The Customized Ride

The Customized Ride

By The Customized RideLeisureAutomotive
Download on the App Store

The Customized Ride episodes

  • From Garage Passion to Full Time Brand: The United By Trucks Story with Robbie Purser

    In this episode of The Customized Ride, Chris and Sandy sit down with Robbie Purser, the creator of United By Trucks, a classic truck lifestyle brand rooted in nostalgia, creativity, and community.

    Robbie shares how he began filming in his home garage in 2018, simply wanting to learn more about video and classic trucks. That curiosity eventually grew into a thriving platform filled with builds, road trips, profiles, and storytelling. Today, United By Trucks has expanded into a full time business that includes media production, merchandise, and a successful podcast.

    Alongside his wife Sarah, Robbie also runs UBT Media, where they help automotive companies tell their stories through video, visuals, and strategic branding.

    We talk about the defining moment when UBT became more than a hobby, the highs and lows of full time content creation, mental and financial pressures, balancing family and work, and the importance of building a supportive community. Robbie also dives into his current projects, including an OBS Silverado and the long term evolution of his 1968 GMC named Teddy.

    If you love classic trucks, creative storytelling, or entrepreneurial journeys, this episode is packed with gold. Robbie keeps it honest about the effort it takes behind the scenes and how passion fuels him through every challenge.

    WHAT WE COVER

    • How United By Trucks began

    • Learning video and wrenching at the same time

    • Turning content into a full time business

    • The reality of burnout and financial swings

    • Why nostalgia and storytelling matter in truck culture

    • Building a small but powerful team

    • Balancing family, travel, and business

    • His approach to OBS and classic GMC builds

    • Favorite shows, dream rides, and community reflections

    • Encouragement for new creators


    ABOUT ROBBIE PURSER

    • Founder of United By Trucks

    • Runs UBT Media with his wife Sarah

    • Host of the Action Line podcast

    • Based in Marietta, Georgia, traveling and creating with his family

    57 min
  • Extreme Speed & Jet Power: Paul Stender on the Wildest Machines Ever Built

    On this episode of The Customized Ride, we chat with legendary extreme engineer Paul “Jet Car” Stender, the man behind some of the wildest jet-powered machines on Earth. From a 360+ MPH jet school bus to a globe-famous jet outhouse, Paul shares his journey from sprint cars and midgets to building insane vehicles that push speed and imagination to the limit.

    Listen as Paul talks about his fastest rides, scariest crashes, the grind behind air shows, and the teamwork that makes his jaw-dropping builds possible. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, adrenaline junkie, or just love extreme engineering, this episode is packed with stories, insights, and inspiration.

    Subscribe to The Customized Ride wherever you listen to podcasts for more incredible stories from builders, dreamers, and automotive innovators.

    29 min
  • Ken Gilmore on Charlotte AutoFair: Inside One of the Southeast’s Biggest Car Shows

    In this episode of The Chris & Sandy Show, we sit down with Ken Gilmore, Executive Director of the Hornets Nest Region AACA, to dive into the behind-the-scenes world of the Charlotte AutoFair! 🚗🔥

    Ken shares his journey from the corporate world to running one of the largest automotive events in the Southeast, the challenges of organizing a massive car show, and the exciting changes coming to AutoFair.

    Topics Covered:

    ✅ What makes Charlotte AutoFair a must-attend event

    ✅ The struggles & rewards of putting on a large-scale car show

    ✅ Ken’s personal car journey & passion for classics

    ✅ The vision for AutoFair’s future

    Whether you're a car enthusiast, event organizer, or just love a good automotive story, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration!

    🎧 Listen Now & Subscribe for More!

    #CharlotteAutoFair #CarShow #ClassicCars #CustomCars #HotRods

    39 min
  • Michael Leaventon on 36 Years of Run to the Sun | Classic Cars, Community & Car Show Insights

    In this episode, we sit down with Michael Leaventon from the Run to the Sun Car Show—one of the nation’s biggest and most iconic classic car events! 🚗💨 Held in Myrtle Beach, SC, this legendary show has been running for 36 years, featuring over 3,300 classic cars (1989 and older), 140+ vendors, and thousands of passionate spectators.

    Michael takes us behind the scenes, sharing what it takes to run a large-scale car show, the challenges and rewards, and what’s new for this year—including special guests Joe and Amanda Martin from Iron Resurrection!

    Tune in to hear:

    ✅ The history of Run to the Sun and its impact on the car community

    ✅ What goes into organizing a massive car show behind the scenes

    ✅ The biggest misconceptions about running an event of this scale

    ✅ Exciting highlights for this year’s show

    ✅ The future of Run to the Sun and what’s next

    🎟️ Get your tickets & event details: RunToTheSunCarShow.com

    Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoy the show! #RunToTheSun #ClassicCars #CarShow

    13 min
  • 🎙️ Sam Rivera – The Truth About Car Shows & The Future of Klean Exhibition

    In this must-listen episode, we sit down with Sam Rivera, the driving force behind Klean Exhibition, Klean Society, Klean Magazine, and Klean Garage. Sam gets real about the toughest decision of his career—stepping away from the car show scene after years of building one of the most recognized automotive events on the East Coast.

    We dive into:


    🚗 The rise & impact of Klean Exhibition


    ⚙️ The struggles of running car events in today’s market


    💡 Why big vendors & sponsors are pulling back from shows


    🔮 What’s NEXT for Klean as they approach their 10-year anniversary


    🏁 The bigger picture of the automotive industry beyond car shows

    If you’re a car enthusiast, industry insider, or someone looking to build a brand in the automotive world, this episode is packed with raw insights and valuable takeaways.


    🔊 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe for more in-depth conversations on the automotive industry!


    📍 Follow Sam & Klean Exhibition:


    🔗 Website: www.kleanexhibition.com


    📸 Instagram: @kleanexhibition | @sam_kleanexhibition


    📘 Facebook: Klean Exhibition | Sam Klean Society


    ▶️ YouTube: Klean Exhibition

    #KleanExhibition #SamRivera #TheCustomizedRide #CarCulture #AutomotiveIndustry

    1 hr 3 min
  • Gears & Grub: How a Car Show is Driving Community Impact | Effingham Health System Foundation

    In this episode, we sit down with Richie Burns to talk about Gears & Grub, the exciting car show that’s not just about horsepower and hot rods—but also about making a difference! 🚗💨

    We dive into:

    ✅ The Effingham Health System Foundation’s mission and impact

    ✅ How Gears & Grub became a must-attend event for car lovers

    ✅ The unique bond within the car community

    ✅ Event highlights, including monster trucks, dragsters, and over 100+ cars!

    If you’re passionate about classic cars, community support, and amazing events, this episode is for you!

    🎙️ Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

    📅 Event Details:

    📍 Location: Freedom Park, Rincon, GA

    📆 Date: Saturday, March 1

    ⏰ Time: 10 AM - 4 PM

    Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow car enthusiasts!

    #GearsAndGrub #EffinghamHealth #CarShow #Podcast #CommunityImpact #TheCustomizedRide

    36 min
  • From Wrenches to the Spotlight: Cristy Lee's Journey in Motorsports & TV

    In this episode of The Customized Ride, we chat with Cristy Lee, a true force in the automotive and motorsports world! Cristy is best known for hosting All Girls Garage and Garage Squad, but her journey goes way beyond TV. From working in her dad’s shop to becoming a major name in motorsports and home renovation shows like Celebrity IOU Joyride and Steal This House on HGTV, Cristy shares her inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and adapting to an ever-changing media landscape.

    🎙 In This Episode, We Cover:

    • Breaking into the male-dominated automotive industry
    • How Cristy built a career in both motorsports and television
    • The challenges and rewards of content creation vs. traditional TV
    • Her personal health journey with Graves Disease and her triumphant return to TV
    • What’s next for Cristy in 2024 and beyond!

    ⚠️ Heads Up: The lighting might've been off for the video version of this interview, but no worries—you’ll get all the same great insights here in the audio!

    If you enjoy this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your fellow car enthusiasts!

    #CristyLee #Motorsports #AllGirlsGarage #GarageSquad #TheCustomizedRide #WomenInAutomotive #CarCulture #InspiringStories #HGTV #Podcast

    43 min
  • 🎙️ Hotrod Flack: The Wild World of Car Trading, Crazy Stories & Future Plans | The Chris Benton Show Podcast 🚗

    In this episode of The Chris Benton Show Podcast, we dive into the fast-paced world of car trading with none other than Hotrod Flack—a car enthusiast, trader, and all-around personality with a story for every mile. From his first experiences driving stick shifts on his uncle’s farm to flipping five cars at a single show without even owning them, Hotrod shares the highs, lows, and hilarious moments that come with life in the classic car scene. 🏁

    In This Episode:

    • Hotrod’s wildest car trades and how he’s bought back cars he once owned 🔄
    • The biggest mistake he ever made in a deal (hint: never trust “mint condition” without a test drive!) 🚨
    • Insider tips on navigating car shows like the Tennessee Rod Run & Daytona Rod Run 🛠️
    • His future plans for launching a podcast, building custom rides, and taking his passion to TV 🎥

    Plus, we talk about the values that keep him grounded in an industry full of surprises and how social media has transformed the car trading game. Whether you're a gearhead, a trader, or just love a good story, this episode is packed with laughs, lessons, and inspiration.

    Subscribe and join us as we explore the stories that fuel passions and drive purpose. 🚘

    🔔 New episodes weekly!

    📲 Follow us on social media: [Insert Links]

    #HotrodFlack #CarTrading #ClassicCars #RodRun #CarPodcast #TheChrisBentonShow #TheCustomizedRide #GearheadStories #CarCulture #FaithAndCars #AuthenticConversations

    44 min
  • Racing Legacy: James Bondurant on Family, Drifting, and Finding His Own Path

    In this episode of The Customized Ride, Chris and Sandy sit down with James Bondurant, a third-generation professional race car driver and grandson of the legendary Bob Bondurant. 🏁

    James opens up about growing up in a racing dynasty, the lessons he learned from his grandfather, and the challenges of carving out his own identity in the world of motorsports. From road racing and drifting to extreme sports and his personal faith journey, James shares raw, authentic stories of passion, perseverance, and purpose.

    🚀 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

    • The influence of the Bondurant racing legacy 🏆
    • How James found his own path in drifting and extreme sports 💨
    • The struggles and sacrifices behind the racing lifestyle 💼
    • Life-changing lessons from training in Japan 🇯🇵
    • The power of teamwork in achieving success 🤝
    • James’ faith journey and how it shapes his life and career 🙏
    • Fun, lighthearted moments with our co-host, Little Chris 🚗

    🎯 Whether you're a die-hard motorsports fan, an aspiring racer, or just love inspiring stories, this episode will fuel your passion and leave you motivated to chase your dreams.

    🎙️ Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast for more incredible conversations with racers, industry insiders, and passionate enthusiasts from the car community.

    #JamesBondurant #RacingLegacy #TheCustomizedRide #Motorsports #Drifting #CarCulture #FamilyPodcast #BobBondurant #FaithAndRacing #ExtremeSports

    32 min
  • 🚗 Annika Carter: Racing, Real Estate & Resilience 🏁

    Welcome to The Customized Ride podcast, where we dive into the stories of incredible individuals in the automotive world. In this episode, we chat with Annika Carter, a professional race car driver, real estate agent, and automotive journalist based in Atlanta. Annika takes us on a ride through her journey—from not caring about cars as a kid to becoming a competitive racer, real estate mogul, and a content creator with a mission to inspire others in the car community.

    In this episode, you’ll hear about:

    • How a bribe from her parents led to her passion for cars and eventually owning five of them.
    • The evolution from car enthusiast to racer, including her journey to earning a Spec Miata racing license.
    • The balancing act of being a full-time realtor while managing a racing team and creating content.
    • Her perspective on the future of motorsports, including EVs and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
    • Bonus stories, including prepping race cars in apartment parking lots and driving them to events without a trailer.

    Annika shares empowering advice for aspiring female racers and automotive enthusiasts, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about cars and motorsports.

    🚗 Follow Annika Carter:

    • Website: annikasracing.com
    • Instagram: @annikacarter_

    Like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the car community! 🚗🏁

    #Motorsports #RaceCarDriver #RealEstate #WomenInRacing #AutomotiveJournalism

    46 min

About The Customized Ride

From the publisher's feed

The Customized Ride is dedicated to news, reviews & interviews within the car tunning industry! We spotlight great guests from car owners to executives at companies in the industry. We cover car…