Hello Inspiring Automotive Enthusiasts and welcome to Cars Yeah. As the year ends, I would like to take the time to look back at and celebrate the life of those past Cars Yeah guests we lost in 2024.

It was Abraham Lincoln who said “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

These inspiring people all lived their lives surrounding themselves with their passions for people and automobiles. All were guests on Cars Yeah and I am honored to say had become my friends. Their impact on the car world and the people they encountered created lives very well lived. Something we should all aspire to do each day.

RICH MACDONALD – “Treat everyone with respect and dignity.”

John Wright is an author and past racer who started driving in 1970 and after a self-described, undistinguished record, and running out of racing funds, switched from racing to writing about the drivers, mechanics, and builders in the sport. Initially, John’s stories of Canadian drivers and cars were published in the Canadian publication ‘Old Autos’ in Bothwell, Ontario followed by the California-based magazine ‘Victory Lane’. From there, other publications published interviews John was doing at vintage events and things took off from there. John goes to vintage events around the country, including Mosport, Road America, Watkins Glen and the Laguna Seca tracks. He and his racing friends meet and talk about how fast we were… or not. Today he is here to share his newest book titled Fast Faster Fastest: The Bill Sadler Story from Dalton Watson Fine Books.

CJ Olivares is the president of MAVTV and a decorated media executive with decades of experience building and operating digital and linear media companies. He joined MAVTV in 2022 and immediately began transforming the network by implementing a strategy focused on diversifying programming, expanding distribution, and launching new digital platforms. He has prioritized bringing more live racing programming from around the world, while also developing new, compelling content designed to bring audiences closer to the athletes. The show “On the Rise” features unique stories about the next generation of motorsports athletes and “The Life” gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of established drivers. Most recently, CJ was instrumental in the production of “Racers Roundtable” -- a series featuring an all-star lineup of motorsports icons who share the moments and stories that helped shape their careers. Today, MAVTV is the largest dedicated motorsports media platform in the world.

Danny Sullivan is a legendary race car driver who is best known for his 360-degree spin on lap 120 of the 1985 Indianapolis 500. He was attempting to pass Mario Andretti and after recovering from the spin, he led the last 61 laps to become the 69th winner of the Indy 500 and the moniker “Spin to Win.” Danny is also known for being one of the first “big” personalities in motorsports by using his fame to help promote his sponsors and his likeness through appearances on late-night talk shows, in movies and other forms of media. Danny’s promotional prowess was good and NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Jeff Gordon says he emulated him throughout his racing career. Danny was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2012 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 2022. He remains active as a TV personality, producer, and entrepreneur, staying involved in many forms of racing and business. Danny is here to share his latest venture, Racers Roundtable with Danny Sullivan and Tony Stewart.

Ginger Baker Rust comes to you from Mooresville, North Carolina, aka “Race City U.S.A.”. She’s a motorsports sports agent with decades of corporate marketing and experience, accolades, and achievements. Ginger was the Chief Marketing Officer for Ryan Newman, ddriver of the #6 Ford in the Nascar Cup Series. She’s the one behind the scenes who works corporate partnerships, contracts, and the business side of various global motorsports. If you have seen the movie Jerry Maguire, her day-to-day operations are pretty much what Tom Cruise’s character does. She is a well-respected, behind-the-scenes powerhouse in the world of motorsports and had earned the nickname “Lady Mavrik” as she is well-respected and has built a solid reputation with everyone from the series owners, drivers, team owners, pit crews, hauler drivers, and the media outlets. Ginger is an amateur racer who earned an NHRA Dragster Pilot’s license in 2021, and in 2020, earned an ECTA land speed record in a 2020 Yenko Camero street car in the Modern Street/Blown 8-Cylinder category with a 199.557 mph pass on the 1.25 mile course, which made her the second-fastest woman in the history of the class and the third fastest in the history of the national ECTA event.

Whit Montross is responsible for running the day-to-day operations for Hagerty Marketplace. He and his team review thousands of submissions each year to ensure they are bringing the best ones to market with fair reserves. They work with sellers to make sure their listings are accurate and highlight their vehicles properly. Whit has been with Hagerty for over 10 years, much of that time was in their service center underwriting insurance and talking with Hagerty members. At Hagerty their goal is to ensure and preserve Save Driving and Fuel Car Culture for future generations. Whit built his first race car in the back of Hagerty’s Colorado office. He currently races a 1967 BMW 1600 with Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing. Whit and Hagerty’s love for connecting with fellow enthusiasts combine with helping to make the collector car world more fun for all involved.