The Down & Dirty Radio Show

In this very special episode, Tony "Rambo" Liberati, Chris Hussey, Gere Kennon and Buddy Parrott sit down for a round-table conversation about their NASCAR careers.

Erik Jones is enjoying his first season with Richard Petty Motorsports and grades himself on the job he’s done as the driver. Jones joins the show this week to also discuss getting used to being a one-car team; simulator time and how that’s changed for him from the past; having a more personal relationship with the Petty team; working with a new manufacturer; the normalcy of not having practice and qualifying; being able to do more at home with more free days; but what a week looks like for Jones; the different perspective he has this year; getting back to basics and out of the spotlight; how Jones has grown in the last year; bonding with a team of ‘true racers’; if the 43 team would be further along with more practice and qualifying; if RPM fans should be pleased by how the season is going; the dedication of Petty fans; experiences that come with being a Petty driver; how ‘Read with Erik’ came about. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true Holly's Hope of North Port, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing mental health resources in our community, empowering others through education, and providing hope for those struggling with mental health conditions. Holly's Hope is currently providing support groups for families of first responders. Additionally, we are working to increase resources for first responders facing mental health conditions. Visit www.hollyshope.info.

Jim Beaver has short course star Jerett Brooks on the show this week, along with Bill "The Thrill" Hynes from the Stadium Super Trucks series, and Tiffany Stone.

Larry McReynolds is a bonus guest on behalf of Quaker State, the entitlement sponsor of this weekend’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. But there is no one better to help preview the weekend, so McReynolds shares what to watch for aside from tire wear; what notes will transfer from the March race; drivers who might succeed during a hot slick weekend; what makes Atlanta fun to watch; what McReynolds prepared for as a crew chief for Atlanta versus crew chiefs today; thoughts on Atlanta having two dates again; recalling his dominating win with Ernie Irvan from 1994; memories and stories of his first three wins as a crew chief with Quaker State; working for the legendary Kenny Bernstein; being the crew chief Brett Bodine won his only race with; where you can catch his coverage with Fox Sports for Atlanta. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true Quaker State has a complete line of top-quality motor oils, oil filters, transmission fluids and other lubricants to keep your vehicle and its systems running longer. Visit www.quakerstate.com for more.

We wrap up our time with Jeff Hammond with a short 15-minute installment in which Jeff talks about his time with Sabco Racing and Kenny Wallace, going back to work with Darrell Waltrip and then finally his move into the wide, wide world of NASCAR television with Fox. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the April 9, 1998 Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of a quite memorable weekend at Texas Motor Speedway … and NOT for all the right reasons. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the first race of his Busch Series career that weekend, and there were also feature stories on Tim Flock’s passing, Wendell Scott and the longevity of various racing chassis that teams took to the track.

It’s been an admittedly frustrating season for Matt DiBenedetto and Wood Brothers Racing and he’s here to break it down among other things. DiBenedetto explains how drivers understand it could worse; if there is an explanation for the struggles; utilizing simulator time; how the fan reaction has changed over the years; how his career has shaped him as a person and how he doesn’t let it affect his love of racing; the influence of the Wood Brothers family; how hot the race cars are and the work that DiBenedetto puts in to be mentally tough; getting TV broadcast experience during an ARCA Series race, and understanding how to talk about racing on TV; why he and Ryan Ellis started a podcast and if DiBenedetto is getting out of it what he hoped. Music created by tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true Quaker State has a complete line of top-quality motor oils, oil filters, transmission fluids and other lubricants to keep your vehicle and its systems running longer. Visit www.quakerstate.com for more.

We’ve had some packed interviews before, but this one is CRAZY. This week, Jeff Hammond talks about the 1989 Daytona 500 and how it was basically the fulfillment of his career; Darrell Waltrip’s injury the following year at Daytona; DW’s decision to move to his own team, and his own reluctance to follow; and his beautiful, awesome, absolutely shining relationship with Darrell’s general manager a year or so later. Then in our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid take a peek at the April 25, 1991 Winston Cup Scene. That issue carried coverage of a wild and wooly day at North Wilkesboro. The race was won by Darrell Waltrip, in his first victory since leaving Hendrick Motorsports to form his own team. Everybody was mad at everybody else due to a HUGE number of accidents. Despite all that, teams WERE happy with the new pit road rules that went into effect, ending an early-season onslaught of changes. This issue also carried a feature story on Ray Fox Sr. and his role in winning the 1960 Daytona 500 and news of Ernie Irvan’s dinner at The White House.

Gene Monahan retired from the New York Yankees after 40+ years and now works with Hendrick Motorsports. This week we meet Monahan and go into what his role is with the championship-winning NASCAR organization; how Jay Frye played a part in Monahan’s transition; his early memories of becoming a racing fan in Florida; what transferred from the job in MLB to NASCAR, and still working with athletes; what resources Hendrick athletes have at their disposal; what Monahan is monitoring with the athletes; what makes a great athlete to work with; why the transition was hard at first; the Yankee comparison with Hendrick Motorsports; what Monahan had to learn about his new sport; the difference between MLB game day and NASCAR race day; if he’s able to watch the Yankees again; what it was like working for George Steinbrenner; what it has been like to be around talent in both MLB and NASCAR; things Monahan is enjoying in NC that he didn’t have in NY; what he does away from work; what he gets joy and fulfillment from these days. Music created by Tony Monge. Please support my work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=57288151&fan_landing=true Quaker State has a complete line of top-quality motor oils, oil filters, transmission fluids and other lubricants to keep your vehicle and its systems running longer. Visit www.quakerstate.com for more.

We celebrate our 150th episode with the return of Jeff Hammond, for the conclusion of our epic conversation. This week, he talks about the influence of Warner Hodgdon on Junior Johnson & Associates and how the addition of a second team for Neil Bonnett wasn’t exactly the most harmonious of situations. Jeff also discusses Junior’s reaction to the infamous 1986 clash between Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt at Richmond and the breakup between Darrell and Junior. Finally, Jeff takes us through some of the turmoil that caused HIM to leave Junior to rejoin Darrell at Hendrick Motorsports. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid tackle the May 17, 1984 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of one of the most chaotic finishes to any race anywhere … the 1984 Coors 420 at the fairgrounds race track in Nashville.

Tommy Joe Martins has been putting in the years in the NASCAR garage, and he feels it gives him a right to voice his opinion, and he’s got a few of them around the future of the sport. Martins discusses what’s changing and his concerns; how things are going for Martins Motorsports in their second year; the workload and stress level after a rough few weeks on track; if not having practice and qualifying does save money; the brotherhood or bond that forms amongst teams like his; if Martins gets jealous or compares himself to others; why he’s aiming for his team to be like the Wood Brothers; coming to the realization he won’t always be the driver of his car; drivers being the best talent scouts, and how much racing Martins watches and the reasons why. Music created by Tony Monge.

Jim Beaver has 2-time Hall of Famer Larry Roesler on the show this week talking about his amazing career and recent win at the Baja 500. He also has Road to Indy standout and current F2000 points leader Yuven Sundaramoorthy on the line. Be sure and follow @JimBeaver15 on social media and subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

In the second and final installment of our conversation, longtime crew chief and team owner Travis Carter talks about the witch doctor that Hal Needham brought in once upon a time, the close battle with Terry Labonte for the 1984 Winston Cup championship, his run in the 1989 Daytona 500 with driver Rick Mast and his years as a team owner. And speaking of Rick Mast, he joins co-hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid to discuss his memories of working with Travis Carter and a myriad of other topics, such as a nitrous oxide test that didn't quite work out, an FBI raid and buying a corn dog from a con artist. Then, in our second segment, we dig into the April 29, 1982 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Harry Gant's first career Winston Cup victory at Martinsville and Bobby Allison's dust-ups the week before at North Wilkesboro. Finally, Rick and Steve discuss some disappointing news.

No one is looking forward to Pocono Raceway more than Sam Mayer, who turns 18 on June 26 and then takes over the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports beginning at Pocono on June 27. Mayer joins the podcast to share what he’s been doing to get ready for the ride; how he feels about Pocono; the oddity of not doing a lot of racing through the first half of the season; if he feels he adapts well to new variables; if Mayer has sat in the car and spent any time talking to his teammates; if the headlines around Josh Berry has made Mayer possessive of the car; how Berry’s performance has changed Mayer’s expectations; not letting success go to his head; with dad being a former open-wheel driver, what drew Sam to stock cars; how he got connected with Lorin Ranier and the influence Ranier has been; discovering his independence now being on his own; lessons learned from grassroots racing; being competitive against drivers he’s already competed against; what Mayer has noted while watching Xfinity races from afar. Music created by Tony Monge.

Jim Beaver has his good friend a musician Tim Montana on this week talking about RZR's, music, and his career, as well as short course star Keegan Kincaid talking about going 2 for 2 at Antigo this past weekend. Chris Leone also calls in with our updated weekly Motorsports Power Rankings. Be sure and follow @JimBeaver15 on social media and subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

This week, we share the first installment of our interview with legendary crew chief and team owner Travis Carter. Travis tells us about his humble beginnings in the sport in his hometown of Ellerbe, N.C., where he first went to work for L.G. DeWitt and Benny Parsons. Travis also describes the day Benny and John A. Utsman tag-teamed their way to victory lane at Bristol and the day in which basically the entire garage tag-teamed to help Travis and Benny repair their car and clinch the 1973 Winston Cup championship at Rockingham. Travis worked for Roger Penske for a couple of years, before moving back South to join Junior Johnson & Associates as a co-crew chief for Cale Yarborough. While there, Travis and the rest of the team won the 1978 title going away. Finally, Travis told us about the three races that really got away and how he wound up joining a team fielded by Hal Needham and Burt Reynolds. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the November 5, 1981 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Darrell Waltrip's win at Rockingham, a track made treacherous that weekend by the application of bear grease. The issue also carried a column about Travis Carter and his laid-back ways, and news features on Tim Flock's participation in a brand-new team that never actually came to be and Bobby Allison's decision to leave Ranier Racing ... with possible replacements by Richard Petty and Mark Martin.