The Scene Vault Podcast

Big news in the world of NASCAR history this week ... the rebirth of North Wilkesboro Speedway, thanks to the efforts of a small group of Wilkes County diehards and Speedway Motorsports!In our first segment this week, we share the second installment of our interview with longtime NASCAR crew chief Gil Martin. Gil shares his memories of his first Winston Cup victory as a crew chief, which came in November 2001 at New Hampshire with Robby Gordon behind the wheel of the Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Gil also shares the story of the Corvette he was promised ... but never received ... following that win. Then, it's on to the sometimes topsy-turvy relationship he shared with young phenom Kevin Harvick, RCR's decision to bring back the number 3 and the urgency of winning the pole for the 2014 Daytona 500. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid break down the November 29, 2001 issue of Winston Cup Scene. That week's paper covered the Battle of the Gordons at New Hampshire, in which Robby gave Jeff a nudge up and out of the lead en route to that first win with Gil. Also, a Busch Series season review package relived some rather testy quotes from competitors.NOTE: This podcast is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week ... host Rick Houston and his sons Jesse and Adam join listener Bill Stripling for a memorable weekend of decidedly Old School and frigid short-track racing at Martinsville Speedway. In the first of what will be three installments with longtime NASCAR Busch Series and Cup crew chief Gil Martin, he takes us through his very first days in the sport. A buddy of his needed help out at the old Nashville Fairgrounds Raceway … and Gil didn’t particularly want to go. But he went any way, a move that very obviously turned out to change the course of his life.Gil also remembers Bobby Hamilton and the genesis of Filmar Racing, and the growing pains that Nashville-based operation faced with four very different drivers … Bobby Hamilton, David Green, Jeff Burton and finally, Kenny Wallace.Finally, Gil takes us through his move to Richard Childress Racing.In our second segment, Rick and co-host Steve Waid leaf through the April 16, 1992 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Davey Allison wins at North Wilkesboro, despite being battered, bruised and sore from an accident the race before in Bristol. Bobby Hillin gets put in lockdown due to a run-in with Kyle Petty … and there’s actually a connection to that incident AND our new NASCAR Technical Institute studio.Oh … but wait … there’s more. Dave Marcis helps pave the way for NASCAR to make its first appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a young Dale Jarrett tumbles out of his car while trying to leave North Wilkesboro, a Junior Johnson & Associates crew member is unable to go on an important mission? Why? Because he’s locked in a porta-john. Finally, there’s an almost unbelievable connection … again … to our deal with John Dodson at the NASCAR Technical Institute.NOTE: This podcast is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in the third and final installment of our interview with Mike Beam, Mike talks about the struggles he continued to face in the wake of the loss of Mike Rich and a fiery accident involving Sterling Marlin. Despite those reservations, Mike eventually moved over to Bill Elliott’s Junior Johnson & Associates team, where he and Bill combined to give Junior the final Winston Cup victory of his career.Mike also takes listeners through the controversy the team endured during the leadup to the 1995 Daytona 500, when the organization was discovered with an illegal intake manifold.Finally, Mike makes it back to the top of the mountain with Roush Racing, where he guided Mark Martin and Carl Edwards to successful seasons in truck and Nationwide competition. Afterward, he wound up with the organization now known as Petty GMS Motorsports … together again with Richard Petty.In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig into the May 28, 1981 issue of Grand National Scene. Bobby Allison wins at Charlotte, despite serious accidents involving his brother Donnie and good friend Neil Bonnett. Cale Yarborough finishes third just two days after getting scalded by a pot of boiling water in his hotel room, Dale Earnhardt moves back into his father’s old racing shop in Kannapolis and Gene Granger gets PUNCHED.NOTE: This podcast is in no way associated with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very emotional episode, longtime crew chief and team executive Mike Beam discusses what was THE most controversial moment of Richard Petty’s career … the 1983 fall race at Charlotte, after which a REALLY big engine was discovered under the hood of the Petty Enterprises Pontiac. He also talks about taking some time off to be Mr. Mom and refocus his priorities on his family.Mike then discusses the absolute devastation of losing teammate Mike Rich in a terrible accident during the 1990 Winston Cup season finale at Atlanta, a fiery accident at Bristol involving Sterling Marlin just a few months later and the emotional impact that had on his life and career.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dive into the October 25, 1990 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Alan Kulwicki wins at Rockingham, for the first time since positing the first Winston Cup victory of his career a couple of years earlier at Phoenix.The day was a very good one for Alan, but one of his crew members escaped very serious injury when he was struck by Rusty Wallace during a round of pit stops.Bill Elliott’s Melling Racing crew wins the Unocal 76 pit-crew race at Rockingham. Jeff Gordon makes the very first NASCAR start of his career and the origin of Jack Roush’s love for straw hats is revealed!NOTE: This podcast is not affiliated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in the first of three installments of our interview with veteran crew chief and team executive Mike Beam, he talks about trying to break into the sport with Mike Laughlin, Butch Lindley, Harry Gant and Morgan Shepherd, before finally landing with Petty Enterprises. And … yes … he gives us HIS side of the story in the Great Lone Star Beer Escapade with Kyle Petty.In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid take a peek at the June 11, 1981 issue of Grand National Scene. Benny Parsons wins the final Winston Cup event at Texas World Speedway after a pretty heated late-race battle with defending series champion Dale Earnhardt, who was still searching for his first win of the season. Spotters take up for Earl Sappenfield and Joe Whitlock wheels and deals for Dale Earnhardt, for the time being.NOTE: This podcast is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houston family makes it back from an epic trip to Las Vegas, a meeting with a Medal of Honor recipient and a treacherous jaunt on a skywalk overlooking the Grand Canyon! In the third and final installment of our interview with Johnny Benson, he talks … again … about his run in the truck series with Bill Davis Racing, his 2008 championship battle with Ron Hornaday, deciding to leave Bill’s team, an effort with Red Horse Racing that didn’t quite pan out and a really bad week he experienced in 2009, up to and including the EXTENSIVE injuries he received in a crash at Berlin Raceway.Most importantly … Johnny and Rick come to terms on the SRX Racing pace car!The second segment sees Rick and co-host Steve Waid coming up with a series of questions ... some serious ... others maybe not so much ... for each other.NOTE: This podcast is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snow in Las Vegas? Carrot Top? Oh, yeah. We've got it all in this week's episode!In the second installment of our interview with Johnny Benson, Johnny talks about his earliest days on the Winston Cup circuit with Bahari Racing, his rather difficult turn with Roush Racing, what might have been in the 2000 Daytona 500, his Mr. Nice Guy image, winning at Rockingham and parting ways with MB2 Motorsports.In our second segment, Johnny Benson wins the first Winston Cup race of his career at Rockingham despite that Mr. Nice Guy tag, and Jamie McMurray inherits a second straight Busch Series victory.NOTE: This podcast is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first of what will be three installments of our interview with Johnny Benson, he talks about the influence his father had on his life and career, rising up through the ranks despite the fact he was happy where he was at, his inauspicious Busch Series debut, beating Harry Gant for his first win in that division, his consistency winning out over Chad Little’s flashes of brilliance in the 1995 Busch Series title fight and agreeing to move to Winston Cup with Bahari Racing.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then pick through the September 22, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Rusty Wallace wins in a crazy Winston Cup finish at Dover, while Young Gun Johnny Benson holds off Grizzled Ol’ Veteran Harry Gant for the first victory of his Busch Series career.The cover date on this issue came just two days after a VERY important date in NASCAR history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Middle Tennessee racing legend Mike Alexander takes us through the early years of his career, as well as a couple of attempts at establishing himself as a Winston Cup competitor. When those didn’t work out, Mike decided to take himself and his talents to the Busch Series, where he felt he had a better shot at running competitively with a team HE owned.Mike ran well at the level, got himself a couple of wins … and very nearly another, until a protest by his buddy Larry Pearson took it away. Mike WAS noticed, and wound up replacing the injured Bobby Allison midway through the 1988 Winston Cup season. He did well in the car … his career was on the rise … but then saw his own career derailed by a head injury he sustained that offseason during the Snowball Derby.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then thumb through the December 1, 1988 issue of Grand National Scene. Rusty Wallace won that year’s season finale at Atlanta, but lost out on the Winston Cup championship to Bill Elliott. Both had their gameplans in place before the race … each one played out pretty much as they expected … and in the end, winning the race still wasn’t enough for Rusty.Mike Alexander recorded the best finish of his Winston Cup career, and was looking forward to the following season. Two NASCAR Hall of Famers made the last starts of their Winston Cup careers in this event. There’s a feature on Mildred Elliott, the matriarch of that racing family, and the wives of Bill, Ernie and Dan. Finally … Richard Petty loses his 1967 championship ring … and it gets returned to him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: Some parts of this episode may be too intense for some listeners.We’re sharing the third and final installment of our interview with John Dodson this week, and the conversation swings from hysterically funny to devastatingly emotional.John talks about the brawl between Rusty Wallace’s Blue Max Racing team and Darrell Waltrip’s Hendrick Motorsports crew that followed the 1989 edition of The Winston all-star race and his work at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville.But then … John discusses the 1990 pit-road accident that claimed the life of Mike Rich and the night his niece and nephew, Trey and Tia … Barry’s son and daughter … lost their lives. The impact that loss had on Barry was immeasurable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our interview with John Dodson, he remembers the controversy surrounding three key employees of Junior Johnson & Associates making the move to M.C. Anderson’s team. Once there, team members were reportedly subject to being followed by detectives, in order to keep them on the straight and narrow.John also lets us in on another mass exodus, this time from Ranier to Blue Max Racing. Then, we have Tim Richmond stories and insider info on the trickery and financial smoke-and-mirror show Blue Max used win the 1989 Winston Cup championship.Our second segment features a deep dive into the September 15, 1988 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Davey Allison winning the first race on Richmond’s newly reconfigured racing surface. The Tire Wars between Goodyear and Hoosier were raging hot and heavy, which played into Davey’s favor and cost Rusty Wallace the 1988 Winston Cup championship.There are features on Hoosier Tire’s Marge Merrill, the daughter of company founder Bob Newton, and Melling Racing tire specialist Mike Thomas. Finally, Dale Earnhardt shoots doves AND a photograph in this issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may know John Dodson as the younger brother of longtime NASCAR crew chief Barry Dodson, but he forged an incredible resume in the sport all his own. In the first of what will be three installments of an absolutely extraordinary conversation, John talks about growing up in a racing family with seven rambunctious siblings; breaking into NASCAR while still in high school; a wreck that left his hero Richard Petty battered and bruised; Maurice Petty; RCR BD (Richard Childress Racing Before Dale); flying with Cale Yarborough; and much, much more.In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid break down the July 7, 1977 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Richard Petty's strong win at Daytona, the firing of Darel Dieringer by DiGard Racing and the sale of Nord Krauskopf's team to Jim Stacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're honored to be joined by the one ... the only ... the iconic ... Mario Andretti to discuss his life and times in and around the world of NASCAR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in the third and final installment of our interview, Kenny Wallace talks about the success of 1994, leaving Filmar to drive for Andy Petree, his second-place finish to Dale Earnhardt at Talladega in October 2000, driving for DEI a year later and finally, his dirt racing career.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the February 2, 1995 issue of Winston Cup Scene. The cover story on this preseason issue featured none other than Kenny Wallace … and I was faster than an Air Force pilot in a session of Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track school at Atlanta.As if to one-up his cake icing story from last week's episode, Rick also regales Steve with his memories of the 1985 Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam in Nashville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our interview with Kenny Wallace, he talks us through his breakthough – and heartbreaking – 1991 Busch Series season. After battling Bobby Labonte for the championship, Kenny endured a devastating crash at New Hampshire late in the season. Then, during the offseason, a deal to move to Winston Cup falls through at the very last second. He lands on his feet and eventually moves to Cup with team owner Felix Sabates, but his rookie season doesn’t exactly pan out as expected. He joins and then enjoys some of his greatest successes with Filmar Racing. Finally, Kenny discusses filling in for the injured Ernie Irvan with Robert Yates Racing.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the September 29, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Rusty Wallace wins after dominating at Martinsville, but doesn’t gain much ground on runnerup Dale Earnhardt in the Winston Cup point standings. Kenny Wallace finishes fourth while subbing for the injured Ernie Irvan, who shocked the world that week by calling into a radio show. There’s also a feature on memorabilia collector Wayne Keith and Hut Stricklin and Travis Carter going their separate ways at the end of the 1994 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first episode of 2022, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid discuss Rick's bout with boredom during his COVID quarantine and an incredible Christmas gift given to him by a listener.Kenny Wallace is ... well ... Kenny Wallace. And that's basically all the summary anybody needs! In our second segment, Rick and Steve thumb through the May 3, 1990 episode of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Geoff Bodine’s win at Martinsville, his first for Junior Johnson. The victory came just two days after a devastating loss for Junior and his then-wife, Flossie. Chuck Bown led all 200 laps at Lanier Raceway in Georgia, with our boy Kenny Wallace running a distant second.There were also reports about boating mishaps that left Bill France Jr. with two broken ankles, and another that scared Michael Waltrip WAY more than his infamous Bristol Busch Series accident just a couple of weeks before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022 is already shaping up to be one heck of a year for The Scene Vault Podcast ... and in this week's season finale, we share previews of conversations already in the can with Kenny Wallace, John Dodson and Mike Beam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our listeners sent in several questions for this special episode, and let’s just say that between Kyle Petty’s bootlegging and bull riding adventures and Steve Waid, Tom Higgins and the Knights of the Mystic Sea, this segment isn't going to be forgotten any time soon.We also did something a little different this week in our second segment. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid asked each other the questions they'd always wanted to know. The results were, at times, absolutely hysterical and at other, very deeply emotional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we share the third and final installment of our interview with Rick Wilson. In this episode, he talks about the decision he made to leave Morgan-McClure Motorsports and how that might not have worked out in his favor; being on the outside of the sport looking in; and his run with Petty Enterprises. We do something a little different this week in our second segment, and it’s something for our REALLY old-school listeners. It’s a short interview conducted by iconic early NASCAR journalist and PR rep Russ Catlin with Buddy Shuman and Joe Weatherly going into the 1955 Southern 500 at Darlington.It's the first time in more than 65 years the sound bite has been heard in public, and we're joined by NASCAR Production's Ken Martin to discuss the contributions of Catlin, Shuman and Weatherly and the significance of the clip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's installment of our interview, Rick Wilson talks about his years with Morgan-McClure Motorsports and crew chief Tony Glover; his VERY close second-place finish to Bill Elliott in the 1988 Firecracker 400 at Daytona; what he coulda, shoulda, woulda done differently in that event if he had it to do all over again; and a bad crash at Richmond that left him with two broken feet and an all-time attempt to race the next week.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the April 13, 1989 issue of Grand National Scene. Rusty Wallace has vertigo, but he wins the Valleydale 500 at Bristol. Darrell Waltrip finishes second after spinning his brother out. Waddell Wilson gets whacked in the head with a metal pole during a pit stop. Dick Trickle doesn’t have radio communications with his pit crew.There are TWENTY cautions. A team doesn’t shut the gate on its hauler leaving the race track, causing all manner of parts, pieces and equipment to fly out of the back. Rick Wilson wins the rain-delayed Busch Series race. Rick Mast has the flu, and Dale Jarrett's car is destroyed by a crossover gate that opens unexpectedly. Dale Earnhardt doesn’t want to be at the Monday, rain-delayed race … and he promptly parks his car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We share the first of what will be a three-part interview with Rick Wilson in this week's episode. Rick talks about his start in the sport; his relationship with Dick Hutcherson and A.J. Foyt; how a tragic accident during qualifying for the Indianapolis changed the trajectory of his career; the impact his win in the 1984 ARCA race at Daytona had on him; and finally, how a ride with Morgan-McClure Motorsports came down to Rick and a youngster by the name of Davey Allison.The February 16, 1984 Grand National Scene featured a short story at the FRONT of the paper on Rick Wilson’s Daytona ARCA victory; Cale Yarborough OFFICIALLY becoming the first person to qualify for the Daytona with a speed of more than 200 mph; Neil Bonnett’s win in the Busch Clash; and Ricky Rudd’s infamous end-over-end, side-over-side series of barrel rolls in that event.There were a also couple of great columns in this issue on a brand-new owner coming into the sport and the doubts he was having about the team’s chances at success right out of the box and a volunteer crewman for Jimmy Means by the name of Junior Johnson … but not THAT Junior Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of Kyle Larson's Cup title-clinching race at Phoenix, host Rick Houston re-introduces his revolutionary championship format. Trust us. It's something to behold. Our interview with former Bud Moore Engineering crew members Phil Thomas, Donnie Wingo and Harold Stott concludes this week, and they remember several different drivers who competed for the team and one in particular who butted heads with Bud. They also talk about the end of that incredible organization, and how difficult it was to leave. Rick and co-host Steve Waid then leaf through the May 20, 1993 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Geoff Bodine’s win at Sears Point for Bud Moore, which turned out to be the team's final win. Ricky Rudd finished second, and it was shades of 1991 when Ricky gave Geoff a shot on the last lap. This time, Geoff was able to keep going and win the race. There was also a last-lap skirmish between Kyle Petty, Davey Allison and Dale Jarrett that left Davey and Dale pretty hot under the collar. Finally, Rick Wilson finished eighth for Petty Enterprises, his best finish for that team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s installment of the roundtable discussion with Phil Thomas, Donnie Wingo and Harold Stott from Bud Moore Engineering, we talk about everything from Dale Earnhardt’s tenure with Bud Moore to Geoff Bodine’s consecutive wins for the team at Martinsville and North Wilkesboro in the fall of 1992 ... and then Phil, Donnie and Harold tell a story or two on each other. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then pick through the October 24, 1991 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Davey Allison’s win at Rockingham, Kyle Petty's run at ANOTHER win from the pole at that track, Bud Moore Engineering’s triumph in that weekend’s pit-crew race and an old timer's event attended by several past legends of the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sat down with former Bud Moore Engineering crew members Phil Thomas, Donnie Wingo and Harold Stott for an inside look at what it was like to work for one of NASCAR's most legendary operations. This week, they talk about how they wound up working for Bud and how they STAYED with the team through the years. For these three, at least, it seemed to be more than just a business arrangement. They were family. Also, the April 23, 1981 issue of Grand National Scene was Steve Waid's first as executive editor. Featured inside are a package of stories on Bud Moore’s crew and a photo spread on a charity basketball game involving several people in the racing community. Dale Earnhardt is shown wearing a pair of "jorts," while Steve is pictured in a nearly indescribable outfit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Callicutt was living the dream as a race fan. He was working for Richard Petty and travelling to all the races, but in early 1989 at Atlanta, he experienced the nightmare of being engulfed in flames while gassing Richard’s car. Robert was severely injured and spent the next 33 days in the Humana Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. This is his incredible story. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid also remember legendary independent driver Dick May, and also dig into the March 23, 1989 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of the Atlanta event in which Robert Callicutt was injured. The race was won by Darrell Waltrip, after he beat Dale Earnhardt off pit road during a late-race pit stop. Or DID Darrell reach the stripe before Dale? And Dick Trickle finished THIRD! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in the second and final installment of our interview with Bill “The Hat Man” Brodrick, he takes a little trip down memory lane about NASCAR's first trip to Australia for the first NASCAR exhibition race. He also talks about the legendary Unocal 76 Racestoppers program and his unceremonious release after nearly 29 years with the company. In our second segment, we leaf through the October 6, 1983 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of that fall’s North Wilkesboro event won by Darrell Waltrip with the help of new-fangled ... and not much liked ... power steering. There were also some hot rumors about Junior Johnson … Budweiser … Darrell Waltrip … Coor’s … Richard Childress … Piedmont Airlines … Terry Labonte … Billy Hagan … Dale Earnhardt … Rick Hendrick(s?!?) … Wrangler ... and Petty Enterprises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill “The Hat Man” Brodrick is one of the most recognizable figures in the history of NASCAR from his years of overseeing victory lane celebrations. As a result, he’s also been one of our most requested guests here on the podcast … and after a little bit of back and forth on getting him up to speed on Zoom … we GOT him! In this segment of our interview, Bill talks about how he first got involved in racing, how he came to be in charge of victory lane and some of his more memorable victory lane celebrations. The October 13, 1977 issue of Grand National Scene featured coverage of that fall's Charlotte and North Wilkesboro events … AND Bill Brodrick on the outside cover! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: Language in the interview portion of this episode is NSFW. This week, we finish out the EPIC interview with Jimmy Spencer … and right off the bat, we dive into the rounds that he had with Kurt Busch. He then goes BACK in time to a run-in that he had with Hickory hometown heroes Dale Jarrett, DJ’s daddy Ned AND NASCAR. We conclude the interview talking about his sister Chrissy, and the impact her passing had on his life. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then tackle the March 28, 2002 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of a tumultuous weekend at Bristol. There was Jimmy Spencer and Kurt Busch … Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Robby Gordon … and then in the Busch Series race the day before … Jimmy Spencer and Jack Sprague … Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle … Ken Alexander and basically everybody else in the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: Language in the interview portion of this episode is NSFW. We talk about a little bit of everything in the second installment of our interview with Jimmy Spencer, from what winning at Myrtle Beach meant to Dick Moroso, to getting back up to speed at the Cup level with Travis Carter, Bobby Allison and Junior Johnson. Jimmy won his first couple of Cup races with Junior, but not without a little bit of controversy. Jimmy also talks about Hut Stricklin, not-so-great runs with Travis Carter (again) and Chip Ganassi and the verbal barrages he unleashed at both Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2001. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig through the July 7, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Jimmy’s first career Winston Cup victory at Daytona, and that GREAT late-race battle with Ernie Irvan. After the race, Ernie sounded like he was maybe, sorta, kinda wondering what was going on with Jimmy’s car. There’s also a feature story on some of the strange things that can sometimes happen during cautions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: Language in the interview portion of this episode is NSFW. You've asked for Jimmy Spencer, and now you've got him ... raw and unfiltered. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid leaf through the June 29, 1989 issue of Winston Cup Scene. The issue features coverage of Bill Elliott's slump-busting win at Michigan, as well as a highly volatile night of Busch Series racing at Louisville Motor Speedway in Kentucky. Be sure and visit www.lvms.com for all your Las Vegas Motor Speedway ticketing needs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOTE: This episode contains vivid descriptions of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. It may be too intense for some listeners. Once upon a time, Scottie Maxwell served as a weekend warrior for Hendrick Motorsports driver Ken Schrader. It was a far cry from his career as a New York City fireman. In the most emotionally charged interview we've ever done, Scottie remembers in vivid detail the events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Also, Las Vegas Motor Speedway President and General Manager Chris Powell joins hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid to discuss their new partnership. Visit www.lvms.com for all your ticketing needs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Lepage is remembered for having sponsorship from the Vermont Teddy Bear Company ... and also an incident that took place during a 2008 Nationwide Series event at Talladega. This week, Kevin gives his side of the story in what was … by far … the most controversial moment of his career. Nearly everyone blamed the mishap on Kevin, while he has always claimed innocence. Hear what Kevin has to say … and then decide for yourself what to think. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig into the May 1, 2008 issue of NASCAR Scene. Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart win at Talladega, and Kevin Lepage is in the hot seat after that crazy mishap. There were also rumors going around that Tony was looking to go into team ownership, and that Danica Patrick might be considering a move to NASCAR. Finally … there’s a story on A.J. Allmendinger struggling to get up to speed in NASCAR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our conversation, Kevin Lepage talks about winning the first Busch Series race of his career and a stint with Roush Racing that started out with a lot of promise, but wound up pretty rocky. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dissect the November 7, 1996 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured a package of stories on the championship battle between Hendrick Motorsports teammates Terry Labonte and Jeff Gordon … and how much … or how little … their crew chiefs Gary DeHart and Ray Evernham worked together. Kevin Lepage won the standalone Busch Series race at Homestead, with the championship going to Randy LaJoie. And … finally … Rick had a column in this issue that ticked off an autograph seeker or two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first of a three-part interview, Kevin Lepage talks about how he first got started in the sport, moving from his native Vermont to go Busch Series racing, sponsorship from the Vermont Teddy Bear Company – and we’ll later remember some of the OTHER unusual sponsors the sport has had over the years. Finally, Kevin tells the story of a very rocky relationship he faced when he first moved South. Then, in our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid thumb through the August 19, 1982 issue of Grand National Scene. Steve had a column in this issue in which he picked out the members of his own race team and a feature story on D.K. Ulrich prompts Rick to tell the story of a good racing friend, former driver Al Loquasto and Schaeffer beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In one of the most emotional episodes we've ever produced, Shawna Robinson and hosts Steve Waid and Rick Houston discuss the impact cancer has had on their lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we share the second of what will be three installments of our interview with Shawna Robinson. In this episode, Shawna talks about the 1994 weekend in Atlanta in which she experienced the highest of highs in becoming the first woman to win a Busch Series pole position and the lowest of lows on the very first lap of the race. She also also talks about how motherhood impacted her career, her decision to start racing again and the ups and downs that she experienced after that. In our second segment, we go back to the March 17, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Winston Cup rookie Jeff Burton's strong at Atlanta, before giving way to eventual winner Ernie Irvan; Shawna's pole win and a controversial first-lap incident with Mike Wallace and Joe Nemechek. Finally, Bobby Labonte experiences a scary landing of his plane on his way home from the Atlanta race weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawna Robinson was the first woman to win a NASCAR touring series race when she won a Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series event at Asheville. She was the first woman to win a pole in the Busch Series and she is also the first woman we’ve featured as an interview guest here on the show. And what a story she has. We’re going to do three episodes with Shawna … the first two on her career, and then the third and final show will focus on her battle with breast cancer. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig into the October 10, 1991 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of the fall Charlotte weekend at Charlotte. Geoff Bodine and Junior Johnson stretched their fuel mileage to the very last vapor and won the Winston Cup event, after Mark Martin had dominated the event. Morgan Shepherd and Dave Marcis were involved in a pretty heated confrontation. There was also an announcement in Level Cross, North Carolina that stirred up a lot of emotions for a lot of people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the first hour of our conversation with Tony "Rambo" Liberati, Chris Hussey, Gere Kennon and Buddy Parrott was eventful, they were only getting warmed up for the second and final episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very special episode, Tony "Rambo" Liberati, Chris Hussey, Gere Kennon and Buddy Parrott sit down for a round-table conversation about their NASCAR careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We wrap up our time with Jeff Hammond with a short 15-minute installment in which Jeff talks about his time with Sabco Racing and Kenny Wallace, going back to work with Darrell Waltrip and then finally his move into the wide, wide world of NASCAR television with Fox. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the April 9, 1998 Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of a quite memorable weekend at Texas Motor Speedway … and NOT for all the right reasons. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the first race of his Busch Series career that weekend, and there were also feature stories on Tim Flock’s passing, Wendell Scott and the longevity of various racing chassis that teams took to the track. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve had some packed interviews before, but this one is CRAZY. This week, Jeff Hammond talks about the 1989 Daytona 500 and how it was basically the fulfillment of his career; Darrell Waltrip’s injury the following year at Daytona; DW’s decision to move to his own team, and his own reluctance to follow; and his beautiful, awesome, absolutely shining relationship with Darrell’s general manager a year or so later. Then in our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid take a peek at the April 25, 1991 Winston Cup Scene. That issue carried coverage of a wild and wooly day at North Wilkesboro. The race was won by Darrell Waltrip, in his first victory since leaving Hendrick Motorsports to form his own team. Everybody was mad at everybody else due to a HUGE number of accidents. Despite all that, teams WERE happy with the new pit road rules that went into effect, ending an early-season onslaught of changes. This issue also carried a feature story on Ray Fox Sr. and his role in winning the 1960 Daytona 500 and news of Ernie Irvan’s dinner at The White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We celebrate our 150th episode with the return of Jeff Hammond, for the conclusion of our epic conversation. This week, he talks about the influence of Warner Hodgdon on Junior Johnson & Associates and how the addition of a second team for Neil Bonnett wasn’t exactly the most harmonious of situations. Jeff also discusses Junior’s reaction to the infamous 1986 clash between Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt at Richmond and the breakup between Darrell and Junior. Finally, Jeff takes us through some of the turmoil that caused HIM to leave Junior to rejoin Darrell at Hendrick Motorsports. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid tackle the May 17, 1984 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of one of the most chaotic finishes to any race anywhere … the 1984 Coors 420 at the fairgrounds race track in Nashville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second and final installment of our conversation, longtime crew chief and team owner Travis Carter talks about the witch doctor that Hal Needham brought in once upon a time, the close battle with Terry Labonte for the 1984 Winston Cup championship, his run in the 1989 Daytona 500 with driver Rick Mast and his years as a team owner. And speaking of Rick Mast, he joins co-hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid to discuss his memories of working with Travis Carter and a myriad of other topics, such as a nitrous oxide test that didn't quite work out, an FBI raid and buying a corn dog from a con artist.Then, in our second segment, we dig into the April 29, 1982 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Harry Gant's first career Winston Cup victory at Martinsville and Bobby Allison's dust-ups the week before at North Wilkesboro. Finally, Rick and Steve discuss some disappointing news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we share the first installment of our interview with legendary crew chief and team owner Travis Carter. Travis tells us about his humble beginnings in the sport in his hometown of Ellerbe, N.C., where he first went to work for L.G. DeWitt and Benny Parsons. Travis also describes the day Benny and John A. Utsman tag-teamed their way to victory lane at Bristol and the day in which basically the entire garage tag-teamed to help Travis and Benny repair their car and clinch the 1973 Winston Cup championship at Rockingham. Travis worked for Roger Penske for a couple of years, before moving back South to join Junior Johnson & Associates as a co-crew chief for Cale Yarborough. While there, Travis and the rest of the team won the 1978 title going away. Finally, Travis told us about the three races that really got away and how he wound up joining a team fielded by Hal Needham and Burt Reynolds. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the November 5, 1981 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Darrell Waltrip's win at Rockingham, a track made treacherous that weekend by the application of bear grease. The issue also carried a column about Travis Carter and his laid-back ways, and news features on Tim Flock's participation in a brand-new team that never actually came to be and Bobby Allison's decision to leave Ranier Racing ... with possible replacements by Richard Petty and Mark Martin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, in the final installment of our interview with Hut Stricklin, Hut talks about practicing the number 28 Robert Yates Racing Ford at Charlotte and the impact that had on Dale Jarrett’s season with that team. He talks about his second-place finish in the 1996 Southern 500 at Darlington, his eventual decision to get out of the sport, what he’s doing now and a life-threatening disease he endured several years ago. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid break down the September 5, 1996 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Jeff Gordon's win in the Southern 500, Hut's second-place finish, Dale Jarrett's attempt to win The Winston Million and rumors that Dale Earnhardt was going to buy North Wilkesboro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our interview with Hut Stricklin, Hut talks about hanging out with team owner Junior Johnson and one of Junior’s best friends, the one and only Millard Ashley. He also tells the incredible story of agreeing to go with Davey Allison to that fateful test at Talladega, but then having to back out when he got a bad case of food poisoning in New Hampshire. Finally, Hut also tells us what he REALLY thinks about Jimmy Spencer. In our second segment, we take a deep dive into the April 21, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Terry Labonte's first win with Hendrick Motorsports, and a clash between Ken Schrader and Jimmy Spencer; an awesome column by Deb Williams about drivers-meeting hijinks; and a feature on a teacher who used racing as an incentive in her classroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we have the first of what will be a three-part interview with Hut Stricklin. In this episode, Hut talks about the origins of the nickname; meeting Pam Allison, Donnie’s daughter; and the role that Pam’s cousin, Davey, played in that. He sets the record straight on NOT being an official member of the Alabama Gang; dominating on short tracks, before making the decision to move to Winston Cup; landing with team owner Rod Osterlund; going to drive for Bobby Allison; finishing second to Davey at Michigan in June of 1991, before ultimately leaving Bobby’s team at the end of the 1992 season. In our second segment, we check into the June 27, 1991 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Davey Allison’s win and Hut Stricklin’s second-place finish at Michigan; a benefit for Wendell Scott; Junior Johnson’s return to the garage after a four-race suspension, which he was NOT happy about; and everybody denying Silly Season rumors that eventually came true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the third and final installment of our interview, Ronnie Thomas talks about a 1981 run-in with law enforcement in his hometown of Christiansburg, Virginia, as well as his days as a Late Model Stock icon. In the April 9, 1981 issue of Grand National Scene, we find news of Richard Petty's win at North Wilkesboro, Dave Marcis' pole run, the first race of Mark Martin's Winston Cup career ... and the hiring of Steve Waid as executive editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our interview with Ronnie Thomas, he talks about his frustrations boiling over, an incident with D.K. Ulrich, Eddie Gossage getting to drive his race car, the legendary Wendell Scott and the deal making that went on behind the scenes between him and some of the bigger teams in the sport. Rent a ride? How about rent a caution? Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the July 20, 1978 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Cale Yarborough's dominant win at Nashville, the best finish of Richard Childress' Winston Cup career and Ronnie Thomas' first top-10 showing. The issue also carries the heart-breaking story of Rick Newsom, and an in-depth interview with Richard Petty, in which The King shared how he REALLY felt about movies and television. Maybe best of all ... the Petty interview reveals a connection between the 1953 movie The Moon is Blue and the iconic television shows M*A*S*H and The Big Bang Theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This wasn’t so much a chronological interview, as it was just Ronnie Thomas telling stories. Ronnie discusses his father Jabe's influence on his career, and their early disagreements over just how far and how fast Ronnie could go on the money they had available. Despite a distinct lack of funding, Ronnie won the 1978 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Award. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig into the August 17, 1978 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured Steve's cover story on Ronnie Thomas and reports that Lennie Pond was about to be replaced by Darrell Waltrip; Junior Johnson was angry with NASCAR over the finish of the Talladega race AND lawsuits between Harry Hyde and J.D. Stacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices