HOT ROD Pod: Where It All Began
by Hearst Autos LLC / Hot Rod
The HOT ROD Pod: Where It All Began brings 75 years of journalism and storytelling to the audio waves as hosts Brian Lohnes and John McGann sit down with the automotive aftermarket’s latest trendsetters, motorsport mavens, and mechanical wizards on where they’ve been and where the hobby and sport are headed.
Episodes
-
From a $350 Toolbox to a 7-Year Waitlist: How Tim Palazzolo Built GAP Industries
What started as a leap of faith in a home garage grew into one of the most sought-after muscle car shops, built on craftsmanship, persistence, and the right team. Tim Palazzolo joins the HOT ROD Pod to tell the story of how GAP Industries became a destination for some of the most incredible…
more -
What Are Car Condos? Inside the Rise of Garage Ultimate’s Car Community
A lawyer-turned-developer creates a thriving car condo community where enthusiasts store cars, connect, and expand a fast-growing trend.
-
An Oil Engineer Tells All! The HOT ROD Podcast visits the Shell and Pennzoil Tech Center
Go inside the Shell & Pennzoil Technology Center as Pennzoil Technical Scientist Sean Nguyen breaks down the real science behind modern motor oil. From advanced chemistry and thermodynamics to cutting‑edge manufacturing techniques, Sean reveals how today’s oils help engines run cleaner, cooler…
more -
Troy Trepanier on Building Award-Winning Customs and a 30-Year Career in Hot Rodding
Custom car legend Troy Trepanier discusses his journey, award-winning builds, and lasting passion for hot rodding on the HOT ROD Pod.
-
Whipple Superchargers: From Farm Truck Roots to Ford Racing Dominance | HOT ROD Pod
Dustin Whipple shares how Whipple Superchargers evolved from boosting 1988 Chevy farm trucks to becoming the go-to upgrade for 2003-2004 Terminator Cobras and Ford Cobra Jet drag racers. For the full story: https://www.hotrod.com/features/whipple-superchargers-history-2003-cobra-origins
-
Scott Sullivan on Pro Street Style, Street-Driven Customs, and a Lifetime of Hot Rod Building
Legendary custom car builder Scott Sullivan discusses his roots at the drag strip, his signature wide-tire street machines, and decades of craftsmanship in this episode of the HOT ROD Pod. Read more: https://www.hotrod.com/features/scott-sullivan-pro-street-style-hot-rod-pod-interview
-
Danny Thompson & the Challenger II, the Fastest Piston-Powered Car in the World
Brian Lohnes & John McGann chat with American race car driver Danny Thompson! Danny talks about the Challenger II, the evolution of the streamliner, the impact of his father Mickey Thompson, bringing the Challenger II back to life, his 450mph Speed Week Record Run, the Ferguson car, and his goal…
more -
Lucky Costa on Hot Rod Garage, his ’66 Chevelle, Roadkill, & ’67 Chevy C10
NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann are back at Pomona Speedway for the final day of HOT ROD Power Tour West! Today, the guys sat down with Hot Rod Garage Host, Lucky Costa, to talk about Where It All Began, Overhaulin', his '66 Chevelle, the genesis of Hot Rod Garage, Roadkill,...
-
Hollywood Hot Rods Owner Troy Ladd on the One-Day Hot Rod, his creative process, & HOT ROD Power Tour West!
NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann take the podcast to Pomona, California for Day 3 of HOT ROD Power Tour West 2023! The guys chat with Hollywood Hot Rods Owner, Troy Ladd, about where it all began, the "One-Day Hot Rod", how he built Hollywood Hot Rods, Road Thrash in 2008, his...
-
Steve Pazmany on Fully Torqued, the Aftermarket World, & HOT ROD Power Tour West!
NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann take the podcast to Irwindale Speedway for HOT ROD Power Tour West to chat with Steve Pazmany of Fully Torqued! Steve tells us where it all began for him, building up his Fully Torqued brand, the world of aftermarket, working with clients,...
-
Ida Zetterstrom on joining NHRA, JCM Racing, & Her European Top Fuel History
David Frieburger, Brian Lohnes & John McGann are back from the PRI Show to chat with 2023 FIA Top Fuel World Champion - Ida Zetterstrom! Ida talks about her decision to join the NHRA, her racing history - starting at 8 years old, her history in motorcycle drag racing, how she made the transition...
-
Jeff Smith on his time as Editor of HOT ROD & Car Craft, Fastest Street Car in America, & the CadZZilla
NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann chat with former editor of HOT ROD Magazine & Car Craft - Jeff Smith! Known for his decades long tenure as the Editor of both HOT ROD Magazine & Car Craft, Jeff brings us back to where it all began! Jeff tells stories about being hired by Rick...
-
Roadster Shop CEO Laurent Potdevin on his vision, working with Randy Meyer, & pushing back on the EV wave
From Snowboarding to HOT RODS! NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann chat with Roadster Shop CEO Laurent Potdevin! Laurent's path has taken him from Louis Vuitton, Burton Snowboards, Lululemon, Toms... and now the Roadster Shop! The guys talk to Laurent about Where It All Began,...
-
Tom Nelson on the Genesis of NRE, Crashing in Iceland, the F-Bomb, and the Artistry of Engine Building
NHRA's Brian Lohnes and HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann chat with Nelson Racing Engines Founder, Tom Nelson! Tom takes us through the highs and lows of his career, telling never-before-heard stories like putting Twin Turbos in an airboats, and plummeting off 50-foot cliffs in Iceland! The guys…
more -
Racing Legend Tony Stewart on joining the NHRA, taking over for wife Leah in 2024, and mastering yet another challenge
The legendary Tony Stewart joins hosts Brian Lohnes & David Freiburger on the HOT ROD Pod - LIVE from the 2023 PRI Show in Indianapolis! Tony discusses starting a family with wife Leah Pruett, the decision to take over driving duties for Leah in 2024, making the move to the NHRA, racing in the…
more -
Bill Ganahl on the Goodguys Trendsetter Award, Barf Bags, & South City
Brian Lohnes, David Freiburger, & John McGann chat with South City Rod & Custom owner, Bill Ganahl! Bill talks about the influence of his father Pat, what winning the Goodguys Trendsetter Award means to him, Saint Christopher, barf bags, tradition vs trend, owning a shop vs being an artist, the...
-
Erica Enders on becoming the Winningest Woman in Motorsports, Rivalries, & Racing at Pomona
Brain Lohnes, David Freiburger & John McGann sit down with 6x NHRA Pro Stock World Champion, Erica Enders! Erica talks about becoming the Winningest Woman in Motorsports with her 47th national event win at Texas Motorplex, her racing history, how driving has evolved over the years, relationship...
-
Jeff Lutz on No-Prep Kings, Thunder Road, & the Roadkill Monza
Brain Lohnes, David Freiburger & John McGann sit down with 2x Drag Week Champion and Owner of Lutz Race Cars, Jeff Lutz! One of the most well-known faces in the sport of drag racing, Jeff Lutz, brings us back to where it all began! The guys talk to Jeff about where the inspiration for racing…
more -
Ringbrothers talk Design, SEMA, & Their Origin Story
Brian Lohnes, David Freiberger & John McGann chat with the co-founders of Ringbrothers - Jim & Mike Ring! Ringbrothers tell stories from their early days, discuss the keys to their successful partnership, their process of working with clients, special projects of the past, the Winnebago, how…
more -
HOT ROD POD: Where It All Began
LAUNCHING DECEMBER 15. Welcome to the HOT ROD POD: Where It All Began! Join Brian Lohnes as he talks to the biggest engine builders, drag racers, competitors, and hot rod builders in the business - the movers and shakers of the high performance aftermarket, legends past, present and future. Each...
About this show
The HOT ROD Pod: Where It All Began brings 75 years of journalism and storytelling to the audio waves as hosts Brian Lohnes and John McGann sit down with the automotive aftermarket’s latest trendsetters, motorsport mavens, and mechanical wizards on where they’ve been and where the hobby and sport are headed.
Hosted by
Hearst Autos LLC / Hot Rod
Categories