Victory Lane

Niece Motorsports' Kris Wright joins Davey Segal (6:05) to discuss his start in motorsports, why he was encouraged to take up golf as a profession instead of racing and how his career behind the wheel wound up progressing.

From sports cars to open wheel and now NASCAR, Wright details the steps and decisions along the way, including why he wanted to go down the open wheel path, coming oh-so-close to winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona, racing overseas in Europe and how his lack of success impacted him personally and professionally and how it wound up leading him to stock cars and NASCAR only three years ago.

Competing in stock cars for the first time in 2020, Wright explains how and why that opportunity came about, going "from Silverstone to Hickory" and the dichotomy that comes with that change, his relationship with fellow Pittsburgh native Chip Ganassi and Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr., how he wound up at Niece Motorsports for this season, what his short and long term goals are and more.

Davey also discusses Alex Bowman's Las Vegas victory, why Kyle Busch's comments were misguided and Papa Segal pays homage to "The Rocketman."

Davey Segal welcomes on Pete Pistone (5:55), co-host of The Morning Drive on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, for an extended conversation about his background in the sport, how he wound up in his current role, some intricacies of the show and more.

Pistone details his beginnings in motorsports with his uncle "Tiger" Tom. From riding inside his race car down the highway while eating popsicles, Pistone's passion for racing was evident. After attending Northern Illinois University, he started calling local races at Rockford Speedway as the PA announcer, where he also wore various other hats, where the next phase of his career took shape.

Chicago born and bred, Pistone spent time at WGN covering multiple stick and ball sports (while also focusing on racing). He recalls the phone lines lighting up when he spoke about racing on the radio for the first time, writing for the Chicago Sun Times and being an early adopter to the digital media age and starting an online motorsports blog.

Pistone explains how he got the job alongside Mike Bagley as co-host of The Morning Drive on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, why the deal almost didn't happen, his chemistry with Bagley and why opposites seem to attract, why he feels a morning radio show has a different vibe than any other show, how he approaches conversations on air that he knows are difficult to have, his daily routine (with an early wake-up call) and what he and Mike's goal of the show every morning is.

Davey and Pete also discuss some fun memories over the last 14 years, including his favorite interview, bucket list conversation, most memorable listener phone call, live shows at Waffle House, his Portillo's order and more, including what he still wants to accomplish in his career with his newly announced venture PSP Communications.

Davey briefly recaps the great racing at Auto Club Speedway, previews Las Vegas and Papa Segal pays homage to the No. 38 with one of his favorite drivers.

Graphic designer extraordinaire Harris Lue joins Davey (6:00) to discuss his background in motorsports, passion for cars and Mustangs, working for NASCAR and now Stewart-Haas Racing, the influence of the late Sam Bass on his career and more.

Lue details how he became interested in graphic design, attending East Carolina University to further his interest, his day-to-day roles and responsibilities and how it's more than just making cool looking graphics. Logistical hurdles are aplenty in his role, and Lue goes behind the scenes to explain how something simple like a hero card to something complex like a paint scheme takes a monumental effort from all involved.

It's impossible to overstate how the late Sam Bass impacted Lue. He explains why he was drawn to Bass' work, his first interactions with the artist, how he grew into a friend and mentor and how his legacy lives on after his passing. Plus, if he's ever had to pinch himself while working with some big name drivers and clients, his passion for Mustangs, if he has a favorite project he's ever worked on, having a significant other that "gets it" in the same industry and what else he wants to accomplish in his motorsports design career.

Davey also recaps the 64th running of the Daytona 500, gives his takeaways from being on site for the event and briefly previews NASCAR's return to Auto Club Speedway this weekend. As always, Papa Segal gives an ode to the No. 37 in this week's Wayback Segment.

NASCAR Track Communications veteran Matt Humphrey joins Davey (6:25) this week to discuss his career in motorsports and working for the sanctioning body for the last decade plus. Humphrey played an intricate role behind the scenes in the marketing and planning of the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and explains how the one-of-a-kind event went off without a hitch. He also outlines what his day-to-day entails from a track communications perspective.

Humphrey recalls how the trajectory of his life changed at a young age, as he chose to drop out of college in his first year (where he was on a music scholarship) when he started a family. Forced to make a living to provide as a teenager, he picked up a job at the local sewage plant that he kept until he got sick of it...and from it. He explains how a trip to the hospital made him decide to pursue journalism full bore, which led him all over the country and eventually to Orlando, where he forged a relationship with a young, up-and-coming driver by the name of Jimmie Johnson.

Plus, how he's learned to be adaptable to the ever-changing media landscape, the story of how a webcam helped him land a job at NASCAR, his transition from journalism to PR, meeting his now wife at Daytona, moving out West in his new role, his passion for traveling and what Humphrey's long-term career goal is in the sport.

On site at The World Center of Racing, Davey also gives a preview preview of the Daytona 500 this weekend, chats about his experience in Los Angeles at The Clash and Papa Segal pays homage to a racers racer.

The incomparable Danielle Trotta joins Davey (8:30) for a wide-ranging discussion on her esteemed career in media and motorsports. The current SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host dives into why media and journalism sparked her interest as a young girl, what made her want to get involved in sports and obtaining internships and gaining experience at a younger age than usual.

She attended four (!) different colleges before getting her degree and starting her career in the business. But her on-air journey didn't come easy. She explains the importance of relationships, fostering them and building rapport while working behind the scenes before getting her first shot on camera in Charlotte. That was before the NASCAR world came calling in the form of SPEED Channel.

She explains why she made the move to racing without seeking it out and the insanely steep learning curve that followed, the influence she received from the late Steve Byrnes, how her relationship then with Larry McReynolds evolved and her eventual departure from SPEED to NBC Sports Boston.

Plus, her current role at SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, what her typical day looks like, why she and Larry Mac get along so well, how hosting a show on radio vs television differs, the hilarious story of how Larry (A.K.A. Dr. Love) set she and her now husband Robby Benton up, her time on the big screen, love for reality TV, whether there's anything else she'd like to accomplish professionally, our poorly aged takes about Tom Brady and one of the funniest moments in Victory Lane history involving a snoring dog.

After a lengthy and unplanned offseason/holiday break, Davey is back to get up to speed on all the happenings in the wide world of NASCAR. He discusses what he's been up to, some news and notes over the last month or so and Papa Segal gives an ode to a NASCAR Hall of Famer before Austin Wayne Self stops by for an all-encompassing conversation (8:50).

A longtime Truck Series competitor, Self discusses his time in the series and what his growth has looked like over the years. Plus, he details how he got into racing in the first place, growing up in Texas before moving to Indianapolis, winning his first ARCA race and going through an obscene number of crew chiefs in a single season.

Self provides his perspective on his suspension from NASCAR due to substance abuse and rapid reinstatement as well as his other off-track run in with the law. He also dishes on the John Hunter Nemechek incident at Martinsville, competing in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown and Battle at the Beach and more.

Plus, why did Self need to decide to either race of go to juvy as a teenager? What happens if you mess with Texas? And what are his goals/aspirations in NASCAR? All that and more to kick off 2022.

And *poof* the 2021 NASCAR season has come to a close. Davey is back from Phoenix and recaps the Championship 4 weekend festivities that saw Kyle Larson earn his 10th victory of the season and first career Cup Series title. He speaks on why second chances are a good thing, the Cliff Daniels/Larson marriage that may be lethal for years to come, the other drivers coming up short and more.

Plus, Daniel Hemric and Ben Rhodes earned championships of their own in the Xfinity and Truck Series, respectively. Davey breaks down Hemric's pursuit of that elusive victory, the race-winning move on Austin Cindric and his backflip celebration. Rhodes' press conference may have been more memorable than his race, thanks to his new "Bud" and champagne. But both drivers, despite not being dominators over the course of the season, were deserving champions, as Davey explains.

Papa Segal pays homage to a legend who may have the most nicknames in NASCAR history, Davey hits on Lug Nuts including silly season news, crew chief suspensions, the Busch Light Clash format and more.

It's Championship 4 week, which means Julie Giese is one busy woman. Despite that, she still found some time to chat with Davey (14:55) about Phoenix Raceway hosting their first "real" championship weekend. Hear why she calls it "nervous energy," how the city of Phoenix has embraced the race track/event and how preparations for the title race weekend differ from their spring date.

Giese didn't have being a track president on her radar five years ago, moreover growing up a race fan on a dairy farm. After deciding that the agricultural route wasn't for her in college, she opted to pursue her passion of racing. But not before getting rejected...a lot. She still has those rejection letters and explains why she keeps them, how she got her first job in the sport and worked her way up from the bottom.

From Watkins Glen to Daytona to ISC and now Phoenix, Giese has done it all, gotten her hands dirty and learned along the way. She describes what life was like starting in the sport at a tumultuous time, heading up multiple multi-million track renovation projects, how Phoenix's track president opportunity came about, being a role model to other females in her position, her unique relationship with Derek Kraus' family and more, including the importance of West Coast racing to the fabric of motorsports and that one time she and Davey were stuck in a hauler during a Tucson Speedway rain delay.

Davey recaps a wild weekend at Martinsville, previews the Championship 4 for all three national series and Papa Segal pays homage to an eclectic racer from the Northeast.

Ryan Ellis joins Davey (14:20) for an episode full of laughs, memories, reflection and even some trivia. A new father, Ellis details what life has been like with minimal sleep while working his 9-5 job AND racing. Also a third-generation driver, Ellis explains how his late grandfather and father started racing, how Ryan got involved and his fond memories of the early days of go-karting.

After getting selected to appear on a Discovery Channel show in the Jetta-TDI Cup Series, Ellis seemed to be on the ride, but his confidence was fluctuating. He explains why, and details his Grand-Am experiences and how Jimmy Means gave him a start in NASCAR, something he admittedly wasn't seeking out. From Obaika Racing to BK Racing and everywhere in between, Ellis has been through the ringer. He tells the good, bad and ugly stories of his time working for countless car owners and why he made it a point to stay out of the way in his first ever Cup start, which also happened to be his hero Jeff Gordon's penultimate one.

The journey to where he is now has made Ellis appreciate the sport more, and he explains why. Plus, why being an Asian-American never ended up helping him in the NASCAR Diversity program, his thoughts on CBD sponsorships, his love of hockey, why he decided to get a college degree and how it's helped him in the real world and in racing, how his Kansas Cup start with Rick Ware Racing came about, the awesome partnerships he has on the BJ McLeod Motorsports Xfinity car this weekend at Martinsville and more.

Davey also beings his girlfriend Robin, noted Washington Capitals super fan, on to go head-to-head with Ellis answering Caps trivia questions. Who won and is the bigger fan? You'll have to find out.

Davey also touches on Kyle Larson's ninth victory of the season and third in a row, Ty Gibbs' memorable day, previews the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville and Papa Segal pays homage to "The Mayor" Jeff Burton.

You may have been introduced to Ernie Francis Jr. this past summer thanks to SRX, but there's much more to his story. The seven-time Trans-Am champion joins Davey this week (13:30) to discuss how he got into racing, his father's origins in the sport, sanctioning bodies bending the rules to let him race, the dynamic working for his dad and why he likes to tinker and work on cars.

He gives a primer on what the Trans-Am series is about and it's importance, why it's lost popularity over the years and winning his seven titles (in a row!) at such a young age. He also dives into his time running SRX this summer, how he got the invite from Ray Evernham, influence from Willy T. Ribbs, his victory over Scott Speed at Lucas Oil Raceway and how it feels to see fans wear his merchandise.

Plus, why he stayed with Tony Stewart in his motorhome during the Knoxville Nationals, how it felt rubbing elbows with racing legends, how he adjusted to running short tracks with a road course background, his time in NASCAR with Rev Racing and why he thinks things didn't work out, whether or not he'd still like to run in stock cars or IndyCar and what his 2022 racing prospects may look like.

Davey also briefly recaps Kyle Larson's Texas win, weighs in on the playoff vs non-playoff driver debate, previews Kansas and Papa Segal gives an ode to the man named Mikey.