This week, we’re telling you the wild story about two brothers that were fixtures in both the Indycar and NASCAR circuits but ended up in prison for operating a drug running operation. It's the story of Bill and Don Whittington…How did these unknown brothers from Texas win Le Mans in their first real race? And how did they evade law enforcement for so long? And how did they finally get caught? Find out on Past Gas…listen wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks to our sponsors: Thanks to...

We’re heading back to the early 2000’s to tell you the COMPLETE history of Pimp My Ride! How did it become the top-rated car show on TV? Why did it disappear so quickly after reaching such great heights? And how many of those cars are actually still on the road today? Thanks to our sponsors: Need to hire? You need Indeed. Go to https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS. Go to https://Shopify.com/gas now to grow your business no matter what stage you're in! Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s...

This week on Past Gas…it’s the history of Hot Rodding!  Hot rod culture might seem tame today, and is probably more associated with baby boomer car shows than rebellious street racers. But the engine building and custom aesthetic work hot rodders did during their heyday not only kickstarted the aftermarket performance and car enthusiast media industries- it also set a blueprint for the countless enthusiasts that have followed. How did it go from essentially nothing to a major influence in car...

Junior Johnson's moonshining days were just the start of a remarkable journey that would see him revolutionize the sport of stock car racing. From a stint in jail, to discovering the drafting technique that forever changed how cars raced, to owning a championship-winning team and receiving a presidential pardon, Junior was the true definition of a maverick. But beyond his impressive win record, what was it about Junior that made him such an iconic figure in the sport? How did the...

Today on Past Gas, What happened to Isuzu?   How could a company that built such a strong foothold in popular culture during the 80’s and 90’s become such a failure in the 2000’s?   And where are they now?   The answers to those questions are as winding as its namesake, Japan’s Isuzu River. This is the rise and fall of Isuzu.    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best self. Thanks to Allstate...

Brothers Walt and Art Arfons would set and break the Land Speed record three separate times from 1960-1965. They would achieve these records while refusing to set foot on the Salt Flats at the same time nor speaking to one another for years. By 1960, the brothers’ relationship had deteriorated so completely that they would work on their cars in separate garages on the same piece of property they inherited from their father. Today on Past Gas; How did two brothers, born into poverty,...

Today on Past Gas: We’re taking a look at the origin of the NASCAR truck series. What makes these big, fast trucks so special? And who were the oddballs who thought to put pickups on a banked oval, anyway? Today on Past Gas, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series! Thanks to our sponsors: Need to hire? You need Indeed: https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/ PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best...

On today’s episode of Past Gas, we’re talking about Offenhauser: one of the most legendary engine manufacturers of all time. How did they remain competitive for nearly 50 years? How did they pull off one of the most dominant runs in motorsport history? Tune in, and find out! Thanks to our sponsors: Go to https://SHOPIFY.COM/gas now to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Live it up this summer and make progress towards your financial goals with Chime. Open your account in...

Today on Past Gas: We’re going back to the early 2000’s to give you the full history of Orange County Choppers! How did a gruff steel worker from the Catskills change motorcycles forever? How did he and his son become the biggest thing in reality TV? And why did he nearly lose that son in the process? Thanks to our sponsors: Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V. Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and use...

When Katsuhiro Ueo got his first taste of drifting, he was told he couldn’t do it. He was too old. But little did the world know that his passion for motorsports and engineering would combine with his immensely tough work ethic to make him a true legend in the sport, and within just a couple of short years. But who is Katsuhiro Ueo? What was the moment that changed his life forever? What makes him a legend in professional drifting? And finally, what’s he been up to since his career’s heyday?...

There are some fascinating stories behind many iconic factory performance cars, their origins rooted in after-hours tinkering by passionate engineers. And then there’s those who love tinkering after a car hits the market. Today the guys talk about a brand that’s often overlooked, and has created some truly awesome versions of already-renowned platforms like the Nissan Skyline GTR and Subaru WRX. The story of Tommykaira blends passion, expression, and pushing performance boundaries. But how...

Gilles Villeneuve and his family have left a lasting mark on racing and its history. How did the Canadian hot head Gilles walk into Ferrari and immediately earn their respect? What did he do to get a circuit named after him? And how did Gilles’s son Jacques become a legend in his own right? Today on Past Gas, the story of Formula One racer Gilles Villeneuve and his racing dynasty. Thanks to our sponsors: Go to https://SHOPIFY.COM/gas now to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re...

In 1967, Yutaka Katayama, or Mr. K, is now President of Nissan North America. He’s just been called to Nissan HQ to select a concept design to replace the aging Fairlady Roadster. But unbeknownst to the other executives on the selection committee, Mr. K has been quietly operating behind the scenes to push his preferred design through. The concept is referred to as codename “Z,” and it isn’t really a new generation roadster at all- it’s a powerful new sports coupe, and something that Mr. K...

August, 1958. Nissan ad man Yutaka Katayama, known to most as Mr. K, is in Sydney, Australia was leading a two car team of Datsun 210s in the brand’s first official motorsport event.The brand had gotten its start barely 20 years ago, and was now in Australia to build brand recognition for their impending global expansion. It was a huge gamble. And one that would pay off. But how are the histories of Datsun and Nissan intertwined?? How did Yoshisuke Aikawa’s leadership turn Japan into an...

Over the past several decades, “The Great Race” has become a vital part of the fabric of Australian motorsport, and by extension, Australian culture. How did the Bathurst 1000 change Australian motorsport? How has one event given the racing world everything from V8 Supercars to the R32 GT-R known as “Godzilla?” And what about it has made it a cultural icon? Today on Past Gas, it’s the history of the Bathurst 1000. Thanks to our sponsors: Need to hire? You need Indeed....

Despite its affinity for front-wheel drive cars, especially in its legendary 99 and 900 badges, Swedish automaker Saab still managed to sell one of its properly cool cars as a wagon with all-wheel drive. The 9-2X Aero. But here’s the thing: It wasn’t a true Saab, but a mashup of GM DNA mixed with Subaru. And, it was entirely built by Subaru, too. But let’s take a step back and try to get an idea of where it all started. When did Saab start slipping away? What did platform sharing and badge...

The story of Saab is one of out-of-the-box thinking. This Swedish brand barely made it past its 70th birthday before it died, but the legacy it built throughout those decades made it something truly special. But what made Saab such a legend in all things detail-oriented and quirky? What were the most legendary and popular models, and what made them so fun-to-drive? And finally, why did the brand die out in the early 2010s? Today on Past Gas, part one of our two part story on Saab! Thanks to...

This week, the boys dive into the F1 Australian Grand Prix, Fiskers downfall and pay respects to Marcello Gandini. Plus, a Cybertruck update and why a Houston car meet is banning muscle cars. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.  Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever...

With hands blistered by a red-hot steering wheel and a head still reeling from a long night of sex and champagne, Hellé Nice won the first all-female Grand Prix at Montlhéry. The next day, Bugatti invited her to their showroom to convince Nice to compete under their name. She signed a sponsorship deal with Lucky Strike cigarettes, and with her immaculate profile, Nice bought herself a yacht. Now a household name, Hellé Nice was then invited to show her skills on the board tracks of the United...

This week the boys chat about all the new (old) cars we're able to import in 2024, how Porsche's new hybrid drivetrain might piss some people off, and the exciting start to F1 Academy. Plus, after a 17 year run, could this be the last year Nissan is making the GTR? More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.  Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook...

Le Mans, 1991. The Mazdaspeed team has been chasing gold at the legendary endurance race for the better part of a decade, and the team can only watch on anxiously as the clock ticks past midnight. With a looming ban on rotary engines, they know that the rotary-powered 787b is their last chance at victory. And for now, roughly every 3 and a half minutes, the nervous silence is broken as the distinctive 4-rotor engine screams with a ferocity down the pit straight. How did one of the most...

This week, James, Nolan, and Justin talk about the VW Golf’s 50th birthday, the return of Scout, and the WILD Dodge Charger announcement from last week. Plus, thoughts on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, how a Ford Van broke a bunch of records, and Bugatti's newest 16 cylinder engine. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.  Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our...

1974. For the past six years, Mazda Sports Corner have taken the rotary engine to task against the racing titans of Europe. And back in Japan, Mazda’s high-revving rotaries have captured the attention of the underground racing scene, and can be heard screaming at 9,000rpm down streets and expressways across the country. But how did two tuning companies come to shape Mazda’s image on the track and on the street? How did Isami Amemiya create a blueprint for Mazda tuner culture that has...

INTRODUCING: The Big Three, Donut's new podcast that examines the latest car news, racing headlines, and anything noteworthy in the automotive landscape. A perfect weekly update for anyone even slightly interested in cars, The Big Three is an entertaining glimpse into an inclusive yet opinionated world.  Join hosts James Pumphrey, Nolan Sykes and Joe Weber as they provide their lighthearted perspective on the hottest and weirdest automotive trends. The only car podcast you’ll ever need, aside...