Victory Lane

Fresh off his first career ARCA victory, Taylor Gray stops by (25:20) to discuss his roller coaster weekend out West, from heartbreak to redemption all in a span of three days. The 15-year-old (!) DGR-Crosley wheelman discusses the performance throughout his rookie campaign in ARCA, where he’s finished outside the top 10 only twice. He also reminisces on his flip in a late model at Martinsville and why it felt like nothing compared to doing so in a dirt car, his friendship with Ty Gibbs, including why drivers coming from racing families get bad rap, and his love of the Seattle Seahawks. In addition, he provides his side of the hilarious story involving his brother Tanner getting choked out at the go-kart track way back when.

The marathon at Texas has mercifully come to an end, and KFB is indeed back. Davey recaps Kyle Busch’s fuel saving masterclass from the Lone Star State and breaks down the playoff picture for all three national series heading into Martinsville, the final race before championship weekend. Plus, Kyle Larson officially has a Cup Series ride for next year and beyond, Josh Berry has the best birthday of all-time and more.

Elijah Burke graduated from college, went viral and got hired by his favorite childhood racing team, Chip Ganassi Racing, in a matter of weeks. Odds are you know his name or have seen his “NASCAR Style” graduation interview, but this week, Davey chats with his longtime friend (24:15) about what went into getting where he is today. From the planning of the 45 seconds that changed his life to it blowing up overnight (literally), Burke shares why he almost didn’t even post the video at all, the whirlwind that followed (including trips to Richmond, Charlotte and into Chip Ganassi’s motorhome) and eventually getting offered a job from CGR. Burke shares what his role as digital media strategist entails, how he gained an appreciation for selling sponsors, where his creativity comes from and more.

Plus, he sheds some light on what it was like seeing his childhood hero Kyle Larson, the reason he fell in love with CGR, fall from grace within his own company this year, working closely with IndyCar legend Scott Dixon and future NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, driving 150+ mph at Michigan International Speedway as well as an update on his diecast collection.

Davey also discusses the finish to the Round of 8 opener at Kansas and why it was among the most frustrating endings he’s seen in recent years (but that doesn’t make it a bad race). Does Joey Logano have an upper hand on the competition now? Plus, a preview of Texas, a Silly Season update and the ARCA Menards Series crowns a champion.

Michael Self has been around the block a time or two, and now he finds himself with grasp of the ARCA Menards Series championship. The Venturini Motorsports driver joins Davey (19:40) to discuss his introduction to racing, including go-karting in Utah, eventually competing in the world championships in Portugal and why his time as a RCR development driver wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Plus, his time in the K&N Pro Series spanning multiple organizations (and winning multiple times), how his relationship with Sinclair Oil began and his passion for coaching the next generation of drivers and road racing. Self candidly discusses the difficulty in racing a revolving door of teenagers while being a veteran of the series, and how the two differing ideologies on track seem don’t mesh, whether or not he’s content to stay in ARCA or gain more national series experience and why getting his business degree at age 30 is one of the smartest things he’s done in his life.

The two also share some laughs about getting kisses from team owner Bill Venturini in Victory Lane, old photos on his website, having his former team owner and chef cook him some gourmet hot dogs, a rental car shuttle at 4 a.m. following a win in Idaho and more.

The playoff field has been dwindled down to eight, as Davey recaps a wild and soggy Charlotte ROVAL weekend, including why Sunday's first stage was so entertaining. Plus, previewing Kansas and the Round of 8, a Silly Season update, Alex Bowman's important radio chatter and more.

In the second installment of Davey’s chat with Chase Cabre (19:45), the two discuss his brother Collin’s cancer diagnosis, what Chase is doing on his micro sprint to support his him and why nothing in their relationship has changed despite the tough times. Chase also reminisces on his teammates at Rev Racing over the years, including some prior beef with Ryan Vargas, plenty of laughs with Ruben Garcia Jr. and how he’s seen himself change as a person over the last half decade with the team. Chase discusses his new obsession with fitness, why he never has a cheat day (well, except for that ONE time with Chick-Fil-A on the plane home), his newfound Tik Tok fame and why he’s putting so much effort behind it. Lastly, the two get real about the business of the sport and Chase reveals his departure from Rev and NASCAR at season’s end, including the financial and mental challenges associated with this career. But his racing career is far from over, as a more dirt focused path is in his future.

Denny Hamlin asserts his superspeedway dominance once again, but the dreaded yellow line rule has sparked conversation. Does the rule have a place in the sport? Davey discusses. Plus, why he thinks the ROVAL cutoff race may be anticlimactic (unless rain actually comes), Kyle Larson’s future, the new driver of the No. 48 for Hendrick, Hailie Deegan’s national series debut and more.

Chase Cabre’s NASCAR career has seen its fair share of ups and downs, but one things has remained constant: his love for racing. In the first installment of this interview (18:45), Davey chats with the Rev Racing driver about his passion for dirt racing and it all beginning with motocross, why he could’ve been on a path to become a prominent soccer player and how his brothers acceptance to the "Drive for Diversity" program sparked his interest in a stock car career. Also, relieving his first K&N Pro Series win at Memphis and the success that followed, injuring his back at Bristol, the subsequent rivalry with Sam Mayer (including wrecking him in a go-kart race at Gateway) and the perks that come with being associated with “NASCAR Next.” Plus, Davey attempts to pronounce his hometown of Thonotosassa, Chase reveals that he peaked in high school (only to Davey, at least) and more.

The 2021 schedule has finally been released, and it has multiple shakeups. Davey peruses through the slate with all the the big changes, and explains why one specific alteration just ain’t it. Plus, a recap of Kurt Busch’s surprise win at his home track after 22 attempts, the G.O.A.T. stepping down from the pit box after this season and a preview of Talladega.

Almost everyone knows him, but not many know about him. Steve Luvender, one of the funniest people in the NASCAR twitterverse, is this week’s guest (29:00). Davey and Steve discuss his love for sim racing and how that sparked his interest in the sport and how Trading Paints on iRacing has become a staple of the platform, just as Random Fantasy Racing (and other hilarious random generators) have over the years. Plus, calling himself a “field filler” leads to a random discussion about Reed Sorenson (hi if you’re listening, Reed), working with nascarcasm, compiling a gargantuan folder of driver pictures and being an overall meme connoisseur. The two also discuss a myriad of food takes, including the hierarchy of soups, breakfast delicacies, whether it’s “plain” or “cheese” pizza, whoopie pies and more.

Michael Jordan is starting a NASCAR team in 2021, and Davey explains why the move is monumental, coming with the possibility for it transcend sports. Also, a recap of the Bristol cutoff race which saw four drivers’ championship hopes dashed, a preview of the Round of 12 opener from Las Vegas, Sam Mayer's historic evening and more.

From creating his own website at the ripe age of 12 to becoming the producer of one of the most successful podcasts in NASCAR, Jason Schultz has accomplished a whole heck of a lot in a short amount of time. Davey gets together with the Dirty Mo Media utility man and “content king” (20:30) to discuss their humble beginnings on Twitter, why being early adopters the platform in the NASCAR world shaped their career paths and how his networking skills at a young age paid dividends. Also, some hilarious stories of how Jason actually gave Davey his start in NASCAR media back in the day, how a rain delay in Dover changed his life, Dale Earnhardt Jr. blessing his Achilles, Danica Patrick teaching him how to give a proper handshake and more. Plus, why achieving his ultimate career goal at 21-years-old was something so important to him, what goes into producing “Door Bumper Clear” (and corralling TJ Majors, Brett Griffin and Freddie Kraft) behind the scenes and what his future career aspirations look like.

Davey also chats about the race at Richmond this past weekend, including whether or not it was a good race (spoiler alert: it was fine, stop being so picky) and why Brad Keselowski may be a championship favorite. Plus, a brief preview of the Round of 16 cutoff from Bristol and “Lug Nuts of the Week.”

The playoffs are underway, but Kevin Harvick's winning ways haven't changed. Davey recaps the weekend of racing from Darlington, including the late-race excitement that saw drivers tangle and whether or not the move(s) were clean.

He welcomes on Jessie Punch, host of "The Pace Lap" at NASCAR International (19:30) to discuss being a newlywed in quarantine, her love for Clemson and working at the Western Athletic Conference in Denver out of college. Plus, the decision making process on moving back East to join the NASCAR International team, how her father has influenced her personally and professionally and why she gave Bill Elliott the cold shoulder when he wanted to recall a story about her dad. Also, how is her Instagram game so fire? The two discuss it all.

With Auto Club Speedway set to turn into a short track, Davey analyzes the bombshell news and why it makes sense, Jimmie Johnson's plans for the next couple years and a brief Richmond preview.

William Byron earned his first career Cup Series victory in the regular season finale at Daytona to vault himself into the playoffs, and boy oh boy did it deliver. Jimmie Johnson won't be able to chase eight, as a late "Big One" sealed his fate. With 26 races down and 10 to go, the NASCAR Playoffs are here. Davey previews the postseason round by round and gives his predictions, including his 2020 champion. Plus, a preview of the Southern 500 from Darlington to kick off the playoffs and "Lug Nuts of the Week" including a couple contract extensions.

Davey welcomes on NASCAR Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Brandon Thompson (31:10), for an insightful and honest conversation. From getting started as an intern in Nashville 17 years ago to becoming the first diversity intern graduate to join NASCAR’s executive ranks as an officer, BT has done it all. How his time as the managing director of the touring series furthered his love and passion for racing, his time at Rev Racing and how it all came full circle, the significance of Bubba Wallace in today's climate and how the progressive stances NASCAR has taken and continues to take makes him feel as a Black man in the position of leadership at the company. Plus, some fun tales of his family sneaking into Nashville Fairgrounds as a kid, his collection of vinyl records and his favorite race tracks/destinations over the years. In addition, Davey recaps an extremely busy weekend of racing from the Monster Mile, as Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick continue to rack up playoff points. With one race to go in the Cup Series regular season, can Jimmie Johnson vault himself into the playoffs?