The Automotive Advantage
The Automotive Advantage
Updated 6 days agoGrow your business and get smarter in just one hour. Join the go-to newsletter for automotive industry insiders looking to up their marketing game, build their brand, make smart investments, and grow their business.
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Episodes (33)
Winning in Motorsports Media with the Voice of Drag Racing, Brian Lohnes | Automotive Advantage 009
The Voice of Drag Racing joins Automotive Advantage. Brian Lohnes (NHRA lead announcer, Dorkomotive host, super nerd, @brianlohnes3079 on YouTube) walks us through the real climb… from quitting a trucking management job to building BangShift, crashing servers with a 2010 March Meet livestream, writing 20,000 stories to feed a family and a dream, to becoming the Voice of Drag Racing with the NHRA.We dig into prep, performance, and why curiosity beats “having a plan” every time. We also get honest about AI voice clones, YouTube revenue, and what NHRA looks like in the next 5–10 years, including the John Force moment and how the team responded.Hosted by Justin Cesler, Founder of Driveline Studios, and Dr. Jamie Meyer of 6757 Consulting. If you’re a builder, shop owner, or marketer in the performance world, this one hits you right where you work: consistency, storytelling, and making content your competitive edge.TOPICS:Why Brian walked away from a “safe” jobBangShift’s first big livestream winVolume beats luck: 20,000 stories laterHow to prep like a pro announcerDorkomotive, YouTube growth, and fighting AI clones“Get over yourself” and publishNHRA health check and the next evolutionLife after John Force and what changes nowAnd so much more!Subscribe for more Automotive Advantage with Justin Cesler and Dr. Jamie Meyer.
Adapt or Die: Why Your Automotive Shop Is Losing Customers in 2025
Welcome to Episode 006 of The Automotive Advantage with Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting). This one hits different. After a powerful dinner with an aftermarket veteran, we pause our usual format and dive straight into the truth: the automotive aftermarket has changed... radically. Print ads, racing credentials, and phone calls aren't enough anymore. Customers haven’t disappeared, they’ve just moved.We break down:• The new sales funnel for speed shops and manufacturers• Where your customers really are (hint: it's YouTube, not the track)• Why your website, content, and shipping speed matter more than ever• How shops like Badass Broncos are closing $300K+ deals in the DMs• What to do if you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or isolatedWe also discuss the rise of the Clubhouse Era, AI's role in transforming your customer service, and the real cost of ignoring change.This is your roadmap to staying alive and thriving in 2025 and beyond.Subscribe, like, and share to stay ahead of the curve.
Kurt Johnson on Track Prep, Drag Strip Secrets & the Future of Racing | Automotive Advantage EP008
What does it take to turn a city street into a world-class drag strip? Kurt Johnson, owner of Total Venue Concepts and the man behind some of the best racing surfaces in the world, joins us for a deep dive into track prep, drag strip operations, and the state of drag racing today.From the evolution of traction compound and “rubber stretch” science, to the business realities of running a successful track, Kurt shares decades of hard-earned knowledge plus where he sees the sport headed next. We also cover how he’s applying motorsports expertise to other industries, why the fan experience matters more than ever, and the cultural changes drag racing needs to thrive.If you’re a racer, track operator, or motorsports fan, this episode is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else.Topics include:Roadkill Nights and building a drag strip in the streets of PontiacThe art and science of track prep (and why it’s not “witchcraft”)How to run a great drag strip from the front gate to the finish lineRevenue, margins, and the hidden challenges of track ownershipThe future of slicks, radials, and class trendsLessons from consulting for Tony Stewart RacingUsing AI, new tech, and cross-industry skills in motorsportsThe cultural side of racing and why personality sells#AutomotiveAdvantage #DragRacing #TrackPrep #KurtJohnson #TonyStewartRacing #RoadkillNights #MotorsportsBusiness #NHRA #IHRA
From Street Racing to $600K Months: Justin Keith’s Boldest Move Yet
Justin Keith went from street racing in Kansas City to building a multi-million dollar brand that spans performance shops, massive racing events, and viral YouTube content. In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, Justin Cesler and Dr. Jamie Meyer sit down with Justin to unpack how he's grown Killer Performance and now reimagines automotive events with RPM Revival.Topics covered:80% of shop revenue from YouTube aloneHow one idle video sold 4 Escalade V buildsWhy event promoters should entertain as much as they raceLessons from building a 7-figure event businessThe launch of RPM Revival and Boost & BBQWhether you're a shop owner, racer, or just a car guy with a dream, this one's for you.Featuring:Justin Keith – Founder, RPM Revival / Killer PerformanceJustin Cesler – Founder, Driveline StudiosDr. Jamie Meyer – Founder, 6757 Consulting
The Truth About Hot Rod’s Future, AI, and What’s Really Hot in the Car World – Mike Galimi Tells All
Is print dead? Are kids really done with cars? Or are we living in the greatest era the car world has ever seen?In Episode 005 of The Automotive Advantage, Justin Cesler (Founder, Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting) sit down with Mike Galimi, Network Director of Hot Rod, to talk about the state of the media, the revival of project builds, why 80s and 90s cars are surging, and how AI is changing content creation.Mike shares what it's really like behind the scenes at Hot Rod, how they choose stories, what speed shops should pitch, and how to future-proof your business in this new automotive economy.Plus: The truth about Fox-bodies, O3 Cobras, and why your unnamed project car might never be remembered.—Want to grow your business and get smarter about the industry? Subscribe now for more conversations like this every week.Featuring:Justin Cesler, Founder, Driveline StudiosDr. Jamie Meyer, Founder, 6757 ConsultingMike Galimi, Network Director, Hot Rod
Auto Biz Shake-Up: $1K Payments, AI Race Teams, & Car-Show Power Moves | Automotive Advantage EP 003
Sky-high car payments… EV growth hitting a wall… the aftermarket off 25 percent. In this week’s Automotive Advantage we unpack what all that really means for builders, brands, and everyday enthusiasts and then show you where the hidden opportunities lie.Why watch?• Action-ready marketing tips you can steal today• Honest industry stats you won’t see in press releases• Step-by-step AI demos that cut content time in half• A no-fluff promise: every segment is built to help you grow your businessResources mentioned:• Substack• OpenAI• Motor City FoxfestLike the vibe? Smash Subscribe, hit the 🔔, and share with the one friend who still thinks cup-holder size doesn’t matter…
10 Proven Ways to Make Big Money in the Auto Industry | The Automotive Advantage EP 002
Ready to turn your passion for cars into serious profit? In Episode 2 of The Automotive Advantage, Dr. Jamie Meyer and Justin Cesler break down ten revenue-generating opportunities you can launch right now, from AI-driven marketing services to niche events, car storage, and more!What you’ll learn in under an hour:How to spot untapped gaps like reliable video production, HubSpot CRM setup, and AI content curationWays retirees and C-suite vets can cash in through coaching, speaking, and authority booksWhy small, local “cars & coffee”-style events still mint money…and how to host one without breaking the bankThe truth about EV tax-credit changes, PPF demand, and other trends shaping 2025 profitsPractical tips for staying visible as Google and ChatGPT rewrite search resultsListen if you are:A shop owner, marketer, or side-hustler hunting new revenue streamsAn industry veteran ready to pivot experience into passive incomeAnyone curious how AI and changing tax laws reshape the automotive landscape👍 Like this episode if you grabbed at least one money-making idea…🔔 Subscribe for weekly tactics that grow your automotive business…💬 Got a question or success story? Drop it in the comments so we can feature you next week!#AutomotiveBusiness #AutoIndustry #Entrepreneurship #CarCulture #AI
AI, Dodge SRT’s Comeback & $10 M Trade Show Wins | The Automotive Advantage EP 001
Detroit-based marketers Justin and Jamie kick off The Automotive Advantage with a no-fluff, inside-the-industry download you can act on today. Fresh from the inaugural High Performance Expo, where some booths booked $10 million in on-site sales, our team breaks down what’s really moving the needle for aftermarket brands, race shops, and OEMs in 2025.In this episode you’ll learn:Marketing Playbook 2025: Why Meta ads are tanking, how Google Ads + email lists still print leads, and where to park a $100 k budget for maximum ROI.Trade-Show Gold: Concrete lessons from HPX that any small brand can use to turn a 10 × 10 booth into a cash machine.Dodge SRT Revival: What Tim Kuniskis’ return means for muscle-car culture and how Stellantis is listening to its hardcore fans again.Truck Market Boom: A seat-of-the-pants review of the 710-hp Fox Factory Super Truck... plus why “luxury pre-runners” are the next profit center for builders.AI in the Shop: Real-world ways speed shops are using ChatGPT, Photoshop Generative Fill & DaVinci Resolve to slash production time and close more deals.Q3/Q4 Forecast: Why marketing spend is rebounding, consumer events are packed (Hot Rod Power Tour, Cars & Coffee), and how to ride the wave.Enjoyed it? Smash that Subscribe button, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share with a fellow gear-head marketer.#AutomotiveMarketing #HighPerformanceExpo #SRT #Aftermarket #AI #Trucks #Detroit #AutoPodcast