Dinner with Racers

Ep.129 – Todd Bodine

Todd Bodine is one of the more endearing personalities in NASCAR, so he seemed an obvious choice to call up when we passed through North Carolina. Part of the famous Bodine family, Todd started his career as a mechanic, then a race-winning Crew Chief, and then a driver who rose all the way to the Cup ranks. As a driver, he’s perhaps most known as a multi-time champion of the NASCAR Truck Series, and then currently enjoys his time as a television analyst and overall ambassador of the sport.  Dinner was served at Caruso’s in Mooresville, North Carolina, with the music of Vanilla Woods taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.128 – Bobby Allison

Chances are you already know the name, but it when it comes to legends of NASCAR, Bobby Allison is about as big as they come. Often known as the one guy who could take it to The King himself, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison led the “Alabama Gang” in to the premier levels of NASCAR in its infancy, winning three Daytona 500’s and one championship along the way. Oh yeah, and he’s in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, so there’s that.  Lunch was served at The Midway Boathouse Grill in Mooresville, North Carolina, with the music of Charles Mancini taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.127 – Dennis Aase

Dennis Aase may note be a household name outside of the sportscar paddock, but that’s exactly why we wanted to spend some time with him. A racer’s racer, Dennis is one of the few who was both a pro driver and a businessman, but not the traditional gentleman driver as we know it. Good enough to be a factory Toyota racer with Dan Gurney throughout the 1980’s, Dennis never took his eye off the business side of it, forming both Aase Brothers and Aasco, two of the most known performance shops known in Southern California. He’s a gritty, no BS guy, and a throwback to what makes the heyday of sportscar so great.  Breakfast was served at The Original Pancake House in Orange, California with the music of Ben Justus taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.126 – Linda Vaughn

Linda Vaughn is an icon of the sport, with a brand all to herself. While she’s known as the original “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter,” racing history will remember her as the first woman to really expand on the concept of a brand model. A signature of the sport throughout the last five decades, Linda has stories of hanging out with all the greats, and comes from a unique place to discuss the history of the track model and the evolution to today’s climate. Dinner was served at the Wind & Sea restaurant in Dana Point, California 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.

Ep.125 – Bobby Unser, Pt. 2

UNCLE BOBBY!!!  Chances are if you’re a fan of our show, you probably know Bobby Unser, does he really need a description? Three-time Indy 500 winner, 17 Pikes Peak wins, and a post-driving career that included being one of the lead commentators during IndyCar’s heyday. IT’S UNCLE BOBBY!!! This episode may not be appropriate for young ears. Dinner was served at Pappadeaux’s in Albuquerque, NM 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.

Ep.124 – Bobby Unser, Pt. 1

UNCLE BOBBY!!!  Chances are if you’re a fan of our show, you probably know Bobby Unser, does he really need a description? Three-time Indy 500 winner, 17 Pikes Peak wins, and a post-driving career that included being one of the lead commentators during IndyCar’s heyday. IT’S UNCLE BOBBY!!! This episode may not be appropriate for young ears. Dinner was served at Pappadeaux’s in Albuquerque, NM with the music of Anna Volpe taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.123 – Drew Feustel

WE GOT AN ASTRONAUT!! One of our most unique “racers” in the show’s history, Drew Feustel is a lifelong racer and car guy who in his younger years raced karts competitively, went on to work in restoration (specifically with Jaguar), meanwhile went on to pursue his “other” dream of one day going to space after he received his PhD in seismology. In racing, you might know him as the “space photo guy,” as the internet was blessed this year with a number of race track photographs taken directly from the International Space Station by Drew himself. He’s done three tours in space, including a recent six month run as the Commander of the ISS, in which he’d literally been on the ground for nine days when he met with us. Lunch was served at French’s in Houston, TX with the music of Ben Justus taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.122 – Decal

Decal. Just listen. Dinner was served at Don Julio’s in Tampa, FL, with the music of Armen Balyan taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.121 – Steve Gough

Steve Gough is one of the unsung heroes of motorsport, having been a lifelong mechanic who has seen no shortage of major wins. From McLaren F1 in the 1980’s heydays, to Chip Ganassi Racing during their reign in ChampCar and IndyCar, to now an instrumental part of the HPD family, Steve has been a crew chief on an Indy 500 winning car, been part of multiple F1 World Championships, and is just a guy who has seen it all…. without EVER calling attention to himself. Lunch was served at Harbor City Diner in Melbourne, FL, with the music of Station taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.

Ep.120 – Terry Earwood

Terry Lee Earwood is a legend within the racing community as THE driver coach. While an accomplished drag racer and touring car driver, Terry’s real name came from helming a number of driving schools and arrive and drive programs, including serving as the chief driving instructor at Skip Barber for several decades. He’s seen it all and coached it all, including some of the biggest names in racing today. Dinner was served at Laishley Crab House in Punta Gorda, FL, with the music of Marza Panther taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great car.