Dinner with Racers

Ep.109 – LIVE at Watkins Glen

Our first ever live show! We decided to record all the antics as we fumbled around our first attempt at doing something live for the fans. Recorded live in Victory Circle during the weekend of the Six Hours of the Glen, join a multitude of guests as we discover nothing important, but guests and fans enjoyed it nonetheless. Guests included Juan Pablo Montoya, Ricky Taylor, Razzle Dazzle, Jeff Braun, Patrick Long, Mike Hull, Dan Binks, Ben Keating, Jordan Taylor, Alessandro Balzan, Andy Lally, Pippa Mann, Earl Bamber, Bill Riley, Michael Printup, Chad McCumbee, Patrick Gallagher, Marc Miller, 300 fans at Watkins Glen, and a guy in a tiger head. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.108 – Alexander Rossi

His story is still being written, but Alexander Rossi is the poster child of an American success story. Growing up in Northern California, Alex grew up in the California karting scene before going on to Formula BMW USA, ultimately leave the US to pursue his dream of Formula One, where he’d achieve the ultimate by becoming an official test driver, and finally an official F1 driver for ManorF1. When opportunities in F1 began to unravel, Alex immediately found a new home in IndyCar, winning the 100th Indianapolis 500 in his first year, and now a regular threat for the championship. Breakfast courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts as served in his RV, with the music of Armen Balyan taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.107 – Rick Mears, Pt. 2

It’s Rick Mears, do you really need a description? He grew up in Bakersfield as an amateur off-road racer… then somehow  he became a driver for Roger Penske’s IndyCar program…. then somehow won the race 4 times. How did that happen? Well we have the story in two parts. Dinner courtesy of Palomino in Indianapolis, IN.. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.106 – Rick Mears, Pt. 1

It’s Rick Mears, do you really need a description? He grew up in Bakersfield as an amateur off-road racer… then somehow  he became a driver for Roger Penske’s IndyCar program…. then somehow won the race 4 times. How did that happen? Well we have the story in two parts. Dinner courtesy of Palomino in Indianapolis, IN.. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.105 – Joey Saldana

Finally, a proper dirty guy! What better way to explore some World of Outlaws racing than with one of the winningest drivers they’ve had, Joey Saldana. With over 100 wins in World of Outlaws, Joey has been part of the explosive growth of the sport in the last two decades, being part of Kasey Kahne’s team as one of the original NASCAR driver-owned teams, before running his own. Part of a racing family, he grew up in a dirt racing home, back when drivers could still make the Indy 500 with that background, before embarking on his own where he’d add two wins at the King’s Royal to his impressive resume. Lunch provided by Tequila Sunrise, with music by Station, “Cost of the Sand.” Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.104 – Dr. Terry Trammell

Dr. Terry Trammell is THE guy when it comes to safety innovation within IndyCar over the last several decades. A guy who somehow went from amateur photographer to one of Indianapolis’ leading spinal surgeons, Dr. Trammell’s specialty in orthopedics led him to one of the largest careers in motorsports’ medicine, balancing his career between full-time “day job” duties with Ortho Indy, and then traveling with IndyCar full-season to be an on-site doctor. He’s saved dozens of lives, and put hundreds of drivers “back together.” Dinner courtesy of The Boulder Creek Dining Company, music by Prada Gina and “Get Mines.” Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.103 – Robert Wickens

WIIIIIIIICKEEEEEEEENNNNNNNSSSSSSSS!!! That is all. Another one of those all-star Canadians, young Robert Wickens went from a junior category driver in North America, to a junior category driver in Europe that won everything. Eventually he became a Mercedes factory driver in DTM before finally moving on to IndyCars this year, where he’s had one of the most standout rookie seasons in history. Recorded during the first week of practice at Indianapolis, lunch was served at the legendary Charlie Brown’s, just a few yards from the circuit. Closed with the music of Saturn ‘Till June, “Tiffany’s Curse.” Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.102 – Takuma Sato

It’s not too often you hear about someone making it to F1 within five years of their first lap in a go-kart. Even less so when they start at 19. That’s Takuma Sato. One of the most entertaining drivers on the track, Takuma’s legendary fearlessness finally paid off last year, when he won the Indianapolis 500. Special in its own right, “Taku” also became the first Japanese driver to win the race, and first Asian driver to win at any of the top ranks in IndyCar. Hailing from Japan, his decade in the U.S. has led him to really appreciate some specific customs hear in the States, and his humor seems to go with him everywhere… which was awesome. We really enjoyed hanging out with this guy, a racer’s racer.  Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.101 – Sam Schmidt

Sam Schmidt is not only a very successful team owner in the IndyCar ranks, but he’s a true hero to a lot of people. Born in to a racing family, Sam began his racing career as a driver following the traditional path of junior categories, eventually elevating himself to the IndyCar ranks in what was known as the early years of the IRL, and even taking a victory in Las Vegas in 1999. Unfortunately just a few month’s later, Sam’s driving days would be cut short when a testing accident would render him paralyzed, but life as a quadriplegic has not slowed him down one bit. Sam would become a team owner, building the most successful team in Indy Lights history, and now running two cars full-time in the top-tier IndyCar series. We decided to skip on having a meal this time, but the conversation was spicy nonetheless. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.100 – Paul Page

Paul Page is a true living legend of motorsports. One of the most famous voices in the industry, Paul Page has covered a variety of sports and motorsports over the years, but he’s perhaps best known as the voice of ABC and ESPN’s coverage of Indycar for several decades, through some of the best and worst times in the sport. One of the most respected broadcasters out there, Paul began his career in radio, eventually working under the tutelage of Sid Collins, probably the most revered broadcaster in the history of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Beyond IndyCar, Paul has covered the NHRA, a number of other ventures for ABC and ESPN… including the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest… and even been a key voice in several feature films. Dinner was served at the Union Jack in Broad Ripple, Indiana. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.