A Lifetime in Motorsports

Beginning in 1970, Motor Racing Network began as a new entity with a mission to bring NASCAR events to race fans via radio on a national scale. Over time, the network grew into a tremendous cornerstone of the sport. It became so because of the long list of talented broadcasters that brought their talents to the microphone, such as Ken Squire, Mike Joy, Barney Hall and Joe Moore, as well as many, many more in the decades to come. Episode No. 82 of "A lifetime in Motorsports" focuses on a visit with Moore and as he discusses his years with the network. NASCAR historians Ben White and Jerry Bonkowski explore his years with MRN and how he arrived on the scene and also the origins of the No. 82 during podcast No. 81 of "A Lifetime in Motorsports." 

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In September of 1969, NASCAR's founder, Bill France, Sr., had a very big problem on his hands. He had built the 2.66-mile Alabama International Motor Speedway near Talladega, Alabama that could generate the fastest stock cars in the world. What would keep that from happening was the fact that there were no tires that were strong enough to handle the 190-mile per hour speeds the cars could generate. They were blistering in three to five laps and making drivers very nervous with every lap completed. NASCAR historians Ben White and Jerry Bonkowski explore that weekend as it unfolded and bring it to light for race fans of today that may not have ever heard the story from 54 years ago. They will also discuss the origins of the No. 81 during podcast No. 81 of "A Lifetime in Motorsports." 

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Since the very early days of NASCAR's existence, public address and radio broadcasts of races have been a huge part of the sport. Long before television coverage became commonplace, local public address announcers at tracks and then radio networks were the only source for finding out what was going on at weekly NASCAR events. Some of the greatest radio announcers in the sport's history kept fans informed lap after lap about their favorite drivers and where they stacked up as far as track position. Some even made the greatest calls of race finishes in the sport's history that can still be heard today. Ben White and Jerry Bonkowski discuss the business of calling NASCAR races through radio broadcasts with Dave Moody, a longtime member of Motor Racing Network. They will also discuss the origins of the No. 80 during podcast No. 80 of "A Lifetime in Motorsports." 

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Throughout NASCAR history, there have been some incredibly strong driver and team owner combinations. One of the most successful of the 1970s and 1980s came with team owner Junior and drivers Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. Yarborough collected 55 wins and Cup Series championships in 1976, '77 and '78 with Johnson, as did Waltrip with 43 wins and championships in 1981, '82 and '85. Even though their styles were vastly different on and off the race track. success came to them and the teams they worked with under Johnson's direction. NASCAR historians Ben White and Jerry Bonkowski discuss Yarborough and Waltrip with Jeff Hammond, a longtime crew member with Junior Johnson and Associates that worked with close friend Yarborough who was also crew chief for Waltrip. They will also discuss the origins of the No. 79 during podcast No. 79 of "A Lifetime in Motorsports."  

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Keeping track of all the numbers in any sport can be a challenge. Looking at them for 40 NASCAR teams at any given time can be a daunting task. Drivers, teams, teams owners, laps. tracks, cars, car numbers, percentages, and how they perform on track week to week and year to year is quite a bit to absorb. NASCAR historians Ben White and Jerry Bonkowski discuss NASCAR statistics with special guest Dan Beaver of NBC Sports, a renowned Fantasy Racing expert as well as a statistician in other professional sports, The trio of analysts will also cover other subjects including the origins of No. 78, during podcast No. 78 of "A Lifetime in Motorsports."  

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Throughout the 1970s, NASCAR's top drivers enjoyed a great fan following because of their accomplishments on the race track. A good portion of their fame came from the fact they were recognized for their amazing down-home personalities and their willingness to engage with their fans. Historians Ben White and Jerry Bonkowski are joined by award-winning journalist Mike Hembree of NBC Sports to discuss relationships with drivers of the 1970s,  as well as other subjects including the origins of No. 74 during podcast No. 74 of "A Lifetime in NASCAR."  

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During the very early days of NASCAR's existence, drivers and car owners looked for any way possible to gain advantages that at times led to race wins. NASCAR officials immediately looked at their cars and wasted little time finding problems when they arose after leaving victory lane. On seven occasions, wins were taken away and given to second-place drivers. In the early 1960s, NASCAR's founder, Bill France Sr. stopped the practice of taking wins away and elected to take points away and levy hefty fines. His reasoning was that fans should leave the track knowing which driver was the winner. Over 60 years passed before a Cup Series winner was disqualified, the latest being Denny Hamlin at Pocono on July 24, 2022.  Historians Ben White, Jerry Bonkowski and special guest Ken Martin discuss times in NASCAR history when wins were taken away, as well as other subjects including the origins of No. 73 during podcast No. 73 of "A Lifetime in NASCAR."  

Give "A Lifetime in NASCAR" a listen for some interesting information on this week's podcast.

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