Episode 89: Alan Cavanna Victory Lane

Another week, another member of Bills Mafia on the pod! Alan Cavanna joins Davey (4:30) for an off-season chat with a lot of laughs. Growing up in New England racing against the likes of Joey Logano, Ryan Preece, Doug Coby and more, Cavanna details why his racing career never took off, despite a championship and over 100 trophies.

Cavanna tells the story of how he and his wife, CNN correspondent Dianne Gallagher, met in a courtroom, with a computer, and a friend request. Years later, they’re happily married and finally living together for the first time in Charlotte. A proud Syracuse graduate, he recalls his time on campus for the 2000 national championship run, and how learning the tricks of the trade in journalism during his college years shaped him professionally upon graduating.

Amid the infamous Jeremy Mayfield suspension saga, Cavanna was the first (and only) person to speak with Mayfield, and the backstory on how their conversation came to be is truly remarkable. Plus, some incredibly hilarious (and true!) stories of his time in local news, including a dead dog named s******d, a “creepy masturbator” and much, much more. Patrolling Truck Series pit road this past year for NASCAR on FOX was a challenge, yet rewarding and full of moments. The two discuss being on hand for those, and how Cavanna’s creativity, coupled with his background in news, have aided in his execution of unique content throughout his accomplished career.