When different sports worlds get together, memories are made. So is the case with NASCAR and the NBA. Although the two sports are poles apart in terms of styles and presence, the players are all human beings. They share similarities and often have good or bad opinions about each other. Opening up in his Dale Jr Download podcast recently, Dale Earnhardt Jr talked about Shaquille O’Neal and his frenemy, Charles Barkley.

Talking about his visit to New York City, Dale Earnhardt Jr recalled talking to Shaq. He said, “Saw Shaq, got to talk to him.” However, while talking about O’Neal’s on-court rival Charles Barkley, the #88 Chevrolet driver got all riled up. Showering Barkley with admiration, he said, “I got to see Charles Barkley and talk to him quite a bit. Charles Barkley is the coolest.”

In a world where approaching someone might feel awkward at times, Charles Barkley has an easy approach to life. Adding on to his humbleness and friendly behavior, Earnhardt Jr claimed, “Charles Barkley will text you out of the blue. How’s the family? hey man just how’s the kids, just outta nowhere.”

Moreover, furthering his respect for Charles’ modesty, Dale Earnhardt Jr talked about his show with Mike Davis and Dirty Mo Media. Recalling what unfolded there, he said, “When I was retired, we did some kind of stage roast-ish sort of event with Mike Davis and Dirty Mo Media. Mike invited him to come be part of it, come on stage. He comes and of course, he loves to go to Vegas and gamble, stuff like that, but he comes and sits on stage”

As far as friendships with each other go, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal haven’t always had the easiest of those.

Shaq might want to differ with Dale Earnhardt Jr over his opinion of frenemy Charles Barkley

Although TNT Inside the NBA might paint their fights as comical and friendly scuffles, there was a time when real blows were exchanged between the two on-court. In a Lakers vs. Rockets match in 1999, Barkley was blocked by Shaq while a foul was being called, to which he responded in kind by throwing his basketball straight toward O’Neal’s face.

In retaliation, Charles invited a punch from the Lakers legend, after which, a full-blown brawl broke out between the two. However, it was their mothers’ interventional post-match that resolved the ‘enemy’ part of their story.

What followed was a set of friends playing mock fights on TV shows. This changed nature of Charles Barkley is what was highlighted by Dale Earnhardt Jr’s comment as well.