The Scene Vault Podcast
Rick Houston
Updated about 20 hours agoAt The Scene Vault Podcast, we're all about NASCAR history, all the time. Our interview guests shed new light on their lives and careers each and every week, and hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid draw on their long careers in and around the sport to provide expert analysis and commentary. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6 a.m. Eastern.
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Episodes (436)
EPISODE 186 -- JOHNNY BENSON PART 3
The Houston family makes it back from an epic trip to Las Vegas, a meeting with a Medal of Honor recipient and a treacherous jaunt on a skywalk overlooking the Grand Canyon! In the third and final installment of our interview with Johnny Benson, he talks … again … about his run in the truck series with Bill Davis Racing, his 2008 championship battle with Ron Hornaday, deciding to leave Bill’s team, an effort with Red Horse Racing that didn’t quite pan out and a really bad week he experienced in 2009, up to and including the EXTENSIVE injuries he received in a crash at Berlin Raceway.Most importantly … Johnny and Rick come to terms on the SRX Racing pace car!The second segment sees Rick and co-host Steve Waid coming up with a series of questions ... some serious ... others maybe not so much ... for each other.NOTE: This podcast is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 185 -- JOHNNY BENSON PART 2
Snow in Las Vegas? Carrot Top? Oh, yeah. We've got it all in this week's episode!In the second installment of our interview with Johnny Benson, Johnny talks about his earliest days on the Winston Cup circuit with Bahari Racing, his rather difficult turn with Roush Racing, what might have been in the 2000 Daytona 500, his Mr. Nice Guy image, winning at Rockingham and parting ways with MB2 Motorsports.In our second segment, Johnny Benson wins the first Winston Cup race of his career at Rockingham despite that Mr. Nice Guy tag, and Jamie McMurray inherits a second straight Busch Series victory.NOTE: This podcast is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owners of the Scene brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 184 -- JOHNNY BENSON PART 1
In the first of what will be three installments of our interview with Johnny Benson, he talks about the influence his father had on his life and career, rising up through the ranks despite the fact he was happy where he was at, his inauspicious Busch Series debut, beating Harry Gant for his first win in that division, his consistency winning out over Chad Little’s flashes of brilliance in the 1995 Busch Series title fight and agreeing to move to Winston Cup with Bahari Racing.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then pick through the September 22, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Rusty Wallace wins in a crazy Winston Cup finish at Dover, while Young Gun Johnny Benson holds off Grizzled Ol’ Veteran Harry Gant for the first victory of his Busch Series career.The cover date on this issue came just two days after a VERY important date in NASCAR history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 183 -- MIKE ALEXANDER
Middle Tennessee racing legend Mike Alexander takes us through the early years of his career, as well as a couple of attempts at establishing himself as a Winston Cup competitor. When those didn’t work out, Mike decided to take himself and his talents to the Busch Series, where he felt he had a better shot at running competitively with a team HE owned.Mike ran well at the level, got himself a couple of wins … and very nearly another, until a protest by his buddy Larry Pearson took it away. Mike WAS noticed, and wound up replacing the injured Bobby Allison midway through the 1988 Winston Cup season. He did well in the car … his career was on the rise … but then saw his own career derailed by a head injury he sustained that offseason during the Snowball Derby.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then thumb through the December 1, 1988 issue of Grand National Scene. Rusty Wallace won that year’s season finale at Atlanta, but lost out on the Winston Cup championship to Bill Elliott. Both had their gameplans in place before the race … each one played out pretty much as they expected … and in the end, winning the race still wasn’t enough for Rusty.Mike Alexander recorded the best finish of his Winston Cup career, and was looking forward to the following season. Two NASCAR Hall of Famers made the last starts of their Winston Cup careers in this event. There’s a feature on Mildred Elliott, the matriarch of that racing family, and the wives of Bill, Ernie and Dan. Finally … Richard Petty loses his 1967 championship ring … and it gets returned to him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 182 -- JOHN DODSON PART 3
NOTE: Some parts of this episode may be too intense for some listeners.We’re sharing the third and final installment of our interview with John Dodson this week, and the conversation swings from hysterically funny to devastatingly emotional.John talks about the brawl between Rusty Wallace’s Blue Max Racing team and Darrell Waltrip’s Hendrick Motorsports crew that followed the 1989 edition of The Winston all-star race and his work at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville.But then … John discusses the 1990 pit-road accident that claimed the life of Mike Rich and the night his niece and nephew, Trey and Tia … Barry’s son and daughter … lost their lives. The impact that loss had on Barry was immeasurable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 181 -- JOHN DODSON PART 2
In the second installment of our interview with John Dodson, he remembers the controversy surrounding three key employees of Junior Johnson & Associates making the move to M.C. Anderson’s team. Once there, team members were reportedly subject to being followed by detectives, in order to keep them on the straight and narrow.John also lets us in on another mass exodus, this time from Ranier to Blue Max Racing. Then, we have Tim Richmond stories and insider info on the trickery and financial smoke-and-mirror show Blue Max used win the 1989 Winston Cup championship.Our second segment features a deep dive into the September 15, 1988 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Davey Allison winning the first race on Richmond’s newly reconfigured racing surface. The Tire Wars between Goodyear and Hoosier were raging hot and heavy, which played into Davey’s favor and cost Rusty Wallace the 1988 Winston Cup championship.There are features on Hoosier Tire’s Marge Merrill, the daughter of company founder Bob Newton, and Melling Racing tire specialist Mike Thomas. Finally, Dale Earnhardt shoots doves AND a photograph in this issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 180 -- JOHN DODSON PART 1
You may know John Dodson as the younger brother of longtime NASCAR crew chief Barry Dodson, but he forged an incredible resume in the sport all his own. In the first of what will be three installments of an absolutely extraordinary conversation, John talks about growing up in a racing family with seven rambunctious siblings; breaking into NASCAR while still in high school; a wreck that left his hero Richard Petty battered and bruised; Maurice Petty; RCR BD (Richard Childress Racing Before Dale); flying with Cale Yarborough; and much, much more.In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid break down the July 7, 1977 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of Richard Petty's strong win at Daytona, the firing of Darel Dieringer by DiGard Racing and the sale of Nord Krauskopf's team to Jim Stacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 179 -- MARIO ANDRETTI
This week, we're honored to be joined by the one ... the only ... the iconic ... Mario Andretti to discuss his life and times in and around the world of NASCAR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 178 -- KENNY WALLACE PART 3
This week in the third and final installment of our interview, Kenny Wallace talks about the success of 1994, leaving Filmar to drive for Andy Petree, his second-place finish to Dale Earnhardt at Talladega in October 2000, driving for DEI a year later and finally, his dirt racing career.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the February 2, 1995 issue of Winston Cup Scene. The cover story on this preseason issue featured none other than Kenny Wallace … and I was faster than an Air Force pilot in a session of Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track school at Atlanta.As if to one-up his cake icing story from last week's episode, Rick also regales Steve with his memories of the 1985 Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam in Nashville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 177 -- KENNY WALLACE PART 2
In the second installment of our interview with Kenny Wallace, he talks us through his breakthough – and heartbreaking – 1991 Busch Series season. After battling Bobby Labonte for the championship, Kenny endured a devastating crash at New Hampshire late in the season. Then, during the offseason, a deal to move to Winston Cup falls through at the very last second. He lands on his feet and eventually moves to Cup with team owner Felix Sabates, but his rookie season doesn’t exactly pan out as expected. He joins and then enjoys some of his greatest successes with Filmar Racing. Finally, Kenny discusses filling in for the injured Ernie Irvan with Robert Yates Racing.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the September 29, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Rusty Wallace wins after dominating at Martinsville, but doesn’t gain much ground on runnerup Dale Earnhardt in the Winston Cup point standings. Kenny Wallace finishes fourth while subbing for the injured Ernie Irvan, who shocked the world that week by calling into a radio show. There’s also a feature on memorabilia collector Wayne Keith and Hut Stricklin and Travis Carter going their separate ways at the end of the 1994 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 176 -- KENNY WALLACE PART 1
In our first episode of 2022, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid discuss Rick's bout with boredom during his COVID quarantine and an incredible Christmas gift given to him by a listener.Kenny Wallace is ... well ... Kenny Wallace. And that's basically all the summary anybody needs! In our second segment, Rick and Steve thumb through the May 3, 1990 episode of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Geoff Bodine’s win at Martinsville, his first for Junior Johnson. The victory came just two days after a devastating loss for Junior and his then-wife, Flossie. Chuck Bown led all 200 laps at Lanier Raceway in Georgia, with our boy Kenny Wallace running a distant second.There were also reports about boating mishaps that left Bill France Jr. with two broken ankles, and another that scared Michael Waltrip WAY more than his infamous Bristol Busch Series accident just a couple of weeks before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 175 -- 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
2022 is already shaping up to be one heck of a year for The Scene Vault Podcast ... and in this week's season finale, we share previews of conversations already in the can with Kenny Wallace, John Dodson and Mike Beam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 174 -- KYLE PETTY
Our listeners sent in several questions for this special episode, and let’s just say that between Kyle Petty’s bootlegging and bull riding adventures and Steve Waid, Tom Higgins and the Knights of the Mystic Sea, this segment isn't going to be forgotten any time soon.We also did something a little different this week in our second segment. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid asked each other the questions they'd always wanted to know. The results were, at times, absolutely hysterical and at other, very deeply emotional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 173 -- RICK WILSON PART 3 and RUSS CATLIN, BUDDY SHUMAN, JOE WEATHERLY
This week, we share the third and final installment of our interview with Rick Wilson. In this episode, he talks about the decision he made to leave Morgan-McClure Motorsports and how that might not have worked out in his favor; being on the outside of the sport looking in; and his run with Petty Enterprises. We do something a little different this week in our second segment, and it’s something for our REALLY old-school listeners. It’s a short interview conducted by iconic early NASCAR journalist and PR rep Russ Catlin with Buddy Shuman and Joe Weatherly going into the 1955 Southern 500 at Darlington.It's the first time in more than 65 years the sound bite has been heard in public, and we're joined by NASCAR Production's Ken Martin to discuss the contributions of Catlin, Shuman and Weatherly and the significance of the clip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 172 -- RICK WILSON PART 2
In this week's installment of our interview, Rick Wilson talks about his years with Morgan-McClure Motorsports and crew chief Tony Glover; his VERY close second-place finish to Bill Elliott in the 1988 Firecracker 400 at Daytona; what he coulda, shoulda, woulda done differently in that event if he had it to do all over again; and a bad crash at Richmond that left him with two broken feet and an all-time attempt to race the next week.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig into the April 13, 1989 issue of Grand National Scene. Rusty Wallace has vertigo, but he wins the Valleydale 500 at Bristol. Darrell Waltrip finishes second after spinning his brother out. Waddell Wilson gets whacked in the head with a metal pole during a pit stop. Dick Trickle doesn’t have radio communications with his pit crew.There are TWENTY cautions. A team doesn’t shut the gate on its hauler leaving the race track, causing all manner of parts, pieces and equipment to fly out of the back. Rick Wilson wins the rain-delayed Busch Series race. Rick Mast has the flu, and Dale Jarrett's car is destroyed by a crossover gate that opens unexpectedly. Dale Earnhardt doesn’t want to be at the Monday, rain-delayed race … and he promptly parks his car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 171 -- RICK WILSON PART 1
We share the first of what will be a three-part interview with Rick Wilson in this week's episode. Rick talks about his start in the sport; his relationship with Dick Hutcherson and A.J. Foyt; how a tragic accident during qualifying for the Indianapolis changed the trajectory of his career; the impact his win in the 1984 ARCA race at Daytona had on him; and finally, how a ride with Morgan-McClure Motorsports came down to Rick and a youngster by the name of Davey Allison.The February 16, 1984 Grand National Scene featured a short story at the FRONT of the paper on Rick Wilson’s Daytona ARCA victory; Cale Yarborough OFFICIALLY becoming the first person to qualify for the Daytona with a speed of more than 200 mph; Neil Bonnett’s win in the Busch Clash; and Ricky Rudd’s infamous end-over-end, side-over-side series of barrel rolls in that event.There were a also couple of great columns in this issue on a brand-new owner coming into the sport and the doubts he was having about the team’s chances at success right out of the box and a volunteer crewman for Jimmy Means by the name of Junior Johnson … but not THAT Junior Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 170 -- BUD MOORE ROUNDTABLE PART 3
In the wake of Kyle Larson's Cup title-clinching race at Phoenix, host Rick Houston re-introduces his revolutionary championship format. Trust us. It's something to behold. Our interview with former Bud Moore Engineering crew members Phil Thomas, Donnie Wingo and Harold Stott concludes this week, and they remember several different drivers who competed for the team and one in particular who butted heads with Bud. They also talk about the end of that incredible organization, and how difficult it was to leave. Rick and co-host Steve Waid then leaf through the May 20, 1993 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Geoff Bodine’s win at Sears Point for Bud Moore, which turned out to be the team's final win. Ricky Rudd finished second, and it was shades of 1991 when Ricky gave Geoff a shot on the last lap. This time, Geoff was able to keep going and win the race. There was also a last-lap skirmish between Kyle Petty, Davey Allison and Dale Jarrett that left Davey and Dale pretty hot under the collar. Finally, Rick Wilson finished eighth for Petty Enterprises, his best finish for that team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 169 -- BUD MOORE ROUNDTABLE PART 2
In this week’s installment of the roundtable discussion with Phil Thomas, Donnie Wingo and Harold Stott from Bud Moore Engineering, we talk about everything from Dale Earnhardt’s tenure with Bud Moore to Geoff Bodine’s consecutive wins for the team at Martinsville and North Wilkesboro in the fall of 1992 ... and then Phil, Donnie and Harold tell a story or two on each other. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then pick through the October 24, 1991 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Davey Allison’s win at Rockingham, Kyle Petty's run at ANOTHER win from the pole at that track, Bud Moore Engineering’s triumph in that weekend’s pit-crew race and an old timer's event attended by several past legends of the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 168 -- BUD MOORE ROUNDTABLE PART 1
We sat down with former Bud Moore Engineering crew members Phil Thomas, Donnie Wingo and Harold Stott for an inside look at what it was like to work for one of NASCAR's most legendary operations. This week, they talk about how they wound up working for Bud and how they STAYED with the team through the years. For these three, at least, it seemed to be more than just a business arrangement. They were family. Also, the April 23, 1981 issue of Grand National Scene was Steve Waid's first as executive editor. Featured inside are a package of stories on Bud Moore’s crew and a photo spread on a charity basketball game involving several people in the racing community. Dale Earnhardt is shown wearing a pair of "jorts," while Steve is pictured in a nearly indescribable outfit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 167 -- ROBERT CALLICUTT
Robert Callicutt was living the dream as a race fan. He was working for Richard Petty and travelling to all the races, but in early 1989 at Atlanta, he experienced the nightmare of being engulfed in flames while gassing Richard’s car. Robert was severely injured and spent the next 33 days in the Humana Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. This is his incredible story. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid also remember legendary independent driver Dick May, and also dig into the March 23, 1989 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of the Atlanta event in which Robert Callicutt was injured. The race was won by Darrell Waltrip, after he beat Dale Earnhardt off pit road during a late-race pit stop. Or DID Darrell reach the stripe before Dale? And Dick Trickle finished THIRD! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 166 -- BILL BRODRICK PART 2
This week in the second and final installment of our interview with Bill “The Hat Man” Brodrick, he takes a little trip down memory lane about NASCAR's first trip to Australia for the first NASCAR exhibition race. He also talks about the legendary Unocal 76 Racestoppers program and his unceremonious release after nearly 29 years with the company. In our second segment, we leaf through the October 6, 1983 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured coverage of that fall’s North Wilkesboro event won by Darrell Waltrip with the help of new-fangled ... and not much liked ... power steering. There were also some hot rumors about Junior Johnson … Budweiser … Darrell Waltrip … Coor’s … Richard Childress … Piedmont Airlines … Terry Labonte … Billy Hagan … Dale Earnhardt … Rick Hendrick(s?!?) … Wrangler ... and Petty Enterprises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 165 -- BILL BRODRICK PART 1
Bill “The Hat Man” Brodrick is one of the most recognizable figures in the history of NASCAR from his years of overseeing victory lane celebrations. As a result, he’s also been one of our most requested guests here on the podcast … and after a little bit of back and forth on getting him up to speed on Zoom … we GOT him! In this segment of our interview, Bill talks about how he first got involved in racing, how he came to be in charge of victory lane and some of his more memorable victory lane celebrations. The October 13, 1977 issue of Grand National Scene featured coverage of that fall's Charlotte and North Wilkesboro events … AND Bill Brodrick on the outside cover! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 164 -- JIMMY SPENCER PART 3
NOTE: Language in the interview portion of this episode is NSFW. This week, we finish out the EPIC interview with Jimmy Spencer … and right off the bat, we dive into the rounds that he had with Kurt Busch. He then goes BACK in time to a run-in that he had with Hickory hometown heroes Dale Jarrett, DJ’s daddy Ned AND NASCAR. We conclude the interview talking about his sister Chrissy, and the impact her passing had on his life. Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then tackle the March 28, 2002 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of a tumultuous weekend at Bristol. There was Jimmy Spencer and Kurt Busch … Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Robby Gordon … and then in the Busch Series race the day before … Jimmy Spencer and Jack Sprague … Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle … Ken Alexander and basically everybody else in the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 163 -- JIMMY SPENCER PART 2
NOTE: Language in the interview portion of this episode is NSFW. We talk about a little bit of everything in the second installment of our interview with Jimmy Spencer, from what winning at Myrtle Beach meant to Dick Moroso, to getting back up to speed at the Cup level with Travis Carter, Bobby Allison and Junior Johnson. Jimmy won his first couple of Cup races with Junior, but not without a little bit of controversy. Jimmy also talks about Hut Stricklin, not-so-great runs with Travis Carter (again) and Chip Ganassi and the verbal barrages he unleashed at both Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2001. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig through the July 7, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene, which featured coverage of Jimmy’s first career Winston Cup victory at Daytona, and that GREAT late-race battle with Ernie Irvan. After the race, Ernie sounded like he was maybe, sorta, kinda wondering what was going on with Jimmy’s car. There’s also a feature story on some of the strange things that can sometimes happen during cautions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 162 -- JIMMY SPENCER PART 1
NOTE: Language in the interview portion of this episode is NSFW. You've asked for Jimmy Spencer, and now you've got him ... raw and unfiltered. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid leaf through the June 29, 1989 issue of Winston Cup Scene. The issue features coverage of Bill Elliott's slump-busting win at Michigan, as well as a highly volatile night of Busch Series racing at Louisville Motor Speedway in Kentucky. Be sure and visit www.lvms.com for all your Las Vegas Motor Speedway ticketing needs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices