The Optima Search For The Ultimate Street Car Series Podcast

The Ultimate Street Car Association
  • 4.8 (38)
  • Sports
  • Updated Bimonthly

The bi-monthly show that details the latest and greatest in the Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series! Hosted by race series director Jimi Day and automotive podcast veteran Rob Kibbe, this INSIDE SCOOP show will follow the drivers, news, and events that encompass the Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car series. Fans of Adam Carolla's CarCast, NPR's Car Talk, the Autoblog Podcast, the Pro-Touring.com Podcast, and The MuscleCar Place Podcast will certainly enjoy this show.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    USCA Podcast #237: Barber Motorsports Park Results and Complete Indianapolis Weekend Schedule

    Rob Kibbe and USCA co-founder Jimi Day recap Barber Motorsports Park and preview the final points event of the season, October 9–11 at Indianapolis Raceway Park and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Barber delivered plenty of seat time and standout performances, including Austin Barnes’ record-setting 1:30.8 road course lap in his 2003 Corvette. Rob and Jimi review class winners, specialty awards, and the competitors earning invitations to SEMA. They also share the meaningful story behind Josh Powers’ C3 Corvette and his Summit Racing Equipment Spirit of the Event Award. The Indianapolis weekend spans two facilities. Competitors will check in at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday before heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the road rally and evening touring laps, with family and crew ride-alongs permitted. Saturday features autocross, the Peak Performance Challenge, and Design & Engineering judging at IRP. Sunday moves to IMS for afternoon road course sessions, followed by the 6 p.m. awards ceremony. Everyone must clear the paddock by 7 p.m. Rob and Jimi also discuss novice driver arrangements, how invitations pass to the next eligible competitor, and the new Ultimate Street Car television production. All event times are subject to change at the race director’s discretion. Presented by Forgeline. Learn more at https://forgeline.com and follow the series at https://driveusca.com. Source

  2. Sep 25

    USCA Podcast #236: Laguna Seca Competitor Preview and Complete Weekend Schedule

    The Ultimate Street Car Association returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca October 2–4. Rob Kibbe and USCA co-founder Jimi Day preview the event and walk through the schedule from Friday registration to Sunday’s awards ceremony. Competitors should plan for a few venue-specific details. Camping is available on site, but not in the paddock. Paddock parking opens Friday at 9 a.m. and will be directed by USCA staff. Returning drivers will find that the autocross runs in the opposite direction this year. Sunday concludes with a 6:15 p.m. awards ceremony, and everyone must clear the paddock by 7 p.m. Rob and Jimi also discuss the history of the series, the evolution of reliable street cars, and the experience of driving Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew. Jimi will be working Ford Fest that weekend; Jim McElvain, Mike Morrison, Adam Hanna, and the USCA team will be on site at Laguna Seca. Source

  3. Sep 16

    🏁 USCA #235: Back to Barber – Complete Competitor Preview and Weekend Schedule

    The Ultimate Street Car Association is heading back to Barber Motorsports Park, and Rob Kibbe is joined by USCA co-founder Jimi Day to prepare competitors for an action-packed weekend at one of the most impressive racing facilities in the country. Presented by Forgeline, this episode walks through the complete event schedule, including Friday registration, tech inspection, the road rally, course walks, and road-course practice. Rob and Jimi also preview Saturday’s autocross, Design and Engineering judging, and Falken Tire Road Course Time Trial sessions before breaking down Sunday’s Peak Performance Challenge, final road-course competition, and awards ceremony. Jimi explains Barber’s credentialing process, where competitors and crew members need to collect their wristbands, paddock and camping arrangements, how to navigate the facility, and the special access restrictions competitors need to know before arriving at the road-course grid. They also discuss what makes Barber Motorsports Park such an incredible destination—from its beautifully maintained grounds and elevated viewing areas to its flowing road course, unique artwork, and world-class Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. For first-time competitors, Jimi’s advice is simple: ask questions, meet the USCA community, and remember that everyone was a rookie once. The schedule may look busy, but the staff and veteran competitors are ready to help make the weekend safe, competitive, and fun. It’s time to get back to the track—and Barber Motorsports Park is the perfect place to do it. Learn more about the Ultimate Street Car Association and upcoming events at: https://driveusca.com The Ultimate Street Car Podcast is presented by Forgeline. Source

  4. Sep 10

    🏁 USCA #234: Stop Posting and Start Engaging! The Social Media Strategy That Actually Works

    Posting more content isn’t always the answer. To grow an audience, racers, sponsors, and automotive brands must understand what stops the scroll—and why the “social” part of social media is just as important as the content itself. This week, Jimi Day and Rob Kibbe are joined by Tom Bevins and Ana Anile, the team helping shape the Ultimate Street Car Association’s television, video, and social media presence. Ana explains why a strong opening hook matters, how Instagram collaborations expand a post’s reach, and why sharing content isn’t the same as collaborating. She also reveals how the hilarious “Absolute Camaro” meme helped DriveUSCA engage with automotive enthusiasts and attract new followers. Tom shares the value of taking a consistent, blue-collar approach to social media. Instead of depending on one lucky viral post, lasting growth comes from regularly producing valuable content, interacting with the community, and protecting the identity of the USCA brand. Whether you’re a competitor showcasing your car or a sponsor seeking greater exposure, this episode offers practical advice you can begin using today. The Ultimate Street Car Podcast is presented by Forgeline. Source

  5. Aug 29

    🏁 USCA #233: Built to Hustle—How David Carroll Races a 1,000-HP Blazer on a Real-World Budget

    David Carroll joins the Ultimate Streetcar Podcast to discuss how he balances family, business, and the side hustles that make his racing possible. He takes us through the transformation of his Chevrolet Blazer from a four-wheel-drive hunting rig into a 4,250-pound, twin-turbo, 1,000-horsepower Ultimate Streetcar competitor. David also shares his pursuit of the GTT championship, what’s coming with “Blazer 2.0,” and how his late father inspired his competitive drive. More than horsepower and trophies, this episode explores the friendships, determination, and willingness to help others that keep David coming back to the track. Source

  6. Aug 19

    🏁 USCA #232: Season Update—Barber, Laguna Seca, Indy & the Road to SEMA

    This week on the Ultimate Streetcar Podcast, Rob and Jimi are back with an important 2026 season update. With summer break winding down, they preview the road ahead at Barber Motorsports Park, Laguna Seca, and an exciting two-venue Indianapolis weekend before looking toward the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational and SEMA in Las Vegas. Plus, get an early tease of what may be coming for the 2027 season. Source

  7. Jul 27

    USCA #231: Lightweight Wins—How Dayton de la Houssaye Makes a Miata Outrun the Competition

    This week on the Ultimate Streetcar Podcast, Jimmy and I continue our Summer Interview Series with one of the brightest young stars in the Ultimate Streetcar Association, Dayton de la Houssaye of GeauxMoto. At just 23 years old, Dayton has already become one of the fastest drivers in the series, consistently putting his EcoBoost-powered Miata at the very top of the time sheets—even against much larger, more powerful competition. What makes Dayton's story so interesting isn't just the speed. We talk about growing up in Louisiana riding dirt bikes and racing four-wheelers before transitioning into cars, how GeauxMoto evolved from building lifted rally Miatas into an engineering and fabrication company designing custom performance parts, and why lightweight cars continue to outperform expectations. Dayton explains why learning to drive a lower-horsepower car makes you a better driver, how aerodynamics completely transformed the handling of his Miata, and why engineering and driver development often matter more than simply adding horsepower. The conversation also dives into GeauxMoto's latest projects, including EcoBoost conversions, custom carbon fiber aero components, and an ambitious K24-powered Porsche build that is sure to turn heads when it debuts. Along the way, Dayton shares why Ultimate Streetcar remains one of his favorite series to compete in, the friendships and family atmosphere that keep him coming back, and the healthy competition that continues to push him to become a better driver every season. More than anything, this episode is a reminder that the future of performance driving is in good hands. Dayton brings an enthusiasm, humility, and passion for motorsports that is contagious, making this one of the most enjoyable conversations we've had all summer. Whether you're a Miata fan, an engineering enthusiast, or simply love hearing how talented young racers are changing the landscape of street car competition, you're going to enjoy this one. Source

  8. Jul 3

    USCA Podcast #230 – Chris “Smitty” Smith on Sponsorships, Building Relationships & Growing Your Racing Program

    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 cars and relationships. This conversation isn't just for competitors looking for free parts—it's equally valuable for manufacturers, retailers, and aftermarket companies wondering how to get a better return on their motorsports investment. Chris explains why sponsorship is a two-way street, how racers can provide real value beyond logos on a car, and what separates successful partnerships from those that never get off the ground. Along the way, Rob and Jimi also catch up on summer racing, discuss the continued success of Forgeline Wheels at events like Le Mans and Spa, and preview what's ahead as the Ultimate Street Car Series returns later this season. If you've ever wondered how to earn support, become a better ambassador for the brands you represent, or simply gain a deeper understanding of how sponsorship works in grassroots motorsports, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Source

  9. Jun 9

    USCA Podcast #228: Willow Springs Recap, Family Wins, First-Time Invites & Summer Break

    The 2026 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Series made its annual stop at the legendary Willow Springs International Raceway, and the California desert delivered exactly what competitors expected—high winds, high speeds, and some of the closest competition of the season. With 57 competitors on hand and an incredible amount of seat time available throughout the weekend, drivers were pushed to find the perfect balance between speed, consistency, and strategy. From razor-thin podium battles to first-time class winners, Willow Springs proved once again why it's one of the most challenging and rewarding stops on the USCA schedule. Beyond the results, Willow Springs was a celebration of everything that makes Ultimate Street Car special. Families competed together, longtime competitors finally solved frustrating mechanical issues, and newcomers made their mark in front of one of the most passionate paddocks in motorsports. The weekend also featured a remarkable comeback story with Tony Phillips debuting his rebuilt 1955 Bel Air, while Kyle Hansen's unique EcoBoost-powered Ford Fairmont wagon earned both a SEMA invitation and the coveted Summit Racing Spirit of the Event Award. As the series now heads into its summer break, the championship picture is beginning to take shape and anticipation is already building for the return to competition at Road America in August. Source

  10. May 22

    OUSC Podcast #228 – Willow Springs 2026 Preview, West Coast Kickoff, & Points Battle Update!

    The 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. Source

  • 10 Episodes

4.8
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

The bi-monthly show that details the latest and greatest in the Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series! Hosted by race series director Jimi Day and automotive podcast veteran Rob Kibbe, this INSIDE SCOOP show will follow the drivers, news, and events that encompass the Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car series. Fans of Adam Carolla's CarCast, NPR's Car Talk, the Autoblog Podcast, the Pro-Touring.com Podcast, and The MuscleCar Place Podcast will certainly enjoy this show.

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