Meet Cody Jacobs, Mastermind Crew Chief for David Gravel, and More!

[@robertayers9424]

Only with the HMM do we see a conversation with an excellent crew chief, track prep and an award winning photographer! The photographers do not get enough thanks! Thanks again for taking us along!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Robert. It's an honor to have your support...thanks! HMM

[@waynedavis8980]

The Jacobs family are heros to Ohio . Watched Kenny & Dean race for years . I think Cody drove some ? Thanks again Don.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome Wayne; it's an honor to have your support...thanks! I don't know if Cody ever drove, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me, considering the family he comes from. HMM

[@choiceclay5310]

The Knoxville clips are great. Was there Friday and Saturday on the backstretch. Its an event for sure. You do a nice job of being respectful to everyone. Thanks again!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to watch...HMM

[@rogerozdarski2935]

Thank you HMM, your spoiling us again two videos in one week again. You are the best at whatever videos you put out. Keep up the great work

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Got so much stuff from Knoxville that I figured I had better get it out there before the snow flies. Thanks Roger...HMM

[@jimheckert5383]

Great video. Thanks 🍀🇺🇸🍀

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome Jim; thanks for your continued support! HMM

[@kevinblakemore6445]

I can’t wait to meet David & the team in California. Hoping for some wins!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Great team! Coming your way! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@chuckg6039]

Once again Don.....a true to realistic video. Yours very much mirror what it is like being there in person. Being from Ohio, we both can be proud of Cody. His Dad Dean had one cool car.....the Frigidaire car he raced a lot in the Allstar Series. A few years ago at Attica, Dean had that car with the Frigidaire paint job. So cool. So was Knoxville everything you had expected? Wasn't that your first trip? I've never been there. If I catch you again at the Eldora 4-Crown, I'd like to get more insight into the Nationals.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I remember that Frigidaire car very well. I had actually forgotten about it till you brought it back to my attention. I'm gunna say yes on Knoxville...and more. I did a lot of other super cool stuff I wouldn't have done had I not gone. Second trip to Knoxville, actually. I was there once in the mid-90s...back when they let other announcers on the mic. As the current Eldora announcer (at that time), they let me do the D-Main as I recall. 4-Crown sounds fun. Thanks Chuck...HMM

[@chuckg6039]

@@HistoryMysteryMan So neat you actually got to announce at the Nationals. So what about it being a D !! I believe Dean told me his son Trey uses that car.....at least the chassis. Certainly not with the Frigidaire stickering.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@chuckg6039 Hell...I would have been glad to get the Z-Main!

[@Blrtech77]

HMM, Thanks once again for the ride along. Be Safe!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Wishing you safe travels too...

[@wideslammer]

Thanks for providing all these videos and conversations with participants at the Knoxville Nationals. (You also provided a quick look at the feature winner.) It would be interesting to have you talk with someone involved in the preparation of the racing surface -- the type of soil used, what's involved in a "typical" preparation versus changes that need to be made in the process if the track is rain soaked, preparing for a night race as opposed to a day race, etc.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That is a great idea...one I've been thinking about. Thanks for bringing it back to the forefront. HMM

[@critterscute3642]

What an exciting event. Packed house! You must know Nate pretty well for the camera lens comment lol. Thanks HMM!! 🏁🏎️

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Met Nate in a Walmart parking lot in Pella, Iowa while I was out there...he saw the HMM logo on my car. He invited me out to his campsite for breakfast with his crew, which I took him up on. They had an extra ticket for Friday night...so I took him up on that too. Gotta be careful when you invite me along; I'll actually show up! lol

[@mariebeasley1269]

Gravel my favorite 👍

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Gravel is amazing...on top of his Big Game! Thanks Marie...HMM

[@mariebeasley1269]

@@HistoryMysteryMan have great respect for drivers that worked up the ranks to the top. Drivers who give back to communities they race at too. Always support his Breast Cancer Awareness every year. He seems to always give to someone in Pa where he basically started his career 🩷🏁

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@mariebeasley1269 Yeah I can see that David loves giving back. Much respect!

[@mariebeasley1269]

@@HistoryMysteryMan have a great rest of the week 🏁

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@mariebeasley1269 Thank you ma'am! HMM

[@scottbutler1481]

Great show! Is Cody related to Dean & Kenny?

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks...yes, Cody is Dean's son. HMM

[@elroyelblander6277]

👍👍," what to do and what not to do", potentially sum's up a few things in life actually... River bottom muck track base...neat to see that.. thanks feller 👍👍👊👊🤘

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Elroy...honored to have your continued support! Great life analogy there! Do I go this way, or that way? HMM

[@elroyelblander6277]

@@HistoryMysteryMan 👍👍👍👍👊

[@gregj831]

On day I will make the pilgrimage to Knoxville. Bet you gotta make hotel reservations early!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Typically, that's true on hotel reservations...gotta get way ahead on that. Ironically, my hotel reservations were secured less than a week before the event in Pella, Iowa, which is only a half hour away from the track. Thanks Greg...HMM

[@greggrauscher34]

Another great video! The Big Game team is one of the best and it seems like Cody Jacobs is a big reason for the success. I figured he might be related to the other racing Jacobs. Is Kenny Jacobs his Uncle? Knoxville's track prep is so good. I also heard Eldora's prep is top notch as well. Despite having prep crews with many years of experience, most of the tracks around here are dust bowls every week. As a driver or even just when I'm a fan, I like varying track conditions. It makes the racing more interesting and mixes thing up a bit IMO. I liked the shoot-out to Paul Arch. The longer I'm around racing, the more I realize it's not just the drivers or even the teams that make this great sport possible. There are so many people behind the scenes in every capacity imaginable that work their butts off to make the sport we love possible, often for little or no financial reward.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Yep...Kenny Jacobs is Dean's brother and Cody's uncle. That's what stood out to me at Knoxville...was how tacky the track stayed all night with very little to no dust...it was wonderful. I think it has something to do with the clay they use...river bottom muck that holds moisture well...and their track prep crew is absolutely one of the best. As for Eldora, they seem to have more and more trouble with dust. This past weekend at the Big E seemed especially challenging for the ole gal...the dustiest I've ever seen it. Fans seemed quite disappointed because they couldn't see. Thanks again ole friend...HMM

[@greggrauscher34]

No problem HMM! The clay they use at Knoxville probably helps. I find it interesting how different regions in Canada and the U.S. have different types of clay that affects tire wear, set-ups and how well the track retains moisture.Many years ago (before environmental regulations) it might have been easier when they could oil the track and more recently use calcium. Columbia, SC actually used salt. That's unfortunate about Eldora, I remember hearing years ago how good their track prep was, especially how they worked the track in.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@greggrauscher34 I think it really depends on the clay...and I'm certain Eldora will figure it out. And I'm sure they have quality people preparing the surface...just need to find a more acceptable balance between dry, dusty and rock-solid smooth and heavier/tackier with ruts, chunks and bumps.