On November 7th, 2021, Vin Diesel, the executive producer and star of the Fast and Furious franchise decided to post a public message on Instagram to the biggest action star in the world, Dwayne Johnson. The co-stars had been making snarky comments about each other in interviews or saying cryptic things on social media for years. For a while, it seemed like they had let bygones be bygones. Yet with the tenth iteration of the franchise about to start production, Diesel decided to create some wave...
Dec 19, 2022•57 min•Ep. 170
After Rob Cohen read the article, “Racer X,” about an underground New York world of street racing he couldn’t stop thinking about its potential. He had to see it for himself. So his friend and auto journalist R.J. de Vera brought him to a race. The experience left him hooked. He knew he had a story. The only question was, could he sell it? Who started modern urban street racing and why did they love imported cars? Are cars cool enough to be the stars of a movie franchise? Why didn’t the original...
Dec 13, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 169
In 2009, Ross Brawn bought the ENTIRE Honda F1 team for a SINGLE British pound. What came next was a season that went down as the most remarkable David and Goliath story in Formula One history. How did Brawn GP beat other teams, that had been established for decades? What’s the team’s legacy in F1? And how does an F1 team get sold for the price of a candy bar? Today on Past Gas, the incredible story of Brawn GP, a single-season F1 team that never should have existed in the first place. More abou...
Dec 05, 2022•58 min•Ep. 168
The Baja 1000 is an arduous 1000-mile drive through the remote and desolate Baja Peninsula. For many, it wasn’t a question of when you finished, but if you’d finish at all. The route is treacherous, and so is the weather. Drivers face flash floods and fog. Scorching heat and freezing cold. Rocks and boulders and unpredictable herds of animals. And if one broke down or got injured… the journey might cost a driver their life. How did a publicity stunt organized by a Hollywood stuntman grow into su...
Nov 28, 2022•58 min•Ep. 167
Porsche has such panache that it’s easy to assume they’ve been a rock-solid luxury import since the beginning. They’re owned by Volkswagen, they have a stellar racing resume, and they’re one of the most respected brands by aficionados and casual drivers alike. But it wasn’t always that way. Porsche has been on the brink of bankruptcy not once, but three times, since they began production. How did they survive?! Today, on Past Gas – the story of how Porsche has gone from penthouse to outhouse and...
Nov 21, 2022•51 min•Ep. 166
In the autumn of 1975, Graham Hill was in a new phase of his life. He had just retired from Formula One as a two-time World Champion, as well as the only driver in history to win the F1 championship, Indianapolis 500, and 24h of Le Mans. From cinematic near-death experiences to triumphant comebacks, Graham Hill was a living legend. But on a cold and foggy November evening in 1975, Graham’s heroic life came to a sudden and tragic end, leaving his family both broken and broke, with his only son Da...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 165
It’s no secret that the global auto industry was turned on its head during World War II. From Subaru to Chrysler, nearly every major car company stopped in their tracks to help their respective nations during the horrifying conflict. But which companies were the biggest players? What instruments of war did these industrial bohemothes create? And when the dust settled, how did these automakers recover? Today on Past Gas, we’re taking a look at some of the car companies that made a massive impact ...
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 164
Catch our episode of the Sultan of Brunei yet again, on this exclusive episode revisit (with a quick message from Joe!) Today on Past Gas-- the Sultan of Brunei, owner of the largest, most expensive car collection of all time. For decades, the Sultan had a shadowy but significant influence on the automotive industry, ordering one-of-a-kind supercars ranging from Ferraris to Aston Martins. Why did the Sultan choose to spend his vast fortune on thousands of cars, worth billions of dollars? Forget ...
Oct 31, 2022•53 min•Ep. 163
Australian motorsport legend Peter Brock spent years driving for Holden, an Australian subsidiary of General Motors. But when he became a little too interested in New Age theory in the late 1980s, he not only destroyed his longtime business partnership with Australia’s largest automaker, but nearly killed his illustrious career in motorsports. How did Peter Brock, a true wrencher, come to embrace the New Age? Why did this racing legend, who had spent a lifetime gaining the trust and loyalty of a...
Oct 24, 2022•52 min•Ep. 162
Ahhhh, the glorious open road. Cruisin’ USA. In America, the road trip is a rite of passage, a tradition passed down from generation to generation, and it wouldn’t be possible without the American Interstate Highway system, one of the greatest public works projects ever executed in this country. How long did such a behemoth task take to complete? How many roads were constructed? Who paid for it? How did it affect American culture and industry? And maybe most importantly, what’s the friggin’ cool...
Oct 17, 2022•55 min•Ep. 161
Before 2020, Suzuki hadn’t taken home a MotoGP championship in two decades. But then one young Mallorcan rider turned it all around… for a single season. Today on Past Gas – How did Suzuki switch from building looms to crafting some of the best motorcycles on the planet? Why did they pull their cars from the US market? And are they getting out of racing, for good? More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes. Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and ...
Oct 10, 2022•57 min•Ep. 160
Parnelli Jones is a living legend with the literal track record to prove it. But how did Parnelli achieve that kind of status? What impact did he have on the world of racing, including the cars themselves? And what kind of legacy does the Parnelli Jones name carry, on and off the track? Today on Past Gas, we talk about the unstoppable Parnelli Jones. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes. Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to o...
Oct 03, 2022•55 min•Ep. 159
Professional racecar driver Juan Manuel Fangio was eager to meet up with his friends and soak up the beautiful February evening in downtown Havana. After winning his fourth consecutive Formula One Drivers’ Championship, Fangio had been invited to Cuba by the president himself. But Fidel Castro’s comrades from the 26th of July movement had other plans. How did Juan Manuel Fangio go from his modest upbringing to become one of the most famous sports figures in the world? What makes his career in Fo...
Sep 26, 2022•47 min•Ep. 158
At hour 23 of the 24h of Le Mans, Dick Barbour Racing was in the lead. But there was a problem - something was wrong with the left front wheel. As driver Rolf Stommelen eased the Porsche into the pits, his teammate, Paul Newman, scampered out with the crew to -– wait what? Paul Newman? Butch Cassidy Paul Newman? He was a driver at Le Mans? How the heck did a pretty-boy actor manage to gain the respect of the racing world? How did he START his racing career in his mid-40s, and not only compete, b...
Sep 19, 2022•50 min•Ep. 157
Today on Past Gas is the insidious story of how GM scientists developed a type of gasoline that caused insanity, sickness, and maybe even murder. This story is so devious that it might feel like a cheap dime store novel, but everything we’re going to tell you is true. Why was lead added to fuel in the first place? Who was the scientist behind it? How did the American government let this happen? And did leaded fuel actually lead to an increase in serial killers?! Let’s find out. More about Show: ...
Sep 12, 2022•54 min•Ep. 156
It’s 1903, and an out-of-work doctor, Horatio Nelson Jackson, is fiercely defending the world’s most exciting invention – the automobile – against a group of men who are POSITIVE that the car was just a fad. Jackson was so sure of himself that he bet $50 that he could take a car from San Francisco to New York City… a feat that had never been done before. Yes, he was going to embark on a road trip at a time when there were no highways, no road maps, no street signs, no gas stations, and no Red Ro...
Sep 05, 2022•50 min•Ep. 155
Frank Williams is a legendary figure in the world of Formula One racing. But how did Frank go from being too broke for a room in a “motorsports frat house” to building one of the most enduring teams in Formula One history? When was the moment that finally turned Frank’s luck around? And how, after a life-altering accident, did Frank Williams keep going? Today on Past Gas, the story of the legendary Frank Williams. More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Nolan on IG...
Aug 29, 2022•56 min•Ep. 154
Tony Stewart was about to run his first Indy 500. It should have been the best day of his life.. but he was the only star who showed up. That fateful day is now known in racing lore as part of “The Split.” But how did open-wheel racing get to that point? What exactly is the difference between CART and IndyCar and Champ Car and all the other names we call this sport? And why does it always seem to be in turmoil? Today on Past Gas, it’s a brief history of the many dramatic twists and turns in the ...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 153
Jeremy Clarkson is one of the world’s most famous authorities on cars. As Top Gear’s most notorious host, Clarkson has been a major part of car culture since he first started hosting the show in 1988. But to many outside of the car community, he’s despised for his offensive and controversial opinions. How did it come to this? Why is Jeremy Clarkson so revered by car enthusiasts, yet reviled by almost everyone else? Are we able to separate the art from the artist, or are his actions unforgivable?...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 152
In the first episode of Donut Media's new Formula One-centric podcast, hosts Nolan Sykes (Donut Media), Alanis King (Business Insider, Jalopnik), and Elizabeth Blackstock (Jalopnik) take you through the highs and lows of Sunday's French Grand Prix. From driver Charles LeClerc's horror movie scream to boyish radio bickering during the battle for third, we're gonna cover it all! More about the show: Donut Racing Show (DRS) brings a cheap beer mindset to the champagne-popping podium of Formula One ...
Aug 11, 2022•53 min
Since 2000, Audi has won the 24h of Le Mans a whopping 13 times. And three of those wins were under the watchful eye and talents of lead engineer, Leena Gade. How did a daughter of Indian immigrants become an engineer for a world renowned racing team? What other women paved the way for her groundbreaking victory? And what effect did her successes have on the future of women in motorsport? Today on Past Gas: Audi’s champion engineer, Leena Gade. More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @ja...
Aug 08, 2022•53 min•Ep. 151
When Sir Malcolm Campbell became the first person to reach 300 mph, his astonishing feat grasped the world’s attention. And what was once a secret was then widely known – the Bonneville Salt Flats were the fastest place on Earth. How were the salt flats formed to begin with? Why are they so amazing for speed trials? And are they impervious to the effects of climate change? Today on Past Gas, the history of the Bonneville Salt Flats. More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey....
Aug 04, 2022•56 min•Ep. 150
Sir Jackie Stewart is one of F1's most legendary drivers. But right before the Flying Scot was to begin his 100th career Formula One start... he retired. Why did he stop at #99? And how did he become even MORE influential in motorsport after his retirement? Today on Past Gas, the story of the unforgettable Sir Jackie Stewart. More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes. Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmed...
Jul 25, 2022•51 min•Ep. 149
Ah, the “family car.” We each remember our treasured childhood vehicle differently, for it contained multitudes: road trips, melted gummy bears, questionable air conditioning... But what does the term “family car” mean to the auto industry? The family segment has had to evolve and change with the times perhaps more than any other type of car. Today on Past Gas: the societal changes that drove innovation behind the family car. More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 148
Alex Zanardi is a champion, a survivor, and a legend. From his father’s garage, to Formula One, to spinning the first celebratory donut, to the Paralympic Games, this fearless Italian has been unstoppable. If there weren't so many people who witnessed his incredible journey in motorsport, you'd think it was scripted. Today, we're taking a deep dive into one of the most mind-blowingly inspirational figures in racing history: Alex Zanardi. More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespump...
Jul 11, 2022•49 min•Ep. 147
Danica Patrick was one tough cookie, a spitfire, and all those other lightly patronizing names you might call a strong woman in a male-dominated sport. She’s also a self-made mogul, icon, and champion… all achieved before the age of 40. How did she get her start? How many records did she actually break? And how did she become one of the most notorious figures in racing, despite never winning a championship? More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Nolan on IG and Tw...
Jul 04, 2022•57 min•Ep. 146
There’s probably thirty people on Earth who have never heard the name Mario Andretti. And that’s because Mario Andretti is racing royalty. Today on Past Gas-the story of "Driver of the Century" Mario Andretti. How would Andretti’s childhood living in a WWII refugee camp spark his racing career? What impact did Andretti have on the future of race cars? What led to the Andretti family’s racing dynasty? And is the Andretti Curse REAL?! More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey....
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 145
Randy Lanier was one of the most exciting race car drivers of the 80’s-- but he also had a secret life as a drug smuggler. How did these two pursuits intertwine in the psyche of an adrenaline junkie? Was Randy a better smuggler, or a driver? And just how did a young guy from Virginia turn into a drug kingpin? All this and more on today's episode of Past Gas… More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes. Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @...
Jun 20, 2022•56 min•Ep. 144
Today on Past Gas, the story of the motorcycle racer turned spy Ernst Degner-- as well as that of a Nazi engineer named Walter Kaaden. Why was Degner leaving East Germany at the height of his fame? How was the Japanese company Suzuki embroiled in his defection? And what secrets did Degner have stuffed in a briefcase that he was carrying with him on that Autumn day in communist Germany? Degner and Walter’s destinies were shaped by larger-than-life forces-- but through a series of choices of their...
Jun 13, 2022•55 min•Ep. 143
TODAY ON PAST GAS: The 2008 crash nearly killed Detroit. How did Ford survive not one but two massive financial calamities within a span of five years? Could Ford transition from its history of larger than life, charismatic leaders, to someone with a steadier hand? There’s arguably an alternate reality where Ford-- and its American competitors-- completely folded just over a decade ago. Is a guy you may have never heard of-- Alan Mulally-- the GOAT of resurrecting dying companies? More about Sho...
Jun 06, 2022•54 min•Ep. 142
