The Racer X Podcast Network

Latest Episodes:

Exhaust #28: Team USA History with Davey Coombs, Part 2 Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

With RedBud hosting the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations this weekend, let's continue to bathe in Team USA stories. In part two of this podcast, Jason Weigandt calls Davey Coombs again to learn the behind-the-scenes stories from Team USA, starting with the dominant 1986 team in Italy, stretching through heroic Jeff Stanton rides, the famous 1992 "B Team," the shocking end of the record win streak in 1994, and Ricky Carmichael rekindling efforts—and win streaks—in the 2000s. Davey also explains scenarios that plagued the team through the years, from ending the 500 Nationals to the changing calendar that creates a longer break between the U.S. racing season and the actual Nations date. Learn all about the superstar patriots of American motocross in this special edition of the Exhaust podcast.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Exhaust #27: Team USA History with Davey Coombs, Part 1 Sep 28, 2018

Show notes

With RedBud's turn hosting the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations next weekend, it's time to bathe in Team USA stories. Jason Weigandt calls Davey Coombs to learn the behind-the-scenes stories for every American MXoN effort ever, from the very first team in 1970 to the record-breaking win streak to losses, another win streak, and the most recent head-scratching efforts. This podcast was so long, we've broken it into two parts. Here we cover the 1970s and 1980s, and we'll be back with Part 2 next week. Learn all about the superstar patriots of American motocross in this special edition of the Exhaust podcast.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Exhaust #26: Ian Harrison's Fascinating Journey Sep 24, 2018

Show notes

Easily one of the friendliest, funniest, and most well-spoken veterans of the pits, Ian Harrison has been through a lot in his 25-plus years working with factory racing teams. Teamed up as mechanic for Greg Albertyn, the duo went through South Africa and Europe before landing in the U.S., just as Roger DeCoster was taking the reins of Team Suzuki. Through tireless efforts, Ian and Roger (and Albee) got Suzuki back into the championship business, and wins kept coming through Pastrana, Carmichael, Reed, and Dungey. Then, just like that, it stopped. DeCoster had an offer to go to KTM, but The Man would only do it if Harrison went with him. For 2019, DeCoster has been promoted to KTM/Husqvarna U.S. motorsports director, and Harrison will take over as the team manager of Red Bull KTM. Harrison's journey from humble racer in South Africa to running a top team here is fascinating—especially when explained through Harrison's colorful personality.

The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Exhaust #25: Jason Thomas on Japan, pain meds, and tragedy Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

For the second year in a row, Suzuki invited a Racer X staffer to Japan to test a new motocrosser—in this case the all-new 2019 RM-Z250. Our man Jason Thomas, who raced professionally from 1997 to 2012, rode the new RM-Z450 last year and returned in 2018 to try the 250. In this podcast, hosted by Jason Weigandt, JT provides his first insights on the new bike and Suzuki's commitment to racing. Then he and Weigandt get into the topic of pain medication addition in the sport. Sources close to Tyler Evans believe pain meds led to a long, dark spiral, one that ended in his death on September 15. Thomas shares some of his own stories of taking pain meds following surgery for a broken leg, as well as tales of other racers who went through the ringer trying to break the addiction.

The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is brought to you by Yoshimura.

Exhaust #24: Danny Thompson Sep 12, 2018

Show notes

Mickey Thompson was the racer of racers, a master driver, fabricator, and promoter with deep roots in every imaginable discipline. It's his innovation on the dirt side that crossed Mickey into the supercross world, first as the founder of short-course off-road racing for trucks and buggies, and later with stadium off-road racing. Mickey eventually gained control of all the races inside Anaheim Stadium (now Angel Stadium), including the Anaheim Supercross. Mickey's son Danny became a star as one of the top drivers in the off-road stadium series, but so much came crashing down when Mickey and his wife, Trudy, were murdered in their driveway in March of 1988. Without its founder, the off-road series that was once on a meteoric rise eventually went away. Recently, Danny dedicated himself to a new project to honor his father's legacy: he brought Mickey's old land-speed-record car out of storage and set about breaking the piston-powered land-speed record in it. All this in a car built in 1968!

In this edition of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, we talk to Danny about his dad's car, breaking the record, and the glory days of stadium off-road—with a little supercross and motocross talk mixed in.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

Exhaust #23: Kailub Russell Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

Second-generation stars have hit the big time: Aaron Plessinger, son of multi-time Grand National Cross Country Champion Scott Plessinger, swept both 250 championships this year, and Kailub Russell, son of National Enduro Champion Jeff Russell, is running toward six straight championships in today's GNCC racing. Kailub and Aaron have never actually raced each other, but they were at the same track on the same day when Kailub took a shot at Lucas Oil Pro Motocross at Unadilla two weeks ago. He rode very well in the mud, even threatening for a podium for a bit in 450 Moto 1 before a crash ended his whole moto experiment, at least for this year. Now it's back to business in the woods for KR, as the GNCC Series resumes on September 15 and 16 in New York. But no matter how fast he goes, he can never outrun the controversy of winning in the series that his dad, Jeff, now runs. Sometimes the accusations just make Kailub want to quit altogether—but his recent motocross foray has helped rejuvenate his desire. He talks about it all with Jason Weigandt in this week's Racer X Exhaust podcast.

The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

2018 Ironman National Press Conferences Aug 27, 2018

Show notes

Post-race interviews from the Ironman National:

250 Class

Aaron Plessinger, RJ Hampshire, and Chase Sexton

450 Class (11:57)

Justin Barcia, Ken Roczen, and Marvin Musquin

450 Class Championship Press Conference (24:19)

Eli Tomac

Exhaust #22: Jeff Stanton Aug 22, 2018

Show notes

Many greats have ridden for Team USA at the Motocross of Nations, but Jeff Stanton's name goes a little higher in the ranks than most. For three years, from 1989 to 1991, Stanton did hero work for the team, including two years where he singlehandedly kept the American win streak alive with dramatic last-minute charges. He's contributing to this year's RedBud edition of the MXoN in a new way, organizing a fundraising dinner on Friday before the race where fans get to dine with their heroes. Stanton has grabbed nearly every rider to ever compete for Team USA, and bids are up for fans to land a table and hang with the greats. In this edition of the Racer X Exhaust Podcast, we talk to the six-time AMA National Champion about the event and also get his take on RedBud and the MXoN in general, as well as current-day racers like Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, and Jeffrey Herlings. Stanton is never one to hold back his thoughts, so you'll enjoy this one. Go to www.mxonexperience2018.com for more info.

The Racer X Exhaust Podcast is presented by Yoshimura.

2018 Budds Creek National Press Conferences Aug 19, 2018

Show notes

Post-race interviews from the Budds Creek National:

250 Class

Aaron Plessinger, Chase Sexton, and RJ Hampshire

450 Class (09:53)

Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, and Marvin Musquin

2018 Unadilla National Press Conferences Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

Post-race interviews from the Unadilla National:

250 Class