Review: Back In The Day, Season 1
This is review of the two-set DVD for Back In The Day, Season 1
It has instantaneously become a one of the channel’s most watched programs. Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR’s most popular driver, hosts the 30-minute program. The commentary features Bud Lindemann, the host of the show ‘Car And Track’, a popular television program that aired in the 1960’s and 1970’s. During this time period, which is referred to as the ‘golden era of NASCAR’, races were not televised, however, Lindemann and his camera crew captured each race, and then abridged them into a 30-minute program.
Earnhardt Jr is the ideal host for the show Back In The Day, as he relates nicely to the modern NASCAR fan, but at the same time, he possesses that down-home good ole boy demeanor along with an appreciation for the sports history.
Each show begins with a catchy intro before Earnhardt Jr turns it over to Lindemann with his trademark line ‘take it away Bud’. Lindemann’s commentary is classically articulated with clever one-liners such as, “This will be a hot 30 minutes. We’ll be ready to go in 60 seconds.” The program will feature significant moments throughout a race such as wrecks, pit stops, and stirring battles on the track between the best drivers from that era. For example, one of the races featured on the DVD was the 1973 Daytona 500. He singled out the thrilling late-race duel between Richard Petty and Buddy Baker. Eventually, Baker would blow an engine.
Throughout each episode, a fact from that particular year will frequently appear on the screen, similar to a pop-up. The facts are generally pertaining to pop culture- sports, entertainment, music, general news, etc. Each time one of the pop-ups appears, they are accompanied by a sound effect relating to the quick fact.
As I watched the DVDs, I found that some of these quick facts were rather interesting. Like, I had no idea that the rock bands ACDC and KISS were originally formed in 1973, or that soda cans first became available in soda machines in 1965. Did you know that women didn’t compete in the Boston Marathon until 1972?
While most episodes of Car And Track were single races, Lindemann would change it up every once in a while. On one episode, he did a complete recap of the 1969 season. He mentioned several particulars such as Richard Petty winning the season-opener at Riverside, Ford and Mercury won 13 out of 15 super speedway events, and Ford winning the manufacturers championship. Eventually, he summarized the season finale at the North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina and the intense championship battle between Petty and David Pearson. By the way, Pearson won the 1969 Grand National Series (NASCAR) Championship.
On another episode, Lindemann featured a recapitulate of the opening race held at Rockingham in 1965, as well as the 1973 event. By doubling up the two races at the one-mile facility, Lindemann was able to exhibit the progress of the track in that 8-year span.
As with any other program on television, Back In The Day is interrupted by commercials, except if you own the first season DVD. Whenever the cameras return from the commercial break, Earnhardt Jr will appear in a brief, inimitable clip. These little clips are usually shot at a different location for each episode. One that comes to mind is Earnhardt Jr and some friends grilling out in his backyard by the pool.
Included in the DVD are a couple of bonus features- an exclusive interview with Earnhardt Jr, as well as a music video performed by the rock band Three Doors Down. Earnhardt Jr and fellow NASCAR driver Tony Stewart are featured in this music video.
In the enlightening interview, Earnhardt Jr described how his fondness for the show Car and Track inspired his brainstorm that eventually turned into the show Back In The Day. Another interesting aspect of the show was the fact that all of the scenes were shot in different locations on Earnhardt Jr’s property.
If you are an old-school fan of NASCAR, and value its roots, this DVD is highly recommended. Hey, even the new fans that desire to learn more about the legends (Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, Benny Parsons, and others), and how they raced back then, this DVD is for you.
I’ll end this Back In The Day, Season 1 DVD review the same way that Bud Lindemann ended his show Car and Track. “So ‘til next week, drive carefully, wont you? All the pros do. Bye-bye!”
