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Mike Finnegan (Roadkill, Hot Rod Magazine, Finnegan's Garage) sits down at Roadkill Nights to talk about what 13 years of Roadkill really cost him, how his YouTube business actually makes money, and why he has no interest in becoming the next Cleetus McFarland.Mike breaks down his path from mini truck magazine freelancer to Hot Rod associate editor under David Freiburger, how a junkyard road trip turned into Roadkill, and what happened when Motor Trend pulled the show off YouTube. He shares honest numbers on YouTube revenue vs. merch, the one audio mistake that cost him viewers when he launched his channel, and his advice for anyone starting an automotive YouTube channel today.In this episode:- How much Roadkill really cost: every shoot for 13 years added up to one full year away from his kids- How Finnegan's Garage makes money: roughly 60% merch, 40% YouTube- Why a million-view car video pays far less than a 1-page print ad used to- What gear Mike uses: GoPros, an iPhone, and a DJI mic pack (bad audio will lose viewers, grainy video won't)- The biggest content gap in automotive YouTube right now: short, accurate how-to videos- Why "companies aren't cool, people are," and what brands should do about it- The Roadkill Cuda road trip where the crew nearly suffocated from exhaust fumes...CHAPTERS0:00 Cold Open0:43 Mike Finnegan at Roadkill Nights1:31 "I Don't Watch Your Podcast"3:38 The 13-Year Bowtie V6 Engine Block Deal5:50 Automotive ADHD & Why Roadkill Worked7:06 Storytelling Tips for New Creators10:03 From Mini Truck Magazine to Hot Rod14:57 How Roadkill Started16:20 YouTube vs. Cable TV Fame17:47 Why Creators Should Think Like Journalists20:32 Working With Brands & Sponsors22:29 YouTube Money vs. Print Ad Money23:38 Mike's Revenue Split: Merch vs. YouTube24:39 Why He Doesn't Want to 10x His Business25:42 What It Takes to Be Cleetus McFarland28:16 Clickbait vs. Authentic Content31:27 The ZF 8HP Transmission Swap Craze33:00 Roadkill Nights & Woodward Dream Cruise38:32 The Aftermarket Brands That Have His Back43:48 Companies Aren't Cool. People Are.45:21 How Dangerous Was Roadkill?48:09 Mike's YouTube Camera & Audio Setup50:07 Launching His Channel When Roadkill Left YouTube50:53 Gaps in Automotive YouTube Right Now52:41 The State of the Car Industry57:20 Who Inspires Mike Finnegan59:42 What's Next: Wheelie Cars, Jet Boats & the Roadkill C10Subscribe to Automotive Advantage for more conversations with the people building the automotive aftermarket.#MikeFinnegan #Roadkill #AutomotiveAdvantage

Most automotive events fail for the same reason: the people running them forget the attendee is the customer. Tom Zielinski has spent decades on both sides... as the vendor getting squeezed and as the operator building Detroit 4Fest, Cars at the Station, and OEM launches for Jeep, Toyota and Stellantis brands. In this episode he breaks down what separates an event that compounds year over year from one that quietly dies.If you run events, sponsor them, activate at them, or you're just tired of writing checks that don't return anything, this is the one. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN → How to tell a good event from a bad one within 30 seconds of walking in → Why you should never build an event around a sponsorship dollar target → The mistake that makes 90% of events feel hostile to the people attending → How to build relationships with OEMs and why the 11th-hour panic call is an opportunity, not a burden → Why the A/B/C sponsorship package is costing you renewals → How to work with content creators instead of fighting them → Where the money actually is in the events business → What the second half of 2026 looks like for the automotive aftermarket ABOUT OUR GUEST Tom Zielinski is the founder of Z Performance Group, producing consumer events, OEM media programs, and brand activations across the automotive and powersports industries. He is a co-creator of Detroit 4Fest, a partner in programming at Holly Oaks ORV Park, involved with Cars at the Station in downtown Detroit, and serves as Secretary of the Board for Tread Lightly. His career runs from dealership sales manager to Pit Bike Nationals, Supermoto, X Games and Red Bull productions. CHAPTERS 0:00 "You're making it suck" 0:26 Meet Tom Zielinski: Z Performance Group, Detroit 4Fest, Tread Lightly 2:27 From AutoRama kid to dealership sales manager at 24 5:53 Pit Bike Nationals, Supermoto, and the X Games years 8:08 How to spot a good event vs. a bad one 10:13 Why auto shows are struggling 13:10 Live events vs. social media: "but will they do anything?" 15:12 Don't build your event around sponsor dollars 17:33 The hardcore 10% vs. the 90% who've never tried it 20:29 Working with brands: listen first, then push 22:25 The chicken-and-egg problem brands vs. attendance 24:42 Landing Jeep, Toyota and the OEMs 26:31 How to actually build an OEM relationship 29:05 Solve the customer's problem, not your budget 31:07 Why so many events treat attendees like a nuisance 33:51 The event checklist: front gate, vendors, follow-through 36:26 Kill the A/B/C sponsorship package 38:52 How media and content creators fit into events 45:03 Inside Z Performance Group: where the money actually is 51:12 "No, you don't want this job" 55:59 The teacher who thought his daughter was making it up 58:12 Tread Lightly, land use, and paying it forward 1:02:30 Support your local events... or lose them 1:07:24 Brands that do events right 1:12:58 Events that should be on your radar 1:19:36 Goodwood, the Quail, and stealing good ideas 1:23:57 What the second half of 2026 looks like 1:26:47 Closing thoughts ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE ADVANTAGE Automotive Advantage is a business-first automotive podcast for owners, operators, builders, marketers and decision makers. Not bench racing, not horsepower numbers... real conversations about growth, leadership, marketing, sales and the long-term health of the automotive aftermarket.Grow your business and get smarter in just one hour.

Year one is in the books. In this one-year anniversary episode of Automotive Advantage, Jamie and Justin lay out five practical ways to use AI in your automotive business in 2026, share hard numbers on where the aftermarket actually stands at the halfway mark, and pull the marketing lessons hiding inside the World Cup. This is the business side of the automotive aftermarket. Real strategy for shop owners, builders, manufacturers, and marketers who want to grow. From using Claude to read contracts, spot revenue trends, manage Shopify catalogs, and audit Google Analytics, to the Midway Plus Wholesale Index showing the industry up 12.3% through the first half of 2026, this one is packed with things you can use Monday morning. 5 ways to use AI in your automotive business 1. Spot revenue and market trends in your own data 2. Read contracts, flag your exposure, and prep pitches 3. Lock in brand voice, tone, and style-guide compliance 4. Connect Shopify + Google Analytics to run catalogs and reporting 5. Write copy — press releases, emails, social — that doesn't sound like AI State of the aftermarket, first half of 2026 (Midway Plus Wholesale Index) - Wholesale revenue up 12.3% year-to-date vs. 2025 - Wholesale order volume up 52% year-to-date - June-over-June sales up ~28% - 32% of all wholesale transactions happen after business hours What the World Cup teaches the aftermarket about marketing $10.5B in global ad spend — and the brands that won didn't always have the biggest check. Nike, Gillette, Levi's, and the Dodge Demon on how constraints become campaigns. Plus: our first-ever sponsors — welcome Spec Coffee and Midway Plus — and a tribute to Brian Loundsbury, founder of Midway Plus. Chapters 0:00 Cold Open: The Great AI "Slop" Debate 0:41 One Year of Automotive Advantage 1:58 Year One by the Numbers 6:50 First-Ever Sponsors: Spec Coffee & Midway Plus 10:19 Taking the Podcast Live (Cars at the Station, SEMA) 13:02 State of the Industry: First Half of 2026 17:26 Midway Plus Wholesale Index + Tribute to Brian Lounsbury 37:56 5 Ways to Use AI — #1 Trend Spotting 41:22 #2 Reading Contracts & Pitches 46:17 #3 Brand Voice, Tone & Style Guides 50:47 #4 Connectors: Shopify & Google Analytics 57:37 #5 Writing Copy That Doesn't Sound Like AI 1:05:53 AI News: Ford Recalls 300+ Engineers 1:07:39 Automotive News: EPA Pardons & 7-Year Car Loans 1:10:22 World Cup Marketing Lessons for the Aftermarket 1:18:42 Here's to Year Two Automotive Advantage is a business-first automotive podcast for owners, operators, builders, and marketers in the performance aftermarket. Grow your business and get smarter in about an hour. Subscribe for a new episode every week(ish). Hosted by Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting). #AutomotiveAftermarket #AutomotiveBusiness #PerformanceAftermarket #ShopOwner #AutomotiveMarketing #AutomotiveAdvantage #AITools #SmallBusinessGrowth

New vehicle recalls just doubled... 21.7 million cars recalled in the first half of 2026, up from 10.7 million last year. Justin Cesler and Dr. Jamie Meyer break down what's actually driving the crisis, then pull hard-won lessons from three completely unrelated industries (watches, firearms, and grocery deli counters) that every automotive business needs to hear.In this episode: The 21.7 million vehicle recall surge: what's really causing it, and why new owners are becoming unpaid beta testersJamie's own truck gets "bricked" mid-warranty — and what good dealership customer service looks like when it happens to youWhat Rolex and Omega teach brands about managing scarcity without losing customersWhy the firearms industry (Not Just Guns, 2011 pistols, suppressor brands) runs on branding and hype as much as engineering and the shadow-banning problem that comes with itThe "deli meat lesson": how one grocery store lost 40% of total revenue by dropping a single product, and what it means for cross-selling in your shopWoodward Dream Cruise activation strategy: marketing a brand across a 13-mile, two-week eventHow new client relationships actually start and why clarity beats "we do everything"Timestamps:0:00 – Cold open: the recall that started it all1:25 – Welcome to Automotive Advantage3:13 – What's on deck this episode6:44 – Woodward Dream Cruise guest lineup tease9:43 – The full story: Jamie's Colorado gets bricked13:06 – Why recalls have doubled industry-wide19:01 – Ferrari, Porsche, and the return to pre-COVID cars23:08 – The "turn it all off" button pitch26:09 – Business lessons from other industries26:50 – Rolex, Omega, and managing scarcity34:55 – What the firearms industry gets right (and wrong)43:44 – Shadow banning and building on someone else's platform50:29 – The deli meat lesson: cross-selling and related products59:03 – Woodward Dream Cruise: activation strategy1:09:23 – How new client relationships actually start1:19:08 – Wrap-up and where to find the showAutomotive Advantage is the business-first podcast for owners, operators, builders, and marketers who take the automotive industry seriously. No hype. No bench racing. Just the real mechanics behind businesses that grow.Hosted by Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting).Subscribe for new episodesLike, comment, and share if this helped your businessMore at TheAutomotiveAdvantage.comAlso on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Is the automotive industry actually slowing down? Not even close. In this episode of Automotive Advantage, Justin and the team break down three very different events from one stretch of "car summer" 2026 — the High Performance Expo (HPX) in Charlotte, Streetcar Takeover, and Hot Rod Power Tour — and answer the question most brands never ask: how do you actually measure whether an automotive event was worth it?This is a business-first look at the performance aftermarket: B2B vs. B2C strategy, event ROI, brand activation, content that converts, and why showing up the right way is now non-negotiable. From a JEGS distribution deal closed on the trade-show floor, to Tom Peters sketching a future Corvette live, to three Chevrolet Performance reels hitting 3 million views in a week — this is what the modern car business actually looks like.What you'll learn:How to set a goal before an event so you can measure real ROI afterwardThe difference between measuring a B2B trade show and a B2C consumer eventWhy "business development" — not booth traffic — is becoming the point of HPXHow big brands like Chevrolet Performance and Tremec activate authentically (and why engineers driving the cars matters)How event content turns into millions of views and real salesWhy being "culturally relevant" beats legacy reputation in 2026Chapters:0:00 — "No one's into cars anymore" — the Tesla Robotaxi myth0:30 — Three very different events in two weeks2:11 — High Performance Expo (HPX): Year 2 recap3:12 — Why HPX became a B2B business-development machine5:10 — Education & Power Talks at HPX5:33 — Building Cadillac's F1 powertrain from zero7:09 — State of the industry: where the market is headed in 20268:23 — The AI panel: Amazon Quick, agentic AI & MotorMia10:08 — When Gridlife & Streetcar Takeover met on stage11:35 — Inside the HPX Leadership Conference ($99 vs. $10K seminars)12:51 — How Greg Fornelli acquires companies (banker in the room)17:08 — Tom Peters draws a "secret" future Corvette, live21:46 — Live podcast + the new AutomotiveAdvantage.com24:05 — The networking trick that changes how you work a show25:48 — Streetcar Takeover takes over Concord (100 cop cars!)29:17 — Roll racing a 1,000-hp Trans Am at zMAX33:17 — Protecting your brand at the track (Vengeance Racing)36:32 — Hot Rod Power Tour & the 100th anniversary of Route 6641:38 — How big brands should activate (Chevrolet Performance & Tremec)42:52 — 3 reels, 3 million views: content that converts45:25 — How to measure a B2C event (leads & sales)47:39 — How to measure Streetcar Takeover48:42 — How to measure a B2B trade show (business development)53:55 — Looking ahead: Woodward Dream Cruise & Q354:16 — The CanCon × automotive crossover nobody expected56:12 — Why the industry has momentum heading into Q3Questions answered in this episode:How do you measure the ROI of a car show or automotive trade show?What's the difference between a B2B and B2C automotive event?How should brands activate at Hot Rod Power Tour or Streetcar Takeover?Is the automotive aftermarket growing in 2026?How does event content turn into sales?About Automotive Advantage:Automotive Advantage is a business-first automotive podcast for shop owners, operators, builders, marketers, and decision-makers who take this industry seriously. We explore the real mechanics behind successful automotive businesses — growth, leadership, brand positioning, sales, marketing, and operations in the performance aftermarket. No hype. No bench racing. Just real conversations that help serious automotive professionals build real advantage.🎧 Full archive, transcripts & key takeaways: https://automotiveadvantage.com▶️ Subscribe for new episodes and turn on notifications.#AutomotiveAdvantage #AutomotivePodcast #PerformanceAftermarket #HPX #HighPerformanceExpo #StreetcarTakeover #HotRodPowerTour #ChevroletPerformance #CarBusiness #AutomotiveMarketing #Route66 #CarSummer

What does it actually take to build one of the most influential organizations in grassroots motorsports? Chase Lautenbach got his start with 1320 Video — traveling the country, covering races, and watching the machine Kyle Loftis was building in real time. One phone call later, Street Car Takeover was born in a Sonic parking lot. Now it's an 18-race season, an $8M+ operation, a car dealership specializing in 1,500-3,000hp builds, and one of the most authentic communities in the automotive aftermarket. In this episode, Chase breaks down: → How 1320 Video quietly pushed BILLIONS through the automotive industry (and why nobody realized it until now) → Why Street Car Takeover has a spot for the broke 17-year-old with an F-body AND the guy running 3-second passes → The business model behind a race series where the promoters race their own cars → How Chase sells 2,000hp modified cars without Autotrader, Bring a Trailer, or CarGurus — and why dealerships are calling him to move cars they can't → The used supercar market forecast: which platforms are rising in the next 12 months (R8, Huracán, GTR, Porsche) → The "Dreamer, Numbers Guy, Processes Guy" partnership structure that makes it all work → Why going to events — not going viral — is how you actually build reach → "Those who can't, teach" — Chase's take on real education vs. business coaches → What Street Car Takeover is bringing to Charlotte for HPX week — and why this might be the most car-guy week of the year This is a business conversation. Real numbers. Real frameworks. Real talk from someone who built something most people in this industry are still trying to figure out. Street Car Takeover: @streetcartakeover Chase Lautenbach: @chaselautenbach 1320 Video: @1320video High Performance Expo (HPX) Charlotte — June 2nd Street Car Takeover Charlotte — same week ⚙️ Automotive Advantage is where the automotive industry comes to think bigger, build smarter, and grow faster. Subscribe and leave a review if this episode gave you something to work with. ——— CHAPTERS ——— 0:00 Cold Open — How Street Car Takeover Was Born 1:02 Welcome / Intro 1:25 Chase's Background & the 1320 Video Origin Story 3:23 What Kyle Loftis Built — Billions With a B 6:47 Why 1320 Always Put People First 7:58 Organic Reach & The Secret to Social Media 10:07 "Have Just Enough Fun to Not Get Sued" 11:06 Find Fun Friends — Advice for Struggling Creators 13:22 What Is Street Car Takeover, Really? 15:48 The Numbers: 18 Events, $8M+, 20,000 People 18:04 Why They Still Go to Small Events 19:37 The Promoters Who Race Their Own Cars 21:19 How Chase Called Out All of Charlotte (Organic Reach 101) 22:51 Advice for Small Promoters Just Starting Out 24:40 Race Ready Auto Sports — Selling the 1% of the 1% 26:57 How to Actually Sell a 2,000hp Modified Car 28:02 Margins on Modified vs. Stock Cars 29:38 Used Supercar Market Forecast — What's Rising in 2026 31:44 "How Did Everyone Get So Rich?" 33:00 The Black Z06 Nobody Will Buy (And Why) 36:31 How to Attract and Keep Great Talent 37:42 What Chase Actually Looks for in a Hire 38:29 The Dreamer, the Numbers Guy, and the Processes Guy 39:43 No Ego at the Top — Why SCT Has Never Been One Person 41:19 Nobody's Too Good to Fold Merch 43:12 HPX + Street Car Takeover Charlotte Same Week 45:22 Trade Shows, Handshake Deals & Real Relationships 45:43 What Chase Is Teaching at HPX 48:30 How to Handle Failure (And Why It Ain't That Deep) 51:27 The Cars Coming to HPX — 3,000hp GTR + 50 Shades Fox Body 52:51 Why SCT Draws Everyone — 20-Year-Olds, Women, Every Background 55:32 How to Build a Culture Where Nobody Feels Left Out 56:40 Where Chase Finds Inspiration 58:17 "Race Car Go Fast. It Ain't That Deep." 58:56 HPX Week Preview — What to Expect in Charlotte 1:01:15 How to Find Chase & Street Car Takeover

No guest this week, just Jamie and Justin working through what's actually going to happen in the automotive industry in 2026. We introduced a new segment: a live prediction market where we debate five real automotive questions and put our takes on the record. New vehicle sales, Detroit Big Three moves, the Camaro's return timeline, NASCAR manufacturer titles, and aftermarket revenue. One of us had to legally abstain from a question. You'll know which one when you get there. From there we recapped some of our recent guest episodes — Donnie Walsh Jr., Les Rudd, Ty Damon, and Johnny D — and what's been sticking with us since those conversations. We got into automotive photography as a brand strategy tool, the event season that's ramping up, what we're planning at HPX, and our ongoing AI Watch segment including shop robots, Claude throttling, and what $10,000 a month in AI spend actually looks like for a real business. Drop your own automotive prediction in the comments. We want to build this market out. Automotive Advantage | Where serious automotive professionals come to think bigger, build smarter, and grow faster. #AutomotiveAdvantage #AutomotivePodcast #AutomotiveBusiness #AftermarketIndustry #HPX

What does a manufacturer's rep actually do and why does your shop need one? If you've ever been to SEMA, PRI, or HPX and wondered who those guys wearing branded shirts are covering every aisle, this episode is the answer.SEMA Hall of Famer Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales joins Justin and Jamie on Automotive Advantage for a masterclass on the manufacturer's rep model. Nearly 50 years of relationships, territory, data, and deal-making that most shop owners and small manufacturers never fully tap into.What you'll learn in this episode:* What a manufacturer's rep is and how the model works in the automotive aftermarket* How new manufacturers should approach finding and working with a rep agency* Why a bad program is harder to recover from than a defective product* What shops are missing by not leveraging their reps (market intel, event support, product access)* How to read the aftermarket economy: fuel prices, consumer confidence, and why "flat is the new up" in 2026* The role of private equity in the aftermarket and why passion can't be managed by spreadsheet* Why Les thinks HPX will fill the Charlotte Convention Center within five years* The give-back culture of industry associations — SEMA, HPX Advisory Council, North Carolina Motorsports AssociationLes Rudd is the President of Bob Cook Sales, a manufacturer's rep agency covering the Southeast and Southwest and a SEMA Hall of Fame inductee. Bob Cook Sales has represented brands like ARP, Edelbrock, Comp Cams, DZ, Headman, and dozens more over nearly five decades.Contact Les: [email protected] | bobcooksales.comAutomotive Advantage is a business-first automotive podcast for shop owners, brand leaders, and operators who take this industry seriously.New episodes drop weekly! Subscribe so you don't miss one.#automotiveaftermarket #manufacturersrep #automotivebusiness #performanceindustry

How do you build a performance shop that lasts 36 years? Donnie Walsh Jr. of D&D Performance in Wixom, Michigan has the answer and it starts with a dad, two slicks, a jack, and a trunk full of nitrous bottles in the late 1980s. In this episode of Automotive Advantage, Justin sits down with one of the most respected names in Mustang and performance transmission history. Donnie and his father started D&D Performance out of their basement building T5 transmissions running a single print ad with hours from 6 to 9 PM. Today, D&D is a full-service performance shop specializing in Tremec and BorgWarner transmissions, driveline builds, supercharger and turbocharger installs, and dyno tuning — and they're up 20% year over year. In this episode: Donnie's drag racing career competing in Fox body Mustang classes from the nitrous era through Pro Mod, and why he was considered the best driver in NMRA Mustang historyHow D&D Performance started: basement-built rear axles, a T5 transmission niche, and a BorgWarner deal that launched a 36-year businessThe real margins on performance shop work: why building cars is passion-driven, not profit-driven, and where the real money actually comes fromWhat separates shops that last from shops that close: customer experience, staying on the phone, and rebuilding a transmission overnight at a car showReading the market right now: economic headwinds, the return of the $40K fun car, and why D&D is up 20% while others are tighteningThe Fox body Mustang legacy and what the new Mustang is getting wrong: why attainability built the aftermarket, and why that's being lostThe future of D&D: a new mainline hub dyno, a revamped website with install videos, and why private equity isn't the answer for shops like thisD&D Performance is one of the most trusted names in Ford performance and Tremec transmission builds in the country. If you're a shop owner, performance enthusiast, or automotive business operator this conversation is a masterclass in staying relevant, staying profitable, and staying true to why you started. Subscribe to Automotive Advantage the podcast built for serious automotive business professionals. New episodes every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. #AutomotiveAdvantage #PerformanceShop #DDPerformance #DonnieWalsh #FoxBodyMustang #TremecTransmission #MustangDragRacing #NMRA #AutomotiveBusiness #PerformanceAftermarket #BorgWarner #T5Transmission #SuperchargerBuild #DynoTuning #AutomotivePodcast #ShopOwner #AftermarketBusiness #MustangPerformance #CarBusiness #PerformanceAftermarketPodcast

The Tremec Manual Transaxle stopped SEMA cold. Phones are ringing off the hook. And yet... the Corvette world isn't sure what to believe.In this episode of Automotive Advantage, we sit down with Mike Kidd, Aftermarket Business Unit Manager at Tremec, to get the straight story on the manual transaxle that became the most talked-about Corvette product and why the internet's assumptions about it being a factory C8 option were dead wrong.Mike sets the record straight, breaks down what this transmission actually is, who it's built for, and when you can get your hands on one. We also dig into why manual transmissions are dying in production vehicles but why the aftermarket demand has never been stronger.What We Cover:* The C8 Manual Transaxle: How fake is it?* Why Tremec built it (and what it's NOT)* When can you actually buy one? (The 2027 timeline)* What else can it fit? GT500, GTD, and beyond* Manual transmissions are down to 2% of production vehicles — here's why that's a lie* Why a C7 Grand Sport manual is worth $10–15K more than an automatic right now* Tremec's full product lineup: TKX, Magnum, T5, and the new aftermarket DCT* How Tremec uses vehicle registration data to spot market opportunities* 37 shows a year: how Tremec wins the floor at SEMA, Power Tour, and Mustang Week* How to get a Tremec sponsorship (and what actually gets you renewed)🔗 Find Tremec:Website: tremec.comTech Line: 800-401-9866Automotive Advantage is the podcast for automotive aftermarket owners, operators, and builders who take the business side of this industry seriously. New episodes drop weekly.🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.👍 If this was useful, leave us a like, it helps other serious automotive professionals find the show.#C8Corvette #ManualTransmission #Tremec #CorvetteGrandSport

Sacred cows of the automotive industry... we're putting them on the chopping block. In this episode, Jamie and Justin take the biggest "golden rules" of automotive marketing, product strategy, and business and test whether they still hold up in 2026. Spoiler: most of them don't.We kick things off with what's happening in the real world right now: rising fuel prices driven by the conflict in Iran, shaken consumer confidence, brutal job reports, and what all of that means for performance shops, aftermarket brands, and the events industry. Travel costs are through the roof, hotel rooms are skyrocketing, and hard drives doubled in price in three months. Something's got to give.Then we get into the AI conversation you need to hear. Jamie shares a mind-bending party trick from an Amazon AI executive... ask any AI to pick a random number between 1 and 25, and the answer is always 17. What does that tell us about the tools we're trusting with business decisions? We also break down real-world AI use cases that are closing deals at 2AM, and why this technology is a force multiplier, not a job killer.We recap the 2026 Detroit Auto-Rama, the Riddler Award winner "Elegant Lady," and have an honest conversation about where this legendary car show needs to go to stay relevant in the modern era.And then the main event. Sacred Cows of the Auto Industry:🐄 Win on Sunday, sell on Monday: Does motorsport still move the needle for manufacturers?🐄 Kids just aren't into cars anymore: We bust this myth wide open🐄 Only market to young people: Why ignoring boomers is the most expensive mistake in automotive marketing🐄 No one buys cars anymore, it's all SUVs and trucks: Is the sedan really dead?🐄 Double down on marketing in a down economy: Smart strategy or agency upsell?Whether you run a performance shop, manage a brand, or just want to know what's really happening in the auto industry right now... this one's packed.

What did it actually take to build one of the most iconic automotive ad campaigns in American history? In this episode, host Jamie sits down with Ty Damon — fourth-generation Detroit ad man and recently retired veteran of Jack Morton — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the golden age of automotive advertising, what killed it, and what the industry desperately needs to reclaim.Ty breaks down the full architecture of how Detroit's agency world worked at its peak from product planning and positioning to media strategy and multi-million dollar production budgets. He tells the story behind the Chevy Tahoe launch, the "Like a Rock" campaign, a $576 million Manchester United sponsorship, and what it felt like to hand autographs to Chinese schoolchildren who mistook him for Wayne Rooney.But this episode isn't just nostalgia. It's a masterclass in what great marketing actually requires: knowing your product, knowing your customer, and having the conviction to stick with a big idea long enough for it to become iconic.If you've ever wondered why modern automotive marketing feels hollow — more data, fewer insights, more content, less impact — Ty explains exactly how we got here and why the compression of creative talent into generalist roles is costing the industry more than anyone admits.Topics covered:* How Detroit's advertising infrastructure compared to Hollywood in its prime* Product positioning vs. snappy headlines... what actually sells vehicles* The real story behind "Like a Rock" and why it worked for 11 years* Why the shift from commission-based to fee-based agency models changed everything* The data paradox: more analytics, worse insights* What the automotive aftermarket can learn from the golden era of brand buildingThis is the kind of conversation that only happens when someone has truly lived it. Don't miss it.Subscribe for new episodes every week.🎙️ Automotive Advantage — Where the automotive industry goes to think bigger, build smarter, and grow faster.

General Motors writes off $7.2 billion in EV losses… and the stock goes UP. Record profits. A 20% dividend hike. Meanwhile, tiny enthusiast programs can’t get approved.What is actually happening in the automotive industry right now?In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we break down:• The GM Q4 earnings surprise and what it signals for 2026 • Why trucks and SUVs continue to dominate OEM profits• MidwayPlus aftermarket data showing demand up 37% but conversions down• Why high net worth buyers are doubling exotic car values at auction• Record-breaking Barrett-style auction results and what they mean for your business• Rolex 24 viewership surging and racing momentum returning• Why $200,000 trucks keep selling out• Minivan sales up 21% (yes, really)• The High Performance Expo movement building in Charlotte• How a niche Corvette dealer sold multiple cars from one podcast appearance• Opus Clip, AI content, and whether you’re overthinking social media• The truth about AI agents and what business owners should actually care aboutIf you’re in the automotive aftermarket, performance parts, racing, dealership operations, or automotive marketing, this episode is packed with real signals you should be watching heading into 2026.The economy feels loose. Racing is back. Big trucks are king. High-end buyers are spending aggressively. The question is… are you positioned correctly?Subscribe for weekly insights on growing your automotive business smarter.

Buying a new performance car should not feel like a trap. In this episode of Automotive Advantage, we sit down with Alan Johnson, widely known as the best Corvette salesman in the country, to break down how the dealership world actually works… and how buyers can win. We cover what allocation really means, why MSRP is not the whole story, how dealership relationships matter more than people think, and what separates a great Corvette buying experience from a nightmare. Alan also walks through the entire modern Corvette lineup, from Stingray to Z06 to ZR1, explains which options actually matter, which ones hurt resale, and why most people overspend in the wrong places. If you are shopping for a Corvette, a performance car, or just want to understand how dealers think behind the scenes, this episode will save you time, money, and frustration. Topics include: How Corvette allocations actually work Why long term dealer relationships matter The real difference between Stingray, Z06, E-Ray, and ZR1 What options are worth the money and which are not How used Corvettes really hold value Why some buyers get priority access and others never do This episode applies to more than Corvettes. These lessons translate to buying any performance car today. Also, if you see any errors in the video render, we apologize! Seems like we're having an issue with one of the cameras, we will get it fixed ASAP.

Cyberattacks are no longer a “big company problem.” In 2026, every automotive business is a target.In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, we sit down with cybersecurity expert Brad Brown to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes and why ignoring security today can cost you everything tomorrow.We cover:* Why hackers don’t need to “guess” your password anymore* The biggest cybersecurity mistakes shop owners make without realizing it* How phishing, spoofed emails, and fake Zoom calls are stealing millions* Why social media access and shared passwords are massive risks* What multi factor authentication actually protects and what it doesn’t* How AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning are changing scams forever* Real world examples of companies losing millions overnight* Simple steps any business can take right now to reduce riskThis isn’t about paranoia. It’s about awareness, basic hygiene, and protecting what you’ve spent years building.If you run a shop, manage an automotive brand, handle finances, or touch customer data in any way, this episode could save your business.Listen now and make 2026 the year you stop being an easy target.