Advertise on podcast: Victory Lane

NASCAR Director of Influencer Marketing Ausley Karner joins Davey Segal (1:50) for an insightful conversation surrounding her job, one that is on the newer side but still holds importance in 2026. She explains what her definition of an influencer is, why NASCAR sees them as an important asset to their marketing strategy, how she got this specific job, why NASCAR finds it important to be in the influencer market and how she and her team go about executing campaigns and measure success. Plus, Karner dives into how her department has grown, how they measure success and failures, focusing on tentpole events for influencers, not neglecting the "homegrown" influencers in the NASCAR space, the newly released Jason Kelce collab and more, including who she still wants to get out to the track, whether she gets starstruck or not, how she helps plan schedules minute-by-minute and what she sees the future of the space looking like. Davey also discusses the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch, and the life and legacy he leaves behind.

Fresh off his Talladega Superspeedway victory with Corey Day, Hendrick Motorsports O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Crew Chief Adam Wall joins Davey Segal (1:55) to discuss and debrief their first win together of 2026. Wall explains why he was a bit surprised to see win No. 1 come at a superspeedway, the ups and downs so far for Day in his rookie campaign, reflects on working with 7 different drivers last season, how preparation differs from the Cup Series to NOAPS these days, how much an engineer can really tweak on a Gen 7 car and more. Plus, how he got hooked on racing with no real background in it, how he rose from sweeping floors (literally) at Hendrick to become an engineer and eventual crew chief, what he's learned from working under Cliff Daniels, how he's grown as a leader of the team, how much raw talent Day has, working with current (and future) Hall of Fame drivers, lofty goals for the rest of the season and more.

Longtime crew chief Frank Kerr joins Davey Segal (1:45) to dive into his extensive career in motorsports, both behind the wheel and atop the pit box. Kerr details what it's like working with Brennan Poole and for Alpha Prime Racing, the unique relationship he has with both his driver and team owner, working with other drivers in the past, his two wins in the then Nationwide Series with Marcos Ambrose and more. Kerr explains why he still to this day misses the feeling of being behind the wheel of a sprint car, why he opted to walk away as a winner with some still left in the tank and how the transition to becoming a crew chief and working in NASCAR happened. Plus, some of his gnarliest injuries, a Cup car falling on him (yes, really) at Bristol, what else he'd like to accomplish in his career, at APR and more.

The mayor of Hinchtown himself, James Hinchcliffe, joins Davey Segal (1:45) to debrief his first experience in NASCAR wheeling a Truck around the St. Petersburg streets for Spire Motorsports. He explains how the deal came together, his long relationship with Spire, how impressed the IndyCar paddock was with the series and the chances of him doing something like this again. Hinch also dives into his current roles with IndyCar on FOX , SiriusXM and Formula 1, explains why he's always had an interest for motorsports journalism, how he handles having to criticize fellow drivers and friends, the influence Greg Moore had on him and his perspective on the harrowing qualifying crash at Indy. Plus, his runner-up result on Dancing with the Stars, his beard routine, marrying his high school sweetheart, if he's ever actually considered running for Mayor anywhere and more, including some his favorite tracks around the world and what else is on his racing bucket list behind the wheel.

Legendary extreme sports athlete and racer (and fellow Marylander) Travis Pastrana joins Davey Segal (2:50) to discuss his return to NASCAR and the Truck Series a couple weeks ago at Daytona, shaking and baking with his buddy Cleetus McFarland, how difficult parachuting in to race these days is and whether he'd entertain doing more one-offs in NASCAR down the road. He also discusses some of his gnarly injuries over the course of his decorated career, why a recent one stands out, where he first got influenced to pursue a career like this and what else is on his bucket list to race/drive/do. Plus, he explains how he got his life back thanks to some new medical treatment, why he believes staying active and to keep moving is of the utmost importance, the idea behind "Pastranaland" and what the future looks like for him.

Fresh from Daytona, Davey and his better half Robin are back to debrief and dissect all that went down during Speedweek from the World Center of Racing. Davey gets the lowdown on his wife's first experience watching the 500 in person, if it felt different than other races/tracks she's been to before, Tyler Reddick's triumphant win and Michael Jordan's jubilation, Chase picks and more.

It's been a minute, but Davey Segal is back and at Daytona International Speedway to kick off the 2026 season! He provides an update on the podcast, what he's been up to the last few months and what we can expect from the season ahead.

NASCAR legend and avid outdoorsman Ward Burton joins Davey Segal this week (2:45) in advance of the State Water Heaters Krush 250 at South Boston Speedway, benefitting the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. Burton explains how the idea of the race came together, why and when his passion for the outdoors came into focus and more. Plus, his thoughts on Sam Mayer's suspension after spinning his son Jeb at Martinsville, the state of NASCAR in 2025, the playoff format, the lore of him snatching snakes online, how he got his name (spoiler alert: it's not really Ward), memories of Bill Davis, winning the 2002 Daytona 500 and more. Davey also previews the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway for all 3 national series

All good things come to an end, and 2025 marks the end of an institutional powerhouse in Venturini Motorsports. The patriarch of the organization, Bill Venturini, joins Davey Segal (3:45) to reflect and reminisce on the several decades of ownership in the ARCA Menards Series. From humble beginnings in Chicago to the high banks of Daytona, Big Bill was there every step of the way, with his wife Cathy by his side. He explains why now is the right time to step away from the sport, what made Nick Tucker and Nitro Motorsports the right group to take things over, how proud he is of his son, Billy, who has run day-to-day operations (who makes a surprise appearance!), why the ARCA Menards Series has been the right platform for them all these years, how he feels about the health of the series, the legacy he feels like he's leaving behind and more. Plus, how the patented Victory Lane kiss originated, their relationship with Toyota, his plans in retirement, how the feeling of winning races and developing drivers differ and much more.

2025 and two-time Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series champion Jacob Goede joins Davey Segal (2:05) on the heels of clinching another title in the Midwest. He explains the commitment it's taken for him to forgo a normal life to chase trophies and a championship, how his family-owned team has been all hands on deck, how much pride he takes in representing the Midwest, how the racing scene in that part of the country plays itself out and the championship that he's still fighting for this weekend. Plus, his 25+ year career in racing, whether he'd entertain a CARS Tour or NASCAR opportunity, why running the Snowball Derby remains high on his bucket list and what else there is to accomplish for him professionally in motorsports. Davey also recaps the wild finish at Kansas Speedway and looks ahead to the Round of 12 cutoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.

TRICON Garage crew chief Scott Zipadelli returns to the podcast (9:10) on the heels of the No. 11's series-leading ninth win of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season. He dives into how successful and fun 2025 has been, their quest for double digit wins and an elusive championship. He also shares his strong opinions on the much discussed playoff format, why he prefers things the old way where more consistency was rewarded and coming to grips with the fact that they *might* only have a 25% chance at winning the championship this year in Phoenix. He also reflects on a special win at Lime Rock Park earlier this year, shares the weak spots for the No. 11 team right now, how good Corey Heim really is, being second on the NCTS all-time wins list as a shot caller and more, including his biggest competition for the title and if they've reflected on their 3+ years together as a group with the writing on the wall that this year may be the final one together. Plus, Davey recaps the Round of 12 opener at New Hampshire, Papa Segal pays homage to John Force and more.

Thomas Annunziata joins Davey Segal this week (2:25) to discuss his racing background and current happenings as a part-time Xfinity Series/Trans-Am driver. He dives into how he got started racing in parking lots in New Jersey, how his dad helped with a racing background of his own, the spec miata success he had and what he learned in that discipline, moving up to Trans-Am, competing against and with drivers he's doing the same with now, like Connor Zilisch, Brent Crews, Connor Mosack and more. Plus, he dives into his runner-up finish over the weekend in Portland, his Lime Rock Park victory in the ARCA Menards Series, improvement on ovals in the Xfinity Series, his 2026 plans, goals for the future and more, including where the nickname "Hollywood" came from, why he doesn't like Italian food and things he's learned now living by himself in North Carolina. Davey also recaps Chase Briscoe's dominating Southern 500 win from Darlington Raceway and looks ahead to Gateway, Race No. 2 of the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs.

23XI Racing crew chief Davin Restivo joins Davey Segal (2:30) ahead of the final 10 races of his rookie season atop the pit box with Riley Herbst. They discuss what the first 26 weeks have been like, if anything changes in their weekly approach being a non-playoff team, how the No. 35 team may be able to help the No.'s 23 and 45 while in the postseason, how much he's learned in his rookie year as a Cup Series shot caller and more. Restivo also details his background in the sport, getting started at the Truck Series level and working with Kyle Larson, ultimately landing at Stewart-Haas Racing and how he got the call that he'd be working with Herbst as his Xfinity Series crew chief after being an engineer for Aric Almirola in the Cup Series. He also dives into Herbst's groeth confidence behind the wheel, what it's like working for 23XI Racing, the Gen 7 platform and more, including what the next 10 weeks may hold for the No. 35 group. Davey also reaps the regular season finale at Daytona and looks ahead to the 2025 Cup Series playoffs that kick off at Darlington.

NASCAR veteran B.J. McLeod joins Davey Segal (7:25) for an all-encompassing conversation on and off track, including what it's been like without a charter, the transition personally and professionally to racing part-time, what his day-to-day looks like running Live Fast Motorsports, Katherine Legge's progression in the No. 78 this year and more. McLeod also dives into the charter system, explaining why it's a viable business model for decades to come, why he and Matt Tifft sold theirs and reveals why he's already chomping at the bit to get back in, given the right situation. He also discusses the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, why they built it, the genesis behind it and his passion for theme parks. Plus, selling sponsorship for a mid-pack/backmarker team, why he thinks he has so much respect from seemingly everyone in the garage, the determination to win a NASCAR race before he turns 50, his obsession with skulls and backwards hats and much, much more. Davey also reviews Austin Dillon's surprise Richmond win for the second consecutive year, looks ahead to the regular season finale at Daytona and Papa Segal looks back to Spingate.

RFK Racing crew chief and veteran of the industry Derrick Finley joins Davey Segal (2:40) to discuss working with Ryan Preece, why the Northeast racer stands out as one of the best Finley has ever worked with, the current push for the playoffs and battling a teammate for a postseason spot and how it is racing against and working for your boss in Brad Keselowski. Finley dives into his upbringing in New Mexico, the racing scene out West, playing football at UNM, why he chose mechanical engineering and motorsports after college, working for Dale Earnhardt Inc. fresh out of school (and some stories to boot), the mentorship he received from Travis Carter, getting the call to crew chief in Cup for the first time in 2003, stops at multiple organizations along the way, what brought him over to RFK Racing and why he got back atop the pit box for 2025 despite not really wanting to. Plus, the intricacies of working on a Gen 7 car in today's NASCAR, whether they're trying to win or point their way into the playoffs, the story behind his famous skull flame pants, his taste in rap music, interesting animal analogies and more. Davey also recaps another dominant road course performance from SVG and looks ahead to Richmond.