Letarte on Location

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.