I had to separate the cheating stories and old hauler into their own videos because the shop video alone was 52 minutes! It's hard to cover 40 years of accumulated history in one building but man are we glad it's there. Jimmy is an awesome dude. The links to the other two videos are below! You can find the retro hat and hoodie I am wearing in this video at stapletonautoworks.com Truck Video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/nGl-3MqydK69YdI.html Cheating Stories: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aGyC19Cic7nTmKw.html

@paintballbot

Жыл бұрын

The irony of it being a 52 minute video lol

@russellridge8623

Жыл бұрын

I haul fuel around Texas. Based in Weatherford just E of FTW. Long ones are perfect for loads to Abilene, Greenville, Waco, etc. Hate it when I get into one of your long ones and they give me bunch of short ones around DFW. Lol

@joehoulihan5305

Жыл бұрын

Hey guys, After Jimmy said his inspection wasn’t till January 2nd for the Daytona car, and he only has a month till Daytona I got to thinking. He mentioned he had people bring trailers or he provided one. Here’s the what if, how many views do you think you could get if you day by day build vlog of the Jimmy Means xfinity series car build to Daytona, if possible park the newell outside his shop, help him with all the fab and build if he would allow it, film what you can and post once a week on the build of a current car in a legends shop. Just a thought, your pulling a lot of people in with this series, a lot of Jr. fans and you know how much of a fan he is of Jimmy. I know you will be on the download some day for all the history your logging and bringing back into the main stream. Thanks guys! Love from the Houlihan’s in Oregon! Merry Christmas!!

@matteven

Жыл бұрын

@@paintballbot 👌🏻

@paintballbot

Жыл бұрын

@@joehoulihan5305 that would definitely be interesting and I think a lot of people would watch that. I don't know if Jimmy would be down for It

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I've always known about Jimmy for years,but didn't know much about him. This video is proving he is a legend in the sport. Thanks so much for this video. It's really giving Jimmy the exposure he deserves!

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

thank you Jason! We do hope he is happy with these!

A true legend of the sport, he doesn’t really get enough credit for just surviving the growth around him.

Never stop doing these vids! These guys are living history! From an era that will never be duplicated! You are preserving history in an amazing way!

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man. We will keep doing it!

Jimmy Means is a encyclopedia of early 70s 80s nascar! He has forgot more than most Nascar crew chiefs will ever know. He us the man.

Back when it was the Busch Series, we had the pleasure of hanging out with Jimmy and his crew after the race in the lot at Indianapolis Raceway Park. So many cool stories that just grabbed our attention. Jimmy gave my sons some lug nuts (that we still have). My youngest son started wearing #52 on some of his uniforms after that.

I always remember watching Jimmy Means when I went to the Daytona races. You can never miss that turquoise blue Alka-Seltzer car with the chrome number 52. I always like routing for the independent racers back then. Glad to see that he is still at it.

i worked for jimmy back in the 2008 season. i was born and raised there and remember that shop very well. it was good times but a LOT of long hourse. hard work and obviously traveling

Gotta respect the old independent drivers / owners / tuners. Jimmy's got himself a small fortune under those roofs whether he realizes it or not. Congrats to him for saving all those items. Pretty damn cool.

Jimmy has enough old parts to build some vintage stock cars, someone needs to inventory what he has. What a amazing man he is, to what he did as a independent and still doing it. !! Thanks for making another NASCAR HISTORY VIDEO. 💯

Awesome video. I was able to work in that shop for 3 days in 1999. I had a connection to Kent peckham and was able to have an opportunity to work with the team lear 77 car at 5 races that year. 2 Dover, Nazareth, Michigan and watkins glen. I drove down there on Father's Day of 1999, spent a few days in the shop and then drove to watkins glen to help the team on a volunteer basis hoping to turn it into a full time position. Jimmy was my roommate that weekend, scott gaylord drove the car. The drive back to the cabin with scott driving was amazing. He drove the snot out of that rental. Unfortunately, being canadian, the red tape was too much for me to turn it into full time employment. But I will forever be thankful for the 5 races I was able to be a part of. Again, thanks for the awesome videos. Brings back great memories..

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome

Legendary Jimmy Means what a humble, HARD WORKING MAN! I’m sure it was cool getting to talk with him and get to know him! Great video!

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Yes it was!

Jimmy is a treasure trove of information. I bet you could spend a year with him and still not hear all his stories. What a legend.

@castelnausci7315

Жыл бұрын

I would spend a year in that with Jimmy Means. The dude is so cool

I remember Jimmy Means as a kid but as a child you just know the drivers and not who is independent. I struggle myself to race my weekly track and for him to do it alone at the highest level is beyond impressive

@MatthewRRader

6 ай бұрын

Great job....really interesting !!!!

Great job on this one. Jimmy Means is one of the very few surviving owner/drivers left from the glory days of Nascar. I remember always hearing his name in the lineups during the 80's and 90's and I remember when him and JD crashed at the Glen. That had to devastating for him to lose one of his close friends like that. He's always seemed like a very nice and humble guy. He's got a ton of knowledge and wisdom in that noggin. Very cool to see his old shop and hear his cheatin up story's. An old school innovator for sure. And he was spot on how big money has turned Nascar into the dog and pony show it is today. That's really sad but not at all surprising. You're killin it with these history videos. Keep on you gonna be giving the Vault a run for their money. Wishing you and Logan a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year. Keep up the great work!

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

thanks man!!

That was GOLD! I SO want to go to work for Jimmy Means! His mode of operation is exactly what I like and appreciate.

@ronaldkonkoma4356

6 ай бұрын

He is every movie where the rich jerks show up in their uniforms to be beaten by knowledge and passion

Smut is a great guy. He came back home to HSV, AL to speak at my father's funeral earlier this year. Thank you Jimmy Means.

I was 1 when he moved into this shop. What a cool place with so much history. I don’t know how you have managed to get into all these places but it’s awesome. It’s great to get all this documented because these guys won’t be here forever.

Thank you for showing Jimmy and his life the respect and honor he deserves. You and him have something in common other than racing. Chase your dream because dreams don’t chase you.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Billy. I did talk to him a little bit about my days sleeping in the truck and living in a trailer before we started filming

Awesome! I wish racing was still like it was 40 years ago. Remember, If you ain't cheating you aren't eating! 🤷‍♂️

Thank you for going and getting with these iconic racers and getting history lessons. These guys know how to do it all and it's great to hear from them. I think this Jimmy Means series is my new favorite. He's the most relatable to the little guy trying to build stuff in his backyard.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

The world’s a better place because of people like Jimmy. Great tour down memory lane. Stellar video Mitch.

Treasure trove of lost history. Will be one hell of an estate sale. This stuff needs to be preserved, to the unknown it is just out dated junk scrap.. Thank you for saving history Jimmy.

Been looking forward to this video.

Great video! I’ve passed his shop many times over the years and always wondered what all he had in there. He’s not lying about never throwing anything away! Wow! What a gold mine of history! Thank you Stapleton42!

I can identify with having lived on a shoestring budget and now not wanting to throw anything away of value. Another great video.

This whole video series was truly amazing! Always loved the grit and passion of Jimmy 'Smut' Means and it's great to see a full walkthrough of his race shop, along with thorough stories on the independent days during the growth of NASCAR. Really cool to see his shop never moved like how all of the other teams around the area did. I like how he was ahead of the curve with innovation as the years went by! Thank you for providing content like this!

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching man!!

@PierreVonZeus

Жыл бұрын

@@Stapleton42 you're welcome dude!

A 52 min video that zoomed by, all this history is amazing. When watching these guys run back in the day, you never really understood what they had to do to survive

If I was 17/18 year old and wanted to get into NASCAR I’d be sleeping at that door to work with those guys. Free loging knowledge etc, just buy my food for 12 months then take it from there wow I wanna meet Jimmy. Did the best with what he got has and achieved above the bar 😃

Wow... the trailer looks untouched in time and you were 8 the last time you were in it? Incredible, memories like that stick with us forever and as always, excellent videos :D

Sad to see how Nascar destroyed their own sport. Jimmy Means is a legend and a genuinely stand up guy

Somewhere I have a VHS of Jimmy Means in I think the Alka- Seltzer Ford. Love these videos, thank you from an 83 year old man who remembers Nascar in the late 50's.

So cool to see the old school still around even if just barely

Mr Means. If ya see this comment. Let me tell ya. You are part of nascar I remember forever. Please continue. And bring that trailer with car to the track as you talked about.

This is probably the closest we'll get to mitchell interviewing smokey. This guy gives off seriously Yunick vibes and I love it.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

That’s where his nickname came from

@wdcrobertl

Жыл бұрын

@@Stapleton42 "Smut" is a legend.

@dougderby9454

Жыл бұрын

I was lucky enough to meet Smokey the last he was at Sema. The next year he was gone.

Thank you for sharing Jimmy’s story. Guys like him are such a big part nascar history and helped make the sport what it is. Could you imagine asking for leniency in passing tech so you can go out and race to pay your bills? Not to mention running with and sometimes beating the big guys on a shoestring budget.

Mitchell, the way you observe and the questions you ask is unmatched. I've learned so much since I've been a SAW subscriber, it's insane. You're on another level, man. And I'm glad we're all here to see this stuff, no one else even close to doing what you guys do. I hope you and Logan have an awesome Christmas...can't wait for the next vid, as always. Still rocking my SAW cap in the old RYR livery on a daily basis.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

You’re the man Joshua 💪🏻

I'm not a nascar fan but have been a gear head all my life, but I gotta say, your stuff keeps me interested. I like hearing old guys tell their stories, and love the history of things.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man

Awesome history. The last of a dying breed of do it all guys. Love it

So cool to see a real man doing his thing just because he loved racing. Great video.

I actually got to walk on the Alabama Fairgrounds track before it all got ripped up for the whole "rebuild America" movement that Obama pushed. You could feel the history in that place so much. The Chevrolet brothers raced there. The Alabama gang raced there. So many people got to race at Birmingham and it was such a wonderful experience to get to see that track before it was totally gone. Thanks again you two for keeping this history alive.

These are the most entertaining videos about the old NASCAR racers how they built everything from nothing.the talent and the sport that i loved is gone it will never come back. Thank god you and logan are keeping it alive if you stop the history of the sport will never be known. Merry Christmas be safe and enjoy artie 😊

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Artie Merry Christmas

This was one of your best video's and I want to thank you for what you are doing. I lived in Forest City in the early 80's in the same neighborhood as Jimmy. I drove by his shop every day on the way to work and followed his results closely. I always admired Jimmy's efforts and results in the face of long odds.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you!

6:58 Sounds like Jimmy at least is having thoughts of making a few attempts next season of he is bothering to have the car re-certified, which would be great to see. Really enjoy these videos with guys from NASCAR's past, when even the guys with cars that were slapped together with used/borrowed parts and were less competitive, but still had an outside shot at a good run, unlike today.

Awesome video! So glad Jimmy spent the time with you getting his story on record. I was so disappointed when his "one" run in Tim Richmond's Folgers Chevrolet are Charlotte was short lived. Wanted him to have a top 5 or better, a win!! I was crushed when he was swept up in an early wreck.

This was the era of NASCAR that was racing. These guys raced because they loved it the money was to.keep racing .Its a shame that those days are gone its just like a lot of things in the past that will never be again. I have seen when you put big money into things it takes the fun and enjoyment out of things not to mention ruins everything

Great show. you are documenting history of racing that the average person will never understand.

When I was 19 years old 26 years ago now, I went to work for Jimmy at Front Row Motorsports. Although I worked at Front Row, Jimmy had me go to this shop to help him get a few cars ready to try to qualify for some races. It was just me and Jimmy pulling parts from 3 or 4 cars trying to make 1 car good enough to qualify. It was an extremely tough time in my life, as I was away from home, making next to nothing, and did not really know much or anyone. But it was definitely an experience. Jimmy had me put a windshield in a car, and complained how terrible a caulker I was, Then when he tried to do it he discovered the caulk had been expired for 10 years! He definitely makes use of what he has.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

That’s funny 😂

I want to open all the boxes !! Soooo much good old stuff

His raceshop is located in Forest City, NC, only a 10 minute drive from where I live. I have been wanting for a long time, to go see his shop. Thanks for showing this, and I hope to meet Jimmy Means in person one day. He should be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

I don’t think someone like Jimmy Means understands the appreciation that people like myself have for his devotion and dedication to showing up to the race track. I hate that people like him that made the sport what we love is being phased out every day.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

I agree. I hope he does fully comprehend his value one day

Another great video, I used to always look forward to shots of the Blue Alka-Seltzer car.

Again 8ve said this numerous of these videos the more of these you do the more doors are going to open for you and her you guys really are respectful and let them talk and as they get more comfortable with ya they open more and more and you are getting gold story's and these old guys aren't getting any younger and I'm 45 and grew up watching in what I think was some of the best times basically 85-2000 ish and was a bill Elliott fan and then Dale Jarrett 88 era and I love hearing these guys talk. Thanks again for your hard work.

Man just having your content to listen to at work is an absolute lifesaver! Thanks for the Nascar history!

I have been saying for years on Facebook that Jimmy means, Dave Marcis, McDuffie, & several other independent racers DESERVE a spot of honor in the Nascar hall of fame. Not as inductees but at least a Wall of Honor for guys that raced the circuit week to week, driving old beat up trucks all over the nation, knowing they're probably not going to win, just to be part of the show. True Racers!

Jimmy Means was what made the sport great back in the day. Never be the same again, a bunch of spoiled kids driving because Daddy can write the check. Never had to work a day in their life or be responsible. Jimmy was down to earth and humble. Like most of the drivers back then!

While watching I thought of Smokey , best damn garage in town. All the archive parts and pieces are hard to imagine still intact. Stay humble and the secrets will keep coming.

Jimmy Means is a legend. I live 35 minutes away from his shop.

Jimmy Means is a legend. Great interview 42

You guys are great would love to see more of these videos with guys that didn't have the gravy train rides these are your real racers keep it up

Been a fan of the Elliotts since 1981, but I always had the utmost respect for the shoestring budget independent teams for doing so much with so little. I crew on James Hylton's race team part time for 6 years, and the stuff you could learn from James was incredible. And what a hoot he was. We'd jokingly call James "Hot Lips Hylton" because 30 minutes at a racetrack, a bad day saw him getting kissed by no less than 7 women. And the stories he told of the old days were hilarious. I'm sure Jimmy Means has some fond memories of Hylton. I wanted to see Jimmy Means run top equipment. He truly deserved it. I think he'd have given the top drivers a run for their mo ey.

The gray and red strip is how the Toyota shop I work for was done.

I worked for Smut when he was in Huntsville. From 78 to 81 before he moved. One of the hardest working persons I’ve ever met,or had the pleasure to work with!

I love watching these old stories from old timers. Keeping the history alive. An i bet 100% these old timers like him love telling stories about there time in nascar.

Stapleton42, don’t know if you’re reading this. But, I’m a hardcore dedicated racing fan since the 1980’s. As someone who spends all their KZread time looking up racing nostalgia who has recently discovered your channel. I must admit, your channel is my most favorite now. Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re videos are pure gold!

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man welcome to the team!

Really enjoy the videos nascar history and otherwise. Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to do these videos. Merry Christmas to you all

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Our pleasure!

This career fits you like a glove and I’m happy for you! Authenticity at its best. Merry Christmas y’all!

Guys like Jimmy, Dave Marcis, McDuffie, Langley, & several, several, other independent drivers deserve a Wall Of Honor or something in the "Nascar hall of who is popular at the time of voting" these guys a pioneers of the sport as much as the petty or Johnsons

Excellent ! Jimmy is a throwback to what made racing great here around Huntsville,Birmingham & Nashville in the 70's. Competitors and fans with a real PASSION for race night. "Balls to the wall "shootout at the ok corral." It was ON ! Jimmy won 3 NASCAR track championshipsin early 70's all in the SAME SEASON running 3 times each week.

Still watching. Dude the paint can. Crazy way to manage your advantage.

I got my Xmas gift early from my Wife. It was your Sticker pack & a t-shirt with your hand written note. Thanks to you & Logan.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

That is awesome!

Loved to watch Smut race at the Huntsville Speedway racing Bobby, Donny, and Red Farmer.

I absolutely love these old timers....

@Stapleton42

3 ай бұрын

Wo do too 💪🏻

Mind blown on all this rich history of a Legend in my mind.. Thanks so much for all you do to educate and document Nascar history.. very grateful for your time and efforts to bring it to us.....

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Our pleasure! Welcome to the team Jay

It's so nice to see an amazing real vintage race shop that's awesome and historical

@Stapleton42

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Michael! we have made videos like this at several of them you would love watching too

I could have watched another whole hour just hearing those stories. Another great job, I would love to see you on an episode of Dale Jr download. Telling your story , keep up the great work.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man. Longer they wait...the more I will have to talk about lol

Maybe the most important recording of the grass roots of stock car racing I have ever seen. Thanks to you and Jimmy for keeping the Golden Era of NASCAR alive. Way more storied than the current failure of NASCAR............

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bill. NASCAR is going back in the right direction behind the curtain I promise you! For one…they’re going to help us produce videos with unprecedented access to some previously restricted stuff 👀

@billiverson9014

Жыл бұрын

@@Stapleton42 Awesome! I'll be watching..............From Montana.

Man this is awesome!! I love that he never threw anything away. My dad, brother and I are the same way parts and things. You never know when you might need something. We don’t have old cool race parts though lol

Mitchell awesome works as usual ! Thanks for bring back the history! I grew up watching these guys so it was amazing to see behind the curtain

Dick Beatty was the man. I love listening to him on the Nascar Legends Reunion. He tells some great stories in that series.

I would love to see a piece in the hall of fame about how these guys would use cheated up parts, and do a display with them. I know some people may not like the idea but it would be neat to see the creativity of these guys back then.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

I think there is one actually.

Jimmy has some very interesting stories that nobody else will tell you. I remember when he was racing and he was good. So my hat is off to Jimmy and to you for having the questions to ask Jimmy.

A 320 ft building full of memorabilia and racing junk sounds like heaven to me. Lol

Jimmy is so friggin cool!!!!!! Great work! I'm so jealous you got to do this with him!!! Id move to NC asap to work for him.

Mr means is one of best

Glad to see some videos on Jimmmy Means. I started working for him in 1994 I was good friends with his son and we both worked there after high school. It was an experience of a lifetime. His son was running Limited Late model at Tri county and Hickory motor speedway I was the crew Cheif and then we started running craftsman super trucks & hooters cup, and then my own business took off that I had been doing at home soon took over my career in racing. It Was pretty awesome. I learned so much knowledge from him. He has been my mentor since I met him decades ago, he is a great guy also. My nephew was in shock when he found out that there was a race shop locally and I use to work there. He could not believe it. I was able to take him on a private tour of the place. I can remember giving some Boy Scouts and tour in the motor room. That’s where I spent most of my time there. I remember showing them the restrictor plate and I told them about the gasket trick which couldn’t be done anymore because of the rules but learning about stuff like that makes you look at things differently.

Geez you have to admire Jimmy for what he accomplished without much in the way of resources. Sad to hear NASCAR isn't going to allow paint anymore??? No wonder this sport is out of control. I admire these guys that did what they were able to and still stay in racing against the big money. Sure would have liked to hear the story on the number 8 Budweiser car!! Thanks for all these!!!

@Stapleton42

22 күн бұрын

Thank you Dave!!

I remember Jimmy when I was a kid. Jimmy is Kool and have a lot of Kool stuff. I enjoy this video and all your videos I have watched.

@Stapleton42

Ай бұрын

Thanks Harry 💪🏻

Crazy! I didnt know Jimmy was still in operation. Really neat to see that someone with this 3 man garage is competing against a Hendrick complex. Thank you for the time you all take to make this

Great history of the sport of days gone by. Jimmy probably has forgotten more stories than what he could tell. Thank you for showing how real racers worked to make ends meet.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome dennis

With all those parts Jimmy owns one could build some bad ass cars. Awesome story on how to make do with what you have to survive.

Jimmy Means is such a humble guy. The dedication and work that this man put in to race is insane. You can tell by how he explains everything he picks up and shows. This man deserved a sponsorship. Thanks for videos like these, Stapleton. I'm 28 so I didn't get to see much of these guys growing up.

@Stapleton42

Жыл бұрын

thanks man. I did get to see them either and that stinks lol

Finally figured out why I like these things so much. Jimmy is the same age as I am. He did racing and I just watched it. Thanks for these videos.

Cut our teeth at Huntsville Speedway , Jimmy was always the local hero that made it big. I came through with guys like Gary Finley , Tony Walls, Seymour Brothers, Little Gary , Tony Pitts, then later on hanging on to Johnny Braziers coat tales. We all thought of Smut can do it, we can. Naw Sir .

I really hope he qualifies for Daytona.

One of the very best racers that still has the old school attitude. Love it

Better than anything on tv!

Jimmy is Dale Jr's favorite driver when he was a young kid going to the tracks wait maybe second to his dad lol but very cool video thanks for the work you guys do very important talking to living history Jimmy is a great guy you can watch him being interviewed on Dale Jr's podcast also 👍

Jimmy means is a great representation of grass roots from the 70s and 80s all the way to current. What an accomplishment just staying open and staying relevant the hard way this is where the respect should go. Great job with the videos keeping history going especially this video. Such a pleasure thank you for sharing.

And wow. That’s a treasure trove of history in parts right there. Maybe booms tubes for the mustang😳 ;)