Leonard Wood Shares The Biggest Mistake The Wood Brothers Ever Made

[@ronnieking1025]

Mr. Leonard Wood and Family Are Such A Class Act I Have Enjoyed Their Racing Since 1965

[@carolynsherman4779]

Jr, I could sit and listen to Mr.Wood talk all day!! Thanks Randy

[@donnonoe6850]

cant get enough of these stories, i wish racing was still like that now.

[@006bloody]

Ain't that the damn truth!! The stories from the ol/grass roots days of racing are fantastic!!

[@howabouthetruth2157]

That last statement that Leonard & Junior both made was so full of wisdom. It's basically this: Strong, competitive rivalries make BOTH drivers better. I would even go on to say that the American auto makers did the same thing for each other, during those early & mid years of NASCAR racing. Wood brothers: the strongest, most legendary Ford team ever. Not to mention their shop was THE go-to place when ya wanted the very best racing parts for Fords.

[@marauder600]

I was a big Pearson fan as a kid. Loved watching him tear em up on the wide world of sports back in the 70’s. Good stuff listening to this. Great guest!

[@sbmcvp4525]

Me too. So disappointing when Pearson/Woods split. Stayed mad for years. So wanted Pearson to run that 21 one more time in '89 when he tested at Charlotte subbing for Neil, but again, got disappointed.

[@Ever443]

Very big Pearson fan, I am honored to be called a friend of Pearson in later years.. Great guy he was

[@albondigas9549]

Legend right there. Makes me happy to know the early days of the modern era.L.wood and team takes me back. thank you

[@MrUltraworld]

He's very sharp for a man half his age. 86 and still sharp as a tack. Great sense of humor.

[@packisbetter90]

He looks maybe 75. Definitely aged well too

[@timkis64]

my older brothers made me aware that this man was a living legend when i was a kid in the 60's.the wood brothers were definately racing royalty back then.

[@ronnieking1025]

I wish he would have talked about Trevor winning daytona that was such a great win for them and fomoco

[@rebelracing88]

David Pearson was the greatest NASCAR driver of all time IMO. He whipped the track too tough to tame more than anybody else.

[@DixytheGoat9]

And he was the first one to stick it to King Richard

[@sbmcvp4525]

Even Petty once said Pearson was the best.

[@johnhenryNC]

I heard Mario Andretti say one time that one of his biggest regrets in racing was that he never did get a chance to drive for the Wood Brothers. He said how much he respected & admired Glen & Leonard Wood.

[@Michael_Lorenson]

We all love to argue about who are, or were, the best drivers. I think it's impossible to pick one, but you can have a 'short list' of the best. David Pearson is definitely on mine.

[@rgrmllns]

true , different tracks , rules , points systems , cars , so many things that come in when thinking of those things , like Pettys 200 wins , back then they ran like 60 races a year , wasn't a bush or truck series , so compared to a Mark Martin , Dale Sr or even a Kyle Bush even , you could really tally up their wins from the three series and put with the numbers. Petty put up.

[@ashketchumsdad]

I hate the debate, but if I had to pick, the best 5 arguments are Jimmie David, Richard, Jeff and Dale. I personally argue Jimmie or David, as a 1a and 1b, but people get way too pissy over it. Hell you can make an argument for Kyle Busch, since he's the only driver that could, at one point, honestly say he won everywhere. Bobby Allison won for like 15 different teams, plus himself I believe. Herb Thomas has the highest winning percentage. You can make several arguments. Doesnt make you right or wrong.

[@ChadS280]

My short list in no order Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, David Pearson, & Cale Yarlborough. Honorable mentions are Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Junior Johnson, Jimmie Johnson etc... lol to hard to pick the GOAT IMO.

[@ClintGrantham]

Please have the pioneers like Leonard Wood more often. These interviews are incredible to watch but it would be impossible to overstate their importance historically.

[@loafbred]

So much good to be said about the Wood Brothers, it's hard to find a place to start. If you weren't a fan during their early years, you really missed out.

[@claytonvanthoff2293]

I would love to see the Wood brothers up front more. They are great people who understand the sport.

[@TonyWud]

Thank you Dale. God bless you, Leonard

[@Dave11skmod]

Great podcast love seeing hearing these guys tell stories. I have even more respect for Dale JR after his comments and stories too great job team

[@davidrice3337]

I believe dale jr almost teared up when he was talking about the broken axle , and told his dad I'm back,dad- I'm back !

[@ronpannell8144]

Awesome! Leonard Wood a true southern gentleman.

[@clouya]

I met Leonard Wood and got his autograph back in the mid 90’s. I didn’t really know who he was but he was super nice to me.

[@jerryjohnson8362]

Type u77uu7of

[@chadbailey30]

I'm not really a Nascar fan but I swear I could listen to this guy talk about cars and racing all day!!!!😆

[@bburkitt]

Leonard is a great conversation. Thank you, @Dalejr

[@thomaspritchard6571]

Even when he speaks of the negatives and disappointments of racing and life, he seems to do it with grace, even though you know at the time he was Smoking on the inside. What a Classy Gentleman and Competitor. Yes Sir, A Fine Man!

[@aaronkristofer18]

I'll say the same thing that I said when Dave Marcis was on here. It's good to see Leonard out and about and still doing stuff. I'm sure he's at the track every once and a while too but I don't go to NASCAR races regularly so I'm not often around that community, I just watch every week on television. And it seems to me that since Glen passed away that Jon had taken over much of the business. It's good to see old geezers like these still out and about.

[@DobyDuke]

i wasn't around during these good ole days.... absolutely love hearing the stories. todays nascar is a dead. very unfortunate

[@jamesscully529]

Listen to the full podcast and at one point Leonard mentions that Dale Jr was the one driver they wanted to have but couldn't get. Hearing just their voices, I wonder what Dale's face looked like - he sounded stunned. I started following NASCAR in 1972 about the time David Pearson first started driving for the Wood Brothers and they were just about impossible to beat. Petty-Pearson finished first-second about 60+ times in that time period with Pearson and the Woods holding the edge in victories.

[@tmklunk]

That shows how much talent jr had!

[@JSchaffer214]

Pearson didn't run the same amount of races Petty did. Pearson was mainly a speedway guy and didn't get near as much time at the short tracks. Had Pearson run full schedules like Petty, I bet petty doesn't get to 7 championships. Pearson with the Wood Brothers was amazing!

[@wesmanpipes9430]

​@@tmklunkThink it means more about the marketing and advertising money he would bring to a small team.

[@theanomalous1401]

Sometimes the term "Treasure" when used in the context of describing a person, can be overblown. This is not the case with Mr. Leonard Wood. This gentleman truly is a Treasure, when it comes to the history of American motorsports. I was enthralled with everything he said. Dale Jr. seemed to know when to lay off and just let the man talk. Because Mr. Wood was speaking history. Sometimes it doesn't have to be about the host.

[@johnnyhefner715]

I guess I have been lucky, my dad took me to hickory speed way when I was about 5, the walls were wood back then can't remember who it was but he went through the wall come back up the hill through the wall and won the race, no big sponsers just folks that loved to race, miss that

[@packisbetter90]

I've definitely noticed Jr pretty much gives the show over to guys his dads era and before. Great respect

[@reginaldhall6871]

It would be neat to have Donnie Allison & Cale Yarborough on back to back. Just so we could hear about their 1979 Daytona finish

[@matthewscott8692]

I'm surprised he hasn't had the Allison brothers and Cale on. Hopefully he does soon because those guys are legends and we need those stories 👏

[@carlwilson7383]

@@matthewscott8692 I've worked at Sunny King Ford in Anniston AL for 35 years and we are 15 minutes form Talladega. Sunny King sponsored Donnie Allison in 69 & 70. We had the old 1969 Torino on our showroom for several years. We got Donnie to come by and do a commercial spot for us a few years back and while we were waiting on him to show, I noticed an suv pull up in front of the showroom. There were two older gentlemen in the vehicle and at a closer look it was Donnie (driving) & Bobby riding together. They came in for Donnie to do the commercial and then both just hung out for a couple of hours, telling stories and picking at each other. We had a great time listening and laughing with those guys. Down to earth just hanging out with Bobby & Donnie.

[@Devil3R]

These are Gold. Thanks Dale.

[@johnkuehler2608]

Very cool. These out to be put in the National Archives. It would be great if Dale Jr could get AJ Foyt on this podcast.

[@burnychaplin4601]

Yeah that's a good idea I always loved to watch Foyt he was a animal 👍

[@copper7136]

Love seeing the Wood man

[@MrMusicfan678]

What it must've been like to take Dan Gurney to Riverside all those years and just knowing you're gonna win. Must've been amazing. Same with Pearson @ Darlington

[@raylars6986]

Pearson ... What a dude

[@amycollins9657]

The real men of NASCAR❤️

[@Stratsrule]

The knowledge wood brothers have is amazing

[@kellyrowland6912]

Dale and Mike, this was one of the best interviews that you’ll have done. Josef is such a neat guy and it was interesting to hear how he got started racing and into Indy cars. Also, the story of meeting his wife was so funny…..my nephew is one of the Prince Charmings at Disney and girlfriend is one of the Princesses. And, his dad must be “one heck of a guy”! Yes, you need to have him back on to continue his stories!

[@frankcastle5294]

Richard Petty always makes me smile and his vaunted history with Chrysler is the stuff of legend. I don't think anyone including self-annointed "experts" can say with any certainty who the "greatest driver in history" is or was. But if they could, my money would be on Pearson. He was incredible.

[@packisbetter90]

Petty himself said out of everyone he raced Pearson was by far the best and toughest. Says a lot

[@frankcastle5294]

@@packisbetter90 yes he did on several occasions. And they both actually liked each other even during their primes. True Southern gentlemen.

[@alvarsdzenis4739]

Nascar needs more owners like this gentleman, and not so much like the silver spooners they have mostly now. Genuine "nice" people are becoming rare in today's society.

[@alvarsdzenis4739]

@@happyjohn8256 Agreed

[@threynolds2]

Where is the interview with Leonard where he talks about discovering stagger when pit crewing at Indy? He talked about setting up stiff springs at opposite corners so a race car would roll around opposite corners instead of around the middle of the car. I wanted to watch it again and take notes.

[@carlkennedy4442]

Wish you would interview David Reutimann on your podcast.

[@ejharrop1416]

Fantastic video and I could listen to your interviews for days, love it. Cheers and God bless

[@ScoutPL]

I loved the story talking about that Galaxy with a 427 and two 4 barrels vs, how you'd drive a 396 Chevy with one 4 barrel. I love how different things were back then, and still competitive, different approaches, etc. I don't like the cookie-cutter stuff we have now, and it will get worse next year. I like IROC as far as saying, different drivers, same equipment, let's see who is best. But that was cool as something separate. For NASCAR, I like it from back in the day, when everyone was trying to figure out something different when a Buick might have a different rear glass from a Chevy when an AMC could figure something out and be competitive.

[@YouScroob]

Around 1966, Nascar had a weight per cubic inch rule. So Ford ran a 396 to allow the cars to run lighter. A 361 truck crank (same as a 360 pickup crank except it was a forged unit) was used in a 427 block to make it a 396. The truck crank had a larger diameter snout that needed to be machined down to allow for the standard dampner, etc. Ford made 3 truck engines from the FE engine. They all had a 1 inch different displacement label to identify them as a truck engine..... 391/390, 361/360. 331/332, the 331 was an engine from the late 1950s.

[@markmundwiller5842]

@@YouScroob thank goodness. Finally someone that actually knows what they are talking about.

[@jimmy7376]

Great video! it was also nice for you to acknowledge the mistake about Tony Jr, and Sr. I always thought ya'll were a hell of a team!

[@mroptical1982]

Hello Dale and Mike and Leonard Mr Wood is a true living legend Wishing everyone there well Take Care Guys

[@adamUDavies]

I remember watching the Darlington race and yelling at the TV , his axle is broken , only one wheel is spinning.

[@Diesel257]

Even though they outlived all the old school teams it's still sucks not seeing that 21 with that livery anymore. Last of the legends.

[@terrylessmann2274]

Thank you for these great interviews.

[@rond6783]

Thx Guys, Great interview and lots of laughs.

[@reginaldhall6871]

I didn't know that it was the Sponsor that wanted Pierson fired. 1st time I've heard it happened that way.

[@DavidJohnson-lj5mu]

me too

[@craigsmith8217]

People with dyslexia tend to see the opposite of what they see. Great problem solvers. Sometimes not good book learning students.

[@GregOnYoutube]

Awesome interview

[@ClintGrantham]

This badass at 86 ..... 😳 ... Can you imagine what this man was like at 36 and 46? 😳

[@ronpannell8144]

Awesome just Awesome!!!

[@raysmith7335]

Awesome content!!

[@markmnorcal]

Yall comeback now ya hear

[@scotthag1993]

David Pearson was the best driver to ever run nascar

[@cottonhiker]

Glad you brought that up😂😂🤦🏼

[@purwantiallan5089]

These stories are epic....

[@genemartin6962]

Simply the best....In any endeavor there is always ONE GUY who is just better than everyone else. Whether it is medicine, sports,....anything there is always ONE GUY who is just the best there is. Kids, you are looking at him. Lenorad Wood is the best there ever has been or ever will be at setting up and prepping a SuperSpeeday stock car. Look , Listen, Learn and ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

[@sammylacks4937]

Tires falling off happened to Dale Sr, I believe it was Darlington but not sure about the track. My father in law, a Ford man always ragged me about Earnhardt when he could. When he saw Dale stopped at the end of pit road laughed and claimed the same tire passed him twice. It was an embarrassing situation but you know what they say, it happens. Can't help but wonder what it's like to have been a part of Nascar racing way back in the days of Curtis Turner and still going to this day. When Trevor won Daytona who wasn't happy for the Wood Bros. Great bunch of family racing and a big part of what Nascar became and is.

[@rotorr22]

Only one bad thing about this podcast. It had to end!

[@tonywalker8421]

Love that Goodyear hat.

[@ClintGrantham]

I see Mr. Wood is sporting a Day Date Presidential .... (The Arnold Palmer). NASCAR guys have great taste in watches.

[@Nostalgic9080]

You guys have to get AJ on there

[@Mechanicsville804]

You need to have him on again.

[@tnwhiskey68]

Loved this!

[@davebierman5501]

@5:30 Jr. channels Charles Barkley lol

[@Panhead49EL]

So was that axle really trashed during the race or was that a ninja psychology move just to get Junior back behind the wheel.

[@sntstafford]

At 2:41, we have Jr, Leonard Wood………….and a young Dave Marcis?

[@wv171]

Lot is unexplainable natural talent. Good hit wall some times that end. More enjoying what you doing better you are if you got that God giving talent.

[@ericcrawford6577]

what year did that happen where the wheels fall off

[@sjc1989]

A national treasure.

[@johnnyhefner715]

Sponsers have f up racing dont you think

[@TheTotallyRealXiJinping]

The biggest mistake? Using Matty D to rebuild your team then sacking him. That’s what y’all did wrong

[@jamesscully529]

I like Matty D but he hardly rebuilt the team. Blaney had more to do with putting the Woods up front again, winning at Pocono before Penske added a third car for him. The most Matty D did was almost keep the lights on. That being said, I think Harrison Burton is still needs another season or two in Infinity. I'm not sure he's ready.

[@packisbetter90]

They haven't been the same for way longer than that even.

[@dewightkey6975]

I call Leonard.once about a 302 boss engine trying to get more power out it he told me everything I ask him and more and it did help but the Chevrolet guys didnt like it thanks leonard

[@BigWheelHawaii]

Good God and Buddha,,, Dale Sr,,, Sure Raised a GREAT Boy,,,

[@Hooijnbvn]

Amazing how Jr won’t even entertain having Sterling Marlin on. Would definitely be THE most watched show.

[@MrSteveG58]

So what are you saying? Sterling run him up the hill? Sterling is battling health issues

[@DixytheGoat9]

Really if ya ask NASCAR fans "What are the most iconic numbers in the sport?" They'll either say 43 or 3 but why not the 21 i mean of course they hadnt done anything since Pearson left them but they're still here and they still win from time to time plus they had some good drivers like Neil Bonnett, Kyle Petty, Dale Jarrett, Ryan Blaney, etc

[@kennethward3354]

Respect

[@Mcculock]

Curtis turner probably the best of all time with Pearson and petty right there David would come to local tracks and race some times

[@paulelliott682]

The wheels came off quite literally

[@delbertlayman3693]

NASCAR. This is what we all loved. Innovation crew chiefs doing stuff. Not your now political correct everything the same bs. Wake up or lose your sport

[@a.b.317]

Ummm this may be sacrilege on a Dale Jr post but I’d call Kyle one of the greatest drivers ever

[@wv171]

Whole lot is your mind set. Got problems home ect.? . But when you enjoy & have fun on your job look forward going work. You do well. When mind not on the job you dont.

[@MikeJones.]

💪🏼❤️💪🏼 hey guys!! 🙏🏼☝🏼🙌🏼

[@davidrice3337]

Is this thee Mike Jones-

[@williameichner7177]

Does anyone remember Frank hound-dog Mississippi Curtis, Long Island New York Islip Speedway.

[@MikeellerFB]

He said uh alot

[@JoshDHelton2006]

JR I WISH ME I LIVE LIKE 30 MIN OR FOR Hickory Motor Speedway probably never get to meet you im just 14. Almost 15

[@Vigilant_Guardian]

lol.....Dad I'm Back!!!!...

[@Dennis-pb7oe]

David Pearson best stock car driver best there ever was best there ever will be

[@bevnracin]

Cool

[@davidtharp1591]

Illiana

[@fordenginebuildersv8power184]

❤

[@jhatgotagat300]

Hope his Rolex is ticking… it wasn’t in the last video. Needs a wind or service… hope it’s just a windup

[@dewightkey6975]

Woods Brothers or the best

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

Correction, " The Best American Drivers in the world"

[@larrywt656]

Then explain to me why when the big international names from F1 and IndyCar come to NASCAR, they always end up sucking and leaving with their tails between their legs.

[@321gates]

@@larrywt656 They can never answer that. Looks so easy, driving around in circles and all.

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

@@larrywt656 ok Larry, I got your message and I will respectfully reply, but be warned, it will be a very big reply! You will learn a lot, stuff you are really not aware of, you may even not like some of the things I will tell you, but hopefully you are man enough to take it, cause it ain't personal, and the reason it will because long reply is because as a brit I am fucking sick to death if fighting on the internet between nations who have "no" real clue of each others histories or what others really think or believe about what others perceive to be the truth or facts! Quick example, in any European country, as much as we me love American music films etc etc. most Europeans believe Americans think they are the only and greatest nation in earth, and also that the Americans have next to no or very little knowledge of the rest of the world, and if given a map, most Americans could not place 99% of the world's countries on it! So I'll tell u something you dint know, us British have never considered ourselves as European, we dont like the French who are our "natural " enemy, many wars which we won , most "mainland European countries hate England and the British people, the British voted for Brexit to end the "paper " contract of being a European country! The British have never really considered ourselves to be European, we are an island, we separate, on our own, and whether you Americans realise it or not you have the same mentality as us Brits, but dont forget we ruled the world once😉 some Brits want to be separated from Europe and some dont "me" but its political, some of you loved Trump, and some of yiu hated trump! So I'm not trying to insult you, but please understand one thing, the British and the Europeans know ten times more about you country and what you do and where you are and your history, than you know about us! And that includes a lot of things, because let's be honest now , my mothers UK mountain cottage is older than your country, that is not an insult, just a fact! So its easier for us to know you easier! So later I will tell you about American motorsport v the rest if world, and all our and your miss perceptions! There is a lot more respect towards American motorsport that you may think!

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

@@321gates ok , I got your message and I will respectfully reply, but be warned, it will be a very big reply! You will learn a lot, stuff you are really not aware of, you may even not like some of the things I will tell you, but hopefully you are man enough to take it, cause it ain't personal, and the reason it will because long reply is because as a brit I am fucking sick to death if fighting on the internet between nations who have "no" real clue of each others histories or what others really think or believe about what others perceive to be the truth or facts! Quick example, in any European country, as much as we love American music films etc etc must Europeans believe Americans think they are the only and greatest nation in earth, and also that the Americans have next to no or very little knowledge of the rest of the world, and if given a map most Americans could not place 99% of the world's countries on it! So I'll tell u something you dint know, us British have never considered ourselves as European, we dont like the French who are our "natural " enemy, many wars which we won , most "mainland European countries hate England and the British people, the British voted for Brexit to end the "paper " contract of being a European country! The British have never really considered ourselves to be European, we are an island, we separate, on our own, and whether you Americans realise it or not you have the same mentality as us Brits, but dont forget we ruled the world once😉 some Brits want to be separated from Europe and some dont "me" but its political, some of you loved Trump, and some of yiu hated trump! So I'm not trying to insult you, but please understand one thing, the British and the Europeans know ten times more about you country and what you do and where you are and your history, than you know about us! And that includes a lot of things, because let's be honest now , my mothers UK mountain cottage is older than your country, that is not an insult, just a fact! So its easier for us to know you easier! So later I will tell you about American motorsport v the rest if world, and all our and your miss perceptions! There is a lot more respect towards American motorsport that you may think!

[@arthurhouston3]

Wheels come off end of David Pearson's career.

[@jamesscully529]

He won two races after leaving the Woods. The Southern 500 in 1979 subbing for Dale Sr because of a broken shoulder in the Osterlund car and the spring Darlington race in 1980 driving for Hoss Ellington. He did one more test for the Wood Brothers at Charlotte in 1986 to possibly race but his back was too bad by that point and he pretty much retired then.

[@arthurhouston3]

@@jamesscully529 Broke his leg in accident at the Rock in attempt for think Richard Brooks to reopen the track as local run track couple races a year. it failed and do not think they have ever run a race there since.

[@bbodinefan11]

Firing Matty D is your biggest mistake.

[@ahhculdee]

Getting rid of Matt Dibenedetto for Harrison Burton will be up there

[@DougHanchard]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@raylars6986]

Dale Jr makes NASCAR tolerable ... They roll over like dogs for any bs about flags or color ... No backbone