Behind the Exploratory Lenses

I haven't gone away! "Behind the Exploratory Lenses" is still active, just been doing other things I love to share someday. In the meantime, after two months since my last episode, I had the pleasure interviewing NASCAR Xfinity Series winner Josh Berry. We discussed about his Martinsville win, his relationship with his JR Motorsports crew and expectations for Talladega. It was part of my latest feature for The Podium Finish that you can read right now. Hope you enjoy this brief episode as next month should be a life changing month. At least I hope so, but I'll save that talk for now.

In this episode, I bring you my interview with Rev Racing's Rajah Caruth prior to making his ARCA Menards Series East debut at New Smyrna earlier this month. Also, I discuss about Ben Rhodes' interest in running the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Ty Gibbs' keeping himself composed thanks to spotter Hal Martin and crew chief Chris Gayle, and TRD President David Wilson's importance of keeping young drivers in the Toyota brand. Finally, Cole Custer describes the significant changes on how the car adapts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hope you enjoy this jammed pack episode of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses."

Back from a grueling 2.5 week media getaway in Florida to ramble about some of the memorable points from Daytona and New Smyrna. In this episode, I focus on Michael McDowell's 2021 Daytona 500 triumph, Derek Griffith winning the World Series of Asphalt Super Late Model title and Pitbull's importance of providing Latin/Hispanics an opportunity to pursue their dreams. I also bring up why this season is sporadic than weekly episodes because I want it to be more guest driven than just be about my life. Enjoy!Intro Audio: Jon McKennedy on Ryan Preece following a multi-car crash in a Tour Modified race at New Smyrna.

On this episode of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses," I provide post-testing audio from Derrick Lancaster, Thad Moffitt and Gracie Trotter following Friday's ARCA Menards Series testing at Daytona International Speedway. Make sure you hear their responses, including Lancaster, who was fastest in the day-long session. His story from surviving a horrific injury last August is something you don't want to miss.I also bring up Sam Mayer running for Bret Holmes Racing in both National ARCA and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Marco Andretti no longer running full-time in the NTT IndyCar Series, Devin Rouse being an openly LGBTQ driver and Pitbull joining NASCAR Cup Series' Trackhouse Racing Team as co-owner. Hope you enjoy this jam packed episode because it's ARCA Testing in America!

On a special season premiere of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses," I had the pleasure of interviewing two-time Daytona ARCA winner Michael Self (interview begins at 3:20) about going from being a Venturini Motorsports driver in the ARCA Menards Series to now a General Manager for Silver Hare Racing in the Trans Am Series TA2 category in 2021. We discuss about the transition along with the significance of having a college education like he did back in 2016. Finally, understanding how the business side of racing works from his time representing the Sinclair Oil Corporation brand to coaching drivers like multi-time NASCAR winner Justin Haley. All of that and more on this fascinating episode to kick off Season 2!

On the season finale of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses," I reflect on how life at Age 25 treated me but it's far from the only thing I talk on his jammed pack episode. Other topics include the 2021 NASCAR and potentially IndyCar's calendar, where I have plenty to say but for the most part is positive, showing that I just don't discuss negative details. Last but certainly not least, I have a special guest where we discuss about a significant victory that's caught the racing world by storm. You don't want to miss this finale!

On the second part of my interview with author T.J. Tranchell (interview resumes at 16:09), we speak about less serious topics such as writing, music and movies. He tells us about the grind and patience required to get written work published, something that alarmed me and certainly will take note of going forward. He also spoke in great detail why a popular metal album is the worst ever from a specific group which you'll have to listen to know which band he's referring.Also in this episode, I discuss about the announcement of Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin forming a NASCAR Cup Series team with Bubba Wallace as their driver next season. All of that and more on the penultimate episode of the opening season of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses."

In my first of two episodes featuring author and teacher T.J. Tranchell (interview begins at 14:09), we talked about how a simple Shawna Robinson 1:64 scale diecast began our respect towards one another. But more importantly, becoming one of my mentors throughout my post-college days where I've learned a lot about how to properly write and understanding how things work out is okay sometimes. This was definitely the case during my time at the University of Idaho when I wrote for The Argonaut from 2015-16. We dove into my troubled past with a sports editor during Fall 2016 that led to one of the reasons why I decided to graduate early. From there, T.J. also discussed about his journey as a media personnel over the past two decades which you'll certainly enjoy. All of that and more on the latest episode of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses."

On this NSFW impromptu episode of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses," I explain my stances on both Hailie Deegan's racing career and aggressive driving style, and the possible fate of Auto Club Speedway where according to The Athletic, the two-mile circuit will convert into a half-mile short track after 2021. Some thoughts may rub people the wrong way, but it's my duty to vent a little about these topics because I had a lot to say on this nearly hour long episode.

On this unedited episode of "Behind the Exploratory Lenses," I struggle through some back pain and remembering the last MCU films in order. Not only that, I also discuss heartbreaking stories I've heard. Eventually, I'll discuss one particular topic, but it's not all gloomy as I react to BTS' "Dynamite," k-pop's first number-one single in Billboard Hot 100 history. Yes, those guys finally hit the top spot, so forcefully, I finally checked out if they're worth the hype Billboard have been promoting since 2017. I also discuss other artists that were shoved down our throats and what number-one single (when I was a 14-year-old) supposedly defines my life. It's a bumpy ride, so consider it as a warning.