Chances are you already know the name, but it when it comes to legends of NASCAR, Bobby Allison is about as big as they come. Often known as the one guy who could take it to The King himself, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison led the “Alabama Gang” in to the premier levels of NASCAR in its infancy, winning three Daytona 500’s and one championship along the way. Oh yeah, and he’s in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, so there’s that. Lunch was served at The Midway Boathouse Grill in Mooresville, North Carolina, with the music of Charles Mancini taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
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Dennis Aase may note be a household name outside of the sportscar paddock, but that’s exactly why we wanted to spend some time with him. A racer’s racer, Dennis is one of the few who was both a pro driver and a businessman, but not the traditional gentleman driver as we know it. Good enough to be a factory Toyota racer with Dan Gurney throughout the 1980’s, Dennis never took his eye off the business side of it, forming both Aase Brothers and Aasco, two of the most known performance shops known in Southern California. He’s a gritty, no BS guy, and a throwback to what makes the heyday of sportscar so great.
Linda Vaughn is an icon of the sport, with a brand all to herself. While she’s known as the original “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter,” racing history will remember her as the first woman to really expand on the concept of a brand model. A signature of the sport throughout the last five decades, Linda has stories of hanging out with all the greats, and comes from a unique place to discuss the history of the track model and the evolution to today’s climate. Dinner was served at the Wind & Sea restaurant in Dana Point, California with the music of Butterscotch Stanley taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
UNCLE BOBBY!!!
WE GOT AN ASTRONAUT!! One of our most unique “racers” in the show’s history, Drew Feustel is a lifelong racer and car guy who in his younger years raced karts competitively, went on to work in restoration (specifically with Jaguar), meanwhile went on to pursue his “other” dream of one day going to space after he received his PhD in seismology. In racing, you might know him as the “space photo guy,” as the internet was blessed this year with a number of race track photographs taken directly from the International Space Station by Drew himself. He’s done three tours in space, including a recent six month run as the Commander of the ISS, in which he’d literally been on the ground for nine days when he met with us. Lunch was served at French’s in Houston, TX with the music of Ben Justus taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Decal. Just listen. Dinner was served at Don Julio’s in Tampa, FL, with the music of Armen Balyan taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Steve Gough is one of the unsung heroes of motorsport, having been a lifelong mechanic who has seen no shortage of major wins. From McLaren F1 in the 1980’s heydays, to Chip Ganassi Racing during their reign in ChampCar and IndyCar, to now an instrumental part of the HPD family, Steve has been a crew chief on an Indy 500 winning car, been part of multiple F1 World Championships, and is just a guy who has seen it all…. without EVER calling attention to himself. Lunch was served at Harbor City Diner in Melbourne, FL, with the music of Station taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Terry Lee Earwood is a legend within the racing community as THE driver coach. While an accomplished drag racer and touring car driver, Terry’s real name came from helming a number of driving schools and arrive and drive programs, including serving as the chief driving instructor at Skip Barber for several decades. He’s seen it all and coached it all, including some of the biggest names in racing today. Dinner was served at Laishley Crab House in Punta Gorda, FL, with the music of Marza Panther taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
If you’re a fan of sportscar racing, we probably don’t need to tell you who Derek Bell is. A five-time winner at Le Mans, three time winner at Daytona, and two-time World Sportscar Champion, Derek is one of the most renowned drivers in the scene. While he’s most known for Porsche and sportscar racing, Derek also drove in F1, drove for Ferrari and multiple other manufacturers, and has made about a million appearances on television and various events. Dinner was served at Le Sorrelle in Boca Raton, FL, with the music of AJudas Booth taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Our first drag racer! ….and what better person than Big Daddy himself. Don Garlits is affectionately known as the godfather of drag racing, having won 17 championships and over 100 national wins. Beginning his career in the dangerous world of front-engined dragsters, Don pioneered the rear engine, breaking the 200mph, 240, and 270mph barriers, and even at 86-years old is still tinkering in his pursuit to become the first electric drag racer over 200mph. Dinner was served at Eaton’s Beach Sandbar and Grill in Weirsdale, FL, with the music of Anna Volpe taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
While not a racing story per se, the story of Jack Baldwin’s brother, Jimmy, is one of the most unique and movie-like stories that you won’t believe you’re hearing. The recording explains itself, we’ll set it up no further. Dinner was served at NOCA in Roswell, Georgia, with music by Judas Booth. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Mr. Hot Wheels himself, Jack Baldwin was THE Trans-Am and GT racer in his day, one of the most feared and respected sportscar aces throughout the 1980’s and ’90’s. A larger-than-life character, Jack has had a crazy career in and out of the car, from running his own T-shirt company, to street drags, to spearheading one of the most popular sponsorship programs in all of sportscar, Jack is a true living legend. Dinner was served at NOCA in Roswell, Georgia, with music by Anna Volpe. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Pierre Kleinubing is probably the most decorated touring car racer that’s active today. A competitor in IMSA and World Challenge competition, Pierre has won something like 78 championships in different touring car divisions, including most notably with Acura and Honda by virtue of Real-Time Racing. A guy who lives for racing and time with his family, we learn about his time in Brazil, and current life as a Dad. Lunch was served at Flanagan’s in Pompano Beach, Florida, with music by Judas Booth. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Continuing the celebration of our sportscar roots, it doesn’t get any better than Ozz Negri. Born to modest means, Ozz’s career was started with the strangest stroke of luck that’s more fit for a Hallmark movie, but he took the opportunity and ran with it… embarking on a 30-year career in which he’s had to fight for every opportunity he had. It paid off though, as a winner of The Rolex 24 at Daytona, Petit Le Mans, and honestly one of the nicest and most liked guys in the sport. Lunch was served at Viva Brazil in Hollywood, Florida, with music by Armen Balyan. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
Labelled as “the most hated driver in sportscar,” Charles is actually a really good guy… he just never played a doctor on television. He is however, a guy who has earned his career in motorsport through true grit, working as a mechanic, a coach, and now a business owner. A guy who has had to work for everything he has, he’s also a cold-hearted snake killer, dangerous with fireworks, and about as much of a man’s man as you can be. Dinner was served at La Terressita in Tampa, Florida, with music by Yahima Riya. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
When it comes to the current crop of sportscar drivers, Razzle Dazzle, known to his parents as Ryan Dalziel, is one of the most respected drivers in the scene. A winner in prototypes, a winner in GT cars, and a guy who cut his teeth as a winner in Formula Atlantic and a competitor in ChampCar, this guy’s versatility makes him one of the most sought after drivers in the paddock. As part of our “mini trip” through Florida in celebration of sportscars, Razzle is both a respected driver and one of the most lively personalities in the scene. Dinner was served at Luma on Park in Winter Park, Florida, with music by Savage Mix. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.
If you enjoyed listening to our live show at Watkins Glen, well what if we added live exotic animals?? Appearing at the final Continental Tire Road Race Showcase at Road America, we decided to give the fans something new… inviting the stars of that weekends IMSA race to help us present a live petting zoo. Guests included Jordan Taylor, a ferret, Justin Bell, a monitor lizard, Tommy Milner, a tarantula, Renger van der Zande, Katherine Legge, a hairless guinea pig, Justin Marks, Mike Shank, a giant bunny, Laurens Vanthoor, a chinchilla, Beaux Barfield, a burmese python, Bryan Seller, a giant tortoise, Jeroen Bleekemolen, a giant frog, and all the randomness you would expect. Free pizza was served for all! Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car. Music by Kaisor Sosa.
Our first ever live show! We decided to record all the antics as we fumbled around our first attempt at doing something live for the fans. Recorded live in Victory Circle during the weekend of the Six Hours of the Glen, join a multitude of guests as we discover nothing important, but guests and fans enjoyed it nonetheless. Guests included Juan Pablo Montoya, Ricky Taylor, Razzle Dazzle, Jeff Braun, Patrick Long, Mike Hull, Dan Binks, Ben Keating, Jordan Taylor, Alessandro Balzan, Andy Lally, Pippa Mann, Earl Bamber, Bill Riley, Michael Printup, Chad McCumbee, Patrick Gallagher, Marc Miller, 300 fans at Watkins Glen, and a guy in a tiger head. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.
It’s Rick Mears, do you really need a description? He grew up in Bakersfield as an amateur off-road racer… then somehow
Finally, a proper dirty guy! What better way to explore some World of Outlaws racing than with one of the winningest drivers they’ve had, Joey Saldana. With over 100 wins in World of Outlaws, Joey has been part of the explosive growth of the sport in the last two decades, being part of Kasey Kahne’s team as one of the original NASCAR driver-owned teams, before running his own. Part of a racing family, he grew up in a dirt racing home, back when drivers could still make the Indy 500 with that background, before embarking on his own where he’d add two wins at the King’s Royal to his impressive resume. Lunch provided by Tequila Sunrise, with music by Station, “Cost of the Sand.” Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.
Dr. Terry Trammell is THE guy when it comes to safety innovation within IndyCar over the last several decades. A guy who somehow went from amateur photographer to one of Indianapolis’ leading spinal surgeons, Dr. Trammell’s specialty in orthopedics led him to one of the largest careers in motorsports’ medicine, balancing his career between full-time “day job” duties with Ortho Indy, and then traveling with IndyCar full-season to be an on-site doctor. He’s saved dozens of lives, and put hundreds of drivers “back together.” Dinner courtesy of The Boulder Creek Dining Company, music by Prada Gina and “Get Mines.” Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.
WIIIIIIIICKEEEEEEEENNNNNNNSSSSSSSS!!! That is all. Another one of those all-star Canadians, young Robert Wickens went from a junior category driver in North America, to a junior category driver in Europe that won everything. Eventually he became a Mercedes factory driver in DTM before finally moving on to IndyCars this year, where he’s had one of the most standout rookie seasons in history. Recorded during the first week of practice at Indianapolis, lunch was served at the legendary Charlie Brown’s, just a few yards from the circuit. Closed with the music of Saturn ‘Till June, “Tiffany’s Curse.” Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.
It’s not too often you hear about someone making it to F1 within five years of their first lap in a go-kart. Even less so when they start at 19. That’s Takuma Sato. One of the most entertaining drivers on the track, Takuma’s legendary fearlessness finally paid off last year, when he won the Indianapolis 500. Special in its own right, “Taku” also became the first Japanese driver to win the race, and first Asian driver to win at any of the top ranks in IndyCar. Hailing from Japan, his decade in the U.S. has led him to really appreciate some specific customs hear in the States, and his humor seems to go with him everywhere… which was awesome. We really enjoyed hanging out with this guy, a racer’s racer.
Sam Schmidt is not only a very successful team owner in the IndyCar ranks, but he’s a true hero to a lot of people. Born in to a racing family, Sam began his racing career as a driver following the traditional path of junior categories, eventually elevating himself to the IndyCar ranks in what was known as the early years of the IRL, and even taking a victory in Las Vegas in 1999. Unfortunately just a few month’s later, Sam’s driving days would be cut short when a testing accident would render him paralyzed, but life as a quadriplegic has not slowed him down one bit. Sam would become a team owner, building the most successful team in Indy Lights history, and now running two cars full-time in the top-tier IndyCar series. We decided to skip on having a meal this time, but the conversation was spicy nonetheless.
Paul Page is a true living legend of motorsports. One of the most famous voices in the industry, Paul Page has covered a variety of sports and motorsports over the years, but he’s perhaps best known as the voice of ABC and ESPN’s coverage of Indycar for several decades, through some of the best and worst times in the sport. One of the most respected broadcasters out there, Paul began his career in radio, eventually working under the tutelage of Sid Collins, probably the most revered broadcaster in the history of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Beyond IndyCar, Paul has covered the NHRA, a number of other ventures for ABC and ESPN… including the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest… and even been a key voice in several feature films. Dinner was served at the Union Jack in Broad Ripple, Indiana. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.
He’s dodged us for three years straight, but we FINALLY got Hinchtown’s very own Mayor, James Hinchcliffe, to join us. A product of the North American open-wheel ladder system, Toronto’s native son went from the Canadian karting scene to a winner in Atlantics and Indy Lights, before finally moving up to IndyCar where he’s become one of the most popular drivers in the current era. A multiple winner in the top ranks, James’ stardom transcends motorsports, not only by virtue of his runner-up status on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ but also as a national spokesman for Honda… you’ve seen his bearded face in several U.S. commercials. Part of the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports organization, we learn a lot about Canadians, beer, lying Hollywood bastards, and Jeff Gordon’s retirement party. Lunch was served at the 1911 Grill (owned by Sarah Fisher!) with the music of Judas Booth taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.