Lake Speed's Final Drive: Old School NASCAR Racer Proving Age is Just A Number (Heel Toe Pedal Cam)

Retired NASCAR driver and World Champ Kart racer Lake Speed hops in his 1992 Ford Thunderbird race car for the final time today. Likely the only man to claim he beat both Ayrton Senna and Dale Earnhardt in the field, Lake had his vintage stock car sitting for over 20 years until we asked him if he could still drive it during the shop tour video. That turned into a whole engine rebuild tech series with the authentic Ford C3 engine Lake had for the car. Now two years later his third track day with his faithful chassis named Jobe, he is calling it a career when it comes to stock car racing. Fortunately someone showed up with a 2015 Hendrick Motorsports Jimmie Johnson car to give Lake his final showdown!
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[@Stapleton42]

There is a short list of special moments captured on this channel and this is one of them. Without you guys watching these videos, Lake would have gone the rest of his life without driving his car again. As much as I want to have my own stuff on the track, there is something significant about being a protagonist to give back to the racers that made the show we loved to watch back in the day. Help us keep this going by hitting subscribe and the thumbs up button on this video!

[@jeremiahgrogan5963]

Definitely me! He's a inspiration!

[@acidreign8551]

Well of course i am ready to see this! 😄

[@scottg9855]

I'm ready!! Listening to that thing scream has me pumped.

[@Timbo428CJ]

I hope it's not his last ride ..... 😮☹️ That's a piece of history !!

[@rodney1818]

I'm going to stick with what I said way back when y'all were building the motor when it's all done any Spanish translation that he should just give it to you Stapleton 42

[@themotoroilgeek]

That brought a tear to my eye. Fantastic job Mitchell. Thank You!

[@Stapleton42]

It feels good to be the agitator of good things and that day was one of the best yet. That’s how I know I’m doing what I was meant to do here.

[@tommymac3029]

The pedal cam/split screen is awesome! Thank you for this great video!!!

[@WrenchHead]

Hey Jr, you ever think about running that car for pops? Man, what an awesome episode!

[@themotoroilgeek]

@@Stapleton42You are doing exactly what you were born to do!

[@themotoroilgeek]

@@tommymac3029agreed!

[@jasonstacy5587]

No burnouts at a race track? Do better VIR. jk. Also, the ending had me a little misty eyed. Just the way he was staring at the car you could almost feel his memories.

[@MrJoe1129uscg]

It made me tear 😢 up also

[@snowblindburd]

Great video! Hope that's not the last we see of Lake and that car but if it is, at least he had a fun battle in that final session!

[@Stapleton42]

I hope so too!

[@mrmbr]

Tell me this isn't the last time we see Lake tap dance in the car!

[@Stapleton42]

I hope not but it might be…

[@susiedyer3260]

That pedal cam is awesome cause getting 2 c how lake is usein his clutch foot and break and gas foot the combo of gas and break with one foot im like WOW and its cool 2 c lake sr n a different light so2 speak

[@jamesworkman686]

I could listen to that small block ford scream all day 🇺🇸

[@wysetech2000]

That's when engines were engines instead of the choked off shit with mufflers today. Bless the legend, Robert Yates!

[@psinclairjr]

That was just fun to watch. Id love to know what he was remembering all those times he'd just stare at the car

[@Stapleton42]

ME TOO. You could tell the gears were turning when he’d stare at it in silence.

[@Timbo428CJ]

OMG, he hasn't missed a beat, he's driving the wheels off it ..... Ole Lake Speeds still got it !! Thanks for sharing!!! Totally awesome!!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!!

[@williamweir2744]

I always liked lask Speed

[@FRANKCAMILLI]

What a prince of a guy, Fun to hear the JJ driver show due respect.

[@allen8263]

Another outstanding video with Lake Speed. 76 years young! Driving the car and the ease he showed getting into and out of his car was unbelievable.

[@markdunn2299]

Mitchell, i think you and Jr made an old retired stock car driver a very happy man , one more time. Great fun to watch. especially to see the grin on lake speeds face ! Btw i lover the pedal cam !

[@SteveJohnson-g3g]

I remember watching him race back in the day. Nice to be able to watch him drive once again. Thank you for all the awesome videos that you do. I love learning more about the good old days of racing. Please, keep providing us with this awesome content.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Steve!

[@justinbell3640]

I second that. Hair up on my arm. Thank you again Stapleton

[@kevinpaul627]

Well…. That was just amazing!👍👍🍻🇺🇸🙏🏼

[@stevevalley2784]

Lake Speed looking & driving great! Thanks Stapleton42.😊

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you too!

[@charlesd.3749]

I watched the whole Darlington race he won. We were shocked but we weren’t. I believe if he got a top notch ride, he’d would’ve had stats like Martin. No doubt in my mind. Edit…enjoyed once again Stapleton..Ty! Edit 2 lol … thank you Lake Speed for the memories. Congratulations on all your success in racing. Last edit..what a soft sweet ending. The 70s, 80s, and 90s, I mean…boy do I miss those days.

[@karvanznlife9227]

That's some of the best sounding onboard shit I've ever heard utterly brilliant

[@susiedyer3260]

This so cool NASCAR is not the same as it was as bak n the day

[@jr642]

Glad to hear that Lake plans to keep racing karts.

[@Sennasloafers]

My heart, mind and soul goes out to Lake Sr today - I absolutely hate to hear it's the "last one" as us all drivers know.... when we walk away from the car, a piece of us stays with it. So glad the footage is here so us all (Sr included) can enjoy it. Thankful for you filming this all!

[@Stapleton42]

thanks man. epic username btw

[@Sennasloafers]

@@Stapleton42 Thanks! It's one I'll hold on to for dear life too 🤣👏

[@robertf4540]

This guy is a Legend! He won the World Karting Championship beating Ayrton Senna! This Cat can flat out BRING IT!

[@ryanfolks6024]

Mitch, another great video!!! Thanks for knocking it out of the park. Lake, so good to watch you run again my friend! Please keep us entertained and maybe opt to do this more. Nineties NASCAR needs to stay alive!

[@Stapleton42]

I would love to. If I had my own car we could bring in some more retired guys to have that “final ride” moment. Since most of them don’t have a car to use for that

[@sarahdell4042]

What a treat! Glad to see he was able to get it pretty dialed and have some fun with it too

[@jeffatkinson6848]

i have a lake speed hoosier tire on wheel its a superspeedway tire with interliner

[@Stapleton42]

Awesome!

[@jeffatkinson6848]

@@Stapleton42 5 bucks at a garage sale

[@tommymac3029]

The pedal cam/split screen is awesome! Thank you for this great video!!!

[@steveperyer4850]

Mitch , this video made this old man shed a a few tears, as this man has been a very competitive driver in what ever he was strapped in. As a guy who will be 70, in a little over 2 weeks, the glory days for me are finished, snd understand how lake is feeling😊

[@Stapleton42]

You still got 6 years on Lake, it ain't over until you give up man!

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Old bloke, I have 4 weeks!!

[@Ocboy420]

So cool it’s gotta be awesome hanging out with these guys

[@boduke2299]

I probably would have volunteered to help him run in the nascar vintage race I'm sure maybe others would to I think he has the ability to do well

[@Stapleton42]

I do too

[@georgedreisch2662]

Even though Lake Sr., says he’s done, I suspect if you were to ask for help wringing out your car, y’all’d get him in the seat again… Love the pedal cam and got a chuckle out of the steward bitchin’ about his burn out. Thanks for sharing.

[@Stapleton42]

We’d have to get some foam in there for him to reach the pedals and see over the dash 😂

[@bricewiese5082]

The guy swinging by the pits there kinda wrapped the whole thing up, what year car you got 2015 with a sb 2 that runs that track all the time with more power that made it all worth it.

[@villainracing2150]

I like seeing him on the track still.he is my next-door neighbor.

[@jessecarpenter8760]

That reminds me. I need go carts in my life again.

[@leighallen9255]

I remember him from Go cart racing, the name alone LAKE SPEED was cool I have enjoyed him all through his racing days I wish him and Mark Martin would start a racing series

[@haroldmccay8599]

Great job. I have enjoyed your videos and the great stories from the old school racing.

[@Mustanggt-jh6dl]

That thunderbird was singing a song going around that race track👍

[@dave3156]

What a video!!! Man, you can't let him sell this history. What a great sound!!!! Great job as usual bringing us the history! Thanks!!!!

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Dave!

[@wysetech2000]

I'm 74 yo and I had the sound cranked so loud it woke my wife up from her sleep.. I expected to get smacked around but she sat and watch the end with me. I have arthritis so bad I doubt I could even get into the car.

[@Ronaldl2350]

It was cool to see you and Logan iin Clay millican's video. Thanks for sharing lake's stories. I hope this isn't his absolute final time in a race car.

[@Stapleton42]

Me too man. Thank you!

[@Ronaldl2350]

@@Stapleton42 👍

[@briangoodwin8281]

Nice mychron 5 data logger on the dash. A must have for carting. We use it in my daughter's race boat

[@RedBud315]

I watched a lot more NASCAR when I was a kid in the 70's than today and Lake Speed was one of my favorites at first just because of his name because how can you not be a racer with a name like that. Lake has always been a class act. Also loved the name Sterling Marlin for a race car driver for some reason as well. I saw your video that was done maybe last year when you toured Lake Speed shop and that was pretty cool.

[@Stapleton42]

They’re both great names I agree

[@Turboyeehawguitar]

I remember as a kid watching lake in the when i was a kid. I remember watching him win his race. Great guy

[@peterivero4337]

You're best video ever. ! Old dogs got to eat.

[@bennyhelgeson401]

Lake's driver suit still fits. You talk a lot about the sound cars make but I like the smell of racing and mechanical aspect as well. I can empathize with Lakes decision to step away. I am at that point in my life also. You realize your limitations and change your priorities. Great video Mitchell. Thanks

[@scottg9855]

This was an amazing video! Listening to that car go full out was beautiful. Watching Lake wheel that car was awesome! You are doing a great thing with your videos, but this was the best so far.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Scott!

[@johnleonard8311]

A all time great in cup but when he went to Europe and beat Ayrton Senna to win the world karting Championship tells us what a great driver Lake Speed is. Thank you sir.

[@arrgorndenethor]

That car sounds soooo good

[@ldftrdnk]

Flippin awesome Mitch.

[@bryanelder5636]

Love the pedal cam !!

[@dustinprunty3916]

Love that guy SPEED! I was a fan of his as a teenager and so happy to see these videos of him, I hope he doesn’t sell it and keeps on doing some track days!

[@joshuagibson2520]

Were all sick of the bullshit. We want 70s, 80s, and 90s NASCAR back.

[@sforgus27]

Awesome man, just love it. Lake has always been a class act…hopefully that’s not the last time we see him out there!

[@Jesusiscominglookup]

I was at a Darlington race with spam melon, Lake Speed hospitality, tickets, man those were the days

[@CraigGrant-sh3in]

I like how when he up shifts its like driving a split rear end truck. He just bumps the clutch

[@evanwilliams6406]

God speed, Lake. Good seeing him drive the car again. It's sad to hear that car is going to be sold. I hope it goes to a good owner.

[@MrJodyPatterson]

This is a great video of Lacke Speed you stell a top driver I injoy this foot work

[@jaredcasey979]

Mitchell, thank you and your team for all that you guys are doing to keep our NASCAR hero’s accomplishments and legacy’s alive! Showing the younger generations and reminding the older generations how AWESOME NASCAR was back in the day! Keep up all the great and hard work! You don’t know what this means to US life long NASCAR fans!! Brings big smiles, amazing memories and tears of joy to ALL OF US! 👍

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Jared!

[@timbarger3984]

So many incredible moments in this video, absolutely great!

[@chhite]

Thank you for a very special video. It's fantastic to see him up on the wheel and footwork that can teach a lot. But the most important part of this was the last 1:00. His testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ will be what I remember him for. I met him 18 years ago in Germany when he was at an MRO booth and we didn't talk much racing. He was concerned for the souls of the people he met and to me, that made the man. Thank you to Mitchell, Logan, Lake, and Lake, Jr. for allowing us to be a part of this journey.

[@Stapleton42]

He gives one of his mission cards to every single person who comes up to look at the car. Every one. Even if he has to chase them down after they walk away he makes sure they get one

[@rynosraceroom66]

Well that's awesome the way he did his heel an row ! Cool perspective .

[@polo1sam1]

That was amazing, what nascar should and did sound like. Just so cool. For me the out the front window is the best view. The sound is amazing. Very vey good video. But I do understand all good things come to an end. I am glad lake got to enjoy it it look like everybody had fun, that is what it’s about. Two thumbs way up.

[@Stapleton42]

I totally agree! Thanks sam

[@jimjim753]

That car would look pretty nice in yr garage , mitch......

[@kerbydickerson9886]

I did tear up a few times. At 51, I grew up listening to MRN. Lake Speed, Morgan Shepherd, Joe Ruttman, Bill Elliott...etc. It was a good cry!

[@merica.racing]

Awesome job! You could tell lake, I was definitely thinking about something in those quiet moments the years of racing that car. It's gotta be real tough for him. To make a decision to sell that car. I kind of hope he gives you one time to drive it.

[@jacksonspeed4733]

Thank you for giving my grandfather this opportunity and thank you for giving me the privilege to see him race again wish I had been there

[@mrmbr]

Anyone wants to dance with Lake will definitely have a good time with that pedal work 😂

[@vtec5862]

Its very interesting how older drivers did the blipping with their toe and the braking with their heel as opposed to the other way around. Ricky Rudd had a similar technique

[@mrtimhawk1]

This is great !

[@andyhamilton8940]

See the Kart tires in the rack. Lake world karting champion at Lemans!

[@Stapleton42]

Yes! That’s also his kart trailer

[@KEIFabrication]

Dude! Lake is practically telling you that he wants you to end up with the car! Dropping hints like a sledge hammer! Fantastic in car footage! The sound is incredible!!!! Thank you so much!

[@Stapleton42]

I can try! Maybe find someone to buy the car who’d let me run it a couple times a year.

[@dw8301]

Agreed

[@TheTaternator2]

"His name is Speed" Awesome video Mitchell. Badass. I commented a pic of my Lake shirt on X and surprised by seeing this badass vid today! Keep doing what you're doing sir! Big fan from VA here! Best wishes to you and yours and thank you for what you do! 👊

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man 💪🏻

[@Justweldit64]

I always been a Lake Speed fan! Thanks for some flashbacks.

[@earlhayes2969]

Sorry NASCAR way better aspirated then Fuel injected Painted car's then wrapped regular lug nuts Nascar no where what it was

[@boduke2299]

The car sounds incredible.

[@headbrown5629]

We got a real good set of tires on there. Those tires are matched perfect, staggered special. When thry slow done to take turn 4, you keep your foot on the gas & drive rt by on the outside. You can hold it!

[@Tortomus]

You couldnt pay me to watch modern nascar, but wow the old cars are incredible and driven by a legend Lake Speed

[@jimhaines8370]

I'll be listening while headed to Hagerstown for our race today but it's great to see all the time and effort you guys put it to watch it all come to a happy out come from the start to the final victory lap.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Jim!

[@hammerdown5x]

Need to organize a race 42 laps long with Lake, Ray, Mark, and Kenny W.

[@andybush7498]

And Ward.

[@davidemmons7631]

I'm so glad I subscribed to the channel you are doing a good great thing and I thank you seriously

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you David. My primary goal is to be a good steward of Motorsports which will de facto help people have a better life. Racing is a great place to lean life skills. It was for me.

[@ClintFisher-ui8fh]

Your best one yet,,Good job lake speed.

[@therealfazethree860]

You should be able to dial in that carb with a vacuum gauge to help that stumble I would think

[@ChrisJonescciustn]

super fun video

[@RJ-xb9pm]

Went over and beyond Mitchell great great video. That is what racing is all about great vintage Stock Cars and great racers like Lake Speed. A racers racer, but more importantly a great family man.

[@Stapleton42]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@headbrown5629]

Hard to beat a guy like Lake. He's genuinely, one of the good ones

[@stephentucker4750]

Probably a stupid question but do you know if there is any relation with Scott Speed and Lake?

[@Stapleton42]

No relation!

[@stephentucker4750]

@@Stapleton42 10-4 . Ty

[@alltechtroy]

You make an old guy emotional Mitchell. Hearing this car, watching it race, seeing Lake man handle it and wring it out... Makes me miss NASCAR and what it was. It's a shame it's gone so far away from this

[@dw8301]

Lake should give you the car if it wasn't for you it would still be coverd in dust you made this happen you should be proud.

[@Stapleton42]

I wish 😂

[@brockwright2247]

Listening to this video on my way to Kansas Motor Speedway. Hearing Lake Speed’s engine is only getting me more excited to hear 38 fire breathing monsters rocket off into turn 1.

[@JayAR_YT]

That was 160mph+ 28:30. ABSTOUTLY COOKING I hope this car never gets too far away from Old man speed.

[@vaultofC3042]

I use Pennzoil exclusively and always used it in my race motors. Stay away from Fram. My Brother did a Lake Speed Nationwise model when we were kids identical to the one at the end. I'll have to share this to him.

[@Stapleton42]

Heck yeah!

[@billtruett8593]

As usual Mitchel & Logan super video, and yes the in car camera was epic it’s amazing to see a master at work on his craft and with out even seeing the expression on lakes face you know he was having a great time and having fun.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Bill!

[@darrinfranklin1104]

This was awesome made my day and to see Lake get back in his rhythm was fantastic! Brought back memories of the good ole days. Would love to see Lake and Mark Martin go at it on the track for fun

[@noidnomis]

Absolutely brilliant video! Lake Speed has not missed a beat, still puts on a great show!! I could watch him race all day long..😎😎

[@jamesswanson1139]

Get more videos like that, greatest show you have made

[@Stapleton42]

I would love to. I need my own road course car so we can bring out some other old timers for one final ride who don’t have their own car to use. (Cough cough…Dave Marcis)

[@rebelracing88]

Great video and I enjoyed the foot cam. Reminded me of the old ESPN days when they’d use the foot cam in Ricky Rudd’s car. People who don’t understand racing have NO IDEA the amount of talent it takes to heel/toe a 3500lb stock car on a road course. It’s a thing of beauty to watch!

[@j.t.cooper2963]

👍🏻😎 Thanks for the memories, Lake. Lake Speed Jr. has a cool KZbin channel called "The Motor Oil Geek". A cool channel if you like motor oil and the science behind it.

[@sbalestro]

Wonderful video, man. Very special occasion. Thank you for doing this. Lake can still get it done.

[@davidpastor9976]

That was fun, but a bit sad at the same time. Glad he could get back out and turn em and burn em. Didn't seem like he had lost any reaction speed, but that might be due to his mindset coupled with a racer's mindset. Glad we could go along for the ride!

[@ghenckel]

America's greatest karting FIA World Champion in 1978! None since have compared, but someday, a new kid will make Lake proud!

[@Gunny426HemiPlymouth]

Hey, most people don't even know its their last time sliding into a race car. Good on you Lake, keeping yourself safe. passing the history down so someone with some more years can enjoy that feeling of driving an old stock car. Great video as always.

[@wysetech2000]

You all compliment each other so well. That's what makes this all so good. Much respect for all of you!, especially Lake SR. I know what it's like to pull the plug on the things that made us who we are today.

[@superhoss95]

I had a smile on my face through the entire video. Seeing that car on a race track took me back. Lake in the B.M.E fire suit was the icing on the cake. Hard to believe this man beat Ayerton Senna at one point in his life. Bravo sir.

[@racerguy6979]

As a 50 year old racing fan this stuff makes me wanna cry. When I was younger I was dumb enough not to appreciate drivers like this. I am now fans of every single driver from back in the day lol. I also miss the cars. Just special times.

[@Stapleton42]

When you look at most (but not all) of the drivers today they make it easy to be a fan of every single driver from the 2005 and before era 🥲

[@racerguy6979]

@@Stapleton42 yeah 100 percent. This channel is my favourite. You do an awesome job honouring these guys. Cause you they are getting more exposure of how awesome they are then they did in the day. Amazing

[@321gates]

I'm with you, brother. I'm about to turn 52 and remember overlooking a lot of drivers like Lake back in the 80s and 90s, not to mention downright despising some of the other drivers of that period. I really like and respect them all now. They were all integral parts of a special time in Nascar.

[@racerguy6979]

@@321gates exactly. I was a Gordon fan and I remember being hated in the stands lol. I wasn’t an Earnhardt fan so didn’t really cheer for junior. Now I’m a huge junior fan lol. Plus some of the so called nobody’s back then I think now wow. That guy is frikken awesome. End of this video where lake is staring at his car it got me. I teared up man. We are getting old and shit just ain’t the same in the world.

[@321gates]

@@racerguy6979 Guys like Lake, Robert Pressley, Trickle, Mast, Marcis, etc. had it rough back then. So did most of the "greats" before landing big rides. I hate that it took me 30 years to realize that.