In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Cole Hardin, fresh off his overall win at the Vegas to Reno.
Cole talks about what it takes to race at the front of the field in some of the fastest desert races in the country, including the unique challenges of Vegas to Reno and how quickly things can go wrong when you are running 120 plus mph for miles at a time.
Matt and Cole also get into the differences between some of the major desert courses, from the high speed terrain of Nevada to the rough and technical sections of Barstow. Cole explains why Barstow is one of his favorite places to race, and why the hardest courses can also be the most rewarding.
There is also plenty of discussion about the trucks themselves. Cole breaks down the differences between the Geyser and Herbst trucks, how suspension setup changes the way each truck drives, and what it takes to make an Unlimited Truck work through high speed and rough terrain.
The conversation covers the Vegas to Reno win, the mental side of maintaining high speeds for an entire race, the evolution of desert racing, and what Cole wants to see from the sport moving forward.
A good look at one of the younger drivers coming through the sport and what it takes to compete at the front of modern desert racing.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Chris Forsberg, three time Formula Drift champion, Nissan driver, and one of the most recognizable names in modern motorsports.
While Chris built his career in drifting, his approach has always gone beyond one discipline. From building cars in his own garage to developing a professional racing program, Chris has been involved in every part of the process. That same mindset eventually led him into the desert, taking on a completely different challenge behind the wheel of an off road race truck.
Matt and Chris talk about the transition from drifting to desert racing, and the huge differences between precision driving on a short course and managing a vehicle for hours through unpredictable terrain. Chris shares what drew him to off road racing, his first experiences in Baja, and how he approached building a competitive program with the Nissan Frontier.
They also get into the similarities between the two worlds. Vehicle control, preparation, car development, and the importance of understanding every part of the program. Chris talks about building his own race truck, working with partners, and why the best drivers are often the ones who understand the entire process behind the wheel.
The conversation covers a lot of ground, from the evolution of Formula Drift and the Drift Alliance era, to OEM involvement, marketing, and how motorsports can connect with a wider audience. Chris also shares his perspective on where off road racing fits into the future of his program and why the challenge of desert racing continues to pull him back.
More than anything, this episode is about a racer’s mindset. Whether it’s inches from a wall in a drift car or miles into the desert, the pursuit is the same: build something better, keep learning, and find the next challenge.

n this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Justin Bean Smith, one of the most versatile drivers in off road racing today. Whether it's Trophy Truck Spec, Unlimited Truck, or jumping into someone else's program, Justin has built a reputation for being ready when the opportunity comes. Justin shares how his career has evolved from getting early opportunities behind the wheel to becoming one of the sport's most sought after fill in and development drivers. Along the way, he talks about racing for established teams, adapting to different vehicles, and earning the trust of owners who expect results every time he straps in. Matt and Justin also dive into the technical side of modern desert racing. They discuss the differences between Trophy Truck Spec and Unlimited, how today's trucks continue to evolve, and what drivers can learn by experiencing different chassis, suspension packages, and setups. Justin explains how driving Camburg's Kinetik truck gave him firsthand insight into how incremental changes in technology translate into performance on race day. The conversation also covers race strategy, qualifying, managing pace over long races, and the mindset required to compete for wins in increasingly competitive fields. Justin shares the story behind some of his biggest victories, the pressure of delivering for the teams that put their trust in him, and why consistency is often more important than outright speed. More than anything, this episode is about making the most of every opportunity. Justin's career is proof that talent gets you noticed, but preparation, adaptability, and delivering when it matters are what keep the phone ringing.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Steve Barlow, an influential figure in off road racing and a key player in the growth of short course racing during its most successful era. Over the course of his career, Steve has worn just about every hat imaginable. Racer, team owner, promoter, executive, and industry leader. From his early days in off road racing to helping build some of the sport's most recognizable teams and series, Steve has had a front row seat to decades of change across the industry. Matt and Steve dive into the rise of short course racing, the factors that made series like CORR so successful, and why the format proved to be such a natural fit for television, manufacturers, sponsors, and fans. They discuss the business side of racing, how factory involvement transformed the sport, and the challenges that come with growing a racing series while maintaining what made it special in the first place. The conversation also explores the evolution of off road technology, from vehicle development and suspension systems to the way teams prepare, test, and gather information. Steve shares stories from working alongside some of the biggest names in racing and offers a unique perspective on how the sport has changed over the years. More than anything, this episode is about understanding how off road racing grew from a grassroots motorsport into a professional industry. Through Steve's experiences, listeners get a rare look at the people, decisions, and ideas that helped shape the sport we know today.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Andy McMillin, one of the most accomplished drivers of the modern desert racing era. Coming from one of the sport’s most well known families, Andy grew up around off road racing from the beginning, but building his own career meant living up to a name that already carried major expectations. Over the years, he has done exactly that, becoming one of the most consistent and technically skilled drivers in Trophy Truck competition. Matt and Andy get into the evolution of modern desert racing, how the level of competition has changed, and what it takes to stay competitive at the front of the field today. From vehicle setup and race strategy to adapting to changing terrain and conditions, Andy shares the details behind what separates winning programs from everyone else. They also talk about the mental side of racing at the highest level. Managing pressure, staying disciplined over long races, and learning how to balance aggression with consistency when the margins are smaller than ever. More than anything, this episode is about experience. Years of racing at the top level, learning through wins and setbacks, and continuing to evolve in a sport that never stops getting faster.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Corbin Leaverton, one of the younger drivers making his way through the off road world and building experience across multiple forms of racing. Corbin talks about growing up around the sport, developing as a driver, and the process of learning how to compete at a higher level as the competition keeps getting deeper. From desert racing to short course influences, he shares how different disciplines shape the way he approaches driving and racecraft. Matt and Corbin also get into the modern side of off road racing. The level of preparation now required, how important seat time has become, and the challenge of adapting to different vehicles, terrain, and race formats. There is a lot more expected of drivers today than just raw speed. More than anything, this episode is about progression. Learning from experienced racers, taking opportunities when they come, and putting in the work to keep improving in one of the toughest forms of motorsports there is.

This week on the Off-Road Racer Podcast, we sit down with Steve Olliges—longtime racer, Ford off-road program staple, and someone who’s been around the sport through multiple eras. Steve’s career spans everything from Stock Production Full and Class 8 to competing at the highest level in Unlimited Truck. He’s seen the sport evolve firsthand—different vehicles, different rules, and a completely different level of competition than when he first got started. We get into those transitions—what it was like coming up through the more production-based classes, how things changed as trucks got faster and more specialized, and what it takes to stay competitive as the sport keeps pushing forward. There’s also insight into the OEM side of racing, working with Ford, and how manufacturer involvement has shaped the top levels of off-road racing over the years. This episode is a look at a racer who’s been through it all—different classes, different eras, and a front row seat to how off-road racing got to where it is today.

This week on the Off-Road Racer Podcast, we sit down with Josh Daniel—one of the guys who’s built a reputation on being able to get in just about anything and be competitive. Josh has carved out his place in the sport driving for different teams, adapting to different cars, and making the most of every opportunity he gets. It’s a different path than most—less about owning the program, more about proving you can show up, figure it out quickly, and deliver results. We get into what that actually looks like—limited seat time, jumping between platforms, and learning how to be fast in equipment that isn’t always familiar. It’s not just about speed, it’s about adaptability, communication, and making the most of every mile you get. They also talk about how competitive the sport has become. Deeper fields, tighter racing, and fewer easy opportunities. If you want to stay in the mix, you have to be ready when the call comes. Josh is part of that group of drivers who can do exactly that. This episode is a look at what it means to be a hired gun in off-road racing—and what it takes to make it work.

Matt Martelli sits down with Jamie Campbell—fabricator, racer, and the guy behind Raceco USA. From coming up in the Penhall shop days to building dozens of Class 1 cars, Jamie’s path runs through some of the best eras of off-road racing. He gets into working with legends, starting his own program, and what it actually takes to build cars at that level. They also dive into Dakar Rally—from wrenching on Robbie Gordon’s program to racing a hydrogen-powered vehicle in the Mission 1000 class. Plenty in here on fabrication, racing different platforms, and how the sport has evolved—from open wheel cars to trucks to UTVs.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Bryan Folks, one of the most influential figures behind the scenes in modern off-road racing. From his early involvement in desert racing to helping shape major race organizations, Bryan shares a candid look at how off-road events are actually built, operated, and sustained. Bryan breaks down the realities of running large-scale races, including course design, permitting, safety, logistics, and the constant balance between racer expectations and land-use restrictions. He discusses the evolution of desert racing formats, why certain decisions are misunderstood from the outside, and how promoters are forced to adapt as the sport grows and scrutiny increases. The conversation also dives into the future of off-road racing — what racers want versus what’s feasible, how technology and vehicle performance are changing race operations, and why collaboration between racers, promoters, and land managers is more critical than ever. Bryan offers rare perspective on what it takes to keep desert racing alive in today’s environment, and what the sport must do to survive long term. This is an essential episode for anyone who wants to understand the business, politics, and decision-making that shape off-road racing beyond the start line.