Stagger

This week on Stagger, J.D. and Derrick Smith explore the story of how Pablo Escobar nearly sponsored a Formula 1 driver. The guys discuss how Escobar lived out his racing dreams in a Renault, Ricardo Londono's rapid rise to F1, and the man who eventually decided to stop Londono, and thus, Pablo Escobar, from being involved in Formula 1. There was also quite a bit of discussion about how the fear of reprisal allowed Escobar to carve out a meager motorsports career for himself.Finally, we talk with Ken Gold from Atlantis Motor Group, a Porsche 935 expert who is selling a car that was a central piece to this story. Ken helps us trace the history of that car from IROC, to IMSA, to Colombia, and eventually, to his dealership. As always, let us know what you think of this story - @staggerpodcast on twitter and instagram!

This week, J.D. and Derrick break down one of the weirdest crossover events in motorsports history - Kimi Raikkonen's foray into NASCAR in 2011. Just four years removed from winning the Formula 1 Championship, Kimi Raikkonen was in Charlotte in a NASCAR truck. But why? The guys talked about that question, his race in an Xfinity Series car (called the Nationwide Series then), and his not so great test in a Cup car. There was also an issue with his water bottle that caused more drama than it should have. Then, J.D. talked with F1 statistician Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman on twitter), who has worked in F1 broadcast production for nearly 20 years, about his impressions of the move, and how successful Kimi could be if he ever decided to come back to NASCAR. Just like our favorite crew chiefs, we LOVE feedback! Share your thoughts on this episode, and any ideas you have for future stories you think we should discuss - @staggerpodcast on twitter and instagram!

This week, brothers and motorsports fans J.D. and Derrick Smith talk about the driver that many of his generation regarded as the best ever - Lloyd Seay. Sadly, we'll never know what Seay's career could have been, as it ended entirely too soon due to tragic circumstances. But in his life, he made a huge impact, one that can be seen today on the streets of Dawsonville, Georgia. In this episode, the boys talk about moonshine, running wide open on two wheels, and the importance of Dawsonville to NASCAR. They also spoke with the owner of the Dawsonville Pool Room and the founder of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, Gordon Pirkle, who was just brimming with information from this time period. Make sure to give us a follow on twitter or IG (@staggerpodcast), and get more info on the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame here: www.georgiaracinghof.com

This week, we relaunch Stagger with an episode about perhaps the most important figure in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history: three-time Indy 500 champion Wilbur Shaw. An Indiana native, Shaw was instrumental in saving the Brickyard after World War II, where it had fallen into complete disrepair. In fact, it was nearly turned into a housing plot! J.D. Smith and Derrick Smith return to tell you the story of the man who saved Indy, and helped take it to new heights. Then, J.D. spoke with Courtney Guggenberger, one of the founders of Guggman Haus Brewing Co in Indianapolis. They have helped preserve some tremendous motorsports history related to Wilbur Shaw. Listen to her story, and check out their brewery the next time you are in Indianapolis. Their website is guggmanhausbrewing.com - and you can see more photos of their brewery on the Stagger Podcast instagram.Also, if you're interested in finding out more about Wilbur Shaw - much of the research for this week's episode came from his excellent autobiography, "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines." A must read for any serious fan of motorsports. Check out our podcast each week! We will be exploring motorsports legends, heroes, and myths. Let us know what you think of the new format - and if there's a story you think we should tell - @staggerpodcast on twitter and instagram.

So, what's been going on with the Stagger Podcast? You guys didn't post much of anything about the new season of IndyCar, or the Martinsville race, or Richmond, or sprint cars at Bristol. So, what's the deal?

Well, we might as well just say it - we are going to take a (very short) break. In fairness, the show is kind of already on that break. We'll be returning in late May. And the show will sound different when it returns. 

Check out this week's episode for more from J.D. as he explains why there is a break, why it's happening, and what will be different when the show comes back.Also, we're going to keep you updated on when the new episodes will be out on our twitter page - @staggerpodcast. 

Thanks to everyone who has listened to the show thus far. Stay safe and stay staggered.

Oddly, they spent a bunch of time talking about the Kentucky Speedway, and why it's BS that the track isn't hosting NASCAR events this year.

Do you miss the Kentucky Speedway? Let us know - interact on twitter @staggerpodcast.

The guys also discussed how Joey Logano might be the biggest villain in NASCAR, and Derrick said he'd rather see another driver (a mostly popular one) take over the mantle of chief heel in the NASCAR garage. 

Later, the boys talked with Dan McFarland, aka @sprintfun on twitter, instagram, and facebook. Dan is a great motorsports photographer, and he's got a ton of great shots of sprint cars on his website. He also knows the sport really well, so we talked with him about the All Star Circuit of Champions, which gets kicked off this weekend with a double-header at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio. 

If you enjoy this episode, make sure you add us to your feed by subscribing on this podcast app. And if you leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts? Well, we'd be happier than the Bristol Dirt getting hit with some much-needed water. 

Links:

Dan McFarland twitter

What a show we have this week heading into the Bristol Dirt weekend! J.D. sat down with not one, but TWO guests who have great perspectives on the sport. First up, J.D. sat down with Noah C Cornelius, aka Noah Talks NASCAR on your favorite podcast app and/or youtube. They discussed his Bubba Wallace fandom, coming back to the sport, his first time attending a live NASCAR race, and what he is looking for at Bristol this weekend. It was a lot of fun, and Noah is truly a bright up and comer in the media game who you will probably continue to see covering NASCAR for many years!

Later, J.D. sat down with Charlie Lagenstein, shop foreman and mechanical director at StarCom Racing, who also happens to be a legendary wrench twister with tons of experience making everything from big block modifieds go around mile-long dirt tracks to working on Indy Cars. He also was a big part of the 48 team at Hendrick Motorsports when some guy named Jimmie Johnson was winning Cup championships. Charlie was kind enough to share his perspective on the technical aspects of what it takes to make a stock car go around a dirt track. 

We loved both of these interviews so much, and hope you will too. As always, hit us up on twitter - @staggerpodcast.

The guys also talked about repaving Atlanta, a good run for Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, and Chris Buescher, and whatever the hell "Huck-A-Buck" means.

Later, J.D. broke down the Xfinity and Truck races, including the situation with Noah Gragson and Daniel Hemric. Should NASCAR have penalized Gragson or nah? And finally, it was a huge weekend at Sebring for IMSA, with Sebastian Bourdais leading the Mustang Sampling team to victory. JD gave his thoughts on just how impressive that drive was.

Next week: Bristol Dirt. We're excited. As always, follow along with us on social media - twitter, instagram, and tik-tok - @staggerpodcast.

In the second segment, J.D. sat down with longtime NASCAR tire changer and former Open Red podcast host Justin Fiedler. Their discussion went all over the place, from what it's like to be hit by a gas can in the Daytona 500, starting one of the biggest racing podcasts on the planet, Bristol Dirt, NASCAR Next Gen wheels, and much more.

Thanks again to the new listeners we continue to pick up each week! Make sure you leave a rating or review for this podcast on your podcast app, and interact with us on twitter, instagram, and tik-tok: @staggerpodcast