Episodes

Matt and Tommy hand out driver ratings from the British GP, breaking down sprint and race pace, reliability, and how safety cars and retirements reshaped results. Sergio Pérez lands a 6, with Valterri Bottas scoring 5 after a poor main-race pace despite a safety-car assist. Franco Colapinto earns a 7 for a big recovery from qualifying troubles, while Pierre Gasly also gets 7 for consistency. Gabrielle Bortoletto shines with an 8 for Audi, while Nico Hülkenberg is rated 5 after a messy, non-finish weekend.

IndyCar’s “silly season” is heating up, and the Marshall Pruett Podcast tackles a big listener Q&A with lots of focus on championship contenders. The panel debates who can realistically challenge Alex Palou, highlighting Kyle Kirkwood’s consistency and recent podium surge, Davey Malukas’ speed and near-misses, and Joseph Newgarden’s standout performances despite injury. They also look at how team changes could shift the pecking order, plus quick hits on other drivers’ momentum and where talent might land next.

Coverage of back-to-back endurance highlights kicks off with the Six Hours of the Glen and the chaotic, caution-heavy nature of Watkins Glen. The 31 crew’s breakthrough win is framed as the payoff of operational excellence, while rivals like Wayne Taylor Racing are criticized for losing momentum when it counts. The hosts also dig into contact and multi-car incidents across GTD Pro and GTD, plus the importance of calm driving under “cautions, precautions.” LMP2’s return to racing at Glen is praised for reigniting a tight championship battle.

Doug goes solo and chats with Tony Funk, a lifelong gearhead with 33+ vehicles and a lifelong obsession with a 1968 Dodge Charger RT. The conversation starts with Tony’s early car influences (a Firebird in his stepdad’s body shop world) and his first ride: a 1980 Dodge Mirada that he only owned briefly after a brutal rear-end crash. He then recalls an 80s-era 1983 Ford Escort as a reliable, no-frills commuter. The episode also tees up a “lost” 1983 Mustang and Tony’s Mopar restomod nightmares, mixing personal stories with a little trivia and plenty of restoration cautionary tales.

Nile “Motor Mouth” Jenkins sets the tone with workshop humor and a “back to basics” theme: learning a few core things about your car to reduce stress and spending at the service counter. The show also pivots into practical life advice, including a plug for certified financial planners Tony Miele and Larry Tietro for debt, investing, insurance, and estate planning. Automotive-wise, he teases a recurring “five things” breakdown tied to wheel bearings and understanding key components. The episode wraps with local sponsor shoutouts and ways to engage via YouTube, Q&A, and donations.

Scott Dixon’s confirmed move from Chip Ganassi Racing to Arrow McLaren sparks debate on SPEED with Harvick and Buxton. The show breaks down McLaren’s 2027 IndyCar lineup—Pato O’Ward, Dixon, and Felix Rosenquist—and the surprise decision to drop Christian Lundgaard despite his strong oval results and championship contention. Hosts question whether McLaren’s “win the Indy 500, Monaco, and Le Mans in the same decade” focus conflicts with building a title contender. They also debate whether these signings are driven by friendship, team chemistry, or recency bias around Rosenquist’s Indy 500 win.

Rob Dell, VP at Bob Ruth Ford, explains how his team rethinks used-car performance and leadership. The conversation centers on “destroying excuses,” knowing who to listen to, and building confidence in buyers and employees. Dell shares his accidental entry into the business, the “success breeds success” proximity effect, and how he identifies trustworthy leaders. Operationally, he describes clear expectations, accountability, and a six-person “pod” structure for delegation across departments—emphasizing real experience over AI hype.

A wide-ranging discussion of Michael Pollock’s book “Sidewalk Nation” reframes sidewalks as a critical, heavily used transportation and public-life space—yet one governed by confusing, often private-responsibility rules. Pollock explains how sidewalks sit in a legal “liminal” zone between public and private property, leading to patchy maintenance duties, unpredictable costs, and uneven accessibility. Snow clearing is just the visible example; repairs can be thousands. The conversation also touches on sidewalks’ many roles beyond walking and Pollock’s proposal for a dedicated “department of sidewalks.”

Andrew Beckman, archivist at the Studebaker National Museum, traces how the Studebaker story began in 1840s South Bend as a blacksmith and wagon maker, then expanded into automobiles—starting with electric cars in 1902 and gasoline in 1904. He explains how Studebaker accelerated adoption by marketing partner-built vehicles before buying controlling shares of EMF. The conversation spotlights Studebaker’s “America’s friendliest factory” legacy, its supplier ecosystem in the region, and the museum’s new Automotive History Live conference and radio series, plus the annual Copshaw Home concourse.

Autopian’s David Tracy and Griffin Riley join The Smoking Tire for a chaotic, highly creative hangout that blends car culture with DIY experiments. The conversation kicks off with Autopian clothing collabs—blazers/hoodies and a “Stain-O-Flash” shirt concept made from movie-theater carpet to hide grease stains. Tracy then shares his wild past: dying clothes with used motor oil, including a hilarious “before/after” and a disastrous rain-soaked party story. The episode also teases Autopian-style builds and offbeat driving adventures, keeping the tone playful while still rooted in real automotive tinkering.

NAMAD president Perry Watson IV talks about how aspiring dealer owners are still reaching ownership despite today’s high costs and consolidation. He breaks down the different entry paths—solo capital, operating partners, and private equity—and why there’s no single “straight line” anymore. Watson emphasizes NAMAD’s business-case pitch to OEMs, tying strong dealer performance in minority and emerging markets to measurable sales and loyalty gains. He also highlights the NAMAD annual conference as a hub for connecting dealers, OEMs, and banks to improve floorplan and credit access, plus his “north stars” around retention, expansion, and training.

Nolan Browning, head of partnerships at Cars and Bids, talks about carving an unconventional path into automotive media. Raised around motorsport via his dad’s racing connections and NASCAR-era memorabilia, he pivoted from mechanical engineering plans to business/marketing. He started a car blog while working at CarMax, initially chasing access by showing up, networking, and posting press material fast. His early traction led to surreal brand opportunities (including being flown out for debuts) and eventually a “grown-up” role at Internet Brands managing automotive forums and CarsDirect content.

Frank and Margarita Wiebe chat from Hershey, Pennsylvania at the Tools Conference, sharing the long drive, the fun Hershey park detour, and how destination training turned Margarita from a shy, phone-off hermit into a highly engaged connector. They praise the community vibe—especially the women’s dinner—for making newcomers feel welcomed. The conversation also touches on shop professionalism and honesty with customers, plus Frank’s and Margarita’s hands-on work (including tire work) and their podcast background with Tire Shop and Tread Talk.

Kevin Bird and Willie B kick off with talk of summer hot rods, cruising, and a “cruising for a cause” trip to a Lincoln Tech car show in Denver to support a listener battling acute pancreatitis and cancer. They debate which car to bring—Roadrunners, Chargers, and a freshly finished tiny right-hand-drive 1973 JDM Mini that’s comically cramped. The conversation then shifts to Trevor from iDidit, explaining how his background in wiring and electrical problem-solving led him into modern steering column tech, including plug-and-play upgrades that add comfort and features to older builds.

A rapid-fire set of reviews delivers a “reality check” on today’s SUVs and EVs. The host samples the 2026 Lexus RX 450h Plus PHEV, praising its minimalist cabin, Mark Levinson audio, and strong real-world power, while wishing for more physical controls and recommending the full hybrid unless you can charge daily. The 2026 Chevy Equinox EV RS earns style and smooth ride points, but gets dinged for confusing steering-wheel controls and limited range. The 2025 Ford Expedition Trimmer is all about big torque and comfort, yet fuel economy and steering-radius quirks stand out. A Mazda3 review closes with praise for materials and power, plus complaints about infotainment complexity and small practicality.

June 2026 delivered a record Australian car month: 140,000 deliveries total, with BEVs hitting 23.5% of sales—an all-time high and close to one in four new cars. The ACT led at 43% thanks to strong charger availability and home-install potential. Over six months, BEV share jumped from 8.4% to 23.4%. Tesla Model Y again topped the market. BYD is closing fast on Toyota, just 243 deliveries behind in June, while brand-by-brand trends show EV-equipped brands holding ground and legacy non-EV lineups slipping.

The hosts kick off with 4th of July road-trip banter, then pivot to a detailing reality check: bugs need to be removed fast—ideally within 24 hours—because their acidity can damage paint and degrade protection. They compare wax, sealant, and ceramic coatings in terms of heat/element resistance and how much “leeway” each offers. A big focus is avoiding overly aggressive bug removers that leave residue and aren’t properly neutralized. They also warn about “ceramic” products that are really hybrids and discuss real-world coating durability differences.

Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist, and Marcus Armstrong/Quest?—the episode focuses on the IndyCar driver market shakeup: Dixon leaving CGR and McLaren announcing Dixon, Rosenqvist, and Quest, which effectively clears the way for Lundgaard and Siegel to be out. The hosts debate why motorsport can’t keep secrets, arguing the news leaked too slowly for any “big splash” moment. They also discuss how mid-season announcements affect drivers like Christian Lundgaard, emphasizing professionalism, compartmentalizing, and the difference between team relationships and day-to-day performance.

Charles Navarro of LN Engineering joins Derek to unpack the real story behind Porsche IMS bearing failures and the M96/M97 engines. He explains how emissions rules, cost pressures, and design compromises shaped the first water-cooled Boxster and 996 motors, and why they’re not simply “junk” or doomed. The conversation digs into what the intermediate shaft does, why the bearing became a weak point, and how preventative maintenance and smart buying can make these cars rewarding instead of scary.

Mazda 6E impressions kick things off, with the hosts debating whether the new EV feels like a “real” Mazda—no buttons, huge touchscreen, and a more “meh” drive despite impressive efficiency (around 4.4 mi/kWh in hot weather). They swap notes on going car-light (electric push-bike week) and app frustrations with connected EVs. News highlights include Ferrari’s “Luce” selling out in China fast, plus a UK price shock for Dacia and a roundup of the best seven-seat EVs. Buying questions and listener feedback close out the show.

LN Engineering founder Charles Navarro breaks down the real engineering reasons behind Porsche’s IMS bearing failures, pushing back on the internet’s “radioactive generations” narrative. He explains how Porsche’s shift to water-cooling was driven mainly by emissions and cost pressures, which influenced engine design choices. Navarro walks through what the IMS is, why the bearing layout mattered, and how owners can reduce risk with practical, actionable steps—especially for M96/M97-era 986/996 cars. The conversation also covers LN’s origins and why preventive fixes beat fear-based buying advice.

GM’s decision to retire Oldsmobile sparks playful “target marketing” jokes, with the hosts riffing on how the name “Oldsmobile” sounds outdated and proposing absurd brand alternatives. The show then pivots to two listener car problems: a 1993 two-door with a high, opera-like squeal that fades around 30–40 mph, likely traced to a stuck caliper dragging the brake; and a 1993 Geo Tracker moaning sound that’s tied to engine operation, leading to a strong guess of a failing water pump.

The hosts return with a lively mix of listener-driven data talk and fresh automotive news. A big focus is Ferrari’s new “manual” 12Cilindri setup: a gated-feel shifter and clutch/shift-by-wire inputs layered onto an existing dual-clutch gearbox, aiming to recreate the classic Ferrari engagement without a true mechanical manual. They debate whether it’s magic or “fakery,” and tie it to Ferrari’s broader product turbulence, including the controversial Luce EV. The episode also nods to BMW’s X5 news and asks what comes after Subaru.

Jill and Tom kick off with a quick history lesson on “Motor Honey,” the thick oil additive that promised to quiet ticking lifters but mostly just slowed leaks. The show then pivots to auto news and pricing: the redesigned Subaru Outback is drawing strong online interest, Chrysler’s compact Airflow crossover is coming from a European platform, and Ferrari’s rumored “gated” six-speed manual feel is actually paired with an eight-speed automatic. They also debate why hybrid pricing and availability are pushing transactions higher, and discuss big Polestar EV rebates plus service support via Volvo dealers, with Sam Fiorani joining later.