"Let's Be RONest" with Ron Bergenholtz

Westen Champlin on Redneck Science, Building Horsepower Ranch, and Betting on Yourself | LET'S BE RONest S2 #4

From flipping trucks in Kansas to building some of the wildest vehicles on the internet, Westen Champlin has built a career by figuring things out the only way he knows how: trying it, breaking it, and trying again. Westen takes Ron through the story behind his automotive obsession, starting with four-wheelers, his first cars, crashing his dad’s semi, and the vehicles that eventually gave him the speed bug. He shares how years of hustling and flipping vehicles led to a car dealership, how a ’98 Chevy 1500 helped change the trajectory of his career, and why taking what he was already good at and doing more of it ultimately led him to YouTube. Ron and Westen dive into the transition from flipping cars to creating videos, the importance of showing the real wins and failures, and the philosophy behind what Westen calls “Redneck Science.” They talk about builds that fought back, taking chances before knowing whether something will work, and why the best cars aren’t necessarily the fastest because they’re the ones that make you feel something. The conversation heads outside for a tour of Westen’s automotive playground, Horsepower Ranch. Spread across 200 acres, the property is home to off-road trails, a drift pad, an ever-growing collection of vehicles, and plenty of room for whatever crazy idea comes next. Westen gives Ron a look at the machines, the property, and the vision behind building a place where automotive ideas can come to life. This episode features Westen Champlin discussing Redneck Science, Horsepower Ranch, YouTube, car flipping, automotive builds, entrepreneurship, content creation, horsepower, drifting, off-roading, taking risks, learning through failure, staying authentic, and what the next five years could look like. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ #TeamNitto #LetsBeRONest #WestenChamplin #NittoTire

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Collete Davis on Reinvention, Risk, and Racing Everything | LET'S BE RONest S2 #3

From open-wheel racing and rallycross to Monster Jam and Formula Drift, Collete Davis has built a career by refusing to stay in one lane. Collete takes Ron through the journey that started with a simple go-kart experience and turned into a lifelong pursuit of speed. She shares how she hustled her way through a mechanical engineering race program, made the difficult decision to leave the traditional path behind, and took a chance on herself as a professional driver. Ron and Collete dive into her years competing in Red Bull Global Rallycross, the transition from open-wheel racing to dirt, and how she stayed motivated when racing programs ended unexpectedly. They also discuss the mindset required to keep adapting, from landing a spot in Monster Jam to discovering a passion for drifting and building her Formula Drift program. Along the way, they explore the people who inspired her, the challenges women still face in motorsports, her YouTube journey, favorite forms of racing, and what it takes to stay aggressive and competitive at the highest level. This episode features Collete Davis discussing Formula Drift, Red Bull Global Rallycross, Monster Jam, women in motorsports, engineering, entrepreneurship, drifting, YouTube, driver development, racing mindset, career pivots, and chasing opportunities wherever they lead. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ #TeamNitto #LetsBeRONest #ColleteDavis #FormulaDrift #Drifting #NittoTire

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Ben Hobson on Formula Drift, Failure, and Never Stopping the Chase | LET'S BE RONest S2 #2

Fresh off a strong showing at Long Beach and a frustrating qualifying result at Road Atlanta, Ben breaks down the mental side of competition, why overthinking can cost you everything, and how he's learned to turn setbacks into lessons. Ron and Ben dive into the early days, from discovering drifting in Florida and learning in an automatic Mustang to building his first 240SX on a budget and chasing the Lone Star Drift dream. What started as late nights in the garage eventually led to Pro-Am championships, a ProSpec title, and a seat in Formula Drift Pro. They also discuss the drivers who inspired him, the people who helped him along the way, and the moments that nearly made him quit. From blown engines and borrowed cars to podium finishes and factory drives, Ben shares what it really takes to keep moving forward. This episode features Ben Hobson discussing Formula Drift, Road Atlanta, Long Beach, RTR Vehicles, Nitto Tire, grassroots drifting, ProSpec, driver mindset, and chasing a dream through every setback. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/

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Betting It All on Rotaries with Rob Dahm | Let’s Be RONest

Season 2 of Let’s Be RONest kicks off with Rob Dahm, the guy behind some of the wildest rotary builds out there. From being scared of loud engines as a kid to chasing world records and building a 1000+ horsepower RX-7, Rob breaks down how curiosity, not just passion, shaped everything he does. What started with computers and Guinness World Records turned into an obsession with speed, engineering, and pushing limits. Ron and Rob get into the early days, from starting an IT business just to afford a Lamborghini Diablo, to maxing out credit cards building cars, to jumping into YouTube before anyone really knew what it would become. They also dive into what it actually takes to build and drive a high-horsepower rotary, why data matters more than people think, and how Rob approaches problem-solving when things don’t go as planned. The conversation goes deep on Pikes Peak, from learning the course, to trusting the car, to pushing it right to the edge. They also talk about balancing building, driving, and content, and why sometimes the win isn’t a trophy, it’s just getting the chance to do it. This episode features Rob Dahm discussing rotary engines, RX-7 builds, Pikes Peak, data-driven tuning, YouTube, and betting on yourself. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ #TeamNitto #LetsBeRONest #RobDahm #RX7 #Rotary #PikesPeak #CarBuilds #Automotive

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Building Speed and Betting It All with Cleetus McFarland | Let’s Be RONest

In Episode 7 of Let’s Be RONest, host Ron Bergenholtz sits down with drag racer, ARCA competitor, pilot, and Freedom Factory owner Cleetus McFarland for a wide open conversation inside McFarland Fab. Fresh off a 261 mph pass in his radial Camaro “Eagle,” Cleetus breaks down what it feels like to drive the fastest radial car in the world, what’s going through his mind past the eighth mile, and why holding it wide open at 200+ mph is a different kind of pressure. The conversation shifts into Cleetus’ transition into stock car racing, from ARCA competition to his long term goal of qualifying for the Daytona 500. Ron and Cleetus also rewind to the early days, including the moment he went all in to purchase what would become the Freedom Factory. From nearly draining his bank account to navigating COVID shutdowns, Cleetus details the risks, sleepless nights, and belief it took to turn a rundown oval into one of grassroots racing’s most iconic venues. This episode features Cleetus McFarland discussing radial racing, ARCA competition, building the Freedom Factory, entrepreneurship, aviation, and chasing speed at the highest level. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/

Wrangling Pythons and Living on the Edge with Python Cowboy | Let’s Be RONest #6

In Episode 6 of Let’s Be RONest, host Ron Bergenholtz sits down with Florida-based invasive-species hunter and outdoorsman Mike Kimmel, better known as Python Cowboy. From solo python hunts in the Everglades to close calls with massive Burmese pythons, Mike shares what it takes to remove some of the most dangerous invasive predators in North America. The conversation dives into how pythons behave, why reading body language matters, and the infamous encounter where a 17-foot snake bit him while hunting alone — and how staying calm kept him alive. Ron and Mike also explore the bigger picture behind invasive species removal, including how pythons, iguanas, feral hogs, and Nile monitors impact Florida’s ecosystem. Along the way, Mike discusses guided hunts, unusual field discoveries, managing alligators, and the role hunting dogs play in safely navigating some of the most unforgiving terrain in the country. This episode features Python Cowboy discussing python hunting, invasive species management, hunting dogs, and life deep in the Florida Everglades. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ #TeamNitto #LetsBeRONest #PythonCowboy #Everglades #InvasiveSpecies #PythonHunting #FloridaWildlife

How Taylor Ray Builds, Drives, and Breaks the Rules | Let’s Be RONest Episode 5

In Episode 5 of Let’s Be RONest, host Ron Bergenholtz sits down with automotive creator, fabricator, and all-around motorsports mad scientist Taylor Ray. From drifting, clutch kickers, and mountain roads to jet boats ripping through Florida back rivers, Taylor’s obsession with building and driving anything with an engine runs deep. The conversation dives into why he insists on building his own cars, the mental and physical realities of competitive driving, and how understanding every bolt and wire changes the way you push limits. Ron and Taylor also get into the realities of Formula Drift — what it really takes to compete, why arrive-and-drive programs matter, and how drivers like James Deane and Adam LZ have reshaped the sport. Along the way, they talk fabrication, wiring nightmares, jet boat addiction, YouTube risks, and the moment Taylor bet everything on content creation as a full-time career. This episode features Taylor Ray discussing drifting, fabrication, jet boating, YouTube, and the realities of motorsports at every level. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ Follow Taylor Ray on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNqf6cy5TLNeBV5cF3yKY8A Follow Taylor Ray on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylordrifts/?hl=en

How Jacob Gettins Became the Voice of Drifting | Let’s Be RONest Episode 4

In Episode 4 of Let’s Be Ronest, host Ron Bergenholtz talks with Jacob Gettin — the newest voice of Formula Drift and Drift Masters. Jacob’s path is anything but typical: he went from aspiring architect to chef, spent years working in concrete, and somehow ended up announcing on some of drifting’s biggest stages. Ron and Jacob dig into how those pivots happened, what it’s like sharing the booth with Jared DeAnda, dealing with online critics, and how drifting culture differs between the U.S. and Europe. It’s a laid-back, honest look at how curiosity, timing, and persistence can take you places you never planned to go. Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube https://www.youtube.com/drivingline?sub_confirmation=1 Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/ Nitto Tire’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire Nitto Tire’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=en Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

James Deane and Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR Vehicles Drift Team | Let’s Be RONest Episode 3

Ron Bergenholtz sits down with Team RTR’s powerhouse duo: Vaughn Gittin Jr. and James Deane, first five-time Formula Drift Champion. In this episode, they dive into their racing roots, share stories from the track, and talk about how their paths in drifting crossed—leading to one of the most exciting collaborations in modern motorsports. From championship mindsets to behind-the-scenes camaraderie, this episdoe sends it! Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube https://www.youtube.com/drivingline?sub_confirmation=1 Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/ Nitto Tire’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire/ Nitto Tire’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=en Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

Import Racing in the 90s with Ed Bergenholtz | Let’s Be RONest Episode 2

Ron Bergenholtz talks to none other than his brother, Ed Bergenholtz. Not only does Ed lead the IT team at Skydance, but he and Ron headed up Bergenholtz Racing back when they were just getting started in the 90s. They go deep into import drag racing history and tell some incredible stories of coming to age during the era of imports in So Cal. Plus, we get some insight into running your own race team and how Ed's taken those learnings into his professional career. This episode is not to missed! Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube https://www.youtube.com/drivingline?sub_confirmation=1 Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/ Nitto Tire’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire/ Nitto Tire’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=en Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

Inside Formula Drift with Andy Luk | Let’s Be RONest Episode 1

On the premiere episode of Let’s Be RONest, Ron Bergenholtz talks to Director of Operations at Formula Drift, Andy Luk. They discuss the ins & outs of FD including what it takes to compete and win, who’s the greatest drifter of all time, how Formula Drift became what it is today and what we may see in the future of FD. Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrivingLine Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/ Nitto Tire’s Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire/ Nitto Tire’s TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=en Keep up with Formula Drift @formulad https://www.instagram.com/formulad/ on Instagram. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

Meet Ron Bergenholtz: Racing Legend and New Podcast Host

With over 30 years of experience in the world of racing—from sport compact drag racing championships to coaching Formula Drift teams to victory—Ron Bergenholtz has seen it all. Now, he’s pulling up a chair for real conversations about cars, racing, and life at large. The first episode of Let's be RONest brought to you by Nitto Tire drops October 9, right here and wherever you listen to podcasts.