Dinner with Racers

Ep.97 – What May 23 Meant to Us

May 23, 2018 was another landmark day for Ryan and Sean. As credentialed media (who knows how) for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s “Voting Day,” where the five inductees for 2019 are announced, the duo were witnesses to one very special moment in their Dinner with Racers journey. The day started, however, with something completely different and that’s what summarizes their whole existence. This couldn’t be done without the fans and we wanted to let you know what it was like. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.95 – Alan Kulwicki: The Untold Stories

Alan Kulwicki is a true legend of NASCAR, and on April 1, 2018, we remember him 25 years after he was lost. For both of our hosts, Alan has been a long-time hero, yet there really hasn’t been a lot of stories told on NASCAR’s last true independent champion. With that in mind, we went on a special trip throughout March, 2018, that spanned 4,000 miles across 5 states, meeting with 12 people along the way to talk solely about the man. In our third of four episodes, we explore Alan Kulwicki, the untold stories. This episode doesn’t follow any chronology or biographical path… this is just a hodgepodge of awesome stories that shed some insight on the man that few people got to know. We introduce Doug Mayr, his best friend, who has no shortage of off-the-track stories, Father Dale Grubba, his Priest who was extremely candid in tales you wouldn’t expect him to tell, Stan Johnson, the man who helped him with many sponsorships, and re-visits from Tom Roberts, Paul Andrews, and more. Help us support the bid to get Alan in to the NASCAR Hall of Fame by visiting nascar.com/halloffame and by using #AK4HoF in social media.

Ep.96 – Alan Kulwicki: April 1, 1993 and Legacy

Alan Kulwicki is a true legend of NASCAR, and on April 1, 2018, we remember him 25 years after he was lost. For both of our hosts, Alan has been a long-time hero, yet there really hasn’t been a lot of stories told on NASCAR’s last true independent champion. With that in mind, we went on a special trip throughout March, 2018, that spanned 4,000 miles across 5 states, meeting with 12 people along the way to talk solely about the man. In our fourth of four episodes, we look back on that fateful day of April 1, 1993. Hear the accounts of Tom Roberts, Peter Jellen, and Paul Andrews on just what it was they went through. Following his legacy, we hear from “Captain Bob,” who was instrumental in starting Kulwicki Park in Greenfield, WI, Tom Roberts on the Kulwicki Driver Development Program, as well as Tom Jensen on the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the bid to get him inducted. Closing remarks from Doug Mayr, Tom Roberts, Paul Andrews, and Father Dale Grubba. Help us support the bid to get Alan in to the NASCAR Hall of Fame by visiting nascar.com/halloffame and by using #AK4HoF in social media.

Ep.93 – Alan Kulwicki: The Wisconsin Racer

Alan Kulwicki is a true legend of NASCAR, and on April 1, 2018, we remember him 25 years after he was lost. For both of our hosts, Alan has been a long-time hero, yet there really hasn’t been a lot of stories told on NASCAR’s last true independent champion. With that in mind, we went on a special trip throughout March, 2018, that spanned 4,000 miles across 5 states, meeting with 12 people along the way to talk solely about the man. In our first of four episodes, we explore Alan Kulwicki, the Wisconsin racer. Follow along as we learn what he was like from his early years in the 1970’s and 1980’s. This episode features Tom Jensen from the NASCAR Hall of Fame to set up the story, Jeff Braun, his engineer-in-crime during the heydays of his Wisconsin ASA days, Jim Tretow, a Wisconsin radio host and track announcer who sheds some light on the scene, Greg Krieger, one of Alan’s very first car builders, and John Janik, who was Alan’s crew chief during his final years in Wisconsin before they both decided to move south in pursuit of NASCAR dreams. Help us support the bid to get Alan in to the NASCAR Hall of Fame by visiting nascar.com/halloffame and by using #AK4HoF in social media.

Ep.94 – Alan Kulwicki: The NASCAR Champion

Alan Kulwicki is a true legend of NASCAR, and on April 1, 2018, we remember him 25 years after he was lost. For both of our hosts, Alan has been a long-time hero, yet there really hasn’t been a lot of stories told on NASCAR’s last true independent champion. With that in mind, we went on a special trip throughout March, 2018, that spanned 4,000 miles across 5 states, meeting with 12 people along the way to talk solely about the man. In our second of four episodes, we explore Alan Kulwicki, the NASCAR Champion. Follow along as we hear the story of how he went from an underfunded rookie in 1986, to winning a championship in 1992 as both a driver and owner, and with only a portion of the funding of his competitors. This episode features Tom “T.R.” Roberts, his PR man throughout his career, Peter Jellen, the team’s truck driver in the final years, and closing with Paul Andrews, who gives an emotional account of his time as the team’s Crew Chief. Help us support the bid to get Alan in to the NASCAR Hall of Fame by visiting nascar.com/halloffame and by using #AK4HoF in social media.

Ep.92 – Josef Newgarden

It’s Josef Newgarden, INDYCAR CHAMPION Josef Newgarden, what do you want from us!!?? Josef’s story is not unlike many champions… he found success early, but like so many other the journey up to the higher ranks didn’t go as planned, including literally going to a test where he never got to drive because the sponsor never paid. Yup, those kind of stories. Somehow, it worked out though. After winning the Indy Lights championship, Josef found a great home at Sarah Fisher-turned-Ed Carpenter racing, and eventually driving for Roger Penske where he won a championship in his first year. Yeah, he’s pretty good… and he’s funny… and good looking… we hate him. Dinner was served at Brickhouse Tavern in Davidson, North Carolina, with the music of the Avett Brothers taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.91 – Brian Redman

A veteran of Formula One, sportscars, and races and categories you may have never even heard of, Brian Redman is part of our great heritage of road racers around the globe. A native of England, Brian began his career in the 1960’s racing whatever he could, eventually grabbing an opportunity to race in Formula 3 and then eventually Formula One, where he landed a podium early in his career and even received an offer from Ferrari. He is most known for being the master of the Targa Florio, a winner at Sebring, and one of the best in the former Formula 5000 series. Dinner was served at the Harbor Cove Bar & Grill in Fort Pierce, Florida, with the music off Rachel Paschket taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.90 – Joie Chitwood

Joie Chitwood III is part of racing royalty. Born to the famed Chitwood family, Joie’s grandfather (Joie Chitwood) was the creator of the “Joie Chitwood Thrill Show,” which was a traveling car show that went to cities around the country performing a number of driving stunts. An era unlike any other, Joie was exposed at a young age to the traveling circus, which suited him well in understanding the promotional business. After receiving his MBA, it didn’t take Joie long to find racing again, managing tracks including Walt Disney World Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, and eventually the role of President of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, then Daytona International Speedway, and now as the COO of International Speedway Corporation (ISC), which manages some of the most famed tracks around the country. Lunch was served at the North Turn in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the music of Zentril taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.89 – Tommy Byrne

Tommy Byrne was considered the greatest Formula One driver you never heard of. Fast but with a fiery temperament, Tommy is a classic example of someone who showed remarkable potential in junior categories, but between opportunities, luck, and arguably perception and reputation, the path to fame and fortune didn’t quite work out. Racing against some of the greats like Ayrton Senna, Thierry Boutsen, etc. he’s a proven talent, but instead of World Championships he has some of the craziest stories of sex, drugs, and racing you might hear. Of course there’s more to the story in his book, which you can read at www.crashorbyrne.com. Dinner was served at Rossellini’s Restaurant & Lounge in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the music of Swim taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.

Ep.88 – Shane Hmiel

Shane Hmiel’s story is unlike any other. Coming from a racing family, Shane grew up within the scene, but also with the challenge of forging his own way, which he managed successfully early in his career. Immediately seen as a rising star, Shane was an instant contender in the NASCAR Truck and Xfinity ranks, including winning at Las Vegas and asserting himself as fast but also super temperamental, including multiple on-track altercations. Off the track is where Shane’s real story existed, however, battling drug addiction, which eventually led to an indefinite suspension from NASCAR, and eventually sending him to treatment where he would learn of psychological problems likely inciting his addiction. On the road to recovery, Shane would take to the ranks of USAC, instantly winning and on the road to IndyCar, where a tragic qualifying accident would lead to a massive brain and spinal injury, rendering him partially paralyzed and with significant brain damage as well. He keeps in good spirits about the whole thing, however, and despite everything he’s been through he’s extremely funny, engaging, and genuinely someone we liked hanging out with. Dinner was served the 1618 West Seafood Grill in Greensboro, North Carolina, with the music of Fury taking us out. Thanks to Continental Tire for all of their support, and Acura for providing a great MDX.