Dirt
Burnout
DI founder Wes Buck hosting new
weekly news show on SpeedVideo
By Josh Hachat
Always looking to drive the conversation
in new and impactful ways,
Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial
Director Wes Buck has found
another way to connect with drag racing fans.
Buck is the host of one of SpeedVideo’s newest
show, Burnout, a weekly drag racing show that
isn’t afraid to push the envelope.
Debuting earlier this month, Buck
is joined by veteran drag racing journalist
Mike Galimi and rising star
drag racer Alex Taylor. The weekly
show features news, highlights,
current events, commentary and
opinions. But most of all, Burnout
hasn’t held back through the first
three episodes.
“I’m honored first and foremost
to be part of this show. It’s surreal
to even be thought of for something
like this,” Buck says. “I felt like it was an opportunity
to spread the gospel of drag racing and
create content for our sport, and I think it fills a
noticeable void in our industry. There needs to
be a show like this.
“The reason drag racing doesn’t have this currently
is insecurity across the board. Nobody is
willing to put themselves out there for fear of
having their efforts critiqued. But we need to be
willing to discuss every topic openly and discuss
the subjects that matter to racers.”
Through a trio of episodes, Buck believes the
show is on the right path — with plenty of room
to grow as well.
The idea for Burnout came after all racing
went on hold during the coronavirus public
health crisis.
With no racing for the immediate future, Buck
worked with SpeedVideo on a weekly drag racing
show that would feature guests, pointed discussions
and all the major highlights from across
the sport, no matter the series.
It’s been a popular recipe for talk shows
throughout the sports industry, and Buck
is thrilled to help carry that concept over to
drag racing.
“On the media side, we’re so insecure that we’re
afraid to be critical for fear of being alienated by
racers and series,” Buck says. “But we all need to
take a deep breath, identify our strengths and
go all-in on those. The thoughts and opinions
shared on a show like Burnout is intended to be
conversation-starting and thought-provoking.
That’s what we’re here to do – along with entertain
and inform.”
Buck has been the driving force on Burnout as
the lead host, opening each show with an opening
monologue.
What has followed have been thrilling conversations
with people from all areas of the sport,
including racers like Stevie “Fast” Jackson and
Alex Laughlin, promoters like Donald Long,
track operators like Tyler Crossnoe from Virginia
Motorsports Park and industry stalwarts
like Steve Matusek from Aeromotive and Geoff
Turk from Holley.
“Creating original programming was always
something we thought would fit in with Speed-
Video. And now was the perfect time to introduce
(Burnout),” SpeedVideo’s Tom Bobolt says. “People
want to continue talking about and watching
the sport they love. (This) will give a platform for
those conversations to still take place.”
Buck believes the show has only scratched the
surface of what’s possible.
Galimi and Taylor offer interesting perspectives,
while the entire show is produced remotely.
Not one producer, director or talent have been
together during the filming – which has all taken
place during the COVID-19 pandemic – which
has been a feat in itself.
It’s a nod to the talent working on the show,
which bodes well for the future.
“So far it’s been a lot of fun and a lot of work,”
Buck says. “Everyone has been working remotely
and to pull this off, it’s almost unbelievable. I have
very little experience working with producers and
directors, and this is an opportunity for me to get
better. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished already,
but we’re just getting started. I can’t wait to
see what happens next as we establish a rhythm.”
Burnout airs weekly and is available exclusively
for subscribers at SpeedVideo.com. DI
PHOTOGRAPH BY JASON SHARP
40 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated.com Issue 156