Racing Now and Then

Leah Pruett is one of only two female drivers competing in NHRA Top Fuel. A driver for Don Schumacher Racing, Pruett has won eight Top Fuel events and has been the No. 1 qualifier a dozen times. After two races this season she is third in the Top Fuel standings. During this downtime due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pruett has focused on preparing herself for the 16 straight weeks the NHRA will have when it returns to action in August. She also has raised money for a local food bank. In this episode, Pruett explains why it's critical for a drag racer to be in top shape, both in strength and cardiovascular.

After surviving a battle with polio as a child, Rex White became one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR. When he won the 1960 NASCAR premier series championship with his own team, he had only two employees. That year when he competed in the inaugural World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway he stacked three windshields on top of each other and attached them with masking tape in preparation for the newly-paved track that was coming apart. From 1959-1963, White won 28 races, which was more than any other driver in NASCAR's top series. In addition to White's 28 victories, in 233 NASCAR Cup starts he earned 110 top-five and 163-top 10 finishes and 36 poles. White finished in the top 10 in the point standings six of the nine years he competed in NASCAR's premier series.

Shayna Texter is a third generation racer. Her grandfather is in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and her father is a motorcycle racing champion. She has the most wins of any active driver in American Flat Track racing's Singles Class. Shayna talks about when her interest in motorcycle racing began, her workout regime, her fan base, her first career victory at Knoxville, Iowa, and why she competes with No. 52.

American Flat Track CEO Michael Lock discusses the issues the motorcycle racing series is facing in its efforts to return to competition this year. He also talks about why the Production Twins class was formed and takes a look at the growth of the sport’s fan base.

Three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown talks about driving for Don Schumacher Racing while working towards ownership of his own team, AB Motorsports. The only competitor to win in Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle in NHRA history, Brown addresses the sport's business side and how the teams must find a way to make everything work for their sponsors due to COVID-19 shortening the season. He also explains why he chose to move from Pro Stock Motorcycle to Top Fuel.

ThorSport Racing began its 25th season in NASCAR's truck series with a Daytona victory. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Find out how NASCAR's only full-time team based in Ohio is keeping its personnel employed. Allison Thorson also reveals why her parents created the team and talks about her new Ride TV show. Horses and Horsepower, that focuses on relationships involving racing and the equine community.

NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and NBC analyst Jeff Burton talks about which race wins were special to him and the instrumental role veteran crew chief Buddy Parrott played in his career. Burton also talks about the time his team wasn't allowed to race because NASCAR found holes drilled in the roll cage, how he obtained the nickname "The Mayor", when team owner Jack Roush permitted him to talk about safety issues in NASCAR and why he wants to leave the sport in better shape than it was when he entered it.

Since racing has been suspended due to COVID-19, Racing Now and Then host Deb Williams talks about different ways for fans to curb their withdrawals from the sport. Her suggestions include various racing movies and books, giving insight and special tidbits on both. She also addresses some of the issues faced in rescheduling events.

ARCA driver Thad Moffitt, the grandson of seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty, talks about his first season with DGR-Crosley, teammates Hailie Deegan and Tanner Gray, and driving one of his grandfather's race cars at the Goodwood Festival in England. He also explains why he had long hair in Daytona, but now it's short.

Don Miller describes his record run on the Bonneville Salt Flats, his love of drag racing, explains how he discovered Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman, and why he created the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He also talks about the enjoyment of working with Roger Penske and his old car collection, a passion he and Newman share.