Open Trailer Podcast: Recent Episodes

Open Trailer Podcast

Partnering with MVRCA, Open Trailer Podcast provides in depth interviews with those who shaped racing in the Northeast, and the people who carry the torch today. Every open trailer has more than few stories, Open Trailer Podcast is here to tell them

We pickup on the night of his first track championship

How much does a champ drink before the Champion's speech?
More Batmobile stories
Who Chris thought hated him on the race track
What did the car owner do with the winnings of one of Chris's biggest wins?

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Scarborough Maine's Chris Smith was #1 at 16. He became a 5X champion....and he was back at it this week.

The story behind the Batmobile
How two Maine Motorsport Hall of Famers are tied to Chris's early days
Championships...or trophy hunting
Is a 'track favorite' really a thing?

We bring home season 3, episode 24 with one of the most recognizable voices in the Northeast. Always brutally honest, Marco breaks down his years with PASS, announcing races while legally blind, working Mainely Motorsports, his take on streaming, and a number of other great nuggets about music and concerts.

Thank you for your support in season 3! Season 4 in '24! I urge you to go back to earlier episodes and check out the archives. Even if it was only 5 months ago, Dave Coutermarsh episodes seem like forever ago!

However you celebrate, happy holidays!

Stage 1 of Marco was a solid heat race. The man is warmed up and brings heat including how he started the Racin' Paper, took over an announcing gig at Star without an audition, and a lot of random 90's nuggets. The ill fated Pro Truck tour, his take on the Tom Curley/Mike Liberty dispute, NEPSA tour and the day Ralph Nason and Dave St. Clair ran a race against the Oxford 250. Oh, and if he's had any death threats.

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It's an episode years in the making. Buckle up for Mark 'Marco' Thomas.

One of the most distinctive voices and personalities in the Northeast unleashes his history.

Childhood fascination with racing at Thunder Road, and how the late Ken Squier played a role.
Hitchhiking to hundreds of races before he got a drivers license.
The absolute machine that was Speedway Scene, and how he got there.
How his budding friendship with Dave Dion ticked off an entire press booth
Why it's important for the race fan to have someone 'tell it like it is.'

Mark has some great, funny stories, but it's also chalked full of history nuggets, He is a true student of the game.

The SP Trilogy wraps up with Steve getting more real than he's ever been on record.

How race teams can affect friendships
How broken he was, and not just financially.
How he was able to work through both and come out stronger than ever.

The man behind 'the show' stepped up to the plate on this one.

Also, check out info on the crossover live event with Black Flagged Podcast.

Steve's back, and has a ton of life hacks. Like, how to bargain with your wife during race season

How focused was a 20 year-old Kyle Busch?
How he hooked up with Mike Rowe
How he put Austin Theriault on the map
Was Mainely Motorsports a mistake?

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Ready to roll with one of the most visible characters in Maine racing over the last two decades.

History:

Shocker. Steve was a class clown

Before ownership, Steve was a winning race car driver.

The little team goes to the Oxford 250...and outperformers their peers year after year

The one time Steve counted money before te pay window opened.

This is a good listen, pretty humorous. Drop a 5 star review if we've earned it! Share, stream, and screenshot!

If you thought stage 1 was nuts, this episode is even deeper.

Voted off the island
The night of his NAACAR Championship
The Bad Santa car
Racing after a stroke
Paying the tire bill before the electric bill
Racing despite no electricity in the house.

It's a wild ride, buckle up.

Underdog, champion, court jester. Lewis Anderson has played all three. But was it fair? This week's episode may change everything you've thought about the man, but also may reinforce it. That's up to you.

We start by digging right into the infamous Wildcat 50
What it's like to struggle and not qualify for races...for 20 years
How he was given a fast car without instruction to finesse it.
Being on the wrong side of Beech Ridge tech
Being on the wrong side of everyone.

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Mike is back to wrap the trilogy.

A nice wrap on his driving days.

-Driving for Dick Fowler.

Motivation for life
How to deal with dubs, by Mike Maietta
The toughest driver he ever raced

Stage 2 includes a ton of great nuggets.

How Mike's accident affects racing over 30 years later.
Richie Evans was going to let him drive the 61. What did he say?
How to avoid being angry....by Mike Maietta
Why ordering food on an iPad is part of what's wrong with society
Why Mike would be a better race car driver today

The 9x BRMS track champ loads up on race stories, plenty of non racing stories and other things.

Mike's 'job' at the race track when he was 9

His family wasn't keen on him racing

Digging up Beech Ridge

Why he never went 'tour' racing

We pick up stage 2 with Lemons racing. Lemons is good enough for Travis Pastrana...and sounds like a hell of a time.

Cole and Matt go to a fight with Billy Penfold...then slowly back away from the scene

They end up back at Beech Ridge...and in the path of the Dirty Lew

The most badass racecar that never took a lap...but why?

Matt's inspirational story from pancreatitis to health.

Lots of swearing.

With over 50+ NASCAR wins at Beech Ridge, Cole Watson takes on the Thursday Thunder/NASCAR Night stat debate.

PLUS!

Why Fords?

How they beat tech...once.

Cole worked for...Tom Mayberry?

How affordable entry level racing was in the 90's

Racing drama at all levels...especially karting

Lots of laugh out loud in this one. Grab a gear.

We wrap up our time with the brothers and dig into NASCAR development deals that never developed, Mike Rowe rivalry (not the 2023 version, and Trevor goes deep on how close he was to losing his life.

We pick up the story with Trevor joining RMR...the first time.

How Jay Cushman's ride came into play

Was Trevor checked up by NASCAR teams?

Young man goes west to Nashville Fairgrounds

How tight the budget was circa 2009

Heartbreak in the PASS 400...again...and again.

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Trevor Sanborn jumped into Super Late Models before he had a drivers license. In the last 20 years, has driven and won all over the place. Older brother Corey was also a competitor and sure does have stories.

We talk the 50th Oxford 250
How the Sanborns were involved in one of the biggest wrecks in Beech Ridge Motor Speedway history
Corey's over his head in ACT
Why was Trevor so quiet?
What he learned from Maine greats like Bobby Babb and Bub Bilodeau
The Sanborn connection to the night Bub passed
Does Trevor regret not winning a NASCAR championship?

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Chum's back for Stage 2 with more great stories including the infamous 'Ride of Your Life' night, schooling his son in-law, getting his grandson Rusty Poland up to speed, and how retirement just doesn't work for him.

The man who was at Beech Ridge...day 1. If there's anyone who has seen and been a part of it all, it's Chum. He's been behind all the greats and we dig into stories of Homer, Dickie, Jeff Stevens, and others.

Chum's grandson, Rusty Poland guest's as co host...and you're really going to enjoy this one.

We get into Bob's foray into NASCAR North with Sandy McKinnon...as yes, an orange #33

The very first ACT car had Bob's #91 on it, but as a prototype Beaver Dragon ride. Hear how Bob paved the way for Beaver in the 91.

Bob returns to Beech Ridge and becomes the first local driver to win an ACT race

Teams with Alan Tardiff's dad, Marc late in his career.

The best race he ever had was with who????

The original MCR! Sanford's Bob Randall is a 4X Beech Ridge champion and has always been a 'car guy.' He's also into skydiving...and (at over 70) still yearns to go bungee jumping.

Another racer whose first vehicle didn't have any brakes.
We get the same lesson in stagger Bob did
A controversial first win over Dave Darveau (pits and grandstands divided)
Racing with a very, very young Curt Gerry
The first championship years, followed by a gutting loss.

Bob doesn't hold back. His story is one one of triumph and heartbreak. You'll certainly feel it.

We pick up on Rick's foray into NASCAR North, including a incident at Thunder Road. He returns to Beech Ridge with more wins, wraps up his driving career early, and returns to head the pack in a different way.

Rick Zemla was a dominator. Multiple championships and back to back 12 win seasons in the ultra competitive Late Model Sportsman division at Beech Ridge.

The Beech Ridge employee who DIDN'T want Rick to race
The hardest part of winning happen AFTER the races?
Multiple nights with wins 2-3 wins
When you're great, they want to tear you down.

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We wrap up our time with Dave on this 'bonus' episode.

New driver in David Pinkham, same success in the 61
The end of the Mods at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway
Dave and crew go to New Hampshire for more wins

-Would Dave have run the Whelen Modified Tour?

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Dave discusses the peak Supermodified years at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. The Maine Motorsports Hall of Famer shares an incredible story about Jeff Stevens, the wild bus ride when they lost the brakes...but had a race to get to. Also, did Dave get a heads up Ralph was buying Beech Ridge? Find out here!

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One of the most decorated owners in Maine racing history, Dave Coutermarsh started on a dairy farm, was set back by Urban Renewal, and ended up upside down on the race track as a driver.

Then, he got into ownership. In stage 1, we find out how the #61 came to be, his pairing with Ralph Cusack, and the birth of the super modifieds.

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Long time, huh? Host Andy Austin drops in and drops some info on the long delayed Season 3.

This episode is titled Jar of Flies, but I also figured nobody would get the reference. Back in the day, Alice in Chains dropped Jar of Flies before their third proper record.

(the more you know star shoots)

Wrapping up season 2 with another Maine Motorsports Hall of Famer.

Fowlers invade Funkmaster Flex
Dream season with Mike Rowe
Team sells, but stays in the family's
Dick's side of the BRMS story.

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One of Beech Ridge's most decorated characters tells his story...all of it.

Stage 1:

Selling programs in the 60's
Digging up the old BRMS surface
How to grow a proper potato (I wanted to know)
The balance of family, farming, and fast cars
80's and 90's domination
The boys step onto the scene

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MVRCA

We wrap up the mini series with another 2021 champion, Brandon Lizotte . Also, David Oliver, Steve Perry, and Greg Emerson share their experiences. Tons of old school stories, how they got started, the back stories of some of their most famous moments, and where they are going from here.

This time out, we hear from more champions, front runners and fan favorites.

Dan Walker, Corey Bubar, Brandon Williams, and Wade Kennedy all went deep into their experience, highlights, and emotions surrounding Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.

Help keep racing history alive with MVRCA

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When your home away from home suddenly vanishes, what's next?

Is there a second act? Without skipping a lap, do you go to the nearest track?

Is it just...over?

Beech Ridge Motor Speedway was an active facility from 1949 - 2021. Stars like Chris Smith, Keith Petrin, Brandon Johnson, Gary Smith, and Rusty Poland are among those moving on. For the first time, we hear many of them speak on the fateful night, their closure, what BRMS meant to them, and where they're going next.

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We pick up Dan's story with more stories on the Maine Motorsport Report

How Dan ended up getting a TV he didn't try out for

Dan's son becomes a BRMS champion

Showmanship

The economics of racing and current challenges

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Before there were podcasts and instant updates to everything, there were weekly radio shows. Dan Wolfe's 'Maine Motorsport Report' had quite the cast of characters.
How Dan's own racing lead to Dave Dion's first time in a Chevy.
A key member of what became DEI decided to go south. Dan had a pivotal role. Kind of.
The hack to getting his name on every open trailer in Southern Maine during the 70's and 80's
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Ken Minott is back and we pick up the 'Big Dawg 400' story.

Years with Jay Cushman
More high profile rides
Ted Christopher connection
Does Scott remember his wedding song?

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We head to the Midcoast of Maine where Ken Minott joins in on the action.

Battling with Stan Meserve
Epic championship runs at Wiscasset
Detour to OPS
The infamous "Bid Dawg 400" (part 1)

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In Stage 2, we get into Bob's relationship with King Richard Petty

The creation of Spud Speedway and it's economical impact
Maine X Ray takes off
A bonus free business clinic everyone can learn from.

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Before Ralph Nason, the Knowles family ran Unity Raceway.

Now 85, Bob recounts his days on Route 139 and beyond.

Unity Raceway was almost in Westbrook?
Why in Unity?
How is the track tied to the inauguration of JFK
Cars left the track, ended up on the interstate, and...came back?

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Bob Jr's championship days
Whether drivers REALLY don't care about points
Brad's driving career takes flight
Huge ACT success
Super Mods

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Three Generations: Bob Sr, Bob Jr, and Brad all in one wide ranging interview

How the 'wood chopper' 4 came to be
Bob Sr. is beat by his backup car
Bob Jr. joins NASCAR North
Bob Jr's friendship with Randy Lajoie as the two competed.

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How Jerry Major shut down Jerry Garcia...sort of
Running Oxford Plains Speedway
Jerry's connection with Bobby Allison
How he and Benny Parsons entertained 20,000 restless people

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The man behind the mic: Jerry's humble beginnings
How he became involved in OPS
Infamous, non racing Oxford 250 incident
What a few Maine race tracks have in common

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"How much money do you need to live and enjoy your life?" - Lomer Pelletier

In stage 2, we actually get around to racing.

Would Pete Silva have a racing career without Lomer?

Lomer gets into Snowmobile racing

Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame

Win Lomer's Money (spoiler: No one wins Lomer's money)

Lomer reflects on everything.

Left school in the 5th grade.

Six kids by 21.

Nearly crushed by lift, worked in a full body cast.

Started with a homemade garage made of cardboard.

Bet it all on on himself...and won

That's just stage 1!

We pick up Russ's story in the late 80's with Dale Shaw.

Wild Geoff Bodine story
Junior Johnson 'makes the coffee'
How High is High...as it relates to an airborne race car

Maine NASCAR Champ and Beech Ridge Champ David Oliver joins in for the conversation.

Open Trailer Podcast benefits Maine Vintage Race Car Association.

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One of the most requested guests gets his time on OTP. Maine NASCAR Champ and Beech Ridge Champ David Oliver joins in for the conversation.

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We wrap up our conversation with Scarborough's Kelly Moore by highlighting the late 90's, early '00's, son Ryan stepping into the seat, and one of Kelly's most satisfying moments.

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Season Two kicks off with a band. Three stages with Scarborough, Maine's Kelly Moore.

Before we get to his driving days, we talk the business of RC Moore. Also, his humble beginnings, work ethic, and legendary OPS Late Model class of the early 80's. Kelly moves to Busch North and starts to make a name regionally.

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We pick up Kelly's 'welcome to NASCAR' moment at IRP. The big bonus from ACT that almost wasn't, and his Busch North championship.

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OTP host Andy Austin checks in before the launch. Dishes on what lead to the second season, Beech Ridge talk, and getting out of one's own head. Season 2 Saturday at midnight!

Bill Rodgers of Old Orchard Beach took a vicious hit during the Granite State Pro Stock Series event. After a few tense moments, Bill emerged from the vehicle to the roar of the crowd.

How is he?

What happened?

How soon will he race again?

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We pickup in the early 90's. Ralph's running ACT and nearly wins the championship. However, controversy follows a fateful day at Thunder Road.

Also, the man who started the short lived NEPSA tour discusses his early dominance and the problem it created.

Finally, will there be future racing at Unity? Ralph's answer may ultimately surprise you.

Ralph wins at and eventually takes over Unity, but it's not the first race track he managed
How he went from 3 to 60 cars in the matter of a few weeks after taking over his first track
Controversial 1976 Oxford 250. Ralph's side.
How Ricky Craven came on the scene at Unity
Beating Junior Hanley

Ralph Nason wraps up season 1 of OTP with a three stage episode. The Hall of Famer gets into his timid early days, the infamous kit car, and great stories from the early days of Unity Raceway.

Goodwin tells his side of the infamous Beech Ridge/modified/MSSCRA controversy
His clash with NASCAR officials as an outsider at Thompson
Wins and eventual championship with Josh Cantera.
His health smuggles, and his support system

Maine Motorsports Hall of Famer Goodwin Hannaford joins OTP for the first of two stages.

Racing memories dating back to the 1950's
Gains attention of General Motors for his work with fuel injection
Rebuilds a Shelby Cobra Hugh Hefner totaled after 300 miles
Shares his secrets for an effective educator.

We pick up Greg's almost championship year, how pulling up to a tree finished his driving career, and his son John takes the wheel in the Peters family.

Also, if you're a parent, you won't want to miss a life moment mid way through.

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"The Young Man From Westbrook," "Pine needle Peters," and "Grand National Greg." Westbrook's Greg Peters has helped as many people and been a Maine staple throughout his driving career. In stage 1, Greg teams up with the legendary Moe Tweedie, finds success on the dirt of Beech Ridge, and almost becomes a legit rock star.

In stage 2, the focus turns to Wyatt's racing endeavors, why the young star bucked the trend and moved back to Maine, and we discuss what counts as "classic country."

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OTP ships up to Ellsworth, world HQ for the Alexanders. The three generations sit down with Andy Austin for the first of two stages. Maine Motorsports Hall of Famer Bob Alexander talks his Aroostook County roots, racing at Spud, and why he never went after championships.

You've heard of Bob's accomplishments, seen Wyatt in action, but what about Brett? We dig into his brief driving history too.

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Between NASCAR's two Daytona races, we squeeze in stage 2 of Derek Kneeland. How does a guy living in Maine deal with all the travel? Speaking of that, there ARE a few key airport hacks, and Derek dishes on those. Plus, the now infamous Oxford 250 story racing Brad Keselowski.

For Speedweeks, we switch gears and spotlight a Mainer who is in the thick of it. Windham's Derek Kneeland shares his route to the Cup Series. Also, his early driving days, and the fateful day he decided to give spotting a shot.

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Hall of Famer to Hall of Famer, Pete Silva joins OTP again as we hash through the second half of Dave's career. Historian Steve Pellerin adds insight to the significance of Dave's accomplishments. Plus, there's a hilarious story of how Dave dealt with a hot Florida day on the racetrack.

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A true pioneer of racing in Maine, Dave talks of his beginnings, which date back to the Windsor Fairgrounds. His success at Unity (including when they had trees right next to the actual racetrack), and the night he claimed his biggest win.

Pete Silva and MVRCA historian Steve Pellerin join the party, recorded on location at the Darveau compound.

In our second stage, Dale talks about some of the major rivalries at Wiscasset. The infamous 'trailer' story comes up, and how he continuously finds the gray area.

Wiscasset promoter, GM, and track announcer hops in for our conclusion. Rate a review this episode. 5 stars mean the world to our mission!

A man who's partially responsible for Wiscasset Speedway being an active facility today. Hear how Dale got his start, how close the track came to going away, and the best place to watch a race at the facility.

Promotor, GM, and track announcer Ken Minott joins OTP for the first of two episodes.

In stage 2, Bruce begins anew career behind the mic where he works with A-list commentators. Also, talks about the MVRCA's formation, and where he thinks racing will be in 10 years.

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A winner on and off the track, Bruce Elder has had quite the career. In stage 1, Bruce talks about what made the '57 Chevys so fast, not getting paid after winning his first race, and the night he lost a close friend at the speedway.

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My conversation with Pete picks up in 1982, where he dabbles in what is now NASCAR'S Xfinity Series. Pete also wins a couple Busch North events, and reinvents himself in the 1990's. He also talks about track promotion and whether or not he still has the itch.

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In our final stage, Andy returns to the northeast, puts up crazy stats, becomes a team owner, and eventually calls it a career.

Pete Silva was a Maine rebel who raced with the southern rebels. The crowd loved it, drivers not so much. In stage 1, Pete talks about the origin of the "X" car, hopping in a truck with Junior Johnson, and what it was like racing drivers who raced to put food on the table.

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end.

Andy's career blossoms in the Busch Grand National North Series. He is eyed by The Intimidator, and moves south where he wins ROTY. After injury in Daytona, he triumphs at Pikes Peak. There's also an epic story involving 3 time BGNN champ Jamie Aube.

In stage 1 of 3, we dig into Andy's Maine roots. Also, before he became a racer, Andy had a major health setback which resulted in learning how to walk again. He describes his first race, ACT days, and becoming one of the top Pro Stock drivers in the state.

Host Andy Austin breaks down how the podcast came to fruition, and previews season 1.

Watch this feed. Season one is out of the box January 1st! Follow Open Trailer Podcast on Facebook and Twitter.

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