Shake and Bake: Dodge Brings Back Ricky Bobby For Some “Life Lessons”

I have some bad news. It has now been 15 years since “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” was first released into the world. The good news is that Dodge has gone back to the past with something from the future for its new “Life Lessons” campaign.

Set in 1982, with cars from 2021, many of the life lessons in this ad make about as much sense as its premise. But, then, I suppose that’s the point.

Gary Cole reprises his role as Reese Bobby, giving his son Ricky and Cal Jr. life lessons. Delivering such nuggets of wisdom as “Life takes 50% bravery and 60% stupidity,” the ad is a testament to Cole’s supernatural ability to deliver a dumb line well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB-mVcEuqLI

The video mostly focuses on a 2021 Dodge Durango R/T Blacktop Tow N Go but also features a 2021 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Widebody, and the 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody.

“One of the ‘Life Lessons’ for those of us at Dodge is always striving to give enthusiasts what they ask for, so in addition to giving them more from ‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,’ last year we launched three 700-plus-horsepower muscle cars with the new Challenger SRT Super Stock, Durango SRT Hellcat, and Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer, Stellantis.

The spot, which sadly features neither Will Ferrel nor John C. Reilly, will run as a 30-second ad on TV, and as in shorter forms on digital platforms. The full 60-second commercial will also run online and can be seen above.

“Given the incredible response to the ‘Family Motto’ campaign from the Dodge brand last year, we wanted to follow it up with the all-new ‘Life Lessons’ campaign,” said Olivier Francois, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Stellantis. “As with our first spot, we wanted ‘Life Lessons’ to stay authentic to both the Dodge brand and to the original film.”