Morning Wire – "The Story Hollywood Never Told About Paul Newman"

Date: March 21, 2026
Host(s): John Bickley and Georgia Howe
Guest: Adam Carolla, comedian and director of The Racing Life of Paul Newman

Episode Overview

This episode explores Paul Newman's lesser-known legacy as a passionate and talented race car driver and team owner, rather than just a Hollywood icon or philanthropist. John Bickley and Georgia Howe sit down with Adam Carolla to discuss his documentary The Racing Life of Paul Newman, which uncovers Newman's deep connection to motorsports—a facet of his life that even many of his fans are unaware of. They delve into how racing shaped Newman's persona, how it intersected with his Hollywood career, and the real origin story of Newman's famous salad dressing company. The conversation also touches on broader themes of authenticity, meritocracy, and how men like Newman modeled a different kind of celebrity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Adam Carolla’s Personal Connection to Newman and the Documentary’s Genesis

Timestamps: 03:27–04:28

• Carolla has long collected and raced Paul Newman’s actual race cars, restoring them for vintage events.
• Quote:

  "I would talk to people and I'd go, I have Paul Newman race cars. And they'd go, you mean, you know, the popcorn guy or the salad dressing guy?... But he raced cars. That was his main thing was racing cars. And no one knew the story. So I just thought, well, we should tell this story." — Adam Carolla (04:07)

2. How Racing Shaped Newman’s Identity

Timestamps: 04:50–06:32

• Newman’s passion for racing surpassed his enjoyment of moviemaking; he loved the meritocracy and authenticity of the racing world.

• Quote:

  “He liked it because I think of this sort of ultimate meritocracy of it. He probably felt that Hollywood had a lot of BS to it…He just liked the idea of you come in first or you don’t. And there's really no other way to describe racing.” — Adam Carolla (05:19)

• Racing became “all he wanted to do” for the second half of his life.

3. Late Start and Impressive Achievements

Timestamps: 06:01–07:15

• Newman began racing at around age 48, drawing attention for entering the sport later in life but still achieving significant success.
• Notched four national championships—winning in several car classes from underpowered sedans to turbocharged GT1 vehicles.
• Quote:

  "He won four national championships. He won in GT1 twice…and then he won in the big turbocharged fast cars toward the end or actually about the middle of his racing career." — Adam Carolla (06:36)

4. Transition to Team Owner and Dual Life

Timestamps: 07:06–08:58

• Newman became an IndyCar team co-owner with Carl Haas, winning more championships from the pit wall after slowing down his driving career.
• He carefully balanced racing and acting, living in remote Connecticut and arranging films around his race schedule—often just one movie per year.

5. Newman’s Aversion to Hollywood Life

Timestamps: 09:21–10:28

• Newman preferred the camaraderie of the racetrack over celebrity culture, being approachable with racing fans but reserved about his acting career.
• Quote:

  "He could be a little prickly if he was out to dinner and you wanted an autograph. But if you were at the track…he'd had all the time in the world…he was a regular dude at the track. But if you wanted to start talking about show business, he kind of got out of there." — Adam Carolla (09:40)

6. The Unexpected Origin of Newman’s Salad Dressing Company

Timestamps: 11:07–13:36

• The salad dressing business was born at the track—Newman would cook for his racing crew, including homemade dressings.
• He insisted all proceeds go to charity, soon expanding into popcorn, dog biscuits, coffee, and more.
• Quote:

  "He would barbecue burgers, and he would make his own salad dressing…and he basically made the salad dressing. And then at some point, he told Bob Sharp…'I want to sell this stuff, and I want to give all the money to charity.'” — Adam Carolla (12:12)

7. Adam Carolla’s Racing Experiences

Timestamps: 13:36–14:39

• Carolla shares his own victories in high-profile celebrity races and relates to the escapism and total focus racing offers—a sensation Newman valued.

8. Broader Reflections: Newman as a Model of Character

Timestamps: 15:38–17:41

• Carolla sees Newman as a model of authenticity, merit, and balanced masculinity—equally comfortable with “guys with grease under their fingernails” and in acting roles.
• Newman’s philanthropic philosophy was remarkable—he donated all profits from his food brand, generating billions for sick children.
• Quote:

  “Here’s a guy…he chooses to hang out with sort of guys with grease under their fingernails who turn wrenches. He also realizes that he has an ability to act and create….And then also obviously a philanthropist….He never put a penny of it in his pocket.” — Adam Carolla (16:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the essence of racing:

  "Once you get the bug, you get bit by that racing bug. It's really kind of all you want to do." — Adam Carolla (05:32)

• On focus in the car:

  "When you get out of the car, if somebody said to you, 'What were you thinking about for the last hour?' The answer would be, 'I have no idea. Other than driving...When you're in the car, it's just the car.'” — Adam Carolla (14:44)

• On Newman's legacy and how to live:

  “That's how I would like to be remembered. You might look at your son or daughter and go, that's the way to go.” — Adam Carolla (17:38)

Important Timestamps

• 03:27 – Adam Carolla describes his first connection with Paul Newman through collecting race cars
• 04:50 – 06:32 – Discussion on how racing shaped Newman’s entire life and identity
• 07:15 – Newman’s successful career as a team owner after driving
• 09:21 – Newman’s divergence from Hollywood culture
• 11:07 – The story behind the original Newman’s Own salad dressing
• 13:44 – Adam Carolla relates his own racing mentality to Newman's
• 15:54 – What young and current generations can learn from Paul Newman’s example
• 17:38 – Reflections on Newman’s legacy and philanthropic impact

Final Thoughts

The episode sheds light on Paul Newman as a multifaceted individual: a late-blooming racing champion, a Hollywood legend who distanced himself from the glitz, and a philanthropist whose authenticity endeared him to “regular guys” more than fellow celebrities. Through Adam Carolla’s insights and stories, listeners gain an intimate picture of Newman’s values, work ethic, and enduring legacy—a story Hollywood never truly told.

The Racing Life of Paul Newman is now streaming on Daily Wire Plus.