3 Country Songs That Were Made for NASCAR Fans

It’s hard not to conflate country music and NASCAR. The genre is a pitch-perfect pairing for race day for many reasons. It just feels right to hear a certain amount of twang coming over the speakers while cars rush below you. Many country songs seem tailor-made for NASCAR, but the three below are some of our favorites.

Videos by American Songwriter

“Talladega” (Eric Church)

Though Eric Church’s “Talladega” is more so a song about nostalgia than an ode to NASCAR, it still earns a worthy spot on this list. We were laughing and living, drinking and wishing / And thinking as that checkered flag was waving / Sure would like to stay in, Talladega, Church sings in the chorus. We all have memories we wish we could return to. For this country giant, it’s the frenetic atmosphere of race day in Alabama that he longs for. Many NASCAR fans would agree.

[RELATED: Eric Church Delivers Memorable Set After Taking Over for Luke Bryan at Country Stampede]

“The Intimidator” (The Charlie Daniels Band)

While Church’s track is about NASCAR in general, The Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Intimidator” is about one racer in particular: Dale Earnhardt. Talladega, Alabama, hot day in the fall / Yeah, it’s pedal to the metal keep it off the wall / Darrell’s passing marlin and Jeff just took the lead / He’s burning up the track but look out / Here comes number three, Daniels sings in this race ready track. We love songs that give props to legendary figures. In terms of racing, it doesn’t get much more legendary than Earnhardt.

“Dale Jr.” (Cole Swindell)

While Daniels paid tribute to Earnhardt, Cole Swindell paid tribute to his son, Dale Jr. Both Swindell and the racing giant know the pain of missing a late father. This song tells the story of them meeting, setting aside any racing glory, and instead focusing on the two men who are no longer by their sides. And he said, “Man, you know who should be here right now” / With his arm round my back
We didn’t talk about gold records or all of his checkered flags / Naw, we just did what missin’ dad son’s do / Yeah, last night I met Dale Junior / And all we talked about was Senior and you, he sings in this emotionally rich track.

“It’s just about real-life situations and how two people that may be in the spotlight related to something that wasn’t so great,” Swindell tells American Songwriter of this song. “I think we feel the same. We were lucky to have our dads as long as we did.” Learn more about “Dale Jr.” below.

[RELATED: Cole Swindell Still Misses His Dad, Bonds with Dale Jr. Over Loss (Exclusive)]

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