Racing Now and Then
Racing Now and Then takes a look at all forms of motorsports through the eyes of those who helped build the sport, the current stars, and those who are planning for the future.
Episodes
October 21, 2020 • 16 mins
Isabella Robusto and her twin brother William began racing Go-Karts at age 5 They progressed through Bandolero and Legends cars together. However, Isabella is now in her first year racing a Late Model for Rev Racing. Working with the NASCAR Foundation, the high school student often visits children's hospitals. This year she became a two-time recipient of the Young Racer Award presented by NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. Isabe...
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October 14, 2020 • 29 mins
In Gracie Trotter's rookie season in the ARCA Menards West Series, the third generation driver became the first female to win an ARCA-sanctioned race. Her accomplishment at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's The Bullring added another victory on her racing resume that began in Go-Karts at age 7. She also has won a Legends title and a Late Model race at Hickory Motor Speedway. In addition to driving for Bill McAnally Racing in the Toyota Dr...
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September 24, 2020 • 42 mins
Earl Barban is best known by today's race fans as Jimmie Johnson's spotter, but the St. Louis native's motorsports career has involved so much more. He has spotted for NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace as well as various other drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series, fielded a truck driven by Kenny Wallace in the early years of NASCAR's truck series, driven a transporter for Team Penske, raced a dirt car, and hauled show cars. I...
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September 3, 2020 • 41 mins
With the NASCAR Cup Playoffs kicking off Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway, Racer.com NASCAR writer Kelly Crandall discusses this year's 16-car field with show host Deb Williams. Find out who they believe are the favorites and how this year's track schedule could provide some interesting twists in the playoffs.
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August 17, 2020 • 17 mins
Austin Green, son of NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity) champion David Green, recently found himself with an opportunity he never expected. While attending an ARCA race in Toledo, Ohio, the team with whom he had been working suddenly needed a driver. The team owner turned to Green, who hadn't driven a race car in about 1 1/2 years. Find out how the college sophomore capitalized on the opportunity.
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Veteran drag racing writer Bobby Bennett found himself fighting for his life in March when he contracted COVID-19. He beat the coronavirus and today donates life-saving plasma to those still fighting the deadly virus. Bennett also works with others in the NHRA community who are fighting the disease and encourages those who have already defeated it to join him in donating plasma. In this episode, the editor/publisher of CompetitionP...
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July 19, 2020 • 18 mins
Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric at age 21 has already built an extensive racing resume that includes open wheel and sports cars in addition to stock cars. At age 14, he became the youngest driver ever to compete in the USF 2000 Series. This year he made NASCAR history when he became the first driver to win on consecutive days in the same series at the same track. In this episode, the son of Team Penske Presi...
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Five years ago Mike Wallace's NASCAR career came to a screeching halt when he underwent triple bypass surgery. This weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway he returns to the driver's seat with plans to become the first person to compete in three inaugural races at the historic track -- the first Cup race, the first Xfinity event and the first Xfinity race on the speedway's road course.
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June 26, 2020 • 45 mins
Jerry Cook built his first race car at age 13, but didn't start driving until age 19. Even then he had to falsify his age in order to compete because under then NASCAR rules he was too young to race. Cook eventually earned six championships, often competing in 90 to 96 races annually, and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. In this episode, Cook talks about his racing career, his rivalry with Richie Evans, his transition...
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June 10, 2020 • 30 mins
During the two-month shutdown due to the pandemic, NASCAR's pit crews and drivers had to find alternative ways to keep in shape. Sports medicine specialist Bill Heisel, who heads OrthoCarolina's motorsports program describes the training methods that were used and the injuries many of them now face. Also, did you know a driver can suffer carpal tunnel syndrome? Heisel explains why this can occur in a driver. He also tells why worki...
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June 2, 2020 • 42 mins
Leah Pruett is one of only two female drivers competing in NHRA Top Fuel. A driver for Don Schumacher Racing, Pruett has won eight Top Fuel events and has been the No. 1 qualifier a dozen times. After two races this season she is third in the Top Fuel standings. During this downtime due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pruett has focused on preparing herself for the 16 straight weeks the NHRA will have when it returns to action in August....
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May 22, 2020 • 34 mins
After surviving a battle with polio as a child, Rex White became one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR. When he won the 1960 NASCAR premier series championship with his own team, he had only two employees. That year when he competed in the inaugural World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway he stacked three windshields on top of each other and attached them with masking tape in preparation for the newly-paved track that was comi...
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May 14, 2020 • 27 mins
Shayna Texter is a third generation racer. Her grandfather is in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and her father is a motorcycle racing champion. She has the most wins of any active driver in American Flat Track racing's Singles Class. Shayna talks about when her interest in motorcycle racing began, her workout regime, her fan base, her first career victory at Knoxville, Iowa, and why she competes with No. 52.
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May 8, 2020 • 34 mins
American Flat Track CEO Michael Lock discusses the issues the motorcycle racing series is facing in its efforts to return to competition this year. He also talks about why the Production Twins class was formed and takes a look at the growth of the sport’s fan base.
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April 29, 2020 • 25 mins
Three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown talks about driving for Don Schumacher Racing while working towards ownership of his own team, AB Motorsports. The only competitor to win in Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle in NHRA history, Brown addresses the sport's business side and how the teams must find a way to make everything work for their sponsors due to COVID-19 shortening the season. He also explains why he chose to move ...
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April 23, 2020 • 25 mins
ThorSport Racing began its 25th season in NASCAR's truck series with a Daytona victory. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Find out how NASCAR's only full-time team based in Ohio is keeping its personnel employed. Allison Thorson also reveals why her parents created the team and talks about her new Ride TV show. Horses and Horsepower, that focuses on relationships involving racing and the equine community.
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April 15, 2020 • 35 mins
NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and NBC analyst Jeff Burton talks about which race wins were special to him and the instrumental role veteran crew chief Buddy Parrott played in his career. Burton also talks about the time his team wasn't allowed to race because NASCAR found holes drilled in the roll cage, how he obtained the nickname "The Mayor", when team owner Jack Roush permitted him to talk about safety issues in NASCAR and why he ...
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March 20, 2020 • 31 mins
Since racing has been suspended due to COVID-19, Racing Now and Then host Deb Williams talks about different ways for fans to curb their withdrawals from the sport. Her suggestions include various racing movies and books, giving insight and special tidbits on both. She also addresses some of the issues faced in rescheduling events.
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March 5, 2020 • 26 mins
ARCA driver Thad Moffitt, the grandson of seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty, talks about his first season with DGR-Crosley, teammates Hailie Deegan and Tanner Gray, and driving one of his grandfather's race cars at the Goodwood Festival in England. He also explains why he had long hair in Daytona, but now it's short.
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Don Miller describes his record run on the Bonneville Salt Flats, his love of drag racing, explains how he discovered Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman, and why he created the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He also talks about the enjoyment of working with Roger Penske and his old car collection, a passion he and Newman share.
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