Victory Lane

Davey welcomes on Aaron Bearden, founder and CEO of Motorsports Beat, for a wide-ranging conversation. Topics include how his job deeming him essential leads him to living an extremely normal life while others are quarantined, growing up in Indiana, his love for racing starting early on, being a NASCAR fan first and finding IndyCar/the Indianapolis 500 later and attending Ball State University (including how an allergy changed the trajectory of his life). Plus, why he began writing for fun, how it spiraled into something more, overcoming internal struggles with depression and why that makes him a doer, starting Motorsports Beat, the early wake-up calls to write "The Morning Warmup" newsletter, spending hours and hours on the road driving from race to race, tips to stay awake and, of course, how he comes up with his majestic puns...time after time.

Davey welcomes on Chase Wilhelm of NASCAR.com (6:10) for an extended conversation, including some jabs at each other, per usual. How he got into NASCAR at a young age in Ohio, how he almost majored in law instead of journalism in school, moving down to Charlotte to chase a dream (with no job waiting for him), getting his big break, only to get laid off, but eventually getting back on his feet and more. Plus, balancing the friend/professional relationship with drivers, why the hell he’s a Michigan fan when never attending the heinous institution, and of course, some Tinder talk. Also, a recap of William Byron’s second consecutive win in the Pro Invitational Series at Richmond and Lug Nuts of the Week.

With perhaps the best name in NASCAR, Jagger Jones has a rich family history in racing, but has already begun blazing his own trail. Davey and Jagger touch on his love of mountain biking and how that hobby is keeping him sane during this quarantine, being born in a post 9/11 world/not being a 90's kid, his family's background in racing and why how he got started at a young age may not be how most assume. Plus, an extended conversation about his dairy allergy (yes, really), spending some time as a teenager competing in go karts in Europe, reliving the infamous final lap on the Las Vegas Dirt Track in 2019, running the Norra 1000 with "The Snake" Don Prudhomme, why seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson has become a mentor for Jones as he works his way through the ranks and more. Davey closes the show by addressing the Kyle Larson racial slur that led to his firing from Chip Ganassi Racing.

Zach McAfee, founder and owner of Sim Seats, producing Made in USA Driving Simulators since 2009, joins Davey to discuss how Sim Seats has become a leader in the simulator industry, including he got into the business from playing with a pile of scrap metal in college, how his passion for racing drove his interest further and the "aha" moment when he realized his endeavor may be a profitable one. Plus, the extreme financial gain in the last 36 months (amid the coronavirus pandemic, no less), a dive into what makes each rig different (including cost and features) his relationship with drivers, A.K.A. customers, including a funny story about having a conversation with the G.O.A.T. in his garage while delivering a rig, and more.

After recapping the caution-filled Pro Invitational Series event from Bristol won by William Byron, Davey welcomes on Diego Alvarado, eNASCAR Heat Pro League driver for Richard Petty Motorsports and photographer extraordinaire to discuss his cool story. From how a Southern California Hispanic kid got introduced to NASCAR to Davey and Diego's first time meeting, the two touch on everything. Discussing their fanboy stages, cross country road trips chasing the dream, getting drafted by RPM (and how he didn't know when he ~actually~ was selected), his goals and aspirations moving forward, an incredible revelation of his two part-time jobs and more. In "Lug Nuts of the Week," how the NASCAR industry is giving back amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Davey chats with longtime friend Hannah Newhouse in a wide-ranging, all over the place conversation. But who’s surprised about that with these two on the mic? From Hannah’s upbringing in Idaho, time behind the wheel racing, pivoting to the media route, packing up and moving to Charlotte, eventually landing at the Motor Racing Network (with various stops along the way), the two touch on it all. Plus, how has she done all she has at only 23-years-old? The famous “douchebag” comment heard ‘round the world is addressed fully, with two unique perspectives on the incident, how she deals with the wacky Door Bumper Clear crew and, of course, the ~goodest~ girl, Super Planet Janet, makes a couple appearances.

Maryland's finest, Timmy Hill, earned the virtual win at Texas as Round Two of the Pro Series Invitational was a bit cleaner, but albeit more realistic. As iRacing continues to take over the NASCAR landscape, Davey chats with the voice of iRacing, specifically the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, Evan Posocco (15:15). The two discuss the rapid ascension of iRacing in the racing community, Evan's unorthodox introduction to NASCAR, how he got started announcing races, moving from Canada to Las Vegas and attending UNLV. Could an iRacing driver make it to the national series AND have success? Plus, What does the future look like for the sport virtually?

As the sports world remains on hold due to coronavirus, NASCAR and iRacing have joined forces to give a sense of normalcy back to the industry. Davey provides an update from NASCAR President Steve Phelps on the situation and recaps the virtual race at Homestead, won by Denny Hamlin, before welcoming on Ryan Vargas (18:10). The two dive into how eTruck Series Night in America came to be, why it was so successful in a short period of time, whether we'll see another edition of it in the near future and more. Plus, how his roller coaster of a racing career, including some dark times, has helped him learn how to push through in the face of adversity, chicken nuggie talk and more.

Davey briefly recaps Joey Logano's win at Phoenix, and how the tweaked aerodynamic rules package worked well at the 2020 championship venue. He then dives into how the coronavirus is affecting the sports landscape, and why NASCAR had no other choice than to postpone their events.

Bowman The Showman showed out in California, and Davey recaps Chevrolet’s sudden prominence in the Cup Series, along with Bowman’s victory. He welcomes on Ken Clapp (16:40), West Coast stock car racing pioneer, to discuss his origins in racing, how he got into promoting, working for NASCAR, why he’ll never retire and always stay involved in motorsports, why he calls racing is a democratic dictatorship, the beginnings of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, their sponsorship of race events, his thoughts on ARCA and NASCAR in general nowadays and more. Plus, a preview of the weekend festivities in Phoenix, Tony Stewart’s comeback, NextGen testing (and wrecking?) and a revamped Daytona Speedweeks for 2021.

Davey is back from Sin City to recap all the racing action that went down, from Joey Logano's second straight Vegas win, Chase Briscoe's statement performance (after a rain delay, yes, in the desert) and Kyle Busch's seventh consecutive Trucks Series win. Plus, the $100,000 bounty placed on Rowdy by Kevin Harvick, Sam Mayer doing Sam Mayer things in ARCA atThe Bullring, a preview of Auto Club and update on Ryan Newman.

From Las Vegas baggage claim and inside his rental car, Davey reflects on the somber end to Speedweeks. What was felt as Ryan Newman's crash occurred, the events that followed and miraculous news received less than 48 hours after the crash. He also touches on Denny Hamlin's Daytona 500 win and the historical significance of it and previews this weekend's festivities in Las Vegas.

On location from Speedweeks in Daytona/New Smyrna, Davey welcomes on Kyle Souza to discuss all the happenings, including Michael Self's ARCA Menards Series victory at Daytona, Sam Mayer's ARCA East victory at New Smyrna as well as "The Clash (or Crash, or Trash) that left Erik Jones beaten and battered, but in the winner's circle. Despite being kicked out of their recording space mid-episode, they push on (with ambient race car noises), preview the Daytona 500 and hit tighten this week's Lug Nuts.

Breathe easy, party people: it’s ~officially~ race week! Before previewing The Clash at Daytona to kick off racing in 2020, Davey recaps all the Silly Season moves that went down this off-season, including a plethora of new faces in new places. He then chats with Hailie Deegan (17:30), Ford’s newest development driver for DGR-Crosley in the ARCA Menards Series. The two discuss the whirlwind couple weeks before and after announcing her future plans, traveling to and from California, Daytona and Charlotte constantly, feelings once when announcement was public, how late the deal actually got finalized, why including some IMSA starts was important to her and Ford, her time in the K&N Pro Series, reflecting on her time with Toyota, where her mindset of not rushing up the ladder originated, realistic expectations for this season, courting companies for sponsorship herself, the importance of social media and more. Lastly, Davey looks ahead to “The Clash” and Speedweeks in Florida before tightening those Lug Nuts.

New year, new decade, same Victory Lane! Davey rings in 2020 with his conversation with Brittney Zamora (3:40), who just finished her rookie season in what's now known as the ARCA Menards Series West. The two touch on her rookie campaign, failing at golf (and what role birds played a part in said failing), her rapid ascension through the northwest racing scene, being at the track at four days (!) old, being a national tap dancing champion and more.

And that's a wrap! The Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series champions have been crowned as Homestead-Miami Speedway played host to Championship 4 weekend. Three repeat champions with interesting storylines to each. Davey recaps it all as we hear from all Championship 4 contenders from each series. Plus, the G.O.A.T. is calling it a career after 2020 and more silly season news.

In an sound-bite heavy episode, Davey reviews what was the penultimate race weekend of the year in Phoenix, including Denny Hamlin's statement victory, why his mindset makes him the championship favorite and the changes needed before NASCAR returns to ISM Raceway in 2020. He also recaps the K&N Pro Series West finale that saw Ty Gibbs win the race and Derek Kraus clinch the championship. Plus, a Xfinity and Gander Outdoors Truck Series look-back of Phoenix, extensive preview of Homestead-Miami Speedway and Championship 4 weekend as well as Lug Nuts of the Week.

Davey recaps Kevin Harvick's dominant Texas performance which punched his ticket to the Championship 4 for the fifth time in the last six seasons. He also touches on the national series penultimate event at ISM Raceway in Phoenix, the K&N West finale and hits on Lug Nuts of the Week, including Roger Penske's acquisition of IMS and IndyCar.

Davey is on Cloud Nine (and never getting off) as the Washington Nationals are World Series champions! But he's here to talk NASCAR, as Martin Truex Jr. dominates Martinsville and Derek Kraus dominated Kern. He welcomes on Zach Hamilton to chat about the Cup playoffs, whether fights should be every man for himself or driver-on-driver only and the two give their Championship 4 predictions. He briefly previews Texas before hitting on Lug Nuts of the Week.

Davey recaps the chaotic ending to the Round of 12 cutoff race at Kansas Speedway, which saw Brad Keselowski eliminated and Denny Hamlin deliver. He chats (and laughs) at length with Gander Outdoors Truck Series driver Ben Rhodes (8:10). They delve into his start in racing, driving a late model for Marcos Ambrose (and the stories that come along with it), his 2014 K&N Pro Series East title campaign with Turner Scott Motorsports, why his struggles with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series made him appreciate that K&N success more and allowed for some self-reflection, winning at his home track of Kentucky, finding a home at ThorSport Racing in the Truck Series and “If King Ben Ruled The World.” Plus, a preview of Martinsville and Kern County as well as Lug Nuts of the Week.