No dumb questions with Jeff Braun: Episode 23

No dumb questions with Jeff Braun: Episode 23

Author: Ross Bentley: Performance & Race Driver Coach November 2, 2023 Duration: 37:26

Welcome back to another episode of No Dumb Questions! Jeff Braun and I sit down to answer your questions, and we promise – there are no dumb questions, maybe just some dumb answers.

On this episode, Jeff and I discuss whether we'd prefer to deal with a driver that is also engineering minded or one that can't speak engineering and therefore wouldn't second guess or poke holes in the car setup? This question leads into our second question: if you're a one man show, both the driver and the engineer, how would you recommend changing hats and not letting one job creep into the other?

 Jeff is one of the very best race car engineers in the world. He's engineered cars at every level, and every type: NASCAR, karts, club racing cars, Indy, GT and Prototypes, and even Top Fuel dragsters. But what sets Jeff apart from many engineers is how he can explain what he's doing, what a car is doing, and even how the best think.


There’s a fine line between simply driving a car and truly connecting with it at the limit, and that’s the space where Speed Secrets Podcast lives. Hosted by renowned performance coach Ross Bentley, each episode feels less like a formal interview and more like a candid garage conversation with some of the most insightful minds in motorsport. The discussions go deep into the tangible details that make a difference on the clock: the nuanced art of trail braking, how to interpret data and video to find tenths, and the subtle interplay between steering input and throttle control. Whether it’s dissecting the ideal line through a complex corner or understanding how a specific car setup change affects handling, Ross and his guests break down complex concepts into applicable knowledge. You’ll come away from this podcast not just with inspiration, but with concrete tips and a clearer mental framework for your own time at the track, be it for competition or personal mastery. It’s a resource built on decades of professional experience, designed for anyone who wants to think more deeply about the craft of high-performance driving.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Speed Secrets Podcast
Podcast Episodes
145 – Scot Elkins: Motorsport Safety Foundation, IMSA, and ALMS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:09
On this week's episode, Scot Elkins joins me to discuss being COO of IMSA/ALMS and managing the merge with Grand-Am. He dishes all about the Motorsport Safety Foundation – the what and why of the HPDE instructor certific…
144 - Dane Cameron: Driving Styles and What Makes Drivers Fast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:40
On this week's Speed Secrets Podcast, Dane Cameron joins me to discuss building confidence as a race driver, how to drive a car with aerodynamic down force – how to learn to trust it and manage its traction, and the diff…
143 - Andrew Rains: How to Get the Most out of Your Data System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:05
Andrew Rains joins me on this week's episode to discuss all about data systems. We tackle how to best use your data system, the importance of understanding the "why" behind what you see on data, what data can and can't d…
141 - Dave Peters: Being a HPDE Junkie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:51
Dave Peters joins me to talk about the world of HPDE, driving Miatas, and where driving confidence comes from. Dave founded and runs HPDEjunkie.com, a website devoted to listing HPDE events in the U.S. (and Canada soon).…
140 – Travis Okulski: The Future of Road & Track [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
Travis Okulski joins me to talk about where Road & Track is headed, his racing experience and how that's contributed to where he is today, what makes drivers like Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, and Colin Braun so great, a…
139 – Jim Kearney: How to Win Races [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:58
Jim Kearney joins me to talk about what it takes to win more races, and we discuss the importance of car prep, mental prep, having triggers to get you in the right state of mind/mood, and track notes. Jim is a super-succ…
138 – Ryan Yard: Motorsport Motivation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:34
Ryan Yard joins me to talk about everything from using motorsport to motivate you in other areas of your life to the creative puzzle that is driving faster. In our conversation, we talk about getting in flow, car setup,…
137 – CJ Wilson: Pro Baseball Player to Race Driver [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:57
CJ Wilson joins me to talk about his transition from pro baseball player to race driver. We talk about the superstitions & routines baseball players rely on and how they apply to motorsport; what he learned from being a…