Alex Littlewood is the Founder and CEO of Motoroso.com, a website for enthusiasts to plan, build and share everything that powers their lifestyles. Alex launched the beta version of Motoroso's site in late 2015, and in January of 2019, he launched the "Motoroso Marketplace", which is the worlds first dedicated auto parts marketplace. The site has over 250,000 products available at launch, sold by hand-selected vendors, and they offer free shipping on all purchases with no minimum. Alex led a 10+ year startup career in the Silicon Valley, including Wildfire which was acquired by Google. He then started Motoroso, and after selling his house to fund the company and going through the TechStars accelerator in Detroit, he decided to move the company to the beautiful Central Coast of California. In conjunction with Motoroso's marketplace launch, they have also begun creating video content in their 2,000 square foot video studio in downtown San Luis Obispo. Alex raced a motorcycle in the AFM and WERA road racing series, and can often be found on the track at Laguna Seca, Sears Point, and Miller Motorsports Park.

Jim Krouskop is Managing Partner and Founder of 360Sonar, a boutique recruiting and talent search firm located in Seattle. He has over 20 years of technology management and recruiting experience, primarily for high-tech organizations across the US. Jim is also co-founder of 3 Pedal Posse, a growing community of car enthusiasts who enjoy 3-pedal driving and hanging out with like-minded car enthusiasts. He received a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree in Urban Planning from UC, San Diego and the University of Washington. Originally from Southern California, Jim is an avid car and Porsche enthusiast, amateur photographer, aspiring writer, and Scotch drinker. His 3 Pedal Posse Co-Founder, Mauricio Bendana was yesterday’s guest here on Cars Yeah.

Tina Smith is a 27-year veteran in the automotive industry. She is a true barrier breaker overcoming adversity and all the stigmas around becoming an automotive technician, especially a woman technician. She was the only female in her high school auto mechanics class and was the first woman to graduate from the Chrysler Apprenticeship program in Automotive Technology.  She has held positions ranging from service, parts, engineering, and sales. Tina is passionate about the automotive industry and now is giving back through her work with the TechForce Foundation. Tina is "paving" the way for tomorrow's technicians. TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501 c3 that champions students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. 

Mike Finnegan was born and raised in southern California and heavily influenced by the vibrant surf, snow, skate, music, and car culture. He spent the last 15 years as an automotive journalist. The consummate do-it-yourselfer, Mike taught himself how to wrench, weld, fabricate, and build engines so he could go racing. From lowered mini-trucks to hot rods to over-powered drag boats, he has won national championships as both driver and crew chief of many drag boats. Today he is also the host of the TV show Roadkill on YouTube and Motor Trend on Demand. His shop, Finnegan Speed and Marine, keeps him busy creating and building dreams for himself and others.

Big Mike has grown to become a household name and icon in the import automotive culture. As a show judge and event emcee, he travels across the United States and around the globe participating in major events. As a journalist, he contributes to a multitude of online and print automotive publications representing the Compact Tuner industry. He sits on SEMA educational panels, inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts. He was born and raised in southern California and in 2005, his first feature appeared in print. Since then he’s built numerous cars earning awards and placement on renowned magazine covers and within their pages. He competed in the SEMA Battle of the Builders and earned a top 10 finalist position. You’ve seen him on Discovery TV in front of the camera and behind the scenes as an integral part of the import culture.

Big Mike will be one of the enthusiasts I get to interview on the Celebrity Stage at this year’s Classic Auto Show in Costa Mesa, California, March 16 and 17. 

Steve Gibbs has been an integral part of the National Hot Rod Association, known as the NHRA, for over 50 years and his career began back in 1961 at the old San Gabriel Drag Strip where he became a Drag Strip Operator. He operated Irwindale Raceway beginning in 1966 and then went to Fremont Raceway, then Corpus Christi Raceway, and was hired by the National Hot Rod Association, later appointed as the NHRA Competition Director. All told, he directed nearly 400 NHRA National events in over two decades with his duties stretching worldwide. Recipient of numerous awards and accolades, he was instrumental in the development of the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum and the California Hot Rod Reunion. Steve’s involvement in the sport knows no bounds. Steve will be with me at this year’s Classic Auto Show in Costa Mesa, California, sharing his history of drag racing as part of his Nitro Revival with the Classic Cackle Cars.

The fearless Jessi Combs was born for everything automotive. Her passion to get in the driver seat and behind the wheel of nearly anything with a motor has led her through some amazing and unusual achievements. With a degree in custom automotive fabrication, Jessi has reached out to millions with her build skills on TV shows such as All Girls Garage, Mythbusters and Overhaulin’ to name a few, as well as through community and educational outreach. As the fastest woman alive, unofficial ”Queen” of the Hammers, Ultra4 National Champion, and a Baja 1000 podium finisher, she empowers many through the act of simply leading by example. Her desire to show more women (and men alike) that they, too, can build their ideas, go fast, get dirty, have fun, and still be feminine shines through everything she does in life.

Mauricio Bendana is the co-founder of 3 Pedal Posse and SoDo Speed. 3 Pedal Posse is a growing community of camaraderie-based automotive enthusiasts who share good times and great adventures with like-minded people. He is also the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Project Planning Partners, a commercial real estate consulting firm that specialized in corporate services and foundational planning in the greater Puget Sound Region. He has over 25 years of experience in headquarter and portfolio management within the commercial real estate space. Mauricio shares his automotive passion with his wife Jody, a winemaker and Porshefile, their two minions, and a dog. They are avid classic Porsche fanatics who enjoy driving and hosting shows, tours, and builds. 3 Pedal Posse debuted their first build at the Rennsport Reunion last summer at Laguna Seca.

Stuart Sobek is the Founder and Chairman of the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance. This inaugural event will debut on October 25 through the 28 at the exclusive Dragon Ridge Country Club. Stuart has been in the car collector world for more than 31 years. Fueled by his first visit to Pebble Beach in 1987, he has been collecting and showing cars ever since. His passion began and still remains in exotic cars. Being a long-time member of many car clubs, including the Lamborghini and Maserati Clubs, enabled him to learn and increase his knowledge and passion for these unique automobiles. As a collector, he has personally owned and logged many miles behind the wheel of some fantastic rides, both on the street and the track, so he knows first- hand, many of their favorable traits and idiosyncrasies. Stuart is a member of the CCCA and Checkered Flag Lifetime Member of the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, California. You can learn more the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance on the website lasvegasconcours.com.

Rick Case and his wife Rita are the founders of the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance that takes place on February 22 through the 24. Rick and Rita have been partners in business, life, and in their humanitarian efforts since 1980, and they have helped to raise over $50 million to support their local communities over the years. Together they have built an award-winning automotive dealership group, 16 strong, located in Cleveland, Atlanta, and South Florida. The Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, now in its 13^th year, will take place at the Boca Raton Resort & Club and will feature world-class automobiles including a celebration of Bentley Motorcars and its 100^th Year Anniversary, collector of the year, Mr. Robert Jepson’s vintage automobile collection, and car collector and comedian, Jay Leno, will be on hand. The event is the world’s largest Concours d’Elegance owned by a charity, and it fully benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.