{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Episode 245:  Shank Meyers Racing Owner Mike Shank","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/episode-245-shank-meyers-racing-owner-mike-shank","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/c0679768-bdea-43a0-bcc2-df9ba9c7fb3e/1f3e84c0-ffb4-4b97-9466-b7e68d0e43b7/episodes/audio/group/a3a0214d-7138-46cd-9cd2-de4b4140eb24/group-item/f1c5c534-190b-46de-b42b-58eda566b510/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=GMfwicWj","description":"Shank Meyers Racing Owner Mike Shank\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":37.1,"endTime":40.6,"type":"company","title":"Meyershank Racing","url":"/glossary/meyer-shank-racing","quote":"This week we're joined by Mike Shank, co-owner of Meyershank Racing, one of the most respected and resilient teams in North American motorsports.","canonicalId":"company:meyer-shank-racing","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Meyershank Racing is the racing team Mike Shank co-owns. The episode frames it as a North American motorsports organization that competes at the top levels of sports car racing and IndyCar.","simplifiedExplanation":"Meyershank Racing is a professional racing team. In this episode, they’re described as a serious, long-lasting team that competes in major North American racing series."}},{"startTime":98.5,"endTime":102.1,"type":"concept","title":"driver development","url":"/glossary/driver-development","quote":"...where technology cycles move faster than ever, driver development is more complex, and the business side of motorsports is as demanding as the competition on the track.","canonicalId":"concept:driver-development","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Driver development refers to the process of training and progressing drivers through coaching, seat time, simulator work, and performance feedback. In today’s environment, it’s more complex because teams must optimize for car-specific data, racecraft, and rapid technical changes.","simplifiedExplanation":"Driver development is how a racing team helps a driver improve and move up the ranks. It’s not just driving fast—it’s learning race strategy and working with the team to get the car set up."}},{"startTime":102.1,"endTime":105.3,"type":"concept","title":"business side of motorsports","url":"/glossary/business-side-of-motorsports","quote":"...driver development is more complex, and the business side of motorsports is as demanding as the competition on the track. We'll talk about leadership under pressure, the importance of partnerships,","canonicalId":"concept:business-side-of-motorsports","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Motorsports is as much a business as it is a competition—teams rely on sponsorship, partnerships, staffing, logistics, and long-term planning. The episode highlights that these off-track demands can be as intense as on-track performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"Racing teams have to run like businesses. They need funding, sponsors, and good organization—not just a fast car."}},{"startTime":140.3,"endTime":140.3,"type":"concept","title":"IndyCar","url":"/glossary/indycar","quote":"Love to talk to you about everything IndyCar. Another year rolling around. Did the off season really go that fast, Mike?","canonicalId":"concept:indycar","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"IndyCar is the top open-wheel racing series in the United States, best known for oval racing and street circuits. Teams and drivers compete for championship points across a season of races at tracks like St. Pete.","simplifiedExplanation":"IndyCar is the main open-wheel race series in the U.S. It’s where teams and drivers race on tracks like ovals and city streets throughout the year."}},{"startTime":160.0,"endTime":163.5,"type":"concept","title":"St. Pete","url":"/glossary/st-pete","quote":"We're looking forward to St. Pete this weekend, and I have a lot of momentum from last year and really look forward to seeing all the folks out at the Grand Prix this weekend.","canonicalId":"concept:st-pete","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“St. Pete” refers to the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, an IndyCar street-circuit race held in St. Petersburg, Florida. It’s an early-season event that’s often used to gauge how teams have progressed since the previous year.","simplifiedExplanation":"“St. Pete” is a race in St. Petersburg, Florida, that happens early in the IndyCar season. It’s on a street course, so the track conditions can be tricky."}},{"startTime":249.4,"endTime":336.2,"type":"company","title":"Chip Ganassi Racing","url":"/glossary/chip-ganassi-racing","quote":"Yeah, we're in our second year with a technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing, which has turned out to be really a great thing... It's the second year with CGR.","canonicalId":"company:chip-ganassi-racing","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) is a major American motorsports team. In this segment, Mike Shank explains that MSR’s technical alliance with CGR has improved testing continuity and overall competitiveness.","simplifiedExplanation":"Chip Ganassi Racing is a well-known racing team. Here, they’re working together with Shank Meyers Racing through a technical partnership, and that teamwork is helping the cars and the program perform better."}},{"startTime":409.0,"endTime":420.2,"type":"concept","title":"six car for Marcus this weekend","url":"/glossary/six-car-for-marcus-this-weekend","quote":"The root insurance is a direct that'll be on the six car for Marcus this weekend is a direct result of that marketing cooperation.","canonicalId":"concept:six-car-for-marcus-this-weekend","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Six car” refers to the race entry number assigned to a specific car/driver in a multi-car event. Car numbers are used for identification in timing/scoring, strategy discussions, and communications during the weekend.","simplifiedExplanation":"In a race, each car has a number so everyone can track it. “Six car” means the car numbered 6 that Marcus will drive this weekend."}},{"startTime":513.5,"endTime":518.5,"type":"concept","title":"budgets","url":"/glossary/budgets","quote":"I mean, like, I just today, I woke up with tons of emails wondering about budgets, where's the money at, you know, every day.","canonicalId":"concept:budgets","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Budgets are central to motorsports operations because they determine how much the team can spend on car development, parts, travel, and personnel. Budget pressure also influences decision-making during the season (e.g., when to upgrade vs. when to conserve).","simplifiedExplanation":"Budgets are basically the spending plan. In racing, the budget affects what upgrades you can afford and how you run the team day to day."}},{"startTime":787.6,"endTime":801.9,"type":"concept","title":"factory program","url":"/glossary/factory-program","quote":"2017, we finally got a factory program for Acura to run in the NSX and MSU in 2017...","canonicalId":"concept:factory-program","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “factory program” means the automaker directly supports a racing team—typically with cars, engineering, parts, and strategy input. It often accelerates a team’s competitiveness because the team isn’t relying only on customer support.","simplifiedExplanation":"A “factory program” means the car company is officially backing the team. That usually brings better cars and more technical help."}},{"startTime":801.9,"endTime":807.0,"type":"concept","title":"factory deal in IMSA","url":"/glossary/factory-deal-in-imsa","quote":"...it took us to 2017 to get, you know, the factory deal in IMSA. And then also finally took tip or toe in to Indycar.","canonicalId":"concept:factory-deal-in-imsa","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “factory deal” in IMSA usually indicates a manufacturer-backed partnership for racing in that series. It can include dedicated support, development work, and access to the latest-spec race cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"A “factory deal” means the car maker is partnering with the team for racing in that series. It often comes with extra support and better equipment."}},{"startTime":866.8,"endTime":890.8,"type":"concept","title":"Indy 500","url":"/glossary/indy-500","quote":"But to go beyond that to really, for me personally, it was always the Indy 500, right?","canonicalId":"concept:indy-500","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Indy 500 (Indianapolis 500) is one of the most prestigious open-wheel races in the world, held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s a major goal for many IndyCar teams and drivers because of the scale, competition, and visibility.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Indy 500 is a huge open-wheel race in the U.S. It’s a big deal in racing, and teams plan their whole seasons around trying to compete well there."}},{"startTime":955.0,"endTime":961.0,"type":"concept","title":"401k","url":"/glossary/401k","quote":"There's no 401k. She nuts away some money here and there, but not enough to sustain.","canonicalId":"concept:401k","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A 401(k) is a U.S. employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. The speaker is contrasting having long-term retirement benefits with the reality of funding a racing career without steady corporate support.","simplifiedExplanation":"A 401(k) is a retirement savings account in the U.S. The point here is that they didn’t have one, so they couldn’t rely on normal retirement planning while building the racing program."}},{"startTime":1089.2,"endTime":1106.4,"type":"concept","title":"Indianapolis 500","url":"/glossary/indianapolis-500","quote":"It's May 30th, 2021 and the 105th running of the Indian apolis 500. And of course, you know, like every team starts this season with one goal in mind...","canonicalId":"concept:indianapolis-500","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Indianapolis 500 (often called the Indy 500) is a premier American open-wheel race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The segment uses it as a key event date (May 30, 2021) to discuss race strategy and outcomes.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Indianapolis 500 is one of the biggest races in American open-wheel racing. It’s a major event where teams race hard for the win, and strategy matters a lot."}},{"startTime":1195.2,"endTime":1206.8,"type":"concept","title":"speedway","url":"/glossary/speedway","quote":"That car is still going to be at the end of the speedway. So, and I don't think the museum folks quite understand that...","canonicalId":"concept:speedway","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A speedway is an oval track designed for high-speed racing, often associated with stock-car style events. Mentioning the speedway frames the setting and explains why the team talks about laps, fences, and crowd behavior.","simplifiedExplanation":"A speedway is a race track—usually an oval—where cars run laps at high speed. In this segment, it’s where the race and the big crowd reaction happened."}},{"startTime":1431.0,"endTime":1438.0,"type":"term","title":"Chief Operating Officer","url":"/glossary/chief-operating-officer","quote":"But the basis is, you know, on the IndyCar program is also a guy called Adam Rovisini. He is the Chief Operating Officer of the company now.","canonicalId":"term:chief-operating-officer","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a top executive responsible for day-to-day operations and ensuring different departments function effectively. In racing teams, that often includes logistics, staffing, budgeting, and coordinating technical and race-day activities.","simplifiedExplanation":"A Chief Operating Officer is basically the person who makes sure the company runs smoothly day to day. In a racing team, that can include coordinating the work that keeps cars and events on track."}},{"startTime":1431.0,"endTime":1438.0,"type":"company","title":"Adam Rovisini","url":"/glossary/adam-rovisini","quote":"But the basis is, you know, on the IndyCar program is also a guy called Adam Rovisini. He is the Chief Operating Officer of the company now.","canonicalId":"company:adam-rovisini","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Adam Rovisini is identified as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the company managing the IndyCar program. This is a notable leadership role because it ties business operations directly to racing execution.","simplifiedExplanation":"Adam Rovisini is the company’s COO in this story. That means he helps run the day-to-day business side that supports racing."}},{"startTime":1443.8,"endTime":1450.0,"type":"concept","title":"crew chief","url":"/glossary/crew-chief","quote":"He was a crew chief on one of my GTD cars. But I asked him, let's see, let's go do the Indy500.","canonicalId":"concept:crew-chief","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A crew chief is the senior team leader for race strategy and car setup decisions during competition. In open-wheel and endurance racing, the crew chief coordinates engineers and the pit crew to execute race plans and respond to changing conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"A crew chief is the person who helps run the team on race day. They coordinate strategy and work with the engineers and pit crew so the car is set up to perform."}},{"startTime":1443.8,"endTime":1449.3,"type":"concept","title":"GTD cars","url":"/glossary/gtd-cars","quote":"He was a crew chief on one of my GTD cars. But I asked him, let's see, let's go do the Indy500.","canonicalId":"concept:gtd-cars","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“GTD” refers to a class of sports car racing (GT Daytona) where teams compete with production-based grand touring cars. The host mentions a crew chief coming from GTD experience before moving into IndyCar, illustrating how skills transfer across racing disciplines."}},{"startTime":1661.1,"endTime":1667.7,"type":"company","title":"Mr. Penske","url":"/glossary/mr-penske","quote":"And especially when you look at like in the month of May, this past May, was really tough for all of us. I mean, it was especially hard on Mr. Penske.","canonicalId":"company:mr-penske","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Mr. Penske” refers to Roger Penske, a major figure in American motorsports and a key IndyCar team owner. The speaker notes that recent challenges were especially hard on Penske, framing it as part of the series’ broader turbulence."}},{"startTime":1696.2,"endTime":1700.9,"type":"concept","title":"OEMs","url":"/glossary/oem","quote":"...because of that, we got some direction, we got a lot of good ideas coming in from OEMs and from the team owners.","canonicalId":"concept:oem","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"OEMs are Original Equipment Manufacturers—companies that build the major components and systems used in race cars (and often the engines/powertrains or related technology). The speaker says they received “good ideas” from OEMs during the recovery period, highlighting manufacturer involvement in solving series issues."}},{"startTime":1832.4,"endTime":1838.5,"type":"concept","title":"paddock","url":"/glossary/paddock","quote":"Almost all the engineers have been almost all the teams in the Paddock at this point. So everybody is just fine honed this car down to a razor's edge.","canonicalId":"concept:paddock","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The paddock is the area where teams operate between sessions—where engineers, mechanics, and team personnel are based. The speaker uses it to describe how teams and engineers are deeply familiar with the current cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"The paddock is basically the team’s home base at the race. It’s where the crew works and where the cars are prepared."}},{"startTime":1844.5,"endTime":1856.7,"type":"concept","title":"pit stops","url":"/glossary/pit-stops","quote":"So everything really counts. Strategy, pit stops, time in, time out of the pits, pit stop itself is so critical to get track position.","canonicalId":"concept:pit-stops","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Pit stops are scheduled stops in the pits to service the car—commonly tires, fuel, and adjustments—while the driver changes track position. In IndyCar, the timing and speed of pit stops can heavily influence race results.","simplifiedExplanation":"A pit stop is when the car pulls into the garage area to get serviced. Doing it at the right time (and quickly) can put you ahead on the track."}},{"startTime":2107.3,"endTime":2112.5,"type":"concept","title":"execute the plan","url":"/glossary/execute-the-plan","quote":"Just ride on it immediately with a plan and execute the plan.","canonicalId":"concept:execute-the-plan","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Execute the plan” refers to following the pre-race strategy and setup choices while adapting to what happens on track. In racing, the best strategy is only useful if the team and driver can carry it out consistently.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Execute the plan” means doing what you decided before the race—like the setup and race strategy. It’s about carrying it out correctly during the chaos of racing."}},{"startTime":2112.5,"endTime":2121.7,"type":"concept","title":"time sheets","url":"/glossary/time-sheets","quote":"both our cars were at the top of, toward the top of the time sheets the whole time.","canonicalId":"concept:time-sheets","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Time sheets” are the posted timing results from practice, qualifying, or test sessions. Teams use them to judge pace, compare setups, and track progress over a session.","simplifiedExplanation":"Time sheets are the official timing results from a session. Teams look at them to see who is fast and how their car is improving."}},{"startTime":2171.9,"endTime":2179.0,"type":"concept","title":"ran him out of fuel","url":"/glossary/ran-him-out-of-fuel","quote":"And Elio was sixth and we ran him out of fuel, made a mistake. You know, so we always, we, I'm really pleased with our quality packages for any 500.","canonicalId":"concept:ran-him-out-of-fuel","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Ran him out of fuel” describes a race strategy failure where the car doesn’t have enough fuel to finish, forcing an early stop or retirement. In IndyCar, fuel strategy and consumption modeling are critical because cautions and pace changes can swing fuel usage quickly.","simplifiedExplanation":"That means the car didn’t have enough gas to finish the race. In racing, teams have to plan fuel carefully, and mistakes or changing race conditions can cause a fuel problem."}},{"startTime":2179.0,"endTime":2185.5,"type":"concept","title":"any 500","url":"/glossary/any-500","quote":"so we always, we, I'm really pleased with our quality packages for any 500. So I'm happy there.","canonicalId":"concept:any-500","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Any 500” refers to IndyCar’s 500-mile races (most famously the Indianapolis 500). These events are long-distance tests where strategy, fuel management, and reliability are as important as outright speed.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Any 500” means the big 500-mile races. They’re long, so planning fuel and keeping the car reliable matters a lot."}},{"startTime":2237.0,"endTime":2242.8,"type":"concept","title":"NASCAR","url":"/glossary/nascar","quote":"The business side of IndyCar has always been difficult. Raising the money to get this to happen is really tricky, especially with NASCAR out there and doing so well right now.","canonicalId":"concept:nascar","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"NASCAR is another major U.S. stock-car racing series and a major competitor for sponsorship dollars. The speaker argues that even if IndyCar and NASCAR are “different markets,” they still compete for the same entertainment and marketing budgets."}},{"startTime":2337.0,"endTime":2342.0,"type":"concept","title":"limited track time","url":"/glossary/limited-track-time","quote":"...it will be a tough year for him to learn everything. It looks to me like he's doing a fine job in his work. He should be in the testing and stuff, but he'll find out real quick when you have very limited track time.","canonicalId":"concept:limited-track-time","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Limited track time means the driver has fewer practice sessions or fewer laps to learn the circuit before racing. The segment argues that this makes it harder to adapt quickly, particularly on street courses with little margin for error.","simplifiedExplanation":"Limited track time means the driver doesn’t get many practice laps. With tight street tracks, that makes it much harder to learn fast and stay confident."}},{"startTime":2413.8,"endTime":2422.2,"type":"concept","title":"rookie","url":"/glossary/rookie","quote":"...there is no relief for you just because you're a rookie. They're going to drive over the top...","canonicalId":"concept:rookie","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A rookie is a first-year or new driver in a series, often lacking experience with the car, team routines, and race-day pace. The segment emphasizes that rookies can struggle with the aggressive pace of pit lane and on-track driving."}},{"startTime":2506.0,"endTime":2508.8,"type":"concept","title":"test there","url":"/glossary/test-there","quote":"Sunday night, we'll start talking about Phoenix. We had a test there. What happened at Phoenix?","canonicalId":"concept:test-there","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “test” in racing is a dedicated session where teams gather data to improve car setup and performance. It’s used to evaluate changes to aerodynamics, suspension settings, and tire management so the team can arrive at the next race better prepared.","simplifiedExplanation":"A test is when the team runs the car to learn what’s working and what isn’t. They use that information to adjust the car before the next race."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"SiriusXM","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/episode-245-shank-meyers-racing-owner-mike-shank/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}