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Jimmy Fennig Talks Bobby Allison’s Daytona 500 Win & Career-Ending Crash

Jimmy Fennig Talks Bobby Allison’s Daytona 500 Win & Career-Ending Crash

The Dale Jr. Download Apr 22, 2026 79 min
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About this episode

Jimmy Fennig recounts his path from building dirt-track cars in Wisconsin to becoming a championship NASCAR crew chief, with stops through ASA, Roush/RFK, and the Cup garage. Dale Jr. and Fennig dig into the modern challenge of the Next Gen car—tiny part tolerances, QC, and rules shaping performance. Big highlights include Fennig’s early bond with Bobby Allison, the Daytona 500 win in 1988 (including spoiler-angle strategy), and the emotional aftermath of Allison’s career-ending crash. The conversation also covers Fennig’s later success with Mark Martin and Kurt Busch, plus his post-crew-chief role and ongoing projects.

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Topic

NASCAR Cup Series

"He was a crew chief in the Cup Series. We all may remember his days with Kurt Busch as a championship crew chief in 2004... and find similar success in the world of NASCAR inside the Cup garage"

NASCAR has different racing levels. The Cup Series is the biggest, most competitive level where the top teams race for the main championships.

Topic

crew chief

"He was a crew chief in the Cup Series... Jimmy being in the pits working on cars... and Jimmy and those guys would come down here and bring their knowledge and their success"

A crew chief is the team’s lead strategist in NASCAR—responsible for race strategy, car setup direction, and calling adjustments during the race. The transcript frames Jimmy Fennig’s role as a crew chief as central to his career success.

Topic

ASA ranks

"But way before then, he was working with guys like Bobby Allison. And in the ASA ranks, he worked with Mark Martin and several other drivers... from their ASA racing and find similar success in the world of NASCAR"

ASA (American Speed Association) was a regional-to-national stock-car series that served as a stepping stone for drivers and crew members. The hosts describe Jimmy Fennig’s ASA experience as foundational before he moved into NASCAR’s top Cup level.

Topic

pits

"I remember Jimmy being in the pits working on cars. And they had their own little world up there... from their ASA racing and find similar success in the world of NASCAR"

The pits are where NASCAR teams service the car during scheduled stops and where the crew works on setup changes. The hosts mention Jimmy being in the pits working on cars, highlighting how hands-on crew work and quick adjustments matter in stock-car racing.

Topic

NASCAR Cup garage

"...bring their knowledge and their success and experience from their ASA racing and find similar success in the world of NASCAR inside the Cup garage"

The Cup garage refers to the team area and operational environment for NASCAR Cup Series teams. It’s where the highest-level crew members apply experience from lower series to compete at the top.

Concept

ASA stuff

"I was around when dad was messing with that ASA stuff in the 80s and late 80s..."

ASA was a smaller racing series that existed before NASCAR became the main destination for many people. It’s mentioned here to show how careers in stock-car racing often start in lower-tier series.

Concept

new car

"What I do today, it's challenging, you know, especially with this new car."

“New car” in NASCAR usually means a newly introduced generation or specification that changes how teams set up the car and how crew roles operate. The speaker highlights that the job is especially challenging with the current generation, implying new rules, aero, or chassis/handling characteristics.

Concept

QC

"“You know, QC is a big part of our sport right now. That's kind of overtaken everything, you know, the pieces coming in and out.”"

QC just means “quality control.” It’s how teams double-check that the parts they’re using are built correctly and match the exact specs. In racing, tiny differences can change how the car drives, so QC matters a lot.

Concept

tolerance

"“And it might it's just a little variance of shape or or tolerance. And you're looking for hundreds of thousands is…”"

Tolerance is how precisely a part is made. If the part is allowed to be slightly bigger or smaller than the ideal size, that can change how it fits and how the car behaves. Racing teams try to keep those variations as small as possible.

Concept

hundreds of thousands

"“And you're looking for hundreds of thousands is, you know, instead of, you know, big chunks of speed here and there…”"

They’re talking about chasing very tiny improvements. Instead of one huge upgrade, teams look for lots of small gains that together can help you go faster. That’s why details like part fit and shape matter.

Concept

tiny little advantages

"“you're putting together all these tiny little advantages or things that you think would be advantages all over the race car with body parts or whatever.”"

This describes the modern race-car development approach: stacking many small advantages across the vehicle rather than relying on a single dominant performance factor. Body panels and other exterior components can influence airflow, drag, and downforce, so even “tiny” differences in shape or mounting can affect lap times.

Company

Roush

"So you spent a large majority of your career working at Roush and what is now RFK and we're going to dive into all that down the road."

Roush is a well-known NASCAR racing team. They work on making the race car fast and reliable, and they improve it for every race.

Company

RFK

"So you spent a large majority of your career working at Roush and what is now RFK and we're going to dive into all that down the road."

RFK is another NASCAR racing team name. It’s connected to the Roush side of the sport, and it’s where the team’s operations and cars get built for races.

Car

Rambler Rebel

"But my grandpa, he worked for American Motors back in the day and he had a Rambler Rebel and he ran, I think, USAC with it, you know, back in the day."

The Rambler Rebel is an older American Motors car. The story is that his grandpa had one and used it for racing back when those cars were more common in motorsports.

Brand

American Motors

"But my grandpa, he worked for American Motors back in the day and he had a Rambler Rebel and he ran, I think, USAC with it, you know, back in the day."

American Motors is the old car company that made the Rambler line. It’s mentioned because his grandpa worked there and had a Rambler Rebel for racing.

Concept

USAC

"But my grandpa, he worked for American Motors back in the day and he had a Rambler Rebel and he ran, I think, USAC with it, you know, back in the day."

USAC is a racing organization that runs events, especially on dirt tracks. It’s brought up to explain what kind of racing his grandpa did.

Concept

stripped down a street legal car

"“You just stripped down a street legal car and stripped it down. Try gut it…”"

They’re talking about taking a regular street car and removing the parts you don’t need for racing. That makes it lighter and more focused on performance.

Concept

weight was a big thing

"“Try gut it and I'll get as light as possible back even back then. You know, weight was a big thing.”"

Lighter cars usually feel quicker and handle better. If you remove extra stuff, the car has less to carry around, so it can speed up and turn more easily.

Part

roll cage

"Put our own roll cage in it. You know, I didn't have a full cage from from snout to snout."

A roll cage is a metal safety frame inside the car. It helps keep the driver protected if the car flips or crashes hard.

Concept

full cage from snout to snout

"You know, I didn't have a full cage from from snout to snout. Yeah. So, and then, you know, went to stock our products about my first racing hub."

They’re talking about how complete the safety frame is. A “full” cage covers more of the car, while a smaller/partial one protects but doesn’t reinforce everything.

Topic

Hales corners

"Saturday night. What track? Hales corners. What is, where's, where's that place at? That's a, it's a little bit west of Milwaukee."

They’re naming the local track where they raced. It helps set the scene that this was smaller, community-level racing.

Concept

dirt track

"It was a famous, well, not famous, but it was a local, our local dirt track. You know, we had a lot of race tracks up there."

A dirt track is a race course made of dirt instead of pavement. Dirt changes how the tires grip, so the car feels different and is harder to drive fast.

Topic

sportsman series

"“So I hung it up fast enough. You know, I did a sportsman series and then I did a late model series.”"

A “sportsman series” is a level of stock-car racing below the top divisions. It’s a place where people learn how to race and improve their cars before going bigger.

Topic

late model series

"“You know, I did a sportsman series and then I did a late model series. And after the late model series, I just kind of gave it up.”"

A “late model series” is a type of stock-car racing, usually on short tracks. Teams spend a lot of time tuning the car so it handles well during the race.

Concept

geometry

"“What were some of the things that were innovative at the time in terms of geometry?”"

When they say “geometry,” they mean how the suspension and wheels are set up relative to each other. That setup changes how the tires grip and how the car turns, especially in corners.

Concept

GEO stuff

"You know, some guys probably weren't doing a ton of GEO stuff or thinking about, you know, camber gains and things like that."

In racing, “GEO” is short for geometry. It means setting up the suspension and steering so the tires stay in the best position while the car turns and bumps around.

Term

camber gains

"You know, some guys probably weren't doing a ton of GEO stuff or thinking about, you know, camber gains and things like that."

Camber is the tilt of the tire. Camber gain means how that tilt changes when the suspension moves, like when you turn and the car leans. Getting it right helps the tire stay “square” to the road for better traction.

Part

A-frames

"we used to just sit there and take a torch and cut our A-frames and shorten them up to get the camber where we wanted."

An A-frame is a suspension arm that helps hold the wheel in the right position. Changing its length changes how the tire sits and moves, which can affect grip when you’re cornering.

Term

bump steer

"But did you, were y'all messing with bump steer? And no, not that."

Bump steer is unwanted steering change as the suspension moves over bumps or during cornering. If the steering linkage geometry isn’t matched to suspension travel, the car can “steer itself” unpredictably, hurting stability and driver confidence.

Concept

trial and error

"So all of that engine, you know, ingenuity and creativity is all self-taught. Just trial and error, you know, trial and error."

Trial and error means you try a change, watch what happens, and then adjust again. Before modern tools, racers often figured out the best setup this way.

Concept

grip vs track conditions (drier track = less grip)

"Trial and error, you know, we come up with, you know, as dirt tracks, as you know, as the drier to get, [683.9s] the less grip you got."

Tire grip changes depending on the track surface. If the track is drier, the tires may not stick as well, so the car setup has to be adjusted to compensate.

Term

leaf springs

"So we put a little weight jack in the left rear corner with slots on it so we could load the left rear spring more. [692.2s] You know, that was our adjustment because we ran leaf springs, not coils."

Leaf springs are a suspension part that helps the car absorb bumps. Instead of one coil spring, they use stacked metal strips, and racers can adjust them to change how the car sits and handles.

Term

weight jack

"So we put a little weight jack in the left rear corner with slots on it so we could load the left rear spring more. [692.2s] You know, that was our adjustment because we ran leaf springs, not coils."

A weight jack in a race suspension context is an adjustable device used to add or shift load at a corner to change how the suspension works. By loading a specific spring more, teams can influence traction and handling balance.

Term

coil springs

"[692.2s] You know, that was our adjustment because we ran leaf springs, not coils. [696.1s] Right."

Coil springs are the common “spring” you see in most cars. They’re usually easier to tune and replace than leaf springs, which use stacked metal strips.

Term

reverse shackle

"So kind of like a reverse shackle, just had to go up and down in slots to spring. [706.9s] Man."

A reverse shackle is a way of mounting a leaf-spring connection so the axle moves differently when the car hits bumps. Racers use it to help the car stay planted and handle better.

Term

modified (race car)

"[735.4s] He used to drive modified years ago, then he went to late model. [738.4s] And so then I decided that he kind of took an interest in me and he says, hey, come work for me."

“Modified” usually means a short-track racing class where the cars are allowed more changes than some other categories. It’s a different style of racing than late model, so drivers sometimes switch classes.

Concept

salvage yard

"So salvage yards are a thing of the past these days. You know, I used to, there was a salvage yards down the street from dad's place... Me and Kerry had run back in there all the time for ball joints and stuff for our street stock car..."

A salvage yard is like a junkyard where old cars are taken apart. You can often find usable parts from those cars instead of buying brand-new ones.

Part

ball joints

"Me and Kerry had run back in there all the time for ball joints and stuff for our street stock car and. You know, if somebody came in, needed an alternator or whatever..."

Ball joints are small parts in the suspension that help the wheels move and steer properly. If they wear out, the car can feel loose and tires can wear unevenly.

Part

alternator

"...and that was like. Working in a salvage yard... You know, if somebody came in, needed an alternator or whatever, the salvage yard guy, you run back there and pull it off a truck or car..."

The alternator is what keeps your car’s battery charged while you drive. If it breaks, the battery can run down and the car may act like it has no power.

Concept

street stock car

"Me and Kerry had run back in there all the time for ball joints and stuff for our street stock car and. You know, if somebody came in, needed an alternator or whatever..."

Street stock is a type of local racing class where cars are based on regular street cars. The rules usually keep costs down, so people look for affordable parts.

Concept

crusher car crusher

"And that was like. Working in a salvage yard... The owner Al, he just he bought a crusher car crusher. So we had a big forklift and. Throw cars in there. That'd be fun. Throw cars in there and watch them get crushed."

A car crusher is a big machine that squashes cars into scrap metal. It’s used after the yard has taken off any parts that can still be used.

Concept

track championship

"So you get an opportunity to to you're done driving, you know, and you're going to start working on Al's car. And y'all would have success when the track championship. That was in 1971."

A track championship is like a season where racers compete multiple times and earn points. The driver with the most points (or best overall results) wins the championship.

Brand

Richard Petty

"And I wonder, I guess I wonder in Wisconsin, what of NASCAR were you hearing and how aware were you of, you know, the David Pearson's and Richard Petty's of the world? Yeah. That was a big deal."

Richard Petty is one of the most famous NASCAR drivers ever. If someone knew about him, it usually meant they were paying attention to the biggest names in the sport.

Brand

David Pearson

"And I wonder, I guess I wonder in Wisconsin, what of NASCAR were you hearing and how aware were you of, you know, the David Pearson's and Richard Petty's of the world? Yeah. That was a big deal."

David Pearson was one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, known for winning championships and many races. Mentioning him signals the era’s top-tier talent and the sport’s celebrity-level figures.

Topic

different challenge every week

"It was enjoyable and it was every week was a different challenge. [928.2s] You know, you had to go there and it was about winning too. [931.0s] You know, you didn't want to go there and just race."

Racing isn’t the same every time you go out. Each week can be a new track or situation, so the team has to adjust and keep improving.

Concept

progressed to asphalt

"So and on asphalt and dirt. [942.4s] So we started on dirt and we progressed to asphalt, you know, and went up Slinger, [946.9s] America, you know, different places like that."

Dirt and asphalt make the car behave differently. When a driver moves from dirt to asphalt, the tires and handling change, so the team usually has to adjust the car and how they drive.

Concept

lead mechanic

"Were you the lead mechanic at that point? [954.7s] Yeah, I was the lead guy. [956.0s] You know, that was my baby, you know, just take care of the car maintenance, building, [959.8s] you know, stuff like that."

A lead mechanic is the main person in charge of keeping the race car in good shape. They make sure the car gets fixed, maintained, and ready to run so the driver can focus on racing.

Concept

car maintenance, building

"Yeah, I was the lead guy. [956.0s] You know, that was my baby, you know, just take care of the car maintenance, building, [959.8s] you know, stuff like that. [961.5s] But yeah, it was, it was fun back then."

In racing, “maintenance” and “building” are the work that keeps the car running right. It means checking parts, fixing problems, and getting the car ready for the next race.

Concept

racing dirt one night, asphalt next dirt

"You know, racing that many, you know, you race dirt one night, asphalt next dirt. Turn in the car around every day."

Dirt and pavement “feel” different to the tires. On dirt the car tends to slide more and grip changes a lot, while asphalt is usually steadier—so drivers and cars often need different setups.

Concept

Turn in the car around every day

"Turn in the car around every day. Turn in the car around every day. Yeah."

“Turning the car around” refers to quickly preparing and returning the race car for the next session or event. That typically includes cleaning, inspecting, and making any needed adjustments so the car is ready to run again.

Term

Al's garage

"He was a kind of retired old guy and we'd just go in Al's garage and that garage is still there to today with no kidding."

A garage is where the cars live and get worked on between races. It’s the place for basic upkeep and repairs so the car is ready to go again.

Term

salvage arms

"Is the salvage arms still there? Still there. Wow."

“Salvage arms” sounds like spare suspension parts taken from older wrecked cars. Teams use these to replace damaged pieces quickly so the car can get back on track.

Concept

fueled the car

"[1037.1s] Well, I think Jerry come in and he wanted to do more bigger races. [1042.5s] I can't say bigger races. [1043.7s] He wanted to go arco racing, ASA racing, you know, and then eventually he fueled the car [1049.0s] for Bobby, you know, so."

“Fueled the car” just means supplying the race car with gas as part of the race team’s job. In racing, how and when you refuel can affect how fast the car can run and when you have to stop.

Term

arco racing

"[1042.5s] I can't say bigger races. [1043.7s] He wanted to go arco racing, ASA racing, you know, and then eventually he fueled the car [1049.0s] for Bobby, you know, so."

“ARCO racing” is probably a reference to a racing series that was sponsored or supported by ARCO. In stock car history, big fuel companies frequently put their name on the racing events.

Term

ASA racing

"[1042.5s] I can't say bigger races. [1043.7s] He wanted to go arco racing, ASA racing, you know, and then eventually he fueled the car [1049.0s] for Bobby, you know, so."

“ASA racing” means racing in the ASA series, which was a real stock-car racing organization. Drivers and teams used it as a stepping stone toward bigger, more famous races.

Topic

Texas Motor Speedway

"...we're going to go race a couple race tracks, you know, I don't know where you can say Texas Motor Speedway."

Texas Motor Speedway is a big NASCAR-style race track in Texas. The hosts mention it to highlight that the racing environment changes when you go from smaller tracks to major venues.

Concept

short track team

"Yeah. So you build a, it says here, you built a powerhouse short track team."

A “short track team” is built around racing on shorter circuits where braking, traction, and frequent traffic management matter a lot. The segment frames this as a “powerhouse” because the team’s preparation and car setup are tuned for that specific style of racing.

Topic

Texas World

"...you went, ran some arco stuff, Texas World. These are different race tracks than what you'd experienced..."

“Texas World” refers to Texas World Speedway, a former motorsports facility in College Station, Texas. The discussion contrasts it with short-track racing, emphasizing higher speeds and different car setup demands.

Concept

half-mile track

"...a car that's got to go get around a half mile track every weekend that's going to run dirt one night and asphalt the next..."

A half-mile track is a relatively small oval. Racing there usually means tighter, more intense driving, so the car and setup have to be prepared for that kind of track.

Concept

dirt one night and asphalt the next

"...that's going to run dirt one night and asphalt the next and all these different race tracks..."

Switching between dirt and asphalt requires major changes in car setup and driving approach because traction characteristics differ dramatically. This segment highlights the crew’s challenge: preparing the same team to be competitive across fundamentally different surfaces.

Concept

prepare a car good enough that we can go out there and win

"...my goal every time I went was let's go to win. You know, no matter it was Al, anybody... let's just prepare a car good enough that we can go out there and win with."

This is a description of race-team strategy: the crew’s job is to build a car that’s competitive enough to win, not just finish. It ties directly to how setup, preparation, and track adaptation affect results.

Concept

race track

"Well, that started back at, I don't know if you're familiar with Wayne Erickson, the owner, he used to be the owner of Slinger Speedway. He wanted Bobby to come race his race track."

They’re talking about a specific racing venue and how the track owner wanted Bobby to come race there. Local tracks can be important for getting drivers noticed and building connections.

Concept

ASA type car

"Bobby brought his own car, his own personal car. He had an ASA type car and he went up there and ran and he wasn't... They missed the setup a little, you know, but we ran there every week, you know."

ASA was a stock-car racing series. An “ASA type car” means a race car prepared to fit that series’ rules, not just a random street car.

Concept

setup

"They missed the setup a little, you know, but we ran there every week, you know. So Benny put that deal together to drive one of Jerry's cars or one of Al's cars up there."

A “setup” is how a race car is adjusted for a specific track. If they “missed the setup,” it means the car wasn’t tuned quite right, so it didn’t handle as well as it could.

Concept

PR general manager type guy

"Yeah. Benny Ortell is sort of a, I don't know, a PR general manager type guy. He worked with Bobby, worked with my dad for years and Mark Martin, you would know this..."

They’re describing Benny Ortell as someone who handled both promotion/public relations and management duties. In racing, that kind of job helps coordinate the people and resources needed to run events.

Topic

NASCAR Cup world

"ASA, you had, you know, you had Dick Trickle, Butch Miller, all these incredible Seneca, [1306.3s] all these incredible drivers and y'all were, it was almost like its own little NASCAR cup [1312.1s] world up there."

They’re talking about the difference between NASCAR’s top level and other racing series. The idea is that the higher you go, the more specialized and competitive the whole setup becomes.

Term

Milwaukee mile

"So we went in there and stronger and set it up for Milwaukee, for a Milwaukee mile. [1385.3s] Really?"

The “Milwaukee mile” is a specific race track. It’s a flat oval, and race teams have to adjust the car setup to match how that track drives.

Concept

setting the car up

"And what was it about your literal techniques to setting the car up when you went and set dad's car up in his shop."

“Setting the car up” means tuning the race car so it handles the way the driver needs. It can involve things like alignment and suspension adjustments, and it can make a big difference in speed and tire grip.

Term

rear end

"Was the rear end not in it? Was the, what did they have?"

“Rear end” is the back part of the car that drives the wheels. How it’s set up affects how well the car grips and how it behaves when you’re turning.

Term

Front Geo

"Was there, was there theories around Front Geo? Just very basic in general, comparable to what you guys were trying to do."

“Front Geo” is short for front-end geometry—alignment settings like camber, caster, and toe. These angles change how the car turns and how stable it feels under braking and cornering, so teams adjust them to improve grip and reduce tire issues.

Term

cup car

"I'm going to set up a cup car. The same way."

A “cup car” is a NASCAR top-series race car. It’s built and prepared to the Cup rules, and teams tune it to make it handle and race well.

Company

Bilstein

"The dad was always too, I think dad ran a lot of Bilstein shocks and I don't know if that was a hot ticket at the, at that particular time."

Bilstein makes performance shocks (the parts that control how the car moves over bumps). In racing, the right shocks help the car grip and stay steady when you’re turning fast.

Company

Goodyear

"Like he would be, you know how he, he was so loyal to like certain brands like Goodyear right?"

Goodyear makes racing tires. Tires are what actually grip the track, so the brand and type can make the car handle better or wear out faster.

Company

Hoosiers

"When the entire wars came in, I ain't running Hoosiers. I'll go to, I'll go to Charlotte and run 30th all day."

Hoosier is a tire brand used in racing. Choosing Hoosiers (or not) changes how much grip the car has and how quickly the tires wear.

Topic

Charlotte

"I'll go to, I'll go to Charlotte and run 30th all day. Yeah."

Charlotte is a famous NASCAR track in North Carolina. Cars often need different setup choices depending on the track, so where you race matters.

Term

VHS tape player

"...Mark puts all these tapes in the VHS tape player beta, probably back"

VHS was an old way to watch recorded videos using physical tapes. The host is saying Mark Martin brought tapes over to play them on a VHS machine.

Term

beta

"...Mark puts all these tapes in the VHS tape player beta, probably back"

“Beta” likely refers to Betamax, another older home video format that competed with VHS. The speaker’s wording suggests they’re recalling the specific playback setup from that time period.

Concept

chassis deals, engine deals

"Mark's talked about that, how he had all these deals, chassis deals, engine deals, and when he went home, he didn't have no deals anymore."

Those phrases mean agreements to get the race car parts and the engine for races. If the deals fall through, a driver may not have the equipment or money needed to keep racing.

Concept

grind from the bottom again

"and when he went home, he didn't have no deals anymore. And like he had to work, he had to grind it back, you know, grind from the bottom again."

It means he had to start over after losing support. In racing, that can happen when you don’t have a team or the right equipment lined up.

Topic

Mark teamed up

"when you got, when you, you and him teamed up, you know, I imagine he was, uh, desperate to, to, to get, you know, stabilize his, his racing career and, and kind of get himself back on track."

They’re talking about how the two people worked together to help Mark get his racing career back on track. It’s more about the team and effort than about a specific car part.

Company

Jerry Gunderman

"we came down and Jerry Gunderman, he went and drove for Jerry Gunderman. Miller was our sponsor, you know, thank Bobby and Benny for putting all that stuff together"

They mention Jerry Gunderman as the person Mark drove for. In racing, that kind of connection usually means you get a team and a place to work on the car every day.

Company

Miller

"Miller was our sponsor, you know, thank Bobby and Benny for putting all that stuff together and from there on there, every day at Jerry had a shop."

They say “Miller” was the sponsor. Sponsors help pay for the racing effort, and that can affect how well the team can prepare the car.

Topic

Michigan Speedway

"I'll never forget. But we were running Michigan for the first time. Speedway. Yeah."

They’re talking about racing at Michigan Speedway for the first time. New tracks can be tough because you have to learn how the car behaves there and adjust your setup.

Term

Fiberglass body

"Fiberglass body. Yeah. Fiberglass body that was. Always amazed me."

A fiberglass body uses fiberglass panels instead of metal body panels. It can be lighter and easier to shape for racing, but it has to be built and mounted correctly so it doesn’t crack or come loose.

Concept

You couldn't change a car (rule restrictions)

"You couldn't change a car. Well, we go because they thought everything, you know, was stocked from five star."

They’re describing a time when the rules limited what you could change on the race car. That means teams had to follow the rules closely and find performance gains only where the rulebook allowed it.

Term

cut the car up

"So what we do is cut the car up and what do we do in Speedway racing? Narrow them up."

“Cut the car up” means they did major changes to the car’s body or structure. In racing, big changes like that are often done to meet the rules or to make the car handle better.

Concept

Speedway racing

"So what we do is cut the car up and what do we do in Speedway racing? Narrow them up."

Speedway racing is oval-track racing—cars keep going around the track for many laps. Because it’s an oval, setup and driving focus on staying fast through repeated turns and managing speed for the whole run.

Term

blown a couple of tires

"we blew a couple of tires in the middle of people were there."

“Blown a couple of tires” refers to tire failures severe enough to cause a rapid loss of function, often from overheating, debris, or setup issues. In oval racing, tire management is critical because sustained high loads can quickly turn a small problem into a failure.

Concept

ASA rules (strict on their rules)

"you know, creativity, creativity, you know, that's the same because back then ASA was pretty strict on their rules, you know, but they couldn't police everything."

ASA (American Speed Association) is described here as having strict rules that limited what teams could change on the car. When a rulebook is tight, teams look for legal ways to gain performance—like fabrication and body work—while staying within the allowed specifications.

Term

qualifying on the pole

"You know, I'll never forget the day we're in Anderson, Indiana and we qualified, I think on the pole."

Qualifying is when drivers race against the clock to set the starting positions. If you’re “on the pole,” you start in the very first spot at the front of the grid.

Term

spoiler

"We ended up backing up the Bob Seneca and everybody looks in our spoiler was probably about an inch taller than him."

A spoiler is a piece on the back of the car that helps it “stick” to the track by shaping the air flow. Even small differences can change how the car feels at speed.

Concept

Daytona

"We went to Daytona with that car. Went to Daytona and narrowed everything up real nice."

Daytona is a famous NASCAR race track. It’s known for very high speeds and close racing where cars often run together in packs.

Concept

Riverside

"Well, let's go to Riverside with it. ... hauled it all the way out to Riverside and went out there and was running good."

Riverside was a race track that wasn’t an oval. Driving there is different because you have to brake and turn a lot more than on a typical high-speed oval.

Car

Renault Wind

"Oh. So now we wind it back out because we only have one car, you kno..."

The Renault Wind is a small car that you can drive with the top down. It’s made for city and everyday driving, but with the added fun of being a convertible. It may come up when someone is talking about using one car for everything.

Term

two tone blue car

"But the best part was when we, it was a two tone blue car, Jerry's truck and cars."

“Two tone” just means the car has two different paint colors. Race teams often use a distinctive look so the car is easy to recognize.

Concept

Atlanta

"And we went to Atlanta with it. The last race at Atlanta."

Atlanta is another major NASCAR track. The hosts are pointing out it was the final NASCAR race there, which makes it a memorable milestone.

Term

outside front roll

"Sat on the outside front roll, you know, and then Robert Yates was building our motors..."

“Outside front roll” describes a starting position on the front row of the grid, specifically the outside lane. In NASCAR, starting position affects early track position and how cleanly you can get up to speed without getting boxed in.

Company

Robert Yates

"Sat on the outside front roll, you know, and then Robert Yates was building our motors, you know, awesome power, awesome."

Robert Yates was a well-known NASCAR engine builder. If he’s building the motors, that usually means the team’s engine is being tuned for maximum race performance.

Concept

full-time cup racing

"But you would, you would return to, to full-time cup racing with Bobby as the crew chief in 87."

“Full-time cup racing” means racing in the NASCAR top series for most or all of the season, not just a few selected races. It usually requires more commitment from the team and driver to keep improving week after week.

Concept

deal for you

"I got a deal for you. You're going to go to chief."

A “deal” here means an agreement to take a new job or role with a racing team. In racing, that kind of change can affect how well the team can prepare and support the car.

Company

exfinity racing

"And everything kind of worked out the same or, or maybe he was exfinity racing before that."

“Xfinity racing” is NASCAR’s second major series. It’s where many drivers and teams build experience before moving up to the biggest NASCAR races.

Company

Stavola Brothers

"I went down there for an interview for Stavola Brothers and I got off the airplane because they flew me down there. ... So you and Bobby would work together, use the crew chief at Stavola Brothers."

Stavola Brothers is a NASCAR racing team. The team would have people like a crew chief who help run the car and plan the race.

Concept

ASA show

"We went up to Oswego, New York to run an ASA show. Yeah."

ASA was a stock-car racing series in the U.S. Going to an “ASA show” means they traveled to race in that particular type of event, not just any local track day.

Concept

super speedway prowess

"It was not known for its super speedway prowess, but you know, it was an amazing car."

“Super speedway prowess” just means how good a car is at the fastest NASCAR tracks. Those races are tough because the cars run flat-out for a long time and the aerodynamics and drafting matter a lot.

Concept

testing whenever you wanted to go test

"Well, everything lit up back then. You could test whenever you wanted to go test."

They’re talking about being able to go practice and try changes on the track. The more you test, the more you learn what adjustments make the car faster and easier to drive.

Topic

Talladega testing

"So what we did with that car, you know, we went to Talladega and we tested like three days, messing with the nose, messing with this, messing with that."

They went to Talladega to test the car for several days. Talladega is a very fast track, so teams need lots of track time to dial in the car.

Term

messing with the nose

"we tested like three days, messing with the nose, messing with this, messing with that."

“The nose” means the front of the car. Changing it usually involves aerodynamic adjustments that help the car stay stable and go faster at high speed.

Term

horsepower

"And then I got to give a lot of credit to Keith Allman for the horsepower he brought to the racetrack."

Horsepower is how much pulling power the engine makes. More horsepower usually helps the car go faster, especially when you’re trying to maintain speed down the straightaways.

Term

Victor Lane

"Standing in Victor Lane as a champion of the Daytona 500. Not many people get to experience what that feels like... What was that like for you when that car pulls into Victor Lane with Bobby behind the wheel?"

Victor Lane is where the winner goes right after the race. It’s basically NASCAR’s “victory celebration” spot.

Term

four tires

"I'll never forget this last pit stop, come in, [2589.5s] let's do four tires and Jimmy knocked that spoiler down 10 degrees."

“Four tires” means they change all the tires at once. New tires usually give the car better traction and control, which can be crucial near the end.

Term

20 degree rule

"They would eventually come in with a 20 degree rule that would become a 40 degree rule, right? 45 and so forth."

Racing rules can limit how much the spoiler can be angled. That matters because spoiler angle changes how much the car is pressed to the track by air.

Term

40 degree rule

"They would eventually come in with a 20 degree rule that would become a 40 degree rule, right? 45 and so forth."

When rules allow a bigger spoiler angle, the car usually gets more downforce (more grip). That can help the car feel more stable, but it can also change speed and handling.

Concept

aero balance

"...it wasn't, we were maybe running 25 degrees and he just put it down to 10... So when you get back to that... the difference wasn't that much, you know. So, but it was, I mean, it was the right call as long as he could handle it and he did, you know."

Aero balance is basically how the car’s “air grip” is distributed. If you change the spoiler angle, the car can feel like it has more grip in one area than another, changing how it turns.

Concept

career-ending crash

"You know, it was a bad day, you know. I mean, I fact tell you a little story. I saved that car."

This means the crash was so serious that the driver couldn’t keep racing. After an injury like that, getting back to racing can be extremely hard, even if someone survives.

Concept

Cup level

"[2883.0s] He'd been kind of grinding through opportunities in the Cup level in the 80s with Dave Marcus and a couple different teams, [2890.5s] but never really could land a great opportunity."

“Cup level” means the highest level of NASCAR racing. If a driver is working their way through the Cup level, they’re trying to get a real shot at competing against the best teams and drivers.

Concept

brain injury

"Unfortunately, as everything else, he goes to Pensacola on the snowball and crashes and now he's got a brain injury, you know. ... head injuries back then weren't as studied as they are today."

They’re talking about a serious head injury. In racing, your brain has to process what’s happening instantly—so an injury can make it unsafe to keep driving. They’re also saying that long ago, doctors didn’t understand these injuries as well as they do today.

Topic

Pensacola

"Unfortunately, as everything else, he goes to Pensacola on the snowball and crashes and now he's got a brain injury, you know."

They say the crash happened in Pensacola. That’s where the incident took place before the driver’s injury ended his future racing plans. It’s included to explain how the situation unfolded.

Topic

Nashville

"And I mean, I think even as recent as four or five years ago is running a car over at Nashville or something doing something, having some fun."

They mention Nashville as a place where the driver was still driving again years later. It’s basically an example that he didn’t fully step away from racing. The point is that he could still enjoy driving after the earlier crash.

Topic

Why Dick Trickle?

"How did that come together? Why Dick Trickle? Well, because I knew him from back then... you don't win all those races by not being good."

They’re talking about how and why Dick Trickle got the chance to race at the highest NASCAR level. It’s basically the story of how the team decided he was the right driver.

Term

Simpson shoes

"And I said, Dick, you're going to need to take these boots off and put these Simpson shoes on, you know. And he says, no, I'm going to be all right."

Simpson makes racing safety gear. Racing shoes are designed to grip well and help you control the pedals safely, especially when the car is hot and you’re driving hard.

Term

cigarette lighter

"Did he have a cigarette lighter in your car? Oh, yeah, he put it in there. Oh, yeah."

A “cigarette lighter” in a race car is a power outlet/adapter used to run small electronics or accessories. The mention here is about how Dick Trickle was installing one in the car, which also hints at how drivers sometimes brought personal comfort items or used powered devices during stints.

Topic

Dover

"...guys kind of got mad when we were at Dover running and yellow flag comes out. And Dover pit road, you know, it's hard to get to."

Dover is a well-known NASCAR track. In this story, it’s where the caution happened and where the pit-road problem occurred.

Concept

yellow flag

"...guys kind of got mad when we were at Dover running and yellow flag comes out. And Dover pit road, you know, it's hard to get to."

A yellow flag is NASCAR’s way of saying “slow down, something’s wrong.” Drivers have to be careful and follow special rules, especially around pit road.

Concept

pit road crash under caution

"...but on the old flag coming in the pits, he crashed in the pit road. I said, what were you doing?"

Even though pit road is slower than the track, it’s still dangerous because cars are moving in and out and everyone is following rules. If you’re not paying attention during a caution, you can end up in the wrong spot and crash.

Concept

hauler lounge

"I'd be up in the hauler lounge with with my buddy. As soon as I got the racetrack, I go look for my friends, Brad means Jimmy's son."

In NASCAR, teams travel with big trucks that carry the race car and all the gear. The “lounge” is basically a comfortable hangout area for the team while they’re at the track.

Concept

charity events

"But, um, and then later in life, uh, he would come to a couple of our charity events and stuff and always super, super cool."

Charity events are community events where people raise money and meet fans. In racing, they can also help people connect for future work.

Concept

Cup stuff in the 80s

"You come to the cup stuff in the 80s."

“Cup” refers to NASCAR’s top national series, historically called the NASCAR Cup Series. Mentioning “in the 80s” places the speaker’s involvement in the era when teams and cars were evolving rapidly, with different rules and technology than today.

Concept

race team

"Um, he's not going to race cars again, but he's going to have a race team and he's going to try his ass off to make sure it's functioning."

A race team is the group that helps a driver compete. It’s not just the driver—there are people who prepare the car and plan how it’s set up for races.

Concept

build the team up

"Uh, in fact, we had to build the team up. We had to start the team that way."

“Build the team up” means getting everything ready to race—people, equipment, and a plan. It’s basically how a new team becomes capable of competing.

Concept

rented space

"And, uh, we actually rented space by Norman Agree. Yes. And built cars."

Race teams need a place to work on the cars. Renting space is a common way to get started when a team is new.

Concept

Cup program

"So we started there building race cars for the Cup program, you know. And then finally, uh, uh, Frank Plessinger and, uh, Nathan Sims."

“Cup program” just means the team was trying to race in NASCAR’s top series. That requires a real race shop and lots of parts and setup work, not just a basic car.

Concept

head engine builder

"And Keith Alman was a big part of, you know, Bobby Allison Motorsports. He was a head engine builder."

That role is basically the lead mechanic for the engine. In racing, the engine has to be built for power and also to survive long runs, so the builder’s choices matter a lot.

Concept

sponsorship

"And at times it was, uh, kind of a struggle because financially, you know, you got to have sponsorship to run, to run good, to get the right parts…"

Sponsorship is money from companies that want their name on the car or team. Without it, it’s harder to buy the best parts and keep the team running at a high level.

Concept

right parts

"…you got to have sponsorship to run, to run good, to get the right parts or I feel it's to this day and age…"

In racing, “right parts” means the parts that work best together for that team’s setup. The wrong parts can hurt speed or cause problems during the race.

Concept

financially was tough

"So, and we're not really struggling, but we were not like Rick Hendricks, you know, stuff like that. Financially. Financially was tough."

They’re saying money was tight, and that makes it harder to compete. Racing costs add up quickly, and if you can’t keep up, you can’t always get the best equipment or support.

Part

brake calipers

"I mean, get them on one race. We have two sets of brake calipers. We rebuild them, get them on the car for the next race, you know, stuff like that."

Brake calipers are the parts that squeeze the brake pads onto the spinning brake disc. If they’re rebuilt and swapped between races, the brakes stay strong and predictable.

Concept

rebuild them, get them on the car for the next race

"We have two sets of brake calipers. We rebuild them, get them on the car for the next race, you know, stuff like that. But it was challenging."

In racing, teams don’t just leave parts alone. They rebuild important parts between races so the car brakes the same way every time and doesn’t surprise you mid-race.

Topic

Martinsville testing

"it's some people don't know on of a, we're in Martinsville testing back then we could test a lot. You know, so we took hut, Strickland up there testing with Ronnie Hopkins."

Martinsville is a short oval track where you have to brake a lot and get good traction. Teams test there so the car feels right for that track’s style of racing.

Concept

team owner

"You know, it was Bobby, the owner, right? Now he's out of the car and I think as owners, drivers have less patience, right?"

A team owner runs the business side of racing. They’re responsible for the people, equipment, and resources that help the cars compete, so they may think differently than the driver who’s focused on the next lap.

Term

facility

"I think pretty good, you know, because we had the facility was awesome. You know, everything was flowed out, right? We had good people building cars."

A facility is the team’s garage/workshop where they work on the race cars. If the facility is well set up and the process is smooth, the team can get cars back ready faster.

Term

building cars

"You know, everything was flowed out, right? We had good people building cars."

“Building cars” means the team is putting the race car together and getting it ready to compete. Better preparation usually helps the car run stronger and last longer during the race.

Concept

build cars

"Steve Levitt come over there and help build cars. You know, Steve, he did and we hung good bodies."

“Build cars” means putting together a race car and setting it up to perform well. It’s not just buying parts—it’s assembling them correctly and making sure the car is ready for racing. Small setup and build choices can change how the car handles.

Concept

hung good bodies

"You know, Steve, he did and we hung good bodies. You know, probably needed some more factory support, you know, far as wind tunnels and stuff like that."

“Hung good bodies” is race-team slang for fitting and mounting the body panels correctly and achieving good aerodynamic alignment. Body fitment affects airflow, drag, and how consistently the car behaves at speed. Even when the chassis is strong, poor body alignment can hurt performance.

Concept

wind tunnels

"You know, probably needed some more factory support, you know, far as wind tunnels and stuff like that."

A wind tunnel is like a controlled airflow test. Engineers put a car shape in the airflow and measure how the air pushes and pulls on it. That helps them make the car slice through the air better and stay stable at high speed.

Concept

factory support

"You know, probably needed some more factory support, you know, far as wind tunnels and stuff like that."

In racing, “factory support” means the bigger organization helps the team with money, engineers, and tools. That support can make it easier to improve the car and learn what changes work. Without it, teams often have to do more with less.

Topic

Rockingham

"It was the fall of 96 Rockingham and I had my interview with Jack in Mark's, Mark's hauler."

Rockingham is a race track name. In this story, it’s mentioned to say when the interview happened. It helps connect the conversation to a specific period in NASCAR.

Company

Mark's hauler

"It was the fall of 96 Rockingham and I had my interview with Jack in Mark's, Mark's hauler."

A hauler is a big truck that carries race cars and equipment to races. Teams use it like a moving base. Here, it’s where the interview happened.

Topic

points

"You'd work with Mark, you'd get four wins in 97. And you'd have this really solid, you know, several years, runner up in points, seven wins in 98, twice in 99, third in points."

“Points” are how NASCAR ranks drivers over the whole season. You earn points by finishing well, so being near the top usually means you were consistently strong.

Concept

moved to Kurtz car

"You'd have your final win together in 2000. And then you would get moved to Kurtz car in 2002. Why, why make the change?"

When they say someone got “moved to a car,” it usually means they changed teams or who they drive for. Different teams have different cars, parts, and crew, so performance can change a lot.

Term

arrow

"But throughout the rest of the years, you know, we'd keep, I'd keep working on an arrow, working, you know, setups, trying to get it better and better and better."

It sounds like the speaker is talking about car adjustments, probably related to how the car moves through the air. The transcript likely misheard the exact term, but the point is tuning the car.

Term

Spencer

"Where you, you were with him when he was running into Spencer and having all this going on."

“Spencer” is the other driver involved in a crash or close call. When that happens, it can mess up the car and force the driver to change how they race.

Concept

key the radio

"...so I just key the radio so nobody could hear him. You know, I know he got mad at me for that, but hey, this is reality."

“Key the radio” means turning on the microphone to talk over the radio. Teams use it to communicate important instructions during the race.

Concept

wheel coming off

"...everybody remembers the wheel coming off at just the right time and Kurt making an incredible move to get to pit road."

“Wheel coming off” means the car’s wheel separates from the car. That can be extremely dangerous and usually ruins the race, unless the driver can recover and get to safety.

Term

tech

"You know, I said, okay, guys, let's get the sink through tech."

“Tech” is the inspection process where officials check the car to make sure it follows the rules. It’s one of the final steps that makes the result feel real and official.

Concept

Hall of Fame

"every one of them are, that I worked with are five of them are in the Hall of Fame. You know, so I thought that was a very big privilege to work with people like that."

The Hall of Fame is an honor that recognizes the biggest stars and most important contributors in racing. If several people you worked with are in it, that usually means you were around top-level talent.

Term

pit box

"Why this is, I mean, I'm a guy who just got as much of a reward from being on top of a pit box or building a race car is driving one."

A pit box is the team’s spot in the garage/pit area. When someone says they got a reward from being “on top of a pit box,” they mean they enjoyed leading the team during pit stops.

Term

crank those cars up

"But you know, when they crank those cars up in Daytona and you're not there, that is a hard thing to reckon with, right?"

It’s a casual way of saying the cars are started and the race is about to get going. The speaker is saying it’s hard to miss that moment at a big event like Daytona.

Term

Speedway program

"In fact, I was pretty much involved with the Speedway program, you know, and I continue on that program there. And but I was involved hands on."

A “speedway program” is the ongoing effort a racing team runs for track events. It includes getting the cars ready and improving performance over time, not just showing up for a single race.

Term

SMT

"And I got four computers in front of me that I watch everything on Sunday. Yeah. Everything, you know, SMT, everything. And I can, I see more there than I can see at the racetrack."

“SMT” sounds like a specific racing computer/data system the team uses. They’re saying they can watch a lot of what’s happening on Sunday from home using these tools.

Concept

hot rods

"No, I'm not a retired life. I, if I do retire right now, I play a little bit golf and I build my own hot rods. You know, I got a collection of hot rods that I've been building over the years, and I build them myself."

A “hot rod” is a car that’s been modified to be more exciting to drive. People often upgrade the engine or suspension, and many builders do the work themselves as a hobby.

Car

Dodge Charger

"No, I'm not a retired life. I, if I do retire right now, I play a little bit golf and I build my own hot rods. You know, I got a collection of hot rods that I've been building over the years, and I build them myself. What's the current project? Six, eight Dodge Charger."

A Dodge Charger is a well-known American car model. When someone says they’re building a “hot rod” Charger, they usually mean they’re taking a Charger and modifying it for more fun—often with upgrades to the engine, suspension, or look.

Topic

Hickory

"Nah, I gotta, I usually don't get out, you know. Yeah. Yeah. It's a different atmosphere now than when it used to be, if that makes sense. You know, there's different people running now. There's, and like I say, with technology, it is. I see more at home. Yeah. And I can't see. Well, I mean, like a local short track or Oh, like Hickory or something. Like get out to something that would remind you of where you were in the early 80s or the 70s."

Hickory is referenced as a short-track destination, likely pointing to the Hickory Motor Speedway area. Tracks like this are known for a traditional short-track vibe that can feel similar to earlier eras of racing.

Topic

slinger nationals

"One day, im going to take a trip back up to the slinger for the slinger nationals. You know what I mean? So it really should. But because I enjoy that, you know, going up there and seeing all the guys and going to see all the same people."

They’re talking about the “Slinger nationals,” which is a racing event at Slinger, Wisconsin. It’s the kind of event where a lot of the same racers show up, so it becomes a yearly reunion.

Company

Bobby Ellis' Motorsports

"But, you know, I, Ray Everham, when I was at Bobby Ellis' Motorsports, you know, right there by the way, Ray would stop at night because I always worked day and night, you know, he would stop in and we'd hang out together."

They mention “Bobby Ellis' Motorsports,” which is a racing team/company they worked with. In racing, these teams are the ones that hire people and help run the cars.

Concept

victory lane

"They'd have probably won a good chunk of races had to have the opportunity and he seemed like he could go anywhere and, and get the victory lane."

Victory lane is where the winner goes after the race. It’s basically the celebration spot for winning.

Concept

short tracks

"Who knows how many races he won in the ASA ranks in the short tracks as a, as a crew chief, but pretty outstanding."

Short tracks are smaller race circuits with tighter corners. Cars and driving styles have to be adjusted because you’re dealing with traffic and lots of close racing.

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