Former Weed Kingpin Racer Returns After 26 Years In Prison | Jalopnik Investigates

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  • čas přidán 2. 11. 2015
  • Randy Lanier got his start in grassroots sports car racing and then financed a motorsports career by moving hundreds of thousands of pounds of grass. After having his life sentence shortened he's gone back out on the track.
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  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 135

  • @KillerJay17
    @KillerJay17 Před 8 lety +77

    I'm about to smoke a blunt for this guy.

  • @MrSapper21
    @MrSapper21 Před 8 lety +35

    the man paid his dues. All the respect in the world from me. Glad to see you racing again, Randy.

  • @emdotrod
    @emdotrod Před 8 lety +32

    This should be a film.

    • @jimb788
      @jimb788 Před 2 lety +4

      There is a documentary on Netflix now in series called bad sport episode is need for weed.

    • @shani7x
      @shani7x Před 2 lety +2

      I just watched his dacumentry i gotta say it's worth watching

    • @jimb788
      @jimb788 Před 2 lety +4

      @@shani7x yes I agree I liked it alot also.

  • @PapiLewis
    @PapiLewis Před 8 lety +59

    To think if he wasn't locked up, for 30 years his name would be up there with Andretti, Parnelli Jones, etc...

    • @clydeyello
      @clydeyello Před 8 lety +1

      +Luis Correa I wouldn't know. Perhaps there'd be a Blue Thunder Racing Team racing in the USCC or, even better, in F1. Who knows?

    • @rockets4kids
      @rockets4kids Před 4 lety +3

      Gotta wonder what he though about weed getting legalized while he was locked up.

    • @gregorytimmons4777
      @gregorytimmons4777 Před 4 lety

      @@rockets4kids It's not legal nation wide and the fed's don't consider it legal. DOJ just chooses not to assume the stance they probably would if Reagan was still President. The govt's biggest beef with Lanier was always the vast amounts of tax free income he had rolling in for so many years. Still, i'm glad he is out and remember how sad i was when he was given LWP. No one should spend the rest of their natural life in prison for what he was convicted of. Especially with a President in office who basically brags about how few taxes he has paid.

    • @rockets4kids
      @rockets4kids Před 4 lety

      @@gregorytimmons4777 Obviously. That isn't stopping people from making millions growing and selling it -- with almost no legal liability.

  • @Mikeysnelgar
    @Mikeysnelgar Před 8 lety +60

    This is one of the best video titles I've read in a while.

    • @KyleHenshaw
      @KyleHenshaw Před 8 lety

      +Mikey Snelgar This is one of the best videos I've watched in a while.

  • @SALEENS7GTR5
    @SALEENS7GTR5 Před 8 lety +40

    "Former Weed Kingpin Racer" Now that is a title I can respect.

    • @dylc413
      @dylc413 Před 8 lety +2

      he would be the best shine runner in the world too xD

    • @Nippledozer
      @Nippledozer Před 8 lety

      +Dylan Collins True. perfect combo

  • @NismoDre410
    @NismoDre410 Před 8 lety +41

    This guy was really grass roots huh?

    • @900108Chale
      @900108Chale Před 8 lety +2

      +Whisky Absolutely!!! read his story a while back. He was awesome back in the day. truly hope he makes it back.

  • @Mikeysnelgar
    @Mikeysnelgar Před 8 lety +63

    How crazy must it be for this guy to experience how awesome cars have become in the last 30 years?!

    • @eeterp32
      @eeterp32 Před 8 lety +46

      +Mikey Snelgar yet he gets out of jail to race a 30 yr old BMW. lol

    • @Mikeysnelgar
      @Mikeysnelgar Před 8 lety +2

      +eeterp32 Maybe that says something about how good modern cars are for drivers.

    • @TheDuckumz
      @TheDuckumz Před 8 lety +8

      +Mikey Snelgar More like how disappointing cars have become, you gotta keep in mind he was used to actually feeling feedback from a vehicle and being connected to it and the road. Most vehicles now days are so disconnected with the driver and the road and the lack of a manual option with some is laughable...

    • @Mikeysnelgar
      @Mikeysnelgar Před 8 lety

      Yeah that's what I meant in the comment above yours.

    • @clydeyello
      @clydeyello Před 8 lety

      +TheDuckumz Well, that doesn't necessarily apply to the kind of cars he drove back in the day.

  • @andxx0r_the_second671
    @andxx0r_the_second671 Před 8 lety +5

    I never thought they'd let Randy out. Hell, the Whittingtons got out quick. I can't believe Randy was behind bars for so long.

  • @renardsoro3829
    @renardsoro3829 Před 8 lety +19

    I like this guy, a lot.

  • @jameswhite7629
    @jameswhite7629 Před 8 lety +10

    Welcome home Randy! What a life story.

  • @cmarshall1555
    @cmarshall1555 Před 8 lety +18

    The real crime here is the fact he got life for weed, wtf!

    • @lildad559
      @lildad559 Před rokem +2

      Will forever boggle my mind how some killers get less time than someone who was caught with weed even now with it being legal in most places youre still pretty much better off getting a dui

  • @tdolan500
    @tdolan500 Před 8 lety +19

    This is what I subscribed here for.

  • @BEEBEE159
    @BEEBEE159 Před 4 lety +6

    He went to prison longer than some people who have been found guilty of murder. I think they threw the book at him because he was cutting in on the governments business.

  • @MrNicholg
    @MrNicholg Před 8 lety +13

    If only he'd struck oil in his backyard...he'd been in Beverly Hills for the last 30 years.

    • @TotoDG
      @TotoDG Před 5 lety +1

      Well, he did live in Hollywood… Florida…

  • @bossmanofitz
    @bossmanofitz Před 4 lety +1

    This dude works at the rehab I was just at. He's the OG Bro the dude is the man.

  • @SamnissArandeen
    @SamnissArandeen Před 8 lety +13

    Guy's a lucky man to get his life sentence shortened. I'm paying tax money to lock decent, hardworking people up for a plant? I've always worried that our "throw-em-in-prison" approach to criminal justice would lock away our most brilliant minds, I see my fears actually were realized on a potential next Mario Andretti.

  • @peik007
    @peik007 Před 8 lety

    amazing story, great video!

  • @Prodriver33
    @Prodriver33 Před 8 lety +1

    read about this in GrassRoots motorsports magazine

  • @fordrac1ng81
    @fordrac1ng81 Před 8 lety +1

    I actually heard about him about ten years ago and was wondering what happened to him. Glad to see he was granted clemency and is back racing.

  • @hkm_865
    @hkm_865 Před 8 lety

    Amazing guy. Thanks

  • @900108Chale
    @900108Chale Před 8 lety

    Yeah! Want to see him racing!
    A show following him would be awesome!!!
    I mean the guy was very good back in the day!!!

  • @bobbyread
    @bobbyread Před 8 lety +1

    Has it really been 26 years? It seems like only five years ago he got sent away. I'm getting old. Glad to see he's out.

  • @HobbyTimeSeattle
    @HobbyTimeSeattle Před 8 lety +2

    Respect!!!

  • @helmuttdvm
    @helmuttdvm Před 5 lety +1

    He put in his time and now should enjoy his time at the track.

  • @Hbzprojects
    @Hbzprojects Před 4 lety +1

    5 years later, let's get an update?

  • @ColemanBales
    @ColemanBales Před 8 lety +2

    lol that e30 vert tho

  • @FastPaull
    @FastPaull Před 8 lety +2

    Makes you wonder where this guys name would be if he would've never got busted. Might be residing him as one of the greatest racers ever.

  • @seangibbons9324
    @seangibbons9324 Před 8 lety

    this would make a movie...

  • @MrSpiderman1321
    @MrSpiderman1321 Před 8 lety +7

    life in prison for selling marijuana, thats so lame USA

    • @gigglesgaming6362
      @gigglesgaming6362 Před 8 lety +3

      he was smuggling over 300 tons of weed. No matter what your smuggling. Smuggling anything can put you in prison that long if not longer.

    • @gregorytimmons4777
      @gregorytimmons4777 Před 4 lety

      Uncle Sam wants his due. Justice isn't blind an only excuses family dynasty type tax cheats with names like Trump or Kennedy. Old money types. Even Madoff wasn't a name with enough political pull to skirt that law. Not to mention counting some Hollywood "A listers" among his victims.

  • @keithgardner3865
    @keithgardner3865 Před 8 lety +1

    "Weed Kingpin Racer" great name for a team

  • @henrymorgan3982
    @henrymorgan3982 Před 4 lety

    Legend.

  • @kylepriz69
    @kylepriz69 Před 8 lety +5

    What a badass

  • @diaz.rodolfo
    @diaz.rodolfo Před 8 lety +2

    so where'd he and the team end up that weekend?

  • @WontSeeReplies
    @WontSeeReplies Před 2 lety

    These guys should hold their heads high. There was a tragic accident but nothing reckless or intentional. Great crew.

  • @godwindracing6056
    @godwindracing6056 Před 5 lety

    Has Lanier ever thought of an autobiography? Not something I’d buy but would buy this

  • @llys3742
    @llys3742 Před 8 lety +2

    damn that's BADASSSS

  • @Stinkymens
    @Stinkymens Před 8 lety +1

    LOL this guy is awesome!

  • @subrosaBalumNL
    @subrosaBalumNL Před 8 lety

    this guy is a hero

  • @Patientbull
    @Patientbull Před 8 lety

    I only watch weed and car videos on here , this video is perfect ahaha !

  • @bogthing1
    @bogthing1 Před rokem

    People might be surprised by the number of successful businesses built by the old game.

  • @Corydakat
    @Corydakat Před 8 lety

    this guys gunna come back in car history I just know ut

  • @poesypoet
    @poesypoet Před 4 lety +1

    The need for weed to get to speed

  • @bettygirardi7068
    @bettygirardi7068 Před 5 lety

    LOVE YOU RANDY!!!!

  • @SinistrChevy
    @SinistrChevy Před 8 lety

    Make a movie about that man's life!!!!!

  • @rodf73
    @rodf73 Před 8 lety

    Somebody please make a documentary on this Gentleman's life story.

  • @neticz7
    @neticz7 Před 7 lety +1

    Jalopnik do it again! i dare you. put him in a new porsche race car.

  • @camaqazi
    @camaqazi Před 8 lety +3

    Blow meets Rush

  • @archibaldchimpin
    @archibaldchimpin Před 4 lety

    What a guy

  • @ayojoe86
    @ayojoe86 Před 5 lety +2

    Sheesh...a crime is a crime,but atleast he didnt use the money for violence..it was for what he likes too do..an a crime is a crime,but he did his time...my boy randy..💪😎

  • @lukeg1968
    @lukeg1968 Před 7 lety

    I just got thru reading his story in sports illustrated.
    What a joke locking him up for a Life sentence..for POT?
    He looks great, doesnt seem bitter in the slightest.
    Not only should there be a movie on his life but the guy looks like Paul Newman for chrissakes.
    He can play the part.

  • @josteincarlsen2905
    @josteincarlsen2905 Před 8 lety

    Make a movie of his life!!!!! Share this shit!!! Let's make this come true

  • @MrBobharrington
    @MrBobharrington Před 8 lety

    no sound:(((((((((

  • @jessiebeam3434
    @jessiebeam3434 Před 8 lety

    I'd love to race my 3000gt someday on the track..

  • @akramishmael5604
    @akramishmael5604 Před 8 lety +1

    Miatas are like at EVERY track, every day.

  • @blakebyrns
    @blakebyrns Před 8 lety

    were you at mid ohio on the 31st by chance?

  • @cj4ebay
    @cj4ebay Před 8 lety +5

    Unless he was killing people this dude is cool with a cool story. Weed is the new alcohol, and is basically legal now. He probably would have been released earlier had he been living in a recreational legal state.

    • @-tr0n
      @-tr0n Před 8 lety

      +cj4ebay buying it from the government is legal..importing over 300 tons...they tend to be a bit sticky on that still.

    • @cj4ebay
      @cj4ebay Před 8 lety

      lol I agree

    • @-tr0n
      @-tr0n Před 8 lety

      ***** that's pretty much on them and/or the people that made them dead.

    • @cj4ebay
      @cj4ebay Před 8 lety

      Do we know if anyone actually died?

    • @The52car
      @The52car Před 2 lety

      Technically two welders were killed while torching open the barge and they skuttled the remains.
      More manslaughter than murder, but worth mentioning.

  • @FastPaull
    @FastPaull Před 3 lety

    What a ridiculous charge for some weed. Not to mention the fact he's still on fucking parole. What a joke. Let the man enjoy the rest of his life.

  • @marktemsic485
    @marktemsic485 Před 4 lety

    Congratulations R. Lanier... Glad to see you free... in OHIO..!

  • @MotoWINGOO
    @MotoWINGOO Před 8 lety +2

    You've gotta fund your dreams somehow sucks he got locked up and it was illegal at the time.

    • @gigglesgaming6362
      @gigglesgaming6362 Před 8 lety

      It's illegal now.

    • @gregorytimmons4777
      @gregorytimmons4777 Před 4 lety

      Amassing a tax free fortune will get you every time. However, we now have a POTUS intent on proving there is an exception to every rule.

  • @clydeyello
    @clydeyello Před 8 lety +1

    A life sentence for moving weed? Really? What the fuck, America. That's not cool.
    Well, talk about *grassroots* racing...

  • @patsplats
    @patsplats Před 8 lety

    I know a guy who smuggled pounds of cali buds to Nevada in a side piped small block chevy 240z. No kidding.

    • @Earthsound03
      @Earthsound03 Před 8 lety +1

      +Patrick Doolittle those damn guys at roadkill!

    • @patsplats
      @patsplats Před 8 lety

      +Earthsound03 lol it wasn't those guys this one was red

  • @zboys4586
    @zboys4586 Před 8 lety

    Wow I wonder if he misses the prison?

  • @OhItsThat
    @OhItsThat Před 4 lety

    Would be cool if he was driving a GTP car again.

  • @TheDuckumz
    @TheDuckumz Před 8 lety

    Crown Royal bag shifter boot, lmao...

  • @natethegreat3602
    @natethegreat3602 Před rokem

    What I'd like to know is did he forfeit all the $?? I'd hope that he hid some of it

  • @charlesleake930
    @charlesleake930 Před 8 měsíci

    what about the guy that was killed cutting his drug barge open with and acetylene torch ? he skipped right over that one.....................

  • @shuffleB
    @shuffleB Před 4 lety

    Life for a flower¿? The same plant that U.S. first president George Washington grew by the acre. That doesn't sound fair.

  • @Bloxyz
    @Bloxyz Před 8 lety +4

    Cocky even after 26 years in the slammer.

  • @mak7587
    @mak7587 Před 2 lety

    He forgives himself. Ahha. He doesn’t even acknowledge the deaths of the two men blown up in the ballast of a ship. Maybe their family may have something different to say about how great he is. And the damage done to drug addicts. And now he’s bragging about his purchases and lifestyle back then. Poor baby. He makes me sick.

  • @turbocavalli
    @turbocavalli Před 5 lety

    the scarface of motorsport

  • @Dagrond
    @Dagrond Před 8 lety

    Liquor in the south, weed in the north. Wonder what Europe did ...

    • @mikatamminen2786
      @mikatamminen2786 Před 6 lety

      StinkySQL Sixpence Heroine and meth since WW2, how ya think we fought the Red Army armed with Vodka...

  • @gordythecreator
    @gordythecreator Před 4 lety

    Welcome back sir! Anyone who doesn't approve can go to hell. Pain pills and heroin are "drugs", not why he was unjustifiably imprisoned.
    Legalize IT

  • @izaaz_h
    @izaaz_h Před 8 lety +1

    potatos

  • @spacecatkotafish7386
    @spacecatkotafish7386 Před 8 lety

    its easy to make money just not legal money

  • @lancethrust9488
    @lancethrust9488 Před 2 lety

    WAY TOO LONG IN JAIL 5 YEARS SUITED FOR SELLING WEED

  • @PeterMayer
    @PeterMayer Před 4 lety

    Shame

  • @Dabber422
    @Dabber422 Před 8 lety

    To bad but he is out now...

  • @jackmcmorrow9397
    @jackmcmorrow9397 Před rokem

    Weed racer.