The Optima Search For The Ultimate Street Car Series Podcast

The 2026 Ultimate Street Car Association season heads west for Round 3 as competitors prepare to take on the legendary Willow Springs Raceway—one of the most iconic and demanding tracks in American motorsports. In this episode, Rob Kibbe and OPTIMA Jim McIlvaine break down everything drivers and fans need to know before the Willow Springs weekend, including the full event schedule, key class battles, standout competitors, and what makes this heritage-format event so unique. With USCA running solo at Willow Springs, competitors can expect an incredible amount of seat time across autocross, road course, and peak performance challenge sessions. From sunrise drivers meetings to packed afternoon sessions, this event delivers maximum track action and valuable opportunities to score points before the season’s bigger East Coast and invitational events tighten the standings. The competition storylines are already heating up. Brandon Hurst and Tony Pruch continue their close battle in GTS, while returning competitors, first-time entries, and fresh builds are set to make Willow Springs one of the most exciting events of the season so far. The episode also touches on the unfortunate fire loss experienced by Brian Hobaugh and his team, while highlighting his return to competition in a brand-new 2026 Corvette Z06. Beyond the racing, Willow Springs represents something special within the USCA schedule—a true grassroots, driver-focused weekend where competitors can spend more time behind the wheel and less time waiting in line. It’s fast, raw, competitive, and exactly what many racers love most about the series. And of course, there’s Willow Springs itself. Located deep in the Southern California desert, this legendary facility has challenged racers for decades with high speeds, technical corners, and a setting unlike anywhere else on the USCA calendar. A huge thank you to all the drivers, sponsors, volunteers, fans, and staff who continue to make Ultimate Street Car Association one of the most competitive and welcoming motorsports communities in the country. If you’re headed to Willow Springs—safe travels and good luck. If you’re watching from home—you won’t want to miss this one. Source

Rob Byrd has become one of the driving forces helping shape the modern USCA and FM3 autocross experience, and in this episode the team sits down to pull back the curtain on the passion, philosophy, and commitment behind what competitors experience every race weekend. From his early days discovering autocross through the Camaro community to building Racing Birds into one of the most respected names in event operations and course design, Rob’s story is rooted in one thing above all else: creating an environment where people can safely push themselves, improve their driving, and have an incredible time doing it. His approach to autocross goes far beyond cones and lap times—focusing heavily on course flow, driver confidence, fairness between vehicle platforms, and making every competitor feel welcomed, whether they’re a first-timer or a national champion. Throughout the interview, Jimi Day and Robert Kibbe dive into the details of what makes a great autocross course, why the USCA and FM3 partnership with Racing Birds has elevated the experience nationwide, and how Rob and his wife Trish have become such an important part of the organization’s culture. The conversation highlights the behind-the-scenes effort required to build consistent, high-energy events while also showcasing the family atmosphere that continues to define Ultimate Street Car competition. From chalk-line philosophy and vehicle diversity to the growing excitement surrounding LS Fest Texas and the remainder of the 2026 season, this episode captures the heart of what makes the sport special: passionate people dedicated to making every event better than the last. Source

The 2026 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car season rolled into NOLA Motorsports Park for event two, and it didn’t disappoint. Even with Jimi Day unable to attend in person, the USCA team delivered a smooth, high-energy weekend packed with strong competition, great weather, and standout performances across the board. From seasoned veterans continuing to refine their edge to first-time drivers stepping up in a big way, NOLA showed just how deep the field has become. The level of competition is rising fast—and it’s clear this season is going to push drivers harder than ever. What really defined the weekend, though, was resilience. From clean, dialed-in autocross runs to drivers battling through adversity—like competing after major on- and off-track setbacks—the spirit of USCA was on full display. This series has never been just about lap times; it’s about passion, perseverance, and the people behind the wheel. With two events down, the momentum is building as the series heads west to Willow Springs International Raceway—where speed, history, and high-stakes competition will take things to the next level. Source

The 2026 Ultimate Street Car Association season continues as we head to NOLA Motorsports Park for one of the most anticipated stops of the year. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know for the NOLA event—schedule, format, and what competitors can expect across all segments including the road rally, autocross, design & engineering, and road course sessions. With a more streamlined schedule and added opportunities like autocross fun runs, this weekend is built for maximum seat time and competition. We also take a look at what makes this event unique—from the expanded media presence and increased driver visibility to the overall growth of the series heading into 2026. And of course, it wouldn’t be NOLA without a little local flavor. Whether it’s late-night bench racing or grabbing a cup of classic New Orleans coffee, this stop always delivers more than just track time. If you’re competing, this is your game plan. If you’re following along, this is your preview of what’s coming next. Get ready—NOLA is up. Source

The 2026 Ultimate Street Car Association season is officially underway, and the opener at G2 Motorsports Park set the tone in a big way. From the first run to the final awards, the event delivered high-level competition, strong participation across multiple classes, and a smooth, efficient flow that reflects the continued evolution of the series. With updates to event operations and a team that moves quickly and adapts in real time, the weekend came together nearly flawlessly—creating an experience that elevated both driver performance and overall event quality. This event proved that 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest seasons yet, with increased competition, new faces entering the field, and returning drivers continuing to push the limits. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who made it happen—from the drivers and fans to the sponsors and event staff working behind the scenes. And a special thanks to Lou Gigliotti for building a world-class facility that continues to raise the bar. If this opener is any indication, we’re just getting started. Source

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