{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"TMCP #644: Dr. Jamie Meyer on HPX’s Big Return – AI, Street Car Takeover, and the Future of Performance!","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/tmcp-644-dr-jamie-meyer-on-hpx-s-big-return-ai-street-car-takeover-and-the-future-of-performance","audioUrl":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/tmcpnetwork/The_MusclecarPlace_Podcast_Episode644_0004022026_Robert_Kibbe____Podcast__0___.mp3","description":"Dr. Jamie Meyer returns to preview year two of the High Performance Expo (HPX), coming June 2–4 to the Charlotte Convention Center—and this isn’t just another trade show. Built to unite the racing, aftermarket, OEM, dealer, off-road, and overlanding worlds, HPX is quickly becoming the East Coast hub the industry has been missing. After a surprisingly strong debut, year two expands with bigger leadership sessions from Hendrick Motorsports, a major focus on real-world AI applications (including insight from Amazon’s AI leadership), and new features like the invitation-only Shop Car Challenge and Car Show Collective. If you’re in the business—or want to be—this is where connections, ideas, and opportunities collide.\nBut HPX is more than just a show floor. It’s part of a full “Automotive Performance Week” in Charlotte, with Street Car Takeover joining the action and bringing live racing, culture, and energy to the experience. Whether you’re a shop owner, builder, racer, or serious enthusiast, HPX offers rare access to the people, parts, and conversations shaping the future of the industry. Be sure to also check out Dr. Meyer’s podcast, Automotive Advantage, for deeper insight into the business and innovation driving it all. Learn more and register at TheHPX.com—and don’t miss your chance to be part of it.\nThe post TMCP #644: Dr. Jamie Meyer on HPX’s Big Return – AI, Street Car Takeover, and the Future of Performance! first appeared on The Muscle Car Place."},"annotations":[{"startTime":14.5,"endTime":17.9,"type":"concept","title":"aftermarket","url":"/glossary/aftermarket","quote":"Now, the goal of this show originally was to combine the aftermarket and the racing world together in a new way, and in the summertime, in Charlotte, race city USA.","canonicalId":"concept:aftermarket","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The aftermarket is the industry that makes parts and upgrades not installed by the original vehicle manufacturer. In performance circles, it often includes everything from engine and suspension upgrades to tuning and accessories."}},{"startTime":54.2,"endTime":60.6,"type":"company","title":"HPX","url":"/glossary/hpx","quote":"The goal of HPX is to lift the entire automotive aftermarket industry, and we are about to announce Ben Schreiner will be on stage.","canonicalId":"company:hpx","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"HPX is presented as the organization behind the high-performance expo and its mission to elevate the automotive aftermarket industry. In this context, it’s the event/initiative being promoted for the upcoming Charlotte show.","simplifiedExplanation":"HPX is the group putting on (or leading) this performance-focused expo. Their goal here is to help the aftermarket performance parts business grow."}},{"startTime":63.9,"endTime":72.5,"type":"term","title":"artificial intelligence","url":"/glossary/artificial-intelligence","quote":"...we are about to announce Ben Schreiner will be on stage. Ben is the head of all artificial intelligence for the Amazon organization.","canonicalId":"term:artificial-intelligence","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that can learn patterns and make predictions or recommendations. In automotive business contexts, AI is often used for things like demand forecasting, customer matching, and automating parts-related workflows.","simplifiedExplanation":"Artificial intelligence is software that can learn from information and help make decisions. In the car world, it could help companies find the right parts, predict what people want, or streamline operations."}},{"startTime":114.0,"endTime":126.2,"type":"concept","title":"high-performance expo","url":"/glossary/high-performance-expo","quote":"He'll be on to talk about the second annual high-performance expo, that trade show that's in June in Charlotte. It is a very unique trade show, and there will be talks on automotive marketing, artificial intelligence, a shop car competition, street car takeover event.","canonicalId":"concept:high-performance-expo","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A high-performance expo is an event focused on aftermarket speed, tuning, and motorsport-adjacent tech. In this segment, it’s positioned as a trade show with industry talks, not just a car show.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is basically a big event where people in the performance car world get together. They talk about upgrades, tuning, and new tech, and there are usually competitions and vendors."}},{"startTime":148.3,"endTime":162.0,"type":"brand","title":"Alexa","url":"/glossary/alexa","quote":"And I don't mean just Alexa from Amazon knowing when I'm out of peanut butter and toilet paper. Hello, Robert. This is your favorite Alexa voice, Bert Reynolds.","canonicalId":"brand:alexa","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Alexa is Amazon’s voice assistant, used here as a humorous example of AI already being integrated into everyday life. In automotive contexts, voice assistants are increasingly used for hands-free control and infotainment.","simplifiedExplanation":"Alexa is a voice assistant from Amazon. People use it to control things by talking, and cars are starting to use similar voice features for convenience."}},{"startTime":356.88,"endTime":359.46,"type":"car","title":"Mazda MX-5 / Miata","url":"/cars/mazda/mx-5-miata","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/1990_Mazda_MX-5_Miata%2C_front_left%2C_06-08-2024.jpg","quote":"It's kind of like a Mazda Miata on steroids, if you will. You learn a lot of driver skill by driving these cars.","canonicalId":"car:mazda:mx-5-miata","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Mazda Miata is a lightweight, balanced roadster known for being fun and easy to drive at the limit. Comparing the Legends car to a Miata suggests a similar feel—light, responsive, and requiring good technique—while emphasizing the higher-stress nature of the race car.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mazda Miata is a small, light sports car that’s known for being fun to drive. Saying it’s like a Miata “on steroids” means it feels similar but more intense and harder to drive fast.","imageAttribution":"MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":372.9,"endTime":377.4,"type":"concept","title":"two tracks","url":"/glossary/two-tracks","quote":"The event this time around, unlike the first one, isn't at one track, it's at two.","canonicalId":"concept:two-tracks","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Racing at two different tracks in one event changes the learning curve and car setup priorities. Drivers must adapt to different corner types, braking distances, and tire wear patterns across the weekend."}},{"startTime":501.9,"endTime":503.3,"type":"concept","title":"rally","url":"/glossary/rally","quote":"And I'd like him to run a sports car and I'd like him to try rally. I'd like him to try other disciplines, maybe even a drift car.","canonicalId":"concept:rally","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Rally is motorsport where cars race on public or closed roads in timed stages, often with loose surfaces like gravel, dirt, or snow. It demands a different skill set than track racing—especially car control, pace notes, and adapting to changing traction.","simplifiedExplanation":"Rally is racing on roads in stages, often on loose surfaces. It’s less about a single track line and more about handling unpredictable grip and tight turns."}},{"startTime":504.8,"endTime":506.3,"type":"concept","title":"drift car","url":"/glossary/drift-car","quote":"I'd like him to try other disciplines, maybe even a drift car. I'm okay with that.","canonicalId":"concept:drift-car","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “drift car” is built and driven for controlled oversteer, where the driver intentionally keeps the car sliding through corners while maintaining speed and angle. Compared to normal racing, the setup and driving technique focus heavily on tire management, balance, and throttle/steering coordination.","simplifiedExplanation":"A drift car is made for drifting—keeping the car sideways on purpose through a turn. It takes a special driving style and setup compared to regular racing."}},{"startTime":720.6,"endTime":726.8,"type":"concept","title":"Fast and Furious movie","url":"/glossary/fast-and-furious-movie","quote":"If you compare it to like a Fast and Furious movie, which is like 88 days to 90 days, with a crew of sometimes 2,000 to 5,000 people, where our challenge was always time and money,","canonicalId":"concept:fast-and-furious-movie","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The speaker compares their production schedule to the Fast and Furious franchise, which is known for large-scale action sequences and big crews. It’s a useful benchmark for how much time, money, and manpower are typically required to pull off automotive stunts on screen.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re using the Fast and Furious movies as an example of how huge and expensive car-movie productions can be. The point is that their project had far less time and money than a blockbuster."}},{"startTime":838.3,"endTime":843.0,"type":"company","title":"National Parts Depot","url":"/glossary/national-parts-depot","quote":"Don't forget, once per month, we do have Mr. Rick Schmidt from National Parts Depot to talk all things National Parts Depot.\nYou can send in your questions to me, Robert at themusclecarplace.com.","canonicalId":"company:national-parts-depot","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"National Parts Depot is an automotive parts retailer that’s associated with muscle-car and performance parts. The host says they’ll have Mr. Rick Schmidt from National Parts Depot on the show, implying a regular segment focused on parts and sourcing.","simplifiedExplanation":"National Parts Depot is a place that sells car parts. They’re saying a guest from that company will come on monthly to talk about parts."}},{"startTime":965.9,"endTime":968.6,"type":"brand","title":"General Motors","url":"/glossary/general-motors","quote":"They know me for 15 years at General Motors, where I did cool stuff like LSX engines and launched the Coppo Camaro","canonicalId":"brand:general-motors","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"General Motors (GM) is the parent automaker behind brands like Chevrolet, which is central to the muscle-car and performance-car world. In this context, the guest’s GM work ties directly to performance engine development and iconic Camaro history.","simplifiedExplanation":"General Motors, or GM, is the big company behind brands like Chevrolet. Here, it matters because the guest worked there on performance projects tied to muscle-car history."}},{"startTime":1067.7,"endTime":1070.2,"type":"concept","title":"drag racing","url":"/glossary/drag-racing","quote":"I think it'll be just like you and your son and your listeners that I just have this deep passion for the automobile and the lifestyle and the people. Drag racing, street racing, street performance is just the most cool thing in the world to me.","canonicalId":"concept:drag-racing","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Drag racing is a straight-line motorsport where cars compete over a short distance to achieve the fastest elapsed time. It’s a core discipline in performance culture because it directly rewards power, traction, and drivetrain setup.","simplifiedExplanation":"Drag racing is when cars race in a straight line over a short distance to see who’s quickest. It’s a big part of the performance car scene."}},{"startTime":1313.8,"endTime":1319.7,"type":"concept","title":"off-road and overlanding","url":"/glossary/off-road-and-overlanding","quote":"and a truck, don't forget the largest segment, all of my off-road and overlanding friends. So that's how we want to market.","canonicalId":"concept:off-road-and-overlanding","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Off-roading is driving on unpaved or rough terrain, while overlanding is longer-distance travel that’s typically self-sufficient and gear-focused. Both create a major demand for aftermarket accessories like suspension upgrades, tires, lighting, recovery gear, and storage systems.","simplifiedExplanation":"Off-road is driving on rough trails. Overlanding is like road-tripping with camping gear and equipment, often on tougher routes too."}},{"startTime":1357.1,"endTime":1360.1,"type":"company","title":"132 dealerships","url":"/glossary/132-dealerships","quote":"Rick Hendrick owns 132 dealerships just as an aside.","canonicalId":"company:132-dealerships","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The speaker notes that Rick Hendrick owns 132 dealerships, illustrating the scale of dealership networks tied to motorsports and performance marketing. Large dealer groups can influence which special editions and aftermarket packages get pushed to consumers.","simplifiedExplanation":"The speaker says Rick Hendrick owns a very large number of dealerships. That kind of dealership network can strongly affect what cars and add-on packages people see and buy."}},{"startTime":1395.6,"endTime":1400.0,"type":"concept","title":"keynote sessions","url":"/glossary/keynote-sessions","quote":"The keynote sessions were real leaders of industry. The venue itself, very professional.","canonicalId":"concept:keynote-sessions","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Keynote sessions are the main presentations at a conference, usually delivered by high-profile industry leaders. They’re often where the biggest announcements, trends, and future direction are discussed.","simplifiedExplanation":"A keynote is the big main talk at a conference. It’s usually given by important people and often covers the most important updates and ideas."}},{"startTime":1408.3,"endTime":1412.0,"type":"concept","title":"F1","url":"/glossary/f1","quote":"You could have left with a job working for Cadillac F1 if you showed up at that trade show. They were just standing there talking to anyone that would like to.","canonicalId":"concept:f1","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"F1 refers to Formula 1, the highest tier of open-wheel motorsport. In automotive conversations, F1 often represents cutting-edge engineering, sponsorship, and talent pipelines.","simplifiedExplanation":"F1 is the top level of professional racing with open-wheel cars. People bring it up when they mean the most advanced engineering and big-time racing."}},{"startTime":1552.8,"endTime":1567.1,"type":"concept","title":"AI","quote":"We've been trying to talk about AI and the use in that space for the last year.","canonicalId":"concept:ai","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"AI (artificial intelligence) refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, like pattern recognition or decision-making. In automotive contexts, it’s often used to improve software, analytics, and quality processes.","simplifiedExplanation":"AI is basically smart computer software that can learn patterns from data and make better decisions. In cars, it can help companies improve how things are built or how apps work."}},{"startTime":1754.4,"endTime":1757.0,"type":"concept","title":"audience vote","url":"/glossary/audience-vote","quote":"But there's also going to be an audience vote. So if the Mustang team comes out and they want the Mustang shop to win...","canonicalId":"concept:audience-vote","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An audience vote means attendees choose a winner, which can differ from judging by shop peers. This adds a “popularity + build impact” element and can reward cars that resonate visually or conceptually, not just technically."}},{"startTime":1786.9,"endTime":1792.6,"type":"concept","title":"pro-mod racers","url":"/glossary/pro-mod-racers","quote":"They may not see what overlanding trucks are doing. They may not see what pro-mod racers are doing in the dirty South, right? So bringing all these segments together at the same time, the same place at the High Performance Expo.","canonicalId":"concept:pro-mod-racers","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Pro Mod (often “Pro Mod”) is a drag racing class focused on highly modified, purpose-built cars running very fast quarter-mile passes. When someone says “pro-mod racers,” they’re pointing to a specific performance subculture with different engineering priorities than drifting or overlanding.","simplifiedExplanation":"Pro Mod is a type of drag racing where cars are heavily modified to go extremely fast down the track. It’s a specific racing scene with its own rules and build styles."}},{"startTime":1835.6,"endTime":1839.3,"type":"concept","title":"B2B trade show","url":"/glossary/b2b-trade-show","quote":"The first caveat is this is a B2B trade show, right? But as you know, this industry is very blurred.","canonicalId":"concept:b2b-trade-show","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A B2B trade show (“business-to-business”) is primarily aimed at companies—manufacturers, shops, and suppliers—rather than individual buyers. This matters because the expo’s programming, booths, and deals are oriented around partnerships and service contracts.","simplifiedExplanation":"A B2B trade show is an event where businesses go to meet other businesses. It’s less about buying a car and more about making deals, partnerships, and services."}},{"startTime":1911.9,"endTime":1917.9,"type":"concept","title":"OEMs","url":"/glossary/oem","quote":"You've got exhibitors, OEMs, manufacturers, all the big names on the floor at the same time. You get to see their parts, see their applications, then you get to talk to the technical experts","canonicalId":"concept:oem","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"OEMs are Original Equipment Manufacturers—the companies that build parts or vehicles that are used as original equipment. In the context of a show, OEMs bring their latest components and explain how they’re intended to fit and function on specific applications.","simplifiedExplanation":"OEMs are the companies that make the parts that go into a car when it’s built. At events, they often show what they make and how it’s meant to work on different vehicles."}},{"startTime":1940.5,"endTime":1947.5,"type":"brand","title":"Jeff Gordon","url":"/glossary/jeff-gordon","quote":"And then there's a little bit of star appeal, right? We had Jeff Gordon walking around on the floor last year.","canonicalId":"brand:jeff-gordon","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Jeff Gordon is a legendary NASCAR driver, and his presence at an event is a signal of the show’s connection to top-tier motorsports culture. When a mainstream racing figure walks the floor, it also highlights how performance brands and teams recruit and network.","simplifiedExplanation":"Jeff Gordon is a famous NASCAR driver. If he’s showing up at a car event, it usually means the event has real ties to racing and the people who make it happen."}},{"startTime":1947.5,"endTime":1952.7,"type":"brand","title":"Richard Petty","url":"/glossary/richard-petty","quote":"We had Jeff Gordon walking around on the floor last year. We had Richard Petty walking around on the floor last year.","canonicalId":"brand:richard-petty","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Richard Petty is another iconic NASCAR figure, often associated with the sport’s history and mainstream popularity. Mentioning him underscores the event’s credibility and the strong overlap between street-car culture and NASCAR-level business.","simplifiedExplanation":"Richard Petty is one of the most famous names in NASCAR history. His appearance suggests the event is a big deal in the racing world, not just a casual car meet."}},{"startTime":2003.9,"endTime":2020.3,"type":"concept","title":"NASCAR","url":"/glossary/nascar","quote":"...getting into racing is there are a lot of very significant consumers, technically, in the racing industry that in any other world would be business. Yes. Yeah, you and I laugh about it. But on the corporate side, you start to realize this and you're like, well, I'm used to talking to NASCAR owners and NASCAR teams.","canonicalId":"concept:nascar","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"NASCAR is a major American stock-car racing series, and it’s referenced here as the speaker’s familiar “world” for networking with team owners and operators. The discussion highlights how racing business overlaps with consumer enthusiasm for cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"NASCAR is a big American racing series with stock cars. The speaker is saying they’re used to talking to NASCAR teams and owners, and that the business side can feel similar to other industries."}},{"startTime":2202.72,"endTime":2202.72,"type":"concept","title":"Charlotte Motor Speedway","url":"/glossary/charlotte-motor-speedway","quote":"And then we're going to leave the floor of the Charlotte Motor Speedway sometime Thursday afternoon and we're going to head to Concord, which is only like 20 minutes away.","canonicalId":"concept:charlotte-motor-speedway","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Charlotte Motor Speedway is a major motorsports venue in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. It hosts NASCAR and other high-attendance racing events, so it’s a common hub for performance-weekend crowds and industry meetups.","simplifiedExplanation":"Charlotte Motor Speedway is a big race track near Charlotte, North Carolina. Lots of major racing events happen there, so it draws huge crowds and attention from the performance world."}},{"startTime":2225.8,"endTime":2225.8,"type":"concept","title":"four wide drag race","url":"/glossary/four-wide-drag-race","quote":"And then Friday and Saturday, we'll be racing at Z-Max, four wide drag race. Remember, Rob at Z-Max.","canonicalId":"concept:four-wide-drag-race","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “four-wide” drag race is a format where four cars race simultaneously in parallel lanes. It’s a spectacle that increases event excitement and crowd energy compared with traditional two-car matchups.","simplifiedExplanation":"In a four-wide drag race, four cars go down the track at the same time. It’s louder and more chaotic—in a fun way—than the usual one-on-one drag racing."}},{"startTime":2414.3,"endTime":2420.0,"type":"brand","title":"GM","url":"/glossary/gm","quote":"My background with GM, I was able to work with them on several projects through the years. And that's why we have that camaraderie.","canonicalId":"brand:gm","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"GM refers to General Motors, one of the major global automakers. The speaker’s GM background is used to explain why they have industry connections and “camaraderie” with others in the automotive world.","simplifiedExplanation":"GM is General Motors, a big car company. Mentioning GM is basically saying the host has worked inside a major automaker, which helps with industry relationships."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Robert Kibbe","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/tmcp-644-dr-jamie-meyer-on-hpx-s-big-return-ai-street-car-takeover-and-the-future-of-performance/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}