Episodes

Kelly Earnhardt Miller and Jeff Gluck trade business questions with a motorsports lens, focusing on what it takes to run JR Motorsports. Kelly says a “good day” means avoiding people problems, keeping negotiations productive, and meeting expectations without roadblocks. The hardest part is tough conversations with employees and sponsors, plus constant approval and weekend readiness pressures. She connects her type-two helper personality to business execution, emphasizing directness, win-win outcomes, and setting boundaries when people take advantage. She also reflects on learning Dale Sr.’s guarded business approach and building experience through working around the industry before taking the reins.

Ram’s sales momentum is keeping Stellantis afloat, with the Ram 1500 up 27% in Q2 and the brand helping drive a fourth straight quarterly U.S. gain—while Jeep and Dodge models continue to slip. A shooting at GM’s Arlington Assembly Plant in Texas leaves one employee critically injured and results in an arrest. In Washington state, the Auto Dealers Association sues Scout Motors to stop its direct-to-consumer model, arguing it unlawfully competes with franchise dealers; the episode compares this case to earlier lawsuits and discusses how courts may treat Scout’s claimed independence from VW. NASCAR champ Joey Logano also shares how dealership ownership has surprised him with its complexity and the value of learning from his operating partner.

Polestar 4 lease deals take center stage, with the hosts warning that “$399–$499/month” pricing comes with fine-print caveats and limited inventory—especially for dual-motor models. The discussion emphasizes an exit strategy: leasing reduces long-term risk as Polestar winds down US operations. They also stress checking service support (likely via Volvo/Geely networks) before signing. Later, buying-advice context is shared via Dave’s new “Out of Spec Deals” concept, aiming to negotiate EV purchases for consumers.

Dealership Guy Podcast’s Daily Dealer Live covers how dealers are winning (and losing) in 2026 through execution, not just inventory. Dennis Gingrich updates his dealership group’s CRM transition to DriveCentric, highlighting better operational visibility and insights like shoppers taking longer before committing and the need for stronger human follow-up. Dave Thomas breaks down CDK’s new Affordability Tracker, showing “affordable bestsellers” rising faster in price and tying it to deal friction. GM’s growth message: no silver bullet—discipline and inspecting what you expect. Headlines also include Hendrick’s luxury expansion and Nissan’s shift away from volume-at-all-costs.

Max Verstappen’s anger over a rear-wing failure that caused high-speed crashes in consecutive weekends took center stage, with Red Bull admitting the problem hasn’t been fully solved. The team is considering reverting to an earlier rear-wing spec, while the FIA reportedly investigates the “Macarena” rear-wing design across teams—including Ferrari, which hasn’t shown the same issue. Hosts debate whether broad scrutiny protects safety or risks stifling innovation under new regulations, weighing the sporting points Red Bull may have lost.

Ray and Zach dig into automakers pushing direct-to-consumer sales and why dealer groups are fighting back—highlighted by a Washington state lawsuit targeting Scout Motors’ DTC plans. They compare the regulatory reality across states, note that Tesla proved DTC can scale, and debate whether dealer franchise networks will adapt or lose meaningful share. The conversation also ties in Carvana’s rapid growth as pressure on traditional stores, plus a broader question: do dealers still add value beyond community sponsorships?

The hosts debate why the Nissan Skyline R34 has become such an overhyped “JDM legend,” arguing that pop culture, video games, and music have inflated expectations beyond what the car delivers for everyone. They share experiences with R34s that felt heavy and “boat-like,” and compare that hype to other underappreciated JDM options like the Nissan S15, 180SX, and even non-Skyline icons. The conversation also touches on nostalgia, stock-car disappointment, and how different tastes shape what feels “special.”

Andy King of Apollo Capital talks luxury and supercar finance at the top end, including a wild month of signing five Pagani deals plus a Huayra, Utopia, and Zonda—totaling around £30m in financed value. He argues rich buyers often finance to manage opportunity cost, comparing loan rates to returns from hedge funds and bridging investments. King also calls out dishonesty in paperwork, shares a story about refinancing a McLaren F1 after spotting it at an event, and discusses how “affordability” (declared income) matters more than net worth.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc looks like he’s finally found form again after a tough start, with his Silverstone win framed as his most complete, consistent performance so far. The hosts debate whether it’s true driver “return to form” or the result of Ferrari’s upgrades and Leclerc adapting to Lewis Hamilton’s preferred setup approach—especially around braking feel and rear-end control. Conor Daly adds a driver’s perspective on coping with frustration and making incremental adjustments. The chat also touches on Verstappen’s growing worries, recent SC-related race dynamics, and a strange Stroll driving moment.

Electric trucks are framed as the latest battleground in the EV push—after an early wave that many view as expensive, money-losing, and overly ambitious. The hosts compare automaker strategies: Ford’s “normal” F-150 Lightning approach, GM’s big-battery mega-truck bet, Rivian’s lifestyle angle, and Tesla’s polarizing Cybertruck. They also debate what’s changed for next-gen EV trucks, including pricing, construction, and “outlier” concepts like E-Revs and even a V8 comeback. Personal rural/off-road/towing experiences shape the practicality discussion, especially around winter range and charging.

Entre lamentos por la eliminación de México y el orgullo por el ambiente del Mundial, el programa mezcla crónica deportiva con noticias del motor. Se comenta la pasión en el estadio, el compañerismo con aficionados ingleses y el mensaje de mantener “buen sabor de boca”. Luego cambian a temas ligeros y de interacción: una dinámica telefónica con preguntas “bizarro”/creativas sobre cosas que se pueden decir en la cama y en una carrera de autos. En paralelo, adelantan titulares: sistema para detectar mascotas antes de encender, futuro eléctrico de Alpine y novedades de Bugatti, además de menciones culturales como Frida Kahlo.

The host digs into why detailing products feel so confusing, tying it to label claims, dilution instructions, and vague category naming. After years of testing liquids and working with chemical manufacturers (and getting frustrated by misleading marketing), he says the real issue is that manufacturers’ directions often don’t match how products actually perform—or they’re written for professionals, not DIYers. He cites examples like “spray wax” products that are really drying aids, and highlights how clearer labeling (or QR-linked videos) would reduce confusion.

Gen X host Brian Scato, millennial Ron Zarris, and Gen Z photographer Chas Warren (Chasidog) kick off a “generational conflict” discussion on how car culture is evolving. They compare access and tastes shaped by age, from Chas’s start with Midnight Club and Gran Turismo to his film-first photography style and growing reach. The conversation touches on how meets shifted from mixed crowds to more specialized supercar/JDM scenes, plus takeovers, EVs, hypercars, and the appeal of burble tune—along with the inevitable “kids these days” debates.

The hosts debate whether NASCAR should keep the Chicago Street Race or bring back Chicagoland (the oval) for 2027, with plenty of crowd/venue logic and weather talk. One side argues the street event is unique and should return; another worries about ticket demand and whether the local audience can sustain Chicagoland after a late sellout. They also riff on ideal July 4th scheduling—especially avoiding Chicago’s rain—while joking about road-course possibilities and even rethinking where a Firecracker-style race should land. Producer Chris Graham adds schedule and urban-market ideas.

Kelly and Lizz kick off with a sponsor for K-12 online schooling, then pivot into a lively mix of parenting talk and personal updates. Lizz celebrates a rare, feel-good summer after feeling worn down before, sharing lake games and how her kids thrive with older cousins. Kelly, meanwhile, opens up about severe pelvic girdle pain and how humbling pregnancy has become. The pair also debate an “ick”: people who force you to sing along to songs you haven’t heard—no Spotify, no silence. They end by discussing baby-name consultations and the possibility of naming their “unnamed baby.”

A Nissan Frontier owner asks whether to change all fluids on a 2013 Pro-4X4 with low mileage but 13 years of age. The hosts recommend prioritizing differential fluids (front/rear) and inspecting them, then checking transmission condition, flushing or testing coolant due to metal buildup over time, and replacing brake fluid because it absorbs moisture. They also discuss how to communicate these needs to a shop—some will follow age-based maintenance menus, others may upsell—so bring a clear checklist. The show also includes light banter and a quick travel/museum story.

A lively, joke-heavy discussion veers from radio-story nostalgia to a surprisingly deep dive on how car platforms and badge engineering shape what we buy—and how people judge them. The hosts swap anecdotes about being labeled “gay” for driving certain cars, then debate touchy identity language while talking car culture. The core technical segment traces GM’s A–D body/badge-engineering era, why lookalikes lost market share, and how modern modular platforms let wildly different models share underpinnings. They also touch on quirky platform history like the VW 2CV and Chrysler’s Prowler/aluminum test-bed angle.

The show opens with Niall MotorMouth Jenkins’ usual rundown—where to watch/listen, upcoming Q&A, and reminders to subscribe and share. The episode then pivots to practical “morning drive” content: keeping vehicles clean underneath, a lighthearted curb-day/coffee-mug story, and a local weather and sponsor shoutout. The core automotive angle centers on deciding between used and new, framed around real-world ownership and maintenance considerations, plus tips for staying organized with a maintenance schedule.

Steve Greenfield joins Lou Ramirez and Fred Lynn Arts for a “5 liner” chat focused on what drives him in automotive and mobility. With 25+ years in the industry and a shift into early-stage venture investing, he explains why he’s grateful the industry “found him,” emphasizing automotive’s human-to-human importance and constant problem-solving. The conversation also highlights how Steve speaks with fresh, thought-provoking ideas at conventions and backs inspiration with action—investing in entrepreneurs tackling big mobility challenges.

The hosts kick off with a lively, off-site hang at Zuckerman’s place—pizza, cigars, and stories—then pivot to a week in Italy. They compare the country’s famously orderly, polite driving (and speed-camera “warning” culture) with California chaos, while roasting the brutal heat and tourist bottlenecks at places like Pisa, the Vatican, and Rome’s Spanish Steps (including celebrity sightings). The conversation then shifts into car talk, teasing McMurtry Spéirling details and its track-biting performance versus a Porsche GT3 RS.

Matt Tisdale of Tisdale Coachworks traces how a lifelong love of Power Wagons turned into a 23-year sheet-metal business in Winslow, Arizona. He started reproducing hard-to-find bed sides after hunting trucks across the West Coast, then expanded into full cab bodies and four-door conversions built to fit modern Ram chassis. The conversation covers pricing, tooling scale, and craftsmanship details like thick gauge metal and period-correct wiring/fender forming. Tisdale also shares business lessons—stay enthusiastic, reinvest, watch your numbers—and practical project upgrades like modern wiring harnesses and stronger aftermarket steering columns.

Silverstone’s weekend delivered plenty of drama, starting with the British GP sprint: Lewis Hamilton took pole, but the opening laps turned into a power-and-position chess match. Max Verstappen and George Russell traded places with multiple McLaren battles, while Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri fought hard for fifth. As battery management shaped who could attack, Antonelli eventually forced Hamilton to burn power and closed the gap. The hosts also debate whether the “yo-yo” sprint pattern dominated, concluding it was dynamic rather than dull.

The Driveway crew digs into IIHS crash-testing expertise and then pivots to Slate’s big reveal: a confirmed starting price of $24,950 for the bare-bones “blank slate” EV pickup, plus how Slate’s “customizer” approach replaces traditional trim levels with à la carte options. They debate whether the concept will scale beyond enthusiasts, noting 180,000 reservations and production starting later in 2025/26. Pricing for SUV kits lands around $29,950 (squareback) and $31,950 (fastback), while the powertrain shifts to a single 65 kWh LFP battery targeting ~205 miles.

Hyundai’s 2026 Santa Cruz gets a fresh test review after the team buys a new SEL Activity AWD—then Hyundai cancels the model just 10 days later. The big story is the powertrain swap: a 2.5L turbo/DSG (281 hp) is replaced by a 2.5L non-turbo (191 hp) with a more traditional automatic. The hosts debate whether small trucks are “enough truck” for most people, but criticize the new setup as underpowered and noisy, with only modest towing gains. Sales numbers and inventory pressures are cited as the reason for cancellation.