From Karting to NASCAR Late Models with Kaeden Ballos

From Karting to NASCAR Late Models with Kaeden Ballos

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to To All The Cars I've Loved Before! This week, Doug is going solo in the garage to sit down with 18-year-old racing phenom Kaeden Ballos. As a fourth-generation racer, Kaeden is currently making waves in the NASCAR weekly series behind the wheel of the number 19 late model. In this episode, Kaeden shares the incredible story of his racing origins, starting at just six years old. We hear about the wild moment he barrel-rolled a dirt champ kart down the back straightaway—and how that crash actually removed his fear of racing. Kaeden also dives into his experiences driving a clutchless Bandolero at the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, stepping up to the highly competitive Cars Tour, and his recent test runs in F3 and F4 cars where he almost set a track record. Don't miss Kaeden's favorite episode with Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver, Sabre' Cook and her amazing motocross legend father, Stacey Cook https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19386773 [https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19386773] Whether you are a devoted NASCAR fan or love the adrenaline of open-wheel testing, this episode takes you directly into the driver's seat. In this episode, we cover: * A Racing Bloodline: How Kaeden's grandfather, a former NASCAR race director, and his parents shaped his passion for the track. * Meeting a Legend: Kaeden shares a memorable story of meeting his childhood favorite driver, Kyle Busch. * The First Big Crash: The wild story of barrel-rolling a dirt champ kart at Capital City Speedway and how it changed his driving mindset. * Driving a "Brick on Wheels": What it is actually like to race Bandolero cars in a "war zone" of competition. * Open-Wheel Testing: Kaeden's recent experience testing F4 and F3 cars, getting within a second of the track record at the Autobahn South course. * Podcast Trivia: The surprising historical reason why American oval tracks run counterclockwise! Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linktr.ee/carsloved]. Podcast News: * Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society [https://elevatesociety.com/to-all-the-cars-ive-loved-before-podcast-review/] and Tal Gur [https://www.linkedin.com/in/talgur/], author of "The Art of Fully Living" * Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJRM6OdK6BdG3MxL%2F%2BYWx%2BFmGxYcHOTmSd3FSNDkR%2Fi3ZErj70kX6BgFxx3Q6A7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlXCgoEwf2WAwbUQrlkhcWJVLgHU4XCUsH2w4I%2BZ5O8PZLIB1REwxbCQ%3D%3D] in their the Top 100 Car Podcasts and Top 40 Road Trip Podcasts * Download our brand new app on the official App Store for the latest podcast updates and instant access to your favorite episodes. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story] Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours?  Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Lost 1983 Mustang & Mopar Restomod Nightmares

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to To All The Cars I've Loved Before! This week, Doug is sitting down with his friend and ultimate gearhead, Tony Funk. Over the years, Tony has owned over 35 different vehicles, and he brings some of the most unbelievable automotive stories we've ever heard into the garage. In this episode, Tony shares the miraculous story of his rare 1983 Ford Mustang GT Turbo. After a hurricane brought a massive tree down on it, a frustrated Tony simply gave the crushed car away. In a wild twist of fate, the owner offered it back to him six years later. The craziest part? The title was still in Tony's name with his signature on it! We also dive deep into Tony's latest headache: a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger tribute car. Originally a base-model slant-six , this 360-swapped project turned into an 8-week legal nightmare with the North Carolina DMV over mismatched hidden body stamps and some generic Home Depot rivets. Don't miss Tony's favorite episode with Ethan's amazing WRX - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19011189 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2316026/episodes/19011189-2011-wrx-1986-honda-accord-ethan-banks-on-manual-transmissions] Whether you are hunting for your dream 1968 Charger RT or wondering how to navigate classic Mopar restorations, this episode is packed with hard-earned wrenches and wisdom. In this episode, we cover: * First Car Heartbreak: The short-lived glory of a brown 1980 Dodge Mirada that was rear-ended and totaled at a red light. * The Escort Era: Surviving the Pennsylvania summer heat in an un-air-conditioned 1983 Ford Escort painted in infamous "porno red". * The Foxbody Miracle: Giving away a crushed '83 Mustang GT Turbo and getting it back six years later. * Mopar Title Nightmares: The extreme stress of titling a 1970 Dodge Dart tribute car and why you must always check for pentastar rivets. * ZZ Top Trivia: The history and the rival engine hiding under the hood of Billy Gibbons' famous 1933 Ford Coupe, the "Eliminator". Sponsor Shoutout: Want to learn more about the cars we discussed today? This episode is sponsored by Car Curious! Their free audio player syncs annotations directly to our transcript, explaining every car, part, and term. Test drive it right now at carslove.com/listen [https://carsloved.com/listen]. Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linktr.ee/carsloved]. Podcast News: * Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society [https://elevatesociety.com/to-all-the-cars-ive-loved-before-podcast-review/] and Tal Gur [https://www.linkedin.com/in/talgur/], author of "The Art of Fully Living" * Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJRM6OdK6BdG3MxL%2F%2BYWx%2BFmGxYcHOTmSd3FSNDkR%2Fi3ZErj70kX6BgFxx3Q6A7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlXCgoEwf2WAwbUQrlkhcWJVLgHU4XCUsH2w4I%2BZ5O8PZLIB1REwxbCQ%3D%3D] in their the Top 100 Car Podcasts and Top 40 Road Trip Podcasts * Download our brand new app on the official App Store for the latest podcast updates and instant access to your favorite episodes. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story] Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours?  Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Racing Gene: Pro Porsche Driver Sabré Cook & Hall of Fame Dad Stacey Cook

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/fan_mail/new] A Father’s Day Special: The Unbreakable Bond of a Racing Family Happy Father’s Day! This week on To All The Cars I've Loved Before, we are celebrating the ultimate father-daughter racing duo. We’re sitting down with Sabré Cook—a mechanical engineer and professional driver for JDX Racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America—and her dad, Stacey Cook, a former professional motocross rider who was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2023. In this episode, we dive deep into the Cook family’s high-octane history. Stacey shares his incredible journey from racing a $800, 200,000-mile Datsun pickup across Colorado with dirt bikes in the back, to the terrifying realization of watching his own daughter speed past him in a formula car. Sabré discusses her disciplined path to the driver's seat (which required straight A's just to get a Chevy Equinox!), her ultimate goal to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and why she believes a $2 Million Porsche 911 DLS Singer is the ultimate dream car. Don't miss Sabre' and Stacey's favorite episode featuring Monster Truck Jam driver, Nicole Johnson - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/15924202 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2316026/episodes/15924202-monster-truck-driving-nicole-johnson-on-engineering-and-off-road-success] Whether you are looking to get into track days yourself or just want to hear a heartwarming story about a father who supported his daughter's drive to the top, this episode is packed with life lessons, laughs, and serious horsepower. In this episode, we cover: * Stacey's wild early days: Street racing a 1965 Corvette and surviving cross-country trips in an orange Datsun. * Safety Evolution: The shocking differences between a 1970s Datsun and Sabré's modern safety cocoon. * How to start racing: Sabré's advice on using simulators (like iRacing and Assetto Corsa) and buying a Mazda Miata to build track skills on a budget. * The emotional toll of motorsports: Stacey opens up about the sacrifices Sabré makes to be a pro driver, working 24/7 with little social life. * Trivia: What common safety feature was invented out of necessity at the very first Indy 500 in 1911?. Follow Sabré Cook: Check out her website and find the hidden Easter egg photo of her at 3 months old on her dad's vintage motorcycle: sabrecookracing.com [https://sabrecookracing.com/]. Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linktr.ee/carsloved]. Podcast News: * Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society [https://elevatesociety.com/to-all-the-cars-ive-loved-before-podcast-review/] and Tal Gur [https://www.linkedin.com/in/talgur/], author of "The Art of Fully Living" * Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJRM6OdK6BdG3MxL%2F%2BYWx%2BFmGxYcHOTmSd3FSNDkR%2Fi3ZErj70kX6BgFxx3Q6A7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlXCgoEwf2WAwbUQrlkhcWJVLgHU4XCUsH2w4I%2BZ5O8PZLIB1REwxbCQ%3D%3D] in their the Top 100 Car Podcasts and Top 40 Road Trip Podcasts * Download our brand new app on the official App Store for the latest podcast updates and instant access to your favorite episodes. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story] Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours?  Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

40 years of Porsche Sales Secets and the Ultimate 911 Barn Find

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/fan_mail/new] What happens when a lifetime of automotive passion becomes a 40-year career? This week, Doug goes solo from Myrtle Beach to sit down with luxury car sales legend Mike Maurer. Mike has been navigating the high-end automotive world since the 1980s, working with legendary dealerships like Brumos Porsche. In this episode, Mike pulls back the curtain on the reality of high-end car sales. He shares incredible, unfiltered stories—from growing up riding in the back of an air-cooled Porsche 356 bathtub across Europe to his early days crashing a classic Austin Healey into a tree while racing a Lotus Elan in Annapolis. We also dive deep into the ultimate "one that got away" story involving a pristine 1967 Porsche 911 S, a hidden barn, and an unexpected journey to Australia. Don't miss Mike's favorite episode with Dirk Dekker on the track with 911 - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17927079 Whether you're a rabid Porsche purist who demands three pedals on the floor or someone dreaming of breaking into luxury automotive marketing, Mike's 40 years of industry experience serves as the ultimate masterclass. Key Takeaways & Timestamps * Garage Updates: Doug checks in from vacation in Myrtle Beach and recaps our previous feature with Marla from BWomen.com. * Perks of the Showroom Floor: Mike explains how luxury sales professionals spec'd out new cars every single year to master their product knowledge. * The Hustle is Real: The brutal reality, demanding 11-to-12-hour days, and the pressure of working in high-end retail during the 1980s and 90s. * The First Car Heartbreak: Buying a derelict 1957 Austin Healey 100 with college tuition savings, and why it wouldn't start by day two. * Racing in Annapolis: How totaling a brand new Austin Healey 3000 while chasing a Lotus Elan through the woods paved the way to his very first Porsche 911. * The 20-Toyota Challenge: The unique ultimatum a legendary dealership owner gave Mike before allowing him to sell premium sports cars. * The Legend of Brumos Porsche: Working alongside legendary endurance racers Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood at a dealership that shaped Porsche culture. * The Last Last of the Analog Cars: Why Mike's manual transmission 2007 Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 4S is an absolute keeper compared to modern digital platforms. * The Worst Cars Driven: Hilarious deep dives into sorting out the infamous Geo Metro and a nightmare Saab Turbo ownership experience. * The Ultimate Barn Find Story: How Mike acquired a pristine, original-owner 1967 Porsche 911 S out of a small hidden barn for $20,000, and what happened when he tried to buy it back from Australia years later. * Career Blueprint: Modern career advice for younger enthusiasts looking to break into luxury dealership sales, corporate wholesale, or online auction platforms like Bring a Trailer. * Master Class Trivia: Mike breaks down the legendary history behind why the Porsche 911 was almost called the 901 * Hidden Options & Factory Battles: How Mike bypasses corporate constraints to build highly customized, one-of-one vehicles directly with factory insiders. In the Shop: Mentioned Cars & Media * 1957 Austin Healey 100 & Austin Healey 3000 * Porsche 356 "Bathtub" * Porsche 911 (Classic 1967 911 S) * Porsche 911 (997 Gen) Carrera 4S (Manual) * Porsche Macan (The daily grocery & dog hauler) * Lotus Elan * Geo Metro *  Saab Turbo * Porsche Posters: The legendary "Kill Bugs Faster" Arena Red 993 Turbo campaign. * The Soundtrack: Life in the Fast Lane by The Eagles. Connect with Our Guest * Have questions about ordering a bespoke Porsche, navigating the current collector market, or tracking down an air-cooled classic? Reach out to Mike Maurer directly at Mike911@gmail.com. Join the Cars Love Nation Community! If this episode sparked a memory of your own first ride or a long-forgotten project gathering dust in your garage, we want to hear about it! * Submit Your Story: Email us at stories@carslove.com * Binge the Backlog: Stream all 70-plus episodes of automotive history and car culture. * All Links & Content: Visit our master link directory at linktr.ee/carsloved [https://linktr.ee/carsloved] Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linktr.ee/carsloved]. Podcast News: * Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society [https://elevatesociety.com/to-all-the-cars-ive-loved-before-podcast-review/] and Tal Gur [https://www.linkedin.com/in/talgur/], author of "The Art of Fully Living" * Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJRM6OdK6BdG3MxL%2F%2BYWx%2BFmGxYcHOTmSd3FSNDkR%2Fi3ZErj70kX6BgFxx3Q6A7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlXCgoEwf2WAwbUQrlkhcWJVLgHU4XCUsH2w4I%2BZ5O8PZLIB1REwxbCQ%3D%3D] in their the Top 100 Car Podcasts and Top 40 Road Trip Podcasts * Download our brand new app on the official App Store for the latest podcast updates and instant access to your favorite episodes. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story] Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours?  Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brad Phillips on The Great Race, Ferraris, and Vintage Porsches

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to All the Cars I've Loved Before, the podcast where we park the data at the door to focus on the stories that matter 🎙️. In this episode, Doug sits down with Brad Phillips, a globally recognized collector car expert and hardcore gearhead who firmly believes that classic cars are meant to be driven 🛠️. Brad currently serves as the Director of Events for Coker Group and the Great Race 🏁. From wrenching on a 1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback as a teenager 🐎 to MacGyvering a right-hand-drive JDM Toyota Century across the United States 🗺️, Brad shares his incredible, lifelong journey through the automotive hobby 🚗. We dive deep into what it takes to navigate a 1916 Hudson Speedster across 2,500 miles of backroads ⏱️, the thrill of reviving a seized 1968 Porsche 911 T 🇩🇪, and why he still regrets letting go of his Saab 9000 Turbo 🇸🇪. In This Episode, We Cover: * The Great Race 🏆: An inside look at the 2,500-mile time speed endurance rally for pre-1974 vintage cars, including details on the upcoming Route 66 centennial route starting in Springfield, Illinois 🛣️. * First Rides 🚗💨: Brad’s memories of his 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2, painted Rangoon red, and its unfortunate demise in a slow-speed race against a Dodge Dart 💥. * Cross-Country Classics 🏜️: Pushing the limits of cargo capacity and reliability by road-tripping an '83 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole and a V8 Toyota Century 🚙. * Pre-War Projects 🕰️: The unique challenges of driving and maintaining century-old vehicles like his 1917 Willys-Overland 90BT 🔧. * The Ones That Got Away (and the ones that stayed) ❤️‍🩹: From a 400-horsepower Saab 9000 Turbo to a fully modern-equipped 1966 Sunbeam Tiger 🐯. We caDon't miss our full episode with Brad's good friend and classic Ferrari restorer, Tom Yang for more stories: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16626040 If you’re enjoying the show, the best way to support us is hit subscribe and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with a friend, or shoot us an email ✉️ to stories@carsloved.com Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linktr.ee/carsloved]. Podcast News: * Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society [https://elevatesociety.com/to-all-the-cars-ive-loved-before-podcast-review/] and Tal Gur [https://www.linkedin.com/in/talgur/], author of "The Art of Fully Living" * Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJRM6OdK6BdG3MxL%2F%2BYWx%2BFmGxYcHOTmSd3FSNDkR%2Fi3ZErj70kX6BgFxx3Q6A7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlXCgoEwf2WAwbUQrlkhcWJVLgHU4XCUsH2w4I%2BZ5O8PZLIB1REwxbCQ%3D%3D] in their the Top 100 Car Podcasts and Top 40 Road Trip Podcasts * Download our brand new app on the official App Store for the latest podcast updates and instant access to your favorite episodes. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-car-tells-a-story/id6775357313 Every Car Tells A Story] Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours?  Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐