Victory Lane

Newly crowned ARCA Menards Series East champion Sammy Smith joins Davey (9:40) to discuss what life is like for a teenager who also happens to be a NASCAR champion. He also dives into how he got his start in racing, his experience in legends cars (and heartbreak) before graduating to super late models and stock cars, driving for an extensive list of big names in motorsports and the pressure of driving for said big names (i.e. Kyle Busch).

He also discusses winning the pro late model championship at only 14-years-old at New Smyrna Speedway, how his ARCA East campaign with Joe Gibbs Racing came about, why his goal was to win the championship from day one despite not knowing if they’d run the full season and when he knew he was going to be the dominator of the season. Smith’s relationship with Ty Gibbs is a close one, and he details how the two met, formed a friendship, whether or not he races him any differently and why the public perception of the 18-year-old is a skewed one. Plus, his living situation in Iowa and how often he travels to North Carolina, the racing scene growing up, impact the Annett family has had on him in racing, his plans for the 2022 season and more.

Davey also provides an update on his West Coast road trip and Papa Segal gives listeners a peek behind the curtain to Davey’s past life, as he pays homage to the driver who piloted the No. 29 and sparked his son’s obsession with NASCAR.

Santino Ferrucci joins Davey this week (24:15) to discuss his career in motorsports that saw him move to Europe at an early age and become a child prodigy dubbed "The Great Santino." He details what the racing culture was like in Europe for an American, why he wasn't fond of it as he grew older and some of the huge names he competed with and against while working his way up the ranks.

On track to make it to Formula 1, Ferrucci was involved in controversy that involved he and his teammate colliding and skipping a stewards meeting, which ultimately led to his release from the team and move back stateside. Ferrucci dives into the details of what really happened, why it was a blessing in disguise that he was able to come back home and how it led him to his current escapades in IndyCar and NASCAR.

It wasn't all bad in Europe, though. As a test driver for Haas F1 Team, Ferrucci recalls the fond memories he has driving a Formula 1 car and why he had to zip tie his helmet to his HANS device while racing it. Plus, why he decided to try his hand in NASCAR, whether or not he sees himself in stock cars for the long haul, how he's adjusted to racing bigger cars and learning the etiquette, why he's rooming with his team owner Sam Hunt in Charlotte, where he's focusing his efforts for the 2022 season and much more.

Davey recaps the historic weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, that saw not only Bubba Wallace earn the first win for a Black driver since 1963 in the Cup Series, but also three first-time winners at the same track in the same weekend for the first time ever. He outlines why the rain-shortened victory was still legit for Wallace and 23XI Racing, briefly previews the Round of 12 cutoff at the Charlotte ROVAL and Papa Segal gives an ode to one of his favorite all-time drivers.

Chris Lambert is back with Davey for part two of their conversation (14:10) fresh off his Las Vegas victory, and they begin by discussing the day that changed his life forever. He describes what he remembers about the day he lost his then wife Hailey and 15-month-old son Austin, how he coped with the unimaginable losses, the moment he realized he needed to pick up the pieces and start over and why he decides to share his story in public.

The two also discuss his Southern 500 victories, and why they mean more to him than his three Daytona 500's, his trophy collection over the years (and whether the team gets trophies the drivers do), meeting Michael Jordan at a UNC basketball camp (as a now Duke fan) and while working with Denny Hamlin, how his Red Sox and baseball fandom came about and why he feels the chances of the No. 11 team securing that elusive championship are as good as ever in 2021.

Davey touches on the Las Vegas tripleheader weekend, takes a peek at the 2022 Xfinity and Truck Series schedules and Papa Segal gives an ode to the legendary Banjo Matthews.

He’s a three-time Daytona 500 champion, veteran of the sport for over two decades and now the first spotter to appear on Victory Lane. Chris Lambert joins Davey for part one (20:30) of their fascinating and all-encompassing conversation. He details how he got into spotting despite not seeking it out, why he didn’t pursue driving, growing up in Kannapolis and becoming involved in racing. He also explains the role spotters play besides just talking over the radio, why he wears four (!) radios during a race (and why he used to wear FIVE), how the job has evolved over the last two decades and his weekly interactions with NASCAR officials over the years.

Spending more time with each other than their families, the spotters stand is a close fraternity, as Lambert explains. He’s dealt with some strange happenings at track, involving fires, potholes and even bikini tops coming off (yes, really). Hear why Lambert called his time working at Red Bull Racing “by far the best working environment (he’d) ever been in,” how he spotted two cars simultaneously during the tandem drafting era, all the drivers he’s worked with over the years and why he likes superspeedway racing more now than in previous eras.

Plus, how his job differs from driver to driver, the first time he and Denny Hamlin worked together and why it didn’t immediately click, why he was hesitant to spot for Hamlin in the first place but eventually agreed, his experience spotting the 24 Hours of Daytona and why he turned down a chance at spotting the Indianapolis 500 this year, a race that remains atop his spotting bucket list. Come back next week for part two of their chat, where Lambert opens up in one of the more serious episodes ever on Victory Lane.

Davey recaps the insane weekend of racing from Bristol, whether Kevin Harvick or Chase Elliott is in the right or wrong, why whether or not you take your helmet off doesn’t matter, his plea to let the drivers settle beef alone and the four drivers eliminated. In addition to a brief preview of Las Vegas, Papa Segal also pays homage to another NASCAR legend per usual.

Davey welcomes on NBC Charlotte sports reporter Ashley Stroehlein (15:35) to discuss her career in the industry and the roller coaster road she'd taken to get to this point. From working as a math teacher and basketball coach to eventually following her dream and landing a full-time job sports reporting, "Stro" describes how specific opportunities came about, why she chickened out of attending broadcasting school for the first time and how she balances everything that life throws her.

No day is the same as a sports reporter in the 704, which makes for a fun yet stressful job. Stroehlein explains why "finding beauty in the struggle" is cliché yet true and why being one-dimensional in the field won't cut it nowadays. Plus, how she prepares for her various different roles, her work at Bristol Motor Speedway, relationships with Amy Earnhardt and Amanda Carter and more. Also, how does every photo she posts look like a professional shot it? We get the answer.

Davey recaps Richmond's playoff race won by Martin Truex Jr. and ponders why the track has lacked overall action as of late. He also looks ahead to the Round of 16 cutoff at Bristol, dissects the 2022 Cup Series schedule that was released this week and Papa Segal pays homage to a driver who never was able to showcase his full talents behind the wheel.

Amy Long has had quote the journey, both in and out of motorsports, to get to where she is now. She joins Davey this week (17:00) to explain how the the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Superman got her interested in journalism, along with her inherent curiosity, attending Florida State University, working as a one woman band MMJ out of college and how she learned the internet as it became a thing in society.

Traveling with the IMSA Patron team and working on the Miss Coors Light activation team got her feet wet in motorsports. Being put in a box by some, Long shares her thoughts on being a female in motorsports, and why she enjoys her role now with NASCAR Fantasy and Trackside Live way more. Long details how her relationship with current World of Outlaws sprint car racer (and former NASCAR driver) Kasey Kahne came to be, including seeing racing from his perspective, having the general public discover how good he really is (and has been), traveling on the road with him and what she can cook up inside the motorhome.

Plus, her time as a Disney Princess (yes, really!), why it was the most rewarding job of her career on so many levels, the impact she had on others in the role and how transforming into a character takes more effort than you think. As if that wasn't enough, she was a participant on "The Bachelor" and details the behind-the-scenes on how she got asked to be on the show.

Papa Segal gives an ode to one of the best to ever do it, Davey recaps the Southern 500 to open the playoffs, one that was "Holy Bajeezus" worthy and shares an update on his weekly TikTok recap videos.

It's been a long time coming, but Rajah Caruth finally joins Davey this week (12:10) for an all-encompassing conversation. The duo touch on his upbringing in Washington DC, getting hooked on NASCAR, sim racing, mentorship from Bubba Wallace, his rapid progression up the ranks, the announcement of him moving to the Xfinity Series part-time in 2022 with Alpha Prime Racing and more.

Caruth explains how his relationship with Tommy Joe Martins began and progressed to this point, why moving up to Xfinity next season is the right choice, all the while with his focus remaining on ARCA with Rev Racing, and how much he's learned every step along the way. A surprise road trip to Richmond in 2014 changed his life forever, and he recalls the moment he knew being a race car driver was what he wanted to do, including the subsequent steps he took to try and accomplish his goal.

Dealing with everything life has thrown Caruth's way, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, hasn't been easy, though. He gets real about struggles on and off track over the last couple years, dealing with racism as one of a few African-American drivers in NASCAR, moving to North Carolina from DC and starting college full-time while racing, his mentorship from Bubba Wallace, how their relationship progressed and more.

Plus, the two chat about his first late model victory, what the DMV actually is, whether or not he can actually dunk, if he could've had a career as an Olympic caliber runner, some unique opportunities he's gotten over the year, including acting for BET, a Louis Vuitton photoshoot, being honored at a Wizards game and reflecting on where he is in his racing career.

Davey recaps the regular season finale from Daytona and previews the 10-race stretch, beginning this weekend at Darlington, while Papa Segal (and Mama Segal!) give an ode to the man called "Mongo."

The IMSA mechanic, Twitter professional, biscuit connoisseur and all-around cool guy Bozi Tatarevic joins Davey Segal this week (15:25) to discuss his career in racing and immigrating to the United States from Serbia. He details the motorsports culture (or lack thereof) in Serbia growing up and how he became involved once moving to the U.S.

Working with Vasser Sullivan in IMSA, Bozi details his day-to-day duties, experience working the Rolex 24 at Daytona (including lots of napping and snacking) how he got involved working in the IMSA garage and why he thinks IMSA has seen a rise in popularity recently. He also explains how and why Racing Spaces has become such a success on Twitter, his love of social media, why people seem to resonate with his in-depth coverage on a "quick hits" platform and answers "the question" about Criss Angel. He's also a writer, and explains what led him to begin creating content for numerous publications and whether or not the NextGen car is worth the hype.

Bozi is also the biggest biscuit fan you'll meet. He details what makes a good biscuit, why he loves pie and other baked goods, his approach to dating apps, NASCAR softball league, being thought of as a robot by some (and taking advantage of it with merch) and more.

Davey also recaps Ryan Blaney's victory at Michigan and provides evidence as to why Daytona is a good venue for the regular season finale and Papa Segal pays homage to a NASCAR Hall of Famer.

A trailblazer in his own right, Armani Williams, the first openly autistic NASCAR driver, joins Davey this week (14:35) ahead of his Camping World Truck Series debut at Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Williams dishes on why time time is right to make his debut, understanding his equipment and trying to stay out of the way of playoff contenders, what drew him to racing in general, how a trip to play mini golf sparked his interest in driving and the process that followed getting him behind the wheel.

While racing with autism has its challenges, there are also some benefits that help Williams behind the wheel. Williams discusses them, why using racing as a platform to get out the message about autism is important to him and his family, the story behind his “tell me I can’t so I can show you I can” mantra, his time in the Pinty’s Series with mentorship from DJ Kennington and being comfortable in the spotlight. Plus why he’s studying mechanical engineering at Oakland University while pursuing a racing career, being one of a few African-Americans in NASCAR’s national series, whether or not he’s okay being viewed as the autistic race car driver and a funny story of when he forgot to celebrate one of his first victories.

Davey also recaps the wild Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course event won by AJ Allmendinger and curb calamity, previews Michigan and Papa Segal pays homage one of the best drivers of all-time.

You probably know Joe Graf Jr. as that guy who failed to qualify in a RCR Xfinity car, but Davey shines a light on the SS Green Light driver on and off track this week. The two chat (17:30) about how Graf got started in racing being from the Northeast and how he currently is balancing being a full-time college student at NYU with racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He also dives into why attending school is important to him, despite the logistical hurdles involved with managing it.

Graf discusses his first career ARCA win and one that he thinks he *should* have won, including racing with a broken foot and making some people mad along the way. As an intern with Richard Childress Racing, Graf got the opportunity to race in the Xfinity Series, but made headlines by failing to qualify. He's in good spirits about the weekend now, and explains why his mindset has switched to making light of the situation rather than avoiding it altogether.

Graf also dishes on his fight with Gray Gaulding earlier this year at Martinsville. Who won? What did he think of Gaulding's comments? And what made Graf mad about the whole ordeal more than anything? Plus, his relationship with Antonio Williams Jr. of the Buffalo Bills, how working with a sports psychiatrist has aided him, his obsession with sneakers, love for New Jersey pizza/bagels and more.

Davey also recaps the weekend of action from Watkins Glen and explains why the venue is one of the best in all of NASCAR. He also debates whether or not racing on the Indianapolis Road Course means as much as racing on the oval. Plus, Papa Segal gives an ode to Smoke.