The Will Marotti Show

Will Marotti

The show's host, Will Marotti, has experience as a pastor for 30 years, and a radio broadcaster for 13 years with Audacy. The podcast considers issues on culture and politics from a faith perspective. The show includes special guests and listener call-ins.

  1. Aug 7

    IndyCar IR-28 Chassis Unveiled & Shop Fire Recovery with Asher Farris and John Harkenrider

    Host Will Marotti dives deep into the high-stakes world of motorsports, starting with the long-awaited unveiling of the new IndyCar IR-28 chassis at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From initial driver reactions to the sleek aerodynamic updates, safety enhancements, and roomier cockpits, the series is taking a bold step into the future while replacing the iconic DW12. Will also highlights the business side of racing, sharing massive engagement metrics from the show newsletter, discussing new ladder initiatives like the American Formula Series, and breaking down the capital challenges drivers face when making the jump from karting to cars. Joining the broadcast are two incredible figures in the paddock representing different stages of motorsport careers. First, young journalist and kart racer Asher Farris stops by to share how he started interviewing racing legends at six years old, how he is working to rebuild his YouTube presence after a recent hack, and his aggressive push to transition up the open-wheel ladder. Then, Havoc Motorsports GM John Harkenrider joins to provide an update on his team recovery following a devastating shop fire, the outpouring of support from the racing community, and their work as the official dealer introducing the new Ligier JS F326 to North America. Our Guests Today - Asher Farris: One of the youngest journalists in the IndyCar paddock, Asher has been interviewing motorsports icons since 2019 while building a competitive kart racing career across KA100 Junior and LO206 Junior classes. - John Harkenrider: General Manager of Havoc Motorsports, John brings deep expertise in driver development, open-wheel preparation, and team management as he leads Havoc recovery from a major shop fire and oversees their partnership as an official Ligier reseller. Inside This Episode - 00:00 - Introduction and IndyCar IR-28 Unveiling at IMS - 04:04 - Episode Overview: Asher Farris and John Harkenrider - 05:22 - History of the DW12 Chassis and IR-28 Safety Upgrades - 07:12 - IndyCar Drivers React: Rossi, Ericsson, Power, Kanaan, and Palou - 09:47 - Sponsor: SVS Insiders - 10:42 - Interview: Asher Farris on Media Career & YouTube Channel Rebuild - 17:52 - Asher Farris on Karting, Sim Racing, and Moving Up the Ladder - 20:33 - Sponsor: America's Christian Credit Union - 21:32 - SVS Insiders, American Formula Series, and Asher's Racing Future - 30:32 - Sponsor: Schaeffer Manufacturing - 31:05 - Interview: John Harkenrider on Havoc Motorsports Fire Recovery - 35:48 - Ligier Partnership, JS F326 Delivery, and F3 Development - 39:43 - Sponsor: Redline Ace - 41:03 - Bringing the New Ligier to SCCA FA & Lowering Costs for Young Drivers - 49:55 - Host Wrap-Up and How to Support the Guests Sponsor & Social Links - SVS Insiders: https://svsinsiders.com - America's Christian Credit Union: https://americaschristiancu.com/pits - Schaeffer Manufacturing: https://schaefferoil.com - Redline Ace: https://redlineace.com - SPEED SPORT 1: https://speedsport1.com - Show Website: https://thepitsareopen.com #IndyCar #IR28 #DW12 #MotorsportBusiness #HavocMotorsports #LigierJSF326 #Karting #OpenWheel #SVSInsiders #ThePitsAreOpen #WillMarotti #SPEEDSPORT #FormulaRacing #SimToReal

  2. Aug 3

    IndyCar Charter Shakeup & Historic Track Battles with Lee Anne Patterson and Greg Goodman

    In this packed episode of The Pits Are Open, host Will Marotti breaks down the major business moves transforming motorsports. From the landmark $12 million to $13 million IndyCar charter sale that is reshaping entry into the sport to the ongoing debate over the future of NASCAR racing at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard 400, Will delivers the unfiltered truth on where modern racing is headed. Beyond the headlines, we dive into the rich history and practical realities of running race teams and preserving legendary tracks. Our guests share personal insights on everything from the grit required to operate independent prep shops to the grassroots movement fighting to save historic venues like the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Our Guests Today Lee Anne Patterson Lee Anne Patterson is a trailblazing motorsports executive with decades of experience spanning team ownership, series management, and public relations. Throughout her career, she managed prep shops running in IndyCar, Indy Lights, and Formula Atlantic, notably helping guide Sam Schmidt into IndyCar. Hired by Carroll Shelby as Series Director for the Dodge Shelby Pro Series, Lee Anne has done it all in racing and is also the author of the children's book The Trouble with Howard. Greg Goodman Greg Goodman is a lifelong racing enthusiast and national mortgage executive whose roots run deep in NASCAR history. His father, Benny Goodman, partnered with Bill France Sr. to build over a dozen race tracks across the South, including the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Today, Greg pilots Mario Andretti's former race car in Vintage Indy events and is actively working to preserve local short tracks for future generations. Inside This Episode 00:00:28 - Welcome & How to Subscribe to The Pits Are Open 00:02:21 - IndyCar Charter Analysis: Dreyer Reinbold Purchase & Grid Expansion 00:08:32 - Brickyard 400 Review & NASCAR's Future at Indianapolis Motor Speedway 00:12:03 - Lee Anne Patterson: Breaking Into Motorsports at Sears Point 00:14:12 - Working with Carroll Shelby & Dodge Shelby Pro Series History 00:16:01 - Running an IndyCar Prep Shop & Guiding Sam Schmidt 00:23:40 - The Business of Racing & Grassroots Sponsorship Marketing 00:27:37 - The Trouble with Howard: Children's Book & Historic Skunk Story 00:32:27 - Greg Goodman: Owning & Driving Mario Andretti's Vintage IndyCar 00:41:13 - Benny Goodman, Bill France Sr. & The Golden Era of NASCAR Track Building 00:46:07 - Fighting to Save Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway & Short Track Racing Sponsor & Social Blocks This episode is brought to you by: - Schaeffer Oil: https://www.schaefferoil.com - SpeedSport: https://www.speedsport.com - America’s Christian Credit Union: https://www.americaschristiancu.com/pits - SVS Insiders: https://www.svsinsiders.com - Redline Ace: https://www.redlineace.com Connect with The Pits Are Open: - Website: https://www.thepitsareopen.com - Subscribe on YouTube & Spotify! #IndyCar #NASCAR #Motorsports #ThePitsAreOpen #WillMarotti #VintageIndy #SearsPoint #Brickyard400 #NashvilleFairgrounds #CarRacing

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The show's host, Will Marotti, has experience as a pastor for 30 years, and a radio broadcaster for 13 years with Audacy. The podcast considers issues on culture and politics from a faith perspective. The show includes special guests and listener call-ins.