Racing Now and Then

Episode 21 - Isabella Robusto, NASCAR Two-time Young Racer Award Recipient Oct 21, 2020

Isabella Robusto and her twin brother William began racing Go-Karts at age 5 They progressed through Bandolero and Legends cars together. However, Isabella is now in her first year racing a Late Model for Rev Racing. Working with the NASCAR Foundation, the high school student often visits children's hospitals. This year she became a two-time recipient of the Young Racer Award presented by NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. Isabella's athleticism isn't confined to the race track. She also plays basketball and competes in track and field events. In this episode, she talks about her various activities and why she believes it's important to give back to her community.

Episode 20 - Gracie Trotter, First female to win an ARCA sanctioned race, third generation driver Oct 14, 2020

In Gracie Trotter's rookie season in the ARCA Menards West Series, the third generation driver became the first female to win an ARCA-sanctioned race. Her accomplishment at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's The Bullring added another victory on her racing resume that began in Go-Karts at age 7. She also has won a Legends title and a Late Model race at Hickory Motor Speedway. In addition to driving for Bill McAnally Racing in the Toyota Driver Development program, she competes for Rev Racing in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. During the off-season, the 19-year-old Denver, North Carolina, native volunteers at Urban Ministries in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Episode 19 - Earl Barban, Spotter for Jimmie Johnson Sep 24, 2020

Earl Barban is best known by today's race fans as Jimmie Johnson's spotter, but the St. Louis native's motorsports career has involved so much more. He has spotted for NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace as well as various other drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series, fielded a truck driven by Kenny Wallace in the early years of NASCAR's truck series, driven a transporter for Team Penske, raced a dirt car, and hauled show cars. In this episode of Racing Now and Then, Barban talks about his interesting motorsports career and those who influenced him.

Episode 18 - Kelly Crandall, NASCAR writer for Racer.com, discusses the NASCAR Cup Playoffs Sep 03, 2020

With the NASCAR Cup Playoffs kicking off Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway, Racer.com NASCAR writer Kelly Crandall discusses this year's 16-car field with show host Deb Williams. Find out who they believe are the favorites and how this year's track schedule could provide some interesting twists in the playoffs.

Episode 17 - Austin Green, second generation driver makes ARCA debut Aug 17, 2020

Austin Green, son of NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity) champion David Green, recently found himself with an opportunity he never expected. While attending an ARCA race in Toledo, Ohio, the team with whom he had been working suddenly needed a driver. The team owner turned to Green, who hadn't driven a race car in about 1 1/2 years. Find out how the college sophomore capitalized on the opportunity.

Episode 16 - Bobby Bennett, veteran drag racing writer defeats COVID-19, now donates life-saving plasma Jul 30, 2020

Veteran drag racing writer Bobby Bennett found himself fighting for his life in March when he contracted COVID-19. He beat the coronavirus and today donates life-saving plasma to those still fighting the deadly virus. Bennett also works with others in the NHRA community who are fighting the disease and encourages those who have already defeated it to join him in donating plasma. In this episode, the editor/publisher of CompetitionPlus.com details his COVID-19 battle and talks about the others in the NHRA community who have had to fight it.

Episode 15 - Austin Cindric, Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Series title contender Jul 19, 2020

Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric at age 21 has already built an extensive racing resume that includes open wheel and sports cars in addition to stock cars. At age 14, he became the youngest driver ever to compete in the USF 2000 Series. This year he made NASCAR history when he became the first driver to win on consecutive days in the same series at the same track. In this episode, the son of Team Penske President Tim Cindric also talks about his grandfather Jim Trueman, who raced sports cars, owned Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, founded Red Roof Inns and won the 1986 Indianapolis 500 with driver Bobby Rahal.

Episode 14 - Mike Wallace, NASCAR driver returns to action at Indy after a 5-year absence due to heart surgery Jul 03, 2020

Five years ago Mike Wallace's NASCAR career came to a screeching halt when he underwent triple bypass surgery. This weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway he returns to the driver's seat with plans to become the first person to compete in three inaugural races at the historic track -- the first Cup race, the first Xfinity event and the first Xfinity race on the speedway's road course.

Episode 13 - Jerry Cook, Six-time NASCAR Modified champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame member Jun 26, 2020

Jerry Cook built his first race car at age 13, but didn't start driving until age 19. Even then he had to falsify his age in order to compete because under then NASCAR rules he was too young to race. Cook eventually earned six championships, often competing in 90 to 96 races annually, and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. In this episode, Cook talks about his racing career, his rivalry with Richie Evans, his transition from competitor to NASCAR executive, his current involvement in racing at age 77, and his family's role in motorsports.

Episode 12 - Bill Heisel, head of OrthoCarolina motorsports program Jun 10, 2020

During the two-month shutdown due to the pandemic, NASCAR's pit crews and drivers had to find alternative ways to keep in shape. Sports medicine specialist Bill Heisel, who heads OrthoCarolina's motorsports program describes the training methods that were used and the injuries many of them now face. Also, did you know a driver can suffer carpal tunnel syndrome? Heisel explains why this can occur in a driver. He also tells why working out is extremely important for Aric Almirola since he broke his back.

Episode 11 - Leah Pruett, NHRA Top Fuel driver Jun 02, 2020

Leah Pruett is one of only two female drivers competing in NHRA Top Fuel. A driver for Don Schumacher Racing, Pruett has won eight Top Fuel events and has been the No. 1 qualifier a dozen times. After two races this season she is third in the Top Fuel standings. During this downtime due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pruett has focused on preparing herself for the 16 straight weeks the NHRA will have when it returns to action in August. She also has raised money for a local food bank. In this episode, Pruett explains why it's critical for a drag racer to be in top shape, both in strength and cardiovascular.

Episode 10 - Rex White, 1960 NASCAR champion, NASCAR Hall of Fame member May 22, 2020

After surviving a battle with polio as a child, Rex White became one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR. When he won the 1960 NASCAR premier series championship with his own team, he had only two employees. That year when he competed in the inaugural World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway he stacked three windshields on top of each other and attached them with masking tape in preparation for the newly-paved track that was coming apart. From 1959-1963, White won 28 races, which was more than any other driver in NASCAR's top series. In addition to White's 28 victories, in 233 NASCAR Cup starts he earned 110 top-five and 163-top 10 finishes and 36 poles. White finished in the top 10 in the point standings six of the nine years he competed in NASCAR's premier series.

Episode 9 - Shayna Texter, American Flat Track title contender May 14, 2020

Shayna Texter is a third generation racer. Her grandfather is in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and her father is a motorcycle racing champion. She has the most wins of any active driver in American Flat Track racing's Singles Class. Shayna talks about when her interest in motorcycle racing began, her workout regime, her fan base, her first career victory at Knoxville, Iowa, and why she competes with No. 52.

Episode 8 - Michael Lock, American Flat Track CEO May 08, 2020

American Flat Track CEO Michael Lock discusses the issues the motorcycle racing series is facing in its efforts to return to competition this year. He also talks about why the Production Twins class was formed and takes a look at the growth of the sport’s fan base.

Episode 7 - Antron Brown, 3 time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Apr 29, 2020

Three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown talks about driving for Don Schumacher Racing while working towards ownership of his own team, AB Motorsports. The only competitor to win in Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle in NHRA history, Brown addresses the sport's business side and how the teams must find a way to make everything work for their sponsors due to COVID-19 shortening the season. He also explains why he chose to move from Pro Stock Motorcycle to Top Fuel.

Episode 6 - Allison Thorson, ThorSport Racing Apr 23, 2020

ThorSport Racing began its 25th season in NASCAR's truck series with a Daytona victory. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Find out how NASCAR's only full-time team based in Ohio is keeping its personnel employed. Allison Thorson also reveals why her parents created the team and talks about her new Ride TV show. Horses and Horsepower, that focuses on relationships involving racing and the equine community.

Episode 5 - Jeff Burton, NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominee, NBC analyst Apr 15, 2020

NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and NBC analyst Jeff Burton talks about which race wins were special to him and the instrumental role veteran crew chief Buddy Parrott played in his career. Burton also talks about the time his team wasn't allowed to race because NASCAR found holes drilled in the roll cage, how he obtained the nickname "The Mayor", when team owner Jack Roush permitted him to talk about safety issues in NASCAR and why he wants to leave the sport in better shape than it was when he entered it.

Episode 4 - Deb Williams, show host, award winning motorsports journalist, author Mar 20, 2020

Since racing has been suspended due to COVID-19, Racing Now and Then host Deb Williams talks about different ways for fans to curb their withdrawals from the sport. Her suggestions include various racing movies and books, giving insight and special tidbits on both. She also addresses some of the issues faced in rescheduling events.

Episode 3 - Thad Moffitt, DGR-Crosley ARCA driver, Richard Petty's grandson Mar 05, 2020

ARCA driver Thad Moffitt, the grandson of seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty, talks about his first season with DGR-Crosley, teammates Hailie Deegan and Tanner Gray, and driving one of his grandfather's race cars at the Goodwood Festival in England. He also explains why he had long hair in Daytona, but now it's short.

Episode 2 - Don Miller, head NCARHOF, retired Penske Racing South president, Bonneville Salt Flats record holder, vintage drag racer Feb 26, 2020

Don Miller describes his record run on the Bonneville Salt Flats, his love of drag racing, explains how he discovered Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman, and why he created the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He also talks about the enjoyment of working with Roger Penske and his old car collection, a passion he and Newman share.

Episode 1 - Brendan Gaughan, NASCAR driver, off-road racer Feb 14, 2020

In the inaugural podcast of Racing Now and Then, Brendan Gaughan tells why he would prefer to go airborne in a race car instead of hitting a wall. He also tells the phenomenal story of his Oil Beard Racing team, which has one full-time employee.

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