Behind the Scenes: Short Track Racing, Dodge Durango, and Track Announcing

Dive into the surprising economics of grassroots motorsports as we uncover a factory stock race offering an astonishing $30,000 to win, attracting 137 entries from across the region. Our special guest Rodney Rodriguez, track announcer extraordinaire, breaks down how these seemingly "affordable" race cars have evolved into sophisticated machines costing upwards of $30,000 despite rules designed to keep competition accessible.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when we explore the tension between racing tradition and modern broadcasting as NASCAR's move to Amazon Prime raises questions about accessibility. Should certain iconic races remain available to everyone? Our hosts passionately argue that racing's crown jewel events represent cultural touchstones that transcend streaming subscriptions.

For automotive enthusiasts, our comprehensive review of the 2025 Dodge Durango R/T highlights this muscle SUV's enduring appeal despite its aging platform. With 360 horsepower from its 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and an impressive 8,700-pound towing capacity, the Durango continues to offer something increasingly rare in today's market: unapologetic American muscle in family-friendly form.

We also dive into the controversy surrounding three disqualified Indy 500 drivers, including second-place finisher Marcus Ericsson, who faced substantial penalties following post-race inspections. What exactly were they doing to find an edge? And we celebrate the 100th anniversary of an unlikely automotive icon – the Goodyear Blimp.

Join us for our special upcoming broadcast on June 12th from the 50th anniversary Lone Star Street Rod Association State Run in Granbury, airing at the special time of 9am to noon. Whether you're passionate about grassroots racing, muscle cars, or the evolving landscape of motorsports media, this episode delivers insider perspectives you won't want to miss.

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Transcript

Welcome to In Wheel Time

Speaker 1 0:00

Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast. Welcome to the award-winning In Wheel Time car talk show. Just ahead, auto Racing's next, chris Iconomachi. It's track announcer and short track racing. God or goddess, it is an accent.

Speaker 3 0:19

Chris.

Speaker 1 0:20

Iconomachi. Rodney Rodriguez Also gave you my thoughts on driving the 2025 Dodge Durango RT Hemi, and Jeff has the Motor Minute in this segment of the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show. Howdy, along with Mike out of this world, mars. We always need more. Jeff Zekin, I'm Don Armstrong. Our chief engineer, david Ainsley, is resting up for our big venture up north to the Lone Star Street Rod Association event. Yes, 50th. 50th event. 50th event, so that's in two weeks. We'll have a three-hour show that weekend and we hope that you will join us then. But in the meantime and in between time, los Kukui's lead and dancing track announcer, rodney Rodriguez.

Speaker 2 1:06

Dang, you figured out my other gig.

Speaker 1 1:10

Yes, I did.

Speaker 3 1:11

I'm wondering where you go every Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock, me and the Kukuis.

Speaker 2 1:16

We hit those on off weekends and then apparently some other time. I'm a real estate broker in Houston.

Speaker 1 1:22

Are you selling property here now?

Speaker 2 1:25

No, I'm not selling property anywhere, guys.

Speaker 3 1:28

Unless it's a bridge out west or something.

Speaker 1 1:30

You probably are dealing racetracks that are going broken. Here's the property. Do something with it. Well, I can't.

Speaker 2 1:38

Yeah, people started wanting me to sell racetracks and empty pastures, and you know what I'm like. Okay, it's time to find a new profession. Let's do something else. I like that Chris O'Connor Mackey thing man. Now that's an honor to be called that.

Speaker 1 1:52

Yeah, no kidding, I met him one time, the nicest approachable guy you'd ever. You'd never think that he is known by billions of people around the world, but he was A great guy. Great personality, very approachable, likable guy and an excellent announcer and reporter.

Speaker 2 2:10

I always liked on some of those old wide world of sports things where he would be like in the pits and they would do like NASCAR races and Jackie Stewart was the expert analyst or whatever and he'd be like. And here comes Cale Yabra and Daryl Waltra. That's weird, but hell, that's the way it works now that's the way it works now.

Speaker 1 2:30

So what do you think about Dan and Patrick doing the 8500?

Speaker 3 2:33

I gotta go, I'm done, I'm done you know what Don?

Speaker 2 2:39

she comes on the screen. I don't care what she says. I don't either. I'm just watching.

Speaker 1 2:44

I'm just watching, yeah I'm just watching, as most of us are. Yeah, jeff, jeff is. He's much more thought provoking in his passion for or against anybody is not a nice person and we don't, we don't care about that, we don't know that aspect of it, but she sure is easy to look at.

Speaker 2 3:04

Yeah, I'm not going to marry her. I mean, are you kidding? I mean, if I did, you know that?

Speaker 1 3:08

would be divorced.

Speaker 2 3:09

It wouldn't be more than a weekend anyway. Huh, momentarily I'd be like breaking a law, I guess, if I married her now because I'm married. But you know, I will say one thing about her she definitely, like many ladies do these days, she ages like a fine wine. She looks much better the older she gets.

Speaker 1 3:28

And let me tell you something I was actually kind of impressed by her commentary during the Indy 500.

Speaker 2 3:34

She has come a long way on these broadcasts as far as a broadcaster is concerned, in my mind, yeah Well, I get a lot of people that say the same thing to me about her, that they say about Tony Romo on football. It's like okay, if he can see this stuff so well, why didn't he win more? And that's what I get about Danica If she's this good at breaking stuff down, why didn't she win more?

Speaker 3 3:59

It's easy from the booth. She won one open wheel race in Japan 10 years ago whatever, and that became she's a hot commodity. Oh boy, they let her win. It was a non Anyways.

Speaker 2 4:12

That 500 that she ran I guess it was 20, I don't know 2012. When she finished in the top five I really did think, okay, she's got a really good future coming here. But I mean, look the whole thing she did with GoDaddy and all that. She changed marketing substantially for racing.

Speaker 1 4:29

Hey, we've got to give a shout-out to Ken Schrader because today is his 70th birthday. All right, kenny Schrader. Remember Kenny Schrader? Yeah, I never met the man, but I was impressed. He was 1985 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year, turned 70 today.

Speaker 3 4:48

And after he stopped his career didn't he get into a lot of the safety aspects of NASCAR? That was Randy LaJoy.

Speaker 2 4:52

That's Randy LaJoy.

Speaker 3 4:52

Well, Schrader was the one that ran up to Earnhardt's car. Yeah, he's the one that walked up on that mess. Yeah, and I think he went into the safety aspect.

Speaker 2 5:01

Kenny Schrader, to this day still carries a full. As a matter of fact, he raced somewhere last night. He races a dirt late model Yep and he is very active in the short track circles with dirt track racing and keeps a very busy schedule Not quite as busy as Kyle Larson, but not too dadgum far behind he's still very active.

Short Track Racing with Rodney

Speaker 3 5:21

Well, Kyle said he's not going to do the double next year. He said it's not going to do the double next year.

Speaker 2 5:29

He said it's not worth it. He's done it twice and kind of failed. The first year he did they got rained out. This year he crashed out and it's just really hard. The time, the time part of it, the logistical part, and then those races, they kind of there's a lot of room for failure there, exactly for it to not work. And I can't help but think you know him as that race started and it rained and then you know scott mclaughlin had the accident on the first lap to where he's in that car. You have to think that mentally he's just all over the place thinking, okay, I've got a very fine amount of time that I can stay in here and I got to get out yeah, and there's talks.

Speaker 1 5:56

I don't think change the times, yeah and what and what driver was it that peed his pants? I have no idea did you hear that?

Speaker 3 6:03

yeah, so they're stuck they're.

Speaker 1 6:04

They're stuck out there and he's got a pee and you can't get out of the car because you don't know when they're going to open the track back up for the race. And I can't remember the driver that, uh, that had that issue. But yeah, he peed his pants and, uh, he apologized to the crew when he got out. He says I'm sorry, guys, but you know you got to do what you. You've got to do.

Speaker 2 6:23

You've got to go. You've got to go, man, that's it.

Speaker 1 6:25

So let's get into a little short track racing Rod.

Speaker 3 6:28

I don't know how we got there.

Speaker 1 6:31

What are you up to? Are you going racing tonight?

Speaker 2 6:34

I'm not. I'm actually home for the weekend. Actually, what I will be doing tonight, there is a factory stock race in Greenwood, louisiana. Which Factory stock race in Greenwood, louisiana, which is over a Boot Hill Speedway, as it's called, not too far from you guys, about four and a half hours from me, right around that Shreveport area, louisiana, and it is a factory stock race, $30,000 to win. What? You've got to be kidding 137 entries last night.

Speaker 1 7:01

Oh my God, they can't all fit on the track.

Speaker 2 7:06

They can't all fit on the track. They can't all fit on the track, so they they. They locked in the top four last night. Those are locked in with some really heavy hitting factory stock drivers on dirt Um, and these are these factory stocks, are the, are the stock cars that are racing the? Uh, pull off um, asphalt, 10 inch tires, uh and so forth. But um, yeah, so they've got. So you've got four spots filled in that and I think they're only starting 24, I'm assuming it's going to be. So, yeah, $30k on the line for a dirt track stock car race guys. How long is the track? I think it's maybe three-eighths, not a half mile, I don't think. I think at one point it was a half mile and I think it became a 3.8.

Speaker 1 7:44

It rained the worst part of it away, so explain to me what a factory stock car is, because, I mean, I know what it is in my mind. It's one that you go and buy at the dealership and do you take that car out on the racetrack.

Speaker 2 8:01

That was the intent. But what it is? It's a factory stock in the sense that you look at them and they have the steel body. It probably has a Monte Carlo SS tail and nose the late 80s oh that yes. But everything in between I mean metric chassis is usually what this is for best performance. You may have a couple of leaf spring cars that are still trying to do this. If you have a leaf spring car it's probably home built, because most of these, as these and this is just one of a few big money shows that these factory stocks run from Texas, mississippi, louisiana.

Speaker 2 8:38

It's very geographical, specific to us, but where they do this is, and the funny thing about this is you can probably buy a bare chassis of one of these, without shocks, without all of that, get it built, probably around $15,000, which a lot of people say that's economical. I'm like that's not economical for a stock car, that's not economical for a stock car. But then you add in the shocks, which you know every point of the car four shocks, $800 a piece. Send them back, get them revalved for $400. They run on pump gas.

Speaker 2 9:12

This is kind of where they get you, where it's like it's economical. They run on pump gas and the pull-off tires are $30 a piece. $40 a piece, yeah, but the rest of the car is $30,000, you know what's a pull-off tire. So what they do is a lot of these dirt track guys go to, whether it be an ASA, all-star team or UARA, so they buy where these super late models are racing the big 10-inch slick tires. They buy them used because you buy them used and put them on dirt and shoot. They're ready to go that's what makes it?

Speaker 3 9:47

economical you buy used tires and running on pump gas, oh my god, and and they don't knob them up now you can.

Speaker 2 9:56

Now they allow grooving. See that, that's where this, that's where this, you know, they sit there and they're able to groove. That's where this class has got out of hand, because it used to be, it had to be a bare-frame stock chassis with a regular unibody, whatever you want to call it.

Speaker 2 10:12

It had to be like a rusted old chassis that we used to race back in the day. Oh no, not anymore. Now you got offset chassis and all these things on there and nine-inch Well, no, no, no, you can't do nine-inch rear ends or any of that. The engine I'm telling you guys, if you read the engine rules of this, I mean, you're not running headers. 1.5 GM valves, cast iron intake, 4412 carburetor. The engine rules are like these cars can't be that fast, can they? I don't know what they're doing. Do they all run in first gear automatics? No, I think a lot of them. I think you can run manual. I think you can run manual. That was originally one of the rules, but that's where it's kind of opened itself up a lot. But think about that $30,000.

Speaker 1 11:05

One weekend of action. And how many hundreds of cars? 101? 137 last night, 137. So they must have gotten cars entries from all over the United States let's put some pig on this lipstick and this is the first full weekend, really, of summer break, so you can take the kids and the family really of summer break so you can take the kids and the family.

Speaker 2 11:26

What happens with this class is, on any given weekend doesn't even have to be a holiday weekend, doesn't have to be you'll find a factory stock race in our area. Because it's more specific to our area, Because, like Florida, not even a thing. Florida they're still asphalt, Asphalt, asphalt, asphalt. But you can find on any given weekend at least $5,000 to win for a factory stock race. And you know, you've got guys that have raced in the big IMCA modified cars and limited modifieds and even the IMCA stock cars that are now finding a home in the factory stocks and I mean it's kind of a no-brainer, I mean with that kind of money. Not that this sport is profitable, but it's a hell of a lot. I would a hell of a lot, like the chance of racing for 30 000, then you know 200 to win the feature.

Speaker 1 12:14

Crazy isn't it? Are there? Are there any wing sprint car races anywhere around?

Speaker 2 12:21

you know, actually, I think in houston and I think it's 4th of July weekend at HMP. I'll verify that. But I'm pretty sure 90% sure that on 4th of July weekend at HMP because they're still racing on the asphalt they raced last week that you were going to have a winged sprint car race there.

Speaker 1 12:42

If they have that, I'm going.

Speaker 2 12:44

Yeah, that should be a good show. Are you calling that? I am actually working an event the next day, remember I was telling you guys about my soccer stuff. Now I'm doing Gold Cup, not broadcasting. I may try to get over to Houston to be a fan and have a dollar beer and dollar hot dog, because I think that would be fun. I'll be in town that weekend, will you? Yeah, but sprint cars are. For example, tonight in Corpus Christi you've got non-wing sprint cars, but it's the 305 sprint cars. You know the 305 cubic inch engine sprint car. Which sprint car is still a sprint car? Which sprint car? Still a sprint car, but 305s. You got the 360s and then, of course, the wing 410s. That, uh, raced a couple of weeks ago texas motor speedway, uh, with the high limit series. So a lot of dirt, guys, a lot of dirt. 30 000 for a stock car do you still have a race car? I've got a dwarf car. I do have a dwarf car. Do you ever?

Speaker 1 13:40

run it I.

Factory Stock Racing Explained

Speaker 2 13:42

I don't have time and it's the same thing to where the dwarf car that I have now from 2017, the last time that I drove that thing. It's obsolete. They've gone into a different, pretty much a mini, modified. If I went out there, they'd lap me on lap two. Really, they wouldn't do that already. Yeah, it's just too much evolution.

Speaker 1 14:04

So what would it take to spec it up to today's cars?

Speaker 2 14:09

A new car. There's no working backwards on some of these things.

Speaker 1 14:14

So what you're telling me is that there's a whole bunch of cars like yours that are out there sitting in people's garages because they can't compete with today's car. So why not have a class for your car? The older?

Speaker 2 14:26

stuff. You know, houston, on pavement, has tried to do that where they did, because there are so many of the old street stock type of H&P stock cars sitting wherever wherever you want to call them A lot of them. What they have done, though, I will say, is that you get a lot of the old pavement stock cars, and they've actually kind of reworked them, because it doesn't take quite as much to a dirt track a regular or weekly dirt track car, not a factory stock car.

Speaker 1 14:56

I got you yeah.

Speaker 2 14:57

Yeah, because you pull some weight out and you adjust different things and motor, whatever the case is tires. So a lot of them have found a new home, and I think that that's one of the things that's made it so hard for pavement racing around here, even with just the one track is so many of those cars have been rehomed and it's not worth going back to race once a quarter, you know. So I think that's what a lot of these guys are doing and I totally understand that.

Speaker 1 15:24

How's your car show doing your racing show?

Speaker 2 15:28

Everything is going really well. I was actually out for O'Reilly at it was called Bandas y Trocas last weekend over at TMS Texas Motor Speedway a truck show and is that what you were asking about, or were you talking about the podcast?

Speaker 1 15:42

I'm sorry About the podcast. Are you still on the radio station in?

Speaker 3 15:45

Austin.

Speaker 2 15:46

You've got so much going on.

Speaker 3 15:46

He's such a busy guy. Are you still on there?

Speaker 2 15:50

Revved up, we took a little bit of a break. Now we move to Tuesdays at 7 o'clock. Dirty Air is on demand just about any time. On Racing America there's an episode there. I do a daily sports show in the Austin area at 9 o'clock. So we talk, you know, right now Texas baseball and all that good stuff. But the revved up and dirty air are going well.

Speaker 2 16:15

I mean, there's always lots to talk about because we're just very. It's a heavy influx of racing all around us and the regional and national stuff is popping also. You know, streaming, like we're doing here, all of us have been doing for the longest time, is a constant conversation, especially with Prime becoming the provider of NASCAR last week. That was a huge thing in my opinion. So there's always lots to talk. And look guys, I'm going to say this on here, I hope I don't disturb anybody but lots to bitch about all the time when it comes to racing. Yeah, and I'm going to say this on here, I hope I don't disturb anybody but lots to bitch about all the time when it comes to racing.

Speaker 3 16:46

Yeah, and I'm going to do that right now because this going to Prime stuff is a bunch of garbage there. I said it.

Speaker 2 16:54

You know, and the one thing that I saw during the week because they had, you know, the numbers were comparable to what Fox and NBC has done. But apparently what Prime has done is they captured a totally new demographic. If you go back and look at the demos that watched that race from Charlotte, the 55-plus that was always kind of a heavier audience didn't pay attention, probably because it's the same thing. They don't want that. But it's a shift, man. It is a seismic shift in how you cover this sport.

Speaker 3 17:23

But Rodney, they went from oh Indy, 500, we're going to have the double and all that stuff, and then when you kind of watch the double, it's not on the local channel. So that's all I'm saying.

Speaker 2 17:33

To me those two races. There are certain races that need to be where anybody can access them. It's the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, the Coke 600, the Southern 500. All of that, some of those, they just and that's just the way that I was raised. Those are just things that we watched and what we always did. I understand what's happening here and again. It's all economics, these unbelievable amounts of money that are being thrown around for this stuff. But I do agree there are certain events that everybody should have access to quote-unquote free. Hell the free ain't free anymore.

Speaker 1 18:07

That's for sure. It wasn't ever. Rodney, it's great to talk to you.

2025 Dodge Durango Overview

Speaker 2 18:10

My friend, absolutely, guys. Always a pleasure, man. Look forward to seeing you all soon. Thank you, man, love you. See you later. You got it, man. Take care, love you.

Speaker 1 18:18

All right, he is so busy I love it. Just ahead, a review of the 2025 Dodge Durango and Jeff's Motor Minute. After this quick break on the In-Wheel Time Car Talk Show. The Tex-Mex dining experience is defined by Loopy Tortilla your destination for Texas' best beef fajitas and frozen margaritas. Since 1983, loopy Tortilla has served authentic and time-tested recipes made with the freshest ingredients. Atmosphere is part of the award-winning experience at Loopy Tortilla, all developed in a little house near Highway 6 and I-10 in West Houston. Visit any of the Loopy Tortillas and you'll see the same attention to detail in each and every location. Start your Loopy experience with queso flammeado and guacamole, along with a classic frozen margarita. Dine on famous Loopy beef and chicken fajitas or pepper shrimp brochette, or a fish or vegetarian entree, and finish with a scrumptious flan for dessert. Find Loopy Tortilla in Houston, college Station, beaumont, austin, san Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth. There's a Texas location near you. The recipes are authentic and time-tested, the ingredients always fresh.

Speaker 1 19:23

Loopy Tortilla it's the In Real Time Car Talk Show. Thanks you for 14 wonderful years. Yep. Our first show aired May 7, 2011 on a local radio station. Then it was a move to the digital world and social media and you followed. Thank you.

Speaker 1 19:39

We continue to build and grow our fan base, and it's all because of you and your auto enthusiast friends. We appreciate your support. It's always great to see you at our remote broadcasts and we hope you'll continue to stop by and say hello. It's been a see you at our remote broadcasts and we hope you'll continue to stop by and say hello. It's been a great ride and we hope to bring you more fun and adventure right here on the In-Wheel Time Car Talk Show. Hey, our last stop on the In-Wheel Time Spring Tour happens June 12th it's still spring officially, by the way. June 12th in Granbury at the Lone Star Street Rod Association State Run the 50th anniversary for that, so it's going to be a big celebration up there. That live broadcast will air at a special time, 9 to noon, and we hope that you will join us. Let's join Jeff right now with the Motor Minute.

Speaker 3 20:18

Yep. Did you know that there was three drivers who were disqualified from Indy? Did you know that? Yes, indy announced on May 26 that three drivers, including the 2025 runner-up, have been officially disqualified from the race for various violations. The three drivers have been disqualified following post-race inspections that took place at the Speedway. Marcus Erickson, driving for Andretti, was among those who disqualified for the race. He finished in second place, being runner-up to Palau. However, since has been disqualified, the numbers 27, 28 entries from Andretti Global and the number 90 from Prima Racing have been moved to the rear of the field. All three cars have been reordered back to that station. Additionally, they've been fined $100,000 and they've been suspended to the race that's going on this weekend in Detroit. So shame on them. I don't know what it was.

Speaker 3 21:06

They didn't say but if you ain't cheating, you ain't racing or something like that. And lastly, you know what's the 100-year anniversary? Not, you guys, the Goodyear.

Speaker 2 21:18

Blimp.

Speaker 3 21:18

The Goodyear Blimp Pilgrim was the first during World War II. The countless historical events. Goodyear Blimp has been flying overhead for more than a century. It travels more than 100 days per year, trips ranging from anywhere from three days, Mike, to three weeks. How about that? No three weeks.

Speaker 3 21:35

And it's a rare opportunity. When you do get a ride on it, it's basically invitation only. We had opportunities when I was with ATD because Goodyear would sponsor things and you win a package going up there. But Joe Erbs is the senior pilot and Jerry Hessman is the chief pilot. So there you go. Congratulations to the Goodyear Blimp, and this June 3rd they're going to have all three of them. Is there any relationship to Les Nesman? No, jerry Hesman. H-i-s-s-m-a.

Speaker 1 22:01

Hesman, that would have been the disc jockey Hesman.

Jeff's Motor Minute

Speaker 3 22:07

They're going to have three of them, which is a rarity. All three are going to be flying around in Akron, Ohio. Where do they keep the turkeys? I don't know.

Speaker 1 22:16

That was the helicopter, but I think with three blimps I'm thinking they're going to have bumper cars in the air.

Speaker 2 22:25

He's shaking his chair when he does that I can imagine I just threw up in my throat Time now for this hour's car review, I had a chance to drive the 2025 Dodge Durango.

Speaker 1 22:41

Final assembly location Detroit, michigan, ladies and gentlemen, comes in these trim levels the GT, the RT and the SRT trim levels the GT, the RT and the SRT I had the RT 20th anniversary premium all-wheel drive 345. It's a standard SUV three rows seats, six people. Exterior changes from last model year. It was all new in 2011. 2011. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Do you see how old that is? It's old, but you know what it still looks good, I like it. Exterior features Bold, aggressive, american muscle style front fascia, built-in hood scoop with Hemi graphics and 345 badging.

Speaker 1 23:35

Bronze-colored wheels set this RT apart. Shape of the rear lighting reminds of the Dodge Charger design. What I liked this is an SUV with attitude. Well, that's not the one that I drove, but that's the basic one. The one that I drove has attitude and it's funny what you can do with paint. Oh, absolutely All right. What could use improvement? Would love to see an evolved redesign. I mean, this thing is what? 13, 14 years old? Yeah, so there's the bronze wheels that I was talking about. Interior highlights Even though it's a 14-year-old design, the dash layout beats newer competitors. Steering wheel controls are the best SRT seating with the 345 logo on the seat back. Comfortable and supportive buckets. Rear volume Sorry, did I say rear? Yep, I didn't mean to say rear. The radio volume and tuning knobs for the suspension? No, for the superior sound system is good. I can't even read my own writing here. I don't feel so bad.

Speaker 3 24:55

You know you should pre-read these before you go on the air.

Speaker 1 24:58

I should. I want you to look at how I did that. What the hell is that? What is that?

Speaker 3 25:03

You know what that is? It was ugh. That's what it says. What?

Speaker 1 25:05

it does Cargo room large. What I liked about it comfort and the control functions, I think, because I'm just guessing now my fumble mumble you want to borrow my glasses.

Speaker 1 25:20

Now I got glasses on. That's not the problem. Sight is not the problem, it's brain malfunction and clearly it didn't transfer to this right hand. Writing. Implement 5.7 liter V8, 360 horsepower, 390 pound-feet of torque, eight-speed automatic transmission. Get this. Tow rating 8,700 pounds, wow. Haul rating 1,350. Let's go camping, let's go racing, let's just go and do it somewhere. 14 miles per gallon city, oh boy, 22 highways combined to 17. I actually got 18.7 because, no, kimberly, I did not burn the tires off the back like so many journalists do.

Speaker 3 26:00

No hauling donkeys or anything. No, none of that. 1,300.

Speaker 1 26:03

18.7 miles per gallon over 329.9 miles. What I like the well-matched power with the drivetrain, all-wheel drive with an independent suspension, rocks it Ride and handling smoothness. It's good. What could use improvement? It's a little on the heavy side but it is big. But 5,313 pounds, that's two and a half tons, my friend. Base trim price 54,495. Price is tested yikes $54,495. Price is tested Yikes $72,460. You can get in the V6 version for $41,995.

Speaker 3 26:42

You had a nice one. I've been seeing a lot more of them since you had that yeah.

Speaker 1 26:46

Competitors Ford Expedition starts at $57,025 which, by the way, is all new for $ for 25, but no V8s. It does have 440 horsepower. The Chevy Suburban starts at $6,155. It has the 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower. And the Toyota Sequoia starts at $62,425 with a 3.4-liter hybrid V6. V6, I tell you, starts at $62,425 with a 3.4 liter hybrid V6. But get this turns out 437 horsepower. Oh man, yeah. So there are some competitors out there. I invite you to check them all out. But good old American grunt, there's nothing wrong with that.

Speaker 3 27:27

And they make a nice interior.

Closing Remarks

Speaker 1 27:28

Even on the pickups. They do. Yeah, they do. All right, that's my review of the 2025 Dodge Durango RT. Hey, if you would like to get in touch with us, shoot us an email. The address here is info at inwheeltimecom.

Speaker 1 27:44

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Speaker 1 27:59

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Speaker 1 28:45

The award-winning In Wheel Time Car Talk Show now reaches 5.3 million folks each year now reaches 5.3 million folks each year. Check us out on InWheelTimecom, the Odyssey Radio app, youtube, facebook and just about every other entertainment source out there, including our live broadcast every Saturday, 10 to noon Central Time. The InWheelTime Car Talk Show has informative automotive guest interviews, new car reviews, along with popular features, including Jeff's Car Culture, the latest new cars, cruise ins and racing dates. It's InWheelTimecom, join us. That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show. I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, youtube, twitch and our InWheelTimecom website. Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, spotify, stitcher, iheart Podcast, podcast, addict TuneIn, pandora and Amazon Music. Keep listening and we'll see you soon.