Jimmy was the real deal in the 1990's. Imagine what he could have done with better equipment. But his legacy to the sport is what he did with what he had. Thank you, Junior for having Jimmy on your show. Much appreciated.
Jimmy was always a class act. Just a country boy doing the best that he could with what he had, compared to all of the big money teams back then and by "back then" I'm talking about 1980 -1988 or so, when I used to go to a lot of races at Talladega, Atlanta, Nashville and Bristol. He never really competed for wins, but how could he running on used tires, re-cycled motors, and re-built chassis', when all the big dogs were running new stuff every weekend?
Jimmy means is a great man. A legend and hero. Always hope he would have got a break and make big. It wasnt lack of talent. Its $$$. But hes still trying.
It is so incredible to hear these legends speak amongst other legends. I love watching the podcast Dale. I hope to see many more podcasts in the future.
My introduction to him was when I was 7 years old in the 2nd row of Turn 6 at Riverside when Jimmy got forced inside and off the track entering 6 coming up the hill. All that Riverside dust had been worn away and it left a lip and Jimmy got forced into the dirt and cut that corner. He hit that lip and went airborne. To me he was about to sail over our heads like Free Willy. It seemed like it took forever, and then people started scrambling but of course he wasn't that high. He did slam into the wall nose first right in front of us. That's how I remember it anyway. Thought about it a lot. Never forgot Jimmy Means and that number 52 flying through the air right at me. Wish I could find video! I'm sure i wasn't nearly that spectacular but it is in my memory :)
Now Dale that would be something to get your hands on.....Get ahold of Jd's old blue (1967-1972 Chevrolet C60 CrewCab ) and restore it. That is a piece of nascar racing history if anything is.
I always heard Ken Schrader has ol' Blue. Or at least he was the person that bought it at the auction. I feel like I have seen pictures of a team in late models using it at some point.
Means was one of the true independent racers. When McDuffie went straight into the fence after the wheel assembly broke, Means was underneath and luckily McDuffie's Pontiac didn't land on top of his Pontiac. Sad that McDuffie passed away that day. #52 car.
#1, I like Jr's great respect for the history of NASCAR and racing in general. #2, When at the tracks, I always watched where Jimmy, #52, and the other independents were running. These were the guys that were really committed to it racing with second hand tires and old stuff from the richer teams.
Had a teacher in school, jimmy means was her dad, she would talk about playing in the floor of the shop while her dad jimmy and dale earnhardt sr would work on cars, she was pretty cool,
This was great! Although I pulled for Bobby Allison then Mark Martin, I was always rooting for guys like Jimmy Means, Lenny Pond, Dick Trickle, Rick Mast and Jimmy Hensley to run well.
The independents did what they could with what they had. Jimmy Means had a big break at the fall race at Charlotte in 1987. Probably would have secured a sponsor or maybe drive for Hendrick, but a wreck early in that race dashed his hopes. But he continued no matter what. Maybe if he had the money or was given the chance to drive for a top team, Jimmy 'Smut' Means would have won some races.
Jimmy is my uncle (by marriage) and my father, grandfather, and step brother made the trek to Charlotte to be at that race. I cant describe the excitement that we felt with Jimmy's opportunity with the Folgers car. The moment of that wreck taught me something about life that I have carried forward all these years of life. Needless to say Charlotte 87 was the only race I attended or watched that I cried like a blubbering idiot at.
I remember watching qualifying at Dover in the early 90s (when it was still asphalt) and watched Jimmy Means qualify for the race in a car with an engine that was down a cylinder.
I've been a Jimmy "Smut" Means fan forever. I remember him racing at Huntsville Speedway in Huntsville, AL. I have a ton of respect for him, the late J. D. McDuffie, Ronnie Thomas, D. K. Ulrich and the other independents. I remember when Richard Childress was an independent!
While working with Cecil Gordon in the mid 70's, I remember first seeing Jimmy Means at the fairgrounds in Nashville. Jimmy was fast and a strong competitor..
I remember watching the Richmond race and was at The Glenn when JD was killed. I also clearly remember that terrible week at Daytona in 1994 when Neil Bonnet and Rodney Orr were killed it was the year that Hoosier was trying to get into Cup racing and to get more speed out of their tire it was a half inch narrower on the idea a small contact patch means less rolling resistance and thus obtain higher top speeds. Officially NASCAR reports that both cars broke shock bolts which caused both cars to become uncontrollable. I also remember the dog and pony show Burton Smith put on dropping old Cadillacs from a crane nose first to find out how to make NASCAR racing safer. It took the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001 for NASCAR to get off their dead ass to make the HANS device mandatory and to install safer barriers.
I always pulled for ole Jimmy Means , JD Mc. Jimmy Horton because of the fact being underdogs…. Life give ya strange curves sometimes ‼️ I’m here to say years after Horton gave cup up , we put together a dirt track car ran at a few local dirt some asphalt tracks in Southern New Jersey and low and behold! We ended up pitting along side of Horton all season. I’m a collector so …. Lol… every sat race nite I would bring something else for Jimmy to sign ! One nite I handed him a 1/24 size car to sign and he says God Dam !,! I didn’t know that NASCAR produced the amount of items of mine that you are bringing me to sign …….✌🏼 Too Funny #32 Active Trucking Chevrolet boyyyyy … we raced Jimmy for the championship that year and yup ! We took the $ ! I have to say Jimmy was in a wreck and also hurt for the later half of that season !
I grew up some in Huntsville and everyone there really liked Jimmy Means. I also had an Uncle that did alot of Dortrack racing bit he was able to get a guy named Elden Dotson in to Daytona once.
I'll never forget the day ole JD McDuffie was killed. Had a house full of friends over drinkin' beer & watching the race. As soon as Jimmy Means looked into JD's car and frantically motioned for paramedics to hurry up, I knew right away. I told all my friends at that very moment "JD is dead! ". My friends were all saying "Nah, he's just hurt". They all changed their tune when the rescue workers started holding up sheets or boards to block the view of the cameras as they pulled him out of the car. What a sad day, for one of the very last independent racers.
more Jimmy Means. mandude i feel fo this guy. haha..he knocked my hero down a notch or two heck yea..i remember them days. there is more meat left on the plate, than what we got. hearing the Pod cast isnt the same as eye contact. need a bonding moment, these old timmers are set back and reserved. i also agree Buddy Arrington would be essential to the show. Mr Mopar..never won, but still managed to rake in the cash.
Back in the day Hoss Ellington gets caught for packing dry ice around the fuel line Why NASCAR picked him… He was just in line behind the others at the plant
Wow, this was cool. I remember watching Brad Teague drive the yellow #3 57 Chevy at Johnson City and Kingsport dirt tracks. John A. Utsman and his brother Layman battled Brad and big Bill Morton all the time. The Sportsman Speedway in Johnson City was my favorite. Later on, Buck Simmons ran there also. Great memories.
JM was given the golden opportunity to drive a Hendrick prepared Monte Carlo, and he was making the most of it. It could have finally got him into top equipment and no longer have to drive his own slapped together run-down heaps. Then, through no fault of his own, there was a crash and poor Jimmy got into it, effectively ending his chance at a top career.
You can bet the farm that most if not all drivers who won a race or championship were cheating in one way or another. Because if you weren't cheating, you weren't winning........pure & simple.
Jimmy was the real deal in the 1990's. Imagine what he could have done with better equipment. But his legacy to the sport is what he did with what he had. Thank you, Junior for having Jimmy on your show. Much appreciated.
Right on brother
Jimmy was always a class act. Just a country boy doing the best that he could with what he had, compared to all of the big money teams back then and by "back then" I'm talking about 1980 -1988 or so, when I used to go to a lot of races at Talladega, Atlanta, Nashville and Bristol. He never really competed for wins, but how could he running on used tires, re-cycled motors, and re-built chassis', when all the big dogs were running new stuff every weekend?
he had one chance and wrecked out in the first 100 miles
I'm 39, so my introduction to Jimmy was unfortunately the JD McDuffie accident. It wasn't until later I realized what a stud this dude was. Class act!
I was watching on TV when that happened............................ sad day.
Possibly the best episode to date. Jimmy Means doesn't have "quit" in his soul.
Great to see the man, Jimmy Means. Great racer and respected by so many.
Jimmy means is a great man. A legend and hero. Always hope he would have got a break and make big. It wasnt lack of talent. Its $$$. But hes still trying.
So many drivers with all kinds of stories, thanks Jr, for bringing all this out here to share with us
Love hearing these past drivers talk about the best days of Nascar!!!
True. I always pulled for Dave Marcus. Knew he didn’t have much of a chance to win but he drives for the love of the sport
@@jamessimms415 he won 5 races the last being in 82.
It is so incredible to hear these legends speak amongst other legends. I love watching the podcast Dale. I hope to see many more podcasts in the future.
Jimmy has always been a really good guy. We used to stop by at Forest City once in a while and he was always friendly and welcomed us.
Jimmy rules. I was introduced to him from the Stapleton channel, Jimmy showing off his ingenuity
My introduction to him was when I was 7 years old in the 2nd row of Turn 6 at Riverside when Jimmy got forced inside and off the track entering 6 coming up the hill. All that Riverside dust had been worn away and it left a lip and Jimmy got forced into the dirt and cut that corner. He hit that lip and went airborne. To me he was about to sail over our heads like Free Willy. It seemed like it took forever, and then people started scrambling but of course he wasn't that high. He did slam into the wall nose first right in front of us. That's how I remember it anyway. Thought about it a lot. Never forgot Jimmy Means and that number 52 flying through the air right at me. Wish I could find video! I'm sure i wasn't nearly that spectacular but it is in my memory :)
I love how dale knows all the answers to most of questions he asks but he's still over the moon when he hears it from jimmy
Yes exactly, soo Cool.
Now Dale that would be something to get your hands on.....Get ahold of Jd's old blue (1967-1972 Chevrolet C60 CrewCab ) and restore it. That is a piece of nascar racing history if anything is.
was there some Gold paint on Old Blue also, or just all Blue ? It was Iconic.
I always heard Ken Schrader has ol' Blue. Or at least he was the person that bought it at the auction. I feel like I have seen pictures of a team in late models using it at some point.
Means was one of the true independent racers. When McDuffie went straight into the fence after the wheel assembly broke, Means was underneath and luckily McDuffie's Pontiac didn't land on top of his Pontiac. Sad that McDuffie passed away that day. #52 car.
His Alka seltzer pontiac was one of my favorite paint schemes and his NAPA scheme was really good as well
We always pulled for Jimmy Means. I know where his shop is. We pass it every once in a while .
#1, I like Jr's great respect for the history of NASCAR and racing in general. #2, When at the tracks, I always watched where Jimmy, #52, and the other independents were running. These were the guys that were really committed to it racing with second hand tires and old stuff from the richer teams.
That powder blue racing champions die cast was one of my favs growing up.
I used to love the design of the Alka-Seltzer car he used to drive.
Been a fan of building model kits from that era so I had to build the Seltzer car. Chrome numbers version.
first rule of dirty mo club.Its never cheating!
Much respect to Jimmy. Dale thanks for making these videos!
Jimmy Means, J.D. McDuffie, Buddy Arrington, H.B. Bailey, Bobby Wawak...Always rooted for those guys...
Have more respect for Smut than any 10 of the current drivers put together!
Proud to have seen Jimmy “Smut” Means #52 many times at the Nashville Fairgrounds. I’m talking 1970’s. Good guy!
Had a teacher in school, jimmy means was her dad, she would talk about playing in the floor of the shop while her dad jimmy and dale earnhardt sr would work on cars, she was pretty cool,
Jimmy is still a local hero here in Huntsville AL!!!!
I got thinking the other day, I’d love to see Jerry Nadeau as a guest on here.
I met when he drove for the Cartoon Network. I met him again when he won for papa Hendricks
Thanks, Dale. Jimmy deserved this.
Truth and Honesty Always a Great Show If all of media would be like Y’all things would be a lot better in this country Thanks to All at Dirty Mo
PLEASE have the Allisons on while they're are still alive and with us
well hopefully he asked Bobby while they were filming the Columbia episode of Lost Speedways
@@Tarv1 that would be so neat tried to find some Bobby or Donny mech on NASCAR store site but all they have is Davy's
@@oldermusiclover Bobby has a website I bought his hat from.
@@benjamincline1187 oh do you have a name or a place I can go to thanks
This was great!
Although I pulled for Bobby Allison then Mark Martin, I was always rooting for guys like Jimmy Means, Lenny Pond, Dick Trickle, Rick Mast and Jimmy Hensley to run well.
Don't forget about Lake Speed!
@@scottschulte1157 2nd at Daytona
When I think Jimmy Means two words come to my mind. Alka Seltzer.
The independents did what they could with what they had. Jimmy Means had a big break at the fall race at Charlotte in 1987. Probably would have secured a sponsor or maybe drive for Hendrick, but a wreck early in that race dashed his hopes. But he continued no matter what. Maybe if he had the money or was given the chance to drive for a top team, Jimmy 'Smut' Means would have won some races.
Jimmy is my uncle (by marriage) and my father, grandfather, and step brother made the trek to Charlotte to be at that race. I cant describe the excitement that we felt with Jimmy's opportunity with the Folgers car. The moment of that wreck taught me something about life that I have carried forward all these years of life. Needless to say Charlotte 87 was the only race I attended or watched that I cried like a blubbering idiot at.
I remember watching qualifying at Dover in the early 90s (when it was still asphalt) and watched Jimmy Means qualify for the race in a car with an engine that was down a cylinder.
Great interview. Dale is really knowledgeable.
It's easy to sound like you know what you are talking about when they are feeding you information through your headphones.
I can’t wait to listen to this podcast, I’m on vacation right now but when I get back this the one I’m listening to on my first run
I've been a Jimmy "Smut" Means fan forever. I remember him racing at Huntsville Speedway in Huntsville, AL. I have a ton of respect for him, the late J. D. McDuffie, Ronnie Thomas, D. K. Ulrich and the other independents. I remember when Richard Childress was an independent!
and #24 was Cecil Gordon !
Ed Negree too !!
@@claudemcwhorter You're right! I forgot about both of them.
Buddy Arrington would also be a good one to host
Would love to see that!
If he does, he needs to ask Buddy about his qualifying lap at Talladega in '79, when he qualified without a rear spoiler.
While working with Cecil Gordon in the mid 70's, I remember first seeing Jimmy Means at the fairgrounds in Nashville. Jimmy was fast and a strong competitor..
Sounds like you need to get Brad Teague on the show
Brad Teague the ethereal fucking NASCAR driver lol
I love sterling marlin I miss him racing cup, Jimmy has good stories and man the history he has
I'm from the the same town his race shop is in. Forest city NC. It's a very small race shop compared to my most places.
Great interview the Racing in the old days it was never cheating only creative engineering Wishing everyone at Dirty Mo Media well Take Care Guys
Jimmy Means a name to be remembered!
Get Bill Elliott or Cale Yarborough on there.
I remember watching the Richmond race and was at The Glenn when JD was killed.
I also clearly remember that terrible week at Daytona in 1994 when Neil Bonnet and Rodney Orr were killed it was the year that Hoosier was trying to get into Cup racing and to get more speed out of their tire it was a half inch narrower on the idea a small contact patch means less rolling resistance and thus obtain higher top speeds. Officially NASCAR reports that both cars broke shock bolts which caused both cars to become uncontrollable. I also remember the dog and pony show Burton Smith put on dropping old Cadillacs from a crane nose first to find out how to make NASCAR racing safer. It took the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001 for NASCAR to get off their dead ass to make the HANS device mandatory and to install safer barriers.
I'll never forget your reactions, Smut. When JD spun you went to work. I'll never forget it.
I always pulled for ole Jimmy Means , JD Mc. Jimmy Horton because of the fact being underdogs…. Life give ya strange curves sometimes ‼️ I’m here to say years after Horton gave cup up , we put together a dirt track car ran at a few local dirt some asphalt tracks in Southern New Jersey and low and behold! We ended up pitting along side of Horton all season. I’m a collector so …. Lol… every sat race nite I would bring something else for Jimmy to sign ! One nite I handed him a 1/24 size car to sign and he says God Dam !,! I didn’t know that NASCAR produced the amount of items of mine that you are bringing me to sign …….✌🏼 Too Funny #32 Active Trucking Chevrolet boyyyyy … we raced Jimmy for the championship that year and yup ! We took the $ ! I have to say Jimmy was in a wreck and also hurt for the later half of that season !
Love Jimmy Means...
Get Harry Gant please.
They've already done a podcast with Harry, check the website
@@jamesramsay867 Link??? I have been an avid listener of the podcast and a HUGE harry Gant fan and haven't seen any podcast with he & jr in it.
Its episode 269 on the dirtymo website. Sorry UA-cam keeps deleting my reply with the link.
@@jamesramsay867 son of a B**** your right! Thanks
@@hoyle7780 Hell yeah bro. Enjoy, Harry is one hell of a guy.
I really miss the way racing used to be...
I grew up some in Huntsville and everyone there really liked Jimmy Means. I also had an Uncle that did alot of Dortrack racing bit he was able to get a guy named Elden Dotson in to Daytona once.
When ever he came to B.I.R. in B'ham he might beat Bobby, Red, Neil, Alton, you name it. his Late Model # was usually # 92.
I was always rooting for Jimmy, seems like he had a shop in Huntsville, AL
JM started at my local track---he was the hardest working racer ever
Why in the world do they not release the full length in video format here?
I need 2 hours of J Means.
RIP JD.
Awesome enjoy listening to your podcasts.
Overlay some picture of these cars to which you refer; some of us, although life long fans, cannot recall some of these cars.
I wonder how Sandy Jones, Jimmy's Crew Chief, is doing these days, he'd be about 70 yrs old ? Great Christian guy. He mentioned him @ 9:05.
I'll never forget the day ole JD McDuffie was killed. Had a house full of friends over drinkin' beer & watching the race. As soon as Jimmy Means looked into JD's car and frantically motioned for paramedics to hurry up, I knew right away. I told all my friends at that very moment "JD is dead! ". My friends were all saying "Nah, he's just hurt". They all changed their tune when the rescue workers started holding up sheets or boards to block the view of the cameras as they pulled him out of the car. What a sad day, for one of the very last independent racers.
Rumor was a piece of fence came into drivers area.
JR. you need to get Jimmy to write a book " how to race on a national stage with grocery money" serious he needs to write a book.
I have a diecast 52 Jimmy means still in the wrapper.Worth anything?
Alka Seltzer ride was epic. Shame he never got to race with a funded team,he would have kicked some ass.
Jimmy means is a HELL of a man and now we know what really happened to bonnets car
I never heard that he blew a R.F. tire, good to get closure
I know you probably don’t check your comments but Dale, where do you get your shirts? Love the variety
Hello Jimmy..... It is Dave from Canada.... Remember me ?????
YES, Secret Car Tech!!!!!
more Jimmy Means. mandude i feel fo this guy. haha..he knocked my hero down a notch or two heck yea..i remember them days. there is more meat left on the plate, than what we got. hearing the Pod cast isnt the same as eye contact. need a bonding moment, these old timmers are set back and reserved. i also agree Buddy Arrington would be essential to the show. Mr Mopar..never won, but still managed to rake in the cash.
Yeah. # 67 please
fun fact.he was 1st on the scene 4 jd mcduffies fatal crash at watkins glen.
Rip JD a true race car driver
They should call everything in NASCAR today "Restrictor" racing. Restrictor plate, Restrictor Body, Restrictor wheels...........
Good interview!
I still have an Alka Seltzer press kit.
Respect.
I always thought JD damaged the fence so bad it actually saved Jimmy From getting hurt
Smut Means!!
Legend.
Brian Vickers would an interesting guest. Matt Kenseth too
BREWSTER04 HERE! Great video! More interviews like this, not all that other BULLSHIT. WISDOM is earned not LEARNED! keep interviewing the WISE MEN!
I used to work with Jimmy's son n law Rex
top class guy
I will continue to tell everyone publicly on how you have helped me earned massively. thanks once again Mrs Allen Jessica
Back in the day Hoss Ellington gets caught for packing dry ice around the fuel line Why NASCAR picked him… He was just in line behind the others at the plant
Good job getting to 200 000 subs
200k subs now
Jimmy Smutt Means, just where did the “Smutt” come from??
Wow, this was cool. I remember watching Brad Teague drive the yellow #3 57 Chevy at Johnson City and Kingsport dirt tracks. John A. Utsman and his brother Layman battled Brad and big Bill Morton all the time. The Sportsman Speedway in Johnson City was my favorite. Later on, Buck Simmons ran there also. Great memories.
Do he ever talk about JD McDuffie's crash that would take his life?
you should watch it.
they just get going & then it's over :(
That's what racing was about. Till corporate f ers got into it. Sell outs.
I left my website in a comment and someone deleted it. Sorry for trying to promote business and get people jobs lol
Who is this JD he keeps talking about?
J.D. Mcduffie #70
@@claudemcwhorter Okay, thanks.
JD MC Duffie crash real racing back then
JM was given the golden opportunity to drive a Hendrick prepared Monte Carlo, and he was making the most of it. It could have finally got him into top equipment and no longer have to drive his own slapped together run-down heaps. Then, through no fault of his own, there was a crash and poor Jimmy got into it, effectively ending his chance at a top career.
Imagine if he finishes well there, he might have replaced Tim Richmond instead of Ken Schrader.
@@evanwilliams6406 I know Jimmy could run as good as any of them, cause he did on short tracks.
Sounds like Spencer had a cheater special for his 2 wins.....lmao.
You can bet the farm that most if not all drivers who won a race or championship were cheating in one way or another. Because if you weren't cheating, you weren't winning........pure & simple.
6:24 that's some broken finger right there. So many great stories.