STOCK CAR CLASSICS Podcast - Episode 3: Racing Through Time with Bill Blair Jr.

Welcome to the third episode of the STOCK CAR CLASSICS podcast, brought to you by Steering Wheel Nation. In this captivating episode, our host Tom Baker is joined by former NASCAR racer and stock car racing enthusiast, Bill Blair Jr. Together, they take us on a thrilling ride through the early days of the sport, starting in the 1940s, while discussing its evolution and lasting impact.

Guest Speaker: Bill Blair Jr.

Bill Blair Jr. is not only a former NASCAR driver but also a treasure trove of knowledge and experience in stock car racing. As the son of racing legend Bill Blair Sr., he has a unique connection to the sport's beginnings. Bill Jr.'s ties to NASCAR founder, Bill France Sr., run deep since his father was among the first drivers to compete in the series. With his firsthand experience and profound understanding of the sport, Bill Jr. offers an enthralling perspective on stock car racing's golden era.

Key Topics and Points of Discussion

• The Dawn of Stock Car Racing: Uncover the origins of the sport in the 1940s, when it emerged as an adrenaline-fueled hobby for bootleggers and moonshiners seeking to outrun the law.
• Legendary Venues: Journey through the iconic tracks that have hosted countless unforgettable races, including Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Modifieds to Stock Cars: How and why the transition took place, and the races that helped it happen.
• NASCAR's Evolution: Trace the sport's progression from its modest beginnings to the globally celebrated spectacle it is today.

Throughout the episode, Tom and Bill’s shared passion for the sport brings to life the excitement and energy that has been synonymous with stock car racing since its inception.

So, strap in and join us for this exhilarating trip down memory lane with Bill Blair Jr. on Episode 3 of the STOCK CAR CLASSICS podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to Steering Wheel Nation for more engaging episodes exploring the history and evolution of the world's most thrilling stock car series.

Bill Lester did not grow up in NASCAR country. He grew up in California, a boy obsessed with matchbox cars and a desire to get behind the wheel someday.  Growing into a young black man with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science, he had to work to earn the right to go racing - SCCA type cars were his on-ramp.  After proving himself in what NASCAR Busch Series team owner Ed Renzi called "light sexy cars", Lester was given the chance to test a Renzi ARCA car at a tight, Indiana short track.  He showed good enough speed to be given the chance to race a Bobby Hillin car at Watkins Glen in 1999, an unlikely turn of events for a west coast driver who didn't know what a Cub Cadet was when he first arrived on the East Coast, where lawns are much larger than he was used to. At 62, he still looks as if he could mix it up with the young'uns on the track, and his passion for racing is as strong as ever.  Enjoy this STOCK CAR CLASSICS interview with Steering Wheel Nation's Tom Baker as they walk through Bill's career and learn why his best-selling book is called "Winning In Reverse".  

We launch the STOCK CAR CLASSICS Podcast with a crossover episode of Steering Wheel Nation's Lead Lap Show featuring the group's founder Brinkley "Doc" Whiteside talking about his background and why he decided to create what in one year has become America's largest group of on-track vintage NASCAR cars.