Ray Evernham's Secret Obsession W/ IROC Cars & Owning The "American Graffiti" Car | Barn Find Hunter
Ray Evernham shows Tom his incredible collection of his vintage IROC, Stock Cars, and Modified Cars from the early days of racing. He also has a few surprises up his sleeve which leave Tom speechless.
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🍀Get R done 😎✌️
❤❤ good
Ray has created so much of his own history yet his primary focus is racing history beyond his own realm. That’s real genuine dude right there.
Need Part 2,, Ray had a lot more to talk about. And would love to hear Tom's story with NASCAR.
Agree there needs to be a Part 2. Ray is a great story teller, and he’s got allot of stories to tell.
This is why I spend most of my screen time on KZhead, pure KZhead gold! Great guys, great cars, great stories.
Wow it's amazing to listen to Ray teling all these stories, He's so passionate about his collection. Definitely would watch 2 hours version of this if there's one!
What a great episode. Always loved IROC. No team racing. No biggest budget wins. It was the local go cart track every person for themselves at a bigger level.
NASCAR is iroc racing now
@@mikecross4350 SRX is, NASCAR is pay 2 win
This and Coffee Walk are my favourite Car channels on KZhead. Tom is a great host and he actually listens to his guests. Thanks for sharing Ray
Hands down but don't forget Jerry Heasly !
@@alfee9411 so true my friend
What an outstanding collection. Thanks Tom for pulling back the curtain on Ray’s collection. One of the best episodes you’ve put out. There could be a five part series on that collection!!
The American Graffiti Chevy sat in a shed just north of Colville, WA, for decades. The owner's dad bought it from the movie production company after filming had ended. He drove it in high school, and kept the car when he moved up North later in life. I knew his neighbor well, and had bought a couple cars and many parts from him over the years.
Colville is out in the sticks I hope it was
Covered
@@joedavis7258 A couple hours North of Spokane. Car was in a large barn/shed.
Ray Evernham is a true historian of racing, and its great to see but unfortunately we are loosing those people who want to find and preserve.
What a great collection. I could watch a whole series of Barn Find Hunter of this man and his cars.
Please never stop remembering, as a person that lived the West Cost side of stock car racing back over 50 years ago, seeing these great works of mechanical ingenuity that I remember building and racing is priceless. Thank you
Ray's enthusiasm and passion for cars helps keep the history alive.
Great stuff. Chris Economaki......WOW !! Forgot all about him....
Ray is Awesome! What a memory, what a history!
Yet another classic episode! Thank you all so much for keeping it alive.
I ❤ Ray Evernham. What passion.
Ray is a icon!! Plain and simple.
Tom you knocked it out of the park with this one!!! I will be watching this creation every day for a while. Thank you for posting.
Great show, this one could have gone a lot longer.
People are so keen to show you their car collection in the most raw state that gives me a glimmer of hope in humanity! Thanks Barn find hunter!
Stellar episode Tom! It is refreshing to see someone so enthusiastic, and knowledgeable about their hobby/endeavor to keep history alive. I don't remember if Ray said anything about what he plans on doing with his collection, like open a museum of the early years of Modified, NASCAR and IROC racing. I'd pay to come in and see his collection, and hear his stories. I appreciate this type of story rather than going through a junkyard, or unkept barn full of "someday I'll get around to it"' dreams, which in most cases will never happen. Ray's collection represents the early years of what has, in my opinion, become a sanitized version of racing, meaning NASCAR and NASCAR modified racing. There were days when a person had a garage, a little bit of money (or maybe not) and a desire to build something, then go out a compete with like-minded people. While I didn't grow up in NC, I did experience this type of short-track racing in Albuquerque, NM. We had the Unser boys, Bobby and Al, along with some of their boys racing at the dirt track in Albuquerque. It was always exciting. Enough reminiscing, one of the best episodes Tom.
I have met Ray several times at VIR. He is a super sweet guy, absolute competitor, and one of those guys that you just want to be around. The ghost has spent a lot of time on this track and sounds amazing. it’s pretty intimidating to be on track with.
I am not a Chevy man by any stretch of the imagination, but I could still lose myself in that shop for days. The history in there is amazing.
Ray is the real deal as his passion for the machines is true. Very cool video from a real fortunate "car nut."
I use to love watching Ray on his Americana show and fancy that you and him have been friends for years What a man and what a career he has had 😍😍👍👍🇦🇺
Tom, I have to tell you again. You are the king of automobile shows. I have been so discouraged with Haggerty over the last couple years because they have just putting out some really crap videos. Stuff that the people I know don’t even finish watching they just shut it off and walk away because it’s just junk. But I am amazed every time I watch one of your videos. Jimmy Buffett sings this song and one of the lyrics and it is “the whole world will remain a toy if you will, but remain a boy“ Tom, that is you. Every time I see you walk into a barn or a garage or yard with cars. You change your face lights up your eyes open up your grin comes on. It’s like you’re going to visit a friend that you’ve never been to their house before and they open their toy box and say you can play with anything you want. I love your shows, I think Haggerty should pull their heads out of there. You know whats and they should have you teach a lot of new people how to put together a car show. Once again just an excellent job. I’m still waiting for you to do some shows on rat rods. I’m extremely curious I know nothing about them and I think back to last year when you were doing the shows with the families and the Japanese cars. I would really love to see you do that with rat rods. Oh, and by the way, tell management, I said you need a pay raise.😂❤
Bruh... ever heard "you kill more flies with honey"? How you gonna blast his employer and then even suggest pay schedules suddenly at the end? Of course, Tom's awesome, ignore the negative and reward the positive, yo. I don't have a clue what all that badmouthing crap was about and don't care.
In 1981 i drove a couple of the ex-IROC cars when Buck Baker opened his driving school at Rockingham. They were from the 1978-80 seasons iirc. The Banjo Matthews craftsmanship was impeccable!
This man is a legend! what a way of preserving the history!
Excellent episode. I could listen to Tom and Ray for hours...👍
The cool factor of the 36 Chevy is hard to beat.
Such an awesome collection. And the stories... Please go back for another video after they're done with the construction
Two legends, Ray and Tom. One of my favorite episodes to date.
Ray was “the” IROC mechanic - met you in 1977 at Daytona when we came over to the track from Daytona Beach College automotive department . We were young and wise guys and offered to Yank Ray up & out from under the dash -of a IROC camaro by his feet - to which he quickly Declined all smart ass help . Good times - nobody around , just a work afternoon for all of us . When you got done adjusting Dave’s pedals you crawled out to see us new mechanics- and you Were super cool to us guys - Fan for life buddy ! You treated us like we were part of the deal . Thanks Ray ! Bob 1957
I could watch a detailed video of these guys going through each car in this collection. The history is amazing.
First I heard of ray evernham after leaving crew chief of race teams. So cool that he found a way to utilize his knowledge and loves what he does. Everyone should be so lucky!
Thank you, Tom! Ray is such an interesting guy. And the cars are amazing.
One of the absolute best episodes of barnfinds Hunter ever
Wow listening to them reminisce about how they grew up in the northeast and pursued racing and hearing the passion that is so palpable is really incredible to hear the stories first hand. I think a good forum would Ray Evernham, Bruce Meyer, some of the remaining IROC drivers and mechanics with Tom discussing the history behind their cars and experiences. Well done great video definitely need a part 2!
Priceless episode beginning to end man... just awesome you cool cats!
What a fantastic visit. Thank you for showing this to us.
I love Ray's passion.
The enthusiasm of Ray as he describes his vehicles and the story behind them brought a massive smile to my face as I listened to history being relived.
Ray is 100% Class Act!
Haggerty is so great, they actually showed a couple of cars from this collection, instead of spending the entire video of two guys talking about the old days.
Tom, I always love your show. As a car guy I always enjoy the episodes that you bring because they give me so much information and show me so many cars that I would never have known. And your guests share so much firsthand experience and knowledge of the industry.
Seriously Tom, how can you stop there.....this episode could have been 8 hours long and I'd have skipped work to watch it😊 your generation is so interesting. I could spend the rest of my days just listening to the memories and drooling over the old iron, and aluminium, and magnesium....that you show us. Thank you.
Tom, this is definitely one of your best episodes.!!! They are all great but this one is great. When he mentioned Thompson Speedway I felt connected to both of you. Great Job!~~
Awesome episode I grew up in the southern tier of NY and remember the Bodine brothers racing at Chemung Speedrome on Friday nights. Great memories.
Love the story and absolutely love the iroc cars
I worked for many years with Henry Travers who was the transportation captain on American Grafitti and who sourced the picture cars and built the yellow '32 Ford. Henry used to crack up about all of the adulation that came to him and to the cars from the movie. It was such a low budget effort and Henry had to pull all kinds of stunts to bring those cars together for the movie.
That was hands down my favourite episode of barn find hunter Tom and ray need to continue this in to episode 2-3-4 and so on I love hearing about old cars and how they have been restored repaired and loved
Holy shirt 👕 my jaw DROPPED with this collection thank you Hagerty team ❤
That's your best episode yet. Love the genuine love and enthusiasm for people and cars that you both exude. It's totally contagious and put a massive smile on my face. thank you
Ray’s clearly the real deal and definitely living the gear head dream. Another very informative and enjoyable episode.
A real lagend and true genius. The things you can learn from this man in a month could serve you in business a lifetime.
Love the story's and seeing that awesome friendship between the 2 of you' I could watch you guys go on for hours with some of those storys would love to hear them
10 part mini series would be okay with me 🤞☺️ Glad he got the American Graffiti Impala!!! It's worth the effort 😉👍 Another great episode. Thank You 👏👏👏👏✌️
So much awesome racing history he's collected over the years.
I got into watching Nascar when I worked for a Buick and Pontiac dealership on the Southside of Indianapolis. Really enjoyed the Ray's car collection and stories.
This is the best show you've made bar none. A great piece of history, enjoyed this sooo much! Thank you.
Rays always been a class act , its great to hear him talk about his cars ! I could have watched hours of this !
I could listen to Ray talk for hours and hours about this stuff. He should make a KZhead and start documenting all this
This is an Amazing Find - this Video is Historic!
Oh man this is beautiful! Give this man a gallon of water and another 2 hours I can tell he has a lot more to Tell such a great episode
My Goodness Mr Evernham . What a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for the episode.
Tom, it’s been said and I will repeat it. What a great episode 👍. This is one that you need to go back once the construction is done and see the cars uncovered and listen to Ray tell their story.
Great episode Tom! If anyone is ever looking for the original Bull Car from Death Race 2000, it's been collecting dust in my garage for years.
I so enjoy Tom Cotter's excavation of automotive history!! No matter what he finds, there's a connection with everyone who watches these shows!!
You both are a National treasure in my opinion , there is no way I can put in words how much I love what you do , thank you both .
Absolutely amazing stories and history of these cars and Ray tells them with such passion!
I love seeing Ray geek out over these old race cars. Part of his personality you never really saw while he was crew chief on the 24. Awesome dude
What a wonderful episode, Put a lump in my throat and brought a tear to my eye.
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat . I loved that show. I watched my earliest races on that show
I remember meeting Ray at Flemmington in 91 when it was asphalt. I was working on Todd Crays car at the time. We were heading to the track and Ray was in front of us on I195 getting on I295 and Ray took the exit a little hot and rubbed the guard rail in the exit ramp. At the track I asked if he was ok and he said yup was just thinking about racing and the truck was pushing a little bit in the corner. I laughed at that. I was so glad that nothing serious happened. Really great guy. Thanks Tom for this episode
The motors are rare pieces of artwork, I would love to take a tour of that old garage museum.
So awesome!! The stories you find and share are outstanding! Keep up the great work.
Wow just wow Ray is a blessed man great cars Tom thank you for doing this for us I love it
I know nothing about this era. But I don’t have to. The joy of seeing these two gentleman reminisce is awesome! A gear head is a gear head no matter the decade
He really is Tom's brother from another mother! 😁 What a fun episode! But it really is important to safe all this incredible history and its stories... 😎🤟
If you remove his time with the 24 he is still a legend, so many achievements such a great ambassador for racing.
This is awesome!!!! Need to come up to the north east, to Connecticut!!!!! Lot of great stuff here
Agreed.. I was born and raised in Middletown, CT. I grew up with Joey Loganos parents. I spent a lot of time at the Waterford speed bowl.
@@BillMulholland1wow that's awesome
I learned to drive in a production 1986 Iroc Z28, and loved the Iroc series, the 3rd gen Camaro is my favorite car.
You just gotta love the love that Ray has for these cars and where each one has a special place in history
I love this, my dads stories and my stories sound so much like these! I feel so much nostalgia, God bless you all!
Another fantastic episode. What a great guy Ray is. Thank you.
Ray is such a car dork. And I love him for it.
Great episode. Love the stories behind every car.
OMG what a great episode. I love how you don't ask a bunch of questions you just let him talk and tell stories. AWESOME and yes we need a part two. I could listen to Ray all day long. Thank you for sharing this.
Outstanding episode. Love both of these men for the passion, personalities, and ambition for the history of automobiles in their day. Thank you both for sharing with us!
Tom, thanks I love the stories.
I love cars and talking cars with other guys but men like this take it to another level and as the one guy said we have forgotten more than we remember as we get older but still love the conversation
“Remember when we were the young guys”? Wow! What a question!! I’m 57 and I grew up riding motorcycles and driving cars and trucks and working on them. Watching NASCAR back when Ray and Jeff Gordon were winning everything!!! Rays love of cars is so evident in his excitement when he tells the story of each car he owns!!! Such a great guy! I’d love to spend a few hours just talking to him and listening to his vast collection of memories!!!!
Met Tay years ago when he had a race car shop in Wall NJ, I think I even towed a Chevy pickup he had for maybe a bad starter, I knew Joe Severage and was in a car club with him, great video
Man, bringing back memories of Islip Speedway. Growing up in the 70s - 80s I lived in Bay Shore and we went there a bunch. Could actually hear the cars from our house sometimes. Was about 3 - 4 miles away.
Remember now - Jay Signore sent us over to the garage area to find you - here he says : passes , Go talk with Ray - He is IROC top mechanic …. We hauled ass in our camaro’s to go see you ! Wooosh - right in to the garage area . Cool ! Mr. Jay had come to see the Richard Petty 426 hemi in the engine lab - donated by the man himself ! Very cool piece ! Big Loud ! Enjoyed hanging with you for a bit of the afternoon - thanks Retired UPS mechanic
This guy Ray could talk about cars all day........ N i would listen!
This is Epic man i wish i can work with Ray and learn more about these cars 😂
Had the pleasure of seeing Ray and the Ghost at LeadFoot festival in New Zealand 2020. Amazing.
Great Guy. I'm impressed, could hear his stories all-day long