Jimmy Means Shows Us His Historic NASCAR Race Shop! 40+ Years of Racing Under One Roof

[@Stapleton42]

I had to separate the cheating stories and old hauler into their own videos because the shop video alone was 52 minutes! It's hard to cover 40 years of accumulated history in one building but man are we glad it's there. Jimmy is an awesome dude. The links to the other two videos are below! You can find the retro hat and hoodie I am wearing in this video at stapletonautoworks.com Truck Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGatq5uvebCKZ9E Cheating Stories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGmxpqGfeLugnqs

[@paintballbot]

The irony of it being a 52 minute video lol

[@russellridge8623]

I haul fuel around Texas. Based in Weatherford just E of FTW. Long ones are perfect for loads to Abilene, Greenville, Waco, etc. Hate it when I get into one of your long ones and they give me bunch of short ones around DFW. Lol

[@joehoulihan5305]

Hey guys, After Jimmy said his inspection wasn’t till January 2nd for the Daytona car, and he only has a month till Daytona I got to thinking. He mentioned he had people bring trailers or he provided one. Here’s the what if, how many views do you think you could get if you day by day build vlog of the Jimmy Means xfinity series car build to Daytona, if possible park the newell outside his shop, help him with all the fab and build if he would allow it, film what you can and post once a week on the build of a current car in a legends shop. Just a thought, your pulling a lot of people in with this series, a lot of Jr. fans and you know how much of a fan he is of Jimmy. I know you will be on the download some day for all the history your logging and bringing back into the main stream. Thanks guys! Love from the Houlihan’s in Oregon! Merry Christmas!!

[@matteven]

@@paintballbot 👌🏻

[@paintballbot]

@@joehoulihan5305 that would definitely be interesting and I think a lot of people would watch that. I don't know if Jimmy would be down for It

[@Jason1Pa]

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I've always known about Jimmy for years,but didn't know much about him. This video is proving he is a legend in the sport. Thanks so much for this video. It's really giving Jimmy the exposure he deserves!

[@Stapleton42]

thank you Jason! We do hope he is happy with these!

[@Shunter2402]

A true legend of the sport, he doesn’t really get enough credit for just surviving the growth around him.

[@tpsfab]

Never stop doing these vids! These guys are living history! From an era that will never be duplicated! You are preserving history in an amazing way!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man. We will keep doing it!

[@NCFREEMAN]

Jimmy Means is a encyclopedia of early 70s 80s nascar! He has forgot more than most Nascar crew chiefs will ever know. He us the man.

[@georgehenry8422]

Gotta respect the old independent drivers / owners / tuners. Jimmy's got himself a small fortune under those roofs whether he realizes it or not. Congrats to him for saving all those items. Pretty damn cool.

[@BrownsburgKevin]

Back when it was the Busch Series, we had the pleasure of hanging out with Jimmy and his crew after the race in the lot at Indianapolis Raceway Park. So many cool stories that just grabbed our attention. Jimmy gave my sons some lug nuts (that we still have). My youngest son started wearing #52 on some of his uniforms after that.

[@clintwill8715]

Jimmy has enough old parts to build some vintage stock cars, someone needs to inventory what he has. What a amazing man he is, to what he did as a independent and still doing it. !! Thanks for making another NASCAR HISTORY VIDEO. 💯

[@jamien.8639]

I always remember watching Jimmy Means when I went to the Daytona races. You can never miss that turquoise blue Alka-Seltzer car with the chrome number 52. I always like routing for the independent racers back then. Glad to see that he is still at it.

[@bobbyklein9685]

I remember Jimmy Means as a kid but as a child you just know the drivers and not who is independent. I struggle myself to race my weekly track and for him to do it alone at the highest level is beyond impressive

[@MatthewRRader]

Great job....really interesting !!!!

[@phast31]

Awesome video. I was able to work in that shop for 3 days in 1999. I had a connection to Kent peckham and was able to have an opportunity to work with the team lear 77 car at 5 races that year. 2 Dover, Nazareth, Michigan and watkins glen. I drove down there on Father's Day of 1999, spent a few days in the shop and then drove to watkins glen to help the team on a volunteer basis hoping to turn it into a full time position. Jimmy was my roommate that weekend, scott gaylord drove the car. The drive back to the cabin with scott driving was amazing. He drove the snot out of that rental. Unfortunately, being canadian, the red tape was too much for me to turn it into full time employment. But I will forever be thankful for the 5 races I was able to be a part of. Again, thanks for the awesome videos. Brings back great memories..

[@Stapleton42]

That’s awesome

[@SteveLowe65]

Jimmy is a treasure trove of information. I bet you could spend a year with him and still not hear all his stories. What a legend.

[@castelnausci7315]

I would spend a year in that with Jimmy Means. The dude is so cool

[@rwhite715]

Smut is a great guy. He came back home to HSV, AL to speak at my father's funeral earlier this year. Thank you Jimmy Means.

[@brianbeilmann2992]

Mr Means. If ya see this comment. Let me tell ya. You are part of nascar I remember forever. Please continue. And bring that trailer with car to the track as you talked about.

[@paintballbot]

i worked for jimmy back in the 2008 season. i was born and raised there and remember that shop very well. it was good times but a LOT of long hourse. hard work and obviously traveling

[@KEIFabrication]

That was GOLD! I SO want to go to work for Jimmy Means! His mode of operation is exactly what I like and appreciate.

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

He is every movie where the rich jerks show up in their uniforms to be beaten by knowledge and passion

[@advorsky1]

Legendary Jimmy Means what a humble, HARD WORKING MAN! I’m sure it was cool getting to talk with him and get to know him! Great video!

[@Stapleton42]

Yes it was!

[@billyvance5532]

Thank you for showing Jimmy and his life the respect and honor he deserves. You and him have something in common other than racing. Chase your dream because dreams don’t chase you.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks Billy. I did talk to him a little bit about my days sleeping in the truck and living in a trailer before we started filming

[@genemartin6962]

Jimmy is the real deal. Marty Robbins wrote a song "20th Century Drifter" to honor his fellow independents on the NASCAR Grand National circuit. He was singing about Jimmy Means, Cecil Gordon, Henley Grey and plenty more who filled the field behind the hotshots like Petty, Pearson and Allison. A chapter of racing that has sadly closed. Racing, ALL racing is about cubic money today and the sport is way worse for the change.

[@roadkingryder6685]

Great job on this one. Jimmy Means is one of the very few surviving owner/drivers left from the glory days of Nascar. I remember always hearing his name in the lineups during the 80's and 90's and I remember when him and JD crashed at the Glen. That had to devastating for him to lose one of his close friends like that. He's always seemed like a very nice and humble guy. He's got a ton of knowledge and wisdom in that noggin. Very cool to see his old shop and hear his cheatin up story's. An old school innovator for sure. And he was spot on how big money has turned Nascar into the dog and pony show it is today. That's really sad but not at all surprising. You're killin it with these history videos. Keep on you gonna be giving the Vault a run for their money. Wishing you and Logan a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year. Keep up the great work!

[@Stapleton42]

thanks man!!

[@RearEngineShop]

I was 1 when he moved into this shop. What a cool place with so much history. I don’t know how you have managed to get into all these places but it’s awesome. It’s great to get all this documented because these guys won’t be here forever.

[@fordhipo]

A 52 min video that zoomed by, all this history is amazing. When watching these guys run back in the day, you never really understood what they had to do to survive

[@randytingen]

The world’s a better place because of people like Jimmy. Great tour down memory lane. Stellar video Mitch.

[@georgiahillbilly6150]

Mr means is one of best

[@CapstoneTider]

I can identify with having lived on a shoestring budget and now not wanting to throw anything away of value. Another great video.

[@owensimmons_rjg]

Awesome! I wish racing was still like it was 40 years ago. Remember, If you ain't cheating you aren't eating! 🤷‍♂️

[@travisshephard5491]

Thank you for going and getting with these iconic racers and getting history lessons. These guys know how to do it all and it's great to hear from them. I think this Jimmy Means series is my new favorite. He's the most relatable to the little guy trying to build stuff in his backyard.

[@Stapleton42]

Absolutely!

[@alexclarkro9414]

Jimmy Means is a legend. I live 35 minutes away from his shop.

[@jimlancaster5225]

Great video! I’ve passed his shop many times over the years and always wondered what all he had in there. He’s not lying about never throwing anything away! Wow! What a gold mine of history! Thank you Stapleton42!

[@headbrown5629]

I have been saying for years on Facebook that Jimmy means, Dave Marcis, McDuffie, & several other independent racers DESERVE a spot of honor in the Nascar hall of fame. Not as inductees but at least a Wall of Honor for guys that raced the circuit week to week, driving old beat up trucks all over the nation, knowing they're probably not going to win, just to be part of the show. True Racers!

[@Vashtorical]

This is probably the closest we'll get to mitchell interviewing smokey. This guy gives off seriously Yunick vibes and I love it.

[@Stapleton42]

That’s where his nickname came from

[@wdcrobertl]

@@Stapleton42 "Smut" is a legend.

[@dougderby9454]

I was lucky enough to meet Smokey the last he was at Sema. The next year he was gone.

[@ScottKirk-Notredcrew]

So cool to see the old school still around even if just barely

[@dawsonburrell9754]

I actually got to walk on the Alabama Fairgrounds track before it all got ripped up for the whole "rebuild America" movement that Obama pushed. You could feel the history in that place so much. The Chevrolet brothers raced there. The Alabama gang raced there. So many people got to race at Birmingham and it was such a wonderful experience to get to see that track before it was totally gone. Thanks again you two for keeping this history alive.

[@haroldbirckhead9997]

Jimmy Means was what made the sport great back in the day. Never be the same again, a bunch of spoiled kids driving because Daddy can write the check. Never had to work a day in their life or be responsible. Jimmy was down to earth and humble. Like most of the drivers back then!

[@dennislamers986]

So cool to see a real man doing his thing just because he loved racing. Great video.

[@philipclegg5792]

If I was 17/18 year old and wanted to get into NASCAR I’d be sleeping at that door to work with those guys. Free loging knowledge etc, just buy my food for 12 months then take it from there wow I wanna meet Jimmy. Did the best with what he got has and achieved above the bar 😃

[@smitty4912]

This is a great interview with Jimmy. I remember when Jimmy started out in racing at Huntsville,Speedway ( My Home Track ) and he was sponsored by Bell Brothers Auto Parts in Huntsville,Al. Use to run into him quiet a few times when he came to the store. Thanks for the memories!!

[@Alien415]

Treasure trove of lost history. Will be one hell of an estate sale. This stuff needs to be preserved, to the unknown it is just out dated junk scrap.. Thank you for saving history Jimmy.

[@MikeSkateTV]

Wow... the trailer looks untouched in time and you were 8 the last time you were in it? Incredible, memories like that stick with us forever and as always, excellent videos :D

[@TheCrewChief374]

Been looking forward to this video.

[@Brandon_85]

His raceshop is located in Forest City, NC, only a 10 minute drive from where I live. I have been wanting for a long time, to go see his shop. Thanks for showing this, and I hope to meet Jimmy Means in person one day. He should be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

[@PierreVonZeus]

This whole video series was truly amazing! Always loved the grit and passion of Jimmy 'Smut' Means and it's great to see a full walkthrough of his race shop, along with thorough stories on the independent days during the growth of NASCAR. Really cool to see his shop never moved like how all of the other teams around the area did. I like how he was ahead of the curve with innovation as the years went by! Thank you for providing content like this!

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you for watching man!!

[@PierreVonZeus]

@@Stapleton42 you're welcome dude!

[@adamtereska8734]

Been a fan of the Elliotts since 1981, but I always had the utmost respect for the shoestring budget independent teams for doing so much with so little. I crew on James Hylton's race team part time for 6 years, and the stuff you could learn from James was incredible. And what a hoot he was. We'd jokingly call James "Hot Lips Hylton" because 30 minutes at a racetrack, a bad day saw him getting kissed by no less than 7 women. And the stories he told of the old days were hilarious. I'm sure Jimmy Means has some fond memories of Hylton. I wanted to see Jimmy Means run top equipment. He truly deserved it. I think he'd have given the top drivers a run for their mo ey.

[@Dd13200]

Jimmy Means is a legend. Great interview 42

[@redclover51]

While watching I thought of Smokey , best damn garage in town. All the archive parts and pieces are hard to imagine still intact. Stay humble and the secrets will keep coming.

[@colebertils7359]

Thank you for sharing Jimmy’s story. Guys like him are such a big part nascar history and helped make the sport what it is. Could you imagine asking for leniency in passing tech so you can go out and race to pay your bills? Not to mention running with and sometimes beating the big guys on a shoestring budget.

[@brandonemmons5438]

The gray and red strip is how the Toyota shop I work for was done.

[@myretirementlife8731]

I'm not a nascar fan but have been a gear head all my life, but I gotta say, your stuff keeps me interested. I like hearing old guys tell their stories, and love the history of things.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man

[@hilldwler420]

We still claim ya here in Alabama , Jimmy

[@brianbeilmann2992]

Still watching. Dude the paint can. Crazy way to manage your advantage.

[@treyrags]

Awesome history. The last of a dying breed of do it all guys. Love it

[@brucewrandol]

Jimmy has some very interesting stories that nobody else will tell you. I remember when he was racing and he was good. So my hat is off to Jimmy and to you for having the questions to ask Jimmy.

[@BigWood3131]

One of the very best racers that still has the old school attitude. Love it

[@arthurfricchione8119]

These are the most entertaining videos about the old NASCAR racers how they built everything from nothing.the talent and the sport that i loved is gone it will never come back. Thank god you and logan are keeping it alive if you stop the history of the sport will never be known. Merry Christmas be safe and enjoy artie 😊

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks Artie Merry Christmas

[@johngeorge1294]

Somewhere I have a VHS of Jimmy Means in I think the Alka- Seltzer Ford. Love these videos, thank you from an 83 year old man who remembers Nascar in the late 50's.

[@joshuapaulsen7414]

Mitchell, the way you observe and the questions you ask is unmatched. I've learned so much since I've been a SAW subscriber, it's insane. You're on another level, man. And I'm glad we're all here to see this stuff, no one else even close to doing what you guys do. I hope you and Logan have an awesome Christmas...can't wait for the next vid, as always. Still rocking my SAW cap in the old RYR livery on a daily basis.

[@Stapleton42]

You’re the man Joshua 💪🏻

[@mab06241959]

Loved to watch Smut race at the Huntsville Speedway racing Bobby, Donny, and Red Farmer.

[@davidperks6321]

Have spent many hours in that shop and numerous tracks working on those race cars. Thanks to Jimmy for the opportunity and for being a true friend.

[@jft3426]

Great show. you are documenting history of racing that the average person will never understand.

[@joshhuffine4522]

Dick Beatty was the man. I love listening to him on the Nascar Legends Reunion. He tells some great stories in that series.

[@wesco123]

Truly admirable man. Incredible life achievements against the odds of "the big guys/funds". Champ 🏁

[@chrisheinen9628]

I got my Xmas gift early from my Wife. It was your Sticker pack & a t-shirt with your hand written note. Thanks to you & Logan.

[@Stapleton42]

That is awesome!

[@SingerDinger]

Man just having your content to listen to at work is an absolute lifesaver! Thanks for the Nascar history!

[@wayneboyd2682]

This was one of your best video's and I want to thank you for what you are doing. I lived in Forest City in the early 80's in the same neighborhood as Jimmy. I drove by his shop every day on the way to work and followed his results closely. I always admired Jimmy's efforts and results in the face of long odds.

[@Stapleton42]

Wow, thank you!

[@shanew.williams]

Excellent ! Jimmy is a throwback to what made racing great here around Huntsville,Birmingham & Nashville in the 70's. Competitors and fans with a real PASSION for race night. "Balls to the wall "shootout at the ok corral." It was ON ! Jimmy won 3 NASCAR track championshipsin early 70's all in the SAME SEASON running 3 times each week.

[@jamesdupree9522]

I worked for Smut when he was in Huntsville. From 78 to 81 before he moved. One of the hardest working persons I’ve ever met,or had the pleasure to work with!

[@TanDawg58]

6:58 Sounds like Jimmy at least is having thoughts of making a few attempts next season of he is bothering to have the car re-certified, which would be great to see. Really enjoy these videos with guys from NASCAR's past, when even the guys with cars that were slapped together with used/borrowed parts and were less competitive, but still had an outside shot at a good run, unlike today.

[@brianbeilmann2992]

And wow. That’s a treasure trove of history in parts right there. Maybe booms tubes for the mustang😳 ;)

[@damoncuccia788]

Going to share this w/ a buddy of mine. Think his dad worked for Jimmy back in the late 90s w/ the LEAR car in the Busch Series.

[@sbmcvp4525]

Awesome video! So glad Jimmy spent the time with you getting his story on record. I was so disappointed when his "one" run in Tim Richmond's Folgers Chevrolet are Charlotte was short lived. Wanted him to have a top 5 or better, a win!! I was crushed when he was swept up in an early wreck.

[@HollerOpossum]

Jimmy Means is such a humble guy. The dedication and work that this man put in to race is insane. You can tell by how he explains everything he picks up and shows. This man deserved a sponsorship. Thanks for videos like these, Stapleton. I'm 28 so I didn't get to see much of these guys growing up.

[@Stapleton42]

thanks man. I did get to see them either and that stinks lol

[@billiverson9014]

Maybe the most important recording of the grass roots of stock car racing I have ever seen. Thanks to you and Jimmy for keeping the Golden Era of NASCAR alive. Way more storied than the current failure of NASCAR............

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks Bill. NASCAR is going back in the right direction behind the curtain I promise you! For one…they’re going to help us produce videos with unprecedented access to some previously restricted stuff 👀

[@billiverson9014]

@@Stapleton42 Awesome! I'll be watching..............From Montana.

[@dennisbrown8108]

Great history of the sport of days gone by. Jimmy probably has forgotten more stories than what he could tell. Thank you for showing how real racers worked to make ends meet.

[@Stapleton42]

You’re welcome dennis

[@woodyholland9865]

Finally figured out why I like these things so much. Jimmy is the same age as I am. He did racing and I just watched it. Thanks for these videos.

[@af4od02]

Thank you for the tour of Jimmy’s shop. I always watched Jimmy.

[@Doogie_Causey]

Jimmy "Smut" Means. 1 of a few of true independents that pretty damn good for using 2nd hand equipment. Again Thanks Mitchell and Miss Logan. Y'all have an amazing new years

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Doug you too!

[@Doogie_Causey]

@@Stapleton42 u don't have a set of C3/C4 heads and an intake in your back pocket do you? I kinda wanna build a street stock moter

[@larryburwell8550]

Well this was a great video to say the least. I knew Jimmy and his truck driver hippie when they came to work for bud Moore. Bud Moores shop was 1 tenth the size of Jimmy's shop. Jimmy is a great guy and hippie as well

[@rbmwiv]

Glad to see some videos on Jimmmy Means. I started working for him in 1994 I was good friends with his son and we both worked there after high school. It was an experience of a lifetime. His son was running Limited Late model at Tri county and Hickory motor speedway I was the crew Cheif and then we started running craftsman super trucks & hooters cup, and then my own business took off that I had been doing at home soon took over my career in racing. It Was pretty awesome. I learned so much knowledge from him. He has been my mentor since I met him decades ago, he is a great guy also. My nephew was in shock when he found out that there was a race shop locally and I use to work there. He could not believe it. I was able to take him on a private tour of the place. I can remember giving some Boy Scouts and tour in the motor room. That’s where I spent most of my time there. I remember showing them the restrictor plate and I told them about the gasket trick which couldn’t be done anymore because of the rules but learning about stuff like that makes you look at things differently.

[@scotthall756]

Very cool racing history. I wish everyone kept all their stuff and never threw anything away like Jimmy does.

[@scottallpress3818]

I want to open all the boxes !! Soooo much good old stuff

[@Aciecarter238]

I love watching these old stories from old timers. Keeping the history alive. An i bet 100% these old timers like him love telling stories about there time in nascar.

[@benjaminwitte5184]

Jimmy is so friggin cool!!!!!! Great work! I'm so jealous you got to do this with him!!! Id move to NC asap to work for him.

[@headbrown5629]

Guys like Jimmy, Dave Marcis, McDuffie, Langley, & several, several, other independent drivers deserve a Wall Of Honor or something in the "Nascar hall of who is popular at the time of voting" these guys a pioneers of the sport as much as the petty or Johnsons

[@richardray9267]

You guys are great would love to see more of these videos with guys that didn't have the gravy train rides these are your real racers keep it up

[@bobbertee5945]

I absolutely love these old timers....

[@Stapleton42]

Wo do too 💪🏻

[@jaredphillips5381]

When I was 19 years old 26 years ago now, I went to work for Jimmy at Front Row Motorsports. Although I worked at Front Row, Jimmy had me go to this shop to help him get a few cars ready to try to qualify for some races. It was just me and Jimmy pulling parts from 3 or 4 cars trying to make 1 car good enough to qualify. It was an extremely tough time in my life, as I was away from home, making next to nothing, and did not really know much or anyone. But it was definitely an experience. Jimmy had me put a windshield in a car, and complained how terrible a caulker I was, Then when he tried to do it he discovered the caulk had been expired for 10 years! He definitely makes use of what he has.

[@Stapleton42]

That’s funny 😂

[@robnorman1122]

Man this is awesome!! I love that he never threw anything away. My dad, brother and I are the same way parts and things. You never know when you might need something. We don’t have old cool race parts though lol

[@jdhaase1417]

This career fits you like a glove and I’m happy for you! Authenticity at its best. Merry Christmas y’all!

[@jacobdavis2378]

Jimmy is an awesome guy, I met him in the garage area at Richmond this past season while working for the driver that finished 5th in that speedway car

[@glindabeaven6805]

This was the era of NASCAR that was racing. These guys raced because they loved it the money was to.keep racing .Its a shame that those days are gone its just like a lot of things in the past that will never be again. I have seen when you put big money into things it takes the fun and enjoyment out of things not to mention ruins everything

[@michaelgallopo5879]

It's so nice to see an amazing real vintage race shop that's awesome and historical

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks Michael! we have made videos like this at several of them you would love watching too

[@rolling_hills_landscapes]

This reminds me of Bobby Allen from World of Outlaw dirt Sprint cars. I love seeing underfunded teams be successful.

[@gparrow]

Another great video, I used to always look forward to shots of the Blue Alka-Seltzer car.

[@carlmccoy5146]

Better than anything on tv!

[@n4bhpat]

Mitchell awesome works as usual ! Thanks for bring back the history! I grew up watching these guys so it was amazing to see behind the curtain

[@jimmer1159]

Gotta love Jimmy Means absolute gentleman 😎

[@kylebst264]

Stapleton42, don’t know if you’re reading this. But, I’m a hardcore dedicated racing fan since the 1980’s. As someone who spends all their KZbin time looking up racing nostalgia who has recently discovered your channel. I must admit, your channel is my most favorite now. Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re videos are pure gold!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man welcome to the team!

[@kennyfofo]

I love the look back to the seat of your pants racing where true innovations were created and meeting the men who did the work. Love the Christmas tree!!

[@gregmckinney2877]

We have respect and admiration for Mr. Means and His dedication to real racing from the 💓. Thank You Sir for Your contributions to the great American sport!!! Alamance County, N. C.

[@tazbertdt]

I know little of NASCAR living in the UK, but I love watching these videos because they teach me about something new and put the spotlight on guys like Jimmy. Proper old school racers who went out there and did it on a shoestring and competed. Appreciate it. Cheers!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks taz that’s a great way to look at it 💪🏻