Name: Episode 29: Matt DiBenedetto by Davey Segal
Duration: 1 h

Championship winning crew chief Jonathan Toney joins Davey Segal (6:42) for an insightful and feel-good conversation that spans over two decades with one single team. Toney explains how working with Sheldon Creed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series really isn't too different so far than it was working with Cole Custer, the rash of runner-up finishes Creed has scored, team chemistry at Haas Factory Team in this new iteration of the organization and more.

Toney also dives into all the change the team has seen over his time, from Haas CNC Racing to Stewart-Haas Racing and now HFT. He explains why he's stayed loyal to the company despite numerous offers to go elsewhere over the years, why the Xfinity Series is the right place for him to be as a crew chief right now from a work/life balance perspective, the conversations leading up to 2023 before he finally got his chance to be a crew chief for the first time and how rewarding it was to win a championship with Custer in his first year at the helm.

Toney also reminisces on the 2011 title run with Tony Stewart, what it was like to be a part of that team, some memorable tales from Homestead-Miami Speedway on championship weekend and more, including the vibe at the team when Stewart came in at first and his Hickory, North Carolina roots.

Davey also recaps the tripleheader weekend of action at Martinsville Speedway and addresses the debacle of an Xfinity race that saw Sammy Smith penalized, previews Darlington Raceway and Papa Segal pays homage to Raymond Parks in this week's wayback segment.

Episode 266: Jonathan Toney

19-year-old phenom and current Hendrick Motorsports driver Corey Day joins Davey Segal (8:55) to discuss his transition from dirt to asphalt and adjustment to stock cars. They also discuss how he's preparing for Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend, going back somewhere for a second time, how the Truck and Xfinity car differ, leaning on crew chiefs Brian Pattie and Adam Wall for advice and the clear distinction that's been made of him being a HMS driver - NOT a development driver.

Day also dives into how Jeff Gordon recruited him to Hendrick and the funny story that resulted in Gordon having to prove it was actually him on the other end of their text conversation, how he's keeping his new busy schedule straight, why live pit stops and racing as a profession have been extra difficult to adjust to and his beginnings on two wheels and transition to dirt in California.

Plus, how he deals with being heralded as a "generational talent" and "phenom" of sorts, why he loves the haters writing him off, how it feels to have the support and belief from Kyle Larson, Gordon and other racing legends, what his goals are for the rest of this year and more, including why he's such a Taco Bell lover.

Papa Segal also pays homage to the late Eddie Jordan and Davey recaps Darlington while looking ahead to Bristol.

Episode 267: Corey Day

That's right, party people. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, 83-time Cup Series winner, NASCAR Hall of Famer and one of if not the greatest NASCAR driver of all-time, Jimmie Johnson (!) joins Davey Segal this week (9:50) for one of the biggest conversations in Victory Lane history.

They discuss how life has been living abroad in London, what the European culture has taught Johnson, being able to travel the world with friends and family, the new kind of horsepower his daughters are into, being a podcast host and more.

Johnson explains why he wasn't even paying attention to his milestone 700th start coming up at Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, reveals his future plans for more races in the Cup Series and chats about the struggles LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has gone through since switching to Toyota. Johnson also looks back on his record-tying seventh championship and reveals what Richard Petty told him on pit road before the race, recalls the two (!) times he fell asleep behind the wheel of a racecar, the reasoning behind getting in shape and starting a trend within the garage back in 2007 and more.

Davey also discusses the return to Rockingham Speedway last weekend and Papa Segal pays homage to the late Al Pearce.

Episode 268: Jimmie Johnson

Front Row Motorsports Crew Chief Jon Leonard (7:45) join Davey Segal this week to discuss his new digs at FRM calling the shots for Chandler Smith on the No. 38. Leonard details how late things came together to even make the second FRM Truck Series entry happen, the thrash that ensued to get things ready for Daytona, why Chandler being involved in the hiring process for team members has made everyone closer and how nice it was to get a win early this season at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Leonard also discusses his career as a crew chief, calling races for Leavine-Family Racing in the Cup Series for Kasey Kahne and Regan Smith, being promoted admittedly a little too quickly, learning on the fly, being a first-generation racer turned 14-year NASCAR veteran and more.

Davey also reviews Austin Cindric’s Talladega win, looks ahead to Texas and Papa Segal pays homage to one of the greatest of all-time in Formula 1.

Episode 269: Jon Leonard

Current Wood Brothers Racing crew chief and longtime Team Penske engineer Miles Stanley joins Davey Segal (5:15) for a wide-ranging conversation that dives into his career in motorsports and background in racing. Stanley discusses the treacherous nature of Texas Motor Speedway, how winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has allowed them to take more risks, when that win truly set in and how big winning a race for WBR really is.

Stanley also discusses what he's learned from championship-winning crew chief Todd Gordon, who he worked with for over a decade, how working with all three current Team Penske drivers in some capacity has eased his transition to Josh Berry and the Wood Brothers, why he and Josh seem to be gelling so well so quickly and more.

Plus, how he got started in motorsports with Formula SAE, his football career at Dayton and Akron, how racing engineering proved to be a career path for him, his transition from open wheel to stock cars, working with Robby Gordon Motorsports, why the Dakar Rally was one of the coolest experiences he's ever had, why his work at Penske as Head of Performance Engineering was so gratifying (hint: the last 3 championships in a row), why he doesn't go by his given name and more.

Davey also recaps Joey Logano's win at Texas, previews Kansas and Papa Segal pays homage to Ron Bouchard.

Episode 270: Miles Stanley

Richard Childress Racing Crew Chief Randall Burnett joins Davey Segal this week (5:40) to discuss how the 2025 season has been thus far, working with Kyle Busch, what he's learned from the two-time Cup Series champion and what the public misunderstands about Rowdy. They also discuss the one year anniversary of the infamous fight at North Wilkesboro Speedway (and Davey's assist in helping Kyle), his journey to Cup Series shot caller from the St. Louis area and how/why he opted to forgo his driving career to pursue an engineering degree at UNC Charlotte.

Burnett also explains what it's like working for Hall of Famer Richard Childress, what it's like when he comes on the radio unprovoked, working with Kyle Larson in his rookie season at Chip Ganassi Racing, almost sweeping the crowned jewels in 2010 with Jamie McMurray, his son racing at Millbridge Speedway, Burnett's Mario Kart skills and more.

Plus, Davey recaps Kansas, looks ahead to the All-Star Race and Papa Segal pays homage to Johnny Mantz.

Episode 271: Randall Burnett

Veteran Crew Chief Mike Kelley joins Davey Segal (5:40) for a reflective and emotional trip down memory lane and deep dive behind Hyak Motorsports with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Kelley explains how the team is punching above their weight right now in the NASCAR Cup Series, how they operate with no technical alliances in todays day and age and why he and Stenhouse have so much trust in one another.

Kelley also recalls his early beginnings in motorsports, including some funny stories when he started working for Ernie Irvan (not as a driver, as he initially thought) and emotional ones while working as Michael Waltrip’s car chief at Dale Earnhardt Inc. Kelley opens up about why the 2001 Daytona 500 is still emotional for him, the relationship he had with Dale Earnhardt and how the team and sport moved forward following his passing.

He also dives into winning the 2004 Cup championship with Kurt Busch at Roush, why earning that title meant so much to him, getting hooked up with Stenhouse Jr. as a young, baby-faced kid, winning back-to-back Xfinity Series championships and more, including his leadership style, why he takes pride in teaching the younger generation, his work with Lake Norman Humane and more.

Plus, Davey discusses Christopher Bell’s All-Star win, looks ahead to the Coca-Cola 600, Kyle Larson’s double attempt and Papa Segal pays homage to 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Ray Hendrick.

Episode 272: Mike Kelley

Sam Hunt Racing Crew Chief Kris Bowen joins Davey Segal (7:05) to discuss building up their current Xfinity Series outfit and how things are going working with Dean Thompson full-time. Bowen explains how and where the recent strides and speed has come from on the No. 26 team, his relationship with Thompson, why having kids of his own helps him work with drivers, how having a racing background himself has made the transition to crew chief a rather smooth one and the decision making process behind hanging up the steering wheel for good.

Bowen also dives into his relationship with owner Sam Hunt, why it works despite Hunt being a decade younger than him, the satisfaction he gets from building something from the ground up, why he has no plans or desires to go anywhere else in NASCAR, his dedication to fitness (5 am crossfit workouts for 15 years!), his unhealthy gummy bear obsession to relieve stress atop the pit box, realistic expectations for the rest of the season and more.

Davey also recaps the Coca-Cola 600, Ross Chastain's improbable march to victory, explains why the Prime Video broadcast was so good, looks ahead to Nashville and Papa Segal pays homage to Humpy Wheeler.

Episode 273: Kris Bowen

Joe Gibbs Racing jackman Derrell Edwards joins Davey Segal (8:30) to discuss how he went from a kid from Baltimore, to a High Point University basketball player to one of the best jackmen in the NASCAR Cup Series. He details his childhood and how it's shaped him into the man he's become today, keeping his mind focused on the task at hand while dealing with a loved one in failing health, how he's developed the aura of winning and why manifesting is so crucial to his success.

Edwards also explains how his winning mindset has permeated the No. 20 team at Joe Gibbs Racing, the chemistry that the team has developed over 4+ years together, how fast a 4-tire stop can/will get, why a driver change impacts a pit crew more than you'd think, why the jackman is like the quarterback of the pit crew, how impactful switching from five lugs to one was for a jackman and why flying is an undercovered aspect of pit crews doing their jobs.

Plus, how he got involved with NASCAR in the first place, his humble beginnings with Richard Childress Racing, grinding his way to the top, why he always opts to pay it forward and help out younger athletes, the importance of family in his life and more, including what's next to accomplish in his professional career.

Davey also recaps Ryan Blaney's win at Nashville, previews Michigan and Papa Segal pays homage to Pop Pop.

Episode 274: Derrell Edwards

Five-time NASCAR Mexico Series champion Rubén García Jr. joins Davey Segal (6:00) to reminisce on days gone by and look ahead to the NASCAR Cup Series’ inaugural trip to Mexico City. He updates us on what he’s been up to since returning to Mexico, if he feels like the Jimmie Johnson of the Mexico Series, how the competition compares to that of stock car racing in the United States, why he feels like the Mexico Series feels like late model racing and the “Winston Cup mindset,” doing more with less, how much Mexican racing fans follow racing in America, differences in race strategy, how well known Daniel Suarez is to Mexicans and more.

García Jr. also explains his thought process in coming to the U.S. to participate in the Rev Racing Drive for Diversity program in the 2010s, what the entire experience was like, pulling double duty in the states and Mexico a few times and the relief of finally winning a K&N Pro Series race. He also discusses his upbringing in motorsports, highlights an oval or two in Mexico that may be suitable for the Cup Series, his limited experience racing in the national series and why he’d love an opportunity to return to America to try his hand at NASCAR in the states again. Plus, the deal that came close to being done to put him in a competitive Cup car at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and what fans and drivers alike can expect when they arrive at the track.

Davey also recaps Denny Hamlin’s Michigan win, looks ahead to Mexico City and Papa Segal pays homage to a namesake of the circuit this weekend in CDMX.

Episode 275: Rubén García Jr.

This is a big one, folks! Davey is back from Las Vegas and recaps the Cup Series playoff opener, which saw Martin Truex Jr. remind the field he still is a contender. He also touches on the Xfinity and Gander Outdoors Truck Series events, including ThorSport Racing’s engine woes. He then welcomes on the people's champ, Matt DiBenedetto (31:40). The two discuss his move to Wood Brothers Racing for 2020, being universally adored in the NASCAR world, his journey to this point, why the hate for Bob Leavine and Leavine Family Racing is unjust, why his dogs name is Brian and more. He then briefly previews the weekend at Richmond and New Hampshire before hitting on Lug Nuts of the Week.

Episode 29: Matt DiBenedetto

Welcome to the place everybody wants to be: Victory Lane! Davey Segal hosts your one stop shop for all things NASCAR, including in-depth interviews, discussion, news and more.

Episode 29: Matt DiBenedetto

Davey Segal

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