Dick Berggren and Dale Earnhardt Interview Story Lookback and the Final Interview Dick ever had with Dale Earnhardt

Many longtime NASCAR viewers know who Dick Berggren, PhD, is. He’s been a color commentator and pit reporter in NASCAR broadcasting for many years.

Dick has encountered and interacted with many legendary drivers over his career, but one that particularly stands out is Dale Earnhardt Sr.

As many NASCAR fans know, Dale liked an excellent prank and would never hesitate to pull one when he could.

It all started at Daytona International Speedway at 2001 Daytona Speedweeks when Dick Berggren was a pit reporter for, at the time, new NASCAR broadcast partner Fox Sports. The pressure was on all of the hires FOX made for their NASCAR broadcast teams to make sure they made a great first impression.

During practice and qualifying laps of the 2001 Daytona 500, A pit producer at FOX Sports wanted Dick Berggren to try to get an interview with Earnhardt right after he finished his practice and qualifying laps.

When Dick saw Earnhardt was done with his laps and out of his car, Dick noticed and tried to tell the producer at FOX we couldn’t get him, yet he was with his team and discussing strategy.

Once Berggren talked to the producer, there were better times to talk to Earnhardt and to wait. The producer said,” We need Earnhardt; get him now.”

Berggren would later say, “he’ll be done discussing with his team in a moment, then I’ll go over there and interview him.”

Berggren started to walk over to Earnhardt now that Earnhardt had stopped talking with his team. Berggren would ask when he went up to him and ask him for the interview.

Earnhardt would then pull a prank and say,” Not now, can’t talk.”

Once Berggren heard that, he thought nothing would come out of it.

Then, a short second later, Earnhardt turned him around and then said loudly,” How about now!”

Once the interview happened, Dick knew Earnhardt pulled one on him, and Dick would later realize that would be the final interview he ever would have with Dale Earnhardt before he died tragically at the Daytona 500 later that week.

It was for sure a classic Dale Earnhardt story many, including Dick, will remember for a long time.