Never Stop Driving #74: NASCAR drama in Phoenix, a Pantera in a dusty barn, and a new home for my Mustang GT
With plenty of fireworks, stock-car racing crowned three champions this past weekend in Phoenix, all powered by Ford—a rare sweep for one manufacturer. In the top category, NASCAR Cup, Ryan Blaney maneuvered his Ford Mustang past Kyle Larson with 20 laps to go and cruised to the checkered flag. It was Blaney’s first championship and provided team owner Roger Penske yet another trophy. That relatively drama-free ending was in stark contrast to the Craftsman Truck Series finish on Friday night.
Craftsman trucks, which have silhouette bodies that look like pickups but with race cars underneath, are the lowest rung on the NASCAR ladder. Drivers range from twentysomethings hoping to start a career to grizzled veterans who’ve found their place. That cocktail produced a chaotic championship-deciding race under the lights at Phoenix Raceway. Intentional contact—drivers hitting other cars in retaliation or to gain a position—prompted seven caution periods and added some 30 laps to the end of the race. “It turned into such a wreck fest,” said driver Corey Heim when the mayhem was over. “Like, it’s ridiculous.” In a post on X, Denny Hamlin wrote, “This is what happens when there’s no rules, no officiating.”
Ben Rhodes won the race and championship. He appeared to be inebriated at the post-race press conference, cackling “I got lit beforehand” as he joked, belched, and sparred with the media. He’s a fresh personality on the verge of going too far so watch this video of his antics before the NASCAR PR machine shuts him down. I found the race and the entire spectacle compelling, but I was troubled by the lack of respect between competitors, a trend I’ve written about before. The NASCAR community, the owners and the racers, walk a very tight line knowing that the audience wants drama and wrecks but there’s a slippery slope to professional wrestling. Hamlin routinely provides the inside scoop on this circus on his podcast, Actions Detrimental.
My favorite thing from Hagerty Media this week is the latest Barn Find Hunter video, in which host Tom Cotter and his son Brian check out a long-dormant 1972 De Tomaso Pantera with the help of Pantera expert Keith Irwin and Hagerty’s Davin Reckow. There’s so much to love about the episode, not least the bonding of father and son over cars. It also provides a crash course in how to inspect a car, as our crack camera crew got great shots of the Pantera’s underside so you can see how experts look for hidden rust.
Reckow then dived into the Pantera’s engine bay to try to get it running. I won’t spoil the ending, but the mid-engine exotic sat for 45 years with half of its spark plugs removed. Whoops. But, hey, these two videos allow you to see how a pro like Reckow problem-solves on the fly. The project is as much practiced steps as it is improv. Get out in the shop, Reckow reminds us, and get your hands dirty. I agree.
Last week, my Mustang sold on the Hagerty Marketplace with a high bid of $15,250. I’m thrilled with that result. Thanks to everyone who engaged in the conversation and asked questions on the listing. One nice thing about the platform is that the title transfer and payment is handled by the team. I didn’t realize how much I would appreciate that: Since the buyer is vetted, I know the sale is officially over. I had about 18 grand invested in the car—$11,500 for the initial purchase and then some seven grand of parts and labor—but I consider that cheap fun. Anyone who tells you they made money when selling their classic car is probably lying. I don’t understand why we even have those conversations. Do golfers expect to get their green fees back? Of course not. The Mustang’s new owner sounds very excited and I’m looking forward to handing over the keys.
Looking ahead, I can’t wait to watch a new Formula 1 documentary debuting November 15 called Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story. The miniseries focuses on the short-lived Brawn F1 team that won the championship in 2009 under the brilliant leadership of longtime F1 engineer Ross Brawn, who was instrumental in Michael Schumacher’s five straight F1 drivers’ championships with Ferrari. F1 team principals are special humans who are fluent in every aspect of racing but, even more important, expert people managers. Racing teams have hundreds of employees, so the chief who can secure the best talent and organize them most effectively usually wins. I’ve long thought that Brawn and his peers should teach organizational behavior courses in MBA programs. I’m hoping that Keanu Reeves, an F1 fan and the host of the series, ensured that the story is properly told.
Finally, I’ll leave you with a unique feature of Detroit: Ridiculously inexpensive historic mansions from the city’s grand prewar era that often come up for sale. The latest was commissioned some 100 years ago by Model T engineer Jozsef Galamb and is listed for $2 million, or about the price of a Silicon Valley starter home. Automotive history is everywhere here in Motown.
Have a great weekend.
P.S.: Your feedback is very welcome. Comment below!
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I was following the auction of your Mustang with interest. I have been thinking about adding a Fox Body to my (already full) garage. But then one of the cars that I have wanted since they were new popped up. A 1997 BMW M3 sedan in Alpine White (with recovered interior in dark red). The finances on the two deals ended up remarkably similar. Of course I have already bought new tires, an intake and some interior bits….
So funny, I have a ’98 M3 sedan. Mine’s silver. Cost a bit more than my Stang tho.
Larry, I don’t know if it was an anomaly or not, but after watching the TA2 and TA1 races at COTA the podium race finishers were extremally cordial to one another, even though there were some fireworks on the track. But as with some many areas of our culture these days, certain social morays have completely broken down while others are under attack. I believe I seen and heard the term toxic individuality used as a sort of a global term to describe this phenomenon.
I’m glad to hear that they knew enough to treat each other respectfully.
Larry, congratulations of the sale of you 5.O, I am sure the new owner will have lots of fun and memories with it. As I have stated before, I will hang on to my 84 20th Anniversary that I bought new forever. Too many memories of 40 years to sell it now. I told my wife if I go before her have it crushed and recycled into something new. Only kidding, I would rather have her give to some youngster to play with.
I bought my 87 560sl with the idea of a quick flip, then I started working on it, getting to know it, next thing I know no flip it is in the stable. What a contrast a 560sl roadster and an 84 Mustang, neither have anything in common but serve the same purpose. Making me SMILE and DRIVING them. Put too much in the Benz to make much and frankly, I don’t care. I have had my eye on the 2002 – 2006 Jag XK8 or XKR. I really would like a couple but then in addition to my Mustang, my 2001 Acura CL-S is also a coupe so probably be a convertible. Then the dilemma will be which convertible to DRIVE.
Can’t wait to “hear” more on the Ferrari saga and when that first bog road trip occurs. Keep up the good work.
Congrats to FORD on the Nascar sweep.
Thank you Rick! I am geeked for the new owner. They’re coming tomorrow to pick it up. Ferrari is waiting for paint at the moment, as it has been since April. Sigh.
E36 M3s are hard to beat for their excellent driving experience. I am currently in the market for my third example.
I agree, but the sedans have an achilles heel in my view. The bodies flex and the door seals squeak. I’ve tried different kinds of lube and even replaced the seals to no avail. The closest I’ve come to a fix is 1/8 inch weather stripping that I’ve applied along the inside of the top door edge.
Larry, I just wanted to point out that not all of those NASCAR championship vehicles were Ford powered. Regardless of which manufacturer the grill and headlight decals resemble, all of the “trucks” in the Craftsman Truck Series use the same spec engine which is provided by Ilmor Engineering and is based on the GM LS engine. I bleed Ford Blue and all of my vehicles are Ford powered so I’m not much of a fan of the Truck Series.
That is the way NHRA Pro Stock is all engines are based on the 500 cubic inch GM engine from many years ago. I did not know that Trucks use a spec engine.
Larry,
How true is your statement if anyone made money on their classic car is not telling the full truth. Point in case, I own 3 classic cars which I intend to pass on to members of my family. If I ever decide to sell, the joy of fixing them up to my standards and driving them is worth alot! I feel if we can pass our knowledge on to the next generations, we have done our job. Enjoy your stories and comments. Makes you think! Keep them coming.
I have lived most of my working life supporting a wife and two children, who are now grown up with children, while buying, restoring and selling classic cars and motorcycles. When I retired about 15 years ago I owned 6 properties, several classic cars and three vintage motorcycles. I sold the cars and exported the bikes to UK where I sold them and made a lot of profit on them. If I were to have my life over again I would be a classic vehicle dealer from the day I left school.
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Love the analogy about getting your greens fees back after playing a round of golf! I have a whole new perspective of my car collection now😊