How NASCAR’s Former Race Director Made the Toughest Calls in Racing History

This week Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a conversation with a man he thought he’d never get to interview, longtime NASCAR Race Director David Hoots. In this episode, David opens up about how he made decisions in the booth, his thoughts on current NASCAR officiating, including the Austin Dillon penalty, his toughest calls in the booth, and how things ended at NASCAR.

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Chapters
02:58 - Behind the Scenes of NASCAR Officiating
05:51 - The Evolution of NASCAR and Its Challenges
09:11 - Growing Up in Racing: The Bowman Gray Influence
12:05 - Transitioning from Local Tracks to NASCAR
14:53 - The Role of Experience in Race Directing
17:49 - Memorable Moments in NASCAR History
21:10 - The Impact of Technology on Racing
24:00 - The Future of Short Track Racing
26:57 - Reflections on Retirement and Career Changes
29:46 - Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

[Mutt]

Great Interview with a well respected professional. I spent 45 years working race weekends on the Richmond Clean up crew. I spent over 30 on the headset with race control, and Mr. Hoots was the best. "Clean up 1 get ready" and "the 21'll be the last car by", got us on our way. After years of hearing his voice, "go to work" was all the direction we needed to clean up the scene. Finally, "Clean up Hustle on home, one to go when they get here", got us back to our spot in time for the restart. We got many, "Good Job Clean up", but once there was an incident at the entrance to pit road, "Clean up 1 to the Hauler after the race". I got in line behind Todd Bodine who gave me the side eye. Not a place I ever wanted to be. Following badboy Todd didn't give me a warm fuzzy either. I think he reviewed the tape prior to calling me in. Our discussion was one sided and short, but then again maybe they all were. After Hoots left the booth, It wasn't the same. After a few years, covid, and working with new people, I had never meet before, I retired from the best weekend warrior job a guy could ever have, driving Clean up 1 at Richmond Raceway. I have to thank Linwood Burrows (Track Maint) and Hugh Hawthorne (Alpine Const) for giving me that opportunity of a life time.

[danielmoose]

This Was By Far One Of The Most Interesting Interviews I've Ever Seen On The DJD. Big Thanks To Everyone Involved In Putting This One Together. I Found It Satisfying To Hear An Opinion Expressed, By A Man Who Knows The Difference, That NASCAR Offers MUCH LESS Of A True Measure Of A Racing Experience These Days Thanks To Countless Silly Rules, Implemented By People Who DO NOT Have The Decades Of Experience Required To 'Know The Difference'. Extra-Nice Job On This One, Dale!!

[donovan]

David Hoots was the best in the sport, and to be able to work with him was the best memories of my career. His professionalism will never be duplicated.

[JMicheleS]

Such an interesting, wonderful conversation, I’m a grandmother, we followed NASCAR for many years starting back in the 90s, will always be a fan of the sport!

[billykocher]

Used to be a jet dryer operator for Nazareth Speedway for 10 years, this guy was no-nonsense on the radio and had the respect of many. Was excited to see he was on.

[BradThompson-dq]

After listening to the Officials channel on the scanners for a decade I feel like listening to David is like listening to an old friend. Just wanted to hear him say "Put it out."

[biggallcaps]

It's guys like David Hoots that helped make race day on Sunday 20 years ago really fun and and seem well put together. Great interview and love to hear from guys like him

[BFDTLT]

David Hoots is one of the best to ever sit in Race Control. I've had the honor of working with him for years in different capacities at many different tracks. Absolutely incredible individual.

[b.w.]

This man, someone as “inside” NASCAR as it could ever get, has an extraordinary insight into the sport of stock car racing, what makes it compelling, and how changes to NASCAR and within Cup racing over the past 15 years has affected the sport negatively. I completely admire his dedication to his job and doing his best to support his organization through the years, but dang - his issues with the sport align exactly with so many of my own. Hearing his thoughts about stage racing was a revelation.

So, I can accept that “evolution” will always happen and that perhaps the days of old can never be replicated, but I can think of a few ways that NASCAR can keep things largely as they are and still make short-track racing more compelling: Change the rules for the short-tracks. At certain tracks, eliminate the stages and change the rules on the cars. Allow teams more latitude with builds, up the HP, keep the cages as strong but let teams sacrifice strength for speed or handling, and return the rule set to one that wise folks like this man and Jr. know helps to create good racing on the short tracks.

Why not? Why not let five or whatever races per year be more like the cars and racing that made stock car racing so fascinating to begin with?

[fauxpa]

Another outstanding interview. You keep hitting it out of the park with these people who, behind the scenes have kept NASCAR afloat all these years. The "back" stories are extremely entertaining and educational. Keep it up, please.

[ChrisSmith-mizo]

Wow, what a fantastic interview!
I gotta say, I listen to a lot of the Fighter Pilot Podcast, and Mr. Hoots definitely has a fighter-pilot attitude. Not the Hollywood kind, but the real-life kind, absolutely professional, dedicated to their craft, and humble almost to a fault. If he was talking about planes instead of racecars, he'd sound just like any of the various TOPGUN graduates they've interviewed on FPP. You can feel the passion he has for racing as a sport, I think if everyone at NASCAR put in the same kind of attention and effort, they'd have one hell of a product.

[johnnyrumley]

Thanks Jr for having David on your podcast, I've known him all my life, this man put his heart and soul in his time with NASCAR. It's just not right the way he got let go.

[terrybenson]

"Quit the jimmy jackin" as David used to say while getting driver's lined-up after a caution.. Great episode, Jr..🏁🏁

[robertlichina]

Great man. Sure need more like him today

[MrWrestling]

One of the best interviews, great insight. Nascar would do well to pick his brain or have him as a consultant.

[ffan]

This man should be running the whole sport now. David Hoots basically stated the number of major issues with the sport, and hit the nail EXACTLY on the head.

[Jeffbambam]

This gentleman has more common sense solutions and observations than anyone I have ever heard speak on the deterioration of what once was the greatest American sport that has its roots in the south and rural tracks all over the country! Thank you sir for your contributions to a sport that I once lived for and brought my family and friends joy ! You are A HOF’mer in my book !

[KeenanGreen-etmc]

That’s a damn good point… if you allow these teams to “fab” their own parts, turn over some of the control to the teams, they’d for sure fix short track racing and make these cars better.

[Robert-smqp]

I would love an interview with Bobby Allison. I met him once in Norfolk, VA. What a down to Earth guy!

[davidhuttinger]

Definitely one of the best episodes to date yet. Thank you for the capsule you are putting together for years to come!!