Zack Klapman, co-host of The Smoking Tire and host of the RACER Creator Awards, joins The Creative Drive podcast to talk all things cars, moving to LA from Colorado to be on TV and the evolution of automotive content.

In this episode, Zack shares:

How his writing and podcasting career prepared him to host shows and tackle press cars

From laughs to lessons, Zack dives deep into creative drive, car culture, and extreme motorsports — giving you a candid look at what fuels him as a creator in the automotive world.

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#RACERCreatorAwards #RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture     

The episode digs into Luke’s path through automotive filmmaking, documenting builders and drivers, and eventually creating his own events that spotlight culture as much as cars. He talks candidly about the realities of organizing Japan Car Week, collaborating with long-standing community figures, and building spaces that give both creators and car owners something new to experience.

Luke also opens up about the mindset required to pursue bigger creative swings, including feature films, in an industry where there’s rarely room for permission. If you don’t believe you can do it, he says, step aside—someone else is ready to try.

This episode is about conviction, community, and why car culture continues to thrive when people are willing to put in the work.

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#RACERCreatorAwards #RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture

Fresh off her monumental win of the 2025 Women in Motorsports MX-5 Cup Scholarship, 19-year-old Charlotte Traynor joins The Creative Drive podcast from the PRI Show!

Charlotte opens up about her unconventional journey into racing—from a family of pilots to a competitive gymnast—and the moment she knew a race car was her calling. She details how a chance encounter led her to the Mazda MX-5 Cup, a highly competitive and strategic series under the IMSA banner.

This episode dives into:

- Dealing with the pressure of racing, battling imposter syndrome, and finding resilience after hearing from trailblazers like Lynn St. James.

- Her dedication to intense physical training in the Arizona heat and professional sim racing to achieve her ultimate goal of racing a prototype car in the WeatherTech Championship.

- Why she is committed to sharing her real, unvarnished story with fans to break the "robot" race car driver mold and inspire the next generation.

- Her drive to become the first female driver to win a Mazda MX-5 Cup race.

Follow Charlotte Traynor's journey:

To learn more about Mazda: https://bit.ly/4ax7TrK

#racer #podcast #creativedrive #mazda #mx5cup #motorsport #autoracing #charlottetraynor #tarokoki

Join us on Creative Drive as we sit down with Shea Holbrook, owner of BSI Racing and star of the Amazon series First to the Finish. Shea opens up about the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of professional motorsports, the challenges and rewards of being a female team owner, and the journey of creating a team that develops the next generation of talent.

From her surprise call to Daytona to candid moments in the MX-5 Cup paddock, Shea shares how grit, authenticity, and perseverance have shaped her career—and how those same principles guide her mentorship of young drivers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

To learn more about Mazda: https://bit.ly/49b0DQ3

- Follow BSI Racing: https://www.instagram.com/bsi_racing/

#racer #podcast #creativedrive #mazda #mx5cup #motorsport #autoracing #sheaholbrook #tarokoki

Stuntwoman. Drifter. Formula DRIFT Prospe competitor. Content creator. Zandara Zee Kennedy has done it all—and she’s just getting started.

From jumping off buildings in blockbuster movies like Deadpool and X-Men to mastering precision drifting on tracks across North America, Zee shares her journey of taking risks, chasing her passion, and building a career in stunts and motorsports.

Follow  Zee Kennedy:

Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ

#Zeedrive #RACER #stuntwomen #formuladrift #drifting #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture

Host Taro Koki from the Creative Drive sits down with creative polymath Rod Chong — filmmaker, agency leader, ex-Need for Speed creative director, and partner at Race Service — for a deep, inspiring conversation on creativity, AI, motorsports, and building world-class teams. Rod shares the story of his winding creative journey: from art school to music videos, into video-game culture, to launching the globally influential Speedhunters, and now shaping the future of automotive culture at Race Service. - Why not giving the answer makes teams stronger - How Race Service built its “creative squad” model - The power of authentic community in the car world - The coming wave of AI disruption — and why humans still matter more than ever - The future of motorsport entertainment and augmented reality - The shrinking gap between sim racing and real-world driving - How creatives can stay inspired and avoid burnout - The skills young (and stalled) creatives really need today If you’re a creator, filmmaker, motorsport fan, or someone navigating the fast-changing world of AI and culture — this one is for you. Rod Chong is the former Creative Director for Need for Speed, founder of Speedhunters, and now Partner & Chief Creative Officer at Race Service, where he blends automotive culture with art, fashion, film, and technology. He’s worked with Ferrari F1, Porsche, AMG, McLaren, Michelin, and more. https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer! Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ Follow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/ Follow RACER Network on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/ 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow car enthusiasts. #RACERCreatorAwards #RACER #RACESERVICE #CreativeDrivePodcast #CarCulture

Learn more: awards.racer.com 

On this episode of *The Creative Drive*, we sit down with **Erich Joiner** — acclaimed commercial director, race car driver, car collector, and founder of Goodboybob Coffee — for an incredible conversation that bridges **motorsports, Hollywood, and creativity**.

Erich shares the *untold behind-the-scenes story* of working on the new **Formula 1 movie** with **Brad Pitt**, **Lewis Hamilton**, and **director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick)**. From building and driving an **LMP1 Le Mans car converted into a camera car** to filming during real Formula 1 races at Silverstone and IMSA races at Daytona, Erich reveals how they captured the most realistic racing footage ever put on screen — and what it was like working under tight FIA windows with hundreds of thousands of fans watching.

We also dive into his creative journey — from directing iconic car commercials to turning his love of coffee into an award-winning global brand.

If you’re passionate about filmmaking, motorsports, or the creative process behind big ideas, this episode is a must-listen.

🎙️ **In this episode:**

* How Erich Joiner helped shoot the Brad Pitt F1 movie

🚗 *The Creative Drive* is presented by **RACER** — the home of motorsports culture, creators, and innovation.

👉 **Subscribe** to The Creative Drive for more conversations with the most creative minds in automotive, motorsport, and media.

#CreativeDrive #RACER #ErichJoiner #BradPittF1Movie #Formula1 #Filmmaking #Motorsport #JosephKosinski #JerryBruckheimer #CarCulture #BehindTheScenes

Auto shows are evolving — and the LA Auto Show might be leading the charge. In this episode, we sit down with David Fortin, VP of Marketing for the LA Auto Show and Automobility LA, to talk about why the RACER Creator Awards is a perfect fit for the LA Auto Show and how car culture is shifting from static displays to full-blown cultural experiences.

From influencer collaborations and immersive experiences to live content and creator partnerships, this is where cars meet culture — and where the next generation of fans and brands connect.

🏁 Learn more: awards.racer.com 

Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ

#RACERCreatorAwards #LAAutoShow #CreativeDrivePodcast #Racer #AutoMobilityLA #CarCulture

Rock crawling champion, Monster Jam driver, and YouTube host Nicole Johnson has done it all — literally. She’s flipped, caught fire, and driven off 12-foot cliffs, all in pursuit of mastering every machine she can get her hands on.

In this episode of Creative Drive, Nicole joins host Taro Koki to talk about her fearless off-road career, the transition from competition to content creation, and her hit YouTube series https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleJohnsonsDetour. They dive into what it takes to stay authentic, creative, and driven in today’s digital world.

How Nicole’s insane off-road skills translate to storytelling on YouTube

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Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ

#NicoleJohnson 

Dustin Williams is one of the most recognized creators in the JDM and automotive scene, but his story starts far from Tokyo’s mountains and Fuji Speedway. From growing up in Mississippi and considering a career in law enforcement, to taking the leap into content creation and eventually building his dream R34 GT-R in Japan, Dustin’s journey is all about passion, persistence, and chasing what feels impossible.

In this episode of The Creative Drive, host Taro Koki sits down with Dustin to talk about:

His early influences from Fast & Furious and Japanese car culture

Whether you’re into drifting, time attack, or just dream of owning a JDM icon, Dustin’s story proves you’re always one video away from changing your life.

Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ

#CreativeDrive #DustinWilliams #JDM #CarCulture #Motorsport