Rico! "I Like Challenges; My Life Has Been a Challenge"

I was fortunate enough to spend more time with Rico Abreu this year at the Knoxville Nationals, along with go-zillions of fans who, like me, appreciate Rico's good nature and unique connection to the people around him. Come with me, the History Mystery Man, for another cool conversation with Rico Abreu at Knoxville Raceway during the 2024 Knoxville Nationals...and thanks for your support!

[@chuckg6039]

Always happy to see you interview Rico. Great guy! I'm sure he is even happier after winning the 100,000 bucks last night at the Skagit High Limit Race. Rico has had challenges his entire life. Moved well past each one. So happy for Rico and his team.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

How can you not love Rico!? I'm starting to think I'm good luck for these guys. The day I posted the Rico video, he won the preliminary at Skagit, followed by the $100 grand finale. I did a video on Briggs Danner and he scored his first Champ Car top-10 at Springfield followed by a career-best 3rd at DuQuoin after qualifying a career-best 3rd. Same for Ricky Lewis...I covered his event at Waynesfield and he won that night (Jack Hewitt Classic). I'm sure it's just a dream in my head, but it sounds good. Thanks Chuck...

[@jeffmill6683]

What I love about this guy is there's no saying I can't, it's always I can. He's one of the best drivers in sprint racing today.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

And one of the best ambassadors off the track for the industry. Thanks Jeff...HMM

[@gregj831]

Those sprint cars are soooo bad-a***! Rico's definitely one of the best out there. Heck of a race car driver.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Absolutely...heck of an ambassador off the track too. Thanks again, Greg...HMM

[@tomfuller7401]

Nice interview Don with Rico, He's one tough driver. Like to see him go to Indy someday.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That would be awesome! Rico in the 500...love that! Thanks again, Tom. HMM

[@WilliamSmith-bj8gt]

Love Rico. Great driver, great man.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'll buy that...thanks William! HMM

[@AW-pz3qc]

Firstly, Rico is a great person, no BS, a great driver and that's why everyone loves him. He's got a great wife (and Gus) beside him too and that makes a whole lot of difference. Go Rico, love watching you race because what I see on the track is someone who plays fair and doesn't shunt other cars to improve your position...instead you earn that position with good, clean racing...and of course, a great team with Ricky and the boys.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Well said...Rico is a class-act on and off the track...the team is top-notch. Thanks for taking the time to watch. HMM

[@terrygarvin1980]

Rico is a Great racer and a better Man. Rock on Sir..

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@terrygarvin1980 I'll buy that...thanks Terry! HMM

[@Leroy-qr9pd]

Thanks for the stories HMM !

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Leroy...thanks again ole friend. HMM

[@robertayers9424]

Thanks for all the sights and sounds behind Knoxville! The conversations you have are great to watch. Thanks again!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Always a pleasure; thanks again, ole friend. HMM

[@Kevin_747]

Rico fears no race track. One of my favorite drivers.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

And super awesome off the track too...thanks. HMM

[@AdamOutlaw87]

Years ago Rico would just race like the Hauldenschilds and i see him now being more patient and picking his spots and he has really learned how to pedal the car with patience and let the race come to him. He will win the Nationals at some point for sure. Nobody can say he dont take time to be kind and fun with the fans👍🏁🏁

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

For sure...Rico is a great ambassador for the industry, on and off the track. Thanks Adam...HMM

[@revvyhevvy]

How can you not love Rico! Great post HMM! Thanks!

[@rogerozdarski2935]

Wow! Two videos in one week! Great!! Thank you HMM. How can you not like Rico. Thank you also for bringing the names of JR and Parnelli (my idol) up. Yes unfortunately alot of the younger generation don't know these drivers. I guess that means we're old? Thanks again

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Older and wiser! It comes with years. Thanks again, Roger...HMM

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Robert...HMM

[@unclemuir]

Growing up in Southern California I always thought Johnny Rutherford was a local racer because he raced at Ascot and the other local tracks we had at the time. Rico is the best.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Rutherford is a legend...great man. And yes, Rico rocks! Thanks unclemuir. HMM

[@waynedavis8980]

You are the first guy I've seen get an interview out of Rico . Very good Don .🙂

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Wayne...Rico has been very good to me. HMM

[@jamestone265]

Love this guy….no fear … no challenge to big…

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Awesome dude for sure...thanks James. HMM

[@elroyelblander6277]

👍👍👍👍 thanks for bringing us along feller..."shake 'n bake"..👊👊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Shake and bake back brother...HMM

[@bryonbartholomew3038]

Met him in 2017 at eldora great racer

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Great driver...great man on and off the track. Thanks! HMM

[@scottbutler1481]

I was lucky enough to see him win at atomic. He's awsome.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Awesome indeed. #GoRico

[@Tom-jy3jd]

Love the channel, much respect to Rico, love from Cali.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Tom. Much respect from Ohio...HMM

[@Zilla23]

Sure helps that Rico knows you now . Quite different the first time you tried to film him . Go Rico

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Rico has been good to me all the way through...thanks. HMM

[@JeffThompson-l4p]

Rico is a really good guy and an amazing wheel man... great job HMM...

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again! #RicoRocks! HMM

[@burlap5556]

👍

[@healthyone100]

Good to see Lonestar JR looking good!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Mr. Rutherford looks spectacular! What's your secret for good health? Thanks healthyone100...HMM

[@Blrtech77]

HMM, Thanks for the ride along. Rico seems like such an awesome guy! Best of Luck and Be Safe.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again. Lucky and safe...great combo! HMM

[@critterscute3642]

Rico is great. Such a personable guy. Gus is adorable 🥰 Great photo of you two at the end. Thanks for another great video HMM! 👍🏁🐕🏎️

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

And thanks again, for watching the whole dang thang! HMM

[@saltybildo9448]

Rico needs a Indy500 sled 🤞😉🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@greggrauscher34]

Was looking forward to watching this video and it didn't disappoint. Rico is so gracious (awesome how he knows who you are and is willing to give his time for interviews) and I loved the Parnelli Jones and Johnny Rutherford tie-ins. Rico is one heck of a driver, you don't win the Chili Bowl twice if your not among the very elite/best drivers. Lots of WoO wins too. Kind of wish he had more success in NASCAR or even got to try Indycars, but their loss is dirt racing's gain.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

10-4 on all. Fortunately, Rico's a superstar right where he is. Thanks Gregg! HMM

[@saltybildo9448]

Lab doodle

[@JeffThompson-l4p]

Was at Eldora for the 4 crowns last Saturday night....Rico won his heat race and came in second in the feature....he was hooked up.... nothing like spending a Saturday night at the Big E....🏎️🏎️🏎️

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

The Big E rocks! I was the track announcer there in 1996. #GoRico! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@Maurie-d7b]

Has he been to Australia.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I don't know but I'm sure we can find out...thanks. HMM

[@manga12]

if your not bussy come up to auburn you will not reget it don the acd is having its festival tons of cars even old race cars saw a shiney stainless steel roadster that looks like the shape of the novie special or last week of september for the fair its where auburn is on full display tons of venders and people as well as cars, or at the auction just south of town on the interstate tons of cars and a huge swap meet full of auto americana this weekend, also rico is good like the guy I just never got around to talking to him, and dont want to risk calling him little rico dont want to insult him, rico was the first driver I learned the name of in 2019 watching the wing sprints at jacksonvill illinose when they were streaming and the bug to watch dirt track racing bit me again, rico is proof even if your short you can still do very well in racing as long as you got the skill and instinct as well as bravery to do so I could not do it I am too jumpy and would not like flipping if I raced a sprint car to do it.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Rico is amazing. I feel like at some point, I'm going to make it to Auburn...not that far away. Thanks manga12...

[@manga12]

@@HistoryMysteryMan I think you would like it especially on an early evening on a thursday though saturday when all the places have something and all the breweries and cocktail places are open as well as the normal buisnesses especially during the acd or the fair, but yea toleto is 76 miles away or so from butler just due north east of auburn.

[@terrygarvin1980]

Endorse Trump Joe. Let's All Make America Great Again..😊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Happening as we speak. #MAGA