DALE YEAH. Today, Luke Combs released his new album The Way I Am, which was produced by Combs, Jonathan Singleton and Chip Matthews. And aside from his song with Alison Krauss, “Ever Mine,” there was another song I was really excited to hear, called “Daytona 499,” and it didn’t disappoint. Written by Combs with Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin, Drew Parker, it has shades of Eric Chruch’s “Talladega” as well as Morgan Wallen’s “98 Braves,” and even their song together “Number 3 and Number 7” and I’m SO here for it. Combs previously filmed the music video for another song on this album, “Back In The Saddle,” with NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Richard Petty, and he was born and raised in North Carolina, so I love seeing him incorporate his NASCAR-loving roots in a heartbreaker like this. He opens by talking about the “hell of a lead” he had with this girl and their relationship, but as he ultimately reflects on it, he can see that they were “moving too fast” with “plenty good tires” but “not enough gas”: “We had a hell of a lеad, had it running good The whole grandstand was thinking we would Takе the whole thing home Yeah, girl, we were good as gone Lookin’ back now, we were moving too fast Had plenty good tires, not enough gas The part that hurts the most Is, girl, we were so damn close” It was good when it was good, but they kept their foot heavy on the car pedal for too long, and they sadly didn’t turn out winners like Earnhardt did in 1998 when he finally won the Daytona 500, a lifelong goal of his, which is one of my favorite lines: “We could’ve been Earnhardt in that three car Down in victory lane Standin’ on the hood with that Goodwrench Wasting good champagne We could’ve been burning out ‘stead of burning out Before that finish line But we were Daytona 499 Yeah, we could’ve been Earnhardt in that three car Just like ’98 Standin’ on the hood with that Goodwrench Wasting good champagne We could’ve been burning out ‘stead of burning out Before that finish line But we were Daytona 499″ It’s such a fun concept, quintessentially country with the racing analogy, and it feels so authentic to who Luke is as an artist and a person which makes it that much more enjoyable to listen to. Combs has said in several interviews that this album is supposed to be him getting back to doing what he does best, because Fathers & Sons (2024) was more of a special project that was very personal to him sand a little different than what his fans are used to hearing. It was certainly a beautiful project, one that fathers really love, but The Way I Am is heater after heater and full of those classic Luke Combs country songs that made him one of the biggest artists in music. He doesn’t miss, and “Daytona 499” is a total standout and huge win. Do yourself a favor and check it out: “Daytona 499” “Ever Mine ft. Alison Krauss” THE WAY I AM TRACKLIST 1. Back in the Saddle (written by Luke Combs, Dan Isbell, Jonathan Singleton) 2. My Kinda Saturday Night (written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton) 3. Days Like These (written by Luke Combs, Brent Cobb, Aaron Raitiere) 4. 15 Minutes (written by Luke Combs, Trey Pendley, Rob Pennington, Grant Vogel) 5. Alcohol of Fame (written by Luke Combs, Dalton Dover, Dan Isbell, Reid Isbell) 6. Daytona 499 (written by Luke Combs, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin, Drew Parker) 7. The Way I Am (written by Chris Gelbuda, Rob Snyder) 8. Wish Upon a Whiskey (written by Luke Combs, Dan Isbell, Drew Parker) 9. Soon As I Get Home (written by Luke Combs, Jessi Alexander, Tony Lane, Jonathan Singleton) 10. Rethink Some Things (written by Luke Combs, Jacob Davis, Dan Isbell, Reid Isbell) 11. Giving Her Away (written by Gary Garris, Josh Mirenda, Josh Phillips) 12. Seeing Someone (written by Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Lalo Guzman, Michael Tyler, Allison Veltz-Cruz) 13. Sleepless in a Hotel Room (written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton) 14. I Ain’t No Cowboy (written by Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jake Mears) 15. Ever Mine (feat. Alison Krauss) (written by Luke Combs, Hailey Whitters, Charlie Worsham) 16. Can’t Tell Me I’m Wrong (written by Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Pete Good, Lydia Vaughan) 17. Miss You Here (written by Luke Combs, Thomas Archer, Dan Isbell, Ben Stennis) 18. Tell ‘Em About Tonight (written by Luke Combs, Erik Dylan, Ray Fulcher, James McNair) 19. Be By You (written by Dan Alley, Sam Banks, Nick Walsh) 20. The Me Part of You (written by Luke Combs, Jason Gantt, Dan Isbell, Reid Isbell) 21. Rich Man (written by Luke Combs, Jacob Davis, Lori McKenna, Rob Snyder) 22. A Man Was Born (written by Luke Combs, Thomas Archer, Ray Fulcher, Jordan Rowe, Michael TylerThe post Luke Combs Pays Tribute To Dale Earnhardt & His Own NASCAR-Loving Roots With Beautiful Heartbreaker, “Daytona 499” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.