Dinner with Racers

Ep.229 - Dinner(s) with Paul Tracy: Paul, Pt.2

Paul Tracy has spent nearly half a century building himself as one of the unique characters of the sport. Whether you consider him one of the greats, one of the most polarizing, or simply one of the most fascinating, Paul’s place in the sport is without question. As part of our “Dinner(s) with Paul Tracy” video series, we follow up on our 2017 podcast with a video series, spending a week with him at his home. This is the second of a two-part extended cut of our video interview with him, acting as a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Dinner was served courtesy of his partner Lisa at his home in Scottsdale, AZ, with the song “Castle Heist” by Willpower taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.228 - Dinner(s) with Paul Tracy: Paul, Pt.1

Paul Tracy has spent nearly half a century building himself as one of the unique characters of the sport. Whether you consider him one of the greats, one of the most polarizing, or simply one of the most fascinating, Paul’s place in the sport is without question. As part of our “Dinner(s) with Paul Tracy” video series, we follow up on our 2017 podcast with a video series, spending a week with him at his home. This is the first of a two-part extended cut of our video interview with him. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Dinner was served courtesy of his partner Lisa at his home in Scottsdale, AZ, with the song “Unapologetic” by War Haven taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire for making it all happen.

Ep.227 - Building Long Beach: Tammy and Martin

Tammy Johnson and Martin Bannon are two key members of the Grand Prix on Long Beach. For Tammy, a three-decade run as the Director of Ticket Sales has made her a key fixture of the event, often serving as the first interaction for many event newcomers. With a profound ability to guide and customize the experience for nearly 200,000 people, Tammy’s role in making the event an experience for everyone is unmatched. When it comes to the sponsorship sales and marketing, however, Martin Bannon’s nearly 40-year role with the organization has also been a stable force in the event’s sustainability. Cultivating partnerships and maintaining relationships through the decades, Martin is uniquely qualified to discuss the trials and tribulations of fulfilling sponsor obligations on a track that is built and torn down every year. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Tammy’s lunch was served at Phil Trani’s in Long Beach, while Martin’s was served at King Taco, both with the song “Driving Cars onto Mars” by MILANO taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.226 - Building Long Beach: Davey and Crandall

Davey Carillo and Crandall Dickinson are two key members of Long Beach’s construction team. It’s hard to watch the race on TV, or even visit in person, and have any clue just what kind of challenges a temporary facility built on city streets of a busy downtown can create, and these two provide a great insight into just what it takes. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Lunch was served at Guadalupe’s Mexican Grill in Long Beach, CA, with the song “How the Story Goes” by Ge Filter Fish taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.225 - Building Long Beach: Dwight and Jake Tanaka

If there is one name who’s routinely given credit for making sure the actual event of Long Beach happens, it’s Dwight Tanaka. A long-time member of the family, Dwight is the Director of Operations for the Grand Prix, but that title doesn’t do justice to the all-knowing and all-powerful Dwight who orchestrates everything it takes to put the weekend together. Now a family affair, Dwight’s son Jake has been a member of the organization since he was volunteered to work for his Dad at a young age. Now one of the senior members of the team, Jake is another instrumental part of the organization, for which he’s rewarded during race weekend by being a pace car driver. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Dinner was served at 555 East Steakhouse in Long Beach, CA, with the song “It’s Going Down” by SOURWAH taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.224 - Building Long Beach: John Morris

One of the most colorful characters in the whole city, John Morris may not be a traditional “racer,” but he’s a perfect fit to tell the history of the city. A serial entrepreneur and one of the most prominent restaurant and bar owners in the area, John was the driving force behind some of the first downtown restaurants and bars through the decades, including Legends Sports Bars which was notorious through the years. Currently, John owns a seaside restaurant known as Boathouse on the Bay, where he comfortably tells stories like no others. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Lunch was served at Boathouse on the Bay in Long Beach, with the song “So Good” by Orkas taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.223 - Building Long Beach: Jim Michaelian

One of the key members since Year One, Jim Michaelian went from a kid with an MBA helping out in finance, to the current President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. From boots on the ground at the beginning, to steering the ship today, Jim is uniquely qualified to know both the history of the event and the challenges that face the Grand Prix today. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Dinner was served via pizza we ordered in to the Grand Prix offices in Long Beach, CA, with the song “Something New” by Castle Heist taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.222 - Building Long Beach: Chris Pook

When it comes to the story of building Long Beach, the first episode has to go to the event creator, Chris Pook. A known figure for a number of motorsport ventures, including running CART for some time, Chris’s wild idea to hold a street race in the California port city of Long Beach in 1974 was the start of tradition that continued today. Hailing from the UK and working as a long-time Long Beach resident, Chris’s path to creating the event was anything but smooth, with the detailed story in this podcast. This is of course a complimentary episode to our “Dinner with Racers” video series on MotorTrend’s YouTube and MotorTrend+ streaming, where you can see the story unfold in a two-part special. Lunch was served at 555 East Steakhouse in Long Beach, CA, with the song “I Got Me” by Jane & The Boy taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.221 - Brad Sweet

Brad Sweet’s legend in the dirt world is only growing by the year, having just won his fourth straight World of Outlaws title. Growing up on the dirt tracks of California, Brad is a true racer’s racer, earning opportunities purely off of his talent and being paid exclusively in prize money, ultimately leading to his current reputation as arguably the best winged sprint car driver of the modern era. Beyond his current success, Brad also enjoyed spells in different NASCAR ranks, and is now co-found of SLC Promotions with his brother-in-law Kyle Larson, where they promote multiple race tracks and events, as well as the upcoming High Limit Sprint Car Series, beginning in 2023. Lunch was served at Brad’s home in Placerville, CA, with the song “Daddy’s Daughter” by The Ghosts of Liberty taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.

Ep.220 - Kevin Lee

If you’ve watched INDYCAR or IMSA on NBC in recent years, then you’ve already heard the sultry sounds of broadcaster Kevin Lee. A Hoosier through and through, Kevin grew up with a fondness for the radio broadcast of the Indianapolis 500, which always stayed with him as he pursued additional sports broadcasting paths. His openness to opportunities of all kind have led to him to work in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and ultimately what we know him for, as one of the foremost reporters in our sport, be it the booth, the pits, or mentoring his son Jackson’s burgeoning career. Dinner was served at Stone Creek in Plainfield, IN, with the song “Zooming Skywards” by Carlie Fairburn taking us out. Thanks again to Continental Tire and Acura for making it all happen.