Strap in for a lively and candid conversation with Leah Pruett, currently third in points driving the Don Schumacher Racing Mopar Top Fuel Dragster in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. With the season on hiatus, Leah chats with the guys about livin’ the dream, working hard and playing harder; the thrill of racing and the reality of living 300 days on the road; and how much it means to be a role model for young girls and boys.
Oil’s job is pretty simple: to clean, cool and lubricate. The science behind it, though, not so simple. Chris Gabrelcik is the white-lab-coat-scientist of Lubrication Specialties, the guru who knows all there is to know about metal-on-metal friction, solving problems and extending the life of everything. Grab some paper and pencils, join Willie and Kevin, and let the learning begin!
With their suspensions, systems and full-on builds, Detroit Speed is at the forefront of the Pro Touring movement. In this episode, President and self-proclaimed Throttle Jockey Kyle Tucker reveals the engineering, geometry and tire technology that together comprise the secret of the company’s success.
Harold Sears is Additive Manufacturing Technical Leader at Ford’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, where he’s spearheading revolutionary developments in 3D technology “prototyping virtually everything from the road to the roof.” In this episode, Harold immerses Kevin and Willie in a futuristic automotive universe firmly based in the present, and filled with stunning possibilities for tomorrow and beyond.
The thrill, the fun, and the adrenaline rush of selling a vehicle at a collector car auction is an experience like no other. And there are few experts in the field more knowledgeable than John Kraman, Consignment Director and Lead Commentator at Mecum Auctions. In this episode, Willie and Kevin pick John’s brain on topics ranging from the pros and cons of reserve vs. no reserve bidding, to what’s hot on the auction block and what’s definitely not.
Singular among automotive hobbyists, enthusiasts and collectors, the name Lingenfelter is instantly identifiable as both a one-of-a-kind Collection of unique cars and a state-of-the-art Performance Engineering company. In this episode, the guys sit down with Ken Lingenfelter for a wide-ranging conversation touching on everything from Cars and Coffees, to Cadillacs and Colorados, to Camaros and Corvettes, and the level of customer expectation that inspires Ken to be raising the bar constantly.
They say love is blind, and when it comes to his 1966 Dodge Charger 383 4-speed, Willie will be the first to admit it. In this episode, Willie professes his undying love for this self-described “Ugly Duckling,” which he’s actually chopped the top off of – and that’s just for starters! As Kevin can himself appreciate, it’s the ultimate labor of automotive love.
The story goes something like this: Young son asks his dad for a real-life version of his favorite video game supercar and dad says okay. This is where it gets interesting. The object of 12-year old Xander’s eye is a half-million-dollar Lamborghini Aventador, and as his dad, Dr. Sterling Backus, is a renowned physicist, they decide to build their own… by 3D printing one from scratch! It’s an incredible true story with an amazing twist, and it might well be the ultimate wish fulfillment fantasy come true.
The guys catch up with two-time NHRA Champion Jack Beckman post-Pomona. Noting how “good preparation leads to good performance,” Beckman speaks candidly about the trials and tribulations of racing nitro funny cars in the dark, and how the right mindset can make the difference between life and death on the track.
Willie and Kevin engage in a freewheeling conversation with the legendary Ring Brothers – two of the most renowned custom car builders working in the industry today. From their humble Midwest beginnings, through intense sibling rivalries, and ultimate acclaim, Jim and Mike tell all in their own inimitable style.