I've been listening to podcasts on an almost daily basis for years now. I was slow on the uptake with Off The Groove, the long-running flat track podcast by AFT announcer Scottie Deubler and the show's producer, Chris Carter, but now I listen every week.
A new flat track podcast, Tank Slappin' has been added to the roster, this one co-hosted by AFT 2019 Production Twins champ Cory Texter and former GNC number 1, Jake Johnson. Where Off The Groove is unswervingly positive about the sport and rarely controversial, often sitting on the fence, seemingly preferring to stay neutral and let the listeners make up their own minds, Tank Slappin' is very different. Despite looking 14-years-old, Cory is married with a young son and a seasoned pro, racing in many different classes and also now a race promoter. Anyone who makes a podcast about flat track is obviously passionate about the sport, but Cory is something else. He's the son of a Harley dealer and racer, brother of a racer. He's raced all his life, it seems all his friends are racers. If he's every had it easy, that was way in the past, now it's hustling to stay racing. Jake Johnson is regarded as one of the most talented riders of his generation, but could be accused of lacking the outright drive of someone like Mees, and therefore hasn't racked up the amount of wins a rider of his calibre could/should have. The pair have a few adult beverages while they're recording while discussing the latest developments in the pro sport and don't pull any punches. They then introduce a guest, most recently Jeffrey Carver. For a flat track nerd like me it's addictive. I get the impression that neither host think they're risking a big paycheck by being controversial, they're unlikely to be signed to Indian's Wrecking Crew for whatever reason, so they say whatever they want in an unguarded way. The perfect podcast.
Chris Carter also produces the new podcast and, even just three weekly episodes in, it's already improving in technical quality and is on Apple podcasts, so easy to find. Highly recommended to flat track nerds.
Find it where you find your podcasts. If you don't have a smartphone, find it on Soundcloud at Tank Slappin' Podcast
UPDATE: Reader Justin C tells us 'They are on Spotify too.'
All good Gary! Just wanted to clarify that there was no lack of drive. There are a lot of things that play a factor in a rider’s career. That’s one thing I want to try and reveal with this podcast. We’ll have some fun and talk some trash, but I want people to realize that racing is not all sunshine and rainbows no matter what it looks like from the outside. Share a lot of the fun stories but also talk about the struggles and little bit of what goes on behind the scenes. I love your magazine and what you do. All good on this end. Thanks for the kind words on the podcast. We’re going to keep working…
Hi Jake, I was encouraged by your pulling no punches podcast, so I hope I wasn't talking out of turn. At least, like your podcast does, I started a conversation. Looking forward to the next episode and also finding out what you're going to do in 2020. Gary
I should have won more races and championships but I guess I just didn’t try hard enough. I thought it would be more fun to try and develop the Suzuki, Ducati, XG, and the Yamaha all those years. Questionable decisions or lack of options? Maybe. Lack of drive? Not a chance. I would have been gone a long time ago if that were the case. Glad you like the show!
They are on Spotify as well. https://open.spotify.com/show/4roau8WPFSOkPdjawDIXop