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The Street Car Super Nationals 21 put on one heck of a show. Here's who picked up the win at The Strip in Las Vegas. View the full article

If your favorite carmaker doesn’t make the model you actually want, what do you do? For one Subaru fan from northern Virginia, the answer was to take matters into his own hands. Stephen Ketelsen’s ideal ride is a modern WRX hatchback, but Subaru only makes a WRX sedan. This led to Ketelsen creating his own WRX hatchback, which combines the WRX powertrain with the body of a Crosstrek Ketelsen purchased back in 2020. After a lot of elbow grease and assistance from a Subaru specialty shop, the final product looks like the perfect Toyota GR Corolla rival. Related: Top 5 Features That Make the 2025 Subaru WRX tS a Surprisingly Good Family Car Humble Crosstrek Beginnings Custom Subaru WRX Hatchback Stephen Ketelsen View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The desire to take on a project of this magnitude started with the Subaru enthusiast’s purchase of a previous-generation Crosstrek, but although it had a manual, the crossover’s underpowered four-cylinder engine was a disappointment. However, Ketelsen still had a soft spot for the Crosstrek, his first new car, so embarked on a much more daring way to keep it but add more power. “Once the WRX moved to Subaru's Global Platform with the new generation, it kind of presented an opportunity in my head,” Ketelsen told Road & Track. “Because that whole premise is that all of Subaru's models are built on the same chassis, essentially, and then it's just modular from there: what powertrain goes in it, suspension and subframes and body panels and all that.” Mach V Motorsports, a Subaru specialty shop in Virginia, worked with Ketelsen to prove the viability of the idea, and once he had test-driven a new WRX, nothing could stop the project from going ahead. A wrecked WRX from Copart provided the powertrain and interior, and that’s when the fun really began. Related: 2025 Subaru WRX vs Mazda3 Turbo: A Sport Sedan Showdown Engine A Near-Perfect Fit—But Not The Back Seats S The older Crosstrek and new WRX have different body styles, so it figures that tearing apart the Crosstrek and making the WRX’s powertrain and interior fit would present some problems. Fortunately, the shared platform allowed the more powerful 271-horsepower WRX flat-four to fit without any major problems, but items like the rear seats and third brake light were challenging. Ketelsen began tearing apart the cars himself in his garage, but soon realized he’d need help with more complex sections. “When I moved up front, I pretty quickly realized that I didn't really have the means to do it on my own,” Ketelsen said. “My garage had parts lined from floor to ceiling just from pulling all the stuff off." The WRX’s radiator, condenser, and fans were not identical to the Crosstrek’s though, so a body shop worked its magic to make everything fit, while also transplanting fenders and other parts from the new WRX onto the shell of the old Crosstrek. The finished product is a hot hatch any Subaru fan would be proud of, and looks far more appealing than a new Impreza, the only other hatchback Subaru sells in the United States right now. “You know, it’s awesome. I love it,” Ketelsen said about driving his new car. “If you close your eyes, it sounds like one, it drives like one, it shifts like. So it’s, for all intents and purposes, a stock WRX.” All we need now is for someone to find a way to create a modern version of the iconic WRX wagon for Americans, a car that still does a few things better than today’s WRX sedan. Related: The Subaru WRX STI Wagon Is Now Available But You Can't Have One View the full article

Royal Enfield celebrates 125 years with a special edition Classic 650 that’s somehow even more Classic. View the full article

Kia Pushes Further Into Adventure EV TerritoryHyundai's been betting on off-road-oriented vehicles lately, with the new Crater Concept making a small splash at the LA Auto Show. Its sister company, Kia, looks just as committed to that direction. The brand already experimented with rugged "Weekender" versions of the Tasman and PV5, and the newest addition just debuted in Guangzhou: the Kia EV5 Weekender Concept. Like the Tasman Weekender before it, this version of the EV5 gets the kind of upgrades that make the compact electric crossover feel more comfortable on trails than on mall parking lots. Kia evidently wants to widen its EV portfolio beyond urban-friendly family models and tap into the still-growing market of buyers looking for electric adventure vehicles. Kia Underneath Behind the Rugged LookKia's China Style Design Team developed the EV5 Weekender Concept, and it shows. The concept rides higher than the production EV5, gets chunkier all-terrain tires, widened fenders, and more aggressive body cladding. The matte beige paint with lime accents ties it back to other Weekender-branded concepts. There's a new roof rack that looks built for actual load, plus side-mounted brackets reminiscent of the Land Rover Defender's gear pods. Reinforced skid plates, updated bumpers, and added protective elements complete the exterior. Inside, Kia puts in more work than most concept spin-offs usually get. The panoramic display now runs across the passenger side, the steering wheel is new, and the center console and vents are redesigned. Materials were reworked to include a 3D texture and modular storage solutions, like brackets and ceiling rails. Kia hasn't shared technical specs, but the base EV5 already offers FWD and AWD on the E-GMP platform, with a GT variant on the way. Kia A Cool Concept for a Model the US Won't Even GetUnfortunately, the EV5 isn't coming to the US. Kia clarified that the model will be sold in Canada but not here, despite early hints that North America would include both markets. That alone puts some distance between American buyers and the EV5 Weekender Concept – and the concept itself isn't confirmed for production yet. Still, the EV5 Weekender's near-production feel makes it easy to imagine it eventually reaching showrooms in other regions. For now, though, the US won't even get the regular EV5, making this rugged concept feel even farther away. Kia View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Oracle Reimagines the HeadlightAutomobile headlights have seen their fair share of innovations over the years. But perhaps the most revolutionary, dare we say, is the latest lensless technology developed by Oracle Lighting, a Louisiana-based outfit specializing in automotive illumination. Oracle Lighting It’s a ground-up rethinking of what a headlight is. Traditionally, you’d find a clear outer lens housing what is the light itself, which, through decades, evolved from basic acetylene flame lamps to modern LEDs. Oracle has reimagined the idea and now eliminates what the company claims is the most failure-prone element of the system. This, of course, unlocks several benefits, which until now, were things that we had to live with or remedy ourselves, often requiring a lot of time, money, and DIY shenanigans. According to Oracle Lighting, its latest lensless system ensures there is “No more fogging. No more cracking. No more yellowing or hazing. No more lens oxidation. No more moisture behind your lens.” Toyota Tacomas Only—For NowTangible benefits aside, the system is modular, utilizing Bi-LED emitter pods that are IP68 certified for water and dust protection. Perhaps the most ingenious part of this is its maintenance and reparability characteristics. Because of the modular nature, a single LED failure won’t require you to replace the entire light assembly, which is often the case with current headlight designs. You can even, in most cases, swap the pods without taking the headlight out, says Oracle. Oracle Lighting Additionally, the added curb appeal, evidenced by the rather bold and aggressive design, is a welcome feature. Customers are also given the option to match the headlights with their vehicle's paint color, should they wish to. Oracle Lighting However, it’s worth pointing out that Oracle’s lensless headlights are exclusive to the third-generation Toyota Tacoma as of now, with an expected price of $800-900 per set. That said, very soon, the company will extend the lineup to the Toyota 4Runner and Ford F-150. If you happen to own a Tacoma and don’t mind shelling out the dough, this should be a cool yet genuinely practical headlight upgrade. In the words of the company itself, “The lensless design solves real-world problems with style, performance, and longevity.” You’ll just have to wait a little—the headlights aren’t expected to hit stores until early 2026. View the full article

The Icoma Tatamel Bike can fold down to the size of a suitcase, and proves that big things come in small packages. View the full article

Touch screens are an inescapable feature in today's new carsToday's motorists are living in the age of the connected car, where technology and touch screens are not only a feature of a car, but have become the vehicle's functional nucleus. In many gas and electric cars sold on the market today, adjusting essential functions like climate control, heated seats, radio, and sometimes even child locks requires flipping through virtual buttons and layers of menus on a touchscreen. With so many of the car's functions solely accessible through the screen, it would be frustrating if an unexpected pop-up got in the way of adjusting the heater or changing the radio station. However, owners of Stellantis brands, including Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler, found that this hypothetical scenario was their reality. This is a real photo from a friend pic.twitter.com/PU8xcd1qt2 — A GMN Ape (@AGMNApe) November 17, 2025 A super, super, special offerIn new reports published by The Drive and The Autopian on November 21, Stellantis has been pushing marketing advertisements to owners not by sending an email, text message, or by mailers. The multinational automaker pushed an ad about an exclusive special offer to its owners, in a medium none more personal and direct than their Uconnect infotainment screens. A photo of the ad, which appears as a prompt window on the vehicle's infotainment screen, was first shared by X (formerly known as Twitter) user A GMN Ape (@AGMNApe) on November 17, and has been viewed 771,000 times and received more than 3,600 likes as of the time of writing. Other netizens have shown the ad appearing on other Stellantis brands, including YouTuber and product review channel The New Guy Reviews, who showed the same ad formatted to fit the touch screen of his Chrysler Pacifica. The ad, in and of itself, is to alert owners of Stellantis umbrella-branded vehicles that they're eligible for $1,500 "bonus cash" toward a Jeep brand vehicle up until December 1. STLA has been doing this for a whileThis isn't the first recorded instance on the internet where a Stellantis vehicle has served its owner a pop-up ad that took over its entire screen. Back in February this year, Jeep Grand Cherokee owner and Reddit user /u/RahRahRasputin took to the r/assholedesign subreddit to complain about a warranty sales ad on their screen. "Jeep puts an ad covering my entire screen, and it comes back every time you stop, even if you hit ok," he wrote in the post. In a statement to The Drive at the time, a Jeep representative noted that the issue the Redditor brought up was a "temporary software glitch" that was an isolated case." They added that owners typically had the option to opt out of their in-vehicle messages and that Jeep "had already identified and corrected the error," and were following up with the owner to ensure their issue was resolved. Stellantis: In-car messages are an "important link" between the automaker and ownersIn a statement from Stellantis seen by both The Autopian and The Drive, the multinational automaker noted that these prompts, which are called the "In-Vehicle Message (IVM) technology" are an "important link" to connect Stellantis and owners "at critical points in their ownership," adding that they could be used to disseminate essential and critical information to owners quickly. "We use IVM to alert them to important messages, such as exclusive sales offers, vehicle recalls, and vehicle health monitor alerts," the automaker said. Specifically with this advertisement, Stellantis acknowledges that "a select group of owners received a special marketing notification in their vehicle" recently. However, they defend that it was a "tailored" message to "minimize any intrusions," adding that the message popped up "only on startup and while the vehicle is stationary" and disappeared when cars started moving, when the driver clicked the OK or X icon on the message, or after 15 seconds. They added that the message only reappeared at the next start-up "only if the driver clicked on Remind Me Later, or they did not click OK or X." "Our goal is to deliver the best vehicle experience for our customers," Stellantis said. "As a result of these efforts, we have seen our customers take advantage of this offer." Final thoughtsIn the statement that Stellantis sent to both outlets, they said that not only do they "acknowledge that not every owner is interested in special offers," they also noted that owners could opt out of these features altogether. However, these do require extra steps. "Owners can always permanently opt out of in-vehicle marketing messages by calling Customer Care at 800-777-3600," the automaker said. Although it is important to note that Stellantis actually gives the option of opting out, the method does feel slightly iffy, especially given the fact that it requires owners to call a toll-free number and navigate an automated system. If anyone's experience with a bank, airline, DoorDash, or cancelling a streaming subscription is anything to go by, automated "press X for Y" systems aren't entirely seamless. Opting out of "special offers" could be simple and done on the screen with a little "don't show me again" box. Connected car technology is a fantastic feat; it allows automakers to perform over-the-air updates, collect important diagnostics, and Stellantis even uses the in-car messaging system to alert its owners about recalls. However, this situation goes to prove that not everyone is in on random promotional ads, which should be something buyers can opt out of at the dealer, even for a nominal fee. View the full article

There's a lot to love about how the Bearded Mechanic guys go about things, but one of the best parts is how they methodically work through epic problems.View the full article

Yet Another Blow for Tesla’s FSD DreamsElon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur and someone with questionable adherence to timelines, has constantly touted how revolutionary Tesla’s self-driving technology is. Apparently, it was the next best thing since sliced bread, but unfortunately, things are looking bleak, at least if you’re the CEO who thought it could be monetized in more ways than one. News about legacy automakers not wanting to license the technology has surfaced, and it came from none other than the CEO himself. Musk, in a post on X, wrote, "I've tried to warn them and even offered to license Tesla FSD, but they don't want it! Crazy…" He further added, “When legacy auto does occasionally reach out, they tepidly discuss implementing FSD for a tiny program in 5 years with unworkable requirements for Tesla, so pointless.” Not What Musk Had in MindThis comes in stark contrast to what the CEO believed how things would pan out. Not too long ago, Musk told investors that there is "significant interest" from legacy players in licensing Tesla’s FSD tech. In an earnings call, as reported by Business Insider, he was quoted as saying, “I think the interest level from other manufacturers to license FSD will be extremely high once it is obvious that unless you have FSD, you're dead.” I’ve tried to warn them and even offered to license Tesla FSD, but they don’t want it! Crazy … When legacy auto does occasionally reach out, they tepidly discuss implementing FSD for a tiny program in 5 years with unworkable requirements for Tesla, so pointless. 🤷‍♂️ 🦕 🦕 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2025 Well, now, it’s pretty clear that things are not going as planned. So what might be the reason, you ask? According to Electrek, the problem is likely the name itself. If you’re selling something branded “Full Self-Driving,” it should do what it says on the box, at least that’s what automakers expect when they license it. However, Tesla’s FSD system, now called “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)," itself an oxymoron, requires human intervention. Tesla Despite its name, Tesla FSD is still a Level 2 technology—Level 3 is full autonomy. Moreover, Tesla isn’t like Mercedes-Benz, for instance, which takes full legal liability for its Drive Pilot, Level 3, fully autonomous system, should something go wrong. Tesla FSD is no stranger to federal investigations and lawsuits, either. So you can’t expect Ford, GM, Stellantis, or any corporate automaker to associate with a product that’s, at least for the time being, a rolling legal nightmare. View the full article

TVS has designed a helmet with a heads-up display, and just about every other piece of technology you can imagine on it. But will it cause too much distraction, or will it save lives?View the full article

The S650 Differential Brace from Livernois Motorsports uses a 3-piece billet design to eliminate wheel hop in the new Mustang.View the full article

If you're a longtime Ural fan, then you likely appreciate the fact that the company's director, Ilya Khait, tends to put the 'direct' in 'director' when he talks.View the full article

BMW R 1300 RS Review Sports Tourers; Proper Sports Tourers, are a rare thing these days. I’m not talking about Adventure Tourers that have become the go-to category for expected sales in recent times. Not the upright crossover things that, while they ride quite well, are always going to be slightly compromised from an involvement […] The post BMW R 1300 RS Review – Sports-Tourers are back! appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Recall Round-Up 2023-2025 KTM Duke 990 & 390 Recall number – REC-006482 Campaign number – 07_2582997 Original published date – 17 November 2025 Supplier details – KTM Australia Pty Ltd Contact name – KTM Australia Customer Service Contact phone – 1800 644 771 Contact email – customerservice-au@ktm.com Contact website – https://www.ktm.com/en-au.html KTM 390 Duke and […] The post Recall Round-Up: KTM Dukes & Husqvarna 401s appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

2025 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Cup Round Six – Chang International Circuit The Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia Pacific Cup Championship concluded at the Chang International Circuit over the weekend, with Japan’s Hinata Okada securing the 2025 title after the final two races of the season. Australia filled the remaining steps of the […] The post Ups and downs for the Aussies at R3 Asia Pacific Cup finale appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Moto News Weekly Wrap November 25, 2025 What’s New: Stephen Gall’s tell all book: No Easy Way Wonthaggi confirmed as 2026 ProMX Opener AMA Endurocross gold for Jonny Walker and Triumph Last ever North Brisbane Cup – December 6 NSW Senior Track finally running this weekend! AUSX Supercross Grand Final this weekend! AUSX Round Four […] The post Moto News Weekly | Enduro | Track | SX | MX | Baja + lots more… appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Taiyo Aksu signed by AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha Taiyo Aksu is stepping up to the new FIM Sportbike World Championship in 2026 after signing with AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha to race a Yamaha YZF-R7 in the fledgling series. The Australian teenager makes the move after an impressive ESBK Superstock 600 campaign in which he finished […] The post Taiyo Aksu confirmed on WorldSPB grid in 26 with Yamaha appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

How Each Affects Performance, Fuel Economy & Capability If you’ve lifted your 4Runner and added bigger tires (or a bunch of weight), you’ve probably noticed a drop in performance. Sluggish... The post 4.56 Vs. 4.88 Gears For Your 4Runner – How To Choose appeared first on Trail4R.com - 5th Gen 4Runner Mods. View the full article

What the Cliffhanger Sticky is The Cliffhanger line from SuperATV is marketed as a rock-crawling UTV/ATV tire, with a choice of two compounds: a standard durable compound and a “Sticky” compound for maximum rock grip. Key highlights: 8-ply radial construction. Tread depth: approx. 15 mm (0.59″) lug height. Side lug depth: ~1.25″ for added sidewall bite. Standard durometer (hardness) rubber: ~65 A; Sticky compound: ~52 A (softer = more “grip”). Directional tread pattern with a high-contact center lug line, staggered shoulder & sidewall lugs, plus siping for smooth surfaces. Example size: 35×10-15 weighs 53 lb, load rated 715 lb @ 18 psi (standard spec sheet). In short: a tire built from the ground up for rock crawling, with an option for a super-grippy compound when your terrain demands it. SuperATV CliffHanger Sticky Compound Tire What the Sticky Compound Brings to the Table So why choose the Sticky version? Here’s how it differentiates: Soft durometer (52A) means the rubber is more pliable, which improves contact patch and bite on smooth or polished rock faces. Combined with the aggressive tread pattern and sidewall lugs, the Sticky compound helps when you’re crawling steep rock walls, traversing slick ledges, or need extreme traction at low speed. According to SuperATV: “If you need ultimate grip on smooth rocks, you need our sticky compound Cliffhanger Tires… they have a perfectly dialed-in durometer hardness to maximize grip.” The radial construction and connecting ribs mean the tire retains strength despite the softer compound – so you’re not sacrificing build quality just for grip. If you’re building for rock crawling and want the ultimate tire for that mission, the Cliffhanger Sticky is a strong pick. It delivers specialized traction, solid construction, and focus for serious terrain. For the average trail rider who mixes terrain (sand, dirt, rock), the standard compound version might offer better balance—but if rock crawling is your jam, go Sticky. Full details: SuperATV CliffHanger Sticky Compound Tire The post SuperATV CliffHanger Sticky Compound Tire appeared first on UTV Guide. View the full article

From full- to part-time builder, Colin Cornberg hasn't lost his touch—as evidenced by this handsome Moto Guzzi V35.We know countless stories of hobbyists becoming full-time custom motorcycle builders—a few years ago, Colin Cornberg did the opposite. He packed up his motorcycle workshop, Number 8 Wir... View the full article

With less than a week to go until the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports v NASCAR antitrust trial begins, the Sanctioning Body motioned the court to have 23XI exclude two if its three owners from the room while others are on the stand. This is under the ‘Federal Rules of Evidence; 615,’ which states that ‘at a party’s request, the court must order witnesses excluded from the ...Keep readingView the full article

Next season, Shane van Gisbergen will get to drive the No. 97 in the Cup Series for the first time -- a number that means a lot to the three-time Supercars champion. The team announced the number change in an emotional video that was released earlier this month. Now, Trackhouse has offered a first glimpse at the the No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 wrapped in Red Bull colors. The team also showcased ...Keep readingView the full article

Drag Illustrated announced today that Larry Jeffers Race Cars has signed on as a major sponsor of the 2025-26 Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service, bringing one of the most prominent chassis builders in Pro Modified drag racing into a significant role for the upcoming three-race championship. Known for producing championship-winning, world-class race cars from their facility in House Springs, Missouri, LJRC’s involvement adds yet another heavyweight supporter to the growing movement around the Winter Series. LJRC has long been regarded as one of the premier builders of high-horsepower doorslammer race cars, specializing in Pro Mod chassis for all major power adders – nitrous, roots-style, ProCharger, and twin turbos – with an emphasis on safety, innovation, and performance. Their craftsmanship can be found at the front of the field in NHRA, IHRA, PDRA, MWDRS, and outlaw competition, where their cars routinely contend for championships. Whether producing full turn-key Pro Mods, updating existing chassis, fabricating headers and rear-end housings, supplying carbon fiber components, or offering critical at-track support, Larry Jeffers Race Cars has become an anchor brand in the sport and a trusted partner to racers across the country. “Pro Mod drag racing right now represents a movement in our sport,” said Drag Illustrated Founder & Editorial Director Wes Buck. “It takes an army to support this growing community, and we’re lucky to have guys like Larry Jeffers and his team at Larry Jeffers Race Cars that believe in what we’re doing and support the mission of turning this brand of drag racing into the sport’s premier eliminator. What I’ve seen in Larry is a guy who loves drag racing, loves Pro Mod, and will do whatever he possibly can to keep it rocking and rolling. He supports racers with quick turnarounds on repairs, building a car turn-key on a moment’s notice, or helping at the track whether it’s swinging an engine or making a big chassis adjustment. That’s cool. That’s the spirit that Pro Mod was built on.” Jeffers echoed the excitement and emphasized how meaningful the partnership is to him and his team. “We love the sport of drag racing, and we love seeing all these Pro Mod racers get to perform on a major league stage,” said Larry Jeffers, owner of Larry Jeffers Race Cars. “The promotion, the hype around these races, the level of competition – it’s all headed in the right direction. A lot of our customers race in the Winter Series, and we want to support them and support the sport however we can. We’re glad to partner with Drag Illustrated to help this thing continue to grow.” The Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service will once again include three of the most influential races in the sport: the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals on December 4-7, 2025; the U.S. Street Nationals on January 22-25, 2026; and the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod on February 26-28, 2026. Each race will be contested at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida, where the Winter Series has cemented its place as the most competitive three-race Pro Mod championship in the world. With LJRC joining the roster of major partners, the Winter Series continues to build momentum and reinforce its position as the premier proving ground for the best doorslammer racers on the planet. Their involvement underscores the industry’s belief in the Winter Series and the growing movement behind Pro Mod drag racing’s rise into a marquee attraction.Tickets and VIP packages for all three events are available now at https://bit.ly/3LvZ4DR This story was originally published on November 25, 2025. The post Larry Jeffers Race Cars Named Major Sponsor of Drag Illustrated Winter Series first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

In early May, former DI contributor Craig Cook sat down four of the original Street Outlaws cast members for a roundtable interview at Mo-Kan Dragway’s inaugural 405 Shootout. Cook spoke with James “Doc” Love, Joe “Dominator” Woods, Sean “Farmtruck” Whitley, Jeff “AZN” Bonnett to discuss the early days of the show, how it evolved over time, and what the future holds after 15 seasons of the original show and numerous spinoffs. At the time, many of the drivers were at a crossroads: with no television deal in place and fewer contracts being offered, they had to decide how to proceed moving forward. Since then, Speed Promotions Racing, which took over the No Prep Kings framework, canceled the final races of its 2025 season, effectively ending the Street Outlaws era. This excerpt of the roundtable, which appeared in DI #196, the State of Drag Issue, in September/October 2025, features Joe “Dominator” Woods. Looking back on when the original 405 show first started, did you ever believe it would blow up and become as popular as it did? No, I truly didn’t think it was going to be that big of a deal. We were just doing some silly, stupid teenage stuff in our adulthood. We filmed the first three seasons in the first year, and right after season one aired, Thunder Valley put on Outlaw Armageddon. I didn’t even take my car. At that point in time, I didn’t realize we had become anything. I got down there, and they were 15 feet off the fence. My brother couldn’t see the track. The stands were completely packed, and he and his wife were standing on top of the bathroom, just so that they could see the races. That’s when I realized, “Holy cow, we’ve lit a fire in something that I honestly didn’t think was possible.” I was just happy as shit that I’m on the list of the baddest dudes on the street at the time. I had no clue that it was going to become what it became. You all have done this for quite a while now. Looking back on the show, what’s either a favorite memory or accomplishment that each of you had over the course of Street Outlaws? I never actually had the Crown in my possession. Three weeks before we started filming, I was racing Murder Nova for number one. I had to race on a budget even back then. The whole reason I started racing with these guys on the street was because I couldn’t afford to race at that caliber at the track. The first Cash Days I showed up to, I had a small-tire Z28 that was driven in Daily Driver. I start walking through the pits and I’m like, “These are all back-half cars, full-blown big tire, three-kit nitrous deals.” I didn’t even pay my money to get into Cash Days. That’s just a waste. Two weeks later, I had my Dart, and I was ordering a transmission. I put a 509 in it and a 500-shot of spray, and that’s where I started. As things progressed, it wasn’t just the 405 show anymore. With nearly 20 spin-off shows, you were basically filming year-round. With a cast made up primarily of regular, blue-collar workers, how did you balance your regular jobs and filming full-time? I was very fortunate. At that time, I was a welding and structural superintendent for a drilling rig company. I had 42 rigs in the field total. Half the town worked for the man that owned the company. When he sold the company, I had to interview to keep my job. We built 22 drilling rigs in 24 months. We had 147 welders working for us, and it was chaos. The whole time we’re building these rigs, I’m racing in the street. There were times when I would come to work with my car on the trailer out in the parking lot, because I just came back from racing in the street. My phone rang 24/7; I literally slept with it under my pillow so it would vibrate and wake me up. I’ve been building and working on cars since I was a kid. I would race in the street and chase the oilfield stuff. I couldn’t keep up. We had some disagreements at work, and I was like, “It’s time.” It was not a hard decision. I stepped away from that and focused on the show. One of the most popular spin-off shows was No Prep Kings. How did you all balance the idea of being street racers that are now competing at the track, but also giving fans of the show the opportunity to come out and experience what you’re doing? I thought I understood what NPK was going to be, but in the beginning, we were on sketchy, small-town, little bitty tracks. Birdman’s Firebird would run mid-3.90s. My car ran high 4.20s, and I could outrun 3.80 or 3.90 cars because the surface wouldn’t take it, so it was legit. You can have a 5,000-horsepower program, and it doesn’t do you any good. You have to get down the surface. We were in Kentucky and the fire marshal showed up and locked the gate, and there was still a six-mile line in both directions. You can’t go anywhere without being recognized. I’m not complaining about that. I’ll talk to every single person that wants to have a conversation. Without the fans, we don’t get to do what we do on the platform we’re doing it on. My hope in this whole thing is that those little kids that are running in Jr. Dragsters never stop drag racing. I want to hook those kids. With the evolution you talked about – the never-ending desire to continue going faster combined with big-money teams jumping in – do you believe it eventually went too far from what made it popular to begin with? That was my fear because the track was always the equalizer. Even Murder Nova bashed what we were doing in the beginning. Then he shows up and he’s like, “Holy shit, this ain’t no joke.” The programs we are racing against today, a lot of those guys spend $2-4 million a year. I’m happy for them, don’t get me wrong. I would love to be in their shoes. A lot of them rotate their engines and their transmissions every year. To be fair, I still don’t have two engines. When I put the Noonan Hemi in my car, for three years it never came out. I don’t push it to the absolute limit. I would love to, but I’m not in that financial boat. If I break the engine, I’m done for a month. The reality is – and this is a very hard pill to swallow – if you’re not on that level, you’re getting your teeth kicked in. Looking ahead, with Speed Promotions Racing taking over what was formerly No Prep Kings, and no television show currently in place, what are your plans moving forward? Will you continue with SPR, or focus more on match races and paid appearances? I don’t want to quit. I don’t. It hurts, and a lot of people don’t understand, but the reality is I don’t want to see Street Outlaws die. I’ve given 12 years of my life to this. At the same time, I’ve been blessed. My car ran 4.80s, now it runs 3.80s. I’ve learned how to make a car go a full second faster. I love the Speed Promotions thing. I’m going to do the ones that I can afford to go to, because I still want to be a part of it. It’s hit the point where the only rule right now is steel roof and quarters. Well shit, Kye [Kelley]’s car weighs 2,560 pounds. Mine weighs 2,700 pounds. He’s 140 pounds lighter than mine. I can’t hang with that. But I’m going to do everything I can. I love the fact that I have the time right now to go do appearances. We haven’t got to do appearances like this since NPK started. The one-on-one with these people, listening to how they’ve got this car or they’re building that car, that’s my drive to continue doing this. The post DI Interview: Joe ‘Dominator’ Woods on Blue-Collar Racing, The Rise of ‘Street Outlaws’ & The Road Ahead first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

CAN-AM’S HVAC DEFENDER NOW PRICED LOWER THAN CFMOTO With this news, are you even considering CFMOTO any longer? The folks at Can-Am sure think not because today they announced a new pricing for the iconic Defender starting at $23,999. The new 2026.5 Defender DPS CAB HD10 with heat and air conditioning is available in three-seat and MAX ($27,299) (six-seat) configurations and is now the most affordable (1000cc class) HVAC-equipped side-by-side in the industry, delivering premium comfort and rugged capability at an unmatched value. This vehicle comes with 27-inch tires, a fixed glass windshield, but no winch. CAN-AM DEFENDER DPS CAB HD10 PRICES (976cc/82hp) 2 DOOR: $23,999 4:DOOR: $27,299 CFMOTO HIGHLAND PRICES (998cc/88hp) 2 DOOR: $24,499 4 DOOR: $27,499 POLARIS RANGER NORTHSTAR PRICES (999cc/82hp) 2 DOOR: $29,999 4 DOOR: $32,999 ARCTIC CAT PROWLER LTD PRICES (812cc/50hp) 2 DOOR: $22,499 4 DOOR: $30,999 Synonymous with hard work, grit and determination, the Can-Am Defender lineup is trusted by farmers, ranchers and riders across the world. The new Defender DPS CAB HD10 with HVAC package brings the proven performance and reliability of the Defender platform to more riders, thanks to a lower price point. Equipped with a full cab, heating, venting and air-conditioning, the proven Rotax HD10 powertrain, a reliable CVT transmission and a robust chassis, this new package continues to deliver on the workhorse capability and toughness that the Defender is known for. “We’re committed to making adventure and utility more accessible to riders everywhere,” said Jeremi Doyon-Roch, Marketing Director at Can-Am Off-Road. “Our new Can-Am Defender DPS CAB HD10 with HVAC package means more people can experience the durability and versatility that has made it the most unstoppable workhorse in the field. The Defender DPS CAB HD10 with HVAC will be available at select Can-Am dealers in early 2026. To learn more about these models and the rest of the Can-Am Off-Road lineup, visit www.can-am.brp.com. The post CAN-AM’S HVAC DEFENDER NOW PRICED LOWER THAN CFMOTO appeared first on UTV Action Magazine. View the full article