Smokey Yunick is an absolute legend of not only motorsports, but the automotive sector as a whole. A multi-time champion of the NASCAR Cup series as crew chief/team owner, and a guy who built some of the most innovate IndyCars and stock cars in the sport, Smokey’s legend isn’t one that comes from the record books. He’s heralded as not only of the greatest inventors, but with the character to match. Brash and unapologetic, Smokey’s fallout with NASCAR is a thing of folklore, which produced one of the greatest “rule bending” race cars of all time. The second part of our series, you’ve heard his biography from Trish, now hear the stories from his peers: Ray Evernham, Bobby Unser, Bobby Allison and Don Garlits.
To learn more, why not purchase his book, “The Best Damn Garage in Town,” available at www.smokeyyunick.com
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Nuff people say well you know they can’t believe…. JAMAICA WE HAVE A BOBSLED TEAM. If you know this song, then you don’t need to read any further, just hit play. As part of our first episode of the new Amazon Prime series, during our visit to Jamaica we decided to venture away from the race track, and meet a couple amazing racers in their own right. Carrie Russell and Audra Segree have both made history, being part of the first female bobsled effort for the country. Carrie started as brakeman (woman?) and is now the driver, and Audra competes in skeleton, literally going headfirst at record speeds. It didn’t take long to figure out that racers are racers, and we share a similar set of vales and experiences.
Dave Despain is one of the most beloved on-air personalities for anyone who follows American racing. An unapologetic motorcycle lover, Dave began his career as a local AM radio DJ, who somehow managed to work his way in to broadcast television, all the way to becoming the host of many popular US motorsport shows, including a favorite of Ryan and Sean’s, “Saturday Night Thunder,” and then his most famous gig, Wind Tunnel. Beyond being a state of the sport and one of the most known pro’s, he’s managed to balance the line between being professional and respected without ever losing his edge as an almost counter-culture motorsport icon.
Todd Bodine is one of the more endearing personalities in NASCAR, so he seemed an obvious choice to call up when we passed through North Carolina. Part of the famous Bodine family, Todd started his career as a mechanic, then a race-winning Crew Chief, and then a driver who rose all the way to the Cup ranks. As a driver, he’s perhaps most known as a multi-time champion of the NASCAR Truck Series, and then currently enjoys his time as a television analyst and overall ambassador of the sport.
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.
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.