Episode 2 - Kirk Shelmerdine Racing

[@NascarNick2488]

And now Kirk Shelmerdine is a NASCAR Hall of Famer for 2023!!! Congrats Kirk

[@Dannyedelman4231]

He should! He is One of the best

[@patrickroden4481]

One of the few good things left in 2020. Brock Beard's NASCAR History videos

[@rick83083]

Fact

[@joeyoung4871]

This dude got me through the pandemic for sure

[@hopeless__-ut6tg]

This series has honestly made me look at the rear of the field more often; sometimes it's really easy to NOT do so and overlook those drivers but this has opened my eyes quite a bit. Also, hearing Ross Chastain's take of how he passed a car on the final lap of the Southern 500 to be the first car a lap down (I believe), and him feeling like that was a complete victory was pretty awesome.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Whatever series you follow, the back of the field is worth paying attention to. Whether it's NASCAR, IndyCar, or F1, even the slowest guy in the slowest car is a much better driver than most of us can ever dream of being. Besides, the race for the lead isn't the only race - speaking from experience working road races as an SCCA corner marshal, sometimes the best action in the race is the battle for not-last.

[@I_Hate_Youtube_Handles]

When I went to fontana earlier this year, while watching the xfinity race I put my scanner on one of the under funded teams and it was very nice to hear a driver be humble to his team. I forget who it was but the driver was like a leader, telling the team exactly what he needed and debating which scuffs he should put on. If I remember correctly he finished in the top 20, it was a nice change of pace.

[@nascarnational]

@@I_Hate_KZbin_Handles Who was it? I was at that specific event lol

[@I_Hate_Youtube_Handles]

@@nascarnational Chad Finchum, orange car with manscaped on the hood, car number 13.

[@nascarnational]

@@I_Hate_KZbin_Handles Ah I remember seeing that car. One of the few teams to go with the 2018 Camry bodies if I remembered correctly lol

[@454Logan]

17:53, damn interviewer didn't even let him finish speaking buh

[@Suburban-United]

Yeh, Arca interviews have always been short and time constricted.

[@NotSteveCook]

In 2004, the smallest purse payout I could find was $50,214 for Joe Ruttman's 43rd place result at Darlington in March. What new fans don't realise is that the cost threshold was low enough, and the prize money high enough, that if the cost to show up at the track was around $30,000 (for a low-budget operation), these teams could make an easy profit, even with no sponsor. Unlike now, they didn't have to pay $3-6 million (none of them had that much to spend) for a charter. Without a charter now, a team will receive very little money, so there is now no incentive for a small team to enter a few races a year, even if they are guaranteed a spot. I would think that Jeremy Clements might want to run at Darlington, or Ryan Sieg at Atlanta (back in 2004, that probably would've happened for the likes of them), along with a few other races, but the cost is too high and the ROI not nearly enough, if it exists at all. That's why there aren't 43 cars anymore, no little teams trying to fill the void, and NASCAR saying it's the new field size. I won't buy that narrative.

[@ChrisPoindexter98]

hell yea, Jesus Hippie, 😌 you are on point tbh, no cap, no doubt, I'm fortunate I watched enough to have found and witnessed some of it when I was younger, and/or read and watch loads about it later

[@rolux4853]

It’s very sad that NASCAR left everything behind they ever stood for.. Nowadays even local shorttrack racing is as expensive as running a Gen 4 cup car back then which is a real shame.. Blue collar racing is almost impossible these days. It definitely is for the cup, xfinity and truck series and the last two always where in the past.. I miss those days so much, the Gen 4 car was the pinnacle of NASCAR! Don’t even talk about the ridiculous Gen 7 car and how it’s build like a GT car and nothing like a stock car. With 1 flat tire it’s beached like a damn whale with those ridiculous 18 inch rims and no inner liner! This is ridiculous!

[@dano8613]

I'm not really a fan but just found this concept interesting (I've always heard things about this subject but didn't think it was real that's why I watched these videos). I'm commenting to thank you for the extra information and anther reason but to become a fan of the new Nascar. It seems to me that Nascar is like most companies where they forget their roots and fan base and only focus on the minority. Another example.... the stupid noose in the garage story!!! None the less, your comment was enlightening and informative, thank you.

[@EthanCookereal]

And now he’s in the hall of fame. What a story. Kudos Kirk

[@JB-zm7kx]

Can't believe I just watched an almost hour long video about Kirk Shelmerdine's cup career... and enjoyed the hell out of it. Great video!

[@brandonmay8096]

This has to be one of the most underrated channels on KZbin. 8k subscribers. I turned notifications on just for this channel. And I hate notifications.

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

Thank you!

[@Cynon]

27:40 is why I loved him. I remember he had a fan forum, and I was one of the like 7 people on it.

[@edgein3299]

I was on that forum too!

[@Tarv1]

Think I did show up once to say hi on there

[@chardab8824]

You have perfected this intro this yelling and rise of the field fillers and it’s amazing.

[@TracksideViews]

That intro gets me fired up to run all the laps!!!

[@lightningracing19]

I remember digging through our local paper every weekend trying to see if Kirk qualified or not. I always loved field fillers and he was one of the names that I always looked for along with Morgan Sheppard and Carl Long. Love underdogs and their fighting spirit to just show up. Something that big teams cannot get the same respect for with their funding.

[@CSDonohue11]

I 2nd all of this. I remember @ 1st when I was a youngster & didn’t get it with these slow cars , then one day all of a sudden I remember rooting for them & being so stoked when they’d pull off leading a few laps the very few times you ever see it , even when it was just during pit rotations and especially whenever they actually finish strong. A top 11 is A Win.

[@lordshankracing4724]

I have respect for Kirk now. He's a good person that just wanted to race.

[@dennisgray8403]

That Shelmerdine #03 truck is from i think '98. I think I see the NASCAR 50th anniversary contingency decal, and that Craftsman Truck Series is not from '95. Obligatory "love your stuff" comment, though. I was excited to see this up tonight

[@randomreviewsrebooted5156]

It's weird how I only used to know Kirk Shelmerdine NOT because he was Dale Sr.'s crew chief from 1984-1992 (and won 4 championships with said driver), but because of his team

[@81casperflip]

It's a travesty that this car wasn't in the EA Sports nascar game that year. I always made his car in the Create-a-car

[@Racinrasslinfan36]

I mean Jeremy Mayfield made the chase in 04 and wasn’t even in the game

[@santinopucheta1111]

​@@Racinrasslinfan36 who was in the 19 in that game?

[@natelecarde962]

The amount of research and effort that went into this video is incredible. Keep up the amazing work!

[@bluecup1129]

Waltrip-Jasper racing: *Ah I see your a man of culture as well*

[@kangarooswild]

this was a lot longer than I thought it would be watching live haha. seeing Shelmerdine do so well at the 2006 Daytona 500 made me smile...

[@nryanc]

I liked Kirk’s honesty. No beating around the bush with him.

[@MiscRocketVideos]

Great video. Very interesting to see a history of this time period in NASCAR not focused on the front runners. Keep up the good work!

[@sprinkle581]

This is an incredible series. Simply amazingly executed storytelling of the type of obscure storylines happening in the background of the glamour and excess of post-9/11 peak-popularity NASCAR. Great job!

[@JackKeithley]

42:36 "Sponsored by Escors" That absolutely amazes me. What a fact that a league sponsored a car in NASCAR. I myself, played Nascar 2003 and competed in the American league ASCORS and knew friends in Escors.

[@bhumiriady]

Awesome video as always! This video made me know more about this obscure field filler. Good job! Looking forward to the next episode of this fascinating series.

[@vladvalasiuk9084]

Brock, this is amazing. I’m so glad I came across your channel and I can’t wait to see what you make next

[@cflmotorsports1827]

After watching this and learning about kirk, I cant stop! if he can keep pushing, i can keep pushing! dude had a lot of dedication and passion

[@existinginaspace8347]

Yo, this guy qualifies as a legitimate Mad Lad to push himself and burn the candle at some 45 ends all at once. Someone needs to do one of his cars in a throw back race. And of he's still alive. Give the man a hot pass.

[@breadperez]

Wow I really did watch this whole thing. Also man the connection I have to a lot of the names I’ve seen on here.. crazy

[@fnyourmom3064]

Shelmerdine is a personal hero of mine

[@TungstenCarbideProjectile]

Nascarman and brock beard channels are awesome and this series is so awesome. Love documentaries and the Nascar docs around here are freaking great

[@edgein3299]

I watched NASCAR every now and then, but the 2004 season I watched every week because I was intrigued by Kirk Shelmerdine. He became my favorite driver because he dared to take on the big teams, failing frequently, but always trying. He was GOAT of the field fillers.

[@ryder_williams]

If only Kirk still raced today, I would be a huge fan, since I and MILLIONS are from the same place as him. Hello from Philly!

[@zenvofm]

What field filler team are you doing next? I can't wait for Shepherd Racing Ventures.

[@ryeistoasted8577]

Based off the end of the video Arnold Motorsports is up next

[@hate5206]

Thank you for your hard work making these Field fillers episodes. Awesome job. Very enjoyable to watch!!!

[@mattfoltz7752]

Does anyone else remember the Hooters Cup Series? What an awesome series. Loved it.

[@aaronkristofer18]

I love how upbeat you are with the title card. Some people would call it cringey or stupid but honestly it's just your passion and we all share the same passion and respect for you for channeling something that you have a strong interest in and not giving a shit. I'm loving this series, man.

[@FMecha]

Happy induction to NASCAR HOF, Kirk Shelmedrine!

[@RollerCoasterLineProductions]

43:34 this would never fly today 44:37 did not know they endorsed candidates back then

[@christophergritti9873]

Great work on these videos man

[@nascarnational]

This video was a lot of fun and very interesting to watch. It sucks Kirk isn't in the NASCAR HOF yet for the body work that he put in w/Sr. when he crew chiefed him to a good bunch of his legendary 7 titles. Looking at this this team's progression throughout time, it's amazing what they achieved with so little. I wonder if Kirk today looks back on the time he spent driving in the Cup Series. One other thing, too: I find it quite surprising that NASCAR had trouble w/car counts in '03, which is considered by many as a part of the sanctioning body's peak years when it came to interest from fans, corporations, & competitors. You'd think that the money generated from the record-breaking time would help getting cars on the grid. Apparently not, interestingly enough.

[@user-gu1hl2kx2k]

earnhardt took most of the credit, so kerk wont be in the HOF

[@COCarDude]

I always loved the look of those Taurus’s and this series is incredible!

[@davidgilliland6324]

Richard childress is an old man if he was racing in the 80's

[@alexdaniel3530]

Dude, he was racing Cup in the early 70s.

[@RacingVagabond]

Richard Penske was racing cars in the late 1950's!

[@roxstrongo8961]

Those black cars Kirk ran looked more like Hideo Fukuyama's 2003 Kikkoman Soy Sauce #66 cars.

[@lightningracing19]

I vividly remember that 66 car with his crossed US and Japanese flags. Loved seeing it, even if he was always 10 laps down in last

[@CR7659]

Travis Carter ran #26 and #66 cars initially so Fukuyama's car probably was from that fleet.

[@BRIANCOTNOIR]

So grateful that Kirk gave TC the shot to race at NHIS :)

[@edgein3299]

Ted knew that track better than anyone. Kirk knew that and also knew that Ted would be his best bet to qualify. Kirk was smart.

[@kevinwalker5798]

Love youR videos and that you highlight this time in the sport the field fillers and the 2004-2005 was on of my favorite times in NASCAR.

[@mbenoit9697]

I was there in 2006 when Kirk finished 20th! Feel-good story of Speedweeks that year. Was his black 05' Chevy a former Blaney car, or do you know?

[@lightningracing19]

I was and still am a die hard blaniac, even built two bomber cars for our track with his amoco scheme and Ryan’s pennzoil scheme. I would also like to know the answer to your inquiry because I believe you may be correct!

[@joshoxendine2928]

Enjoyed it Brock. Top Knotch work.

[@CSDonohue11]

Another Great job Mr. Beard, Great video. That HOOTERS 11 is such a clean ride. Always was. BUD 11 was a favorite of mine also.

[@FUELBandicoot]

I wish I could save this to my Favorites. Such a good video.

[@sims2sirius536]

Hey I know that guy for the next video. If you want help or even to talk to that driver of the 50 you can hit me up. As a long time backmarker fan this series is AWESOME

[@landoflogic107]

Geesh, how much room does Childress have to have 62 cars laying around? I can see eight or nine but 62? That’s a lot of money and a lot of space.

[@Tarv1]

and thats just Cup cars, not counting Busch/Nationwide/Xfinity or Truck series vehicles

[@stigrabbid589]

It depends on if they only have 1 floor worth of cars or if they have an indoor parking garage or maybe even multi floored parking with lifts, vertical storage is more space efficient but makes the building taller, both cost a lot of money though.

[@kylewagoner]

The 62nd car is the one Gaughn drives at plate tracks.

[@twotailedavenger]

Lawrence's quote about having a favorite driver who sucks definitely resonates with me - I got into NASCAR around 2001-2002 (First race I ever watched was the '01 Daytona 500. That went over about as well as you think) My dad was a big Jeff Gordon fan, and since I'd been out to see his car on display at the grocery store just a couple years earlier, I picked up on Ricky Rudd. The bright orange Tide #10 stood out despite being buried in the middle of the field. I'll never forget that last-lap brawl he had with Joe Nemecheck that one year at Kansas.

[@Buynot]

Field Fillers in 2004: A group of strong, determined, and humble drivers just trying to make a living as a start and park. Field Fillers in 2020: A bunch of Rick Ware Racing satellite teams that the leaders draft off of whenever 2nd place gets too close.

[@rossracing6433]

I don't see the difference. At least todays guys go the full distance more often than not.

[@Buynot]

@@rossracing6433 Fair point. I was more just poking fun at the fact that basically every car from 30th on back seems to have some sort of affiliation with Rick Ware Racing.

[@lightningracing19]

I was at Talladega in the fall race of 2011, stood behind Joe Nemechek pitbox. He had a tiny garage size toolbox with no tires and about 2 guys in mismatched firesuits standing there. That’s a true underdog lol

[@BeastOfMetal1989]

@@Buynot It's not really that different from the front 3-quarters of the field, which are basically tied to about four or five R&D collectives, the main distinction is that Ware and the teams he helps out have a fraction of the budget of most of the rest of the circuit and are pooling resources just to survive.

[@CSDonohue11]

@@lightningracing19 That’s a Bad @ss

[@jakeglover8699]

Love this series. Please keep them up!

[@haigplague]

great video! good for kirk. dude was out there doing what he loved and giving it a damn good run on his budget.

[@michealkeck2877]

Omg I been waiting for this. You just made my week

[@fredericoribeiro7325]

Another fabulous video. Thanks Brock!

[@lnascar7401]

This so informative 👍👍

[@ruddgrandprix-speedrunraci8515]

This team is a tough nut.

[@sirspoonyr]

i love how brock starts screaming into the mic in the field fillers intro every single time

[@jeffreyrussell6909]

Heck yeah. I've been waiting for this

[@goldsmith1210]

Great video, Brock!! Can’t wait for the next installment!!

[@popcat3476]

I’d describe Kirk’s voice of that of a typical human person

[@mesousagaby740]

28:42 Wait...2nd Chance? Rick Russell? Both sound...familiar. OH YEAH, Jennifer Jo Cobb once slammed him for forcing her to start and park in a Bristol Nationwide race!

[@exodus1960]

I was thinking the same thing

[@christopherbouchard4121]

The sponsors Kirk had probably will get more publicity from this video than from the actual races. XD. Props to him for keeping his foot in it. Keep these coming these are great videos

[@kettlerunrailfan]

Incredible job!

[@kingfloopy]

Darrell Waltrip commenting on someone being slow in qualifying is hilarious.

[@81casperflip]

I would have loved to see Chad Knaus start his own team. But looks like that won't happen now with his promotion

[@sportstrap4285]

So Basically Kirk Shelmerdine’s team makes MBM Motorsports look like RCR (sincerely a Timmy Hill fan)

[@Racinrasslinfan36]

Great video would love to see a video on MBM someday

[@TheWarmupLap]

Great video. A lot of time and effort put into it.

[@existinginaspace8347]

All my guys at RWR are field fillers. I would go ballistic if Gase, Yelley, Davison or any of them got a real top 10. Ya know. One where half the field isn't taken out in an accident. And they just move around the crash. Fuck me I'd be happy if if they could at least stay on the lead lap. If Poole could snag one too that would be nice. I'd be okay with Dibenidetto winning for once too. Can't wait for Gralla to go full time cup someday. He raced at my home track back in his legend car days. He's gonna be my guy if he ever goes full time.

[@j.paullacey6277]

I really think that James can be a huge star in a few years

[@lightningracing19]

James Davison has had flashes of success in open wheel, I believe he could do well in better equipment

[@shaytrueblueaussie]

Davison is the only one who hasn’t reached his prime yet.

[@marcpotter2266]

We need a video on Larry Gunselman (think that's his name) always saw him last on the screen when it came to cup and Xfinity years back. Just a name of a back marker that stuck in my head

[@Troggle84]

You'll get some Gunselman once Brock gets to the Mach 1 episode (they're the No. 98 Ford depicted in the episode). Sean and Ryan from Dinner With Racers will love it.

[@AlexMalycke08]

Added!

[@JeffyGornods]

Arnold Motorsports is next? Hell yeah!

[@hotwheelsracing7641]

I love this series

[@3km143]

Still remember how in EA videogames, field fillers always had 3 digit numbers

[@ThEtEcHnOsAm]

I love motorsport, don't watch nascar but this is fascinating, thank you

[@ThEtEcHnOsAm]

Happy to read other comments to see his commitment to the series is now being recognised, shame he never got a shot with a proper owner car

[@MotorsportsFan17]

A Backmarker team that really stands out among others really is Phoenix Racing owned by James Finch.

[@Tarv1]

probably could have been a regular successful team if they wanted to

[@Ghostmotorfinger]

Kirk Shelmerdine winning Winston Cup Championship Crew Chief to Owner Driver is a badass. BTW: in 2004 I voted for Kirk.

[@81casperflip]

Congrats on Kirk for the HOF! 🏆🏆

[@mthembukid5785]

We need more cars with no sponsors in the cup series

[@fusion4373]

but why

[@honlinfabrication866]

So the fast cars running at 190mph can run over the cars running at 157 mph?, and kill drivers ?brilliant

[@FUELBandicoot]

Where do you find these practice and qualifying results you are citing?

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

Big credit to Jayski for that. He used to point out who ran the slowest laps each week, which ended up featuring Kirk a lot back then.

[@sametozkan9175]

The last Kirk Shelmerdine Racing driver is Todd Bodine.

[@joeah99cr21]

Don’t let this distract you from the fact that there have been multiple instances of cars DNFing from not making minimum speed in 2020...including in cup. I’m looking at you rick ware.

[@Fandom_Junkie]

42:38 does anyone have more information on the European online stock car racing series?

[@pumpkinking5174]

Kirk is from Philadelphia, my hometown too. Always followed him.

[@noone7206]

That was incredible

[@insidethemindofcatro5642]

Just a heads up that at 20:03 the audio drops out. Great video/series otherwise.

[@pascalfarful952]

It seems the VHS tape is in mono, biased entirely to the left hand side, with the background music in stero, so if your left speaker doesn't work, you'll just get background music I think.

[@insidethemindofcatro5642]

@@pascalfarful952 Thanks for the heads up! Appreciate it!

[@mono-no-aware.Lem.]

6:40 next gen number placement nearly 40 years ahead of its time

[@stormkelleh]

Thanks to “Rise of the Field Fillers” I’m on Forza 4 building paint schemes I never would have even thought about. Flat out enjoying painting Monte Carlos again.

[@danielphilpott4308]

37:18 random question but were the signs for Kirk shown on the race broadcast?

[@LASTCARonBROCK]

RacingUnderdog.com said they were but I couldn't find a clip. Hoped to find one in editing, but none turned up.

[@roymcdre9180]

Many names: Damn lapped car series lol

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

What a great story.

[@ostpies]

As someone who only watched the race broadcasts in 2004, I frequently saw the name on the ticker but hardly ever saw him in action.

[@FastEvan47]

I know that Derrick Cope (#50 car) is the next video. But I can’t wait to see the Carl Long video... that one is going to be an interesting one with the MASSIVE fine nascar handed him with an engine that was a fraction “too big.” And when he goes for a tumble down the backstretch at Rockingham. And just the hard work and never quit attitude he had, even when he was trying to make the money to pay for the fine nascar gave him.

[@gamingwithgree4491]

I personally love field fillers. I always try to get diecast of field fillers for racing.

[@larson5fan790]

Give them a 👏👏 For atleast attempting to qualify

[@g1nbccollegesports469]

THEY WERE THE FIELD FILLERS

[@juanatethejetdryer7580]

one day can you do Premium motorsports?

[@TheNASCARJeff]

Those provisional rules are very confusing...

[@user-gu1hl2kx2k]

that was easy to understand in comparison to the the current point system

[@edgein3299]

They were. But Kirk saw a loophole that other drivers apparently didn't and made a lot of races simply on the number of qualifying attempts. He made about $1 million in 2004 and never finished a race.