Victory Lane

Camping World Truck Series rookie Dean Thompson joins Davey Segal (7:15) to discuss how his first season in NASCAR's National Series is going, how the opportunity with Niece Motorsports came about in the first place and why Carson Hocevar was a major help throughout the process. Thompson dives into his start in racing as a kid before choosing to play hockey over motorsports. He explains why he made that choice and his years as a goalie before eventually coming back to motorsports thanks to Cole Custer inviting him to Auto Club Speedway for a race weekend. After tearing up the local racing scene in California winning multiple track championships at Irwindale Speedway, Thompson went ARCA racing. The next logical step? The Camping World Truck Series. Thompson also gets real about the importance of enjoying racing and not making it purely a job, how he handles those thinking he got to where he is purely based off family money, how he felt racing in his first ever Truck race and more, including forgetting his hard card, his passion for fishing (but getting out-fished by his girlfriend), losing his sunglasses on the water and his goals for the remainder of the 2022 season. Davey discusses Kurt Busch's Kansas Speedway triumph and the career arc of the future Hall of Famer, explains why the All-Star Race isn't doing it for him anymore and Papa Segal pays homage to some guy who made the No. 48 iconic.

Brad Gillie of PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio joins Davey Segal this week (5:40) to discuss how he got started in the broadcasting industry and his early passion for racing. He describes the racing scene in Texas and why despite a lack of asphalt short tracks, the vibrancy of motorsports was on display early and often. Working at Texas Motor Speedway shortly after its grand opening, Gillie worked as the PA announcer, ran the dirt track, fire and EMS teams, among other roles. He dives into his roles and responsibilities at TMS, working for and with Eddie Gossage and when broadcasting on a more regular basis came calling in the form of PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He explains what his role as Program and Affiliate manager at PRN entails, how preparation for race broadcasts versus talk radio differ, recalls stories from years gone by, discusses working with legendary crew chiefs Jeff Hammond and Todd Gordon, his passion for motorcycles and more. Davey analyzes Joey Logano's move on William Byron for the win at Darlington, Formula 1's inaugural Miami Grand Prix and previews Kansas this weekend. Plus, Papa Segal pays homage to a pioneer when it comes to two-way radio communication in NASCAR.

Spire Motorsports crew chief Ryan Sparks joins Davey Segal (6:50) for a wide-ranging conversation. He details his beginning in racing, why he chose to go down the engineering path and how he wound up at Richard Childress Racing straight out of college, where he stayed for 13 years. Sparks wasn't intimidated joining a championship organization, and honed his craft as a data acquisition engineer. He explains what his role and responsibility was, winning the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600, growing with Austin Dillon through the ranks and how he eventually wound up at Go FAS Racing, in part thanks to a phone call Childress personally made recommending Sparks for the job. Going from a small fish in a big pond to a big fish in a small pond, Sparks had to adjust. He did so again, following Corey LaJoie to Spire Motorsports prior to the start of the 2021 season. He explains what his philosophy of building Spire "brick by brick" means, gives his thoughts on the four-week suspensions to crew chiefs for loose wheels and more. Plus, how often he gets his hair cut and why he may be the only Cup Series crew chief who lives with his parents. Davey recaps the weekend of action at Dover, shares why the energy at his home track was better than recent years, previews Darlington and Papa Segal continues to pay homage to the Petty name.

Championship crew chief Rich Lushes joins Davey Segal (7:10) to discuss his storied career in motorsports that culminated in NASCAR's ultimate prize last season with Ben Rhodes and ThorSport Racing. He chats about his early days at the track and father's ownership of a local Ohio short track, why and when he realized driving wasn't the path for him, the culture of racing in Ohio where ThorSport is based and why the team likes avoiding "the swamp" in North Carolina. Lushes has helped multiple young drivers blossom into short track and NASCAR stars, including the likes of Landon Cassill and Erik Jones. He recalls stories of the then teenagers honing their craft in the shop and on track before moving onto bigger and better things in NASCAR. While successful, including an ARCA championship with Frank Kimmel in 2013, Lushes had never been a crew chief at the NASCAR level until 2018. He got his chance with Myatt Snider, but was demoted the following year. He gets real about his feelings in the two years that followed and why not just getting the chance again, but winning the opening two races with Ben Rhodes in 2021 put some pep back in his step en route to winning the Camping World Truck Series championship. Plus, why he thrives at ThorSport in Ohio rather than with a bigger team in North Carolina, his "shoey" at Phoenix following the No. 99 team's championship, when he realized his driver couldn't handle his alcohol, why their recent victory on Bristol Dirt has was the biggest of his career and reflecting on the road to get to the top of the mountain. Papa Segal pays homage to a fourth-generation driver gone too soon, Davey discusses Ross Chastain's Talladega victory and briefly previews the Monster Mile.

Bringing up the rear for over a decade, Brock Beard (A.K.A. Lastcar) joins Davey Segal this week (5:45) to discuss the work he does and how the concept of covering the back half of the NASCAR garage began in the first place. He explains the origins of his passion for racing and spotlighting those often overlooked, how he approaches covering drivers running in the rear, the reaction from fans and industry members to his coverage and more. Beard also details giving out his LASTCAR Awards each year, if he gets nervous presenting it to drivers and some instances of when people in the garage didn't take too kindly to his work. He explains how he presents his content to someone who is unfamiliar with the purpose behind it, the effort to avoid the satirical label, his loyal following, passion for motorsports history, deep dives on YouTube and recent project authoring the biography of the late J.D. McDuffie, including the undertaking that helped that project come to life. Papa Segal pays homage to another Petty and the number 44, while Davey discusses the second edition of the Bristol Dirt race, Chase Briscoe's move on Tyler Reddick at the finish and why things went much better this go around.

NASCAR weatherman extraordinaire Brian Neudorff (known as @NASCAR_WXMAN on Twitter) joins Davey this week (10:25) to explain how he started providing unofficial forecasts for races on social media and how he got started in the field of meteorology in general. He discusses his passion for racing growing up in the midwest, how he provides information in an easy-to-digest form for the race fan, dealing with vitriolic (and unjustified) feedback, knowing he won't get the forecast right every single time and why he hasn't been as active with NASCAR forecasts but is changing that. Plus, is Darrell Waltrip's infamous vortex theory real? Davey discusses the uncharacteristic racing at Martinsville this past weekend and why it was different, Ty Gibbs vs. Sam Mayer post-race and previews Bristol Dirt. Plus, Papa Segal pays homage to Richard Petty and Davey shares a story of a memorable interaction with his birthday buddy: Richard Petty.

Davey Segal welcomes on pit reporter Mike Massaro (9:10) to discuss his extensive career in motorsports broadcasting. Starting in the Northeast at Stafford Speedway, Massaro outlines why he gravitated towards the microphone rather than a steering wheel, tells some hilarious stories from the track involving legends Mike Joy and Jack Arute and how that sent him on a path to work in racing. He also details his first time meeting Dale Earnhardt while auditioning for MRN Radio, his time at Inside NASCAR on TNN, how Allen Bestwick helped him land that job along the way, landing at ESPN to help spearhead their NASCAR coverage and the unthinkable first assignment he was put on: the 2001 Daytona 500. Massaro explains why coverage at the event was a logistical nightmare, how they navigated it, the delicate nature covering an event like that race takes, lessons learned that year and how they were applied in 2014 while covering the Tony Stewart/Kevin Ward Jr. incident. After leaving ESPN due to the NASCAR television rights change, Massaro landed at NBC Sports for a short period of time. He explains why he left that job for the betterment of his own mental health, but why he wishes he didn't all these years later. He also discusses the here and now: being back on pit road for MAVTV covering the ARCA Menards Series with many familiar faces, how that opportunity came up and how good it felt to put the headset back on. Plus, what is there still left for him to accomplish in broadcasting? Davey briefly touches on Denny Hamlin's Richmond Raceway victory, provides an update on his time dealing with COVID-19 and Papa Segal pays homage to "The King Maker."

Spotter and racer extraordinaire Derek Kneeland joins Davey Segal (5:25) to discuss his career in motorsports atop the spotters stand and behind the wheel. He details his early racing career in the Northeast, why he wound up hanging up the helmet before his parents asked him to and how he stumbled into spotting to remain in racing. Kneeland explains how he got his start on the roof, how he balances working in multiple series with multiple drivers, how he tailors spotting to his drivers and whether he does his job differently, the feeling of winning races and championships in NASCAR and more. Plus, how he got his nickname "daddy" from Juan Pablo Montoya, how spotting has evolved over the years, not living "locally" in the Charlotte area, early days in Cup with Kyle Larson, ice fishing with Tyler Reddick, his current late model racing, whether staying behind the wheel helps him as a spotter. Davey also touches briefly on Atlanta and COTA, the change in how racing and going for wins are approached nowadays and Papa Segal pays homage to a NASCAR Hall of Famer.

Monica Palumbo's enthusiasm, energy and positivity radiates in this wide-ranging conversation with Davey Segal(4:45), where she details her insanely busy schedule, how she balances it all and her time in motorsports as the original Miss Sprint Cup. Palumbo's career started out in acting, and she explains why she went down that road and how she wound up working with A1 celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black. A former Miss North Carolina pageant winner (and Miss Congeniality, to nobody's surprise), Palumbo also worked with Sandra Bullock to help promote a movie that loosely mirrored her life. As if that wasn't enough, she also co-hosted with hit show "Live with Regis and Kelly" the legendary Regis Philbin and details how that opportunity came about. Most know Palumbo from her work as the OG Miss Sprint Cup in the mid/late 2000s. She recalls why that position was created, how she was chosen for it, how she and Sprint went about being the liaison between drivers and fans, pressure with representing the top brand in the sport accurately, her most memorable times in Victory Lane over the years and. She also explains relationships she's cultivated over two decades remain crucial in her role now as an in-race host on the jumbotrons at the track, managing multiple voices in her head and how hosting on the big screen during races differs from her role as Miss Sprint Cup. Plus, countless more stories from the Sprint days, how her time as MSC ended, her work with FOX Sports/SPEED channel, being at the forefront of the social media era and learning that on the fly, how starting a family has changed her life, her pizza/pug farm obsessions and more. Davey also touches on Chase Briscoe's first career Cup Series victory at Phoenix Raceway, previews the newly reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway and Papa Segal pays homage to The Silver Bullet.

Niece Motorsports' Kris Wright joins Davey Segal (6:05) to discuss his start in motorsports, why he was encouraged to take up golf as a profession instead of racing and how his career behind the wheel wound up progressing. From sports cars to open wheel and now NASCAR, Wright details the steps and decisions along the way, including why he wanted to go down the open wheel path, coming oh-so-close to winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona, racing overseas in Europe and how his lack of success impacted him personally and professionally and how it wound up leading him to stock cars and NASCAR only three years ago. Competing in stock cars for the first time in 2020, Wright explains how and why that opportunity came about, going "from Silverstone to Hickory" and the dichotomy that comes with that change, his relationship with fellow Pittsburgh native Chip Ganassi and Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr., how he wound up at Niece Motorsports for this season, what his short and long term goals are and more. Davey also discusses Alex Bowman's Las Vegas victory, why Kyle Busch's comments were misguided and Papa Segal pays homage to "The Rocketman."

Davey Segal welcomes on Pete Pistone (5:55), co-host of The Morning Drive on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, for an extended conversation about his background in the sport, how he wound up in his current role, some intricacies of the show and more. Pistone details his beginnings in motorsports with his uncle "Tiger" Tom. From riding inside his race car down the highway while eating popsicles, Pistone's passion for racing was evident. After attending Northern Illinois University, he started calling local races at Rockford Speedway as the PA announcer, where he also wore various other hats, where the next phase of his career took shape. Chicago born and bred, Pistone spent time at WGN covering multiple stick and ball sports (while also focusing on racing). He recalls the phone lines lighting up when he spoke about racing on the radio for the first time, writing for the Chicago Sun Times and being an early adopter to the digital media age and starting an online motorsports blog. Pistone explains how he got the job alongside Mike Bagley as co-host of The Morning Drive on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, why the deal almost didn't happen, his chemistry with Bagley and why opposites seem to attract, why he feels a morning radio show has a different vibe than any other show, how he approaches conversations on air that he knows are difficult to have, his daily routine (with an early wake-up call) and what he and Mike's goal of the show every morning is. Davey and Pete also discuss some fun memories over the last 14 years, including his favorite interview, bucket list conversation, most memorable listener phone call, live shows at Waffle House, his Portillo's order and more, including what he still wants to accomplish in his career with his newly announced venture PSP Communications. Davey briefly recaps the great racing at Auto Club Speedway, previews Las Vegas and Papa Segal pays homage to the No. 38 with one of his favorite drivers.

Graphic designer extraordinaire Harris Lue joins Davey (6:00) to discuss his background in motorsports, passion for cars and Mustangs, working for NASCAR and now Stewart-Haas Racing, the influence of the late Sam Bass on his career and more. Lue details how he became interested in graphic design, attending East Carolina University to further his interest, his day-to-day roles and responsibilities and how it's more than just making cool looking graphics. Logistical hurdles are aplenty in his role, and Lue goes behind the scenes to explain how something simple like a hero card to something complex like a paint scheme takes a monumental effort from all involved. It's impossible to overstate how the late Sam Bass impacted Lue. He explains why he was drawn to Bass' work, his first interactions with the artist, how he grew into a friend and mentor and how his legacy lives on after his passing. Plus, if he's ever had to pinch himself while working with some big name drivers and clients, his passion for Mustangs, if he has a favorite project he's ever worked on, having a significant other that "gets it" in the same industry and what else he wants to accomplish in his motorsports design career. Davey also recaps the 64th running of the Daytona 500, gives his takeaways from being on site for the event and briefly previews NASCAR's return to Auto Club Speedway this weekend. As always, Papa Segal gives an ode to the No. 37 in this week's Wayback Segment.

NASCAR Track Communications veteran Matt Humphrey joins Davey (6:25) this week to discuss his career in motorsports and working for the sanctioning body for the last decade plus. Humphrey played an intricate role behind the scenes in the marketing and planning of the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and explains how the one-of-a-kind event went off without a hitch. He also outlines what his day-to-day entails from a track communications perspective. Humphrey recalls how the trajectory of his life changed at a young age, as he chose to drop out of college in his first year (where he was on a music scholarship) when he started a family. Forced to make a living to provide as a teenager, he picked up a job at the local sewage plant that he kept until he got sick of it...and from it. He explains how a trip to the hospital made him decide to pursue journalism full bore, which led him all over the country and eventually to Orlando, where he forged a relationship with a young, up-and-coming driver by the name of Jimmie Johnson. Plus, how he's learned to be adaptable to the ever-changing media landscape, the story of how a webcam helped him land a job at NASCAR, his transition from journalism to PR, meeting his now wife at Daytona, moving out West in his new role, his passion for traveling and what Humphrey's long-term career goal is in the sport. On site at The World Center of Racing, Davey also gives a preview preview of the Daytona 500 this weekend, chats about his experience in Los Angeles at The Clash and Papa Segal pays homage to a racers racer.

The incomparable Danielle Trotta joins Davey (8:30) for a wide-ranging discussion on her esteemed career in media and motorsports. The current SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host dives into why media and journalism sparked her interest as a young girl, what made her want to get involved in sports and obtaining internships and gaining experience at a younger age than usual. She attended four (!) different colleges before getting her degree and starting her career in the business. But her on-air journey didn't come easy. She explains the importance of relationships, fostering them and building rapport while working behind the scenes before getting her first shot on camera in Charlotte. That was before the NASCAR world came calling in the form of SPEED Channel. She explains why she made the move to racing without seeking it out and the insanely steep learning curve that followed, the influence she received from the late Steve Byrnes, how her relationship then with Larry McReynolds evolved and her eventual departure from SPEED to NBC Sports Boston. Plus, her current role at SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, what her typical day looks like, why she and Larry Mac get along so well, how hosting a show on radio vs television differs, the hilarious story of how Larry (A.K.A. Dr. Love) set she and her now husband Robby Benton up, her time on the big screen, love for reality TV, whether there's anything else she'd like to accomplish professionally, our poorly aged takes about Tom Brady and one of the funniest moments in Victory Lane history involving a snoring dog.

After a lengthy and unplanned offseason/holiday break, Davey is back to get up to speed on all the happenings in the wide world of NASCAR. He discusses what he's been up to, some news and notes over the last month or so and Papa Segal gives an ode to a NASCAR Hall of Famer before Austin Wayne Self stops by for an all-encompassing conversation (8:50). A longtime Truck Series competitor, Self discusses his time in the series and what his growth has looked like over the years. Plus, he details how he got into racing in the first place, growing up in Texas before moving to Indianapolis, winning his first ARCA race and going through an obscene number of crew chiefs in a single season. Self provides his perspective on his suspension from NASCAR due to substance abuse and rapid reinstatement as well as his other off-track run in with the law. He also dishes on the John Hunter Nemechek incident at Martinsville, competing in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown and Battle at the Beach and more. Plus, why did Self need to decide to either race of go to juvy as a teenager? What happens if you mess with Texas? And what are his goals/aspirations in NASCAR? All that and more to kick off 2022.

And *poof* the 2021 NASCAR season has come to a close. Davey is back from Phoenix and recaps the Championship 4 weekend festivities that saw Kyle Larson earn his 10th victory of the season and first career Cup Series title. He speaks on why second chances are a good thing, the Cliff Daniels/Larson marriage that may be lethal for years to come, the other drivers coming up short and more. Plus, Daniel Hemric and Ben Rhodes earned championships of their own in the Xfinity and Truck Series, respectively. Davey breaks down Hemric's pursuit of that elusive victory, the race-winning move on Austin Cindric and his backflip celebration. Rhodes' press conference may have been more memorable than his race, thanks to his new "Bud" and champagne. But both drivers, despite not being dominators over the course of the season, were deserving champions, as Davey explains. Papa Segal pays homage to a legend who may have the most nicknames in NASCAR history, Davey hits on Lug Nuts including silly season news, crew chief suspensions, the Busch Light Clash format and more.

It's Championship 4 week, which means Julie Giese is one busy woman. Despite that, she still found some time to chat with Davey (14:55) about Phoenix Raceway hosting their first "real" championship weekend. Hear why she calls it "nervous energy," how the city of Phoenix has embraced the race track/event and how preparations for the title race weekend differ from their spring date. Giese didn't have being a track president on her radar five years ago, moreover growing up a race fan on a dairy farm. After deciding that the agricultural route wasn't for her in college, she opted to pursue her passion of racing. But not before getting rejected...a lot. She still has those rejection letters and explains why she keeps them, how she got her first job in the sport and worked her way up from the bottom. From Watkins Glen to Daytona to ISC and now Phoenix, Giese has done it all, gotten her hands dirty and learned along the way. She describes what life was like starting in the sport at a tumultuous time, heading up multiple multi-million track renovation projects, how Phoenix's track president opportunity came about, being a role model to other females in her position, her unique relationship with Derek Kraus' family and more, including the importance of West Coast racing to the fabric of motorsports and that one time she and Davey were stuck in a hauler during a Tucson Speedway rain delay. Davey recaps a wild weekend at Martinsville, previews the Championship 4 for all three national series and Papa Segal pays homage to an eclectic racer from the Northeast.

Ryan Ellis joins Davey (14:20) for an episode full of laughs, memories, reflection and even some trivia. A new father, Ellis details what life has been like with minimal sleep while working his 9-5 job AND racing. Also a third-generation driver, Ellis explains how his late grandfather and father started racing, how Ryan got involved and his fond memories of the early days of go-karting. After getting selected to appear on a Discovery Channel show in the Jetta-TDI Cup Series, Ellis seemed to be on the ride, but his confidence was fluctuating. He explains why, and details his Grand-Am experiences and how Jimmy Means gave him a start in NASCAR, something he admittedly wasn't seeking out. From Obaika Racing to BK Racing and everywhere in between, Ellis has been through the ringer. He tells the good, bad and ugly stories of his time working for countless car owners and why he made it a point to stay out of the way in his first ever Cup start, which also happened to be his hero Jeff Gordon's penultimate one. The journey to where he is now has made Ellis appreciate the sport more, and he explains why. Plus, why being an Asian-American never ended up helping him in the NASCAR Diversity program, his thoughts on CBD sponsorships, his love of hockey, why he decided to get a college degree and how it's helped him in the real world and in racing, how his Kansas Cup start with Rick Ware Racing came about, the awesome partnerships he has on the BJ McLeod Motorsports Xfinity car this weekend at Martinsville and more. Davey also beings his girlfriend Robin, noted Washington Capitals super fan, on to go head-to-head with Ellis answering Caps trivia questions. Who won and is the bigger fan? You'll have to find out. Davey also touches on Kyle Larson's ninth victory of the season and third in a row, Ty Gibbs' memorable day, previews the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville and Papa Segal pays homage to "The Mayor" Jeff Burton.

You may have been introduced to Ernie Francis Jr. this past summer thanks to SRX, but there's much more to his story. The seven-time Trans-Am champion joins Davey this week (13:30) to discuss how he got into racing, his father's origins in the sport, sanctioning bodies bending the rules to let him race, the dynamic working for his dad and why he likes to tinker and work on cars. He gives a primer on what the Trans-Am series is about and it's importance, why it's lost popularity over the years and winning his seven titles (in a row!) at such a young age. He also dives into his time running SRX this summer, how he got the invite from Ray Evernham, influence from Willy T. Ribbs, his victory over Scott Speed at Lucas Oil Raceway and how it feels to see fans wear his merchandise. Plus, why he stayed with Tony Stewart in his motorhome during the Knoxville Nationals, how it felt rubbing elbows with racing legends, how he adjusted to running short tracks with a road course background, his time in NASCAR with Rev Racing and why he thinks things didn't work out, whether or not he'd still like to run in stock cars or IndyCar and what his 2022 racing prospects may look like. Davey also briefly recaps Kyle Larson's Texas win, weighs in on the playoff vs non-playoff driver debate, previews Kansas and Papa Segal gives an ode to the man named Mikey.

Newly crowned ARCA Menards Series East champion Sammy Smith joins Davey (9:40) to discuss what life is like for a teenager who also happens to be a NASCAR champion. He also dives into how he got his start in racing, his experience in legends cars (and heartbreak) before graduating to super late models and stock cars, driving for an extensive list of big names in motorsports and the pressure of driving for said big names (i.e. Kyle Busch). He also discusses winning the pro late model championship at only 14-years-old at New Smyrna Speedway, how his ARCA East campaign with Joe Gibbs Racing came about, why his goal was to win the championship from day one despite not knowing if they’d run the full season and when he knew he was going to be the dominator of the season. Smith’s relationship with Ty Gibbs is a close one, and he details how the two met, formed a friendship, whether or not he races him any differently and why the public perception of the 18-year-old is a skewed one. Plus, his living situation in Iowa and how often he travels to North Carolina, the racing scene growing up, impact the Annett family has had on him in racing, his plans for the 2022 season and more. Davey also provides an update on his West Coast road trip and Papa Segal gives listeners a peek behind the curtain to Davey’s past life, as he pays homage to the driver who piloted the No. 29 and sparked his son’s obsession with NASCAR.

Santino Ferrucci joins Davey this week (24:15) to discuss his career in motorsports that saw him move to Europe at an early age and become a child prodigy dubbed "The Great Santino." He details what the racing culture was like in Europe for an American, why he wasn't fond of it as he grew older and some of the huge names he competed with and against while working his way up the ranks. On track to make it to Formula 1, Ferrucci was involved in controversy that involved he and his teammate colliding and skipping a stewards meeting, which ultimately led to his release from the team and move back stateside. Ferrucci dives into the details of what really happened, why it was a blessing in disguise that he was able to come back home and how it led him to his current escapades in IndyCar and NASCAR. It wasn't all bad in Europe, though. As a test driver for Haas F1 Team, Ferrucci recalls the fond memories he has driving a Formula 1 car and why he had to zip tie his helmet to his HANS device while racing it. Plus, why he decided to try his hand in NASCAR, whether or not he sees himself in stock cars for the long haul, how he's adjusted to racing bigger cars and learning the etiquette, why he's rooming with his team owner Sam Hunt in Charlotte, where he's focusing his efforts for the 2022 season and much more. Davey recaps the historic weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, that saw not only Bubba Wallace earn the first win for a Black driver since 1963 in the Cup Series, but also three first-time winners at the same track in the same weekend for the first time ever. He outlines why the rain-shortened victory was still legit for Wallace and 23XI Racing, briefly previews the Round of 12 cutoff at the Charlotte ROVAL and Papa Segal gives an ode to one of his favorite all-time drivers.

Chris Lambert is back with Davey for part two of their conversation (14:10) fresh off his Las Vegas victory, and they begin by discussing the day that changed his life forever. He describes what he remembers about the day he lost his then wife Hailey and 15-month-old son Austin, how he coped with the unimaginable losses, the moment he realized he needed to pick up the pieces and start over and why he decides to share his story in public. The two also discuss his Southern 500 victories, and why they mean more to him than his three Daytona 500's, his trophy collection over the years (and whether the team gets trophies the drivers do), meeting Michael Jordan at a UNC basketball camp (as a now Duke fan) and while working with Denny Hamlin, how his Red Sox and baseball fandom came about and why he feels the chances of the No. 11 team securing that elusive championship are as good as ever in 2021. Davey touches on the Las Vegas tripleheader weekend, takes a peek at the 2022 Xfinity and Truck Series schedules and Papa Segal gives an ode to the legendary Banjo Matthews.

He’s a three-time Daytona 500 champion, veteran of the sport for over two decades and now the first spotter to appear on Victory Lane. Chris Lambert joins Davey for part one (20:30) of their fascinating and all-encompassing conversation. He details how he got into spotting despite not seeking it out, why he didn’t pursue driving, growing up in Kannapolis and becoming involved in racing. He also explains the role spotters play besides just talking over the radio, why he wears four (!) radios during a race (and why he used to wear FIVE), how the job has evolved over the last two decades and his weekly interactions with NASCAR officials over the years. Spending more time with each other than their families, the spotters stand is a close fraternity, as Lambert explains. He’s dealt with some strange happenings at track, involving fires, potholes and even bikini tops coming off (yes, really). Hear why Lambert called his time working at Red Bull Racing “by far the best working environment (he’d) ever been in,” how he spotted two cars simultaneously during the tandem drafting era, all the drivers he’s worked with over the years and why he likes superspeedway racing more now than in previous eras. Plus, how his job differs from driver to driver, the first time he and Denny Hamlin worked together and why it didn’t immediately click, why he was hesitant to spot for Hamlin in the first place but eventually agreed, his experience spotting the 24 Hours of Daytona and why he turned down a chance at spotting the Indianapolis 500 this year, a race that remains atop his spotting bucket list. Come back next week for part two of their chat, where Lambert opens up in one of the more serious episodes ever on Victory Lane. Davey recaps the insane weekend of racing from Bristol, whether Kevin Harvick or Chase Elliott is in the right or wrong, why whether or not you take your helmet off doesn’t matter, his plea to let the drivers settle beef alone and the four drivers eliminated. In addition to a brief preview of Las Vegas, Papa Segal also pays homage to another NASCAR legend per usual.

Davey welcomes on NBC Charlotte sports reporter Ashley Stroehlein (15:35) to discuss her career in the industry and the roller coaster road she'd taken to get to this point. From working as a math teacher and basketball coach to eventually following her dream and landing a full-time job sports reporting, "Stro" describes how specific opportunities came about, why she chickened out of attending broadcasting school for the first time and how she balances everything that life throws her. No day is the same as a sports reporter in the 704, which makes for a fun yet stressful job. Stroehlein explains why "finding beauty in the struggle" is cliché yet true and why being one-dimensional in the field won't cut it nowadays. Plus, how she prepares for her various different roles, her work at Bristol Motor Speedway, relationships with Amy Earnhardt and Amanda Carter and more. Also, how does every photo she posts look like a professional shot it? We get the answer. Davey recaps Richmond's playoff race won by Martin Truex Jr. and ponders why the track has lacked overall action as of late. He also looks ahead to the Round of 16 cutoff at Bristol, dissects the 2022 Cup Series schedule that was released this week and Papa Segal pays homage to a driver who never was able to showcase his full talents behind the wheel.

Amy Long has had quote the journey, both in and out of motorsports, to get to where she is now. She joins Davey this week (17:00) to explain how the the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Superman got her interested in journalism, along with her inherent curiosity, attending Florida State University, working as a one woman band MMJ out of college and how she learned the internet as it became a thing in society. Traveling with the IMSA Patron team and working on the Miss Coors Light activation team got her feet wet in motorsports. Being put in a box by some, Long shares her thoughts on being a female in motorsports, and why she enjoys her role now with NASCAR Fantasy and Trackside Live way more. Long details how her relationship with current World of Outlaws sprint car racer (and former NASCAR driver) Kasey Kahne came to be, including seeing racing from his perspective, having the general public discover how good he really is (and has been), traveling on the road with him and what she can cook up inside the motorhome. Plus, her time as a Disney Princess (yes, really!), why it was the most rewarding job of her career on so many levels, the impact she had on others in the role and how transforming into a character takes more effort than you think. As if that wasn't enough, she was a participant on "The Bachelor" and details the behind-the-scenes on how she got asked to be on the show. Papa Segal gives an ode to one of the best to ever do it, Davey recaps the Southern 500 to open the playoffs, one that was "Holy Bajeezus" worthy and shares an update on his weekly TikTok recap videos.

It's been a long time coming, but Rajah Caruth finally joins Davey this week (12:10) for an all-encompassing conversation. The duo touch on his upbringing in Washington DC, getting hooked on NASCAR, sim racing, mentorship from Bubba Wallace, his rapid progression up the ranks, the announcement of him moving to the Xfinity Series part-time in 2022 with Alpha Prime Racing and more. Caruth explains how his relationship with Tommy Joe Martins began and progressed to this point, why moving up to Xfinity next season is the right choice, all the while with his focus remaining on ARCA with Rev Racing, and how much he's learned every step along the way. A surprise road trip to Richmond in 2014 changed his life forever, and he recalls the moment he knew being a race car driver was what he wanted to do, including the subsequent steps he took to try and accomplish his goal. Dealing with everything life has thrown Caruth's way, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, hasn't been easy, though. He gets real about struggles on and off track over the last couple years, dealing with racism as one of a few African-American drivers in NASCAR, moving to North Carolina from DC and starting college full-time while racing, his mentorship from Bubba Wallace, how their relationship progressed and more. Plus, the two chat about his first late model victory, what the DMV actually is, whether or not he can actually dunk, if he could've had a career as an Olympic caliber runner, some unique opportunities he's gotten over the year, including acting for BET, a Louis Vuitton photoshoot, being honored at a Wizards game and reflecting on where he is in his racing career. Davey recaps the regular season finale from Daytona and previews the 10-race stretch, beginning this weekend at Darlington, while Papa Segal (and Mama Segal!) give an ode to the man called "Mongo."

The IMSA mechanic, Twitter professional, biscuit connoisseur and all-around cool guy Bozi Tatarevic joins Davey Segal this week (15:25) to discuss his career in racing and immigrating to the United States from Serbia. He details the motorsports culture (or lack thereof) in Serbia growing up and how he became involved once moving to the U.S. Working with Vasser Sullivan in IMSA, Bozi details his day-to-day duties, experience working the Rolex 24 at Daytona (including lots of napping and snacking) how he got involved working in the IMSA garage and why he thinks IMSA has seen a rise in popularity recently. He also explains how and why Racing Spaces has become such a success on Twitter, his love of social media, why people seem to resonate with his in-depth coverage on a "quick hits" platform and answers "the question" about Criss Angel. He's also a writer, and explains what led him to begin creating content for numerous publications and whether or not the NextGen car is worth the hype. Bozi is also the biggest biscuit fan you'll meet. He details what makes a good biscuit, why he loves pie and other baked goods, his approach to dating apps, NASCAR softball league, being thought of as a robot by some (and taking advantage of it with merch) and more. Davey also recaps Ryan Blaney's victory at Michigan and provides evidence as to why Daytona is a good venue for the regular season finale and Papa Segal pays homage to a NASCAR Hall of Famer.

A trailblazer in his own right, Armani Williams, the first openly autistic NASCAR driver, joins Davey this week (14:35) ahead of his Camping World Truck Series debut at Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Williams dishes on why time time is right to make his debut, understanding his equipment and trying to stay out of the way of playoff contenders, what drew him to racing in general, how a trip to play mini golf sparked his interest in driving and the process that followed getting him behind the wheel. While racing with autism has its challenges, there are also some benefits that help Williams behind the wheel. Williams discusses them, why using racing as a platform to get out the message about autism is important to him and his family, the story behind his “tell me I can’t so I can show you I can” mantra, his time in the Pinty’s Series with mentorship from DJ Kennington and being comfortable in the spotlight. Plus why he’s studying mechanical engineering at Oakland University while pursuing a racing career, being one of a few African-Americans in NASCAR’s national series, whether or not he’s okay being viewed as the autistic race car driver and a funny story of when he forgot to celebrate one of his first victories. Davey also recaps the wild Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course event won by AJ Allmendinger and curb calamity, previews Michigan and Papa Segal pays homage one of the best drivers of all-time.

You probably know Joe Graf Jr. as that guy who failed to qualify in a RCR Xfinity car, but Davey shines a light on the SS Green Light driver on and off track this week. The two chat (17:30) about how Graf got started in racing being from the Northeast and how he currently is balancing being a full-time college student at NYU with racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He also dives into why attending school is important to him, despite the logistical hurdles involved with managing it. Graf discusses his first career ARCA win and one that he thinks he *should* have won, including racing with a broken foot and making some people mad along the way. As an intern with Richard Childress Racing, Graf got the opportunity to race in the Xfinity Series, but made headlines by failing to qualify. He's in good spirits about the weekend now, and explains why his mindset has switched to making light of the situation rather than avoiding it altogether. Graf also dishes on his fight with Gray Gaulding earlier this year at Martinsville. Who won? What did he think of Gaulding's comments? And what made Graf mad about the whole ordeal more than anything? Plus, his relationship with Antonio Williams Jr. of the Buffalo Bills, how working with a sports psychiatrist has aided him, his obsession with sneakers, love for New Jersey pizza/bagels and more. Davey also recaps the weekend of action from Watkins Glen and explains why the venue is one of the best in all of NASCAR. He also debates whether or not racing on the Indianapolis Road Course means as much as racing on the oval. Plus, Papa Segal gives an ode to Smoke.

For somebody who had no NASCAR aspirations growing up, Josh Bilicki has done pretty well for himself. He joins Davey this week (9:00) to discuss his career in racing and lack of stock car/short track experience, despite growing up literally right next to an iconic venue. He details why he didn’t pursue NASCAR from the start and chose sports cars instead, spending his own dime to go race, how spec miatas compare to Cup cars and how a Facebook message helped him secure a ride for his first NASCAR race. Bilicki has some insane stories from his time with Victor Obaika, including his first time driving for the team at Road America, missing seat belts and window nets, unkept promises, checks that never showed up and how it all led to Roger Penske of all people buying him an ice cream cone (yes, really). He also explains why he treats Cup races like IMSA events running for Rick Ware Racing, his relationship with his teammates, reflecting on being a full-time Cup Series driver, his goals and aspirations for the future and more, including his success racing snowmobiles and an attempt at pronouncing “Antetokounmpo.”

It may not be a high school commitment announcement, but Brad Perez is on the podcast this week to share his exciting news: he’s going ARCA racing! The beloved NASCAR personality on social media details how his opportunity to run at Watkins Glen with Josh Williams Motorsports came about, why he decided to pursue the chance, his relationship with the team owner/driver, how social media posts aided in his efforts to secure the necessary sponsorship and what he did when he got the call that his deal was official. He also explains what he does for Martins Motorsports and Rackley W.A.R. in the Xfinity and Truck Series, how a tire specialists role holds many different duties, why relationships are crucial to success during a race and more. Plus, he explains why racing is “the coolest addiction ever,” moving to Charlotte to pursue it, his time developing in spec miatas and how it translates to NASCAR, his multiple jobs throughout it all outside of racing and more, including his dance skills, softball league and why he seems to always shank Davey at the race track.

You've probably seen her post about her cat, Criss Angel, cars and racing, and this week Alanis King joins the podcast to talk about all that and more. Davey and King discuss her current role at Business Insider and time spent at Jalopnik, where she blogged anything and everything from pink splitters to NASCAR to Yu-Gi-Oh! (yes, really). She also dives into how she's handled the countless haters and threats thrown her way over the years, all while learning how to handle and blog on the internet while finishing college. She also discusses why " the cat lady who writes about cars" could not be more accurate, how "Racing Spaces" began on Twitter and asking Denny Hamlin "the question," driving a Monster Truck, drag racing in her moms Hyundai, riding in a Ferrari with Sebastian Vettel and a MotoGP bike around COTA. Nobody is more obsessed with Criss Angel than Alanis, and she explains why/how the fandom began. After she reveals her ridiculous take on pizza (and it is RIDICULOUS), Davey accidentally makes her cry at the thought of Criss Angel in the Times Square Olive Garden. If you couldn't already tell, things got a bit weird in this conversation. But King is busy finishing a book centered around Rich Energy, the infamous Formula 1 sponsor, and shares an excerpt from the book with Davey. Aric Almirola upset the playoff grid with his win at New Hampshire, and NASCAR officiating didn't have the best day. Davey breaks down The Magic Mile and Papa Segal digs deep into his suitcase of courage in this weeks wayback segment.

Check your mail, because The Postman is here! Davey sits down with Steve Post (19:10) to dive into his career in motorsports, spanning over 30 years. From a young fan attending races on Pennsylvania short and dirt tracks to manning pit road for the Motor Racing Network, Post has done and seen it all, and continues to do so with radiant positivity. He explains how he got into racing, his days working as an announcer locally, how he handled life when he moved to North Carolina and why he always had an eye on joining MRN. Before his time wearing the famed blue shirt, Post was a public relations representative for Kenny Wallace and Ricky Rudd in NASCAR, and shares countless stories of his time on the road/at the track with the two drivers. He also explains how he wound up getting hired by MRN, a job he’s held for almost 20 years, and what it was like to be a part of the sport in its booming years throughout the 2000s. Post also outlines his other jobs and passions, including sprint car racing, diecast cars, the Summer Shootout at Charlotte and more. Plus, what’s up with his wild and wacky hair? Simply better living, that’s what. Davey touches on Kurt Busch’s surprise Atlanta victory and goes into a diatribe about the seeming lack of communication between the drivers, tracks and sanctioning body. What needs to be done to fix things? Papa Segal gives an ode to “The Biff” and a badass car the former Roush driver owns.

The NASCAR garage is full of characters, and Josh Williams is one of the biggest. The Xfinity Series mainstay joins Davey this week (9:00) to reminisce on his racing career, a path that isn't often replicated nowadays. From working on and building his own stuff and cutting his teeth in ARCA with his family team, Williams has scratched and clawed his way to success in motorsports at all levels throughout his career. From his wins in legends and bandoleros, spending time with Chris Buescher while getting scolded by Ken Ragan, participating in "Humpy's Heroes" as a teenager, the four-wheeler accident that put him in the ICU for five days and what made him laugh when he finally woke up, Williams' stories seem to never stop. Plus, additional tales of his first ARCA win, what made pulling all nighters worth it, his time starting and parking in multiple series, crew chiefing in the Xfinity Series on the side while driving, his relationship with team owner Mario Gosselin and more. Why is he confident that he'll not only win an Xfinity race, but also win in the Cup Series one day? "J-Dubb" lets you know, and let's it all fly--just like his patented mullet. Davey also recaps Chase Elliott's victory at Road America, gives his thoughts on Atlanta Motor Speedway's re-profiling project and Papa Segal gives an ode to an American and NASCAR hero.

We're keeping it ~spicy~ this week, as professional emcee and award-winning speaker Jose Castillo joins Davey this week (16:45) to chat about his career, how he got involved with NASCAR through Bristol Motor Speedway, transforming the big screen experience for fans, when he realized public speaking was the path for him and where the passion came from. He also discusses his eclectic background, why "keeping it spicy" is truly a personality trait of his, how he's pivoted to the virtual world during the pandemic, cultivating relationships with the drivers while having fun, the positivity he radiates and more. Plus, what's the spiciest interview Castillo has ever had over the years? Davey also breaks down the double dose of action from Pocono Raceway, ponders why the racing was so compelling and looks ahead to Road America. In this week's wayback segment, Papa Segal gives an ode to one of the greatest racers of all-time.

Canada’s finest, Alex Labbe, joins Davey this week (17:00) to discuss racing north of the border and the culture that comes along with it. Labbe details his career path spanning go-karts, late models and more, before landing in the Pinty’s Series, where he raced against big names and some of his racing heroes. After winning the series championship in 2017, he and his sponsor Can-Am decided to go Xfinity Series racing, where they still compete today for DGM Racing and Mario Gosselin. The two discuss the travel logistics Labbe goes through crossing the border to get to races, how popular motorsports are in Canada, the harsh penalty NASCAR laid down on Labbe and DGM at the Daytona Road course and why it was overturned, why he chose to get a college degree in the U.S. while racing full-time in Canada, his career aspirations and more. Davey recaps another dominant performance from Kyle Larson at Nashville and gives his thoughts on the track’s first weekend hosting races in a decade. He also briefly previews Pocono and Papa Segal gives an ode to one of the most important figures in NASCAR history.

One of the best to ever grace the screen, legendary broadcaster Allen Bestwick joins Davey this week (25:00) to discuss his illustrious career and his new venture as the play-by-play voice of SRX. He answers how the opportunity to get back in the booth for the new series initially came about, how he thinks the initial weekend at Stafford went and how his preparation for SRX events differ from calling other forms of motorsports and sports in general. Bestwick is used to local New England short tracks, given that he began calling races at Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts at 16 years of age. He details his career path from that point forward, including stops at MRN working alongside Barney Hall and Ned Jarrett, NBC with Benny Parsons, ESPN with Rusty Wallace and a plethora of other legendary names on track and behind the microphone in between. He explains why no specific race that he’s called stands out to him, but reveals what does stick with him reflecting on his years traveling the circuit. Davey and Allen also discuss the importance of letting the broadcast breathe and why silence can speak volumes while calling an event. Bestwick also provides an update on what he’s been up to since ESPN exited NASCAR in the mid 2010s, including calling US Opens, college basketball and more. Plus, would he be open to a return to the broadcast booth on a regular basis calling NASCAR races? Davey touches on another victory by Kyle Larson in the All-Star Race, including his thoughts on how the format played out. His girlfriend Robin makes a return appearance to give her thoughts on the race, Kyle Busch gets mad at Davey, a preview of NASCAR’s return to Nashville and Papa Segal gives a lengthy historical deep dive into his favorite driver of all time: Bobby Allison.

You've probably seen her on NASCAR's digital platforms, but Alex Weaver didn't grow up an avid follower of the sport. She joins Davey this week (8:20) to discuss her career path that began at Clemson University covering football and eventually led her to NASCAR. Despite being involved in sports from a young age, she almost pursued a career as a scientist before deciding otherwise. Working behind and in front of the camera at Clemson, she learned the tricks of the trade before trading in her purple and orange. Originally hired to work in the partnership division of the company, Weaver learned the ins and outs of NASCAR before dabbling in on-camera content. As she improved, her time on screen rose. She describes the challenges being a female in female dominated sport present (including when a driver tried to mansplain something to her), how she's leaned on broadcasters like Kaitlyn Vincie, Shannon Spake and Jamie Little among others and what interviews have been her most memorable. Plus, being a cat mom, her Chick-Fil-A obsession, being an Instagram influencer and what her future career aspirations look like. Davey touches on Kyle Larson's dominant performance at Sonoma for the second consecutive week, ponders what has happened to the All-Star Race and Papa Segal gives an ode to the No. 11.

Currently full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, Nick Sanchez joins Davey this week (12:05) as the two reminisce and discuss his career to date, which only started seven years ago. After some time go-karting at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Sanchez and his mom searched “how to become a NASCAR driver” on the internet, and the rest is history. After being accepted into NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, Sanchez began competing in legends and late models for Rev Racing, where he honed his craft in full-bodied stock cars for the first time. He explains why winning the Wendell Scott Trailblazer award was such a big deal to him, and recalls his first couple starts in the K&N Pro Series at South Boston in 2019. Now full-time in ARCA, Sanchez details why Rev upgraded their inventory ahead of the ambitious 20-race slate, how his skillset has improved, what it’s like racing against Ty Gibbs and more. Plus, some stories of karting with Indy 500 champions and Formula 1 winners, his passions away from the track (notably why he now has a “plan B” in the real estate industry if racing doesn’t work out) and more, including the hilarious and ironic story of how Nick and Davey’s two families are connected dating back to school in Miami. Davey also touches on Kyle Larson’s dominant Coca-Cola 600 win and Rick Hendrick’s record-breaking night at Charlotte, previews Sonoma and Papa Segal gives an ode to “The Ironman.”

Dawson Cram is the latest in a long line of racers, and he joins Davey on the podcast this week to dive into his season to date, career in racing and much more. Fresh off missing the show at COTA, Cram details what went wrong and why and touches on the uphill climb that small teams face in today’s landscape of NASCAR. Marcus Lemonis has helped the Camping World Truck Series immensely this season, but Cram and his No. 41 team may have benefitted more than anybody, as the truck adorns Camping World, Good Sam and Overton’s almost every single week. Cram explains why Lemonis’ gratitude and financial assistance has helped him and his team immensely, and provides his thoughts on the Sheldon Creed Twitter exchange with Lemonis, looking at it from both perspectives. As is par for the course, Cram began his racing career at the age of five in mini dwarf cars (he explains what those are) before moving from California to North Carolina to pursue his racing dream further. He recalls his memorable Truck debut that included white knuckles, snow postponements and hitting a pit crew member. They also discuss how his national series career grew from there, including his work with JD Motorsports alongside his driving duties. Plus, his family lineage in racing, who he leans on in the garage for advice and a little about who Dawson is away from the race track. Davey provides his thoughts on the wet and wild race weekend at COTA, briefly previews the longest race of the year at Charlotte and Papa Segal gives an ode to the No. 09.

At only 18-years-old, Carson Hocevar has already torn up the short track scene and is making a name for himself in NASCAR. He joins Davey this week (12:50) to discuss his career behind the wheel, starting in Michigan at Berlin Raceway, and why NASCAR had to make a rule change to combat him winning as a 13-year-old. NASCAR champion Johnny Benson has mentored Hocevar over the years, and Carson explains how Johnny’s help has been instrumental to his growth in stock cars. Hocevar details his journey to where he is now: full-time with Niece Motorsports, why he lost some confidence in his time running ARCA, how he regained it and why he’s just now hitting his stride with Niece in the Truck Series. Injuries haven’t stopped Hocevar in his young career, either, as he recalls breaking his wrist in a wreck but finishing the race one handed. Plus, how he powered through the end of a Truck race with heat exhaustion. Despite not being known for dirt racing, the late Bryan Clauson had a profound impact on him. He explains why that is, how the information afforded to him in NASCAR is good to have, yet overwhelming at times and which races are left on his bucket list to win across the country. Davey also recaps Hendrick Motorsports’ dominance at Dover and Alex Bowman’s second victory of the season, previews NASCAR’s inaugural weekend at COTA in Texas and more.

Life as a Truck Series driver/owner for a small, family-run, underfunded team isn't anything like the glitz and glamor of NASCAR racing, but for Cory Roper, it's been more than enough. The Texan joins Davey this week (15:45) to discuss why he decided to get into NASCAR racing, the chance encounters that led to his involvement ramping up, how his construction company factors into the equation and how Roper Racing Team's first event was a memorable (and snowy) one at Martinsville. Roper explains how gaining experience has been a key as a driver, why not practicing is good for an owner but disadvantageous from the driver's perspective, what good runs do financially and morale wise for a small team, and what bad runs/wrecks do and more. Plus, he breaks down his third-place finish at Daytona this year, what bringing Chase Briscoe into the fold has meant to the team and reveals what his family thinks of him pursuing his passion on a grander scale. Davey breaks down Martin Truex Jr.'s dominant win at Darlington and speaks on why performances like that should be appreciated rather than ridiculed. He also gives his thoughts on the 750 horsepower package, previews Dover and Papa Segal pays homage to Coo Coo Marlin.

Like many, he’s experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in racing. But Jeremy Clements story is about as unique as it gets. From almost losing a body part as a teenager inside the race car to scoring his Xfinity Series win at Road America, Clements has gone through the ringer in his career, and joins Davey this week (18:30) to discuss it all. They discuss the horrific injury he suffered and the recovery that followed, including visiting Victory Lane in an ARCA race only three years later. His time in the Xfinity Series dates back to the early 2000s, allowing him to race at iconic venues such as Pikes Peak, IRP and in Montreal. Clements reflects on being in the series for over a decade and the road to where he is now. He also relives his Road America victory in 2017 and reflects on why that weekend was so special for him and his team. The No. 51 team is off to an incredible start in 2021, sitting firmly inside the top 10 in points ahead of countless powerhouse organizations. Clements explains the reason for the uptick in performance and why the key is staying up there consistently. Plus, his iconic Darlington Throwback honoring Dale Jarrett, life as the husband of a full-time fashion blogger/social media influencer and whether or not JCR will go Cup racing in the future. Davey recaps Kyle Busch’s win in the Buschy McBusch Race (yes, really) and gives his thoughts on the tire debacle and NextGen car being unveiled this week. He also previews Darlington Throwback weekend and Papa Segal provides an ode to a late legend.

Matt Mills joins Davey this week (15:20) ahead of his Cup Series debut at Kansas. He explains how the opportunity with BJ McLeod Motorsports came about after running Xfinity for the organization the past couple years and the approval process given the drama surrounding it the past couple weeks. Mills also describes why his results in NASCAR don’t tell the full story while driving for an underfunded team. After starting racing motorcycles as a kid, Mills transitioned to stock cars at age 12, but skipped ARCA/K&N before making his national series debut, choosing to focus on late models instead. He details his debut at Bristol of all places, driving for multiple smaller teams and the struggles that come along with it, mentorship from team owner BJ McLeod, his passions away from the track (including a Star Wars obsession) and why starting the Cup race this weekend will mean his childhood dream has been achieved. Davey also recaps Brad Keselowski’s sixth career win at Talladega, Joey Logano’s comments on the superspeedway rules package, Jeb Burton’s emotional Xfinity win and more.

Toni Breidinger has and continues to be a trailblazer in motorsports. Being the first female Arab-American in NASCAR and winningest female in USAC history, Breidinger doesn’t pay too much attention to her historic achievements, but rather is focused on the here and now of making it in NASCAR. She joins Davey this week (14:45) to discuss her upbringing in California and getting started go-karting with her twin sister and father. She also recalls how breaking her arm in a crash at a young age didn’t deter her from pursuing her passion. Breidinger details what being the first female Arab-American driver means to her personally, and why she was surprised that nobody came before her. She also explains how being a woman in racing doesn’t occupy her mind as much as it does others as well as her catchphrase: “the car doesn’t know gender.” Hear the coincidental story of how she got the opportunity with Young’s Motorsports, and why she didn’t expect to be moving up the ranks this quickly. She dives into her racing career on pavement (and a little dirt), the learning process she’s going through and how the pandemic provided her unforeseen opportunities on track. Plus, Breidinger’s appearances on The TODAY Show, The Ellen Show and others have introduced her to a national audience. Hear how Breidinger has navigated being in the national spotlight recently, how she deals with haters thinking she’s not truly a racer. How does she utilize social media (where she has over a combined 1 million followers) to her benefit? She explains, along with her experiences modeling and that leading to sponsorship on track, her struggles while moving to Charlotte and her pet bunny named Fetty Hop. Davey recaps Alex Bowman’s win at Richmond and questions what’s happened to the Virginia short track in recent years. He also briefly previews Talladega and Papa Segal gives an ode to a 93-year-old who stays young behind the wheel.

Stefan Parsons has already made a name for himself and is continuing to do so with BJ McLeod Motorsports in the Xfinity Series this season. The latest in line of Parsons to get behind a steering wheel, the 22-year-old joins Davey this week (17:45) to discuss his start in the sport, and how David Ragan’s father, Ken, was influential in him beginning at Charlotte in bandoleros as a youngster. He also explains why starting racing at 12-years-old, relatively late compared to others, was actually a good thing in the long run. Parsons dives into his father Phil’s career and how it’s impacted how he’s helped Stefan in his ascension up the racing ranks, his memories of Phil Parsons Racing in the mid-late 2000s, the cool moment of doing a prerace segment for FOX before his Truck Series debut and more. He also reflects on his uncle Benny’s induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and why it meant so much for the Parsons family. Stefan also describes the help those in the sport gave him over the years, most notably Carl Edwards, how his Dogecoin sponsorship (to the moon!) this year came full circle and why getting a college degree was important to him. Plus, his love of the Detroit Red Wings and golf, his friendship with Cup Series driver William Byron and more, including goals for this season in the No. 99 car for BJ McLeod Motorsports. Davey also touches on Martin Truex Jr.’s short track dominance after yet another Martinsville win, explains why Josh Berry stole the weekend by giving hope to hundreds of racers across the country and previews Richmond Raceway.

Kelly Crandall joins Davey this week (8:30) to discuss and reflect on her impressive motorsports journalism career to date, which includes not one but two NMPA Writer of the Year awards. The industry veteran recalls hilarious (and horrific) stories from covering the NASCAR beat on the road over the years, and whether or not it feels like she’s been covering the sport full-time for almost a decade. The 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona had Crandall hooked, and she was racing obsessed from there on out. Getting started writing whatever, wherever and however, she incrementally gained reps and parlayed that into an opportunity to lead Popular Speed’s coverage. After quitting her day job at home, she decided to make the move to Charlotte to pursue a full-time career in the sport, where she received a plethora of help from others in hopes of making it. She explains some tumultuous times while grinding to make it, and why she’s trying to pay it forward today. Hear why she “was gonna throw up” when she realized she’d become the Writer of the Year and her reflection on the hard work that it took to get to that moment. She now spearheads Racer's NASCAR coverage and is loving every minute of it. Crandall discusses the creativity that is allowed in her current role and why it’s refreshing given her past. Plus, how she’s navigated being a female in a male dominated industry, if having a significant other in racing makes things easier and her love of WWE and Schitt’s Creek. Papa Segal gives an ode to a Hall of Famer you probably didn’t know piloted the No. 02 car and Davey previews the action from Martinsville Speedway.

Amber Balcean made history, becoming the first Canadian female to win a NASCAR sanctioned race in the United States. But she’s now setting her sights on bigger and better things in the motorsports world. She joins Davey this week (17:00) to explain why joining the BMR Drivers Academy was the perfect opportunity for a driver like her and why racing has always been a constant in her life as a third generation driver. She recalls her historic win at Motor Mile in 2016 and the celebratory reception that her hometown of Winnipeg gave her in the aftermath. But the lack of sponsors that followed were the realization that funding would be the biggest hurdle to overcome throughout this journey and she was going to have to grind for it. Balcean also describes the harrowing crash she was involved in at Valley Speedway, which left her with a severe concussion, burns and a collapsed lung. She dives into her two-month recovery and whether or not she had doubts of returning to racing post-recovery and more. Some may recognize Balcean’s name from the reality show “Racing Wives” that ran a couple years ago. Davey gets to the bottom of what was real and what was fabricated on the show, and Balcean expresses frustration at her portrayal on the show, but also explains why taking the opportunity to be a part of it was a no brainer for multiple reasons. Plus, Davey recaps the Bristol Dirt race, what was done well and what can be improved for the event next year.

The often imitated, never duplicated and distinguished motorsports journalist Jeff Gluck is the highly awaited guest for landmark Episode 100 of the podcast. Davey Segal chats with one of his biggest mentors and names in NASCAR about his illustrious career spanning multiple decades. Growing up out West, Gluck details his upbringing (including being classmates with team owner Justin Marks) and how coming East to study journalism at Delaware kicked the next chapter of his life into high gear. After attending his first NASCAR race at Rockingham Speedway, he was hooked. From that point forward, he began covering the sport “on the side” any way he could while a high school preps reporter, which led to his upward trajectory. Gluck recalls the hilarious way he got introduced to “NASCAR Scene,” which became his employer for some of the best years of his life. The glitz, glamor and glory of the sport in its heyday was stuff of legend, and Gluck shares some stories about NASCAR at its peak in the mid/late 2000s...before it all came crashing down and he was jobless. From SB Nation, to USA Today, to starting his own website and everything in between, Gluck dives into each stop of his professional career along the way and what came along with them, including a time when Brian France and countless drivers were rather displeased with one of his articles and made sure to let him know. Moving back out West to start a family could have come at the expense of his career, but it didn’t, much in part thanks to his patrons. Gluck gets real about how they literally changed his life, and why it made leaving for The Athletic such a tough decision. But he’s loving it, and tells Davey why this is the last job he’ll take in motorsports journalism. The two share laughs, stories and some heartfelt messages in what truly is an extravaganza of a 100th episode. And as always, Papa Segal gives an ode to a lesser-known driver of the No. 0, and Davey reflects on reaching the 100th episode of the podcast.

Hardcore NASCAR fans may not recognize the name, but those in the Washington D.C. area will. Grant Paulsen is a new and avid NASCAR fan, and he joins Davey (14:00) to discuss how the return amid the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated his fandom to levels even he didn't expect. Paulsen, a fixture on D.C. radio and television, describes the process involved in picking Erik Jones as his favorite driver, as well as his purchase of Jones' sheet metal during quarantine (to much apathy of his wife). Plus, why the stances NASCAR took last summer allowed him to dive in fully with his fandom, his unique perspective on the sport as a new, wide-eyed fan and his admiration for Larry McReynolds and NASCAR's broadcast partners. As a child, Paulsen regularly appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and attended Super Bowls on behalf of the show. He explains how those opportunities came to be, including an incredible story involving legends Joe Montana and Franco Harris. Davey also touches on Martin Truex Jr.'s Phoenix victory and why tire wear at Atlanta is a welcome change in the realm of 1.5-mile tracks. Papa Segal gives an ode to "The Mayor" and a famous backflipper who donned the No. 99. Plus, plenty of Lug Nuts as the Bristol Dirt Race looms.