Movie Review: Winning, The Racing Life Of Paul Newman

Words: Cam Benty

I remember my one and only meeting with Paul Newman in the pits at Laguna Seca Raceway up in Monterey California. It was in 1981 I believe, the exact timing a bit fuzzy today. I was talking with one of the race drivers when we were interrupted by several spectators who started pointing up the row of cars. The name Paul Newman was uttered by someone and seconds later out popped the white-haired Newman. He was far smaller than I presumed, but a perfect human shape – just in miniature. Sharp blue eyes, neatly cropped hair and bright white racing suit, slightly unzipped at the top.  He came up to the racer I was talking with, said a couple of things and turned to me. A friendly smile, a strong handshake and he was gone.

As I turned to watch his exit in awe, a kid somewhere around 7 or 8 asked Newman “can I take your picture.”  His quick response, “If you can catch me while I’m walking.” Running up ahead, the kid turned around and took a photo of Newman as he entered the frame. He smiled for a second and was gone. Just that fast. All business. Racing was his focus and celebrity was a nuisance. But it was from that encounter that I was curious about Adam Carolla’s new film, Winning, The Racing Life of Paul Newman.

0316-newmanfilm-01Car Racing movies fall into two categories – those that are poorly written, dramatically enhanced and technically flawed, and those where clearly someone likes cars and car people and they are lucky enough to tell the tale on film without interruption.

Falling into the latter category would be the new film, Winning, The Racing Life of Paul Newman, set to release On Demand nationwide to audiences beginning May 22.  Produced and Directed by Adam Carolla of wide ranging comedic TV and internet programming fame, and Nate Adams. It is clear that Adam’s love for cars came through in a big way. His personal collection of Paul Newman previously raced cars now totals nine with the goal of collecting even more in the future. Each of the cars is beautifully enshrined in his Glendale shop surrounded by racing signage and spare parts, each of the major racecars featuring a display to denote a short piece of the car’s history as well.

Winning, The Racing Life of Paul Newman, chronicles the racing career of Paul Newman starting from his roots as a racing actor in the 1960’s playing opposite Robert Wagner in the movie Winning, to his first real racing efforts as a 47-year-old. The timeline documents his accomplished racing history colored by entertaining stories by those who knew him. His final lap around Lime Rock, this time at 83 years old and tucked in the back seat of a station wagon as he had become too weak to drive, is touchingly presented.

Most interesting to me was Newman’s huge success in racing. While most of the public only knows of his Oscar-winning performances in major films, Newman clearly would rather have been racing than acting. As told by many of his famous acting peers including significant dialogue from Robert Wagner, Robert Redford, Joanne Woodward, and others, when the racing bug bit him, it was racing that took priority in his life. Redford notes in the film that Newman actually became quite boring to be around because the only thing he wanted to talk about was racing.  Not acting – racing.

For those who may cringe at the thought of watching an automotive documentary for 83 minutes, it is key to note that the story is about racing, but centers on Paul and his drive for perfection. Colored with snippets from his major films and lots of famous cameos including Jay Leno, Patrick Dempsey, Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Bob Sharp and a host of famous racing personalities, it is a story of a very interesting man with a passion and how he fought through his celebrity to focus on one thing – his driving.

Case in point was Newman’s desire to race  – and win – at Le Mans in France. His all-star racing team was hard-pressed to contain the major crowds that tried diligently to grab a glimpse of Newman at the race and an even overly zealous media frenzy that just would not leave him alone. It became so intense that during the 24-hour race, if Paul Newman was entering or leaving the race for his time behind the wheel, the paparazzi would block the cars exit from the pit lane to take photos and even interview him during the competition. The instruction to Newman concerning the large swarm of people in front of his car as he tried to exit – just go. Five people were unceremoniously knocked out of the way. A second place finish was not the achievement Newman was seeking, but it did serve to all that Newman was a great racing driver, and that this was clearly no stunt despite having collected several championships before ever heading to France.

I highly recommend Winning, The Racing Life of Paul Newman as a fun evening of entertainment. It is a film that will not only fill a race fans need for some high gear action, but also those non-racing enthusiasts looking for a solid story about one of America’s national treasures. He was certainly one of a kind.

Directed and Produced by Adam Carolla and Co-Directed by Nate Adams

Run Time: 83 minutes

DVD Available on Amazon

About the author

PPN Editor

Power & Performance News is the source for news, tech and products that help you get more performance from your vehicle. If powertrain performance projects and hardcore technical content are your interest, Power & Performance News is the publication designed for you. Our acclaimed editorial staff covers all aspects of engine and driveline upgrades with a mission of presenting information that is both interesting and achievable for the “average car guy”.
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