Best In Wheel Time Podcast | Automotive talk with Don Armstrong Podcasts (2025)

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From High School Shop To Texas Motor Speedway: Students, Skills, And A Big Win 28:46

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11h ago28:46

28:46

A high school shop can change a life, and today you’ll hear how three Klein Kane students turned four years of training into a first-place finish and a ticket to Texas Motor Speedway. We sit down with instructor Henry Silva and his team to unpack what it really takes to win a professional-grade student technical competition: mentorship from a maste…

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We Drive The QX60, Crunch The Data, Name Easy Cars To Fix, and the Pacifica 15:32

1d ago15:32

15:32

Start with a promise and test it hard: can a premium three-row actually balance comfort, capability, and value without resorting to gimmicks? We put the 2025 Infiniti QX60 through its paces, calling out the crisp front-end design, tight third row, and the surprising 6,000-pound tow rating that turns a modest 2.0L turbo into a legit weekend hauler. …

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Recalls, Rims, And Road Trips 29:13

2d ago29:13

29:13

Big recalls, bigger questions, and a lineup of can’t-miss car events—this week’s show brings the garage, the newsroom, and the car meet together. We start with a clear-eyed look at current safety recalls touching seat belt integrity, instrument panel failures, fuel leaks, and high-voltage battery risks. Then we unpack a stunning manufacturing misst…

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Le Mans 2000–2009, Inside The Official History with John Brooks 32:14

3d ago32:14

32:14

What truly changed at Le Mans when the 2000s began—and why did teams abandon open cockpits just as speeds stayed sky high? We invited author and photographer John Brooks to walk us through the decade he chronicles in Le Mans: The Official History 2000–2009, and his trackside vantage point delivers a rare blend of technical clarity and human detail.…

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Cars, Codes, And The Hackers Closing In 32:24

6d ago32:24

32:24

A dealership website script shouldn’t be the key to your car. Yet that’s exactly what one security researcher demonstrated on a DEF CON stage, turning a forgotten corner of a portal into national-level access that could unlock vehicles, view customer data, and send remote commands. We dig into what that means for drivers, dealers, and automakers no…

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Roadrunner To Pike’s Peak 27:59

8d ago27:59

27:59

What happens when a family heirloom gets a NASCAR heart and a date with a mountain? We brought Richard Tomlin of Apex Auto Works on to share the full story of transforming a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner into a Pike’s Peak contender by setting the classic body over a stretched NASCAR truck chassis and dropping in a Mopar R5 P7 that sings to 9,500 RPM. T…

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Ugly Grills, Great Cars 13:12

9d ago13:12

13:12

Some faces you can’t forget. We kick off with a sharp, entertaining tour of automotive front ends that sparked love, hate, and head-scratching in equal measure—from the Jeep Cherokee KL’s split lighting and the Lincoln MKT’s controversial split wing to the Dodge Nitro’s gym-bro stance and the Chevy SSR’s retro grin. The thread through all of them i…

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EV Reality Check: Incentives, Charging, And Choice 29:48

10d ago29:48

29:48

EVs can feel like a battlefield of headlines and hot takes, so we put the rhetoric aside and dig into what actually matters on the road: incentives, charging reality, range you can trust, and the freedom to choose what fits your life. We start with a clear-eyed look at Honda’s massive EV write-down and a supplier lawsuit tied to a delayed electric …

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Waiting On The Trooper: Cars, Laws, And Laughs 31:47

11d ago31:47

31:47

Missed calls, rotary phones, and a trooper who can’t quite get a signal set the tone for a lively ride through today’s car world. We open with a burst of nostalgia—remember the “finger stop” on a dial phone?—then shift gears into the realities drivers face right now: inspection changes, mid-year law updates, and why some rules never match the rhyth…

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Yes, Your Garbage Truck Has A Recall, But Toyota’s The Real Headline 30:06

13d ago30:06

30:06

Toyota just redrew its playbook, and we’re unpacking the boldest moves: Century stepping into bespoke ultra-luxury, Lexus getting room to grow, Daihatsu anchoring the entry tier, and GR leveling up from a badge to a performance brand with a rumored GRGT supercar. We break down how this five-brand architecture could reshape showrooms, challenge deal…

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Family, Fast Cars, And A Tough Season Turnaround 32:14

15d ago32:14

32:14

What happens when a championship chase runs straight into a mechanical gut punch—and the family still finds a way to win big? We sit down with Jerry Emmons to unpack a season that had everything: a Division IV Stock Eliminator title, finals against his own nephews, and a Sunday triumph in Dallas that marked his 20th national event win. The story is…

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Tahoe Power, Club Legends, Subaru Sense 14:44

16d ago14:44

14:44

Power meets perspective from the street to the driveway. We start behind the wheel of the 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 4WD, unpacking what a modern full-size SUV gets right: a serene cabin, a 17-inch horizontal infotainment screen, a crisp 15-inch head-up display, and magnetic ride control that smooths rough pavement. The 6.2L V8 and 10-speed autom…

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Inside The Texas Muscle Car Club Challenge: Growth, Classes, And 2026 Plans 28:43

17d ago28:43

28:43

What does it take to turn a local bracket meet into a 140-car institution that tracks want to host and racers plan their year around? We sit down with Scott Stregel to unpack the Texas Muscle Car Club Challenge, from how the series shares revenue with drag strips to the schedule and class design that keep cars in the lanes and teams coming back. Sc…

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From F3000 To F1: The Hidden Pipeline | In Wheel Time Podcast 30:38

18d ago30:38

30:38

A flat tire, a British accent, and a time machine into racing’s most underrated proving ground—this one starts with a grin and lands with substance. We sit down with journalist and author James Newbold to unpack Formula 3000, the 1985–2004 series that quietly shaped today’s open-wheel landscape. From its wild early years with multiple chassis and e…

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Inside IHRA: Classes, Tracks, And The New Grassroots Push 29:33

21d ago29:33

29:33

Nitro belongs to the people who build the cars, tow the trailers, and wrench late into the night—and that’s exactly where we start. We sit down with IHRA Division Director Doug Foley to unpack how a racer-led sanctioning body is rebuilding big-league drag racing around access, value, and raw excitement. Think eight-car nitro fields, a clean two-day…

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Carfax Smart used car Buys In A Hot Car Market 30:20

22d ago30:20

30:20

Car prices are heating up, but your strategy can stay cool. We sat down with Patrick Olsen of Carfax to cut through the noise and map a smarter path to your next vehicle—whether you’re shopping new to beat tariff-driven pressure or hunting for a reliable used car with real value. We dig into timing the market, reading shifting inventory, and settin…

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When Value Meets Velvet: Rethinking Family SUV Hybrids 4:49

22d ago4:49

4:49

Looking for a family SUV that doesn’t force you to choose between comfort, efficiency, and price? We dive into the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige and unpack how this three-row “small” SUV manages a big presence, refined ride, and impressive mpg without blowing the budget. From first impressions to real-world numbers, we bring a driver’s-eye vi…

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Mopar Muscle Cars under the Neon Lights 30:02

24d ago30:02

30:02

Neon glows, steel shines, and the floor hums with V8 heartbeat as we step inside the Hemi Hideout for a guided tour through one of the most captivating Mopar collections in Texas. We move car by car, blending hard facts with honest reactions—why an aero-wild Superbird reshaped NASCAR, how a numbers-matching Super Bee earns reverence, and where a pr…

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Hot Rod Tour of Texas rolls out around the square! 29:53

25d ago29:53

29:53

Steel meets strings on a warm Texas evening, and that’s not a metaphor—hot rods line Victoria’s square while the symphony plays just steps away. We take you inside the kickoff of the Hot Rod Tour of Texas and show how a thoughtful Main Street strategy turned a historic downtown into a true destination for car clubs, families, and anyone who loves a…

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From Riverside Karting Legacy To French F4 Podium: A Young Driver’s Rise 31:45

28d ago31:45

31:45

A 15-year-old American podiums in France, trains on a historic family kart track, and preps a KZ shifter for SuperNats—this conversation with Truly Adams puts you trackside with a teen who’s chasing F1 the hard way: one tenth at a time. We dive into how karting sharpens the instincts that matter—trail braking, rotation, race starts, and battling th…

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How Two Engineers Turned AMG Into A Legend 28:31

29d ago28:31

28:31

Two engineers walked away from the safe path and built an icon. That’s the spark behind AMG’s journey from late-night tuning to a seat at Mercedes’ top table, and author Matt DeLorenzo brings the full story to life with factory access, rare photos, and details that rarely leave the archives. We dive into the early moonlighting years, the audacious …

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Chevy Trax Surprises, Kia Telluride Shines 15:06

30d ago15:06

15:06

Think a three-cylinder can’t pull its weight? We put the 2026 Chevy Trax through nearly 500 miles and found punchy torque, smart gearing, and honest 30-mpg efficiency that make city runs and highway stretches feel easy. Then we climb into the 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige AWD, where the vibe flips from thrifty to luxurious: a serene ride, a clean …

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Supply Chains On Thin Ice 30:23

1M ago30:23

30:23

A tiny, overlooked component is bringing giant assembly lines to a halt. We dig into the Nexperia saga—European control, Chinese export blocks, and a packaging choke point—and explain why the “boring” diodes and transistors tucked into door locks, HVAC, and wiper motors matter as much as any cutting-edge processor. When each vehicle hides 300 to 60…

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Rochelle Salinas Explains How The Houston Auto Show Is Reinventing Exhibits, Experiences, And Community Impact; 31:11

1M ago31:11

31:11

We sit down with newly appointed Houston Auto Show president Rochelle Salinas to unpack what it takes to steer a legacy event through inventory shortages, EV uncertainty, and shifting manufacturer strategies while still delivering experiences people can feel. Rochelle shares concrete updates: Camp Jeep is confirmed, a curated luxury showcase with M…

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From Turbo Zoom To Stow‑And‑Go: Our Seats Got Whiplash 11:40

1M ago11:40

11:40

Two family haulers, two very different promises. We put the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica through their paces to find out whether driving joy or everyday ease should lead your next purchase. If you’ve ever stood in a dealer lot torn between a sleek three-row SUV and a minivan that just works, this head-to-head is your shortcut to …

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Vinyl Tops, Glory And Regret 9:53

1M ago9:53

9:53

A vinyl roof once meant instant glamour. We open with the style story that turned sedans into showroom stars, tracing how factory-installed tops promised convertible vibes without the compromise. From luxury badges to muscle icons, the trend peaked with opera windows and bold textures, then collided with reality—moisture trapped under fabric, hidde…

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Off-Road Muscle Meets Family Utility In 2025 Models 13:35

1M ago13:35

13:35

As we head to the end of the year, with new 2026 models out or on the way, many buyers are looking for end of year deals. We are doing a review of some of our reviews of popular models, just in case.... A trail tamer or a family hauler—what truly fits your life right now? We put two 2025 standouts under the microscope: Chevrolet’s Colorado ZR2, a f…

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Speed, Size, and Hellcats 12:14

1M ago12:14

12:14

With Dodge thinking real hard about bringing the Hellcat, we take a look at two of our favorites. A three-row family hauler with 710 horsepower sounds like a punchline, but the 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Premium makes a strong case for everyday insanity. We dive into the details that matter: the captain’s chairs that make carpool easy, the Lagu…

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We Rank 10 Car Battery Brands And Explain Who Should Buy Each One 8:33

1M ago8:33

8:33

With the weather changing toward Winter, it is a good time to check our batteries, so we decided to revisit an earlier discussion to start ... the discussion. Ever wonder why your car starts strong some mornings and struggles on others? We take you under the hood of battery choices that actually affect daily reliability, from budget-friendly picks …

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Why Porsche Stumbled, Which Classics Surged, And How Toyota Reinvented The 4Runner 31:50

1M ago31:50

31:50

The headlines promised an EV future on rails, but the market had other plans. We open with a candid look at Porsche’s sharp margin squeeze, the cost of a rapid electrification pivot, and why tariffs and a cooling Chinese luxury market are reshaping the brand’s near-term outlook. From Taycan’s steep first-year depreciation to the 911’s long-haul val…

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Drive What You Build, Or Miss The Point 29:02

1M ago29:02

29:02

A turquoise 1958 GMC Apache pulled us in with classic lines, then surprised us with a 2016 heartbeat: a 5.3 V8, 6L80, four-wheel discs, cold AC, and the kind of road manners that beg for long miles. With shop owner and builder Sonny Bennett at the mic, we dive into what it takes to craft a true driver from an old truck—why stock-style pulley system…

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Chainmail Dreams, Horsepower Screams, And A Third Row That Shouldn’t Exist 16:27

1M ago16:27

16:27

Skip the time machine and grab the keys—we’re charting five Renaissance festivals worth the drive, then mashing the throttle on a set of street-legal legends before closing with a grounded, real-world review of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner. We start with why people keep returning to these immersive fairs: the craft markets, roaming characters, dense 16t…

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A Rare Italian Luxury Car Rolls In And Steals The Show 30:35

1M ago30:35

30:35

The morning started as a casual remote at Houston’s Back to the Past car show and turned into a deep dive into 1910 luxury on wheels. We met Lee Brown and his extraordinary Bianchi limousine, a Milan-built brass-era time capsule that still runs, still turns heads, and still asks you to earn every mile. From bevel glass and flower vases to a chauffe…

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Fire, Chrome, And Community 30:10

2M ago30:10

30:10

A boom in a quiet hangar, a frantic call, and a beloved 1968 Dodge Coronet 440 suddenly fighting for its life—this one starts with a gut punch and turns into a blueprint for getting back up. We’re broadcasting from the Back to the Past Car Show in Spring Branch, surrounded by alumni, barbecue smoke, and a lineup that stretches from American muscle …

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EV Momentum Stalls, Gas Fights Back 29:19

2M ago29:19

29:19

The headlines say EVs are the future. The fine print says “not so fast.” We dig into a turbulent moment for electric vehicles as incentives fade, demand cools, and automakers rework plans in ways that actually make sense for drivers. From Acura and Nissan pauses to Ram and Porsche pivots, we unpack why hybrids and range-extended powertrains are ste…

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Bastrop’s Heroes & Hot Rides: Inside a 400-Car Main Street Takeover for Veterans 30:58

2M ago30:58

30:58

Engines, honor, and a Main Street that turns into a living museum—this is how a small Texas town makes car culture feel like a civic holiday. We sit down with the Bastrop Car Cruisers to map the two‑day plan: a laid‑back Friday cruise‑in and a sold‑out Saturday showcase capped at 400 cars. They walk us through the choreography you never see—numbere…

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A Fall Driver’s Guide: Scenic Byways, Vintage Window Stickers, and the 2025 Prius 13:02

2M ago13:02

13:02

Want fall roads that aren’t just postcards but proper drives? We lay out a practical, enthusiast-friendly map of autumn routes that pair tight turns with big color: Blue Ridge Parkway’s banked curves and layered foliage, the Cherokee and Nantahala forests with their 900–5,000 ft rhythm, Talimena’s ridgetop vistas in the Ouachitas, and Arkansas’s do…

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Inside Trader Interactive: How real-time registrations and marketplace behavior reshape dealer strategy 30:54

2M ago30:54

30:54

Shoppers are researching harder and buying faster, and the old guesswork about what to stock is getting expensive. We sit down with Shannon Pinto, VP of Statistical Surveys at Trader Interactive, to pull back the curtain on how real DMV registrations and real-time marketplace behavior from RV Trader, Cycle Trader, and Boatline turn into a clear pic…

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From Hybrid Skepticism to Sports-Car Smiles: Prius, GR86, and the EV Crossroads 30:41

2M ago30:41

30:41

A sleeker Prius that’s actually fun, EV incentives vanishing, and a sports car that resets your grin—this one brings the big swings and the small joys. We kick off by tearing down the old hybrid myth and putting the latest Toyota Prius through a real-world lens: punchy off-the-line torque, thoughtful ergonomics, and the kind of efficiency that make…

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Inside the Garage: Recalls, Racing, and the Hidden Cost of “Cheap” Car Parts 29:35

2M ago29:35

29:35

A bargain part that looks perfect, installs easily, and quietly destroys your engine months later—that’s the nightmare more drivers are waking up to. We dig into the growing wave of counterfeit auto parts sold online, from fake water pumps that toast head gaskets to sensors that never program and starters that die long before their time. As shop po…

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Hot rods, hot dogs, and alumni who don’t need training wheels 30:36

2M ago30:36

30:36

A shuttered high school, a two-story library, and a parking lot full of chrome—this is how a community keeps its story alive. We welcome Spring Branch Senior High School Alumni Foundation president Frank Klam to share the unlikely journey from a closed campus in 1985 to a living museum that safeguards trophies, uniforms, and hard-won memories the d…

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How beer fests, badge hype, and a sleeper sedan reveal what performance really means 15:33

2M ago15:33

15:33

Fall energy meets turbo torque as we jump from steins to stopwatches, mapping the most spirited Oktoberfests in the U.S. before tearing into “muscle cars” that talked big and drove small—then we strap into the 2025 Hyundai Sonata N Line to see what real-world performance feels like today. We start with pure festival joy: Denver turns six downtown b…

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Inside the Texas Muscle Car Club Challenge: Grassroots Racing, Real Community, Safer Than the Streets 31:15

2M ago31:15

31:15

By In Wheel Time Podcast | Automotive talk with Don Armstrong, Michael Marrs, and Jeff Dziekan

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From Nervous Driver to Hill Country Hero: A 21-Year-Old’s First Bronco Off-Road School 30:25

2M ago30:25

30:25

Ever felt your stomach drop at the top of a blind hill? We handed the wheel to Olivia, a 21-year-old nursing student and brand-new Bronco owner, and watched a long day in the Texas Hill Country turn nerves into mastery. With guidance from veteran auto journalist Sue Mead, Olivia moves from classroom theory to real trail work—learning why GOAT Modes…

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The Aspire Saga: Car Culture, Comedy, and Industry News 29:44

2M ago29:44

29:44

Buckle up for a high-octane exploration of automotive industry trends and challenges that are reshaping the market landscape. We dive deep into the alarming rise of "credit bust out" scams targeting dealerships, where criminals orchestrate the purchase of multiple vehicles through falsified loan applications before credit reports can catch up. One …

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AI Estimates and Finding Reputable Body Shops 30:19

2M ago30:19

30:19

Navigating the murky waters of auto body repairs just got easier thanks to an innovative approach that puts transparency and consumer choice at the forefront. Ilan Mandil, founder of OttoFixIt, joins us to unveil how AI technology is revolutionizing the way drivers approach collision repair estimates. By simply snapping photos of vehicle damage, co…

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Fair Food, the MX-5 is 35, and Familiar Faces Under Different Names 16:58

2M ago16:58

16:58

Step right up to a fascinating exploration of the Texas State Fair's hidden gems! Beyond the legendary fried foods lies a world of unexpected attractions waiting to be discovered. Did you know you could view world-famous butter sculptures in the Creative Arts building? Or that a 212-foot Texas Fair Swell offers breathtaking panoramic views of Dalla…

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Car Talk & Classic Values 29:50

2M ago29:50

29:50

The century-long story of how we value cars has dramatically shifted from dog-eared pages to digital databases. Before the internet, car dealers, buyers, and even divorce courts relied on physical booklets like Kelly Blue Book and NADA guides to determine fair market prices. These guides weren't just reference materials—they were essential tools th…

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Exploring Car Paint: The Art and Journey with Randy Borchiding 32:02

2M ago32:02

32:02

Randy Borchiding's colorful journey from model car enthusiast to custom paint specialist unfolds with charm and practical wisdom. What started with Testors spray cans and a childhood model contest victory evolved into a full-fledged career creating custom colors for show-stopping vehicles. Randy pulls back the curtain on his early days, revealing h…

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Dirt, Gravel, and Glory: The Alcan 5000 Rally Adventure 30:10

2M ago30:10

30:10

Mercedes and Andy Lilienthal take us on an exhilarating journey through North America's longest road rally - the Alcan 5000. Covering a staggering 5,500 miles from Seattle to Alaska, this husband-wife team pushed their 2026 Honda Passport Trail Sport to its limits across punishing terrain and secured an impressive second-place overall finish. The c…