Victory Lane

Hardcore NASCAR fans may not recognize the name, but those in the Washington D.C. area will. Grant Paulsen is a new and avid NASCAR fan, and he joins Davey (14:00) to discuss how the return amid the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated his fandom to levels even he didn't expect. Paulsen, a fixture on D.C. radio and television, describes the process involved in picking Erik Jones as his favorite driver, as well as his purchase of Jones' sheet metal during quarantine (to much apathy of his wife).

Plus, why the stances NASCAR took last summer allowed him to dive in fully with his fandom, his unique perspective on the sport as a new, wide-eyed fan and his admiration for Larry McReynolds and NASCAR's broadcast partners. As a child, Paulsen regularly appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and attended Super Bowls on behalf of the show. He explains how those opportunities came to be, including an incredible story involving legends Joe Montana and Franco Harris.

Davey also touches on Martin Truex Jr.'s Phoenix victory and why tire wear at Atlanta is a welcome change in the realm of 1.5-mile tracks. Papa Segal gives an ode to "The Mayor" and a famous backflipper who donned the No. 99. Plus, plenty of Lug Nuts as the Bristol Dirt Race looms.

Dillon Welch is back (25:50) for the second and final installment of his chat with Davey, as they cover the professional side of his career. He details the unique skillset required to be a turn announcer for the Motor Racing Network, and recalls some shenanigans with the MRN crew over the years. Welch also works with NBC covering all forms of racing, and explains how that opportunity came about and progressed rapidly.

One would think his dad, Vince Welch (play-by-play for Trucks and pit reporter for Xfnity and Cup Series) would have had a big influence on Dillon's career. And that'd be correct, but Dillon explains how his dad pointed him in the right direction, but let him do the dirty work, make connections, gain experience and do the job himself. Vince and Dillon, though, did become the first father/son duo to work the Indianapolis 500, and were on the same telecast once. Dillon relives those memories, and talks about how special it is to have his dad by his side at the track.

Welch's girlfriend, Hannah Newhouse, is also his co-worker at MRN. He explains how they navigate the often slippery slope of balancing "work and play" and tells a funny story about how she ghosted him initially. In addition, some tales of oversleeping and missed flights, holey socks and his secret passion once the liquid courage starts flowing.

The national anthem before the Truck race made headlines, and Davey chats with the singer himself: AVOID's Benny Scholl (15:50). He explains why the performance was not as originally planned and his background in NASCAR.

Plus, a VERY special announcement and milestone for the podcast (13:15), discussion of Kyle Larson's Las Vegas victory with Hendrick Motorsports and an ode to two iconic drivers to pilot the No. 98.

Davey welcomes on Dillon Welch (15:45) of MRN, NBC and dirt midget racing for Part 1 of their all-encompassing conversation. Welch explains how he stays organized with his busy schedule, how and why he gravitated towards racing as a kid in basketball rich Indiana. He also explains how he got his start in racing at seven-years-old with Chat Boat, and how it’s come full circle with the Boat’s two decades later at the Chili Bowl.

Speaking of the famed event, Welch has competed in it countless times, and recalls tales from Tulsa, including sneaking into the A-main one year and contracting the infamous “Chili Bowl Flu” year after year. Also, why do dirt racing aficionados call it “Chili Bowl” and not “THE Chili Bowl?” Davey was curious, and Dillon provides an answer. Plus, how his connection with the late Bryan Clauson was impactful on and off track, whether or not he had any stock car aspirations, if his dirt racing escapades helps him as a broadcaster, his Emmy-winning production work at Ball State University and his time as a USAC PA announcer that led him to the next chapter(s) of his career.

Davey also recaps William Byron’s victory from Homestead-Miami and explains why the venue is the best intermediate track in the world. Plus, a Las Vegas preview, Marcus Lemonis is throwing money into the Truck Series and an ode from Papa Segal to a famous No. 97.

Longtime motorsports journalist Zack Albert of NASCAR.com joins Davey (18:25) this week to discuss his career in the field, overcoming his personal battles, and stories aplenty at the famed North Wilkesboro Speedway. Albert, North Carolina born and bred, has been around racing since his childhood. He recalls his first foray into motorsports, pursuing it as a career, the various stops along the way over two decades and tremendous tales of working at North Wilkesboro, including an appropriate parting gift before its closure.

Albert also overcame depression and survived a suicide attempt. He opens up about mental health and why a change in his life was a necessity at that point in time. He also has the honor being on the NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel, and explains why he doesn't take that lightly. Plus, the two dive into his extreme passion for the outdoors, hiking, collecting typewriters and Davey explains how Zack gave him his start in NASCAR and how he has been a mentor of his for years.

Davey also discusses Christopher Bell's first Cup Series victory at the Daytona Road Course, Ty Gibbs' history making triumph in the Xfinity Series and Papa Segal gives an overdue ode to a famous No. 95 in motorsports.

Motorsports broadcasting legend Jamie Little is back for a return visit on the pod (25:30) after her history-making weekend, becoming the first woman to handle play-by-play duties for a national motorsports series. Davey and Jamie discuss why actually calling the ARCA Menards Series race live was easier than practicing in the weeks leading up, her insanely busy week covering all four series at Daytona, including yet another Great American Race.

Little had the opportunity to interview the President of the United States last season, something that the White House personally asked her to do. She details what went into chatting with the POTUS and gets real about the important responsibility and struggle in covering death in motorsports, notably when her friend Dan Wheldon lost his life in 2011 at Las Vegas.

From owning two Jimmy John's and Nothing Bundt Cakes franchises, Little somehow is in impeccable shape. She discusses entrepreneurship with her husband, Cody, her passion of working with dogs on "America's Top Dog" and differences between reporting on motorsports and the Westminster Dog Show, her cameos in Netflix's "The Crew" with Kevin James, Fantastic Four, being on the cover of a video game and more. Plus, after all she's accomplished and as she continues to break barriers, what's next for her?

Michael McDowell is a Daytona 500 champion, but it's not all that surprising. Davey explains why the journeyman driver's triumph was a long time coming and shouldn't be a shock to NASCAR fans. He also recaps the entirety of Speedweek after being on site in Daytona, previews the DIS Road Course this weekend and hits on Lug Nuts. As a bonus, listen to hear Austin Cindric's favorite cut of beef...IYKYK.

(For more on Jamie Little, check out Episode 86 in the archives!)

Congratulations, you made it! The off-season is over and the 2021 season is officially here. Davey is on site at Daytona International Speedway in advance of the 63rd running of the Daytona 500. He dives into the Busch Clash, won by Kyle Busch, and the last lap move that saw two best friends wreck each other for the win.

Davey also welcomes on Andrew Kurland (12:08) to preview the upcoming season as a whole. From new organizations, new faces in new places, new venues on the Cup Series schedule, the two break down everything on the horizon for the 2021 season. Why is Pitbull so electric, and has NASCAR gotten its swag back?

Not all 24-year-olds are NASCAR Cup Series team owners, but that’s exactly why Matt Tifft is one of the more unique individuals in the garage. The Live Fast Motorsports co-owner joins Davey (6:20) this week to discuss the planning process behind starting the team, why now is the right time to get into ownership and what he can bring to the table from a youth perspective.

Plus, Tifft also explains Live Fast’s charter situation and why he actually always had thoughts of becoming a team owner, even in his driving days. He discusses the uniqueness of operating a Cup Series team out of an Xfinity Series shop for 2021, what his wife thinks about this new venture, his longstanding relationship with co-owner and “big brother” B.J. McLeod (despite them looking like polar opposites on the surface) and realistic expectations for the No. 78 in their first year on track.

Tifft’s history with seizures is well documented, and coming out publicly as having epilepsy was very important to him. He admits the challenges that coming to terms with his diagnoses have included, why it was important to publicly discuss being epileptic and what he does on a daily basis to keep his condition under control.

The two also chat about whether or not he will he make a push for CBD oils to become an approved form of sponsorship in NASCAR, his love for the Cleveland Browns, newfound passion for acting (he’s a movie star!), learning Chinese and a high school memory including 33 missed calls leading up to his senior prom.

A satirical success like no other, the famed "nascarcasm" joins Davey for this week's chat. Starting his Twitter account over a decade ago, 'Casm's following has grown from just a few NASCAR fans to almost 200,000, laughing with him along the way (and maybe at him a time or two). The two discuss his upbringing, including graduating with a journalism degree from Indiana University and his graphic design experience, both in which aid him in his current role.

He recalls many belly-laughing stories, including when Brad Keselowski shouted him out on SportsCenter in 2012, Will Power's reaction when he realized who 'Casm was, tickling Carl Edwards' palm, his fake feud with Jamie McMurray, getting Jimmie Johnson to wear a custom romper with his face on it and plenty more. And does he really have a job title?

Plus, the two discuss who the most memeable driver is, the famed Clint Bowyer tweet, his creative process, "The Sideshow" at Texas, whether or not his drafts are full of golden tweets, why showing his personal side (while remaining somewhat anonymous) is important and much more.

In the second and final installment of Davey’s chat with Julia Landauer, the two dive into how her opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series came to be, including why she was thrown into the deep end, way behind the eight ball with virtually no track time ahead of her rookie season. In addition to the language barrier and being stuck across the world for three months amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, she had a lot of adjusting to do in little time.

Landauer further explains why she embraces being an ambassador for women in motorsports, and where she thinks we are in the road to leveling the playing field for females in racing. She also reveals how she got into her “day job” as a motivational speaker and why she finds empowering others incredibly rewarding, including how she herself is able to stay positive amid these incredibly tough times. Plus, reflecting on being named apart of the “Forbes: 30 Under 30” list, her accomplishments on and off track to this point in her life and why “#BecauseRacecar” is the best trend you probably didn't know about.

She truly is “The Most Interesting Woman in Motorsports.” In the first installment of this two part interview, you’ll learn why. Julia Landauer joins Davey (6:15) to discuss how a young girl from the upper west side of New York City got involved in racing. Not the most common trio out there, is it? But after becoming the youngest female champion in Skip Barber Racing School history (age 14), it was clear she had what it takes.

Landauer attended Stanford University while furthering her racing career, and details why the decision was rather pragmatic despite most drivers opting to forgo higher education. While in school, Landauer competed on the popular reality show “Survivor,” but hid an important aspect of her life. After being voted off (and recalling word for word when she was accused of being “too vanilla”), she reflected on why she didn’t show a big part of who she is and learned why embracing who you really are is the best strategy of them all. She’s learned a lot more lessons, specifically ones at the race track that the classroom can’t teach you.

Plus, why she doesn’t enjoy driving street cars, experiencing cultural “bubbles” in NYC, Stanford, North Carolina and Europe (to name a few) and how being a female in motorsports, while having its challenges, is more rewarding and empowering than having it the easy way.