The Racing Writer's Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 185 | Kyle Petty Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Things are going well and life is good for Kyle Petty and the projects he’s working on, which he’s here to talk all about. Petty explains how COVID-19 changed his job and way of doing things; what it means to now be back in the garage area; the approach to ‘Coffee with Kyle’ conversations; learning the concept of shutting up and listening; how ‘Coffee with Kyle’ came to be; how much makes the finished show or gets left unseen; the difference with the ‘Dinner Drive’ show; if these projects serve as a way for Petty to talk to his heroes; reinventing himself and staying in the sport; details on the Charity Ride Revival. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 184 | Anthony Alfredo Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

The last time we spoke to Anthony Alfredo he was grasping the fact that he had a ride with Richard Childress Racing, so we’re checking back in with him to see what it’s like to be a Cup Series rookie at Front Row Motorsports. And it’s a challenging time to be a rookie, too. Alfredo explains why; if there have been any seconds thoughts or frustrations; how big the Olympic break was for his team; adjusting to longer races and a longer schedule; how the people at Front Row have helped with his development; finding there are more critics at the Cup level; how life changes when you become a Cup driver; ways Alfredo’s training has changed; looking at another driver’s visor camera and using SMT data; the advice that has stuck with him; working hard for little gains; new interest in his nickname; why he was operating heavy machinery lately; a new sponsor for Michigan and Richmond. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 183 | Alan Reinhart (NHRA) Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Alan Reinhart is the voice you hear when it comes to the NHRA, either over the PA system at the racetrack or if you’ve watched NHRA.TV. Reinhart takes us through the journey of being in the right place at the right time to start announcing; the knowledge and one-liners he brings to the job; views from the booth, material, and knowing when information is relevant; Shirley Muldowney stopping by the broadcast booth; working with Joe Castillo; his travel schedule between races; NHRA still being a niche sport; selling the NHRA to race fans; working for Brian France back in the day and Reinhart’s NASCAR connections; NHRA headlines this season; Reinhart’s offer to you the race fan. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall
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Ep. 182 | Michael Waltrip Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

Michael Waltrip has seemingly done it all – racer, team owner, television, author, and now beer. We start our conversation by talking about what led him to start a brewing company; then we move into his experience running with SRX this summer; the opportunity to race against some motorsports greats; if SRX scratched any itch of getting into a race car; how it feels to be in his 25th year of broadcast work and the opportunities he’s on the media side; memories of Waltrip’s early days in TV; rehearsal or no rehearsal; thoughts on the critics and if anyone from the garage has ever questioned his opinions; what Waltrip enjoys about the broadcast side of the sport; going from friend and competitor to interview; what Waltrip identifies as these days; if he would have done anything differently; if there is anything left that hasn’t been told; looking ahead to the last portion of the Truck Series season. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true
Visit www.carpys.com for all your screen-printing needs and get it shipped nationwide. Also, visit www.carpys.com/racing-writers-podcast-merch/ to buy merchandise for the podcast!

Ep. 181 | Mike Dillon Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

Mike Dillon has had many different roles over the years in racing, but today he is the senior vice president of business operations at Richard Childress Racing. Dillon explains his responsibilities and how there is much more taking place on the RCR campus than building race cars; how the company is already looking to shift resources to other jobs when Next Gen comes around; if RCR might have an advantage with Next Gen because they’ve been working with NASCAR from the beginning; how Childress became the team to work with NASCAR on the prototype; how the atmosphere of the campus is different this year with two competitive teams; what the best thing is leadership can do during lean years; if it’s easier so many years in to separate family and business; what hat Dillon wears when watching races; a quick story from being a spotter. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true
Visit www.carpys.com for all your screen-printing needs and get it shipped nationwide. Also, visit www.carpys.com/racing-writers-podcast-merch/ to buy merchandise for the podcast!

Ep. 180 | Krista Baldwin (NHRA) Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

Krista Baldwin is a businesswoman, team owner, and Top Fuel driver following in the footsteps of her grandfather Chris 'The Greek' Karamesines and late father Bobby Baldwin. She breaks down the many hats that she wears and balancing it all; the family tree of race car drivers; reliving and sharing the details of her big run at zMAX Dragway; what it’s like for Baldwin's mom to watch her daughter race; why Baldwin got a late start to her racing career; trying to explain the diversity of NHRA when it comes to women; if she felt she had to follow the family career or wanted to do it; when it became the plan for her to succeed her grandfather; learning from him over the years; the nervousness being on the starting line; what gives Baldwin a different understanding of what goes into racing; getting a Top Fuel license; getting used to the different physical wear on the body during a run; fire suits at the laundry mat; her love of eating; what Baldwin’s schedule looks like. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true
Visit www.carpys.com for all your screen-printing needs and get it shipped nationwide. Also, visit www.carpys.com/racing-writers-podcast-merch/ to buy merchandise for the podcast!

Ep. 179 | Erik Jones Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

Erik Jones is enjoying his first season with Richard Petty Motorsports and grades himself on the job he’s done as the driver. Jones joins the show this week to also discuss getting used to being a one-car team; simulator time and how that’s changed for him from the past; having a more personal relationship with the Petty team; working with a new manufacturer; the normalcy of not having practice and qualifying; being able to do more at home with more free days; but what a week looks like for Jones; the different perspective he has this year; getting back to basics and out of the spotlight; how Jones has grown in the last year; bonding with a team of ‘true racers’; if the 43 team would be further along with more practice and qualifying; if RPM fans should be pleased by how the season is going; the dedication of Petty fans; experiences that come with being a Petty driver; how ‘Read with Erik’ came about. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true
Holly's Hope of North Port, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing mental health resources in our community, empowering others through education, and providing hope for those struggling with mental health conditions. Holly's Hope is currently providing support groups for families of first responders. Additionally, we are working to increase resources for first responders facing mental health conditions. Visit www.hollyshope.info.

Bonus Ep. 178 | Larry McReynolds Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Larry McReynolds is a bonus guest on behalf of Quaker State, the entitlement sponsor of this weekend’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. But there is no one better to help preview the weekend, so McReynolds shares what to watch for aside from tire wear; what notes will transfer from the March race; drivers who might succeed during a hot slick weekend; what makes Atlanta fun to watch; what McReynolds prepared for as a crew chief for Atlanta versus crew chiefs today; thoughts on Atlanta having two dates again; recalling his dominating win with Ernie Irvan from 1994; memories and stories of his first three wins as a crew chief with Quaker State; working for the legendary Kenny Bernstein; being the crew chief Brett Bodine won his only race with; where you can catch his coverage with Fox Sports for Atlanta. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true
Quaker State has a complete line of top-quality motor oils, oil filters, transmission fluids and other lubricants to keep your vehicle and its systems running longer. Visit www.quakerstate.com for more.

Ep. 177 | Matt DiBenedetto Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

It’s been an admittedly frustrating season for Matt DiBenedetto and Wood Brothers Racing and he’s here to break it down among other things. DiBenedetto explains how drivers understand it could worse; if there is an explanation for the struggles; utilizing simulator time; how the fan reaction has changed over the years; how his career has shaped him as a person and how he doesn’t let it affect his love of racing; the influence of the Wood Brothers family; how hot the race cars are and the work that DiBenedetto puts in to be mentally tough; getting TV broadcast experience during an ARCA Series race, and understanding how to talk about racing on TV; why he and Ryan Ellis started a podcast and if DiBenedetto is getting out of it what he hoped. Music created by tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true
Quaker State has a complete line of top-quality motor oils, oil filters, transmission fluids and other lubricants to keep your vehicle and its systems running longer. Visit www.quakerstate.com for more.

Ep. 176 | Gene Monahan (Hendrick Motorsports) Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

Gene Monahan retired from the New York Yankees after 40+ years and now works with Hendrick Motorsports. This week we meet Monahan and go into what his role is with the championship-winning NASCAR organization; how Jay Frye played a part in Monahan’s transition; his early memories of becoming a racing fan in Florida; what transferred from the job in MLB to NASCAR, and still working with athletes; what resources Hendrick athletes have at their disposal; what Monahan is monitoring with the athletes; what makes a great athlete to work with; why the transition was hard at first; the Yankee comparison with Hendrick Motorsports; what Monahan had to learn about his new sport; the difference between MLB game day and NASCAR race day; if he’s able to watch the Yankees again; what it was like working for George Steinbrenner; what it has been like to be around talent in both MLB and NASCAR; things Monahan is enjoying in NC that he didn’t have in NY; what he does away from work; what he gets joy and fulfillment from these days. Music created by Tony Monge.
Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true
Quaker State has a complete line of top-quality motor oils, oil filters, transmission fluids and other lubricants to keep your vehicle and its systems running longer. Visit www.quakerstate.com for more.

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