Letarte on Location

Steve welcomes NBC Sports Bet the Edge podcast host, Sara Perlman to talk about his other sports passion - sports betting. Sara gives her advice for new bettors, start small! Big picture they discuss how sports betting is growing throughout the country and different sports. Steve also confesses his NASCAR Fantasy League frustrations with Dale Jr.

Jamie Little, Pit Reporter for Fox’s NASCAR coverage joins Steve to talk what it’s like working at the track each weekend. She also shares how she become the voice of ARCA this season with the encouragement of a friend, and years working in sports media. They talk about what her life is like when she isn’t working and being in the dessert business.

Steve sits down with Bridget and Sarah Burgess of BMI Racing. 19-year old Bridget pilots the No. 88 Chevrolet for her family-run race team in ARCA Menards West Series competition with her mother, Sarah, calling the shots from atop the pit box. They talk about their family’s move from Australia to America in order to pursuit their racing dreams.

Michael McDowell joins Steve to chat about his path to earning first career Cup Series win as a 70/1 underdog in the sport’s biggest event … the Daytona 500! The native of Glendale, Arizona talks about how focusing on the details helped the No. 34 Ford Mustang team make an impact early in the season. Approaching his career with honesty, making achievable goals and having strong family support has assisted Michael into continuing his Cup Series career. Plus, Steve gets McDowell’s thoughts on what the Next Gen Cup Series car will do for him and the sport overall.

Steve goes crew chief-to-crew chief with Adam Stevens, who is leading the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota with driver Christopher Bell. Just three races into their first season together, Stevens and Bell have set the bar high with a victory at the Daytona Road Course. Both crew chiefs share stories of past driver swaps and what it meant for the rest of the garage.

Steve’s two-wheel fandom shines through with this week’s guest, Monster Energy AMA Supercross rider Christian Craig. The veteran racer talks about his recent injury and how he powered through his heats in Orlando. Plus, what was his extra encouragement in Houston. Craig, who is currently competing in the 250 SX class with Yamaha, also shares how his vlog got started, as well as dealing with previous injuries.

Steve Letarte is back on location with NASCAR Cup Series Champion Chase Elliott for the season’s first episode of Letarte On Location. Since winning the championship, Elliott has had a busy off-season racing in marquee events, and now he’s ready for his sports car debut in the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona. The two sat down at Daytona talk about last season, his upcoming title defense, and the mindset of boss Rick Hendrick as his team charges into 2021.

Steve welcomes NASCAR Cup Series driver Ty Dillon to Letarte On Location this week. Coming off an impressive showing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, Ty talks about working on his road course skills and shares his thoughts on a 2021 schedule with more chances to show those skills off. Also on Ty’s mind: The final days of Germain Racing, where he’s raced over the past four seasons; and how he’s gone from growing up in a racing family to helping raise a family himself.

The newest member of the NASCAR on NBC team, Brad Daugherty, joins Steve for an episode of Letarte on Location. Brad shares stories of his past growing up in North Carolina and how his love of racing grew because of his family - and his dreams of one day becoming a race car driver! That, however, was not in the cards for the 7-foot Daugherty, who became a basketball sensation. He talks about his experience with the University of North Carolina basketball team, playing for legendary coach Dean Smith, and alongside teammate Michael Jordan. Brad went on to an 8-year NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, being named an All-Star five times. In his post-basketball career, Brad has gone back to his racing roots, becoming both a successful team owner and respected media personality.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Omar Amador of Telemundo joins Steve for the latest edition of Letarte On Location. Omar covers a variety of sports for Telemundo’s Spanish-speaking audience, including NASCAR. In his conversation with Steve, he explains how he fell in love with NASCAR at Daytona, his involvement in the sport (including covering the NASCAR Mexico Series) and his other assignments for Telemundo such as reporting from fan parties - which makes Steve a bit envious! Steve and Omar also discuss how NASCAR’s reaffirmation toward diversity and inclusion, along with new entrants to the sport, can help racing continue to grow in Latinx and other communities.

Steve welcomes his first 2-time guest to Letarte On Location, Steve Myers, iRacing EVP and Executive Producer. While sports were shutting down in March, iRacing was a sport that could continue safely. In 10 days, putting NASCAR iRacing on TV went from an idea to reality. The two talk about how the impact of iRacing in motorsports has evolved since they last spoke.

In the latest Letarte On Location, Xfinity Series driver Jeremy Clements joins Steve to talk about what goes into bringing a small, family-owned race team to the track each week. From working with mileaged-out parts to booking travel, Jeremy and his #51 team have to make the most of it. But he remains dedicated to living out his dream - a commitment that has been tested on several occasions, including a gruesome injury behind the wheel. Jeremy’s appreciation shines through in his conversation with Steve - and makes a good case to all racing fans to support the underdogs along with their favorite elite drivers & teams.

In retirement, former NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler’s schedule is more packed than ever with coaching youth sports, iRacing and golfing! So Steve was lucky to get him to join the Letarte On Location podcast this week. Elliott reflects on his driving career, the current state of the Playoffs, and which Hall of Fame driver helped him as a rookie.

Winston Kelley, NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director & MRN Pit Reporter, joins Letarte On Location to share stories of the past in honor of Throwback Weekend at Darlington. Winston talks to Steve about how he juggled multiple jobs in order to follow NASCAR on the weekends, and balancing his current roles at the Hall of Fame and MRN. He also goes into his career covering races from the pits - and reveals who was his most challenging interview.

Denny Hamlin has been making the most of the 2020 season, before and after the two-month pause due to the global pandemic. Steve welcomes the three-time Daytona 500 Champion to Letarte On Location this week. They talk about career goals and how they have evolved over time, popularity in NASCAR and hurdles Denny has overcome during his time in the sport. Drawing a comparison of NASCAR athletes to other professional athletes, Steve learns how Denny has been able to create relationships with other professional sports stars.

In a conversation between crew chiefs, Steve welcomes Martin Truex Jr.’s head wrench James Small to Letarte On Location. In his maiden season as the head of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Toyota, Small talks about his start in racing back home in Australia to his current role in NASCAR's premier series. Small gives Steve a lesson about the difference between NASCAR and Australian Supercars, and what animal might be bouncing along the track. Wholeheartedly, Steve tries to secure another trip to the land Down Under.

Letarte On Location talks to Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile ahead of the first NASCAR weekend on the facility’s storied road course. Both Chip and Steve share their love of NASCAR history along evolution of the sport. As leader of one of the most famous race tracks, Chip shares his career path mowing lawns at Darlington and later leading a larger team in Florida. This past February, the Daytona 500 hosted the President of the United States. What went into the preparations and what advice did his wife give him? Plus, Chip spills Steve's golf course secrets!

In the latest edition of Letarte on Location, Steve welcomes NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Lajoie. No stone is unturned as Steve asks Corey about his rise to the Cup Series, fatherhood and how his marketing skills have helped him further his racing career. Both Steve and Corey connect through their shared East Coast racing roots, trading stories from their past and also discussing the current state of the sport.

Coming from his home office again, Steve talks to a neighbor, rookie Cup Series driver Cole Custer from his home in North Carolina. At 22 years old, Cole has quickly displayed that he is one of NASCAR rising stars, gathering wins across all racing series he’s competed in. After his first Cup win at Kentucky on July 12, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver shares how he actually felt getting into Victory Lane. Steve and Cole talk about the burdens and benefits of social media, and ice cream.

It’s 2020, and Steve Letarte is back with “Letarte On Location” - but locations are a little different for now. Steve talks with NBC Sports play-by-play announcer & host Leigh Diffey, both from their own homes. Leigh has contributed to a variety of motorsports productions for not only NBC, but the BBC too. In this first episode of the season, they cover the return of motorsports from the pandemic pause and what has been keeping them busy. Plus, Steve learns a little more about Leigh’s past - including a stint as a school teacher - and how his career took him to the United States.

Steve is on location from historic Martinsville Speedway for an in-depth conversation with one of the most colorful personalities in all of NASCAR, Clint Bowyer. The two discuss Clint's career, which began on two wheels in motocross. After competing in a dirt modified, the Kansas native made the transition to asphalt and the world of NASCAR. Competing with such teams as Richard Childress Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, Bowyer has earned multiple victories across all three NASCAR national series. He also won a championship in the Xfinity Series (2008). Bowyer recently made headlines by signing a contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing, which will see Clint return to the #14 Ford Mustang for the 2020 season. The 10-time Cup Series race winner also shares some of his favorite stories from the track.

Steve goes on location from Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte, North Carolina for an in-depth conversation with crew chief Chad Knaus. Steve and Chad were long-time colleagues at HMS, working together as part of the famed "Rainbow Warriors" crew for NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham. Knaus has since become one of NASCAR's most accomplished crew chiefs due to a historic partnership with Jimmie Johnson, which resulted in a record-tying seven Cup Series Championships. Knaus is currently the crew chief of the #24 Chevrolet with driver William Byron. Chad's presence and influence has paid dividends for the young but talented driver, who earned his first Cup Series Playoff appearance in 2019.

Steve is on location from Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC for an in-depth conversation with Sherry Pollex, the longtime partner of NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. The two discuss a wide array of topics including the efforts of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation to raise awareness and support initiatives specific to ovarian and childhood cancers. The foundation's signature event, Catwalk for a Cause, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019. Sherry, the daughter of former NASCAR team owner Greg Pollex, talks about her life in motorsports, including her partnership with Truex Jr. She also reflects on her personal battle with ovarian cancer that began with her diagnosis in 2014.

Steve goes on location the from historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to one of NASCAR's four "crown jewel" events, the Brickyard 400, as well as the iconic Indianapolis 500. Steve is joined by Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta for in-depth conversation about the brand's sponsorship of the Brickyard 400 weekend, his overall passion for motorsports, and his successful career as a music executive. Borchetta also reflects on his days as a driver, which includes winning three consecutive Super Truck championships (2003-05) at the famed Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville.

Steve goes on location at Darlington Raceway, one of NASCAR's most historic venues, for a conversation with NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace. The two discuss Wallace's legendary career which included 55 Cup Series wins and the 1989 championship. After retiring from the driver's seat in 2005, Wallace has gone on to a successful broadcasting career, first with ESPN, and now with MRN Radio. Wallace also went on to design Iowa Speedway, which has become a signature track in NASCAR's Xfinity and Truck Series, as well as the NTT IndyCar Series.

Steve goes on location from Bristol Motor Speedway for a conversation with country music singer Tim Dugger. The two discuss Dugger's music career and his strong connection to NASCAR. Often playing in clubs around the NASCAR circuit, Dugger not only developed a loyal following of race fans; he also became a favorite of several drivers and their crews. These friendships and connections eventually led him to Nashville, the capital of country music, where he signed a deal with Curb Records, which is owned by longtime music impresario and motorsports team owner Mike Curb.

Steve goes on location from Toyota Racing Development in Salisbury, North Carolina for an in-depth conversation with TRD President and General Manager David Wilson. Representing one of three manufacturers at NASCAR’s top level, Wilson has guided Toyota to multiple championships across NASCAR's three national touring series (Cup, Xfinity, Truck). During his 30-year tenure, Toyota has won some of motorsports' biggest races including the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, Baja 1000, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Steve goes on location from Seneca Lodge in Watkins Glen, NY for a lively discussion with Boris Said. Considered one of the best road-course racers in all of motorsports, Said became a cult-like figure, especially at Watkins Glen, with his legion of fans known as "Said Heads". The two discuss Said's career in racing, highlighted by his success in sports cars driving for BMW. Among Said's accolades are wins in both the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. In 2005, he became the first American to win the grueling 24 Hours at Nürburgring. Said also earned victories in both the Xfinity and Gander Outdoors Truck Series.

Steve goes on location from Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA where he is joined by Martin Truex Jr. Competing in his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing, Truex is one of the leading contenders for the Cup Series Championship. A son of a racer, Martin discusses his growth in the sport, the importance of grassroots racing, his early struggles in the Cup Series, the 2017 championship with Furniture Row Racing, and his relationships with longtime partner Sherry Pollex and crew chief Cole Pearn.

Steve goes on location from New Hampshire Motor Speedway where he is joined by iRacing EVP and Executive Producer Steve Myers, along with NASCAR on NBC analyst and two-time Daytona 500 Champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. The trio discusses the phenomenon of iRacing (also known as simulation or "sim" racing) and the significant impact it has had on the current motorsports landscape.

Steve is on location from the Foyt Wine Vault in the shadow of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is joined by veteran NTT IndyCar Series driver Tony Kanaan. The 44-year old Brazilian captured the IndyCar Series championship in 2004 and won the 2013 edition of the Indianapolis 500. The 22-year IndyCar veteran talks about his journey from his early days in the sport to his current role, driving for the legendary A.J. Foyt.

Steve goes on location from NASCAR headquarters in Daytona Beach, FL for a conversation with NASCAR EVP and Chief Marketing Officer Jill Gregory. As one of NASCAR’s highest ranking executives, Gregory has spearheaded the ongoing project to refresh and modernize the NASCAR brand. One of the topics discussed are the many different ways NASCAR offer to engage with the sport’s consumers.

Steve is on location from the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the 103rd running of the Indy 500 where he is joined by three of motorsports' top journalists - Nate Ryan (NBC Sports), Jenna Fryer (Associated Press) and Jeff Gluck (The Athletic). They discuss some of the trending topics in racing including why Fernando Alonso and McLaren failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Steve goes on location from Georgia’s famed Dawsonville Pool Room where he talks to NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, Chase Elliott. The 23-year old sensation returns to his hometown after a thrilling victory at Talladega Superspeedway last Sunday, the fourth of his ever-growing Cup Series career. Steve and Chase discuss what it’s like being the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott. Chase also reflects on his rise up the racing ladder, as well as being teammates with 7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

Steve is on location at Richmond Raceway with 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The pair discuss Johnson's preparations for the 2019 Boston Marathon which took place Monday, April 15. Johnson completed all 26.2 miles in a time of three hours, nine minutes and seven seconds. Johnson's marathon came less than 48 hours after running 400 laps (300 miles) in his #48 Chevrolet at Richmond on Saturday night.

Steve is joined by INDYCAR President Jay Frye on location from the famed Pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve and Jay discuss the state of INDYCAR, including the upcoming race at the Circuit of the Americas (Austin, TX) and the Indianapolis 500, which will be seen - for the first time - on NBC. Frye also talks about how he went from playing football at the University of Missouri to becoming a successful executive in both NASCAR and INDYCAR.

Steve sits down with Roush/Yates Engines President & CEO Doug Yates at the Waffle House in Cornelius, North Carolina, which was the favorite restaurant of NASCAR Hall of Famer and Doug's father Robert Yates (1943-2017). They discuss several topics, including the growth of the famed Roush/Yates engine shop and the history of Robert Yates Racing. Steve and Doug also share what it was like being on different sides of battles between Jeff Gordon & Dale Jarrett.

Steve is on location at the famed Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida where "Big" Bill France organized a meeting in December 1947 to discuss the future of stock-car racing and conceived NASCAR.Steve catches up with Doug Duchardt, currently the Chief Operating Officer at Chip Ganassi Racing. They discuss their time working together at Hendrick Motorsports, Doug's experience at St. Louis Cardinals fantasy camp, and the season outlook for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Get ready for Steve Letarte's new podcast! First episode will air Tuesday, February 19th.