Bleachers and Features

Brandon 'Buju' Ultsch
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Weekly

Short track racing coverage, culture, and history Buju, your host, is a lifelong passionate race fan from South Bend, Indiana. Having grown up going to South Bend Motor Speedway, his love for the sport has only grown with him, and has culminated in this new podcast: Bleachers and Features. As a deeply passionate fan, sometimes-driver, part time race announcer, unhelpful pit crew member, and all-around racetrack freak… this podcast will be a look at the racing world through a personality whose mind is truly locked in on the sport. From Hornet B Features, to the Daytona 500… let’s talk racing

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    JAY FREET SPEEDWAY! | Building the Perfect Short Track with Jay Freet

    This week on Bleachers & Features, I’m joined by my friend, fellow racetrack nerd, historian, photographer, and South Bend Motor Speedway alumnus Jay Freet of On Track Design. Jay has been around South Bend Motor Speedway since the 1970s and has seen just about every era of the place. He’s spent decades photographing races, primarily at South Bend and Plymouth, and even crewed for local hot shoe Ozzie Osborn — no, not that one. We talk about Jay’s story, classic SBMS, Super Modifieds, car counts, promoters working together, the current state of short track racing, the future of wedge-body Late Models, and what the future might hold for local racing. We also build JAY FREET SPEEDWAY — if Jay could design his perfect racetrack from the ground up, what would it look like? PLUS, we debut two new recurring segments: HOT LAPS — 12 rapid-fire questions every guest will answer. THE VICTORY LAP — one personalized question specifically for each guest. And, of course, we finally uncover the origin of Jay’s close association with racetrack hot dogs. After the interview, I recap a busy weekend of racing and wrecking at South Bend Motor Speedway, the huge Summer Sizzler at New Paris Speedway where one of my racing heroes, Ronnie Maynard Jr., picked up a huge win, and championship celebrations at Kalamazoo Speedway and Russell’s M40 Speedway. Thanks for listening to Bleachers & Features! 🏁 A Buju Bullring Production.

  2. Aug 24

    Episode 6 — Irish Saunders: A Life in Racing

    For the first time ever, Bleachers & Features welcomes a guest — and Irish Saunders brings nearly an hour of incredible racing stories. Irish and Buju talk about his time with Hoosier Racing Tire, including the NASCAR Cup Series tire wars, Darrell Waltrip's 1989 Daytona 500 victory, and Rick Mast putting a Hoosier on the pole for the 1994 Brickyard 400. They dive into Irish helping a young Tony Stewart get a ride, his interactions with a teenage Jeff Gordon, and the night his close friend Rich Vogler was killed. They also discuss Ken Schrader, Ray Dillon, Bentley Warren, Bill France, Ryan Preece, Irish's history at South Bend Motor Speedway, his time promoting Plymouth Motor Speedway, and much more. Irish also shares the incredible stories of his sons Eric and Garrett, including Eric's spinal injury, and his return to racing — and winning. Plus, Buju covers Brock Ganus and Terry Senneker winning the Rabers Rumble and Kalamazoo Klash, a night at M40 Speedway with Evan Verduin making his debut in the #72 Street Stock, Dakota getting the win, a visit with Jason Seltzer in the booth, New Paris Speedway crowning its season champions, and the uncertain future facing some local tracks. The episode closes with an emotional tribute to childhood racing hero Dale Olivier Sr., who passed away today. Bleachers & Features — racing from the perspective of the people who live it.

  3. Aug 10

    Episode 5 — Tony Stewart, the Bentley Warren Classic & a Wild Weekend at the Bullring

    It was one hell of a weekend at the racetrack. This week on Bleachers & Features, Buju breaks down the Bentley Warren Classic at Plymouth Motor Speedway, where an absolutely loaded All Star National Pavement Midget field featuring Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Ken Schrader, Jake Trainor and more battled it out, with Kyle O’Gara taking the win. And yes, Buju completely fanboyed out. There are pictures with Tony Stewart, an autograph from Ken Schrader, and a questionable attempt at watching practice with Tom Bigelow. But the weekend also brought a terrifying upside-down Hornet wreck involving a close friend, leading to a serious conversation about why safety matters at every level of racing. Then it's off to New Paris Speedway for the Flagger Boy Twin 50 Street Stock races, where Josh Sommers and Austin Maynard took the wins — with Austin having to work his way through his own family to get to the front. Plus, a wild lesson in “if you're gonna talk about it, be about it” during a red flag, Kenny Wallace's appearance on Top Row Racing Media's Monday Night Rewind, and a discussion about why sometimes the best thing to do when drivers have disagreements is let the drivers handle it themselves. Another weekend. Another bunch of stories. Welcome to Bleachers & Features.

  4. Aug 3

    Episode 4: Bentley Warren Classic, Flagger Boy & Championship Crowns

    This week on Bleachers and Features, Buju gets you ready for one of the biggest weekends of the short track racing season! Hear about Camren McCrudden clinching the Plymouth Motor Speedway Hornet Championship and Bobby Stremme capturing the Street Stock title before diving into a packed weekend ahead. Buju previews the star-studded Bentley Warren Classic at Plymouth Motor Speedway, featuring Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Ken Schrader, and the All-Star National Pavement Midget Series. The show also looks ahead to the Jake & Danny Galloway "Flagger Boy" Twin 50s at New Paris Speedway, one of the Midwest's premier Street Stock events. Plus, Buju talks diecast hunting, discusses the uncertain future of a local racetrack that's up for sale, and shares his thoughts on another busy week in grassroots racing. From championship celebrations to major race previews, Episode 4 is all about the excitement surrounding one of the biggest racing weekends of the year. 🏁

  5. Jul 27

    Episode 3: Charlie "The Toad" Hanna, Plymouth's Double Play & a Promotion Rant

    This week on Bleachers and Features, Buju recaps a jam-packed weekend at the racetrack! Hear about his night behind the microphone at New Paris Speedway, where Mike Garver picked up the Street Stock win while local favorite Charlie "The Toad" Hanna thrilled the crowd with a high-side charge that had fans on their feet. The show also breaks down the Double Play Street Stock weekend at Plymouth Motor Speedway, where Andrew Devreese and Brock Ganus scored major victories, plus another exciting night from Russell's M-40 Speedway and outstanding racing at Kalamazoo Speedway. BUJU BITES returns with concession reviews from Kalamazoo and New Paris, and Buju closes the episode with a passionate rant on the pace lap wave, racetrack promotion, and why social media is one of the most important tools for growing short track racing. From race recaps and hot takes to concession food and grassroots racing culture, Episode 3 has a little bit of everything.

  6. Jul 20

    Episode 2: Logan Maynard is a wheelman, Tony Stewart & Ryan Newman are coming to Plymouth

    Episode 2 of Bleachers and Features is here! This week, Buju previews the upcoming Bentley Warren Classic at Plymouth Motor Speedway on August 6, featuring the All Star National Pavement Midget Series and appearances from racing stars Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart. We also recap the past weekend at Russell’s M40 Speedway, including a classic Judgement Day Street Stock feature between Logan Maynard and Brock Ganus. Plus, we debut a brand-new segment — Buju Bites! We’re ranking racetrack concession food, one item at a time, starting with the Fiesta Poppers from M40. And in perhaps the most unexpected addition to the Bleachers and Features podcast set yet… David Stremme’s mom gives Buju a life-size cardboard cutout of David Stremme. All that, more stories from M40, and plenty more from around the world of short track racing in Episode 2 of Bleachers and Features!

  7. Jul 12

    Episode 1 - A New Podcaster, A Couple Race Weekends, & The 72-Hour #72

    @BujuBullring on Youtube @BujuBullring on TikTok Buju Bullring on Facebook bujubullring@gmail.com for contact What's up race fans! It is Episode ONE of my new show, Bleachers and Features. In this episode, I detail a couple weekends at the races with family and friends... as well as announcing duties at the New Paris Speedway, and controversy that ensued during the night. Join me as I talk some grassroots family racing at South Bend Motor Speedway, Plymouth Motor Speedway, Russell's M40 Speedway.. as well as a trip to Chicagoland Speedway for the NASCAR Cup Race.. and the parking nightmare that ensued.. The show will change and evolve over time, but I hope you'll enjoy my attempt to wade into the short track racing podcast world on my own.. See you at the races! @BujuBullring on Youtube @BujuBullring on TikTok Buju Bullring on Facebook bujubullring@gmail.com for contact

  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

Short track racing coverage, culture, and history Buju, your host, is a lifelong passionate race fan from South Bend, Indiana. Having grown up going to South Bend Motor Speedway, his love for the sport has only grown with him, and has culminated in this new podcast: Bleachers and Features. As a deeply passionate fan, sometimes-driver, part time race announcer, unhelpful pit crew member, and all-around racetrack freak… this podcast will be a look at the racing world through a personality whose mind is truly locked in on the sport. From Hornet B Features, to the Daytona 500… let’s talk racing

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon 'Buju' Ultsch
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brandon 'Buju' Ultsch
  • Show Website
    Bleachers and Features