0:00 / 0:00
GHiT 0749:  Scott Mattis and MJ Trierweller

GHiT 0749: Scott Mattis and MJ Trierweller

Garage Heroes In Training Jan 28, 2026 89 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Scott Mattis and MJ Trierweller join the Garage Heroes in Training team to share their unique journeys into the world of racing and automotive passion. From high school drag racing to instructing at extreme driving events, both guests recount their experiences and the thrill of pushing high-performance cars to their limits. The conversation dives into their favorite vehicles, bucket list tracks, and the camaraderie developed through shared adrenaline-fueled adventures. With humor and camaraderie, they reflect on the 'bad decisions' that often accompany their love for cars.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ford Mustang GTD

"...my brother bought a brand spanking new 87 Mustang GT. We used to work together..."

The Ford Mustang GT is a fast sports car that was popular in the late 80s. The 1987 version is known for its strong engine and stylish look, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Concept

drag racing

"...and started doing drag racing with it on the street, drag racing with it."

Drag racing is a competition where two cars race each other in a straight line to see which one is faster. It's usually done on a short track and focuses on how quickly a car can go from a stop to top speed.

Concept

auto crossing

"Some of the guys I hang out with did some auto crossing with the local SCCA. So I got into auto crossing that same car..."

Auto crossing is a type of racing where drivers go through a course set up with cones. It's more about how well you can handle your car than how fast you can go.

Concept

SCCA

"...with the local SCCA. So I got into auto crossing that same car and kept building it up."

The SCCA is a club in the U.S. that organizes car racing events. They help people participate in racing, whether they're just starting out or are experienced drivers.

Concept

track days

"...did a couple of schools and some track days. And then the opportunity came up to do one lap..."

Track days are events where you can drive your car on a racetrack. It's a safe place to go fast and learn more about how your car handles.

Car

Ferrari 488 GTB

"So for me, it's been Ferrari 488 GTB, which is a great car, but now it is an old car."

The Ferrari 488 GTB is a fast sports car made by Ferrari. It has a powerful engine and is designed for high performance on the road.

Car

Lamborghini Huracan

"And Lamborghini Huracan, which is a great car, but is an old car now."

The Lamborghini Huracan is a high-end sports car made by Lamborghini. It has a powerful engine and is famous for its stylish looks and speed.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"The new Corvette CH06, which I am absolutely in love with."

The Chevrolet Corvette C8 is a new version of the Corvette sports car, known for its powerful engine and sleek design. It's made to perform well on the road.

Car

Nissan Gtr

"Nissan GTR, which is a good car only in the right mode, correct Jeremy and Scott?"

The Nissan GT-R is a fast sports car made by Nissan. It's known for its great performance, especially when driven in the right way.

Car

Bugatti Chiron

"But yeah, I mean, I would love to drive a Bugatti Chiron, you know, but that's not going to be at that."

The Bugatti Chiron is a very expensive and powerful car that many people dream of driving because of its speed and luxury.

Car

Ford Gt

"I would love to drive a Ford GT. That'd be a blessed car of mine, but..."

The Ford GT is a fast sports car made by Ford that is known for its racing heritage and modern design.

Car

Ferrari 458

"...458 versus 488. What do you think? I have never driven, yeah, I've never driven the 458."

The Ferrari 458 is a high-performance sports car made by Ferrari. It has a powerful engine and is designed for speed and agility on the road or track.

Term

brake pedal

"...most people at 140 miles an hour, they push on the brake pedal like they do at 35 miles an hour on the road, right?"

The brake pedal is what you press with your foot to make the car slow down or stop. It's important to use it correctly, especially when driving fast.

Concept

VIR

"So as far as tracks, I mean, I've gotten to drive VIR which is currently my favorite track, not with Xtreme..."

VIR stands for Virginia International Raceway, a famous racetrack where people can drive fast cars on a track designed for racing.

Concept

Road Atlanta

"...but in general, I've gotten to drive Road Atlanta, Barber, all phenomenal tracks..."

Road Atlanta is a famous racetrack in Georgia where cars race on a specially designed track with lots of twists and turns.

Concept

Barber

"...Barber, all phenomenal tracks, get to do Brainerd with Xtreme this year, hopefully."

Barber is a racetrack in Alabama where cars can race on a track that has many curves and is surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Concept

Brainerd

"...get to do Brainerd with Xtreme this year, hopefully. And then get to do Road America this year..."

Brainerd is a racetrack in Minnesota where different types of racing events take place, including car races on a track.

Concept

Road America

"...get to do Road America this year, which I have not done before. That's going to be a beast in the cars you guys have."

Road America is a long racetrack in Wisconsin where cars can race at high speeds on a track with many turns.

Car

Saleen S7

"he's got a 2000 Saleen that was,"

The Saleen S7 is a really fast sports car made by Saleen. It's famous for being powerful and fun to drive.

Term

NASCAR engine

"it's basically a tube frame car with a NASCAR engine that he raced in Speed Vision"

A NASCAR engine is a powerful engine used in NASCAR races. It's built to go really fast and is made to last through tough races.

Concept

tube frame car

"it's basically a tube frame car with a NASCAR engine that he raced in Speed Vision"

A tube frame car is built with a frame made of tubes instead of solid materials. This makes the car lighter and stronger, which is great for racing.

Term

Speed Vision

"that he raced in Speed Vision back when the World Challenge changed the Speed Vision"

Speed Vision was a TV channel that focused on car racing and shows about cars. It was popular among car enthusiasts before it changed its name.

Concept

IMSA GS

"...I would love to go out and race IMSA GS in a Mustang, you know, or race a GT3 car. But the chance of that happening are not very likely."

IMSA GS is a racing category where cars that are based on regular production models compete against each other. It's part of a larger racing organization that hosts events for different types of cars.

Car

GT3

"...or race a GT3 car. But the chance of that happening are not very likely."

The GT3 is a special version of the Porsche 911 that is built for racing and high performance. It's known for being very fast and handling well on the track.

Concept

24 Hours of LeMons

"...just kind of helping each other out. Love it. So basically, our race weekends with 24 hours of lemons"

24 Hours of LeMons is a race where people drive cheap cars for a long time, usually 24 hours. It's more about having fun and being creative with your car than winning.

Car

BMW Series Bmw

"No, I did not say that. I mean, it's a real three series BMW. I mean, you know, compared to what you guys driv..."

The BMW 7 Series is a fancy car that is very comfortable and has a lot of cool technology. It's one of the best cars that BMW makes for people who want luxury.

Concept

Nürburgring Nordschleife

"In Germany, the Nord... Nord... Nord Schleifer. Nord Schleif. Yep."

The Nürburgring Nordschleife is a long and difficult racetrack in Germany where many car companies test their vehicles. It's famous for being very challenging and is loved by racing fans.

Concept

Mount Panorama

"...my favorite dream track is... Mount Panorama. In what, Jeremy?"

Mount Panorama is a well-known race track in Australia where many car races happen. It's famous for being difficult and exciting for drivers.

Car

BMW M4

"...A Porsche AMG or a BMW M4."

The BMW M4 is a fast sports car made by BMW. It's built for performance and is great for driving on tracks or for fun on the road.

Car

Oldsmobile Cutlass

"...e other way. I look over in this, just like every Cutlass Sierra in the world was Maroon. A Maroon Cutlass ..."

The Oldsmobile Cutlass is an older car that many people liked to drive in the past. It had a classic look and was very popular when it was being made.

Car

Cutlass Sierra

"A Maroon Cutlass Sierra go off the road to the right. So they're coming at us and to the right goes down to the ditch."

The Cutlass Sierra is a car made by Oldsmobile that was popular in the 80s and 90s. It was known for being comfortable and easy to drive.

Car

Porsche 911

"...ay. During this time, my buddy had already called 911. They're on speaker through the Bluetooth."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that looks really cool and goes super fast. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many people who enjoy driving.

Term

totaled

"...and you'd be like, what are you talking about? It's totaled."

When a car is 'totaled', it means it's damaged so badly that fixing it would cost more than the car is worth. Insurance companies often decide this when they look at the damage and repair costs.

Part

Michelin Arctic Alpine snow tires

"...with Michelin Arctic alpine snow tires on it. And it was badass."

Michelin Arctic Alpine snow tires are special tires made for driving in winter conditions. They help cars grip the road better when it's snowy or icy, making driving safer.

Car

Ford Pinto

"It was a Ford Pinto. That was my car."

The Ford Pinto is a small car made by Ford in the 1970s. It is known for being affordable but also has a controversial history due to safety problems.

Car

Porsche 917

"You got anything? I'm going to say the 917 Can-Am Porsche, the one that had like, what, 1200..."

The Porsche 917 is a famous race car known for being really fast and winning many races in the 1970s. It's considered one of the best racing cars ever made.

Car

Mazda Miata

"...I love driving all cars. Doesn't matter if it's a Miata or something that I kind of lean towards a big V8..."

Mazda is a car company that makes different types of cars, including a small, fun sports car called the Miata. People like Mazdas because they are enjoyable to drive.

Car

Dodge Ram

"... Stellantis guy. But one vehicle would be the new Ram TRX. Okay."

The Dodge Ram is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is great for work or off-roading. The new version called the TRX is super powerful and made for tough terrain.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"...u know what? This will be weird, but the last gen Camaro ZL1 1LE. Really?"

The Chevrolet Camaro is a powerful car that looks sporty and is built for speed. It's been around for a long time and is often compared to other fast cars like the Ford Mustang.

18 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars