There are a few iconic, one-of-a-kind racecars that stand out in racing history. Some of these cars are famous for their structure, such as Tom Johnson’s wicked sprint car designs of the 1980’s and Kenny Weld’s “Back to the Future” sprint car in 1988. Others are remembered because of their performance, such Weld’s legendary No….
1955: Tragedy, Change & James Dean
There are many dark chapters in the history of auto racing, but few compare to the devastation and tragedy that took place in 1955. In the same season, horrific crashes overshadowed the Indianapolis 500, the Le Mans endurance race and the world of show business. Over the course of a few months, the world witnessed…
The Eldora Mile: The House that Earl Almost Built
Eldora and Earl Baltes. In many corners of the racing world, these names are synonymous, representing both risk and respect in every regard. A musician turned racetrack owner and promoter, the charismatic man with a flipped-up hat brim is widely regarded as one of the greatest promoters that racing has ever known. Earl’s story is…
The Test: Hodnett’s Brush with the IRL
Before I dive in, I feel the need to share some personal commentary in regards to this piece. This story is very personal for me, and here’s why… My best friend Brandon Dupert and I helped Greg Hodnett, Ryan Hand and the Heffner #27 team for the first time on July 26, 2017. We drove…
Marlboro & USAC: The One That Got Away
Winston and NASCAR. For decades, these two brands were synonymous with one another. The R.J. Reynolds company promoted their Winston cigarette brand via sponsoring NASCAR’s premier Grand National Division from 1971- 2002, and quickly became the poster child for corporate sponsorship in the motorsports industry. In many ways, Winston’s success in NASCAR changed the way…