This is raw audio from a live Q&A at the 2022 King of the Hammers Jim Beaver did with motorsports legend Jeremy McGrath with Kawasaki.

The Down & Dirty Radio Show

Jeremy McGrath Kawasaki Q&A (Raw Audio)

Time in the NASCAR Cup Series has flown by for William Byron entering year five, and he feels he’s in a good place with everything around him. Byron discusses how the pandemic felt like a gap year; thoughts on his progression from rookie to now; being critical of himself; getting better with his car feedback and having to get over the fear of being wrong; maturing as a Cup driver over the years; how long it took to get comfortable in the series; the toughness of the top level; being bitter over only winning once in 2021; dealing with so much change around him in four years; frustration racing a teammate versus someone else in the field; the most frustrating thing as a driver; the weirdness of driver introductions; how Byron defines connecting to race fans; how comfortable he’s getting in Next Gen and if there’s anything he’s had to change driving wise; impressions after the beating and banging of the Clash; and naturally, a Lego update. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. | 212 William Byron

NOTE: Some parts of this episode may be too intense for some listeners. We’re sharing the third and final installment of our interview with John Dodson this week, and the conversation swings from hysterically funny to devastatingly emotional. John talks about the brawl between Rusty Wallace’s Blue Max Racing team and Darrell Waltrip’s Hendrick Motorsports crew that followed the 1989 edition of The Winston all-star race and his work at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville. But then … John discusses the 1990 pit-road accident that claimed the life of Mike Rich and the night his niece and nephew, Trey and Tia … Barry’s son and daughter … lost their lives. The impact that loss had on Barry was immeasurable.

EPISODE 182 -- JOHN DODSON PART 3

Doug Yates will see the most Ford Mustangs take the green flag in this year’s Daytona 500 than ever before and he’s excited about doing so with a new car. Yates talks about all things engines this week such as how they are distributed to teams; going through the process of NASCAR deciding to increase horsepower this year; but why it’s not so easy as just saying make a change; the workload of having to build different engine packages; what Yates would want versus what’s good for the sport; what it means for teams to no longer be allowed to put tape on the front grille; why Yates still likes getting his hands dirty and it being an escape for him; the lasting influence of dad Robert; how Yates has worked to build his own brand; working with other engine builders and NASCAR; what he thinks the next engine package could look like; how engine builders work to get an advantage; why last year was the most frustrated he’s been; sharing old memories on Twitter; what Yates considers his biggest win; where he gets an adrenaline rush. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 211 | Doug Yates

In the second installment of our interview with John Dodson, he remembers the controversy surrounding three key employees of Junior Johnson & Associates making the move to M.C. Anderson’s team. Once there, team members were reportedly subject to being followed by detectives, in order to keep them on the straight and narrow. John also lets us in on another mass exodus, this time from Ranier to Blue Max Racing. Then, we have Tim Richmond stories and insider info on the trickery and financial smoke-and-mirror show Blue Max used win the 1989 Winston Cup championship. Our second segment features a deep dive into the September 15, 1988 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Davey Allison winning the first race on Richmond’s newly reconfigured racing surface. The Tire Wars between Goodyear and Hoosier were raging hot and heavy, which played into Davey’s favor and cost Rusty Wallace the 1988 Winston Cup championship. There are features on Hoosier Tire’s Marge Merrill, the daughter of company founder Bob Newton, and Melling Racing tire specialist Mike Thomas. Finally, Dale Earnhardt shoots doves AND a photograph in this issue.

EPISODE 181 -- JOHN DODSON PART 2

Chase Purdy’s newest opportunity in the Camping World Truck Series is with Hattori Racing, but we’re going to learn all about his journey to the team and more. Purdy reveals when he knew he wanted to be a race car driver; racing all over the southeast; what go-kart racing is really like; series Purdy’s run along the way to NASCAR; what makes late models so fun; going through a rough two-year gap without racing; landing a full ride with GMS Racing to moving to Hattori Racing; wanting to get a chance in the HRE trucks; being teammates to Tyler Ankrum; no more excuses; being a young driver getting to know a new team; how Purdy feels about the ‘respect’ topic in the Truck Series; learning from veterans, including recently with Kurt Busch; an update on getting his degree from Ole Miss. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 210 | Chase Purdy

You may know John Dodson as the younger brother of longtime NASCAR crew chief Barry Dodson, but he forged an incredible resume in the sport all his own. In the first of what will be three installments of an absolutely extraordinary conversation, John talks about growing up in a racing family with seven rambunctious siblings; breaking into NASCAR while still in high school; a wreck that left his hero Richard Petty battered and bruised; Maurice Petty; RCR BD (Richard Childress Racing Before Dale); flying with Cale Yarborough; and much, much more. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid break down the July 7, 1977 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Richard Petty's strong win at Daytona, the firing of Darel Dieringer by DiGard Racing and the sale of Nord Krauskopf's team to Jim Stacy.

EPISODE 180 -- JOHN DODSON PART 1

Brian Murphy of Stewart-Haas Racing is here to help with any conversation around the Next Gen race car. Murphy explains the different offseason teams had this year; eventually getting over being uncomfortable with the car and supply chain issues; long days at the race shop; his history at Stewart-Haas Racing; going from fixing the cars to preparing them; thoughts on what this car will do for the sport; if there will be any creativity and innovation with Next Gen; needing to better understand inspection and having more transparency in the sport; his approach to social media; being forced to attend his first NASCAR race; not having any formal job training; what a misconception of working in racing is; being all in on all racing; the big change that is Next Gen; having a fresh start; being an avid photographer and climber. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 209 | Brian Murphy (Stewart-Haas Racing)

This week, we're honored to be joined by the one ... the only ... the iconic ... Mario Andretti to discuss his life and times in and around the world of NASCAR.

EPISODE 179 -- MARIO ANDRETTI

Jerry Baxter and driver Tanner Gray were among those who got to see the new Atlanta Motor Speedway recently, and Baxter is here to share insight on that much more. First impressions of the facility; throwing out the notebook on the track; first impressions of working with Gray and getting more out of him; how Baxter feels about going back to the Truck Series after spending the last two years in Cup; what he expects to be different or have changed in the Truck Series since last there; some of Baxter’s early racing days; a quick turnaround moving to North Carolina; memories of the first drivers he worked with in Cup; what it was like working for Kyle Busch’s truck team; what he saw in Bubba Wallace in trucks and then Cup; working with multiple drivers versus just one; Baxter’s go-to stories; working with a lot of younger drivers; on his career longevity but also having to adapt; insight on David Gilliland Racing; goals and expectations for his team this year. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 208 | Jerry Baxter

This week in the third and final installment of our interview, Kenny Wallace talks about the success of 1994, leaving Filmar to drive for Andy Petree, his second-place finish to Dale Earnhardt at Talladega in October 2000, driving for DEI a year later and finally, his dirt racing career. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the February 2, 1995 issue of Winston Cup Scene. The cover story on this preseason issue featured none other than Kenny Wallace … and I was faster than an Air Force pilot in a session of Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track school at Atlanta. As if to one-up his cake icing story from last week's episode, Rick also regales Steve with his memories of the 1985 Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam in Nashville.

EPISODE 178 -- KENNY WALLACE PART 3

Tyler Ankrum says it’s been a “pretty easy” transition to Hattori Racing as he gets set to take the wheel of the No. 16 Toyota. Ankrum joins the show to talk about how well things are going with already building team chemistry; being with a smaller group in HRE; why and how the move from GMS Racing happened; first impressions of new crew chief Scott Zipadelli; if this is a year Ankrum feels he has to step up; how much he was affected by the lack of practice and qualifying; how Ankrum got into racing and the influence of David Gilliland; choosing ranch life over the lake in NC; things fans might be surprised to know about him; who Ankrum is close to in racing; thoughts on working with Chase Purdy this season; getting his chance in the 16 truck. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 207 | Tyler Ankrum

In the second installment of our interview with Kenny Wallace, he talks us through his breakthough – and heartbreaking – 1991 Busch Series season. After battling Bobby Labonte for the championship, Kenny endured a devastating crash at New Hampshire late in the season. Then, during the offseason, a deal to move to Winston Cup falls through at the very last second. He lands on his feet and eventually moves to Cup with team owner Felix Sabates, but his rookie season doesn’t exactly pan out as expected. He joins and then enjoys some of his greatest successes with Filmar Racing. Finally, Kenny discusses filling in for the injured Ernie Irvan with Robert Yates Racing. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the September 29, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Rusty Wallace wins after dominating at Martinsville, but doesn’t gain much ground on runnerup Dale Earnhardt in the Winston Cup point standings. Kenny Wallace finishes fourth while subbing for the injured Ernie Irvan, who shocked the world that week by calling into a radio show. There’s also a feature on memorabilia collector Wayne Keith and Hut Stricklin and Travis Carter going their separate ways at the end of the 1994 season.

EPISODE 177 -- KENNY WALLACE PART 2

Andrea Brimmer is the chief marketing and public relations officer at Ally and joins the podcast to take us inside NASCAR sponsorship. Brimmer looks back on the ’21 season for the No. 48 team; branding around the driver and not having the driver adjust to the sponsor’s brand; a bit on Brimmer’s history in the automobile world; where Brimmer’s passion comes from and understanding athletes; how sports has helped her today; what it was like for Ally to first come into NASCAR; how Ally looks at return on investment; fan loyalty; what Ally looks for in a partner; what’s been learned in Ally’s first few years in the sport; their role in diversity and inclusion; Do It Right; being disruptive; being an active partner; utilizing more space on the Next Gen car for sponsor placement. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: www.patreon.com/KellyCrandall

Ep. 206 | Andrea Brimmer (Ally)

In our first episode of 2022, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid discuss Rick's bout with boredom during his COVID quarantine and an incredible Christmas gift given to him by a listener. Kenny Wallace is ... well ... Kenny Wallace. And that's basically all the summary anybody needs! In our second segment, Rick and Steve thumb through the May 3, 1990 episode of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Geoff Bodine’s win at Martinsville, his first for Junior Johnson. The victory came just two days after a devastating loss for Junior and his then-wife, Flossie. Chuck Bown led all 200 laps at Lanier Raceway in Georgia, with our boy Kenny Wallace running a distant second. There were also reports about boating mishaps that left Bill France Jr. with two broken ankles, and another that scared Michael Waltrip WAY more than his infamous Bristol Busch Series accident just a couple of weeks before.

EPISODE 176 -- KENNY WALLACE PART 1

Jim Beaver brings you the #1 action motorsports radio show on the planet covering the world of racing with some of the biggest interviews in motorsports! #GameOn

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