OUSC Podcast #228 – Willow Springs 2026 Preview, West Coast Kickoff, & Points Battle Update!
Release Date: 05/21/2026
TMCP #654: Chris Smith of Smitty's - UNFILTERED Pro-Touring Cheat Code: Which Suspension and Parts to Use to Win, Why You Need ABS, and $300K 2nd Gen Camaros Are the New Normal
The Kibbe and Friends Show
This week's episode has a little bit of everything I love. First, I share why I'm heading back to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, a place that's become much more than the world's largest aviation gathering for me. It's where I spent countless summers with my dad, and every time I go back I find myself reconnecting with those memories while getting excited about the future of aviation. This year I'm especially looking forward to seeing TurboTech's regenerative turbine engine, a technology that could completely change general aviation by delivering turbine reliability with piston-engine fuel economy. If...
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K&F Show #372: Dukes Review S2E3 "The Rustlers" – Mel Tillis & Rosco's Future Wife
The Kibbe and Friends Show
Season 2 continues with "The Rustlers," as the Duke Boys team up with country music legend Mel Tillis to protect his prized racehorse from Boss Hogg, horse rustlers, and one crooked horse dealer. While the General Lee doesn't get as much screen time as usual, this episode delivers plenty of memorable moments—including a race between the General Lee and a thoroughbred, Uncle Jesse's now-famous climb out of the General, and Boss Hogg's hilarious attempts to impress Lulu. In this review, Rob, Corndog, and Bernie discuss Mel Tillis' unforgettable guest appearance, the real-life story behind his...
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K&F Show #371: Dodge's NASCAR Return, Ford's AI Problem, and Why "Gold Fever" Is Peak Dukes of Hazzard
The Kibbe and Friends Show
This week on The Kibbe & Friends Show, the guys kick things off by discussing the growing rumors that Dodge could return to NASCAR competition in 2027. With new reports suggesting progress on both the race car and engine program, Rob, Corndog, and Bernie debate what Dodge's return could look like, how manufacturer-supported engines compare to the competition, and whether NASCAR has become too standardized compared to the glory days of stock car racing. Next up is another hilarious edition of the Automotive Celebrity Birthday Game, featuring movie and television trivia from Ghostbusters,...
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USCA Podcast #230 – Chris "Smitty" Smith on Sponsorships, Building Relationships & Growing Your Racing Program
The Kibbe and Friends Show
Whether you're chasing championships, building a race car in your garage, or trying to grow a business in the performance aftermarket, sponsorships are one of the most misunderstood parts of motorsports. In this episode, Rob Kibbe and Jimi Day sit down with longtime Ultimate Street Car competitor, builder, and business owner Chris "Smitty" Smith to pull back the curtain on what successful sponsorships really look like. From approaching companies the right way to creating lasting partnerships that benefit everyone involved, Smitty shares the lessons he's learned from years of building both race...
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TMCP #653: Ask Rick – Leno's Law, The Future of the Collector Car Hobby, and Rick's Summer Car Challenge
The Kibbe and Friends Show
July means Independence Day, fireworks, and finding any excuse to put an old car on the road. This month on Ask Rick, Rick Schmidt from National Parts Depot and I kick things off by reminiscing about Fourth of July celebrations, childhood memories of America's Bicentennial, and the famous Freedom Train before turning our attention to a much bigger question: what does the future of the collector car hobby actually look like? From there, we dive into California's proposed Leno's Law, the growing challenge of restoring electronically controlled vehicles, and why collector car insurance remains...
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K&F Show #370: Uncle Jesse vs. Boss Hogg! // Dukes of Hazzard S2E1 "Days of Shine and Roses" Review
The Kibbe and Friends Show
Season 2 of The Dukes of Hazzard gets underway with "Days of Shine and Roses," an episode that takes fans back to the moonshine-running days of Uncle Jesse and Boss Hogg. What starts with a collection of old "home movies" quickly turns into one last Ridge Runner race as two longtime rivals settle an old score the only way they know how—with fast cars, back roads, and plenty of Hazzard County chaos. This episode is packed with memorable automotive moments, including Uncle Jesse's blacked-out Mustang, Boss Hogg's Camaro, the return of a familiar blown big-block Chevy engine, and some fantastic...
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TMCP #652: Double Bonus Racing Show! | Brandon Setzer Racing Development: Training Future NASCAR Stars | Tyler West on RacingJunk & Grassroots Motorsports
The Kibbe and Friends Show
This week on The Muscle Car Place Podcast, we're bringing you a Double Bonus Racing Show featuring two guests who are helping shape the future of grassroots motorsports from very different angles. First, Robert sits down with Brandon Setzer of Setzer Racing and Development to discuss the world of Late Model racing, driver development, and what it really takes to climb the ladder toward NASCAR. As the son of NASCAR Truck Series veteran Dennis Setzer, Brandon grew up in racing and now dedicates his career to helping young drivers accelerate their learning curve behind the wheel. Brandon explains...
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K&F Show #369: The Love Bug Movie Review // The Car That Started It All
The Kibbe and Friends Show
Disney's The Love Bug wasn't just a hit movie—it created one of the most recognizable automotive stars in entertainment history. Long before KITT, the General Lee, or Lightning McQueen, a little Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie captured audiences with personality, charm, and a racing spirit that made generations of car enthusiasts believe their own vehicles might have a soul. In this episode, Rob, Corn Dog, and Bernie revisit the original 1969 classic that launched an entire franchise. From Dean Jones' role as struggling racer Jim Douglas to the villainous Peter Thorndyke and the practical...
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TMCP #651 – Rick Love on 50 Years of Vintage Air, Hot Rod Innovation & the Future of the Hobby
The Kibbe and Friends Show
Vintage Air is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in this special episode, Robert Kibbe welcomes Vintage Air President Rick Love for an in-depth conversation about the company's remarkable journey from a small hot rod air conditioning supplier to an industry leader. Rick shares how a chance meeting with founder Jack Chisenhall in the early 1980s led to a friendship, collaboration, and eventually a career helping shape one of the most respected brands in the automotive aftermarket. Along the way, he reflects on the family-oriented culture that has helped Vintage Air grow from fewer...
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K&F Show #368: The Greatest General Lee Jump? // Dukes of Hazzard S1E13 "Double Sting" Review
The Kibbe and Friends Show
The Season 1 finale of The Dukes of Hazzard may also be one of the most important episodes in the entire series. In "Double Sting," the formula that would define the show for years to come fully comes together: out-of-town crooks, a clever scheme, plenty of action, and enough Hazard County chaos to keep everyone on their toes. It's the blueprint for the classic Dukes episodes that fans know and love. This time around, a fake quarantine traps nearly everyone inside the Hazard County jail while a pair of bank robbers disguised as Laurel and Hardy pull off their latest heist. With Bo, Luke,...
info_outlineThe 2026 Ultimate Street Car Association season heads west for Round 3 as competitors prepare to take on the legendary Willow Springs Raceway—one of the most iconic and demanding tracks in American motorsports.
In this episode, Rob Kibbe and OPTIMA Jim McIlvaine break down everything drivers and fans need to know before the Willow Springs weekend, including the full event schedule, key class battles, standout competitors, and what makes this heritage-format event so unique.
With USCA running solo at Willow Springs, competitors can expect an incredible amount of seat time across autocross, road course, and peak performance challenge sessions. From sunrise drivers meetings to packed afternoon sessions, this event delivers maximum track action and valuable opportunities to score points before the season’s bigger East Coast and invitational events tighten the standings.
The competition storylines are already heating up. Brandon Hurst and Tony Pruch continue their close battle in GTS, while returning competitors, first-time entries, and fresh builds are set to make Willow Springs one of the most exciting events of the season so far. The episode also touches on the unfortunate fire loss experienced by Brian Hobaugh and his team, while highlighting his return to competition in a brand-new 2026 Corvette Z06.
Beyond the racing, Willow Springs represents something special within the USCA schedule—a true grassroots, driver-focused weekend where competitors can spend more time behind the wheel and less time waiting in line. It’s fast, raw, competitive, and exactly what many racers love most about the series.
And of course, there’s Willow Springs itself. Located deep in the Southern California desert, this legendary facility has challenged racers for decades with high speeds, technical corners, and a setting unlike anywhere else on the USCA calendar.
A huge thank you to all the drivers, sponsors, volunteers, fans, and staff who continue to make Ultimate Street Car Association one of the most competitive and welcoming motorsports communities in the country.
If you’re headed to Willow Springs—safe travels and good luck.
If you’re watching from home—you won’t want to miss this one.
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