Off The Racing Line

Jim Drago is a racer’s racer. A Spec Miata legend. A 13-time SCCA National Champion. And a man who nearly didn’t make it back to the track.Owner of East Street Racing, one of the most dominant Spec Miata programs in the country, Jim has built some of the fastest and most technically refined SM cars in America. Known for surgical consistency and deep mechanical knowledge, he’s feared by rivals and respected across the paddock.But in 2024, everything changed.At the SCCA Runoffs at Road America, Jim was involved in one of the most violent crashes in recent memory: a 120 MPH impact that left multiple drivers injured and Jim hospitalized for five weeks, facing the possibility of amputation.Most people would’ve walked away from the sport. Jim didn’t.In this episode, recorded trackside at Homestead-Miami Speedway, we dive into:• His rise to becoming a multi-time national champion• Building East Street Racing into a Spec Miata powerhouse• The brutal reality of the Runoffs crash• The physical and mental recovery process• What it feels like returning to race for the first time after nearly losing it all• Why he refused to let his career end in a hospital bedJim Drago didn’t want his final lap to be the one that nearly killed him.He wanted to finish on his terms.

🚗 Sponsored by GARAGE iD Pro Spec Miata➡️

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Website:

https://offtheracingline.com/

YT: / @offtheracingline

Instagram: / offtheracingline

TikTok: / offtheracingline

Facebook: / offtheracingline

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo

About the Host

Carlos A. Espitia is the host of Off The Racing Line, founder of CAE Marketing, co-founder of Velocity Track Experience, and creator of The Legal Rainmaker. He is a digital marketing strategist, media builder, motorsports entrepreneur, and driver focused on building brands, stories, and communities that get noticed.

EP 24 | Charles Espenlaub — Endurance Wins, Survival, and the Cost of Racing at the Highest LevelIn this episode of Off The Racing Line, we sit down with Charles Espenlaub, one of the most accomplished and quietly respected endurance racers in modern motorsports.Charles has won at the highest levels of international endurance racing, including an overall victory in the 24H Series, back-to-back wins at the 12 Hours of Kuwait, and a class victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, one of the most unforgiving races in the world. He’s also a 24H Series GT3-Am champion, with podium finishes across Europe at tracks like Spa, Monza, and Barcelona.But this conversation goes far beyond results.We open with one of the most unexpected stories in motorsports, how Charles was once labeled “the most hated driver in motorsports” after repeatedly filling in for actor Patrick Dempsey, only to disappoint crowds when the helmet came off and it wasn’t who they expected.From there, we dive deep into:What it really takes to win endurance races when speed alone isn’t enoughTeam chemistry, trust, and why certain names, like Shane Lewis, keep showing up in winning programsHis 15-year run as a Mazda factory driver and what factory support actually looks likeJudging the Mazda Shootout and what separates future pros from talented drivers who never make itThe uncomfortable realities of gentleman drivers, money, and modern racingSurviving the infamous Miata fire at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, and why it turned him into a vocal advocate for improved fire safetyWalking away from a safe aviation career to chase racing, and making it workThis is a long-form, unfiltered conversation about longevity, risk, discipline, and survival in a sport that rarely forgives mistakes.If you want the truth about endurance racing, not the highlight reel, this episode delivers.

https://offtheracingline.com/

About the Host

Carlos A. Espitia is the host of Off The Racing Line, founder of CAE Marketing, co-founder of Velocity Track Experience, and creator of The Legal Rainmaker. He is a digital marketing strategist, media builder, motorsports entrepreneur, and driver focused on building brands, stories, and communities that get noticed.

At just 20 years old, Westin Workman is already one of the most formidable rising stars in American motorsports.A 2x national karting champion, Spec MX-5 scholarship winner, 2023 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout champion, 2024 MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year, and 2025 Toyota GR Cup Champion, Westin is proving, fast, that he’s built for the top.Flying in from NC, he joins us trackside at Homestead-Miami Speedway to break down the mindset, discipline, and relentless drive required to compete at the highest levels while also being a full-time college student in North Carolina.We cover:• What it takes to win championships in MX-5 Cup & GR Cup• His path into the Toyota Driver Development Program• Why low-horsepower cars make the best drivers• Training, pressure, sponsors, and the business of becoming a pro• What commitment looks like at this level• Balancing student life with a pro racing career• The real emotional grind behind chasing a factory seatWestin’s story isn’t hype, it's a blueprint for anyone chasing excellence in motorsports.If you want to understand what “built to win” really looks like… this is the episode.🚗 Sponsored by GARAGE iD Pro Spec Miata➡️ https://farausa.com/race-info/fara-pro-spec-miata-class-announced/🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Website: https://offtheracingline.com/

About the Host

Carlos A. Espitia is the host of Off The Racing Line, founder of CAE Marketing, co-founder of Velocity Track Experience, and creator of The Legal Rainmaker. He is a digital marketing strategist, media builder, motorsports entrepreneur, and driver focused on building brands, stories, and communities that get noticed.

SCCA Spec Miata Drivers: Is the Garage iD Pro Spec Miata Series the Next Step?In Episode 22 of Off The Racing Line, we sit down with Todd Buras, Senter Smith, and Trace Hance to unpack what may be the most important structural shift in the Spec Miata ecosystem in years.This conversation breaks down three interconnected pillars shaping the future of grassroots racing:🔧 Garage ID Prospect Miata Series (2026)The Prospect Miata Series is evolving from a single end-of-season payout into a per-event prize money model, with cash distributed across multiple categories — including Overall, Legends (50+), and First Female — at every race weekend.With Trace Hance stepping in as race director, the series emphasizes clean racing, fast decision-making, and accountability through education, not politics. The result? More track time, cleaner racing, and a paddock culture that rewards competition without sacrificing community.🎓 Collegiate Racing Series (CRS)CRS is building a legitimate pipeline from HPDE and academy programs to true wheel-to-wheel racing — powered by universities across the country.With nearly 60 schools involved and growing, CRS teaches far more than racecraft: students learn budgeting, fundraising, program structure, and long-term planning while competing under FARA’s professional infrastructure. Upcoming events at Road Atlanta, NCM Motorsports Park, and a National Championship finale are setting the stage for the next generation of racers.🔑 Why This Episode MattersSpec Miata drivers gain more chances to win money per event.Students and families see a real, affordable path to racing.Teams and programs benefit from structure, clarity, and celebration.The sport itself gets cleaner racing, better drivers, and stronger culture.From podium celebrations to press-box education, this episode makes one thing clear: the FAR ecosystem is building racers, not just race results.As always — everything interesting happens off the racing line.🚗 Sponsored by GARAGE iD Pro Spec Miata➡️ https://farausa.com/race-info/fara-pro-spec-miata-class-announced/🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.Website: https://offtheracingline.com/YT: / @offtheracingline Instagram: / offtheracingline TikTok: / offtheracingline Facebook: / offtheracingline Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo#SpecMiata#SCCASpecMiata#SpecMiataRacing#prospecmiata

EP21: What does it really take to become a pro racing driver at just 19?

We sit down with Noah Harmon, the 2024 Mazda Shootout winner, IMSA MX-5 Cup rookie standout, Trans Am driver, and full-time UCF student balancing two lives at once.Noah didn’t start karting until age 14, which in motorsports is practically adulthood. But in five short years he went from late starter… to racing wheel-to-wheel with some of the biggest rising names in American motorsports. Noah shares what it’s like to race against Connor Zilisch, Westin Workman, and Jeremy Fletcher, and how those battles shaped him as a driver.We Get Into:0:00 Intro01:14 Starting "Late" in Karting05:22 The Mazda Shootout: losing twice before winning it all18:15 Rookie Season in MX5 Cup19:32 Rookie of The Year... almost21:33 Race Analysis with Noah25:19 The Chick Magnet27:57 Racing at St. Pete31:44 Daytona Crash - Not The Proudest Moment of The Group34:52 Racing Against the Big Names37:56 Racing in The Trans Am Series42:02 How Sponsorships Actually Work in Motorsports53:46 The Double Life: College Student vs. Pro Driver59:13 Dating as a 19 year-old Pro Driver1:01:36 Are Kid Racers Fearless?1:04:56 Rapid Fire Questions1:12:30 Guest ChallengePlus: Noah lets loose about dating, racing superstars, and the moment it finally clicked that he belonged at the top level.FOLLOW NOAH HARMONIG: @noah_harmon 🚗 Sponsored by Velocity Track ExperienceTrack-prepped rentals, full support, expert coaching—all in one arrive-and-drive package.➡️ https://velocitytrackexperience.com🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.Website: https://offtheracingline.com/YT: / @offtheracingline Instagram: / offtheracingline TikTok: / offtheracingline Facebook: / offtheracingline Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo#MazdaMX5Cup#IMSA#MazdaShootout#TransAmSeries#NASCAR

EP20 with Justin Levine: Army veteran. Paratrooper. Attorney. GT1-B racer.

Justin’s story isn’t just about cars, it’s about grit, discipline, and the long road to becoming who you’re meant to be.

In this episode, Justin walks us through his journey from combat missions in Afghanistan, to surviving law school on a shoestring budget, to using student loans and VA benefits just to afford seat time at HPDE events. He went from a Nissan 350Z at Palm Beach International Raceway… to a Porsche Cup Car fighting for championships in FARA’s GT1-B class.

We cover:

• Life as a U.S. Army paratrooper in Afghanistan

• How track days became his therapy and second mission

• Using whatever money he had — including student loans — just to race

• Becoming an instructor with NASA & PDG to earn free track time

• The slow climb from broke college racer → respected attorney → GT1-B contender

• The difference between NASA, ChampCar, and racing in FARA

• How discipline, controlled aggression, and courage translate from the military to the race track

This is one of the most relatable and motivational stories we’ve captured — proof that success in racing (and in life) is built over years of sacrifice and small steps forward.

Whatever your goal or mission is… keep moving forward.

🚗 Sponsored by Velocity Track Experience

Track-prepped rentals, full support, expert coaching—all in one arrive-and-drive package.

➡️ https://velocitytrackexperience.com

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Website: https://offtheracingline.com/

YT: / @offtheracingline

Instagram: / offtheracingline

TikTok: / offtheracingline

Facebook: / offtheracingline

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo

#ArmyVeteran #RacingCommunity #PorscheCupCar #MotorsportsPodcast

EP19 - Life on Borrowed Time: Racing, Leukemia and Legacy with Jesse Gröse.

In this powerful episode, professional racer and coach Jesse Gröse shares how a diagnosis of T-Cell Leukemia in his early 30s changed everything — his health, his career, and his purpose. From hospital beds to podiums, Jesse’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, resilience, and rediscovering what truly matters.

Before cancer, Jesse had already competed in over 100 different race cars across 20+ manufacturers, including some of the world’s most demanding prototype chassis — from Radical, Ligier, Wolf, and LMP3 platforms — testing the limits at legendary tracks like Laguna Seca, Sebring, and Thunderhill.

But this isn’t just a racing story — it’s a human one.

It’s about what happens when the pursuit of speed collides with survival.

If you or someone you love is fighting cancer, this conversation is a reminder: you’re not alone.

💙 Support the fight:

Learn more, get help, or register as a bone marrow donor below.

leukemiarf.org

nmdp.org

bloodcancerunited.org

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Website: https://offtheracingline.com/

YT: / @offtheracingline

Instagram: / offtheracingline

TikTok: / offtheracingline

Facebook: / offtheracingline

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo

#OffTheRacingLine #JesseGrose #RacingStory #CancerSurvivor #Motorsports #RacingLife #LeukemiaAwareness

Racing, Cocaine, and the 1980s IMSA Underworld — The Ken Behr StoryIn the 1980s, South Florida’s racing scene was fueled by more than just gasoline.Our guest, Ken Behr, was a race car driver who also ran tons of marijuana and cocaine through the same networks that bankrolled parts of IMSA and Road Atlanta.In this episode, Ken reveals how drug money powered his racing career, the reality of smuggling operations in that era, and what life was like after walking away from it all.👉 Subscribe for more real, unfiltered stories from the world of motorsport — both on and off the racing line.Get Ken's book and listen to his podcast: https://onestepovertheline.com/🚗 Sponsored by Velocity Track ExperienceTrack-prepped rentals, full support, expert coaching—all in one arrive-and-drive package.➡️ https://velocitytrackexperience.com🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.Website: https://offtheracingline.com/YT: / @offtheracingline Instagram: / offtheracingline TikTok: / offtheracingline Facebook: / offtheracingline Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo#Racing #Motorsport #TrueCrime #IMSA #DrugSmuggling #KenBehr #OffTheRacingLine #FARA #CocaineCowboys

Episode 17 – Kaelyn Kinley: The 16-Year-Old Racer Teaching Adults How to Drive

In this episode of Off The Racing Line, we sit down with Kaelyn Kinley, a third-generation racer who started driving at just five years old. Now, at sixteen, she’s racing Spec Miata with SCCA and FARA, serving as an HPDE instructor for FARA, and even mentoring other young drivers.

We talk about growing up at the track, competing against adults, and what it’s like teaching drivers twice her age how to go faster. Kaelyn shares the ups and downs of racing as a teenager, how the car becomes the great equalizer, and what it’s like balancing high school life with the racing world.

Joining us is her father, Marc Kinley, who shares the emotional and financial realities of supporting his daughter’s passion for racing, from nerves to pride and everything in between.

🚗 Sponsored by Velocity Track ExperienceTrack-prepped rentals, full support, expert coaching—all in one arrive-and-drive package.➡️ https://velocitytrackexperience.com

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring racers, instructors, and the motorsports misfits you actually want to hear from.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Website: https://offtheracingline.com/

YT: / @offtheracingline

Instagram: / offtheracingline

TikTok: / offtheracingline

Facebook: / offtheracingline

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo

Episode 16 – Jack Hobbs: The Future of College Racing (Victory Lane Edition)

Recorded on location at Homestead-Miami Speedway, this Victory Lane Edition of Off The Racing Line features Jack Hobbs, founder of the Collegiate Racing Series (CRS) — the sanctioning body connecting students, universities, and motorsport organizations to shape the future of competitive racing.

We dive into Jack’s journey through HPDE, FARA’s Competition and Instructor Schools, and Jzilla Track Days, all leading to the creation of CRS. We also explore how universities like Clemson are building full motorsports programs, merging education and racing into one path.

Filmed while battling the elements — with rain trickling down and the crew throwing up tents mid-shoot — this episode proves that passion for racing doesn’t stop when the weather turns.

🎙 Sponsored by FARA – Formula & Automobile Racing Association

https://farausa.com/

📍 Recorded trackside at the iconic Homestead-Miami Speedway as part of our exclusive Victory Lane Edition series.

Collegiate Racing Series: https://drivecrs.com/

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring racers, instructors, and the motorsports misfits you actually want to hear from.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Website: https://offtheracingline.com/

YT: / @offtheracingline

Instagram: / offtheracingline

TikTok: / offtheracingline

Facebook: / offtheracingline

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo

#FARA #ProSpecMiata #Motorsports #VictoryLaneEdition #RacingPodcast