Podcast Summary: Herm & Schrader — "Irish Saunders Sheds Light on the NASCAR Tire Wars and Chasing a Dream at Hoosier Tire"

Episode Details:

• Title: Irish Saunders Sheds Light on the NASCAR Tire Wars and Chasing a Dream at Hoosier Tire
• Hosts: Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader
• Release Date: February 27, 2025
• Platforms: Dirty Mo Media via SiriusXM

1. Introduction and Background

The episode kicks off with Kenny Wallace (Herm) introducing Irish Saunders, the iconic face of Hoosier Tires for four decades. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana, Irish shares personal insights about his upbringing and deep-rooted connections to the racing community.

Herm:
"You're looking at one of the most important people in the world of auto racing. That is Irish Saunders."
[01:02]

2. Early Life and Introduction to Racing

Irish reminisces about his early exposure to racing, growing up in Lakeville, Indiana. From a young age, he was immersed in the racing scene, participating in motocross and assisting his father in race announcing at South Bend Motor Speedway.

Irish Saunders:
"When I was six months old, I was going to races. My father... I was a race track brat, per se."
[04:22]

3. Joining Hoosier Tires

In the summer of 1976, inspired by Hoosier's expansion in Lakeville, Irish sought employment with the company. Despite initial negotiations over compensation, Irish's passion and longstanding relationship with the Newton family secured his position. This marked the beginning of a 43-year tenure with Hoosier Tires.

Irish Saunders:
"Bob called me to come down there, and after a five-hour conversation, he offered me the job. I knew I didn’t want to back down in life."
[08:03]

4. The NASCAR Tire Wars with Goodyear

A significant portion of the conversation delves into the intense competition between Hoosier and Goodyear during the late '80s and '90s. Irish provides an insider’s perspective on how Hoosier entered NASCAR’s Cup Series in 1988, challenging Goodyear's dominance with bias-ply tires before transitioning to radial tires.

Irish Saunders:
"In 1989 at Daytona, Goodyear introduced radials, which were superior to our bias-ply tires. Despite the setbacks, we built and shipped tires daily to Daytona, culminating in Schrader’s pole position in the Daytona 500 on Hoosier Tires."
[20:39]

5. Influential Relationships and Memorable Stories

Irish shares heartfelt anecdotes about influential figures in racing, including Bob Newton, the visionary behind Hoosier Tires, and legendary drivers like Jeff Gordon and Rich Vogler. These stories highlight the collaborative spirit and mutual respect within the racing community.

Irish Saunders:
"Rich Vogler never forgot where he came from. He'd fly back to Plymouth after every race to discuss improvements with our engineers."
[17:00]

Herm:
"Haters are all failures. No one who is truly brilliant at anything is a hater." — Joe Rogan"
[41:20]

6. Challenges and Retirement from Hoosier Tires

Despite the passion and dedication, increasing costs and mounting pressures led to challenges within Hoosier Tires. A particularly distressing incident occurred in October when Irish was physically assaulted by a disgruntled individual at IRP, symbolizing the growing animosity faced by tire manufacturers. This event, coupled with persistent complaints, ultimately led Irish to retire from Hoosier.

Irish Saunders:
"After 36 years, and facing constant criticisms, especially after that assault at IRP, I decided it was time to step away from Hoosier."
[56:44]

7. Personal Life and Legacy

Beyond his professional life, Irish provides a glimpse into his personal journey. He discusses the tragic paralysis of his son, Eric, and the resilience his family has shown. Additionally, Irish touches upon ongoing projects aimed at making racing more affordable and accessible, ensuring his legacy continues to support the racing community.

Irish Saunders:
"After Eric was paralyzed, we focused on adapting his racing to his new needs, ensuring he could still compete and enjoy the sport he loves."
[52:04]

8. Conclusion and Reflections

The episode concludes with reflections on the evolution of racing and the challenges faced by tire manufacturers in maintaining quality and affordability. Irish emphasizes the importance of community, innovation, and persistence in overcoming obstacles, leaving listeners with a profound appreciation for the intricate dynamics of motorsports.

Herm:
"This was an incredible journey through your life and the racing industry, Irish. Thank you so much for sharing these stories."
[72:46]

Irish Saunders:
"It's been an honor, Kenny. Thank you for recognizing what we've built and continuing to support motorsports."
[74:13]

Notable Quotes and Highlights

• Early Passion for Racing:

  • "I was born and raised... I was going to races all my life."
    — Irish Saunders
    [04:42]

• Building Hoosier’s NASCAR Presence:

  • "We had to make tires that were fast but durable enough to last the race."
    — Irish Saunders
    [25:03]

• On Relationships and Trust:

  • "Bob Newton saw something in me from a young age. He was like a second father."
    — Irish Saunders
    [10:33]

• Facing Adversity:

  • "The cost of racing is getting so expensive... if one of those things goes away, they'll find another hobby."
    — Irish Saunders
    [60:05]

• Legacy and Innovation:

  • "Racing was about fixing problems and improving continuously."
    — Irish Saunders
    [62:37]

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an in-depth exploration of Irish Saunders' monumental contributions to Hoosier Tires and the broader racing industry. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the turbulent tire wars with Goodyear, the internal dynamics of Hoosier Tires, and the enduring spirit of innovation and resilience that drives motorsports forward.

For those passionate about racing history, tire technology, and the stories that shape the sport, this episode is a must-listen.