This week on Oil & Whiskey, we sit down with Chris Barrett, President of Barrett Firearms . The company behind some of the most recognized precision rifles in the world.Chris shares the story of how Barrett became an American icon, what it takes to engineer world-class firearms, and how the same mindset that drives innovation in the gun industry mirrors the craftsmanship found in hot rodding and performance culture.Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Steven Bunker and Damon Lee og Goodguys Rod & Custom. Two names deeply connected to the world of automotive media and marketing.
With decades of experience across magazines, events, and industry storytelling, Steven and Damon break down how car culture has evolved, what’s changed in the media landscape, and how brands and builders are connecting with enthusiasts today.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Bill Ganahl, founder of South City Rod & Custom — one of the most respected traditional hot rod shops in the country.Bill shares his journey from growing up around hot rods to building a brand rooted in craftsmanship, authenticity, and timeless design. From his early influences to what it takes to build a car that feels right, Bill dives into the process, mindset, and soul behind South City’s signature style.We talk about:The roots of South City Rod & Custom and Bill’s philosophy on craftsmanshipWhat it means to build traditional hot rods that stand the test of timeThe influence of legends like Roy Brizio, Steve Moal, and Chip FooseWhy hot rod culture still matters — and how it’s evolvingHow authenticity separates a “cool build” from a great carWhether you’re into custom cars, classic builds, shop culture, or just love hearing from the people keeping the spirit of hot rodding alive, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Michael Good, President of Performance Racing Industry (PRI).Michael brings insight into the racing world from the industry side where innovation, advocacy, and community come together to keep motorsports alive and thriving. We dive into PRI’s mission, how it supports racers and builders, and what the future of performance racing looks like.Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Tom Gattuso and Warren Kosikov from SEMA.For Tom, it’s his second time on the show — but his first time sitting with us in person. Alongside Warren, they give us an inside look at the work SEMA does behind the scenes, how the industry is evolving, and why events like the SEMA Show are more important than ever.
Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
From wild days at Hoonigan to building his own YouTube brand, Zac Mertens (aka Mister Zachary) has seen it all. In this episode, he shares untold Hoonigan stories, the lessons he took from that environment, and how he’s making his own mark in car culture online.We get into his career, the projects that shaped him, and what it really takes to balance creativity, chaos, and cars.Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we sit down with Craig Metros, retired Ford Design Executive with over 35 years shaping some of the most iconic vehicles on the road. From the 2004 F-150 that redefined a segment, to his work on the Ford GT program that returned to Le Mans, Craig’s stories take us inside the design studio battles, the global moves, and the passion that fueled a career at the highest level of automotive design.
Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, the guys sit down with Josh Freeman, founder of Freeman Fabrication and a key builder on Aaron Kaufman’s Shifting Gears and Gas Monkey Garage. Josh takes us through his evolution in the automotive world from tearing into builds on TV to mastering high-precision sheet metal work in his own shop.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Bill Goldberg—WWE Hall of Famer, actor, and lifelong car guy. Known for his intensity in the ring and his passion in the garage, Goldberg shares stories about his legendary wrestling career, his love for football & muscle cars, and what it’s like balancing fame with family and horsepower.
Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Finnegan, Co-host of Roadkill and Faster with Finnegan, to talk about building cars, making TV, and the wild road that led him here. From starting out as a writer and editor to becoming a face of automotive entertainment, Mike shares stories about working with David Freiburger, the early days of YouTube car culture, and balancing family life with constant projects and filming. The guys also dig into hot rod culture, unforgettable builds, and what keeps Mike chasing horsepower.
Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
Eddie Pettus, the man behind Eddie’s Rod & Custom, joins the Oil & Whiskey podcast to talk about his journey building some of the most jaw-dropping hot rods in the game. From show-winning details to the philosophy that drives his shop’s craftsmanship, Eddie shares stories from the shop floor, insights into the custom car world, and the builds that put him on the map.
Listen in for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn vision into metal—and why Eddie’s passion for the craft hasn’t slowed down one bit.
In this episode, the guys sit down with Nikita Bridan, co-founder of Oil Stain Lab—the creative force behind some of the wildest hand-built concept cars in the hot rod world, including the infamous “Half11” build. Nikita shares the origin story of Oil Stain Lab, how he and his brother combine engineering and art, and why they intentionally blur the lines between fantasy and fabrication.
From drawing inspiration from old Le Mans cars to launching a global brand that now collaborates with the likes of Hagerty and Hoonigan, Nikita gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to break every rule in hot rodding—and still make it beautiful.
If you’ve ever looked at a car and thought, “That shouldn’t exist…but I’m glad it does,” this one’s for you.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Ross Logsdon, founder of Premier Street Rod, a shop known for top-shelf craftsmanship and complete steel bodies for classic builds. Ross shares the story of how Premier got started, the challenges of manufacturing full steel reproduction bodies, and what it takes to blend traditional hot rod values with modern precision.
The crew dives into how Premier evolved from shop builds to supplying some of the best in the industry, what it’s like staying ahead in a niche market, and the lessons Ron’s learned building cars that are meant to last.
Dan Hogan of Hogan Built joins Oil & Whiskey to talk Blazers, Barrett Jackson, and breaking the mold. From building bikes and baggers to crafting some of the baddest K5s and K10s on the scene, Dan shares how his obsession with clean lines and custom work evolved into one of the hottest names in the off-road game. The guys dive into his leap from collision repair to full-on custom builds, how his Barrett Jackson breakout helped fuel the four-wheel-drive boom, and what it takes to balance craftsmanship with client expectations. Whether you're a fan of SEMA showstoppers or you're chasing inspiration for your own build, this one's got plenty of fuel for the fire.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Melanie Hellwig-White, President of Hellwig Products—a fourth-generation family business that’s been keeping vehicles stable and performance-driven for over 75 years.
Melanie shares what it’s like stepping into a leadership role in a legacy company, how Hellwig continues to innovate in the suspension world, and why staying connected to the enthusiast community matters now more than ever. From SEMA involvement to family values and business strategy, this episode dives into the real behind-the-scenes of keeping an iconic brand moving forward.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Jeremy Bumpus of The Hot Rod Shop Mississippi. Builder, fabricator, and TV personality.
Jeremy talks about the differences between building cars for the camera and building them for real, what the TV world taught him, and how those experiences shaped his mindset back in the shop. We also get into shop culture, customer dynamics, and what it takes to keep a small-town hot rod business thriving in today’s market.
If you’ve seen his work on screen or on the show floor, you’ll appreciate the stories and honesty in this one.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Jason Hill, founder of Hill’s Hot Rods. A name that’s become synonymous with bold colors, clean lines, and a seriously stacked trophy case.
Jason shares how he got started, what it takes to consistently turn out top-tier builds, and the balance between wild custom work and timeless design. From trucks and street rods to award-winning show vehicles, this episode is packed with shop talk and stories from one of the hardest-working names in the game.
Two of the best to ever do it. This week on Oil & Whiskey, we sit down with Troy Trepanier, legendary builder and founder of Rad Rides by Troy, and Adam Banks, the man many consider the top metal fabricator in the industry.From wild one-off builds to the philosophies behind world-class craftsmanship, the conversation dives deep into what makes Rad Rides one of the most respected shops in hot rodding. You’ll hear how Troy and Adam approach problem-solving, storytelling through design, and why their shop continues to push boundaries year after year.A rare behind-the-curtain look at how elite builds come together and the kind of mindset it takes to make it last.
This week, we sit down with Josh Mishler, VP of Sales at Aeromotive and a longtime industry insider whose career has spanned car photography, magazine publishing, and high-stakes hot rod builds. From swapping stories about early days in print media to the pressures of plating deadlines and unforgettable project debuts, Josh offers a candid look into the behind-the-scenes hustle of the custom car world.Plus: tales of growing up around gearheads, the lessons that shaped his work ethic, and why a well-packed crate might just save your show deadline.🚨 Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by none other than Brian Scotto, co-founder of Hoonigan and longtime creative force behind some of the most iconic automotive content in the game ever. From Gymkhana to This vs That, Brian’s fingerprints are all over the culture we live and breathe.
We talk about the early days of Hoonigan, the creative process behind filming wild stunts, what he’s working on now, and the balance between making something cool and making it last.
If you’ve ever been inspired to build, film, or rip something sideways, this one’s for you.
