneous shouts born out of genuine enthusiasm, NASCAR moments like these reinforce why the sport holds such a dear place in American culture. As drivers like Ryan Blaney and legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. continue to inspire new memories—and perhaps more catchphrases—fans and newcomers alike remain united by the passion and unpredictability that defines every lap.
