In this episode, we sat down at the Race & Performance Expo for a conversation with Ted Peters. Ted is a multi-faceted personality within drag racing. A Mopar enthusiast through-and-through, Ted has been a staple among nostalgia pro stock racing and most recently made waves after acquiring the Darrell Alderman driven, original 1991 NHRA Pro Stock Championship winning Dodge Daytona from Wayne County Speed Shop. Outside of the driver’s seat, racers throughout the midwest are familiar with Ted for his role on the NHRA Certification Team. But before Ted shifted any of his drag racing ventures into high gear, he, like his father, served in the U.S. Air Force. Humble and not seeking the limelight, Ted’s service saw him stationed throughout the world. He is a Veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. And when conflict came to American soil on September 11, 2001, Ted, as he details in our conversation, was working at the Pentagon during and after the attack. After 23 years, Ted would retire Senior Master Sergeant.

Byron Dragway

Ep. 24: Ted Peters - Nostalgia Pro Stock, Mopar, Air Force & 9/11

In this episode, we sat down for a conversation with drag racing legend Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick at the Byron Dragway booth during the 2020 Race & Performance Expo.  Arnie’s nearly 70-year-long drag racing career is truly legendary and often times greatly understated.  From his humble beginnings on the farm and his first taste of drag racing all the way back in 1951, Beswick’s storied career was ground breaking and trendsetting in many ways.  A pioneer of early drag racing, Beswick was not just present for drag racing’s earliest days - he was among its original winners.  From racing in the original NASCAR & NHRA sanctioned Winternationals that took place in Daytona in 1960 to winning at the original NHRA U.S. Nationals at Great Bend Kansas, Beswick was at the forefront of the sport in its infancy.  We learn in this podcast about the moment he turned pro, how he became the face of Pontiac performance, and how his trademark “Tameless Tiger” moniker and paint scheme came about. This episode is brought to you by Jim Kasallis Mobile Truck Repair. Specializing in fleet maintenance, Jim Kasallis Mobile Truck Repair comes to your location to service you fleet of any size.  Jim Kasallis is a lifelong drag racer, and you know that he stands behind his work because he puts his name on the business. If your business and livelihood depends on your trucks being reliable and on the road, then trust Jim Kasallis Mobile Truck Repair for your maintenance and repair needs. Located in nearby Kirkland, Illinois, give them a call at 815-751-6042.

Ep. 23: Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick - 70 Year Career, Life on the Farm, Turning Pro & Pontiac

In this episode, we get to know Lee Bardo. Lee holds the distinction of having been a racer at Byron Dragway for longer than anyone else. Lee raced at Byron Dragway’s grand opening on July 4, 1964. He and his trademark ’57 Chevy - which was also at opening day - are an inseparable pair, having most recently raced at the Glory Days Vintage Drag Race at Byron Dragway in 2019 and they are already on the entry list for the 2020 edition of Glory Days. Lee has many stories about what drag racing was like while the sport was still in its infancy. He also recalls racing at a variety of other race tracks from the past including the infamous indoor drag races at the Chicago Amphitheatre. This episode is sponsored by The Hot Rod Shop. The best place to get the best parts for drag cars, street machines, and muscle cars is The Hot Rod Shop in Rockford. From nitrous kits and refills to tire mounting and balancing. They sell all major brands of speed equipment with fast delivery from several regional warehouses. The Hot Rod Shop is located only 20 minutes away from Byron Dragway at 4425 Charles Street in Rockford, Illinois. Look them up on Facebook or call 815-227-5424. More helpful links mentioned in the episode: RacePerformanceExpo.com for details on the upcoming trade show we will be at February 22-23 in Schaumburg. ByronDragway.com/banquet for details and to RSVP for the Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 7. ByronDragway.com/advertising for advertising opportunities at Byron Dragway and the Byron Dragway Podcast, Byron Dragway TV Live Streams, and more.

Ep. 22: Lee Bardo - Byron Dragway's Grand Opening, Indoor Drag Races & More

In this episode, we get to know Brett Williamson - a 22-year-old bracket racing rising star from Rockford, Illinois. This wide ranging interview deconstructs what it truly means to “eat, sleep and breathe” drag racing. From waking up at 4:55 AM every morning to make time for the practice tree before school, to his father Larry’s origins as a motorcycle racer, and how construction on his trademark ’57 Chevy began when he was only four-years-olds, you will be truly amazed and motivated by his work ethic and dedication. Williamson's maturity is well beyond his years as he leans heavily on the experience of his mentors, gets his mind right by reading books on sports psychology, and strives to be better everyday. This episode is brought to you by FTI Performance.  At FTI Performance, each converter and transmission is custom built to the customers individual specifications. FTI is the standard in the high performance industry with their innovative state of the art torque converter and transmission design. With the latest technology and design available no where else, it is clear to see why people are winning races everywhere in all categories of racing with FTI. Their customer oriented technical support is the pride of the company and assures that you get the support you need, when you need it. FTI Performance also serves as the entitlement sponsor of the FTI Performance Super Pro Box / No Box category as part of the season long Big Bucks Bracket Bash Series Do your racing program a favor and look up FTIPerformance.com and be sure to tell them Byron Dragway sent you. More helpful links mentioned in the episode: RacePerformanceExpo.com for details on the upcoming trade show we will be at February 22-23 in Schaumburg. ByronDragway.com/banquet for details and to RSVP for the Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 7. ByronDragway.com/chassis for details and to scheduled for NHRA Chassis Certification on Saturday, May 9. ByronDragway.com/advertising for advertising opportunities at Byron Dragway and the Byron Dragway Podcast, Byron Dragway TV Live Streams, and more.

Ep. 21: Brett Williamson - Bracket Racing, Work Ethic, Mentors & Mindset

In this episode, we get to know the reigning World Power Wheel Standing Champion - Chris Pearce. He is blue collar, working class hero who has risen to super stardom in the wheel stand community in only three years time. In Chris' own words, "reality starts with dreams."  He is a champion on the track and an inspiration for all. See Chris Pearce attempt to defend his title at the World Power Wheel Standing Championships on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Byron Dragway. Visit byrondragway.com/wheelstand for event details. This episode is presented by Blackhawk Waterways Visitors Bureau. The Blackhawk Waterways Visitors Bureau is your source for information on lodging and finding places to go and things to do across northwest Illinois.  Their website lists hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, pubs, bars and so much more so if you’re planning your trip to Byron Dragway then make sure you check out VISITNORTHWESTILLINOIS.COM. More helpful links mentioned in the episode: ByronDragway.com/banquet for details and to RSVP for the Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 7. ByronDragway.com/chassis for details and to scheduled for NHRA Chassis Certification on Saturday, May 9. ByronDragway.com/advertising for advertising opportunities at Byron Dragway and the Byron Dragway Podcast, Byron Dragway TV Live Streams, and more.

Ep. 20 - Chris Pearce: Wheel Stand Champion & Inspiration

Chelsey and Randy Simpson sit down following the PRI Show in Indy to talk Track of the Year, Firecracker Bracket Nationals, and Randy's guilty pleasure: mini-vans. As mentioned in this episode, the 2020 Firecracker Bracket Nationals event flyer is now available here: https://rebrand.ly/fbn2020

Ep. 19 - Track of the Year, Firecracker Flyer, Mini Vans

What do race track operators do during the winter months? Byron Dragway owner BJ Vangsness and General Manager Randy Simpson give you a peek behind the scenes and bring you up to speed with some exciting announcements - particularly surrounding the Firecracker Bracket Nationals (June 26-28, 2020) and the Glory Days Vintage Drag Race, Car Show, & Swap Meet (July 17-19, 2020).

Ep. 18 - 2020 Season Planning, Firecracker & Glory Days Announcements

Byron Dragway podcast host Randy Simpson previews this weekend's Inaugural Juiced Electric Vehicle Drag Race presented by Exelon. Special guest Paul Dempsey, Exelon Generation Byron Station Communications Manager, joins the show to talk about Exelon's involvement in the event, outlook on electric vehicles, and how participants can charge their cars at the power plant this Saturday. For more event information and details for participants charging their electric car at the Exelon Generation Byron Station this Saturday, click here: http://byrondragway.com/juiced

Ep. 17 - Juiced Electric Drag Race Preview w/ Paul Dempsey of Exelon Generation Byron Station

Mitchell Vincent represented team Byron Dragway at the 43rd Annual NHRA North Central Division Finals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis where he drove two cars deep into eliminations. Vincent reached the fifth round in his 1967 Chevrolet Camaro in Pro Eliminator and reached the final round in Super Pro driving his rear-engine dragster. Mitchell took some time out of his day to talk about his racing roots, the joys of racing two different cars, and his successful weekend at Indy.

Ep. 16 - Mitchell Vincent Talks About His Successful ET Finals at Indy

Midwest Super Comp Series director Rich Kwasiborski joins the Byron Dragway podcast to talk about all things Midwest Super Comp. Rich gives listeners a lesson in Super Comp 101, discusses the origins of their series, and previews this weekend's season finale to be held at Byron Dragway, September 21-22, 2019.

Ep. 15 - Rich Kwasiborski Previews Midwest Super Comp Series Finale

Grant Zimmerman, who won Saturday’s $2,500 FTI Performance Super Pro final round, appeared to be unstoppable again on Sunday. Zimmerman nearly completed a successful weekend sweep but came up one round short in Sunday’s $5,000 to win bracket race as veteran NHRA drag racer Jay Allen drove his dragster to the big race win. Allen, a humble veteran racer takes great pride in the success that he and his do-it-yourself family owned and operated race team have achieved. 

Jay Allen Denies Grant Zimmerman Weekend Sweep in $5,000 Final

Relive the Pro Eliminator, Street Eliminator, and Sportsman class final rounds from an exciting day of NHRA Drag Racing at Byron Dragway. After each final, we catch a word from each bracket race class winner. In Pro Eliminator, Tim Flynn became the first repeat winner in the Big Bucks Bracket Bash Series in 2019. In Street Eliminator, Randy Heinzeroth dedicated his emotional win to Barry Fisher and Ron Leek. And in Sportsman class, Brian Hampton explains how he bounced back after running out of gas in Pro Eliminator, to be victorious in Sportsman.  

Flynn Repeats in Pro, Emotional Win for Heinzeroth, Hampton Bounces Back in Sportsman

No Box racers continue to dominate in the final round as Grant Zimmerman drove his 1979 Ford Mustang to the $2,500 race win in the FTI Performance Super Pro Box / No Box final against the dragster of Shane Pope.  Listen to the final round replay and hear from Zimmerman and Pope from their winner's circle interviews.

No Box Dominance Continues as Zimmerman Scores Win Over Pope

Opening ceremonies at the Glory Days vintage drag race at Byron Dragway were dedicated to former longtime track owner, Ron Leek. Byron Dragway dedicated of a special landmark erected in Ron's memory at center track and the military Honor Guard honored Ron with a twenty-one gun salute following a moment of silence.

Ron Leek Tribute at Glory Days

Twenty-year-old Kamryn Mason won the biggest race of her young career as she won the $30,000 weekend finale to conclude the 20th Annual Firecracker Bracket Nationals. Like déjà vu, Mason eliminated a dragster driven by Gary Williams in the final round, just as Jeremy Bousman did one day earlier in Saturday's $100,000 race. Relive the exciting final round and experience the excitement of Mason's Winner's Circle celebration.

Ep. 10 - Mason is Victorious in $30,000 Weekend Finale

Byron Dragway is Northern Illinois' home for NHRA Championship Drag Drag Racing since 1964. On the Byron Dragway podcast, we preview upcoming drag races, review race results, dive into race track news, and discuss all things Byron Dragway!

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