The Racing Writer's Podcast

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Ep. 145 | Meghan Miley (NASCAR) Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

Meghan Miley is the Sr. Director of Racing Operations for NASCAR, so she will take us inside how things get done. Miley explains exactly what her job entails and having to deal with race teams; how programs like Dash 4 Cash and The Trip come to be; the dynamic on the team with others like the recognizable Steve O’Donnell and John Bobo; what her week versus weekend looks like and entails; where Miley would generally be stationed during a race and be responsible for; going inside the room where COVID protocols were formed and getting NASCAR back on track from the shutdown; who introduced her to the sport and the racetrack in Pittsburgh that is run by her family; when NASCAR entered the picture; women in racing; what Miley is most proud to have been involved in with her 17 plus years in the sport. Music created by Tony Monge.
Xfinity xFi is more than just fast! It provides reliable coverage and control you need to stay close to the sport you love. Visit Xfinity.com/NASCAR or connected to Xfinity Racing on Twitter and IG to stay connected to the sport you love with Xfinity. Proud Premier Partner of NASCAR and the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Bonus Ep. 144 | Jimmie Johnson Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

Jimmie Johnson is here to reflect some more on the end of his full-time NASCAR career before he heads to IndyCar with Chip Ganassi next season. Johnson discusses the moments where he’s stopped and realized how much he loves racing; if he went through his career with a chip on his shoulder; when Johnson knew he needed to keep himself accountable outside the race car to stay on top; if he saw other drivers through the years with potential but never made the most of it; the personal and professional respect and battles with Jeff Gordon; what he has given up or lost with the dedication and time spent in NASCAR; if he feels he’s changed the sport in any way; remembering the best race he’s driven in NASCAR; using the wind to his advantage in a Dover race; the one word Johnson uses to sum up his career. Music created by Tony Monge.

Ep. 143 | Bayley Currey Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Bayley Currey is sharing his story of how he made it to NASCAR and what he’s doing to try and stay here. Currey drives trucks for Niece Motorsports and a Xfinity Series car for Mike Harmon, but he’s also working with them during the week as he’ll explain. We also discuss the philosophy Currey’s dad instilled in him from a young age about working on his race cars; how it helps Currey understand what he’s driving; why he’s getting a mechanical engineering degree; also serving as crew chief for a teammate when he’s not driving; not ending up in a shady situation trying to land a ride; what is a good day for Currey versus the race team; recapping his path from Texas to NASCAR; making the move to North Carolina; how a driver like himself can get a chance with a winning organization; being hands-on with making deals and networking in the garage; having his first die-cast made this season. Music created by Tony Monge.
Xfinity xFi is more than just fast! It provides reliable coverage and control you need to stay close to the sport you love. Visit Xfinity.com/NASCAR or stay connected to Xfinity Racing on Twitter and IG to stay connected to the sport you love with Xfinity. Proud Premier Partner of NASCAR and the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Ep. 142 | Slugger Labbe Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

If you love stories and behind the scenes insight into the world of motorsports, this week is for you! Slugger Labbe put in over 30 years in the NASCAR garage and is currently making his mark in the NHRA as an engineering manager for Toyota Racing. What does that mean? Labbe is here dishing on his role and what, from an engineering standpoint, he’s brought from NASCAR to NHRA. We also discuss learning new tricks and a new sport; the process of getting comfortable offering insight and information; how Labbe was lured into a new job in a new world; what it was like to see NASCAR differently after leaving the garage; how the crew chief role became more challenging through the years; gamesmanship between crew chief and NASCAR officials; notable changes in the sport during Labbe’s tenure (Robert Yates story alert); the very, very unique place Labbe was when he and the Michael Waltrip were declared the winners of the 2003 Daytona 500; a recent realization about what Waltrip was going through when they worked together; his memory of the crash that led to the lucky dog rule; if Labbe thinks the NHRA can become as popular as other motorsports in the U.S. Music created by Tony Monge.
Xfinity xFi is more than just fast! It provides reliable coverage and control you need to stay close to the sport you love. Visit Xfinity.com/NASCAR or stay connected to Xfinity Racing on Twitter and IG to stay connected to the sport you love with Xfinity. Proud Premier Partner of NASCAR and the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Ep. 141 | Austin Hill Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

It’s a return visit to the podcast for Austin Hill, who is having a career year in the Truck Series. Hill is setting new highs in every category for a single season and he also captured the regular-season championship, and he’s going to discuss it all, plus all of the success he’s found in a short amount of time; the resource of Scott Zipadelli as his crew chief; the growth of his confidence and comfort over the last two years with HRE; the garage coming to recognize Hill as a top contender; how Hill looks at building a career in the Truck Series versus looking to continue moving up the ladder; how he’s like a more compact racing schedule because of the pandemic; if the playoff field expanding to 10 drivers changed anything; the chip on his shoulder to make the Championship 4; breaking down the Round of 8 and the team’s short-track package. Music created by Tony Monge.
Xfinity xFi is more than just fast! It provides reliable coverage and control you need to stay close to the sport you love. Visit Xfinity.com/NASCAR or stay connected to Xfinity Racing on Twitter and IG to stay connected to the sport you love with Xfinity. Proud Premier Partner of NASCAR and the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Ep. 140 | Ricky Craven Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Ricky Craven is closing out his final season covering NASCAR in any capacity and he’s going to walk everyone through the decision and why now was the time. What was the deciding factor? Discussing the heavy revelation it was for Craven; the responsibility he believes former drivers have when becoming analysts; backlash he’s had from his opinions; the fulfillment of a successful second career; if Craven ever liked media when he was a driver; why he thinks he excelled in the role; feedback from fans; the difference working with Fox compared to his role of ESPN; the prep work Craven puts into the job; where racing will fall in his life after this season; things he’s looking forward to doing without racing; fair or foul that he might be remembered for Darlington 2003; likes and dislikes of where NASCAR is going. Music created by Tony Monge.

Ep. 139 | Tim Fedewa Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

We’re back atop the spotter’s stand this week with Tim Fedewa of Stewart-Haas Racing, who works with Chase Briscoe in the Xfinity Series and Kevin Harvick in the Cup Series. In this episode Fedewa opens up about the loss of interacting with his team with no access to the shop or the infield; adjusting to spotting in unfamiliar places; what goes into Fedewa picking his normal spotting position; seeing and being a part of Briscoe’s great season; keeping Briscoe focused; being in awe of Harvick; how he’s seen Harvick changed as a fellow competitor and now teammate; if he had any reservations working with Harvick, who had a reputation of being rough on teams; what goes into a spotter and driver relationship; what makes a good spotter; drivers who have impressed Fedewa from the spotter’s stand; the hardest part of the job; why he stuck with spotting as his second career; what makes a former driver a good spotter; still getting a competitive kick from the job; the most interesting thing he’s seen or been a part of on the spotter’s stand (involving a Jimmy John’s sandwich); who is allowed on the spotter’s stand and changes NASCAR has made through the years; if the second round of the playoffs will be as stressful on Fedewa as the drivers; how fulfilling it’s been to make a name for himself as a spotter. Music created by Tony Monge.
Wear the moment with BreakingT and connect to the players and teams you love by commemorating the best moments with real-time apparel. To check out their racing collection, visit www.breakingt.com/Kelly.

Ep. 138 | Maury Gallagher Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

GMS Racing has had a fast and unique rise in the racing world, and a new book (Fueling a Legacy: The Long-Shot Success of GMS) takes race fans into how it happened. Team owner Maury Gallagher joins the show this week to discuss why he wanted to document the journey at this point. Gallagher also discusses the importance of racing in Las Vegas to his team’s history and where the No. 23 originated. A compulsive notetaker, Gallagher shares how that played into the book, his honest assessment of the performance from son Spencer, and any second thoughts early on when things were not going well. When things did turn around, an ARCA and Truck championship followed, so did it seem to happen too fast? And what have been the emotions of going from the bottom to the top of the sport? Gallagher also admits why changes had to be made after failing to win the championship in 2017 and ’18, and the importance of Mike Beam to the company. Plus, Gallagher of whether he’s still learning the sport, if it feels any different with Spencer no longer racing, having to watch from afar because of the pandemic, and having all four trucks in the playoffs. Music created by Tony Monge.

Ep. 137 | Matt Kaulig Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

Kaulig Racing is having a career year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and Matt Kaulig has to enjoy it all from afar because of the pandemic. Kaulig is the team owner of the Nos. 10, 11, and 16 Chevrolets and joins the podcast to share what he keeps his hands on and getting into the sport seven years as a sponsor in two races. Now, 2020 is a culmination of everything that has been built since, and Kaulig discusses whether he’s happy with their pace, if going Cup Series racing is on the radar and what it would take, and how long it took Kaulig to get the competitive bug in NASCAR. Kaulig explains trophy hunting, what Kaulig Companies is, and how much of Matt Kaulig’s money is funding this. Plus, what’s next for Kaulig Racing? Music created by Tony Monge.

Ep. 136 | David Pepper Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

David Pepper is the team manager of ThorSport Racing, the longest-tenured team in the Truck Series. But when that isn’t keeping Pepper busy, he also serves as a spotter in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Cup Series. In our conversation, we discuss ThorSport going 1-2-3 at Richmond Raceway over the weekend, the return of the Trucks to the Virginia short track, and being ready for the playoffs with three of their four teams. Pepper also shares what has been different with driver Grant Enfinger, what issues he handles for the team, how he landed at ThorSport and reflecting on his extensive career. When it comes to spotting, Pepper shares how came into that role and how his personality is different than when dealing with the truck teams. Music created by Tony Monge.

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