034 | Willow Springs Raceway: How to Drive the Track + Insider Secrets (Kevin Hart Interview)

037 | Why Ford Killed Shelby + My Nissan 370Z Suspension Nightmare

🔥 Welcome back to Cool Cars with Chris — the ultimate automotive podcast for car enthusiasts, muscle car fans, JDM lovers, hot rod builders, and performance car addicts. In this episode, Chris and Courage dive deep into the legendary Temecula Hot Rod Run, one of Southern California’s coolest classic car cruise nights packed with vintage hot rods, classic Mustangs, custom muscle cars, V8 builds, restomods, and old-school American horsepower. Then the guys tackle one of the biggest Mustang topics in the car world right now: Ford is moving away from the legendary Shelby GT500 branding and replacing it with the new Mustang Dark Horselineup. Chris and Courage break down the REAL reason Ford dropped the Shelby name, the future of Ford Performance, Carroll Shelby’s legacy, GT350 vs GT500 history, Cobra Mustangs, and whether the Dark Horse can truly replace Shelby performance Mustangs. Chris also shares the ongoing battle with his heavily modified Nissan 370Z suspension setup, discovering the car has expensive Fortune Auto coilovers installed and trying to solve one of the roughest sports car rides imaginable on rough Southern California roads. 🎙️ Produced by Podtastic Audio Want to start your own podcast but don’t know where to begin? Check out Podtastic Audio [https://forms.gle/jh2G7bRQpaT4TqCc6] — helping creators launch, grow, and sound professional with podcast production, editing, coaching, and audio services. https://forms.gle/jh2G7bRQpaT4TqCc6 [https://forms.gle/jh2G7bRQpaT4TqCc6] 🎧 Whether you’re starting your first podcast or leveling up your current show, Podtastic Audio [https://forms.gle/jh2G7bRQpaT4TqCc6] can help you create a podcast that sounds great and stands out. 📘 Grab your FREE copy of The Podtastic Playbook and start podcasting today. 🌐 Follow Cool Cars with Chris 🚗 Website: https://coolcarswithchris.com/ [https://coolcarswithchris.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/ [https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619 [https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619] 🔥 Follow Courage 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22 [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22] 00:00 🚗 Intro – Shelby Is Dead?! + Nissan 370Z Problems 01:28 🎥 New Podcast Video Setup & Car Talk Begins 03:13 🔥 Temecula Hot Rod Run Explained 05:24 🏁 Cruising Classic Hot Rods Through Old Town 07:10 ✨ Show & Shine Car Show Highlights 08:18 💪 Restomod Mustangs & Supercharged V8s 09:30 🎬 Eleanor Mustang & Gone in 60 Seconds Memories 11:05 🐍 Touring Shelby American in Las Vegas 14:07 ⚔️ Roush vs Shelby vs Hennessey Builds 15:14 🚚 The “Mexican GT-R” Ford F-150 Explained 16:35 🔊 Why Ford’s Coyote V8 Is So Popular 22:09 🐎 Why Ford Killed the Shelby Mustang Name 24:11 🏎️ Cobra Mustangs, Retro Cars & Car Culture 28:05 🌑 Mustang Dark Horse vs Shelby GT500 30:09 💰 The Real Reason Ford Dropped Shelby 34:41 🔧 My Nissan 370Z Suspension Nightmare 36:22 ⚙️ Fortune Auto Coilovers & Rough Ride Problems 40:37 👀 Rare Nissan Z Sightings in the Wild 41:52 💥 Crashed Nissan Z & Salvage Title Debate 47:42 ⛽ California Gas Prices & Car Guy Problems 52:10 🤔 Are Salvage Title Sports Cars Worth Buying? 55:00 👋 Final Thoughts & Outro 🎙️ Subscribe to Cool Cars with Chris for weekly automotive podcast episodes covering muscle cars, JDM culture, exotic cars, hot rods, racing, modified cars, car reviews, automotive news, and real car enthusiast stories. #FordMustang #ShelbyGT500 #MustangDarkHorse #Nissan370Z #HotRods #MuscleCars #CarPodcast #CoolCarsWithChris #JDM #FordPerformance #CoyoteV8 #CarCulture #TemeculaRodRun #MustangGT500 #370Z #ShelbyMustang #AutomotivePodcast #CarEnthusiast #Restomod #SportsCars

036 | 2026 Honda Civic Si Build: 30 PSI Boost, Mods & Cars and Coffee 805 with Joey Moreno

Back at Willow Springs Raceway, I sit down with Joey Moreno to talk about the growing Cars & Coffee 805 movement, Ventura car culture, and his aggressively modified 2026 Honda Civic Si.  Joey shares how the 805 car community is building momentum through pop-up meets and local Cars & Coffee events across Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark, Montecito, and Santa Barbara. We also talk about what it takes to organize automotive events in California, working with city permits, and why building a safe and positive car culture matters.  We also break down Joey’s brand-new Civic Si build — a car that barely stayed stock for a week before getting full bolt-on modifications, PRL performance parts, Hondata tuning, and nearly 30 pounds of boost on stock internals. Joey explains the tuning process, horsepower gains, future plans for a 400HP setup, and what it’s like modifying a brand-new platform right out of the showroom.  https://www.instagram.com/carsandcoffee805/ [https://www.instagram.com/carsandcoffee805/] If you’re into Honda tuning, grassroots car culture, track days, turbo builds, or the SoCal automotive scene, this episode is packed with enthusiast insight and real garage talk straight from Willow Springs. * Cars & Coffee 805 and Ventura car culture * Organizing automotive meetups in California * Building a community-focused car scene * 2026 Honda Civic Si modifications * PRL Motorsports performance upgrades * Hondata live tuning * Running 30 PSI boost on stock internals * Future 400HP Civic Si goals * California car laws and tuning culture * Willow Springs Raceway atmosphere 🎙 Follow the podcast for more car builds, track days, interviews, and automotive culture stories. This episode is brought to you by Podtastic Audio [https://forms.gle/iUYAtaQbTsQBhurx5] — helping creators launch and grow professional podcasts from recording to production and marketing. https://forms.gle/iUYAtaQbTsQBhurx5 [https://forms.gle/iUYAtaQbTsQBhurx5] Follow & Connect 🌐 Website: https://coolcarswithchris.com/ [https://coolcarswithchris.com/] 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/ [https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619 [https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619] Follow Cool Cars with Chris for more car builds, track days, automotive events, and conversations with enthusiasts from all over the car community. Follow Courage: https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/] https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22 [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22] 00:00 – Intro & Video Podcast Announcement 00:39 – Meet Joey Moreno at Willow Springs 01:12 – Cars & Coffee 805 & Ventura Car Culture 02:11 – Supporting Local Car Meets Across the 805 03:05 – Planning Future Ventura Car Events 03:52 – City Permits & Organizing Car Shows 04:29 – Safe Driving & Car Community Responsibility 04:49 – Joey’s Brand-New 2026 Honda Civic Si 05:20 – Full Bolt-On Mods & PRL Performance Parts 05:44 – Hondata Tuning & Power Gains 06:06 – Turbo Setup & 30 PSI Boost 06:44 – Limits of Stock Honda Internals 07:02 – Future 400HP Civic Si Plans 07:32 – Modifying a Brand-New Car 08:07 – Dealer Reactions & Sleeper Civic Talk 08:39 – California Car Laws & Outro On this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, Chris heads out to Willow Springs Raceway to talk with Joey Moreno about the growing Cars & Coffee 805 community, Ventura car culture, and his heavily modified 2026 Honda Civic Si. Joey breaks down his full bolt-on Civic Si build featuring PRL performance parts, Hondata tuning, upgraded turbo performance, and nearly 30 pounds of boost on stock internals. The conversation covers Honda tuning, turbo Civic builds, SoCal car meets, Ventura County automotive events, and the future of grassroots car culture in Southern California. Joey also shares his plans for a future 400 horsepower Civic Si setup while discussing the realities of California car laws, aftermarket modifications, and performance tuning. If you’re into Honda Civic Si mods, JDM culture, track days, Willow Springs Raceway, Cars & Coffee events, turbocharged Hondas, or automotive podcasts, this episode is packed with enthusiast insight and real-world tuning talk. #HondaCivicSi #HondaTuning #TurboHonda #CarsAndCoffee #CarPodcast #podcast

035 | Are EVs Failing? ⚡ Automakers Pull Back, Tesla Flood Test SHOCKS Drivers

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we break down the real truth about electric vehicles (EVs), including the growing debate around EV vs gas cars, EV range anxiety, and why major automakers like Ford and GM may be pulling back on EV production. We dive into a shocking real-world Tesla flood test in San Diego, where a Tesla Model 3 drives through deep water, raising questions about EV durability, safety, and performance. We also explore the future of the electric car industry, including EV charging infrastructure problems, EV road trip challenges, and the rise of Chinese EV companies leading global innovation. From Tesla, Cybertruck towing, and BMW EV driving experience to the reality of charging time, battery technology, and EV adoption trends, this episode covers everything you need to know about the future of cars. If you're researching electric cars 2026, EV problems, EV benefits, hybrid vs electric cars, or the future of transportation, this episode delivers a real, unfiltered perspective on the evolving automotive landscape. 🚗⚡ This episode is brought to you by Podtastic Audio [https://forms.gle/ZDT1kr3kXRjR5SUa6]—offering professional podcast production, audio editing, and end-to-end podcast services to help you launch and grow your show with ease. 🎙️🚀 https://forms.gle/ZDT1kr3kXRjR5SUa6 [https://forms.gle/ZDT1kr3kXRjR5SUa6] 🔥 KEY TOPICS COVERED * electric vehicles 2026 * EV vs gas cars debate * Tesla flood test San Diego * EV range anxiety explained * why automakers are pulling back EV * EV charging infrastructure problems * future of electric cars * China EV market vs USA * Tesla Model 3 road trip experience * EV trucks towing (Cybertruck) * BMW EV driving experience * hybrid vs electric cars 🌐 Connect & Follow Stay up to date with everything Cool Cars with Chris—from car culture, EV talk, and automotive trends to new episodes every week: 🚗 Website: https://coolcarswithchris.com/ [https://coolcarswithchris.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/ [https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619 [https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619] 🔥 Follow Courage for more car content and builds: 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22 [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22] 00:00 🚗⚡ Welcome to Cool Cars with Chris – EV Episode Kickoff 00:10 🔥 Electric Vehicles Take Over – Tesla Story & EV Debate Begins 00:56 🎙️ Podcasting Made Easy – Podtastic Audio Sponsor 02:06 👋 Meet Courage – Car Talk Returns 02:35 🌧️ Driving in the Rain – Performance Cars vs Wet Roads 04:03 🌊 Tesla Flood Test 😳 EV Drives Through Deep Water! 07:09 ⚡ EV Discussion Begins – Are Electric Cars Worth It? 08:24 📉 Why Automakers Are Pulling Back on EV Production 10:30 ⛽ Gas Prices Surge – Should You Buy an Electric Car Now? 12:04 🕰️ EV History Explained – How Long Have EVs Been Around? 16:24 🏭 Inside EV Manufacturing – Why It’s So Expensive 18:37 🔋 EV Batteries Explained – Who Really Makes Them? 20:04 🚗 Tesla vs Traditional Car Brands – Who’s Winning? 20:38 🐢 Slow Teslas?! What’s Causing This Trend? 21:26 🇩🇪 BMW & German EV Strategy – Making EVs Feel Like Gas Cars 23:21 🚛 Cybertruck Towing Test – Can EV Trucks Really Perform? 25:05 🗺️ EV Road Trip Reality – Charging Stops & Planning Routes 27:04 ⏱️ Charging Time Problem – Why EVs Slow You Down 27:56 🏙️ City Life & EVs – Better Than Public Transportation? 30:48 🚗 EVs vs Gas Cars – Passion vs Practicality 31:55 🏕️ Off-Roading with EVs – Big Limitations Revealed 33:19 🔌 Hybrid & Range Extenders – The Real Solution? 34:04 🌍 Global EV Race – China vs USA Car Market 35:24 🚘 Chinese EV Tech 😳 Is It WAY Ahead? 36:48 🤔 Should the U.S. Compete in EV Innovation? 37:30 📊 Why SUVs Still Dominate the Auto Industry 39:32 💰 Follow the Money – Why Companies Shift Strategy 40:06 🎤 Final Thoughts – EV Future & Closing Remarks #ElectricVehicles #EV #Tesla #EVvsGas #RangeAnxiety #EVCharging #Cybertruck #TeslaModel3 #CarPodcast #AutoIndustry #FutureOfCars #EVNews #CarTalk

034 | Willow Springs Raceway: How to Drive the Track + Insider Secrets (Kevin Hart Interview)

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we take you inside Willow Springs Raceway, one of the most iconic racetracks in California, for an exclusive interview with Kevin Hart, who runs sales, events, and business development at the track. If you’ve ever wondered how a real racetrack operates, how to attend track days, or how to drive your own car on a professional circuit, this episode breaks it all down. We cover everything from open track days and racing events to lap times, track layouts, and the six different courses at Willow Springs, including Big Willow. Kevin also shares insider details on renting a racetrack for film productions, why Willow Springs is a popular location for movies like Ford v Ferrari, and how YouTubers and brands use the track for automotive content. Whether you’re into car culture, motorsports, racing, or track day driving in California, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most legendary racing facilities in the U.S.—plus how you can get on track yourself. 🏁 What You’ll Learn in This Episode * How Willow Springs Raceway operates day-to-day * The difference between track days, racing events, and private rentals * How YOU can legally drive your own car on a real racetrack * The 6 different tracks at Willow Springs (including Big Willow) * Lap times, speeds, and what counts as “fast” on track * How movies like Ford v Ferrari used the track for filming * What it costs (and how it works) to rent a racetrack * The return of major events like Willow Springs Reimagined 🚀 Start Your Own Podcast This episode is brought to you by Podtastic Audio. Want a professional podcast without the hassle? Chris and his team handle everything—recording, editing, and production. 👉 Podcasting Made Easy - Podtastic Audio [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQXcKnHF3pLUtpkqiwtGequJVmJCAoG9FKjGalY8kxV6OqSQ/viewform?usp=header] https://forms.gle/tAuGfhrB9PHYhQ346 [https://forms.gle/tAuGfhrB9PHYhQ346] * Work directly with Chris * Get a FREE copy of The Podtastic Playbook 00:00 🚗 Intro – Welcome to Cool Cars with Chris 00:07 🎥 Audio vs Video Experience (Watch This Episode) 00:22 🏁 Willow Springs Overview + Guest Kevin Hart 00:57 🎙️ Sponsor: Podtastic Audio 01:51 🎧 Interview Begins at Willow Springs 02:24 👨‍💼 Kevin Hart’s Role at the Racetrack 02:46 🛠️ Daily Operations at Willow Springs Raceway 03:27 📅 Track Schedule & When It’s Open 03:53 🏎️ How to Drive Your Car on the Track (Track Days) 04:23 🔊 Noise Limits & Location Advantages 05:02 🏆 Racing Events & Track Certification Explained 05:47 🗺️ All 6 Tracks at Willow Springs 06:47 ⚡ Lap Times, Speeds & What’s Considered Fast 07:17 🎬 Filming Movies at the Track (Ford v Ferrari) 08:37 🎥 Renting the Track for Productions & YouTubers 08:51 🏁 Quarter Mile Track & Drag Racing History 09:32 🚫 Why Open Testing Has Changed 10:15 🎉 Willow Springs Reimagined Event Details 11:13 🙌 Outro & Wrap-Up n this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we explore Willow Springs Raceway, a legendary California racetrack known for track days, racing events, and motorsports history, with an exclusive Kevin Hart interview covering how to drive your car on a racetrack, open track days in California, and what it takes to run a professional racing facility. We break down the Big Willow track layout, lap times, racing speeds, and all six tracks at Willow Springs, while also diving into car culture, automotive content creation, and filming locations like Ford v Ferrari. Whether you’re searching for a car podcast, motorsports podcast, track day driving tips, or how to get on a race track in California, this episode delivers insider knowledge on racing, track rentals, automotive events, and performance driving at one of the most iconic race tracks in the United States. #WillowSpringsRaceway #TrackDay #CarPodcast #Motorsports #RacingLife #CarCulture #BigWillow #TrackDaysCalifornia #AutomotivePodcast #RaceTrack #FordVsFerrari #PerformanceDriving #CarEnthusiast

033 | My Worst Car Luck 😬 An Old Snowstorm Nightmare & a Dead Battery That Stranded Me

Car breakdown stories, car battery failure, driving in snow, and real car problems—this episode covers it all. Chris shares two real-life car disasters, including a dangerous snowstorm drive years ago and a recent dead battery that caused his car to die unexpectedly. If you’ve ever dealt with car trouble, electrical issues, or being stranded on the road, this episode breaks down what went wrong and what you can learn from it. First, a snowstorm nightmare from years ago—driving through dangerous mountain conditions, zero visibility, and traffic chaos while trying to stay in control. Then, a modern-day breakdown—dashboard warning lights, electrical issues, and a dead battery that leaves Chris stranded just miles from work, followed by a frustrating tow truck experience. 📢 Start Your Podcast Want to start your own podcast without the technical headache? Chris handles everything with Podtastic Audio—so you can just hit record. 👉 Podcasting Made Easy - Podtastic Audio [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQXcKnHF3pLUtpkqiwtGequJVmJCAoG9FKjGalY8kxV6OqSQ/viewform?usp=header] https://forms.gle/D5StymABrWqTEFZW9 [https://forms.gle/D5StymABrWqTEFZW9] 🔗 Follow Along & Connect Stay connected for more car stories, behind-the-scenes content, and podcast updates: 🚗 Cool Cars with Chris * 🌐 Website: https://coolcarswithchris.com/ [https://coolcarswithchris.com/] * 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/ [https://www.instagram.com/cool_cars_with_chris619/] * ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619 [https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619] 🎙️ Featuring Courage * 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedrivendad22/] * ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22 [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDriveNDad22] 00:00 – 🎙️ Intro & Story Time Begins 00:30 – 🚗💥 Car Disasters & What This Episode Is About 01:30 – 🌍 Is This Podcast Really “World Famous”? 03:30 – 🌴❄️ Driving in Snow vs Southern California 05:00 – 🛞 Tire Chains, Winter Driving & Safety Tips 07:50 – 🌨️😬 Snowstorm Nightmare Story (Years Ago) 10:00 – 🚧 Stuck in Traffic as Cars Crash Around Me 12:30 – ⚠️ Why Snow Driving Is So Dangerous 13:15 – 😳 New Car Problems Start… 14:30 – ⚡ Dashboard Lights & Electrical Issues 15:30 – 🚗💀 Car Dies Near Work (Worst Timing) 16:40 – 😤 The 3-Hour Tow Truck Nightmare 18:00 – 🔋 Battery vs Alternator (What Went Wrong?) 20:30 – 😅 The Fix: It Was Just the Battery 22:00 – 🛞 Tire Wear & Hidden Used Car History 25:00 – ⚙️ Clutch Concerns & What to Watch For 29:30 – 🧪 How to Tell If Your Clutch Is Slipping 32:00 – 🚦 Driving Stick Shift in Traffic (Pros & Cons) 35:00 – 🧠 Teaching Someone to Drive Manual 37:00 – 💸 Dealership Warranties: Worth It or Not? 41:00 – 🎲 Car Repairs vs Gambling on Problems 43:00 – 🔋⚡ Why Car Batteries Cause Weird Issues 46:00 – 🔊 Performance Mods, Intake Sounds & Driving Feel 50:00 – 🏎️ Driving a Sports Car Daily (Real Talk) 55:00 – 🧠 Final Thoughts & Car Ownership Lessons 1:00:00 – 🎬 Wrap Up & Outro This episode dives into real car problems like car battery failure, driving in snow, and what happens when your car dies unexpectedly, along with practical tips on diagnosing issues, avoiding breakdowns, and handling common car maintenance mistakes. #CarProblems #CarBreakdown #CarBatteryFailure #CarDies #DrivingInSnow #CarMaintenance #AutoRepair #ManualTransmission #UsedCarProblems #CarPodcast