The Short Track Shakedown

This week on The Short Track Shakedown, we sit down with Junior Niedecken, son of Gulf Coast racing legend Wayne Niedecken Sr. Junior talks about growing up around the sport, his early days at the track with his dad, and what it was like moving from Texas to Pensacola to chase more opportunities behind the wheel.We dive into the start of his racing career, the lessons learned along the way, and the stories that shaped one of the most respected names in local short track racing.If you love the history, heart, and grit of Gulf Coast racing, this is one you won’t want to miss. 🏁

Local legend Heath Oestricher joins the show!Heath shares how his racing career began, the story behind stepping away after an off-track injury to focus on his son’s motocross journey, and how he found his way back behind the wheel in the SCDRA ranks. You don’t want to miss this one!

This week on The Short Track Shakedown, we sit down with Billy Robertson, owner of Deep South Speedway. Billy shares his incredible journey from growing up in a big Mississippi family and building a thriving excavation and paving business to transforming Deep South into one of the Gulf Coast’s premier dirt tracks.He opens up about the challenges of running a racetrack, the true costs behind keeping the gates open, and why honesty and hard work have been the foundation of both his business and his racing life. We also dive into his time behind the wheel, his family’s multi-generation involvement in the sport, and what’s next for Deep South Speedway.

The legendary owner of the blue and yellow #12 vintage car, Bobby Pittman, and the cars current driver, Ricky Haugen join the show! Listen in to hear Bobby's life story, and his journey as a local car owner as well as Ricky's take on driving and winning with the iconic car!

This week on The Short Track Shakedown, we sit down with former NASCAR driver David Reutimann. From his early days growing up in a Florida racing family to competing at the highest levels of NASCAR, David shares how hard work, opportunity, and a little bit of luck shaped his career. We talk about the challenges of making it as a small-town racer, the lessons learned from racing against legends, and what life looks like after stepping away from the Cup Series garage.Whether you’re a lifelong NASCAR fan or a short track regular, this is a story of grit, determination, and the love of racing that you won’t want to miss.

This week on The Short Track Shakedown, Joshua Joiner joins the show to share his journey from growing up in a racing family to helping build Hunt the Front into a major name in dirt late model racing. We talk about his own racing days, his start in motorsports journalism, and how HTF TV and the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series came to life. Josh gives us a behind-the-scenes look at running a regional series and previews the upcoming doubleheader at Southern Raceway.

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Lowery, owner and promoter of Southern Raceway. Tom shares his personal history and how he first got started in racing, the journey that led him to owning the track, and the challenges that come with running a racetrack. We also clear the air by addressing and dispelling the many rumors surrounding the future of Southern Raceway.

Welcome back for part 2! In this episode we go over what brought Matthew back to the gulf coast, why he runs Ford engines, and what the future holds!

This week, we’re joined by #18 IMCA Modified driver and active-duty Air Force member, Matthew Triefenbach! Matthew takes us back to his early days growing up in the heart of dirt track country, sharing how his passion for racing began and the challenges he faced balancing his military career with keeping his racing dreams alive.

Episode 31 of The Short Track Shakedown takes you inside the 13th Annual Southern Street Stock Nationals at Whynot Motorsports Park, as hosts Jake Moore and Josh Goodwin share their experiences from the weekend and feature pre-race interviews with Trey Bright, Dillon Ussery, Michael Emmons, Jonathon Langham, Jamey Boland, and Wyatt Parker.

Longtime Pensacola radio personality Marty White stops by to share his journey behind the mic. He recalls his beginnings announcing Tate High School football games, his continuation in radio while serving in the U.S. Air Force, and his return to the Gulf Coast with stints at local stations before becoming a beloved co‑host on WXBM’s “Marty and Linda” morning show.From there, Marty jumps into how a media race at 5 Flags Speedway sparked his own racing adventures. Finally, he reflects on life after radio, his retirement, and what comes next.

Rodney Wing, owner of Whynot Motorsports Park, joins the show to talk about the origins of the track, the history of the Street Stock Nationals, and what it’s like being a promoter. He shares stories from over the years, the challenges of running a track, and his thoughts on how the sport has changed. We also get a sneak peek on what to expect at the 2025 Street Stock Nationals

In this powerful follow-up, Kevin Mitchell opens up about the highs and heartbreaks of grassroots racing—flipping cars, rebuilding from scratch, and learning hard lessons along the way. He shares stories of wild wrecks, fierce competition, and his shift from driver to mentor. From dirt to asphalt, faith to family, and a surprise go-kart for his son—this episode is raw, real, and full of heart. 🏁

In this episode of The Short Track Shakedown, we sit down with local legend Kevin Mitchell to dive into his deep-rooted racing heritage and decades of experience behind the wheel. From go-karts to pure stocks and street stocks, Kevin shares stories of family legacy, clever race car builds, memorable wins, and hard-learned lessons in the tech shed. It’s a raw, honest, and often hilarious look into Gulf Coast short track racing — full of passion, ingenuity, and heart. Don’t miss this one!

Part 2 of the Cameron Goldsworthy Story!This episode is brought to you by 5 Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

Mr. Hoosier himself stops by the studio for episode # 25! Cameron shares how he go his start in motorsports, the event that almost killed him involving a tire that came off of a racecar, as well as his current endeavors in racing. This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare!

Sean Goodwin joins the show to share his history with local racing and his many hilarious stories!This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare!

Steve Stokes, co-host of the "In The Groove" podcast, half a century veteran of 5 Flags Speedway, spending that time on both sides of the flag stand, and former General Manager of Southern Raceway joins Josh and Jake to tell his long history with local racing in the Florida Panhandle. There are not many people that have put more into local racing than Steve!

The McKenzie Missile is in the house! One of our most requested guests, Shep Lucas, joins Jake and Josh to tell his story of racing all over south Alabama and northwest Florida throughout the 90s and 2000s.This Episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare!

The long awaited part 2 of the Donnie Brusso story!This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare!

Mark Biles, owner of Window World of Pensacola, former crew chief for Tracy Goodson, and car owner for the Logan Boyett operated outlaw, stops by to tell his unique story in local asphalt racing. This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare!

Part 2 of the Logan Boyett story. Jake, Josh, and Logan talk about Logan's more recent history, and the grim possibilities of racing. This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare!

Logan Boyett stops by the studio and shares his long history in asphalt racing. Logan goes over his progression from go karts to legend cars, to qualifying for the Snowball Derby multiple times in a super late model. Check out part 1 of his incredible story!This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare!

Sammy McMullen joins the show. A veteran racer, past Snowball Derby winner in the super stock division and former crew member for Johanna Long, Sammy shares the memories he made along the way. This episode is brought to by Blackwater Bookkeeping and 5 Star Medicare.

Bo Slay, driver of the #2 super late model, current track record holder at Southern Raceway, and multi generation racer joins the show. Bo shares his long history in racing, how he became the owner of Slays Mobile Home Service, and losing the ones closest to him, including his grandfather, father, and best friend Chandler Shaw. This episode is brought to you by 5 Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

In part 2, Micha shares stories from his time as the promoter of Flomaton Speedway, and a special guest, Owen McCall, makes an appearance!This Episode is brought to you by 5 Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

Micha McCall returns for his exclusive interview! In the first half of his interview, Micha tells of his early racing days, his career in aviation, as well as how he helped start "Murder Creek Moonshine". You don't want to miss this episode that is full of history and comedy!This episode is brought to you by 5-Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping.

Clint Holmes, son of the late Jesse Holmes, shares his rich history in short track racing from the early days, to winning the Snowball Derby in the spectator division, to owning and operating 9 Mile Machine Shop, the many different cars he has raced, and his current role as a law enforcement officer in Escambia County, FL. This episode is brought to you by 5 Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

One of the most requested guests, Freddie Wayne McCall Sr. makes his appearance on the show. Joined by his grandson, Micha McCall, the former bootlegger, race track owner, and Mayor of Century, FL recalls his long history in the racing industry. Your not going to want to miss this episode brought to you by Five Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

This weeks episode features Doug Thorpe Jr.! Doug stops by to tell his story, going from racing late models at 5 Flags Speedway, to the Nascar Xfinity and Truck series , back to late models, and now crown stocks. This episode is brought to you by 5 Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

This week we welcomed Donny Brusso, the man that has seen, raced in, or been a part of every Snowball Derby except one of them. Donny tells his impressive story including becoming a car owner for the infamous Gary Balough as well as the wreck at Mobile that ended his racing career.This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and Five Star Medicare!

The legendary driver and part time movie star, Ricky Haugen stops by the studio to share his racing history, as well as his experience when he was heavily involved in the movie "Alabama Dirt".This episode is brought to you by 5 Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

Greg Hopkins, driver of the G17 modified and local legend joins the show to tell his story. Jake and Josh share their progress on their own racing programs. This episode is brought to you by 5 Star Medicare and Blackwater Bookkeeping!

Frank Wilson, Owner of Wilson Lumber and long time local dirt track legend joins the show to tell his story. Frank also goes over his current racing operations, racing with his son JC, and the state of local racing. This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping and Moore Site Solutions LLC.

Scooter Grice joins the show in our longest episode to date!Scooter tells his story and offers many opinions on the state of local racing. Scooter and Josh also answer the question of who is Sid?This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping!Welcome our new sponsor, Z Speed Shop!

Legendary technical director and the man behind the infamous "Room of Doom", Ricky Brooks joins the show to talk about his start in racing, his tenure at 5 Flags Speedway, and recent events including the recent ruling on UARA engine seals by the S.E.A.L committee.This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping.From start ups to clean ups, Blackwater Bookkeeping can get it done.

2-time Snowball Derby winner Dickie Davis joins Jake and Josh to share stories of his racing career including the time he won the derby without stopping for fuel. Jake and Josh also go over Southern Raceways first race of the season.This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping. Call Steph for all of your tax and bookkeeping needs.

Tim Bryant, Co-Owner and Promotor of Five Flags Speedway, joins Jake & Josh to tell his story of his start in the racing world and how his family came to be the owners of the historical speedway. They also cover the famous Snowball Derby, local racing, and future plans of the speedway. This episode is brought to you by Blackwater Bookkeeping, for your tax or bookkeeping needs, let Steph at Blackwater Bookkeeping help you!

Peyton Taylor makes a surprise visit resulting in a bonus episode! Peyton and the guys talk about how he got his start in racing and the upcoming 2025 Clash on the Coast.

Local racing veteran and long time friend of Josh and Jake joins the show to tell his stories and share his opinions on the direction of local racing.

Jake & Josh introduce themselves and go over the upcoming racing season such as the 3rd Annual IMCA Clash on the Coast and local racing in the Florida Panhandle. They also discuss news from Southern Raceway, IMCA rule changes and engine packages, IMCA vs Open Mods, their own racing program and future plans for it, as well as the plans and expectations of the podcast. If you like circle track racing, this is the podcast for you!