Dinner with Racers

Ep.147 – Rob Dyson

Rob Dyson and Dyson Racing have served as one of the longest-running and influential independent racing teams for the last four decades. While having run in Trans-Am and even IndyCar, Dyson Racing’s most known for it’s long list of prototype entries, campaigning everything from the Porsche 962 to the famed Riley & Scott, to everything in between. Rob comes from a long line of astute businessmen, and his acumen outside of the track has served him well both in the sport and outside. Lunch was served at the Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club in Millbrook, NY. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.146 – Skip Barber

If you think the name Skip Barber begins and ends with his famous racing school, then you should definitely listen to this podcast. The famed Skip Barber Racing School was never Skip’s intention when his racing career began, where he achieved a lot of impressive statistics in his own right. Driving sports cars and even Formula One, Skip drove against many of the legends, before finally settling in to the day-to-day of the country’s premier racing school. The path of the school itself has also not been as straightforward as one might think, including the fact that he’s had no involvement in the assorted iterations of the school in several years. Dinner was served at the Interlaken Inn in Lakeville, CT. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.145 – Sam Posey

Sam Posey has had one of the most diverse careers in road racing. Growing up in a very different environment from most racers of his era, Sam’s career became most known when he joined Roger Penske’s team in the famed Can-Am series, where as a driver he went on to compete in all of the most famed sportscar races, and even the Indy 500. Most people also know him for his on-air personna as well, working alongside Paul Page and Bobby Unser on ABC, and writing his infamous show and segment opens. Lunch was provided by JP Gifford’s Cafe in Sharon, CT, and eaten in Sam’s personal art studio. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.144 – Boris Said

Boris Said likely doesn’t need an introduction, but he’s one of sport’s most beloved road racers. Self-made, Boris worked his way through the club ranks toward earning a seat with Tom Milner and PTG, one of the most well known sportscar teams in the history of the sport. This set him on one of the most diverse paths of any driver, winning in Trans-Am, IMSA, Grand-Am, and later becoming known as a NASCAR road course ringer. He’s also known for not holding back on his opinion, which given his size… not a lot of people would argue with him. Dinner was served at Taste of Thai in Del Mar, CA. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.143 – Geoff Bodine

Geoff Bodine is one of NASCAR’s great characters from the 1980’s through the 2000’s. A winner of the Daytona 500, Geoff was the first driver to get Rich Hendrick a win, beginning the dynasty that we know today. Competing with the best of them, Geoff’s story didn’t stop behind the wheel, serving as a cautionary tale toward team ownership, having taken over Alan Kulwicki’s team after his passing, suffering a massive accident in the NASCAR Truck Series, and even spearheading a gold medal-winning bobsled project. If you like these stories, you should also check out our Tim Richmond episode, where Geoff tells even more stories. Dinner was served at Slack Tide in Grant, Fl. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.142 – Terry Labonte

“Texas Terry” Labonte is a NASCAR Hall of Fame driver, having competed in what many would consider one of NASCAR’s golden eras. One of Dale Earnhardt’s main rivals throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, Terry would win two NASCAR championships, serving as one of Rick Hendrick’s premier drivers throughout the team’s growth towards becoming NASCAR’s top team. Known for his calm demeanor and easy-going personality, the calm nature of TerBear becomes instantly apparent. Also, if you like this, you might enjoy him in our Tim Richmond tribute as well. Lunch was served at The Smoke Pit in Salisbury, NC. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.141 – Morgan Shepherd

Morgan Shepherd is one of the longest-running staples in NASCAR history. As a driver, Morgan ran with some of the biggest legends throughout the 1970’s, 80’s, 90’s, all the way to today. In fact, he’s STILL out there driving, currently the oldest active driver in the series, competing with his own team in the Xfinity ranks. A unique character off the track, Morgan is synonymous with roller skating, owning a menagerie of odd pets, and a strong personal faith. Lunch was served at Four Peas in a Pod in Conover, NC. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.140 – The Poster, Pt.2 (featuring Kyle Petty, Terry Labonte, Bobby Allison, Geoff Bodine)

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.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.