The Optima Search For The Ultimate Street Car Series Podcast

The Ultimate Street Car Association
  • 4.8 (38)
  • Sports
  • 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. 6d ago

    USCA Podcast #240: 2026 OUSCI Preview & Full SEMA Week Schedule!

    The championship finale is here! Rob Kibbe and USCA co-founder Jimi Day break down the schedule and competitor logistics for the 2026 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, beginning October 31 at Spring Mountain and continuing through championship awards at SEMA on November 6. Sunday brings both autocross and the Road Course Challenge at Spring Mountain before competitors head to Las Vegas for Monday’s SEMA move-in. Jimi explains assigned arrival groups, trailer parking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Design & Engineering judging, and Wednesday and Thursday’s Peak Performance Challenge sessions. There are two awards presentations to keep straight: season champions are recognized Wednesday at 5 p.m., while OUSCI class winners and the overall Ultimate Street Car winner are announced Friday at noon. Competitors must follow the organized Friday move-out and remove all trailers from LVMS by noon Saturday. Rob and Jimi also revisit memorable champions and the event’s early days, explain why the finale challenges drivers beyond their lap times, and share a preview of plans for the 2027 season. Competitors should read their event instructions and follow the private OUSCI Logistics Facebook group and event text messages for updates. Source

  2. Oct 16

    USCA #239: Indianapolis Recap, Class Winners and the Final Invitations to OUSCI

    The final points event of the 2026 season brought the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car competition to Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Rob Kibbe welcomes USCA co-founder Jimi Day to recap the class winners, close finishes, and final opportunities to earn an invitation to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. Ron Scott’s purple 1978 Chevrolet Corvette delivered an outstanding 490 out of 500 possible points, taking the Speedtech GTV victory and the Anderson Composites Participants Choice Award. Dallas Reed topped the Nine Lives Racing Outlaw field by a single point, Ryan Mathews edged Mike Rovere by two points in OPTIMA Lithium GTL, and Henry Crawn’s diesel-powered 1968 Ford F100 made good on its “SEMA or Bust” message. Beyond the results, Jimi shares stories of family parade laps, kissing the famous bricks, and Fran Marchand’s dramatic engine failure. The hosts also celebrate first-timer Ryan Wilhelm and longtime competitor Greg Guerrettaz, whose Summit Racing Equipment Spirit of the Event Award earned him a trip to Las Vegas. With the points season complete, Rob and Jimi explain how declined invitations affect the OUSCI field and look ahead to Spring Mountain and SEMA. Join us next episode for the full OUSCI preview! For the complete Indianapolis results and specialty award winners, visit https://driveusca.com. Source

  3. Oct 13

    USCA Podcast #238: Laguna Seca Recap and the Final Push for OUSCI Invitations

    Rob Kibbe welcomes OPTIMA’s Jim McIlvaine to recap the Ultimate Street Car Association’s weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. From creative engine swaps to close finishes, the event delivered plenty of stories as competitors chased season points and invitations to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Las Vegas. Class winners included Danny Weller in Outlaw, Rick Ray in GTV, Walt Proenca in GTT, Frankie Trutanic in GTS, Lisa Berry in GTL, Noel Tabor in GTC, and Bryan Reilly in GT. Trutanic earned the weekend’s highest score with 485 points in his 2017 Corvette. The compact class featured Tabor’s Toyota Sienna V6-powered MR2, Kyle Hanson’s EcoBoost-powered Fairmont wagon, and John McKissack’s Duratec-powered MGB GT, with just five points separating the top three. Specialty awards recognized Tony Phillips’ rebuilt ’55 Bel Air with Participants Choice honors, Brent Cajthaml with the Snapshot Award, and Matt Rodriguez with the First Timer Award. James Maertz earned the Surgical Strike Award after completing all 12 runs without hitting a cone, while longtime competitor Hector Curiel received the Summit Racing Equipment Spirit of the Event Award and an invitation to Las Vegas. Recorded before Indianapolis, this episode also explores the final regular-season championship battles and the roughly 800-point at-large invitation bubble. Jim explains how competitors’ best two events determine their season totals, why a few points can make all the difference, and how the field was shaping up for OUSCI. Presented by Forgeline. Learn more at https://forgeline.com and follow the series at https://driveusca.com. Source

  4. Oct 2

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  • 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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