Classic Auto Mall - #240 - Stewart Howden & Guest Michael Good of the Indianpolis Motor Speedway Museum

How harsh potholes feel depends on both speed and the vehicle’s mass/suspension tuning. Going faster can reduce the time the tire spends hitting the pothole, while larger, softer-sprung vehicles tend to absorb impacts more effectively.

“Denali” is a Cadillac trim level best known for comfort-focused features and a more cushioned ride. In the segment, the host uses it as an example of a vehicle that can feel less harsh over potholes than smaller cars.

The Mini Cooper is a small, lightweight car that typically has a firmer ride and less mass to absorb impacts. Here it’s used as a contrast to the Denali, implying the Cooper transmits more of the pothole impact to the occupants.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is the museum associated with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, preserving the track’s racing history and artifacts. In this episode, the guest’s role as president ties directly to how classic motorsport history is curated and shared with fans.

General Motors (GM) is one of the largest U.S. automakers and has a major history in American racing and motorsports culture. Mentioning that his father was a “General Motors guy” signals an automotive background that likely influenced his interest in racing.

The Indy 500 (Indianapolis 500) is the premier open-wheel race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The guest’s mention of it being his “38th Indy 500” highlights how central this event is to his career and the museum/track community.

IMS Speedway refers to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the track that hosts the Indy 500. The guest’s “sacred ground” framing emphasizes the cultural importance of the facility in American motorsports.

The Indianapolis 500 (often called the Indy 500) is a premier American open-wheel race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s known for high-speed oval racing, specialized race cars, and a long tradition that attracts fans across motorsports.

A tractor pull is a motorsport where tractors compete to pull a weighted sled over a track. It’s popular at local fairs and highlights engine torque and traction rather than the high-speed racing focus of events like the Indy 500.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power—how much work the engine can do over time. In motorsports discussions, it’s often used as a shorthand for how strongly a car accelerates and how fast it can go, though real performance also depends on gearing, aerodynamics, and traction.

Formula 1 (F1) is the top tier of open-wheel racing, known for advanced aerodynamics, hybrid power units, and strict technical regulations. Mentioning F1 alongside other series emphasizes how PRI (the Performance Racing Industry) covers many different styles of motorsports.

Drag racing is a straight-line motorsport where two cars compete over a short distance to see who accelerates fastest. The key idea is reaction time and acceleration to the finish line, not cornering or endurance. It’s often where newcomers get hooked because the action is easy to understand and visually dramatic.

Formula One (F1) is a top-tier open-wheel racing series known for highly engineered cars, strict technical rules, and global circuits. The hosts mention its popularity and momentum, then contrast it with other disciplines. The important takeaway is that F1 is a specific category of racing with its own car design and competition format.

“Indy car” refers to IndyCar, a major American open-wheel racing series. The hosts point out that IndyCar isn’t the same as Formula One, even though both are open-wheel racing. The difference is in the cars’ technical rules, series structure, and where they race.

The hosts reference an “F1” controversy, implying debate around Formula 1’s current direction or rules. In racing, controversies often come from technical regulations, officiating, or competitive balance changes.

NHRA is the National Hot Rod Association, and “Top Fuel” is its fastest drag racing class. Top Fuel cars use specialized engines and produce extreme acceleration, so standing near the start line can be an intense sensory experience.

Antron Brown is a well-known Top Fuel drag racer in the NHRA. Mentioning him signals the speaker is describing the experience of watching elite drivers at the start line.

“Light up the tree” refers to the drag racing starting light system (the “Christmas tree”) where the bulbs sequence triggers the start. Drivers time their launch to the tree to maximize reaction time and avoid a foul.

Ron Caps is referenced as another Top Fuel driver in the NHRA context. The speaker is using multiple driver names to emphasize how close they were to the start-line action.

In racing, parity means the rules and setup are designed so different teams and cars have relatively equal chances to compete. That usually comes from balance-of-performance rules, spec components, or other regulations that reduce the advantage of any one team.

NASCAR is a major American stock-car racing series known for oval-track racing and tightly regulated race cars. When the hosts say they “turn around from NASCAR to Indy car,” they’re contrasting two different racing cultures and vehicle types.

A go-kart track is a small racing circuit designed for kart racing, which is often where drivers start before moving up to bigger series. The track layout and driving lines teach fundamentals like braking points, cornering, and racecraft.

Racecraft is the set of skills used to compete effectively, including choosing lines, managing speed through corners, and making smart decisions during overtakes. In karting, these habits form early and can carry over to higher-level racing.

In motorsports, sponsors are companies that fund a team or driver in exchange for branding and visibility. The sponsor side affects everything from car livery and branding to travel budgets and how teams structure their seasons.

This is a marketing concept meaning that visibility and engagement can be as valuable as money. For automotive museums and events, it translates to creating experiences that earn attention—through announcements, expansions, and community outreach.

Being a “steward of history” in a motorsports museum context means preserving cars, artifacts, and stories so they remain accurate and accessible. It’s about maintaining the historical record, not just displaying vehicles.

A “disruptive storyteller” approach uses new formats or interactive experiences to make motorsports history feel current and engaging. Museums often do this to reach younger audiences who may not connect with traditional static displays.

Anniversary milestones like a “70 year anniversary” are often used by museums to frame their mission and highlight key eras in motorsports history. They can also drive special exhibits, programming, and outreach aimed at expanding the audience.

A “start/finish line” is the official line on a race track where timing begins and ends for each lap or race. A live feed from that location lets viewers and track staff monitor the most important timing point in real time.

“Turn two” refers to a specific corner on a motorsports circuit. Track corners like this are often highlighted because they’re key for braking, cornering lines, and overtaking opportunities.

The “Pagoda area” is a specific spectator/visitor zone at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s mentioned as where the host/guest will be during race day.

“Rolex” is referenced as part of the speaker’s list of racing events. In motorsport context, Rolex is commonly associated with endurance racing branding (e.g., Rolex-named events).

King of the Hammers is a famous off-road desert race in the U.S., known for extreme terrain and high difficulty. It’s often grouped with other major motorsport events when discussing the breadth of racing culture.

Rotating a vehicle or artifact collection means periodically swapping what’s on display versus what’s stored. This helps preserve items, manage wear from handling and exposure, and keeps the museum experience fresh for repeat visitors.

A museum “vault” is a controlled storage area used to keep valuable artifacts when they’re not on exhibit. It’s typically more secure and climate-controlled than public display areas, which helps protect items over time.

Comparing the vault to Area 51 is a metaphor for a secretive, hard-to-access place. In this context, it emphasizes that the storage area is not commonly visited by staff early in their role.

The host is describing how motorsports act like a real-world R&D lab. Racing pushes new ideas under extreme conditions, and those solutions often migrate into consumer cars later.

ABS (anti-lock braking system) prevents wheel lockup during hard braking by modulating brake pressure. That helps drivers maintain steering control while still achieving strong stopping performance.

Seatbelts are a primary occupant-safety system that became widespread through decades of safety engineering and testing. Motorsports helped validate restraint concepts and improve designs for real-world crash protection.

Disc brakes use a rotor and calipers to slow the vehicle, generally offering strong, consistent braking and good heat management compared with older drum setups. Their adoption in consumer cars was accelerated by performance and durability lessons from racing.

R&D (research and development) perspective refers to viewing racing artifacts and evolution as a process of experimentation, iteration, and engineering learning. It emphasizes how engineers translate track discoveries into production technology.

A hybrid motor combines an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor and battery system. In racing, the goal is usually to improve efficiency and/or add torque for better acceleration, while also meeting evolving rules about power and energy use.

“Running” refers to the number of times a race event has been held. When a host says they’re preparing for the 110th running, it’s highlighting the event’s long history and continuity.

Firestone is a major tire manufacturer with a long motorsports history, including involvement in racing safety and performance development. In this segment, the discussion ties motorsports tire learnings to consumer “passenger tires.”

Passenger tires are the tires used on everyday consumer vehicles rather than race-specific slicks or specialized compounds. The segment suggests that innovations proven in motorsports can translate into improvements for real-world traction, handling, and safety.

In motorsports and tire development, “safety standpoint” refers to how engineering changes reduce risk—such as improving grip, stability, and predictable behavior under braking and cornering. The segment frames tire innovation as not just performance, but also accident prevention and driver confidence.

The discussion uses the parking lot as a proxy for visitor interest and turnout. For car enthusiasts, a packed parking lot at a track museum often signals active community engagement, events, and a steady flow of classic-car and motorsport fans.

Bus tours are a common way museums and major attractions move large groups efficiently. In a motorsport context, they often include guided track walks or viewing areas, helping visitors understand the venue’s layout and history without needing to drive themselves.

This references a media ranking from Time Magazine, which functions as a credibility/visibility marker for the attraction. For listeners, it highlights how motorsport museums can be mainstream travel destinations, not just niche enthusiast stops.

Running a museum is financially challenging because admission revenue often isn’t enough to cover operating costs. That’s why museums rely on careful planning, fundraising, and visitor experience design to keep the lights on.

The hosts discuss a specific renovation effort called the “reimagined museum campaign,” which is tied to when the museum reopened. This is a structural part of the episode because it frames how the visitor experience changed after renovations.

The hosts discuss a scheduled “unveiling” event for a car, which typically means a reveal to the public or members. In collector and museum contexts, unveilings can drive demand and are often tied to membership access.

They say the events sell out quickly after announcement. That’s a common pattern for limited-capacity museum member events, where access is restricted and demand is high.

“Standing room only” indicates the event drew more attendees than there were seats available. It’s a useful clue that these unveilings are high-demand experiences for the museum’s community.

They describe how the museum keeps things fresh by constantly rotating cars and other items in and out of display. That means what you see today may not be what you saw a month ago, because pieces are moved for preservation and variety.

This is a metaphor for how the museum operates like an active organization rather than a static collection. The idea is that exhibits evolve over time through new arrivals, restoration, and rotating displays.

The “starting line experience” is an immersive attraction that recreates the feeling of being at a race start. The hosts describe it as a goosebumps-inducing room, emphasizing atmosphere and emotional connection to motorsports.

“Gasoline Alley” is a classic-motorsports themed area where visitors walk through automotive history and culture. In this context, it’s part of an event flow that leads into the museum’s more emotional, immersive experience.

Big Machine Label is a music label mentioned in connection with Scott Borchetta. While not automotive, it’s part of the cross-over between entertainment and motorsports culture discussed in the segment.

The “Heritage Invitational in Charlotte” is referenced as an event where Scott was racing. It’s likely a motorsports gathering tied to historic or enthusiast racing, but the clip doesn’t provide enough detail to identify the exact series or format.

A pace car is the vehicle used to lead the field at the start of a race or during safety-related periods. In the segment, Alunzer Junior is described as driving the pace car, highlighting a ceremonial-but-important role in race operations.

“On the track” refers to driving or racing in a controlled circuit environment, where line choice, braking points, and traction matter. In motorsport contexts, it’s often shorthand for performance driving rather than everyday street driving.

The transcript references the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which is tied to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Museums like this typically preserve racing history and use interactive exhibits to teach visitors about motorsports.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is a major motorsports venue in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. It’s known for hosting high-profile racing events, so it’s a natural landmark when discussing nearby motorsports facilities and museums.

“Educational initiatives” here refers to structured programs the museum runs—like camps and family days—to teach visitors about motorsports and related skills. In automotive contexts, these programs often combine history, hands-on activities, and technology to make learning engaging.

Summer camps are structured programs typically run during school breaks. In this episode, the museum’s summer camp program is described as educational and hands-on rather than a traditional internship.

STEM is an education acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The speaker says they use “steam” to include the arts, which is a common variation that broadens STEM-focused learning to be more creative and interdisciplinary.

Driving simulators use motion, screens, and steering/brake controls to recreate driving scenarios. In a museum setting, they’re a way to teach driving concepts and give visitors a safe way to “race” or practice without being on track.

A volunteer initiative is a structured program to recruit and organize volunteers to support an organization’s operations and events. Here, it’s described as newly launched after a reopening, with leadership coordinating education and outreach.

A bolt pattern is the specific arrangement of wheel lug holes on a vehicle’s hub. It’s usually described by the number of bolts and the diameter of the circle they form, and it must match for wheels to fit safely.

The Audi Q8 is a full-size luxury SUV from Audi. It’s known for a comfortable ride, upscale interior, and a range of powertrains depending on model year and market.

The Porsche Macan is Porsche’s compact luxury SUV. Mentioning it was totaled by the host’s son sets context for why the host now has other vehicles in the garage.

The Porsche 911 (997) refers to the 911 generation produced in the 2000s, and a 2008 car falls right in that era. This generation is known for being more “driver-focused” than later, more electronically assisted 911s—meaning the car asks you to drive it rather than constantly correcting for you.

“Analog” in this context is shorthand for cars that rely more on mechanical feel and driver input, with fewer automated interventions. It usually means less electronic “help” and a more direct connection between steering, throttle, and chassis behavior.

An odometer measures a car’s total mileage, and it’s often used to track usage on low-mileage collector cars. The host describes being asked for odometer photos weekly, which is a common way to document mileage changes and protect the car’s value.

“Fox body” is the nickname for the Ford Mustang built on the Fox platform (roughly the 1979–1993 generation). People often refer to these cars when talking about classic Mustang styling and the huge aftermarket support for upgrades and repairs.

“Build up the stable” is a common enthusiast phrase meaning gradually adding more cars to your collection over time. It usually reflects a practical approach—starting with one “fun car,” then expanding once finances and responsibilities (like kids) are easier.

Two-wheel drive (2WD) means the vehicle sends power to only two wheels, usually the front or rear. It typically feels simpler and can be cheaper than all-wheel drive, but it may have less traction in snow or off-road conditions.

A “six-speed” transmission has six forward gears, which helps keep the engine in its best power/efficiency range. More gears can improve acceleration feel and allow lower engine speed at cruising.

“Point and shoot” is a driving phrase meaning the car responds quickly and predictably to steering inputs. It usually implies good chassis balance and steering feel, so it’s easy to place the car where you want.

In this context, “annual” refers to a yearly event or recurring schedule. For car enthusiasts, annual shows and meetups matter because they shape what cars, stories, and collections get highlighted over time.

A convertible is a car with a removable or retractable roof, allowing open-air driving. In muscle-car and classic-car discussions, convertibles are often treated as a distinct (and sometimes rarer) configuration compared with coupes.

“His and hers” is a colloquial way to describe a two-part or dual-control setup—here, referring to the shifter arrangement. In classic cars, shifter layouts can vary a lot, and the exact design affects how the car is used and identified.

W-30 is a specific Oldsmobile performance engine/package designation used in the early 1970s. It typically points to a higher-output setup than the base engine, and it’s a key detail when identifying the exact configuration of a muscle-era Oldsmobile.

“Triple black” is a collector shorthand for a car finished in black across multiple visual areas—commonly the exterior, interior, and related trim/accents. It’s used to describe a particularly striking, all-dark presentation.