The Racing Writer's Podcast

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Ep. 75: Myatt Snider (RWP) Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

Myatt Snider has done quite a bit of racing this season but most of it has been overseas, so he’s here to educate us on the NASCAR Euro Series. To start, Snider offers a little insight into why he’s not full-time in the Truck Series after winning Rookie of the Year last season; how he’s trying to learn from watching Johnny Sauter; how many races Snider thinks he’ll run this year. Then we talk how he landed in the Euro Series; his first impressions upon arriving in a new environment; how racing in the United States (being aggressive, etc.) is different than the Euro Series; why Snider ended up on probation after his first race weekend; early expectations Snider has for the season; enjoying traveling the world and taking in new cultures; looking long term to making something happen in one of NASCAR’s top three series; if there’s any crossover from the Euro Series to NASCAR Trucks; trying to stay relevant this year with plenty of seat time, including running late models; an update on his flying adventures and how that helps him with racing. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep. 74: John Hunter Nemechek (RWP) Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

Xfinity Series rookie John Hunter Nemechek joins the show to discuss his transition to GMS Racing and how content he feels after hoping he would be on the racetrack the last few years. Nemechek also discusses how seeing the tough business side of racing has matured him; the very valuable lesson he learned after wrecking his first race car as a youngster; owning up to how he wasn’t doing everything he could to be better as driver last year; how Nemechek’s grown into his own person over the last year with dad Joe now being able to play the role of dad instead of boss; how he’s adjusting to the Xfinity Series schedule versus the spread out Truck Series season; how the increase in spotlight has been; how he’s changed as a driver in the last year; revealing how frustrations with the 42 car last year changed his expectations; the physical transformation he has gone through with working out and the marathons Nemechek is eyeing; explaining how a pineapple became a part of his logo. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep. 73: Erik Jones (RWP) May 26, 2019

Show notes

Erik Jones welcomes us to his “toy shop” where he has some cool things to talk about, including his very first race car and the story behind its paint scheme. Jones also talks about the race cars he has hung onto from his career, including the famous Snowball Derby car and his first Cup Series win car from Daytona that is still covered in confetti. All of this leads to some great stories of Jones climbing the racing ranks. Jones also discusses what he’s learned as he has moved through the NASCAR national series ladder and how he has grown professionally and personally. Also in the space are some Craftsman tools he has that were once his dad’s and Jones admits whether he considers himself a handy man; the story of Jones being able to reclaim one of his father’s cars and how it is tied to his racing career; the love Jones has for classic cars; digging into his active lifestyle away from the racetrack and explaining ice fishing; if he’s getting more comfortable sharing on social media; an update on how Oscar is doing; what Jones would love to put in his storage space one day. Music: www.bensound.com

Ep. 72: William Byron (RWP) May 20, 2019

Show notes

William Byron wants to share a different side of himself that most don’t get to see. So on this week’s episode after talking about the NASCAR Cup Series for just a little bit (his recent good runs, how important they are, and single-car qualifying), Byron reveals how he’s now living on his own for the first time; why it was a dire situation at first; why there are no racing artifacts in his apartment; why he’s one of many race car drivers who play golf; sharing what his workout regime is and how it translates to being behind the wheel; how his work ethic has changed through the years; an update on how college is going and being able to live a ‘normal’ life; what kind of sports fan Byron is and conversation about the Hornets, Panthers, and Hurricanes. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep. 71: Ryan Sieg (RWP) May 13, 2019

Show notes

Ryan Sieg and his RSS Racing team are having a fantastic run in the Xfinity Series and Sieg is here to talk about how it’s happened. Sieg begins by admitting whether he expected the type of performances he’s had or if it’s been surprising; the benefit of buying old RCR cars and having veteran Shane Wilson as his crew chief; if Sieg’s attitude has changed any with the uptick in performance; if finishing in the top 10 is now the weekly goal; reflecting on his top five run at Richmond and what that meant to everyone on the team; how it feels to challenge cars from big teams like Joe Gibbs and Team Penske; Sieg explains how much older his equipment was to the competition before buying the RCR cars; how many employees there are at RSS and working on his car at the track; how much Sieg feels he’s grown in his six years in the series and if he’s content there; how gratifying it feels to perform well on all kinds of tracks; whether Sieg has his eyes on a realistic shot at making the playoffs. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep. 70: Garrett Smithley (RWP) May 05, 2019

Show notes

Garrett Smithley returns to the podcast to talk about how things are going in the Xfinity Series with JD Motorsports. Smithley breaks down the start of his season and describes what a good day or ‘win’ is for his #0 team; whether making the playoffs is a realistic goal; how thin JDM is spread on personnel; whether he ever worries about the team going away; how important it is not to damage or wreck his cars and how much he thinks about that; how it has been to see others like Ross Chastain and Ryan Preece get an opportunity in good equipment; talking to Chastain about his chance with Ganassi and living vicariously though him; the comparison of running Xfinity versus Cup, and his deal with Spire to run the 77 Cup car; the experience of running all three races in one weekend back at Texas and advice Carl Edwards once gave him; what he is looking forward as he turns 27. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep. 69: Maria Cofer, Hailie Deegan, Brittney Zamora (RWP) Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

It’s a full house on this week’s episode! Three ladies from the Toyota Racing Development driver development program are here to talk racing and much more. Maria Cofer is first up to share what she is doing in 2019; how she started her racing career and why it was on dirt; following in dad’s footsteps by finding a love of racing; whether she had to convince her parents to let her race; racing on the weekends but working on the family ranch during the week; aiming for more pavement experience and looking at a NASCAR future; how she became aligned with TRD. You’ll also learn more about Maria though fun questions like her nickname; what her routine is in the morning; being isolated where she lives and not watching much TV; the food she will eat the most; how she describes herself; the TV show she would guest star on; favorite racetrack; where you can find her when she isn’t racing; what she wants fans to know or think about her.
Hailie Deegan makes her return to the podcast to talk about how well things have been going since she was a guest last year. Among the topics of conversation is how special it is to be the K&N West point leader; having things happen and people around to keep her humble; why she has been adamant she must win races and the championship; what goes into working with a driving coach; learning how to diagnose a race car and express that to her team plus earning their trust in knowing what she’s talking about; the joy of media attention and the growth of her social media following; the weirdest things she’s been asked to autograph; what the benefits will be of moving to the east coast; whether she thinks she’s missed out having a typical childhood; what is upcoming on her schedule.
Brittney Zamora talks about moving into the K&N Pro Series West with Bill McAnally after two late model championships; the change in competition; being able to make more contact and be more aggressive; being a second-generation racer; her competitive nature and dad having to step in; growing up racing with family, who also served as her team and crew. Then get to know more about Brittney through tidbits about her nickname; biggest accomplishment; mentors; how she describes herself; the food she eats the most and the music she listens to; what television show she’d guest star on; what she’s likely doing when not racing and how that involves school; what she wants you to think when hearing her name. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep. 68: Michael Annett (RWP) Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

JR Motorsports driver Michael Annett makes his podcast debut not to talk too much about racing but what he was doing before climbing behind the wheel. In this episode, you’re going to hear Annett reveal what the difference is with his No. 1 team that has led to early success and the type of mindset crew chief Travis Mack has brought to the team, and if the social media haters have quieted down. Then the topic switches to Annett’s former profession, ice hockey. Annett explains his love of the sport and how he got into playing; why he never thought of it as a long-term career; the comparison he makes to the movie ‘Rudy’; stories he can’t tell because hockey players are dirty; a Sidney Crosby story and others who played with Annett that are now in the NHL; being the most penalized player on his team and the offense he was most guilty of — and finishing the episode off with, of course, some wrestling talk. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep 67: Kaitlyn Vincie of Fox Sports (RWP) Apr 15, 2019

Show notes

Kaitlyn Vincie is the new Fox Sports pre-race host for the Gander Outdoors Truck Series and she’s here to talk all about it after spending four years on pit road. Vincie reveals her reaction to hearing she was taking over the role, working in front of the green screen and its magic, whether she made a conscious decision to focus so much on the Truck Series and her comfort level with the other two series plus we talk the difference in covering NASCAR and Supercross. We dig into how she caught the racing bug and if she knew what she wanted to do when trying to break into the sport, the amount of work she puts into the ‘Women in Wheels’ feature and how it comes together. Vincie on building a brand and large following and her approach to social media, the positive and negative feedback she encounters, which then goes into a conversation about NASCAR personalities, the advice she gives about breaking into the sport and her experience of putting herself out there. Lastly, the goal Vincie has for her NASCAR career before it’s over, and sharing some news of something she’s working on. Music: www.bensound.com.

Ep. 66: Brett Griffin (RWP) Apr 08, 2019

Show notes

Brett Griffin – otherwise known as Spotter Brett – is a veteran atop the roof guiding some of NASCAR’s most recognizable drivers to victory lane or keeping them out of trouble. In this episode Griffin tells stories he has never told before and also dishes on various topics. Griffin talks about what his relationship with Clint Bowyer was before the two started working together; how Elliott Sadler made him a better spotter; explaining his unfiltered personality and comments he makes over the team radio about other drivers; stories of the trouble Griffin has gotten in for things he’s said; whether there are other competitive personalities on the roof and if spotters don’t like each other; Griffin confesses how many times he actually relays messages to and from his driver; the most excited he’s been on the roof as well as the angriest, which led to Griffin being pulled away from another spotter; policies put in place by NASCAR for spotters; Griffin shares how exactly he got into racing and how quickly he knew what he wanted to do; the racing business Griffin has during the week that also ties into Kaulig Racing; how his podcast with TJ Majors started; what is on his bucket list before his career is over. Music: www.bensound.com.

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