Kenny Lubanski is an old friend and our paths have crossed again in the racing world. We’re going in between the lanes of an NHRA drag racing as we learn what a co-starter is and the many responsibilities it entails; how to operate the Christmas tree; working his way into the position; the unique travel schedule and options; getting his start at En…

Ray Evernham has a new book available and there is a lot to digest from its contents. Evernham went through moments seared into his memory; has a very specific title; going through the process of putting thoughts and emotions on paper; working through what to include and not include; leaving Hendrick Motorsports being a low point in his life; not w…

Kerry Tharp served as a member of the NASCAR communications team and is now the former president of Darlington Raceway. But that’s not his entire backstory. Tharp joins the show to discuss going through the transition of the sport moving on without him; not being completely retired; Darlington being a special area and racetrack; the opportunity to …

There are a lot of positives for the ARCA Menards Series as a new year heats up and Charlie Krall is here to dish on it all. Krall offers his thoughts on the state of the series as it begins another season; having an Andretti compete in the season; what it means to be the manager of communications for the series and the responsibility of promotion;…

Landen Lewis is an 18-year-old rising star, and now he’s under the Kevin Harvick Inc. banner. Lewis shares about working in the race shop and why it’ll be beneficial; the journey of a fourth-generation racer; wanting to help even younger drivers as a mentor/coach; having a diverse background of experience and coming from dirt; transition from dirt …

Fox Sports is in its final season of NASCAR Xfinity Series coverage, and in a way, it also comes full circle this year as Kevin Harvick graduated to the Cup Series booth. Harvick was one of the first drivers to go into the broadcast booth for Fox Sports. In reflecting on the past nine years of using driver analysts, we have three voices on the podc…

Bill McAnally is one of the most successful owners in NASCAR and it’s quite a history. But before we dig into that, McAnally opens up about the 49er treasure trove in his office and the connection he has to the team. Then, why there is a NAPA motorcycle hanging on the wall of the race shop? We pivot into having race shops on both coasts; his histor…

Legacy Motor Club has brought their pit crews in-house this season, and there was no better man for the job than Chris Hall. As the director of pit crew operations, Hall explains being tasked with building the crews from scratch; his job title defined; starting on 2024 in Sept. 2023; dealing with deadlines and free agency windows; the difference in…

Erica Enders is a six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion and now the winningest woman in motorsports. In this episode with the GOAT we’re discussing how drag racers really care about the number on the side of the car; the little details incorporated in her firesuit, shoes, gloves, and race car; positive mental attitude work; being counted out by th…

Bryce Kenny is a Monster Jam driver, public speaker, and new author. Kenny joins the show to share how the book has been doing out in the universe; not seeing out to write a book but why there is a need for another self-help or inspiration guide; dealing with imposter syndrome; choosing to start the book with a very pointed John Wayne quote; succes…

A lot has changed since Kip Childress last joined us on the podcast, so he’s getting you caught up on what it’s like being the executive director of the CARS Tour after leaving NASCAR. Childress finally looks back on the emotions of his final weekend from July in Chicago; if there has been any adjustment to leaving the NASCAR world behind and doing…

David Green is a former NASCAR driver turned safety official, and we’re digging into that this week. Green takes us inside what his job title means and responsibilities are; what equipment NASCAR puts in the cars each weekend; the process of looking over a car in the garage after an on-track incident; how the decision is made to take a car back to …

Listen, did you know that telling jokes isn’t Justin Nunley’s day job? Nunley is an active member of the Air Force, but he’s known for the content he creates on social media. Nunley explains why he didn’t want his military job to be his identity; if comedy helps him escape what he sees in the real world; being able to have an online presence while …

Alba Colon takes us inside Hendrick Motorsports and the tools at the race shop that help their four teams win. Colon explains her role; the importance of the simulation and data tools, and how much has gone into improving them over the years; the difference in her roles going from General Motorsports to Hendrick Motorsports; growing up wanting to b…

It’s racing and science! Caitlin Quinn, coach Quinn, takes us inside the Toyota Performance Center this week. Quinn explains how she went from college athletics to NASCAR with Toyota; how the Toyota Performance Center (TPC) went from being something that couldn’t be talked about publicly to well known; the correlation between training/nutrition and…

Steve Swift is the senior vice president of operations and development for Speedway Motorsports, meaning he’s leading the way for those big projects. Swift joins the show to share about the extensive work and unique timeline of getting the speedway Roval ready; working for a creative person like Marcus Smith; the importance of keeping the race fan …

If you love drag racing and how the (video) is made, you’re going to enjoy meeting Kurt Spitler. Spitler is one of the creative minds behind the NHRA social media content and using that platform to deliver in a different way for race fans; the accidental creation of top-end reaction videos and drivers becoming comfortable with that camera; creative…

Rajah Caruth did not envision his rookie season in the Craftsman Truck Series going the way it has, but Caruth is keeping a positive mindset as the season winds down. The 21-year-old discusses the valuable seat time he’s gotten in a truck and Xfinity Series car; which one feels more comfortable with his driving style; what Caruth has learned about …

Shannon Spake is about to be one of the busiest reporters in sports. Spake is here to share how the year has unfolded for her on the television side; why she says her year starts in September; time blocking and working well under pressure; the synergy between NASCAR on Fox and NFL on Fox teams with her schedule; the balance of football and NASCAR i…

Warrick Scott Sr. knows all about hustle, and that can be seen in his work through the Wendell Scott Foundation and sponsorship of Rajah Caruth. Scott joins the podcast to explain his everyday work with the Wendell Scott Foundation; trying to reach as many youths as possible through its programs; the moment of realization for a foundation; success …

Jessica Hook is an engineer at Hendrick Motorsports, but her exact role is to be determined as Hook looks for her next challenge. However, she was heavily involved in Garage 56 and she’s among the team now closing the chapter on that historic event as the parts and pieces are back at the shop. Hook recalls when she was brought into the loop by Chad…

It’s the second full year of Craftsman Truck Series competition for Dean Thompson but his first in the No. 5 for Tricon Garage. Thompson breaks down how the year has gone; the difference in his progression as a driver; fitting into a new environment at Tricon; being surrounded by people (like Frank Kimmel) who are honest but helpful; ways that Tric…

Mandy Chick and her small family-owned race team are trying to do big things with very little, and it’s getting Chick plenty of attention. In this conversation, Chick shares how busy her summer has been; what it’s like to be an intern for Chevrolet and top-secret projects; being a very hands-on person from early in life; working on multiple college…

Jordan Taylor is having a heck of a year as a race car driver, and we’re digging into all of it this week. That includes Taylor recently making his 100th start in IMSA; explaining the dynamic of coming from a well-known racing family; getting the first win of the season out of the way for Corvette Racing; how things are going with a new class type …

Drew Herring is getting interviewed once again! It’s been a while since Herring was the topic of discussion but a few years into his new role as a spotter, he’s here to share how it’s been going. Herring explains how he landed the job at Martin Truex Jr.’s team; still getting the adrenaline rush and fast-paced feel for the sport; what his prior rel…

Mike ‘Rocky’ Rockenfeller believes the buzz from NASCAR’s entry in Le Mans is still going strong, and he’s still relishing having the opportunity to be a part of it. Rockenfeller compares the dynamic of the experience to his past trips to compete in Le Mans; the adjustment as a driver of not racing for an overall victory; if he believes the entry d…

Bernard Pollard is hooked on NASCAR, and for the last three years, he’s lived the best of both worlds, learning the sport and getting to engage through a partnership with Ally. Pollard opens up about he didn’t expect to be this invested in NASCAR; recalls what initially drew him into wanting to watch a race for the first time; being intrigued by a …

Natalie Torrence is living the dream of working for herself and one of the most successful businesses in drag racing. Torrence discusses everything she and her team have their hands in; the unique and personal backstory of the business name; the impressive list of clients Torrence has in the NHRA; having something of her own at the racetrack away f…

Winston Kelley was the first employee of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and as its executive director, we dig into its history and what it’s like to work with NASCAR history. Kelley explains how the Hall of Fame is part of a larger organization in Charlotte; what the selection process was like for Charlotte to become the chosen city; what his role entail…

Jesse Little is no longer a NASCAR driver, but he returns to the show to share how he’s now a NASCAR official. Little shares about his new role and what it entails; what has gone into the last half year of learning and fitting into the new job; working through the emotions of not being at the racetrack as a driver; not leaving open the possibility …

Andrew Kurland was an early guest of the show and only a teenager at the time looking to find a way into the sport. Kurland has done that now and we go through putting a cap on those early projects; what he got out of the college experience after already having real-world experience; if starting his media career ruined or changed the sport for him;…

Trevor Bayne still wants to be a race car driver but also really enjoys making television with Fox Sports. In discussing those topics this week, Bayne explains what a typical week looks like for him based out of Knoxville; selling the coffee business in anticipation of running full-time in NASCAR again; the coffee business being a distraction in th…

JJ Yeley, the NASCAR driver, not the incorrectly labeled Formula 1 champion, visits the podcast to discuss his role with Rick Ware Racing; what he still gets out of racing; not wanting to get a real job; how his perspective and appreciation of racing has changed over the years and through teams; his career not being as imagined after starting with …

Jasmine Salinas is a second-generation drag racer, and she’s quickly making a name for herself in NHRA. We get to know Salinas in our conversation, starting with what being at a dragstrip feels like; the most defining moment of her career to this point; the impact of her massive 2021 crash at Gainesville; how long the doubts about racing lasted aft…

Bobby Labonte is a former NASCAR Cup Series champion who now spends his time … racing. Labonte is keeping busy with SRX and modifieds, as well as television work for Fox Sports. Labonte explains what keeps him coming back to SRX; how competitive the series is; getting to compete against the best drivers from all over; how this chapter of his racing…

Laura Beth Barnhardt is the NASCAR race producer/director for PRN, and the tables have turned as she’s the one behind the microphone. Barnhart shares about the adrenaline of not being able to edit the show together later; being a strong leader in the booth directing men; the easiest way to understand what a race director does; going viral with a BT…

Joey Cohen would say he is the chief complaint officer at Legacy Motor Club, but that’s only in jest. Cohen’s title is actually competition director, and he explains what that means; the unique dynamic of GMS Racing being the truck operation and Legacy Motor Club the Cup Series operation; not coming from a racing family but wanting to be a race car…

It feels good for Ryan Preece to hear himself be called a NASCAR Cup Series driver again. Preece shares what it was like to be out of sight and out of mind in 2022 as he worked behind the scenes at Stewart-Haas Racing; using the year to become a better person and driver; unique ways to build a bond with a team; what being a reserved driver is all a…

Fresh off a big win with his new team, Christian Eckes shares how they celebrated; what an early win does for Eckes; what the win does for a team who had never won before; if the fast start has been a surprise; delivering a first win for Bill McAnally; why it was a hard offseason; having a chip on his shoulder and being out to prove something; what…

There was a lot of anticipation for Connor Mosack as he waited his turn to get behind the wheel in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the first time this season. Mosack will run the majority of the season with Sam Hunt Racing and he discusses how the test at Charlotte Motor Speedway went; being tuned in to what has gone on with the team already; prepari…

In his second full season of NHRA competition, Josh Hart hopes people are starting to take notice that his team isn’t messing around. Hart discusses preparing for a new season; what he learned last year; balancing between the driver and owner hat; experiencing the Countdown for the first time; the mental game of NHRA; being one of the quietest and …

Brittany Force enters a new season as a two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion and is hungry for more. But before we talk racing, Force shares how she got away from racing over the last few months traveling around the country; having extracurricular activities away from racing; what she learned to enjoy or do from the first championship to the second cham…

That damn Brian Lohnes! Once you hear the conversation you’ll be in on the joke because Brian is a wonderful guy that is really good at what he does. In our conversation you’ll learn everywhere you can find Brian; the early work to becoming an announcer and sleeping at racetracks; taking in the moments his voice will be connected to in NHRA history…

Josh Bilicki is back for another season of NASCAR racing in both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series, but before he does that, he experienced the Chili Bowl for the first time. Bilicki shares what it was like to compete in Tulsa; why he wanted to try his hand at the biggest dirt event in the country; if seat time of any kind actually helps a driver h…

Wayne Auton is the managing director of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and that means he wears many different hats. Auton keeps things and people in order, and he had to do plenty of that in 2022, so we begin our conversation on the balance of being a mentor but also an enforcer. We then shift into a lesson about having drivers sign autographs and Auto…

Lindsey Mandia is the VP of production at Fox Sports, and she is in the middle of a three-week stretch working on the Busch Light Clash, the Super Bowl, and the Daytona 500. Mandia explains how the second year of planning production for the Clash will be different from the first; what Fox brought to NASCAR about presenting the Clash; what exactly t…

Amanda Busick loves to work and loves motor sports, which is why you’ll never see her in just one place. Busick is most known for being the top-end reporter for NHRA on Fox, but she has some news to share on the podcast in addition to taking us into how she got to where she is today. We start by learning how she kept busy in the winter without raci…

Mike Bagley is a turn announcer with Motor Racing Network (MRN) and co-host of The Morning Drive on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (7 a.m. – 11 a.m., Mon. – Fri.) Bagley joins the show to discuss various topics about his roles, including what he would be doing after a SiriusXM show and where he’s normally located for the show; being a big notetaker and prep…

Julie Giese is preparing for her final race as president of Phoenix Raceway before shifting to the Chicago street course. Giese explains what goes on a racetrack in the final weeks before an event; how championship weekend is different from spring race weekend; what being a track president means; sitting with race fans for the start of the events; …

Andrew Combs is the executive chef for Stewart-Haas Racing, but what exactly does that entail? Combs takes us inside a busy week leading into the Charlotte Roval; what prep looks like before a race weekend; previous roles in the sport before turning to cooking; trying to describe the setup in the garage; knowing when it’s time to start feeding ever…