Dinner with Racers

Ep.139 – The Poster, Pt.1 (featuring Deb Williams, Tom Jensen)

Tim Richmond is one of NASCAR’s most legendary and controversial characters. Considered an icon of the 1980s, his actual biography has been well documented over the years, but unfortunately, much of the attention has been on his death and fallout with NASCAR. What this has covered over is some of the funnier legends about Tim, MOST NOTABLY “The Poster,” an incident from 1987 that no two people have the same opinion on. You can see the full story on our new Amazon Prime series, or check out the extended interviews in this episode, with journalists Deb Williams and Tom Jensen setting up the background of the story. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.138 – VIR Extended, Kerrigan Smith

Kerrigan Smith is a known entity within the sportscar paddock because he’s served so many roles over the course of so many years, so to see him elevated to the role of track president, as a true racer, makes him easy to root for. Originally brought on as a manager, Kerrigan’s leadership, ability to work with a team, yet also be incredibly hands-on and not above any job, makes him uniquely suited to take on the duties as VIR’s track President. This episode is specifically tailored to anyone who wants to know more about the day-to-day of running a road course. You can see the full story on our new Amazon Prime series but listen to his extended interview here. Dinner was served at the South Course timing tower, provided by Aunt Millie’s Pizza. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.137 – VIR Extended, Connie Nyholm

While VIRginia International Raceway as we know it may have been resurrected with the initiative of Harvey Siegel, the actual implementation wouldn’t have been possible without the boots-on-the-ground, no BS attitude of Connie Nyholm. Finding her success in New York Real Estate, Connie grew up just a few miles away from VIR, providing an understanding of local culture, as well as connections, to establish the credibility that a couple of “outsiders” would need to make it happen. 20 years after breaking ground, Connie is now the owner of the track, but still very involved in the day-to-day operation. You can see the full story on our new Amazon Prime series but listen to her extended interview here. Dinner was served at the Oak Tree Tavern, located inside of VIRginia International Raceway. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep. 136 – VIR Extended, Harvey Siegel

VIRginia International Raceway as we know it today, simply wouldn’t exist without the initiative of Harvey Siegel. A lifelong vintage racer who found great success in New York Real Estate, Harvey combined his passions to resurrect the legendary track that originally shut down in 1974. As a self-described “Jewish Boy from New York,” trying to convince the locals of Alton, Virginia that rebuilding the historic track some 20 years later was in the best interest of the community was a unique process, and one uniquely suited to this quirky character, You can see the full story on our new Amazon Prime series, but listen to his extended interview here. Lunch was served at the Tewksbury Inn in Oldwick, NJ, courtesy of course of Continental Tire and Acura.

Ep.135 – The Adventures of Uncle Bobby, Less Edited

As already announced, we’re on AMAZON PRIME!! The soon-to-be-release Episode Three is called “The Animated Adventures of Uncle Bobby,” which speaks for itself. Following up from our 2018 recording, we sat down with national treasure Bobby Unser for a second time in 2019, this time with the sole focus of hearing crazy stories best suited for a cartoon series. Here is the same recording, with less editing….

Ep.134 – Smokey Yunick Tales, Part 2 (Ray Evernham, Bobby Unser, Bobby Allison, Don Garlits)

Smokey Yunick is an absolute legend of not only motorsports, but the automotive sector as a whole. A multi-time champion of the NASCAR Cup series as crew chief/team owner, and a guy who built some of the most innovate IndyCars and stock cars in the sport, Smokey’s legend isn’t one that comes from the record books. He’s heralded as not only of the greatest inventors, but with the character to match. Brash and unapologetic, Smokey’s fallout with NASCAR is a thing of folklore, which produced one of the greatest “rule bending” race cars of all time. The second part of our series, you’ve heard his biography from Trish, now hear the stories from his peers: Ray Evernham, Bobby Unser, Bobby Allison and Don Garlits.

To learn more, why not purchase his book, “The Best Damn Garage in Town,” available at www.smokeyyunick.com

Ep.133 – Smokey Yunick Tales, Part 1 (Trish Yunick)

Smokey Yunick is an absolute legend of not only motorsports, but the automotive sector as a whole. A multi-time champion of the NASCAR Cup series as crew chief/team owner, and a guy who built some of the most innovate IndyCars and stock cars in the sport, Smokey’s legend isn’t one that comes from the record books. He’s heralded as not only of the greatest inventors, but with the character to match. Brash and unapologetic, Smokey’s fallout with NASCAR is a thing of folklore, which produced one of the greatest “rule bending” race cars of all time. Hear the biography of Smokey from the person who not only managed the process of getting his book written, but was also raised by him… his daughter Trish.

To learn more, why not purchase his book, “The Best Damn Garage in Town,” available at www.smokeyyunick.com

Ep.132 – Carrie Russell and Audra Segree (Jamaican Women’s Bobsled Team)

Nuff people say well you know they can’t believe…. JAMAICA WE HAVE A BOBSLED TEAM. If you know this song, then you don’t need to read any further, just hit play. As part of our first episode of the new Amazon Prime series, during our visit to Jamaica we decided to venture away from the race track, and meet a couple amazing racers in their own right. Carrie Russell and Audra Segree have both made history, being part of the first female bobsled effort for the country. Carrie started as brakeman (woman?) and is now the driver, and Audra competes in skeleton, literally going headfirst at record speeds. It didn’t take long to figure out that racers are racers, and we share a similar set of vales and experiences.

Ep.131 – An Announcement on the Future of “Dinner with Racers”

It’s been a long, hard road to get everyone their favorite free podcast about eating and pro-am sportscar, and with that in mind it’s time to let the public know about our future plans…..

…on Amazon Prime!!

Ep.130 – Dave Despain

Dave Despain is one of the most beloved on-air personalities for anyone who follows American racing. An unapologetic motorcycle lover, Dave began his career as a local AM radio DJ, who somehow managed to work his way in to broadcast television, all the way to becoming the host of many popular US motorsport shows, including a favorite of Ryan and Sean’s, “Saturday Night Thunder,” and then his most famous gig, Wind Tunnel. Beyond being a state of the sport and one of the most known pro’s, he’s managed to balance the line between being professional and respected without ever losing his edge as an almost counter-culture motorsport icon.  Dinner was served at The Station in Athens, Georgia, with the music of Butterscotch Stanley taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.