"Let's Be RONest" with Ron Bergenholtz

Nitto Tire
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Let’s Be RONest presented by Nitto Tire is where we get real about cars, racing and life at large. Hosted by NHRA Drag Racing champion and Nitto Ambassador Ron Bergenholtz, this podcast goes full throttle into the automotive world and beyond. Each episode, Ron sits down with industry icons and people of interest who share one thing in common—a passion for their craft. From behind-the-scenes racing stories to deep dives into culture, you’ll get an unfiltered look at what drives the people who live life on the road, the track, and everywhere in between. If you love cars, crave authenticity, and want to hear from the voices shaping the automotive community and beyond, buckle up—because it’s time to be RONest.

Episodes

  1. 28 APR

    Betting It All on Rotaries with Rob Dahm | Let’s Be RONest

    Season 2 of Let’s Be RONest kicks off with Rob Dahm, the guy behind some of the wildest rotary builds out there. From being scared of loud engines as a kid to chasing world records and building a 1000+ horsepower RX-7, Rob breaks down how curiosity, not just passion, shaped everything he does. What started with computers and Guinness World Records turned into an obsession with speed, engineering, and pushing limits. Ron and Rob get into the early days, from starting an IT business just to afford a Lamborghini Diablo, to maxing out credit cards building cars, to jumping into YouTube before anyone really knew what it would become. They also dive into what it actually takes to build and drive a high-horsepower rotary, why data matters more than people think, and how Rob approaches problem-solving when things don’t go as planned. The conversation goes deep on Pikes Peak, from learning the course, to trusting the car, to pushing it right to the edge. They also talk about balancing building, driving, and content, and why sometimes the win isn’t a trophy, it’s just getting the chance to do it. This episode features Rob Dahm discussing rotary engines, RX-7 builds, Pikes Peak, data-driven tuning, YouTube, and betting on yourself. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ #TeamNitto #LetsBeRONest #RobDahm #RX7 #Rotary #PikesPeak #CarBuilds #Automotive

    1hr 40min

  2. 27 FEB

    Building Speed and Betting It All with Cleetus McFarland | Let’s Be RONest

    In Episode 7 of Let’s Be RONest, host Ron Bergenholtz sits down with drag racer, ARCA competitor, pilot, and Freedom Factory owner Cleetus McFarland for a wide open conversation inside McFarland Fab.                                                                                                                                                                                 Fresh off a 261 mph pass in his radial Camaro “Eagle,” Cleetus breaks down what it feels like to drive the fastest radial car in the world, what’s going through his mind past the eighth mile, and why holding it wide open at 200+ mph is a different kind of pressure. The conversation shifts into Cleetus’ transition into stock car racing, from ARCA competition to his long term goal of qualifying for the Daytona 500.       Ron and Cleetus also rewind to the early days, including the moment he went all in to purchase what would become the Freedom Factory. From nearly draining his bank account to navigating COVID shutdowns, Cleetus details the risks, sleepless nights, and belief it took to turn a rundown oval into one of grassroots racing’s most iconic venues.                                                                                                                                                      This episode features Cleetus McFarland discussing radial racing, ARCA competition, building the Freedom Factory, entrepreneurship, aviation, and chasing speed at the highest level. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/

    1hr 25min

  3. 8 JAN

    Wrangling Pythons and Living on the Edge with Python Cowboy | Let’s Be RONest #6

    In Episode 6 of Let’s Be RONest, host Ron Bergenholtz sits down with Florida-based invasive-species hunter and outdoorsman Mike Kimmel, better known as Python Cowboy. From solo python hunts in the Everglades to close calls with massive Burmese pythons, Mike shares what it takes to remove some of the most dangerous invasive predators in North America. The conversation dives into how pythons behave, why reading body language matters, and the infamous encounter where a 17-foot snake bit him while hunting alone — and how staying calm kept him alive. Ron and Mike also explore the bigger picture behind invasive species removal, including how pythons, iguanas, feral hogs, and Nile monitors impact Florida’s ecosystem. Along the way, Mike discusses guided hunts, unusual field discoveries, managing alligators, and the role hunting dogs play in safely navigating some of the most unforgiving terrain in the country. This episode features Python Cowboy discussing python hunting, invasive species management, hunting dogs, and life deep in the Florida Everglades.                                                                                                                                                                            Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ #TeamNitto #LetsBeRONest #PythonCowboy #Everglades #InvasiveSpecies #PythonHunting #FloridaWildlife

    1hr 19min

  4. 18/12/2025

    How Taylor Ray Builds, Drives, and Breaks the Rules | Let’s Be RONest Episode 5

    In Episode 5 of Let’s Be RONest, host Ron Bergenholtz sits down with automotive creator, fabricator, and all-around motorsports mad scientist Taylor Ray. From drifting, clutch kickers, and mountain roads to jet boats ripping through Florida back rivers, Taylor’s obsession with building and driving anything with an engine runs deep. The conversation dives into why he insists on building his own cars, the mental and physical realities of competitive driving, and how understanding every bolt and wire changes the way you push limits. Ron and Taylor also get into the realities of Formula Drift — what it really takes to compete, why arrive-and-drive programs matter, and how drivers like James Deane and Adam LZ have reshaped the sport. Along the way, they talk fabrication, wiring nightmares, jet boat addiction, YouTube risks, and the moment Taylor bet everything on content creation as a full-time career. This episode features Taylor Ray discussing drifting, fabrication, jet boating, YouTube, and the realities of motorsports at every level. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, explore full tire specs, and locate a dealer at: https://www.nittotire.com/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrivingLine?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Driving Line on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivingline Follow Driving Line on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivingline/ Follow Taylor Ray on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNqf6cy5TLNeBV5cF3yKY8A Follow Taylor Ray on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylordrifts/?hl=en

    1hr 49min

  5. 12/11/2025

    How Jacob Gettins Became the Voice of Drifting | Let’s Be RONest Episode 4

    In Episode 4 of Let’s Be Ronest, host Ron Bergenholtz talks with Jacob Gettin — the newest voice of Formula Drift and Drift Masters. Jacob’s path is anything but typical: he went from aspiring architect to chef, spent years working in concrete, and somehow ended up announcing on some of drifting’s biggest stages. Ron and Jacob dig into how those pivots happened, what it’s like sharing the booth with Jared DeAnda, dealing with online critics, and how drifting culture differs between the U.S. and Europe. It’s a laid-back, honest look at how curiosity, timing, and persistence can take you places you never planned to go. Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube https://www.youtube.com/drivingline?sub_confirmation=1  Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/ Nitto Tire’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire Nitto Tire’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=en Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

    1hr 28min

  6. 28/10/2025

    James Deane and Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR Vehicles Drift Team | Let’s Be RONest Episode 3

    Ron Bergenholtz sits down with Team RTR’s powerhouse duo: Vaughn Gittin Jr. and James Deane, first five-time Formula Drift Champion. In this episode, they dive into their racing roots, share stories from the track, and talk about how their paths in drifting crossed—leading to one of the most exciting collaborations in modern motorsports. From championship mindsets to behind-the-scenes camaraderie, this episdoe sends it! Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube https://www.youtube.com/drivingline?sub_confirmation=1 Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/ Nitto Tire’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire/ Nitto Tire’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=en Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

    1hr 32min

  7. 23/10/2025

    Import Racing in the 90s with Ed Bergenholtz | Let’s Be RONest Episode 2

    Ron Bergenholtz talks to none other than his brother, Ed Bergenholtz. Not only does Ed lead the IT team at Skydance, but he and Ron headed up Bergenholtz Racing back when they were just getting started in the 90s. They go deep into import drag racing history and tell some incredible stories of coming to age during the era of imports in So Cal. Plus, we get some insight into running your own race team and how Ed's taken those learnings into his professional career. This episode is not to missed! Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/drivingline?sub_confirmation=1 Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/ Nitto Tire’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire/ Nitto Tire’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=en Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

    1hr 30min

  8. 09/10/2025

    Inside Formula Drift with Andy Luk | Let’s Be RONest Episode 1

    On the premiere episode of Let’s Be RONest, Ron Bergenholtz talks to Director of Operations at Formula Drift, Andy Luk. They discuss the ins & outs of FD including what it takes to compete and win, who’s the greatest drifter of all time, how Formula Drift became what it is today and what we may see in the future of FD. Listen to Let’s Be RONest brought to you by Nitto streaming or subscribe to DrivingLine’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrivingLine  Follow for the podcast and more at: Nitto Tire’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nittotire/Nitto Tire’s Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NittoTire/Nitto Tire’s TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nittotireusa?lang=enKeep up with Formula Drift @formulad https://www.instagram.com/formulad/ on Instagram. Brought to you by Nitto Tire | FUELED BY ENTHUSIASTS. Find the perfect tire match for your vehicle, along with full tire specs and find a dealer, at nittotire.com. https://www.nittotire.com/

    1hr 37min

  9. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Meet Ron Bergenholtz: Racing Legend and New Podcast Host

    With over 30 years of experience in the world of racing—from sport compact drag racing championships to coaching Formula Drift teams to victory—Ron Bergenholtz has seen it all. Now, he’s pulling up a chair for real conversations about cars, racing, and life at large. The first episode of Let's be RONest brought to you by Nitto Tire drops October 9, right here and wherever you listen to podcasts.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Let’s Be RONest presented by Nitto Tire is where we get real about cars, racing and life at large. Hosted by NHRA Drag Racing champion and Nitto Ambassador Ron Bergenholtz, this podcast goes full throttle into the automotive world and beyond. Each episode, Ron sits down with industry icons and people of interest who share one thing in common—a passion for their craft. From behind-the-scenes racing stories to deep dives into culture, you’ll get an unfiltered look at what drives the people who live life on the road, the track, and everywhere in between. If you love cars, crave authenticity, and want to hear from the voices shaping the automotive community and beyond, buckle up—because it’s time to be RONest.

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