The Racing Writer's Podcast

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Ep. 105 | Anthony Alfredo Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Anthony Alfredo is still getting used to the reality of being one of the drivers for the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, so he’s going to do his best to explain the opportunity this week. Alfredo shares how he got the ride and the emotions behind knowing it was a done deal; what the benefits will be of starting his Xfinity Series career as a part-time driver; Alfredo’s impression of the Xfinity Series having watched from afar as his debut doesn’t happen until this March; how he feels about using a simulator and his thoughts on NASCAR’s push of iRacing and eSports; what relationship Alfredo has with Myatt Snider, who he is splitting the car with. He also discusses what he took away from a brief stint in the Truck Series last year; shedding insight into how involved Alfredo is in making his deals happen, setting up meetings, and other aspects of trying to get behind the wheel. Plus, how Alfredo got into doing YouTube videos and his emphasis on other social media platforms; why he is choosing to still get a college education; the origins of the ‘Fast Pasta’ nickname; and whether or not he believes he has to win this year. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 104 | Chad Knaus Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Chad Knaus is here this week and the podcast starts with news that Knaus didn’t even realize. The 2020 season is going to be his 20th full year as a crew chief and that has him reflecting a bit, which also helps from the younger group of guys on the 24 team who ask him about previous years. Knaus also explains what has been on the team’s agenda this offseason, including focus on the new Camaro and changing some team personnel around; how Knaus has been challenged in the last year than ever before; digesting how the 2019 season went with William Byron; what went into building a relationship with Byron and the certain way in which Knaus treated him. Plus, what goes into building a successful race team? If Knaus has changed the way he approaches the job; if his mentality has been different on the 24 versus years on the 48; looking ahead to another year with the aero package; thoughts on the 2021 car; sharing what is on the checklist for this season with the 24 team. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 103 | Tanner Gray Jan 20, 2020

Show notes

Tanner Gray is a full-time driver in NASCAR this season as he’ll be competing with DGR-Crosley in the Truck Series. Gray is here to discuss the opportunity after getting a taste of stock cars last season having made a move away from a successful NHRA career. What has he been doing to prepare for this season when he doesn’t know what to expect; being a third-generation driver and if trying something else was an option; how long Gray had been thinking of making the change from NHRA to NASCAR even during a championship season; when he first discovered a love for NASCAR. Gray also explains why the adrenaline rushes of NHRA and NASCAR are different; a funny story about reflexes when wondering if they will be better than the competition in NASCAR; looking back on the experience of his first distance race; and what the draw of DGR-Crosley was. How much time with Gray give himself to learn before expecting results? The biggest challenges Gray has ahead of him and his early-season goals. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 102 | Jamie Little Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) is here to kick off the 2020 season of The Racing Writer’s Podcast with an exciting conversation around her new show, America’s Top Dog. Little explains how she got involved in the show and what to expect when tuning in every Wednesday night on A&E. An avid animal lover, or obsessive, as he admits, when it comes to dogs, Little also digs into the rescue work she does in her personal time and once again looking forward to the Westminster Dog Show. If dogs and racing weren’t enough, wait until you hear what other ventures Little and her husband Cody have their hands in; her unique fitness routine; how much goes into Little’s work with FOX that leads into when viewers see her on pit road calling the action; how she stays connected to the sport when the FOX portion of the schedule is over; the rush of calling live action on pit road; previewing the 2020 NASCAR season. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 101 | Meet the Media (RWP) Dec 09, 2019

Show notes

The final podcast of 2019 called for more than one guest, so here’s four! Jeff Gluck (5:26) of The Athletic, Jim Utter (34:11) of Motorsport.com, Dustin Long (1:29:49) of NBC Sports, and Jenna Fryer (2:20:51) of the Associated Press are here to help me share how we, the media, cover championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s a jam-packed weekend with three series crowning three champions and various media opportunities throughout. We discuss if Homestead feels different from other race weeks, covering Homestead versus the other 35 races, how we approach a busy weekend, splitting coverage with co-workers, staying in the media center versus chasing stories outside, if we know what we’re going to write, quickly getting content out, separating ourselves from the others, and opining on the three NASCAR champions for this year, as well as leaving Homestead for ISM Raceway in 2020. Music created by Tony Monge.
Editor’s note on Dustin’s story title (Kyle Busch’s ride of a lifetime makes him forget past losses, if only briefly).
Twitter handles: @jim_utter; @jeff_gluck; @dustinlong; @JennaFryer
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 100 | David Wilson (RWP) Dec 02, 2019

Show notes

David Wilson is the president of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and one of the best people to talk to in the NASCAR garage. This week Wilson reflects on a third manufacturer and driver championship in the NASCAR Cup Series; the 19 wins by Joe Gibbs Racing; the humble beginnings of TRD’s entry into NASCAR; thoughts on Kyle Busch being a two-time champion after being on the ‘brink’ with him early on in his tenure with Gibbs/Toyota; Wilson’s duties as TRD president. Also get to know David Wilson away from the track with his legendary airline status; reality TV; collecting watches; car enthusiasm; shoes becoming a part of one’s identity; love of technology; the discovery of coyote fencing; his proud collection of Apple products. Circling back to racing Wilson explains how he got started with TRD; the easiest and hardest decision he’s had to make in the last 30 years; what is left for TRD to do in NASCAR. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 99 | Brad Keselowski (RWP) Nov 25, 2019

Show notes

Brad Keselowski had completed another year in the NASCAR Cup Series, his 10th full season, in fact. Keselowski shares some of the highs and lows from the 2019 season for the No. 2 Team Penske group; what the feeling is like for a driver at Homestead-Miami Speedway when they aren’t championship eligible; how Keselowski views just making the Championship 4 versus winning the championship; whether he thought he’d have a second championship by now; the stress of the playoffs; the incentive of playoff points and stage wins; constantly having to adapt as drivers; how the package has changed things for drivers; thoughts on the host Homestead has been for championship weekend; reflecting on 10 full seasons; Keselowski’s offseason agenda. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 98 | Homestead recap & reactions (RWP) Nov 18, 2019

Show notes

The tradition lives on! This time it's for the last time on the frontstretch at Homestead-Miami Speedway. An unedited recap of championship weekend with Matt Weaver, Jerry Jordan, Aaron Bearden, Jacob Seelman, and Jeff Gluck makes an appearance. Kyle Busch is a two-time Cup Series champion. Tyler Reddick makes it two in the Xfinity Series. Matt Crafton shocks the world in Trucks. Plus, Denny Hamlin's team blows it on the worst weekend while Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. also made mistakes. We break it all down and give our thoughts on the 2019 NASCAR season and leaving Homestead for ISM Raceway next season.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 97 | Landon Cassill (RWP) Nov 11, 2019

Show notes

Landon Cassill has never won a NASCAR race or championship, but he’s got a few stories to tell from the many variables the sport has thrown his way. This week Cassill shares insight on StarCom Racing, how he came to be their full-time driver and what makes the organization a good fit for him. Having been in the sport since he was 18 years old, does Cassill feel like a veteran now? He digs into the many experiences he’s had even outside of the car, which includes being involved in race wins and championships; how Cassill wound up in NC with his grandmother and the fun memories involved there; getting his NASCAR start with Rick Hendrick; lost opportunities with Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr.; remembering his first Cup start; if Cassill feels he’s been able to give everything he can for his owners; how hard it is to not get cynical; if he fears irrelevancy; what are some of the highlights from Cassill’s career that he thinks about; what he still wants to accomplish before being done driving. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

Ep. 96 | David Gilliland (RWP) Nov 04, 2019

Show notes

David Gilliland is not as active as a NASCAR driver anymore but he’s still heavily involved in racing a co-owner of DGR-Crosley. Gilliland is going to discuss the improbable playoff run of Tyler Ankrum and making that happen and how impressed he’s been with his young driver. Why start DGR? Gilliland explains how it came to be and how he and Bo LeMastus paired up; who takes care of which responsibilities; milestones and accomplishments they set out to accomplish when starting the team; why Gilliland has a different take on driver development and what he’s trying to do about it. Has team ownership been what he expected? Gilliland explains how much DGR does in-house between its two buildings; what it was like racing against son Todd; if he would ever want Todd to drive for his team; how Gilliland decides the races he puts the helmet back on for; the long-term vision for DGR that includes looking at the state of the Cup Series. Music created by Tony Monge.
Lionel Racing is the market leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A division of Lionel Trains, Lionel Racing makes and sells replica NASCAR® and other racing die-cast through a variety of channels, including corporate and national accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers, and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Located near Charlotte Motor Speedway, Lionel Racing has the pulse of the motorsports community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectibles. For more information, visit www.lionelracing.com.

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