Racing Now and Then

Isabella Robusto and her twin brother William began racing Go-Karts at age 5 They progressed through Bandolero and Legends cars together. However, Isabella is now in her first year racing a Late Model for Rev Racing. Working with the NASCAR Foundation, the high school student often visits children's hospitals. This year she became a two-time recipient of the Young Racer Award presented by NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. Isabella's athleticism isn't confined to the race track. She also plays basketball and competes in track and field events. In this episode, she talks about her various activities and why she believes it's important to give back to her community.

In Gracie Trotter's rookie season in the ARCA Menards West Series, the third generation driver became the first female to win an ARCA-sanctioned race. Her accomplishment at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's The Bullring added another victory on her racing resume that began in Go-Karts at age 7. She also has won a Legends title and a Late Model race at Hickory Motor Speedway. In addition to driving for Bill McAnally Racing in the Toyota Driver Development program, she competes for Rev Racing in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. During the off-season, the 19-year-old Denver, North Carolina, native volunteers at Urban Ministries in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Earl Barban is best known by today's race fans as Jimmie Johnson's spotter, but the St. Louis native's motorsports career has involved so much more. He has spotted for NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace as well as various other drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series, fielded a truck driven by Kenny Wallace in the early years of NASCAR's truck series, driven a transporter for Team Penske, raced a dirt car, and hauled show cars. In this episode of Racing Now and Then, Barban talks about his interesting motorsports career and those who influenced him.

With the NASCAR Cup Playoffs kicking off Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway, Racer.com NASCAR writer Kelly Crandall discusses this year's 16-car field with show host Deb Williams. Find out who they believe are the favorites and how this year's track schedule could provide some interesting twists in the playoffs.

Austin Green, son of NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity) champion David Green, recently found himself with an opportunity he never expected. While attending an ARCA race in Toledo, Ohio, the team with whom he had been working suddenly needed a driver. The team owner turned to Green, who hadn't driven a race car in about 1 1/2 years. Find out how the college sophomore capitalized on the opportunity.

Veteran drag racing writer Bobby Bennett found himself fighting for his life in March when he contracted COVID-19. He beat the coronavirus and today donates life-saving plasma to those still fighting the deadly virus. Bennett also works with others in the NHRA community who are fighting the disease and encourages those who have already defeated it to join him in donating plasma. In this episode, the editor/publisher of CompetitionPlus.com details his COVID-19 battle and talks about the others in the NHRA community who have had to fight it.

Team Penske NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric at age 21 has already built an extensive racing resume that includes open wheel and sports cars in addition to stock cars. At age 14, he became the youngest driver ever to compete in the USF 2000 Series. This year he made NASCAR history when he became the first driver to win on consecutive days in the same series at the same track. In this episode, the son of Team Penske President Tim Cindric also talks about his grandfather Jim Trueman, who raced sports cars, owned Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, founded Red Roof Inns and won the 1986 Indianapolis 500 with driver Bobby Rahal.

Five years ago Mike Wallace's NASCAR career came to a screeching halt when he underwent triple bypass surgery. This weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway he returns to the driver's seat with plans to become the first person to compete in three inaugural races at the historic track -- the first Cup race, the first Xfinity event and the first Xfinity race on the speedway's road course.

Jerry Cook built his first race car at age 13, but didn't start driving until age 19. Even then he had to falsify his age in order to compete because under then NASCAR rules he was too young to race. Cook eventually earned six championships, often competing in 90 to 96 races annually, and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. In this episode, Cook talks about his racing career, his rivalry with Richie Evans, his transition from competitor to NASCAR executive, his current involvement in racing at age 77, and his family's role in motorsports.

During the two-month shutdown due to the pandemic, NASCAR's pit crews and drivers had to find alternative ways to keep in shape. Sports medicine specialist Bill Heisel, who heads OrthoCarolina's motorsports program describes the training methods that were used and the injuries many of them now face. Also, did you know a driver can suffer carpal tunnel syndrome? Heisel explains why this can occur in a driver. He also tells why working out is extremely important for Aric Almirola since he broke his back.