Dinner with Racers

Ep.223 - Building Long Beach: Jim Michaelian

One of the key members since Year One, Jim Michaelian went from a kid with an MBA helping out in finance, to the current President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. From boots on the ground at the beginning, to steering the ship today, Jim is uniquely qualified to know both the history of the event and the challenges that face the Grand Prix today. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Dinner was served via pizza we ordered in to the Grand Prix offices in Long Beach, CA, with the song “Something New” by Castle Heist taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.222 - Building Long Beach: Chris Pook

When it comes to the story of building Long Beach, the first episode has to go to the event creator, Chris Pook. A known figure for a number of motorsport ventures, including running CART for some time, Chris’s wild idea to hold a street race in the California port city of Long Beach in 1974 was the start of tradition that continued today. Hailing from the UK and working as a long-time Long Beach resident, Chris’s path to creating the event was anything but smooth, with the detailed story in this podcast. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Lunch was served at 555 East Steakhouse in Long Beach, CA, with the song “I Got Me” by Jane & The Boy taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.221 - Brad Sweet

Brad Sweet’s legend in the dirt world is only growing by the year, having just won his fourth straight World of Outlaws title. Growing up on the dirt tracks of California, Brad is a true racer’s racer, earning opportunities purely off of his talent and being paid exclusively in prize money, ultimately leading to his current reputation as arguably the best winged sprint car driver of the modern era. Beyond his current success, Brad also enjoyed spells in different NASCAR ranks, and is now co-found of SLC Promotions with his brother-in-law Kyle Larson, where they promote multiple race tracks and events, as well as the upcoming High Limit Sprint Car Series, beginning in 2023. Lunch was served at Brad’s home in Placerville, CA, with the song “Daddy’s Daughter” by The Ghosts of Liberty taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.220 - Kevin Lee

If you’ve watched INDYCAR or IMSA on NBC in recent years, then you’ve already heard the sultry sounds of broadcaster Kevin Lee. A Hoosier through and through, Kevin grew up with a fondness for the radio broadcast of the Indianapolis 500, which always stayed with him as he pursued additional sports broadcasting paths. His openness to opportunities of all kind have led to him to work in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and ultimately what we know him for, as one of the foremost reporters in our sport, be it the booth, the pits, or mentoring his son Jackson’s burgeoning career. Dinner was served at Stone Creek in Plainfield, IN, with the song “Zooming Skywards” by Carlie Fairburn taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.219 - Bobby Rahal, Part Two

Chances are you already know him, but Bob(by) Rahal is a true INDYCAR legend. Raised by a Lebanese family with a passion for racing, Bob transitioned from garage racer making do with what he could, to becoming a sportscar winner that found his way into IndyCar competition, where he’d achieve his biggest highlights: three IndyCar championships and the 1986 Indy 500. This eventually led to the creation of his own team, now known as Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), which continues to win in IndyCar as well as the IMSA ranks with BMW. Dinner was served at Steak 44 in Carmel, IN, with the song “Music” by Assaf Ayalon taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.218 - Bobby Rahal, Part One

Chances are you already know him, but Bob(by) Rahal is a true INDYCAR legend. Raised by a Lebanese family with a passion for racing, Bob transitioned from garage racer making do with what he could, to becoming a sportscar winner that found his way into IndyCar competition, where he’d achieve his biggest highlights: three IndyCar championships and the 1986 Indy 500. This eventually led to the creation of his own team, now known as Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), which continues to win in IndyCar as well as the IMSA ranks with BMW. Dinner was served at Steak 44 in Carmel, IN, with the song “Casino” by Rex Banner taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.217 - Mario Dominguez

If you’re a fan of the 2000’s era of ChampCar, then you know Mario Dominguez, or at least you think you do. With one of the most, errr, unique stories in coming up through the Mexican junior ranks, Mario went from a karting national champion, to a Russell School scholarship winner, to driving for some Mexico’s most questionable race teams. Persevering through a diverse range of challenges, Mario’s career was highlighted with multiple wins in ChampCar, and no shortage of stories from the era. Lunch was served by Mario at his home in Mexico City, yes Mexico City, with the song “Flix” by Vic Savage taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.216 - Chris Willes

Continuing our tradition of unsung heroes behind the wall, Chris Willes is a consummate tinkerer whose engineering and head for innovation has led him to working on a number of cool sportscar programs, from creating factory-killer Trans Am cars to championship-winning TCR efforts, Chris is one of those guys who can work within the means of a program to turn around incredible results. Equally noteworthy, Chris’ career got off to an amazing start out of college, being involved from the ground-up in one of the sport’s most heralded program, the Nissan GTP cars during IMSA’s 1980’s era. Chris has recorded all of these great memories into his book, “Developing a Champion: The Electramotive Nissan GTP Story,” available at www.chriswillesautoracingbooks.com. Lunch was served at Pacific Coast Grill in Cardiff, CA, with the song “Its Not Your Fault” by Yotam Ben Horin taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.215 - Townsend Bell, Part 2

If you think you know Townsend Bell because you’ve seen him on TV, you don’t know Townsend Bell. Here in 2022 he’s known as one of the booth commentators for the NTT INDYCAR Series, but the crazy adventure he’s been on starting as just a kid in San Francisco is unlike any other. From the most elaborate “trade” we’ve ever heard to get into racing school, to fighting his way through the Indy Lights, F3000, and eventually IndyCar ranks, Townsend truly defines tenacity. We promise you, this is one to listen to because you likely have no idea just how hard he pushed to make his career a reality. Dinner was served at Townsend’s house in the Pacific Palisades, CA, with the song “No More Empty Glasses” by ATELLER taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.214 - Townsend Bell, Part 1

If you think you know Townsend Bell because you’ve seen him on TV, you don’t know Townsend Bell. Here in 2022 he’s known as one of the booth commentators for the NTT INDYCAR Series, but the crazy adventure he’s been on starting as just a kid in San Francisco is unlike any other. From the most elaborate “trade” we’ve ever heard to get into racing school, to fighting his way through the Indy Lights, F3000, and eventually IndyCar ranks, Townsend truly defines tenacity. We promise you, this is one to listen to because you likely have no idea just how hard he pushed to make his career a reality. Dinner was served at Townsend’s house in the Pacific Palisades, CA, with the song “Grind” by Vic Savage taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.