The Scene Vault Podcast: Michael McSwain Part 3
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- We’ll share the third and final installment of our interview with Michael McSwain … and if you thought the first two parts were something … you ain’t seen nothing yet. Michael talks about an incident between Ricky Rudd and a Robert Yates Racing employee that left Ricky with a pretty nasty black eye. He talks about his reasons for leaving Robert Yates Racing to go work for Joe Gibbs Racing as crew chief for Bobby Labonte. Finally … Michael rejoined Ricky Rudd at Wood Brothers Racing, where Michael stayed until his decision to get out of the sport in 2007. At the end of the conversation, Michael shared some pretty raw feelings about no longer being in the sport … and the conversation turned very personal.
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Wow! This is an amazing suite of interviews with Michael. They're not just historically informative; they're moving, confessional, historical, dialogs about what it took to compete back in the glory days. Thanks so much to both of you.
Kudos to both of you for opening up about “feeling lost” without NASCAR. It’s refreshing to hear that the love of being a dad was able to help you get re-centered. Brought a tear to this dad’s eye!
Rick, your ability to get these important people to open up about not only their racing lives but also their personal lives shows how closely related they are to each other. Michael witnessed the dramatic change - most say for the worst - in the NASCAR world that went from teamwork to a bag of money. Thank you for saving this honest era of highly competitive stock car competition.
Sam hornish jr. An Indy 500 winner is now a substitute school teacher, let that sink in for a minute.
It is something to do. Sam has plenty of money. He can do what he wants.
Great interview with Michael,so brutally honest.What a nice guy .Bobby LaBonte will have to live with how he did Fatback,and his true colors has changed my mind about Bobby.The little country boy from Lattimore,N.C.went to the top in the premiere stock car racing world,through hard work,sacrifice,and a determination to win.
Hell with suitcase Jake....It’s suitcase Fatback...He has worked for a lot of them back when men were men and racing was racing
I will always love Fatback !!!! Never have gotten the opportunity to meet him but I would love to be able to thank him and Ricky and that whole team for letting my only favorite car win again.
And thank you Steve Waid and Rick Houston for these tremendous podcasts that are preserving the history of the sport we love so much! Of all the great works you both have done, the history you're preserving here may be your most valuable and important work. Thank you both so much!
The sport we use to love so much...
Thank You for your interviews! I took an Extra Long lunch today just to watch this post..- interview. You are Trusted, it shows in their stories.Thank you both for sharing your hearts
Always liked the way Mike put things in perspective. He didnt sell his soul out to make it.I look forward to every episode
I greatly respect you Michael. I was with with the HMS #24 from 1998 to 2007 and occasionally was near you in the garage, but never got to really know you. This three part series with you has been wonderful and I really wish I had gotten to be on a first name basis with you. May God continue to bless you and your family, Joel
Of all these podcasts that I have watched, this has to be one of my favorites. Thank you so much for sharing your story Michael McSwain! You can add one more title to your list. You are a treasure to all of us race fans who appreciate all you gave to the sport we love! Thank you sir, and may God continue to bless you and your family!
Helluva way to put that, I agree completely. Happy Easter bubba
Great interview. I ran short tracks back in the 70's and 80's. Had a bad wreck and realized I had a wife at home 8 months pregnant that needed me a lot more than my racing dreams did. Got out and do not go back. Racing is like being an alcoholic, You are never cured, you just quit drinking. You do NOT go to picnics where you know there will be a cooler full of beer and I don't go back to race tracks. Racing is NOT a sport, it is a disease and the only people who understand that are racers.
@Gene Martin: I have been watching a lot of NASCAR-related interviews and I think you have described it just right. There are countless stories of guys who sacrificed so much (long hours, little or no pay, sleeping in trailers or garages, missing out on family, etc., etc.) just to be part of racing and a chance to do so competitively. Addiction seems the only way to accurately describe this willingness to give up so much for the thrill of the race and all the all that goes on around the garages and tracks. Probably better for a person than alcohol or drugs, but similarly controlling and as you said, you are never cured, you just quit.
What a legend! Thanks for putting this series together.
This was my first visit to The Scene Vault.
I love hearing the Mechanical/People side of the Sport/Business from some of the Characters that I admired the most.
Welcome to the party!
Great interview. Michael is as real as it gets.
You are missed sir. You were so impressive as a crew chief !!! You were valued by those of us that were racers, drivers, and crewmen in the sport. I hope to meet you some day.
All 3 interviews were great. Good stuff man, really good stuff. As a Dad myself, that’s what I am first and foremost. Greatest job that I was ever given
I have enjoyed every interview that you hav done but the is my absolute favorite. Especially part 3. Great job and keep them coming.
Well when we going racing
In business the most honest guy is usually the 1 that gets screwed over
Bobby Labonte is one of my favorites, but he was an idiot in this instance, his career was literally never the same he immediately fell out of the top 10 & was irrelevant the rest of his career.
This was probably the best interviews
Bobby was my guy too. To hear the behind the scenes story of how his free fall in the 2004 points was a result of his own doing changes my opinion of him. Definitely disappointing!
Lol his brother didn't like getting his cage rattled 🤣
Racing has changed but family values are still the same. Excellent interview and liked watching all 3 on Michael. Thank you Steve for doing this endeavor.
Interesting that Bobby Labonte was the one to do his own career in. Love this Fatback interview. Dude is real.
Always wondered what happened..now we know brother
Amazing how we all handled Post Racing the same...To leave that Adrenalin Rush...TOUGH.. It is a shock to the system...its like AA for Adrenal junkies...Like drinking,...Abstinence...the longer you abstain ...the less you miss it....Great Interview...FB you a good Dude! Tks for the dedication and success to your Craft...
All this sounds a lot like my story, i spent 12.5 yrs at Roush. In i believe 2010, we had a meeting prior to leaving for Homestead to decide between Carl n Tony the championship. As we all know, we lost to Tony. Any way we came home,came to wrk Monday morning and the manager all came around and said, don't go to work, meeting in conference room at 7am. Well, we were then told ''due to lack of a total across all teams'' 4 cup, 4 bgn , arca and a grand am (Jack Jr) team, and 2 truck teams, we were at a 43 million deficit, and need to let 141 employees go! Hit me like a ton of bricks. I could understand if i would have screwed up, but this..... bout worried me to death. Till my wife came over put her arms around me and said, this may be a blessing in discise. And it was , racin had changed so much, it wasn't fun anymore, use to be if you ran 10th, you could grab a beer and pizza with the crew.....now, every Monday morning you have to meet with the owner...etc AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU DIDN'T WIN!
That's the POLITICALLY RIGHT VERSION that happens to you same with me after 9 YRS at buds
Ha, sounds a lot like the military
Which team was you with?
@@briananderson3801 bud Moore?
@@randomepic6204 if u don't know who BUD MOORE IS U HAVNT BEEN AROUND RASEING LONG DALE S,R ,STARTED OUT WITH BUD IN NASCAR WINSTON CUP BUD WAS ONE OF THE OWNERS WHO IMPLEMENTED MOST OF THE SAFETY FACTORS NAS CAR WOULD COME TO HIM FOR HELP ON A LOT OF THERE PROBLEMS HE WAS IN RACING 4 YRS LONGER THAN NASCAR WAS AT THERE 50TH ANIVERSARY
This wasn't an interview it was 2 old friends just talking awesome job guys 👏loved it
What a powerful end to this podcast. NASCAR messed up when it replaced down to earth, respectful, pure racers and competitors with businessmen in suits just looking for profit.
Great interview. You’d think someone so driven to win would have multiple opportunities to crew chief again.
The end of this podcast is amazing. Both Rick and Fatback let us into their personal lives and let us see that they are just like us. I loved when Fatback said 'he's still adjusting.'
Racing is an amazing sport. Some folks who don't like racing will never understand what Fatback said and would not believe that is the truth. It absolutely is.
Rick's story about his son hit home. I worked a dream job once and lost it and I was in a deep dark hole for at least a year. There are times where I still struggle with it.
Had it not been for the support of my wife and her talking me through those moments, IDK where I'd be today.
Great stuff.
Good Interview. Your a good man Michael.
Love you guys!! As raw and real as it gets!!
Man what a good dude....I don't watch on Sundays anymore can't get into the game no more but hearing these old guys tell there story's is cool thanks
Thank You for the special show...
Great interview!
This was an excellent interview. Thanks.
Love this he was my favorite crew chief wish I now what that man has forgotten about race cars wish him the best
all these behind the scenes information is great
Have never been a NASCAR fan. Went to one race in my life. I enjoyed it. Grew up around drag racing and spent many long days in the machine shop working on horsepower.
The Motorsports industry in its entirety changed after 2006- 07. I say that’s when Liberty left us and was replaced with a bailout that placed insurance as the top priority. The bean counters took over and the people that had a passion for their craft were done away with.
I got a chance to learn about two people today that came from a sport I never paid much attention to.
Mr. McSwain and Mr Cronkrite. I am a fan of the hard working men and women behind the scenes.
That last 10 minutes of this interview holds good within it. Words were spoken that I need to digest and learn from.
This is a great example of humanity and the American Spirit. I’ll buy into that each and every time.
I hope and pray for Mr.McSwain and his family.
Fatback would have never been able to work with Shrub or the Outlaw....they destroy the crew and car weekly on the radio
I think you mean to say that Micheal would not allow a driver to berate their team.
This one kinda hit home for me. To make a long story short I had a chance to go to work for Petty (I'm from Oregon) I was pumped to say the least. I got back from Riverside an told my small kids my wife and I weren't together at the time. My 4 yr old daughter looked at me and said dad your not leaving us are you....... It took me all of 2 seconds to say no I'm not leaving you...... I got to spend the last 20 years of my dad's life with him.... I often wonder where I would be today had I left an moved back east..... But I wouldn't have changed the decision I made for the world because of my dad and my kids......
Great interview just listen and you learn a hole lot and alot of people can't just listen they just want to get that one last question. I would crawl in both of your laps to give you both that big hug wonderful job...Mr. "FATBACK" thank you for being you, you're such a humble person. The Nascar that I once loved you were a part of and like you say its just not the same for me as a fan
I wish you would get two cameras. One on you and one on the guest. Would improve the show. Love the interviews.
There are at least a couple of reasons -- other than the expense -- that we don't use multiple cameras and appear onscreen. First, we're not the story. The person we're interviewing ... and their experiences ... are the focus. Second, they say a camera adds ten pounds ... and I've got enough problems with that as it is!
My thoughts exactly as I watched/listened to this interview
Best interview yet. Thanks for leaving the end part in Rick. Didnt Fatback crewchief for Michael Waltrip at DEI or did I dream that?
That might have been Slugger Labbe you're thinking of.
@@noahwilson1641 good call, you're exactly right. Thank you
What you all miss is
Being a part of something that was always bigger than yourselves.
It all changed around you, just like myself,
But your blessed to leave and time was Over...Just never the way you thought it woulda gone.
Why? Because your part was valuable..
We never seen the the end coming..
Things just went that Way..
If Fatback would of stayed at jgr at some point he would of probably worked with Kyle Busch, that would of been interesting. He definitely wouldnt of dealt with his bs...
Wow! I'm a huge Bobby Labonte fan, but it's rather ironic that he was never competitive and never one another race after that.
I wondered whatever happened to Michael I always remember him as Fatback and I'm glad to see him doing well but finally a HONEST MAN with a HONEST ANSWER 👍about NASCAR TURNING POLITICALLY CORRECT AND POLITICS ( nascar says they keep politics out, my opinion and a lot of other's is BULLSHIT) and now it's basically a SHOW!! GLAD TO SEE HIM AND ENJOYED LISTENING TO HIM 👍
Great stuff Guys!!
I certainly enjoyed this interview.
THANKS
Fat didn't mess around. That comes from growing up around the old timers 💯 solid man enjoyed the show.
I was exposed to the Labonte brothers and they are nothing like the public sees them. Someday, someone is going to write a book about the darker side of NASCAR. The title of the book should be “Selling Your Soul to be in NASCAR”.
I’ve suspected that all along, there’s a darker side to everything/everyone, not just drivers.
U just said what I always thought
I know you are right I lived it for 9 YRS it's like living a lie
Both Labontes? Which one was worse?
Yall really believe that
great interview and good to hear about behind closed doors information! - How do I get a Fatback's hat?
That’s a good question!
The air intake story at 10:05 is from Mark's 1990 run, not 2002. Rockingham is right and Mark finishing 2nd (1990 and 2002) is right. And it was the carburetor spacer, also right.
I believe that it was a coil spring that was too short on the car in 02
This was Great! Love Fatback and truly miss seeing him at the races but he's made some great decisions in his life. GOD bless you Fatback! BTW...Ricky Rudd has always been my favorite driver. Miss Rooster also.
Micheal just nailed it ,racing is not the same ,it's about the money and selling products politically correct. Nascar has lost what these men took generations to build ! Go woke ,Go broke !
The one word that stands out to me in any interview I see on any podcast with anyone that ever was in racing is DEAL
There whole career is about the next deal
Think of the stress that puts on someone
Most all of us never have to worry about deals to continue doing what we love we just do it
Awesome interview. Really enjoyed it and some true comments were made why I quit watching NASCAR.
Great interview
The point he makes is so true. Back before the racing made it the show. Now the show dictates the racing.
I always liked him and wondered why he left.....WOW !
Wow great interview
What's wrong with NASCAR???
It is not just NASCAR. The wholeworldis changed. Hey NASCAR get back to racing.
Thats a great story of a racing career 👏 be proud of everything you accomplished 👏 👍 😀
There is always the garage rat that messes things up. Never knew that was the thing that broke Bobby and Michael up. A garage rat that was saying stuff.
Fatback! You are the real racers crew chief.
Faith,family and run the race whatever it may be to win!
Keep Rolling.
I’ve never liked Bobby Labonte much before this and now I literally can’t stand him. What driver has a rat running around the shop while these guys bust their ass to build a winning car every week? I totally believe Michael every word he says. I’m glad Bobby missed the chase and never won a race again!
I'm not sure if I could continue on with my life if I thought Elliot Sadler was upset with me. Lol
I love it when they are just who they are no bullshit
22:08 SAVAGE MCSWAIN
Fatback needs to be the crew chief of a Junior Motorsports car with Kyle Busch behind the wheel!!!
The greats don’t come from short track America anymore , they are all farm raised starting at 2 yrs old
I have always been a Bobby Labonte fan never know he was like that
Great interview, thanks for what you are doing with this channel! What is Fatback doing nowadays?
Runs a tire shop somewhere. There’s a comment in part 1 or 2 w details
Michael please pray for me like i pray for y'all
Awesome
Very great video
Towards the end you talked about getting screwed over for the job you had worked for.
I have to say that I hate Dave Moody and the way he treats and talks to fans.
It's too bad what has happened to the sport !!
It changed when sponsors started calling all the shots it turned into a money thing. Liked it better in the 70s and 80s when it wasn't so stinking political.
In 2008 i saw my best friends got killed in front of my eyes i was in back seat its bad
Larry punched Rudd with a haymaker. Rudd had a water bottle and jumped above Steve Post and drilled Larry with the water bottle. That’s what happened.
did someone burp at 20:44?
No ... I was a little hoarse that day, and when I started to laugh, I sounded raspy. Then ... a coughed.
No problemo, great interview -- brought a tear to my eye when you talked about your son on your lap....
A Racer's Racer back when the people were real and Men were Men!! Best wishes to FatBack!!!
I though he had worked with Michael Waltrip
I respect Fatback but it wasnt a water bottle that hit Ricky, it was Larry Lackey's right fist...
You are correct, then Ricky threw his water bottle at Lackey which cut his forehead open , requiring stitches.
Yeah im not buying that about bobby labonte
It would be interesting to hear his side of the story. I always wondered what was behind the scenes of his drop out of the top 10 in the final few races before the 2004 chase.
That praying will help in the father's name help in Jesus name
Seems like kids are not the answer to a fulfilling life 😕.
Uncle Fester
Really love the candid responses, didn’t know Bobby was such a crybaby
Never ever knew Bobby Labonte was such a jerk. Seemed like a cool cat on t.v but looks can be deceiving.
Fatback was the real deal.
First rule in journalism- Never make the story about you, the journalist. All good up until that. Bad form.
I absolutely, positively, beyond the faintest shadow of a doubt agree. However ... in that moment, because of just how deep the conversation had gotten, I wanted to share with Michael that I had gone through something very, very similar in my own life.
Normally I would agree. But in this case, I must respectfully disagree for 2 reasons:
1) I think that a "podcast" is a slight derivative from what one would consider pure journalism and is more of an open format with the objective being to stimulate conversation rather than to report a story. A key part of a good podcast is the facilitator's ability to relate to and put the interviewee at ease.
I think Rick did an excellent job with that in this interview.
2) NASCAR is a unique sport in that long-time race fans understand that its full-time journalists ARE a part of its history and its stories. When my Winston Cup Scenes and Stock Car Racing Magazines arrived in the mail, there were certain journalists (including Rick Houston) whose articles I immediately read. Why? Because they travelled with "the show", they had behind-the-scenes insight into "the show", they developed respect and built relationships with the more well-known public figures in "the show", and yes, they became part of "the show". I love to hear their stories as much as I do those who they are interviewing.
This part of the interview was raw and much appreciated. I relate to both Michael and Rick as I struggle to find a passion to replace what I experienced as a racer. Race car drivers, crew chiefs, and even journalists experience this too and it was very refreshing to hear.
Keep it raw, Rick!
Drink some water
That’s why Labonte sucked quickly after. Karma. It’s sad he always played the nice guy act.
Great interview!!