In this episode, we dive into the history of the “Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash”, a cross-country race from New York City to Los Angeles. This real life event inspired a film of the same name, but as we’ll see, the real thing was a lot more than Burt Reynolds’ mustache. We explore the history of American cross-country racing, including early records, and why the 1971 running was organized as a protest against the government! Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey  Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes  Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bruce McLaren Motor Racing team is now without their founder and leader- what will they do next? In this episode we cover the aftermath of Bruce’s accident, the people that kept the company running, and the entrance of a new leader: Ron Dennis. We also reveal how McLaren teamed up with Marlboro cigarettes, and how that gave us one of the most iconic racing liveries of all time. We also dive into some of McLaren’s legendary inter-team rivalries, including James Hunt vs Niki Lauda, and Ayrton Senna vs. Alain Prost. Finally, we tackle Ron’s departure from the company, and where McLaren stands today. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey  Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes  Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The story of Bruce Mclaren continues with his first foray in Le Mans endurance racing, his entrance into Formula 1 and all the crashes and bashes along the way! We dive into the formation of Bruce McLaren Motor Cars, their failures and successes, as well as the loss of one of their drivers. This episode also includes a brief history of Can Am racing, possibly the most dangerous and exciting form of racing ever devised! Buckle up! Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey  Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes  Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all know the McLaren supercars like the Senna, P1, and 720s. But where did the company that built their beauties get their start? We begin our series on Bruce McLaren, one of Motorsport’s most influential figures, with his early life on the small island nation of New Zealand. Bruce had a rough start, as a kid he was confined to a hospital bed for two years. His time in the hospital taught him great academic discipline, a skill which assisted in the meticulous construction of his race cars later on. Join us as we explore Bruce’s early days of racing: from building a hillclimb car with his dad, to his journey to England to compete in Formula 2 racing! Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey  Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes  Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all know John Delorean stood out in the automotive industry, in part because of his flamboyant lifestyle (but mostly because of his sizable chin). So maybe it wasn’t a good idea for Delorean to get into the Cocaine Trafficking Business. Delorean was nabbed carrying a briefcase worth over 6.5 million dollars worth of cocaine, but did the FBI set him up? Or would the British backed DMC finally find success in Ireland. Join Nolan, Joe, and James as we find out in John Delorean: Part II- “This Stuff’s Better than Gold”. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey  Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes  Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first episode of our two part series on John Delorean James, Joe, and Nolan talk about John’s propensity for going against the grain in the automotive industry. As his ego, and his chin, grew Delorean took more and more risks - but would this lead to his downfall, or make him the most infamous automotive celebrity of all time? Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey  Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes  Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the finale of our three part series on the VW Beetle James, Nolan, and Joe explore the Beetle’s unlikely transition from Hitlers love child to lovechild hit.  You’ll find out how a car that was meant to mobilize a war hungry Germany became a symbol of freedom. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Join James, Nolan, and Joe for part two of our series on the VW Beetle. They detail Ferdinand Porsche’s attempt to get production of “the peoples car” off the ground . Only one thing stands in his way-war. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most iconic cars in history. Known today as a symbol of peace from an era of love, the Beetle’s origin is much darker. Born from the needs of a brutal dictatorship; the Beetle was both a car for the people, and an excuse for acts of evil. Join Nolan, James and Joe as they begin the story of the VW Beetle. Part 1 of 3. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this one-parter, Nolan, Joe, and James lay out the story of the Volkswagen emissions scandal so far. There were billions of dollars in fines and hundreds of thousands of cars were bought back from customers. From VW’s realization that their cars couldn’t pass US emissions standards and their decision to cheat, to the downfall of the whole charade and the legal consequences, the story is absolutely crazy. Since this is still an ongoing story, we might revisit it in the future as developments continue to unfold. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of the series, James, Nolan and Joe follow Knievel's slow descent into madness and paranoia. How did a revered American Icon go from selling out stadiums to gambling on golf just to make ends meet? Join us as we find out. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part one of the series, James, Nolan and Joe explore Knievel's unlikely rise to fame. From cracking safes to winning ski jump competitions, Knievel excelled at everything he did. Join us as we look at the events that made him legendary. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On our Antarctic finale, Nolan, Joe and Jeremiah discuss one of the most infamous engineering feats you’ve never heard of: The Snow Cruiser. This behemoth was meant to conquer the southern cold with tires that were ten feet high, and could house four researchers. But first, it had to drive from Chicago to Boston, which would prove much easier said than done... Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s winter time so we thought we would talk about the coldest place on earth: Antarctica. Why the heck did people want to go down there? And how did they get around? Nolan, Joe, and Jeremiah will find out. From the first antarctic explorers who traveled on foot to a wingless plane with skis, this is a nutty episode. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the resounding success of the Nissan R32 GTR, it was time to design a follow up. Lucky for Nissan, the R32 was just the beginning. In this episode, James, Nolan and Joe discuss the underrated R33 and why it deserves more love, the Legendary R34 and all its special editions, and the R35, the car responsible in part for the birth of car Youtube. Nolan also blows his nose. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nissan GTR is by far, one of Japan’s most legendary automobiles. It’s a nameplate born from Motorsport and proven on the street. But where did it come from? Join James, Nolan and Joe as they explore the origins of the GTR name. From the Prince R380 race car, to the Ken Meri, to the almighty R32. It’s time for the rise of Godzilla. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Henry Ford’s crew of wayward utopia builders have landed in the Amazon. Now all they had to do was build a city...from scratch. Join Nolan and James as they explore what went wrong at Fordlandia. From riots, to starvation, to more riots. It all goes wrong! Isn’t that fun?!? Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 1900s, Henry Ford devised a plan: buy a swath of Amazonian rainforest, build the ultimate utopia, and grow some rubber. Unfortunately, that would be a lot easier said than done. Join James and Nolan as they recount the wild and ill-fated story of Fordlandia. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We conclude our two part series on the PT Cruiser with an exhaustive list of things people did to make Chrysler’s light truck cool. Everything from Brian Setzer SEMA builds, a Viper V10 engine swap,  to Chrysler’s own Turbocharged Cruiser GT. If you though the PT was cool in Part 1, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The PT Cruiser is America’s ubiquitously hated, retro styled, uber-utilitarian cars that also sold millions of units. But does it deserve the hate? Join Nolan, and special guest hosts Joe and Jeremiah, as they discuss the PT Cruiser’s surprisingly advanced development. With roots in the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler, you might change your mind about this car after you hear this episode! Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready to hear about one of America’s most prolific drug kingpins of the 1980's, Randy Lanier. He was one of the most promising rookie drivers and soon became one of the largest drug traffickers in U.S. history, smuggling over 600,000 pounds of marijuana into the country. This guy was the Walter White of racing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our finale of Smokey Yunick, we’re diving into his illustrious cheating career. From hiding fuel lines inside his cars, building a 7/8 scale race car, to eventually becoming an Oil AND Gold Baron. Smokey is a bonafide legend. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time for the story of NASCAR’s greatest cheater, Smokey Yunick! From humble beginnings building a tractor as a child, fighting in WWII, to operating a dubious smuggling operation, Smokey might be the most interesting man in history! This guy lived five lives before he ever stepped foot on a racetrack. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the final installment of the series, James and Nolan explore more of the lore of the infamous underground Japanese race team, The Mid Night Club. Plus, James and Nolan pass on a message from an actual member of Mid Night. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part one of a two-part series, James and Nolan explain the origins of the Mid Night Club, an underground Japanese race team with top-secret members that raced around the streets of Japan from 1982 to 1999, officially speaking. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the final installment of a four part series, James and Nolan wrap up what became of the feud between two car giants. After two failed attempts and millions of dollars spent, will the GT40 team finally take victory in France? They’re about to find out. Strap in because this is a dense one! We’re talking Holman Moody, Ralph Nader, the Daytona 24 hours, and one of the most iconic race finishes ever! Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part three of a four part series, James and Nolan discuss how, to save face and defeat Ferrari, Ford enlists the help of a man who had done it before, Carroll Shelby. This episode covers Carroll’s life before racing, his failed business ventures including chicken farming, and the Creation of Shelby American in Venice, CA. Carroll Shelby might be  the coolest man to ever live. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices