The Scene Vault Podcast

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

We’ll share the third and final installment of our interview with Michael McSwain … and if you thought the first two parts were something … you ain’t seen nothing yet. Michael talks about an incident between Ricky Rudd and a Robert Yates Racing employee that left Ricky with a pretty nasty black eye. He talks about his reasons for leaving Robert Yates Racing to go work for Joe Gibbs Racing as crew chief for Bobby Labonte. Finally … Michael rejoined Ricky Rudd at Wood Brothers Racing, where Michael stayed until his decision to get out of the sport in 2007. At the end of the conversation, Michael shared some pretty raw feelings about no longer being in the sport … and the conversation turned very personal. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid tackle the April 27, 2000 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured a package of stories on several up-and-coming crew chiefs at the time, with Michael McSwain right there on the cover. There's also a feature on Mark Martin’s dominance in the Busch Series, in what was going to be his last year in the division. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, we share the second installment of our interview with Michael McSwain. He talks about working for Cale Yarborough, joining Ricky Rudd in his last year as a team owner and then going with Ricky to Robert Yates Racing, where the kid from Lattimore, North Carolina won his first Winston Cup race. Just a few months later at Richmond, McSwain was about ready to burn the whole place down for a few minutes. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid thumb through the June 21, 2001 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Ricky and Michael's Pocono win, Kevin Harvick’s double-duty weekend flying back and forth between Pocono and the Busch Series race in Kentucky and the mild-mannered Hank Parker Jr. running into Randy LaJoie after the Kentucky event. Also ... Junior Johnson makes a run at purchasing North Wilkesboro Speedway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Michael "Fatback" McSwain talks about the origin of his nickname, padding his resume a little bit when he first got into Winston Cup, the influence of Robert Gee and Harry Hyde on his career, trying to make ends meet with team owner Richard Jackson, an INCREDIBLE third-place finish with Morgan Shepherd at Atlanta and how standing up for himself and his beliefs was one of his greatest strengths … and maybe, one of his greatest weaknesses. Then, in our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid tackle the March 13, 1997 issue of Winston Cup Scene. That paper carried coverage of Dale Jarrett's dominant win at Atlanta, a third-place finish by Morgan Shepherd and McSwain and a horrifying crash involving Steve Grissom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We share the third and final installment of our interview with Humpy Wheeler, and this week, he talks about a 1983 confrontation that he had with Tim Richmond. And speaking of confrontations, Humpy absolutely LOVED it when drivers were mad at each other, because it was one more tool in his tool box that he used to help sell tickets. Humpy also talks about a spur-of-the-moment pitch to run The Winston under the lights at Charlotte, NASCAR’s expansion across the country and the impact it had on tracks like North Wilkesboro and Rockingham and … finally … the movie Cars! In our second segment, we go back to the May 25, 1982 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured a MASSIVE feature on Humpy by the legendary Tom Higgins, as well as stories on a very young Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin, former driver Earl Brooks and a “bleep” year for Buddy Baker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our interview, Humpy Wheeler talks jumping school buses, helping drivers up to and including Dale Earnhardt get their starts in the sport, why Earnhardt might not have gotten a ride in today's NASCAR, a Waylon Jennings concert gone wrong and the creation of The Winston all-star race. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid thumb through the May 30, 1985 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Darrell Waltrip's sweep of Charlotte's The Winston AND the World 600, Bill Elliott's first attempt at winning The Winston Million, volunteer crew member Junior McGee, "Sterlin" Marlin and an associate sponsorship that would eventually become one of the most iconic backers in the history of the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Charlotte Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler joins the podcast this week for a look back at his extraordinary career. Humpy remembers Joe Weatherly and Curtis Turner, his early years at what was then a rough-and-tumble Charlotte race track and the rebirth of his own relationship with Bruton Smith. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig into the June 9, 1977 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Richard Petty's dominant win on an intensely hot World 600 weekend and a feature on David Pearson's hijinks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second and final installment of our interview, Butch Mock remembers Lake Speed's second-place finish in the Daytona 500, his friend Neil Bonnett's miraculous comeback from injuries he sustained at Charlotte in late 1987, racing in Australia, struggles making ends meet as the sport evolved, Alan Kulwicki's influence on his career, the end of his NASCAR career and the influence of his family. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig into the February 25, 1988 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Bonnett's Richmond win, a heated protest by Ricky Rudd and Richard Petty, and Petty's reaction to his infamous wreck the week before in the 1988 Daytona 500. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first of a two-part interview, former Rahmoc Enterprises co-owner Butch Mock remembers his beginnings in the sport in South Florida, the decision to make the move to Winston Cup and the struggles he and Bob Rahilly faced once they got there. After going through several drivers in a few short years, an opportunity with Neil Bonnett and Warner Hodgdon finally brought the team to prominence, only to see a deal with Richard Petty and Mike Curb fall apart at the last minute. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid pick through the September 21, 1978 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Bobby Allison's dominant win at Dover, the first and only pole position of longtime independent driver J.D. McDuffie's career and suspicions that Darrell Waltrip had lightened his car by dumping buckshot on the track at Bristol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ward Burton remembers his move to Bill Davis Racing, that first Winston Cup win at Rockingham, the 2002 Daytona 500, his not-so-pleasant split from the Davis operation and his adherence to The Code. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid tackle the October 26, 1995 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of the terrible confusion at the end of Ward's first Winston Cup victory, Rick Mast's dominant run foiled by engine trouble, an incredible Busch Series finish and a feature on Bahari Racing show-car driver and cancer survivor Mark Hayes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid discuss and share clips from the upcoming 10-episode documentary podcast series, Firestorm: 2000, 2001 -- The Years That Forever Changed NASCAR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not only did astronaut Doug Hurley command the first crewed Demo-2 SpaceX mission to the International Space Station last summer, he is also a HUGE NASCAR fan. Doug joins us this week as a guest co-host. Our interview is the first of what will be a two-part conversation with Ward Burton. This week, Ward discusses his love for the outdoors, his stint in military school, a potential college major, living out in the woods, his relationship with younger brother Jeff and his entrance into the Busch Series, which culminated in his first career victory at Rockingham. In our second segment, we go back to the March 5, 1992 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Bill Elliott's first win with car owner Junior Johnson and that first win for Ward at The Rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this installment of our interview, Jeff Hammond remembers escapades with Dale Earnhardt and his attempts to bring Earnhardt into the Junior Johnson & Associates fold. Instead of hiring Earnhardt, however, Johnson brought former foe Darrell Waltrip on board. And while Waltrip's reception with his new teammates was quite frosty, he went on to capture Winston Cup championships in his first two years with the Johnson organization. Finally, Hammond discusses Waltrip's very serious accident in the 1983 Daytona 500. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid break down the March 25, 1982 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Waltrip's early season victories at Bristol and Atlanta. Finally ... stay tuned to the very end for a special announcement of an upcoming documentary podcast series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our interview with Jeff Hammond, Jeff remembers his impression of Darrell Waltrip before DW came to Junior Johnson & Associates as the team's driver ... and Johnson's reaction to Cale Yarborough's decision to leave the team at the end of the 1980 season. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid pick through the June 8, 1980 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Cale Yarborough leading all 420 laps at Nashville, a commentary by photojournalist David Chobat and a highway accident involving Ed and Faye Negre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first of what will eventually be a SIX-part interview -- in two separate three-episode arcs -- Jeff Hammond gives listeners insight into his very earliest days as a NASCAR fan. So taken with the sport was Hammond, he was determined to find a spot working for a team. After stints with several different teams, Hammond finally landed with Walter Ballard ... and then ... the legendary Junior Johnson & Associates. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid go through the August 21, 1980 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Cale Yarborough's victory at Michigan. Although Richard Petty was coming off a horrific accident at Pocono the month before, he still managed to finish fifth. Darrell Waltrip was unable to get his DiGard Racing entry into the field, so he took over car owner Joel Halpern's car ... and proceeded to finish fifth. The DiGard Racing-DW relationship was on its last legs, and we dig back into the archives to get the viewpoints of both Waltrip and team owner Bill Gardner. Finally, this issue announces the retirement of Tighe Scott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second and final installment of our interview with Phil Parsons, he recalls winning his first Winston Cup event at Talladega in 1988. Less than two years later, however, Phil was unceremoniously dumped by Morgan-McClure Motorsports just three races into the 1990 season. Phil also discusses rumors that he had substantial problems with his eyesight, and the impact that gossip had on his career. After more than five years of career turmoil, he then experienced a resurgence with a win in the 1994 spring Busch Series race at Charlotte. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices