Épisodes

  • Dale Earnhardt, Candy Asses and the Gathering Storm in the NASCAR Safety Revolution

    Dale Earnhardt, Candy Asses and the Gathering Storm in the NASCAR Safety Revolution
    Mar 4 2026
    In the summer of 2000, NASCAR faced a massive safety firestorm. But while many drivers pleaded for change following the tragic crashes of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Sr. stood his ground, famously calling out the "candy asses" who wanted to slow the cars down. In this episode of Firestorm: 2000-2001 -- The Years That Forever Changed NASCAR, we dive deep into the intense NASCAR safety debate of 2000. We uncover the behind-the-scenes culture clash between The Intimidator's old-school macho persona and the growing push for safety from drivers like Jeff Burton and Brett Bodine. Why did Earnhardt despise restrictor plates ("Take them damn things off and let her rip!"), refuse to wear full-face helmets, and mock the HANS device? We explore the fierce resistance to modernizing stock car safety, the secret injuries drivers hid to keep racing, and NASCAR's early, desperate attempts to test energy-absorbing walls and Styrofoam blocks before Dean Sicking's game-changing invention of the SAFER barrier. What you'll learn in this episode: • The fallout from the tragic 2000 NASCAR deaths of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin • Dale Earnhardt’s unfiltered thoughts on restrictor plates, the HANS device, and full-face helmets • The intense garage divide between old-school traditionalists and new safety advocates • NASCAR's experimental (and sometimes rudimentary) soft wall tests • The origin story of the SAFER barrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 min
  • Episode 386 -- Firestorm Reaction -- A Gathering Storm in the NASCAR Safety Revolution

    Episode 386 -- Firestorm Reaction -- A Gathering Storm in the NASCAR Safety Revolution
    Mar 4 2026
    Hosts Rick Houston, Steve Waid and Jeffrey Baker discuss the third episode of our new documentary podcast series, Firestorm: 2000-2001 -- The Years That Forever Changed NASCAR. In later years, a perception would develop that NASCAR did not react fast enough to accidents that claimed the lives of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin. We lay out the case that safety in NASCAR in that era wasn't necessarily a question of simply making rules and forcing competitors to change their way of thinking. It was FAR more complicated with unfamiliar new technology and the sport's most influential voice decrying change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 min
  • Episode 385 -- Firestorm Reaction -- Two Accidents, Two Funerals, Same Track, Same Turn

    Episode 385 -- Firestorm Reaction -- Two Accidents, Two Funerals, Same Track, Same Turn
    Feb 25 2026
    Slugger Labbe, who served as Kenny Irwin's first Winston Cup crew chief, joins co-hosts Rick Houston, Steve Waid and Jeffrey Baker to remember the promising young driver. In this episode of The Scene Vault Podcast, we dive deep into the heartbreaking "Firestorm" era of the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. We react to the tragic loss of Irwin at New Hampshire International Speedway—an event that, along with the loss of Adam Petty forever changed the sport. Hear the raw, unfiltered perspective of crew chief Slugger Labbe, who opens up about the immense pressure placed on Irwin to become the "next" Jeff Gordon ... and to uphold the incredible success of Robert Yates Racing's legendary number 28 entry. From his Rookie of the Year battle to his time at Robert Yates Racing and Team SABCO, we explore the talent that was lost too soon. Was the pressure too much? Did mechanical failure seal his fate? Join us as we remember a driver who had all the potential in the world. In this episode, we cover: The eerie similarities between the Kenny Irwin Jr. and Adam Petty accidents Slugger Labbe's emotional recount of the 2000 season The "stuck throttle" controversy at New Hampshire The pressure of driving the #28 for Robert Yates after Davey Allison and Ernie Irvan How these tragedies reshaped NASCAR safety forever Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    Indisponible
  • Two Accidents -- Two Funerals

    Two Accidents -- Two Funerals
    Feb 25 2026
    In the summer of 2000, NASCAR faced one of its darkest periods. Just eight weeks after the loss of Adam Petty, the racing world was shattered again by the death of Kenny Irwin at the exact same track. In this episode of Firestorm: 2000-2001 -- The Years That Forever Changed NASCAR, we look back at the incredible talent, the intense pressure, and the tragic end of a driver who had been destined for greatness. Kenny Irwin Jr. was a force of nature in the open-wheel ranks. A USAC standout who went head-to-head with Tony Stewart, Irwin was fast-tracked to the Winston Cup Series, tasked with filling the legendary seat of the #28 at Robert Yates Racing. From his Rookie of the Year battle to his move to Sabco Racing, Irwin's career was defined by raw speed and high expectations. We explore the details of that fateful weekend at the track then known as New Hampshire International Speedway, the eerie similarities to Adam Petty's accident and the devastating impact it had on mentors like Johnny Vance and Bob East. This is the story of a rising star extinguished too soon and the wake-up call that eventually forced NASCAR history toward a safer future. In this episode, we cover: Kenny Irwin's dominance in USAC and his rivalry with Tony Stewart The pressure of replacing Ernie Irvan in the #28 Texaco Havoline Ford His transition to the #42 for Sabco Racing The tragic accident at Loudon and the "stuck throttle" discussion The emotional aftermath for the racing community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 min
  • Firestorm The Rise & Tragedy of Adam Petty – The NASCAR Loss That Changed Everything

    Firestorm The Rise & Tragedy of Adam Petty – The NASCAR Loss That Changed Everything
    Feb 18 2026
    He was the first fourth-generation athlete in professional sports history, carrying the most famous surname in NASCAR. But on a dark day in New Hampshire, the future of the Petty legacy—and the sport itself—was changed forever. In this episode of Firestorm, we look back at the brief but bright career of Adam Petty. Known for his infectious youthful exuberance and that signature Petty smile, Adam carried the weight of a dynasty on his shoulders. We go beyond the highlights to explore his hopeful start and the gritty reality of his development in the Busch Series (NASCAR's number-two national series), where he fought to prove he was more than just a name. We revisit the tragic events of May 12, 2000, at New Hampshire International Speedway. What began as a routine practice session ended in a heartbreak that shook the racing world to its core. But the story doesn't end in Turn 3. We also uncover the lasting legacy left behind: how Kyle and Pattie Petty channeled their unimaginable grief into the establishment of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. It’s a story of loss, but also of how a family turned their darkest moment into a beacon of hope for thousands of children. In this episode: The pressure and promise of being the first 4th-generation Petty Adam's learning curve and struggles in the Busch Series The timeline of the tragic accident at New Hampshire How the racing community reacted to the loss of its "Prince" The creation and impact of Victory Junction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 min
  • Episode 384 -- Firestorm Reaction -- Heir to the Throne

    Episode 384 -- Firestorm Reaction -- Heir to the Throne
    Feb 18 2026
    In this powerful reaction episode to the first episode of Firestorm: 2000-2001 -- The Years That Forever Changed NASCAR, we revisit one of the most heartbreaking moments in NASCAR history ... the tragic loss of Adam Petty. Join hosts Rick Houston, Steve Waid and Tony Liberati as we discuss the events surrounding that fateful day at New Hampshire and explore the two-year period that forever changed safety in stock car racing. What You Can Expect: Deep Dive: A detailed look at the 2000 season and the "Firestorm" that engulfed the sport. Personal Stories: Emotional memories and insights from those who knew Adam best. Historical Context: Understanding how this tragedy sparked a revolution in driver safety. Firestorm: An exclusive re-release of our acclaimed 10-episode series, now with new content and available in video format for the first time. Don't miss the drop of this episode on Wednesday, February 18 ... the 25th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's fatal accident in the 2001 Daytona 500 ... and sure to check out the same-day release of the Firestorm debut. Subscribe to The Scene Vault to relive these and many other moments that defined racing history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 min
  • Episode 383 -- Ben Leslie and the Million-Dollar Nose Job

    Episode 383 -- Ben Leslie and the Million-Dollar Nose Job
    Feb 11 2026
    Jeff Hammond, Darrell Waltrip's longtime crew chief and former Fox Sports commentator, makes his debut as co-host of The Scene Vault Podcast as we drop news of the upcoming re-release of the 10-episode docuseries Firestorm: 2000-2001 -- The Years That Forever Changed NASCAR. Ben Leslie drops some bombshells when it comes to fuel cells and trick noses, one of which helped Mark Martin win the 2002 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. We then dig into the July 15, 1999 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Jeff Burton wins for the third year in a row at New Hampshire, but it’s Tony Stewart who dominates the event until running out of gas with a couple of laps to go … and you just IMAGINE how well that went over with the fresh-faced rookie. Dale Jarrett and Jeff Gordon have a last-lap run-in, which leads to a bit of a POST-RACE confrontation between the two future NASCAR Hall of Famers. Kenny Wallace gets a second-place finish, the best finish of his Winston Cup career. Mark Martin guts his way through a series of injuries he’d sustained at Daytona the week before to finish sixth. We’ve got lug nuts … and talk of franchising … flying all over the place. Finally … a news story and host Rick Houston's column discuss Busch Series driver Jeff Krogh’s career-ending injury and the reaction of his friends and family to the mishap. NOTE: This show is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owner of the Scene brand. Be sure to check out the latest and greatest stories from the world of NASCAR at dailydownforce.com! Interested in The Scene Vault Podcast T-shirts? Check out thescenevault.com and click on SHOP to see what we have available! Please consider supporting this show via: patreon.com/thescenevaultpodcast paypal.me/thescenevaultpodcast venmo.com/thescenevaultpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 29 min
  • Episode 382 -- Ben Leslie on Racing with Brother Tracy and Begging Steve Hmiel, Robin Pemberton for Roush Racing Gig

    Episode 382 -- Ben Leslie on Racing with Brother Tracy and Begging Steve Hmiel, Robin Pemberton for Roush Racing Gig
    Feb 4 2026
    This week in the first of what will be three segments, Ben Leslie follows his older brother Tracy up the racing ladder, a path that led them from Michigan to the Busch Series. Ben ends up begging Roush Racing’s Steve Hmiel and Robin Pemberton for a job and eventually lands a gig with the team in September 1994. Once there, he works with Roush drivers Ted Musgrave, Mark Martin and Johnny Benson. We then dig into the September 29, 1994 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Rusty Wallace dominates at Martinsville less than two weeks after one of the most important dates in the history of Winston Cup Scene. Dale Earnhardt comes back from a couple of early-race spins to finish second, while Kenny Wallace captures the best showing of his Winston Cup career to that point. Ernie Irvan surprises EVERYBODY by calling in to a legendary Charlotte radio show after surviving a near-fatal crash at Michigan the month before. There are feature stories on NASCAR memorabilia collector Wayne Keith … a news story about Travis Carter, Hut Stricklin and crew chief Pete Wright going their separate ways ... and early nominations for spots on the coveted Copenhagen/Skoal All Pro team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 39 min