What's your dream car?
Are you more of a Camaro or a DeLorean? Maybe you just like your good ol' Ford truck. Let us know!
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Did You Know This Electric Vehicle Holds a Guinness World Record?
On July 21, 2018, Duke University students broke the Guinness World Record for most fuel-efficient vehicle, which had previously been set by ETH Zurich back in 2005.
The hydrogen fuel cell car of Duke Electric Vehicles gets the equivalent of 14,573 miles per gallon. The old record? 12,600 miles per gallon.
What an awesome achievement!
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The Ram 1500 ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ Commercial Is an Absolute Classic
https://altdriver.com/general/dodge-ram-1500-thank-god-country-boy-commercial/
This 2019 Ram 1500 commercial makes it clear that the Ram truck perfect for owners from all walks of life.
The ad cuts back from cityscape to country road, all while the Tennessee Kids perform a special rendition of the classic song “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” It may not be quite like the John Denver version, but it definitely gets the job done.
Considering that the ad has racked up more than 20 million YouTube views since it was posted back in January 2018, it’s safe to say that Dodge definitely nailed it with this one.
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Monster Jam Is the High-Octane Experience of a Lifetime
https://altdriver.com/off-road/monster-jam-is-the-high-octane-experience-of-a-lifetime/
If you've never been to a Monster Jam event before, you're seriously missing out.
It features some of the most badass machines on four wheels facing off in high-flying and intense competition. Not to mention, it's fun that the whole family can enjoy. What's not to love?
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Chevy Vega: The Car That General Motors Wishes You Would Forget
https://altdriver.com/classics/chevy-vega-general-motors/
You may recall the Vega as the Chevy curse gifted to John DeLorean by a collection of General Motors corporate designers. The number of problems associated with the Vega caused General Motors to suffer as a result.
You’re probably still wondering where GM went wrong, right? We’re guessing they are, too.
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Your Ford F-150 Could Be A Convertible Truck
You won't find this Ford F-150 convertible pickup truck at your average dealership.
To give us the Ford pickup droptop, the folks over at Newport Convertible Engineering took a F-150 SuperCrew, chopped the roof off, and threw in an electrically folding soft top. Pretty slick, right?
Besides the convertible top, the truck also comes stacked with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with direct and port fuel injection. Whether you're looking for serious towing capabilities or just a laid-back highway cruise, the 10-speed automatic truck churns out 375 hp and 470 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm.
NCE, which also made waves when they spruced up a Tesla Model S with a folding soft top, definitely outdid themselves with this Ford convertible truck.
For more, check out:
altdriver.com
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Yes, Dale Earnhardt Sr. Really Hung out of His Car to Clean Something Mid-Race
https://altdriver.com/racing/dale-earnhardt-sr-cleans-windshield/
During the Miller High Life 400 back in 1986, Dale Sr. leaned out of his car MID-RACE to clean mud off his windshield.
What a classic moment from the Intimidator!
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S600 Royale: The One-Off Mercedes That Baffled Everyone
https://altdriver.com/luxury/mercedes-s600-royale/
Built upon the W222 chassis, the S600 Royale began life as a brand new Mercedes-Maybach S600. Nearly everything else was stripped from the car save for the interior.
Since neither the owner nor the designer was even known to the public, the S600 has a certain mysteriousness to it and baffled many when it first burst onto the scene in 2016.
Just one look at the S600 Royale, and it’s clear why it got the epic reaction that it did.
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Did You Know NASCAR Driver Jeff Gordon Was...
He was so dominant that NASCAR feared viewers would lose interest! Don't feel so bad for Jeff, though, his net worth speaks volumes (literally). Check it out here: https://altdriver.com/racing/jeff-gordon-net-worth/
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Did You Know That Warner Bros. Almost Made a Space Jam Follow-Up Called Race Jam?
While the mid-90s flick starring Michael Jordan and your favorite Looney Tunes characters racked in massive success, Warner Bros. had plans to make a number of sequels.
These proposed sequels included "Skate Jam" starring Tony Hawk, "Spy Jam" starring Jackie Chan, and "Race Jam" starring Jeff Gordon.
Instead of making any of these movies, Warner Bros. opted to make the 2003 flop "Looney Tunes: Back in Action."
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Is This the Greatest RV Ever Made?
https://altdriver.com/luxury/powerhouse-coach/
The Powerhouse Coach isn’t your typical truck camper.
It's not only 122 feet long and can haul a 38,000-pound trailer and a boat, but also has 400 square feet of interior space.
It's also got three TVs and an entertainment center with more than $10,000 worth of equipment.
It doesn't get much sweeter than that.
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Tony Stewart's Net Worth: What 20+ Years of NASCAR Domination Looks Like
https://altdriver.com/racing/tony-stewart-net-worth/
Boasting a net worth of $70 million, former NASCAR dirver Tony Stewart is one of the highest-paid auto racing names in the United States.
Here’s a brief look into exactly how the Columbus, Indiana native made all of his money.
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Jesse James: Where Is the Motorcycle Customizer Today?
He may share his name with a notorious outlaw, but famous motorcycle customizer and television personality Jesse James never needed to break bad to make a name for himself. Though, he has had his fair share of controversy over the years.
Whether you know him from his TV shows Monster Garage (which is set to return in 2020) or Jesse James Is a Dead Man, his custom motorcycles for Keanu Reeves or Shaquille O’Neal, or his rocky relationship with Sandra Bullock, you know that the guy is great at making headlines.
James’ passion for motorcycles at an early age led to a multimillion-dollar enterprise in West Coast Choppers, which eventually spawned a successful television career and several other business ventures. But, after nearly 20 years in the spotlight, the 50-year-old James has managed to withstand the ups and downs by continuing to do what made him famous in the first place: customizing motorcycles.
Early Life and Career
Jesse Gregory James was born on April 19, 1969, in Long Beach, California. His father ran an antiques shop, which was located right next to a Harley-Davidson parts supplier. Thus, beginning his lifelong obsession with motorcycles.
“I remember seeing a pack of Hell’s Angels blasting by our family car when I was about 6, and they were all riding choppers,” James told a Discovery Channel interviewer in 2000. “I remember all the noise and all the chrome. It was the coolest thing I ever saw. I knew then that I was going to be involved in motorcycles in some way.”
When a career in football didn’t pan out after several injuries, James dropped out of college and worked as a bodyguard for bands like Slayer and Soundgarden. In 1992, James opened West Coast Choppers, a clothing brand and motorcycle customization shop. After falling off stage during a concert in 1993 and dislocating his elbow, James decided to put all his eggs in the WCC basket.
West Coast Choppers
Starting in his mother’s garage and eventually moving to a small shop in Long Beach, Jesse James would find that success with West Coast Choppers wouldn’t come overnight. In the early days, James found himself overworked and underpaid, and even got the words “PAY UP SUCKER!” tattooed on his palm to express his frustration over money issues.
James’s big break came in 2000 with the Discovery Channel documentary Motorcycle Mania. Giving an inside look into Jesse’s day-to-day life, the multipart series introduced his brand to the masses. West Coast Choppers would move from a one-man crew grinding in a small shop to an organization with more than 50 employees working out of an 18,000 square-foot warehouse.
James would go on to design custom bikes for such A-listers as Shaquille O’Neal, Keanu Reeves, and Kid Rock. With a West Coast Chopper motorcycle fetching anywhere from $60,000-$150,000, we’re guessing James rarely needs to show that “PAY UP SUCKER!” tattoo these days.
While WCC’s Long Beach location shut down in 2010, James reopened the shop in Austin, Texas in 2013.
Television Success and Other Business Ventures
Following the success of Motorcycle Mania and his growing celebrity clientele, James was tapped to host the Discovery Channel competition show Monster Garage. The highly-successful series spawned a UK version, two video games, and a number of books. On top of that, 42 of the surviving project vehicles were sold at the 2008 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. While Monster Garage only aired from 2002-2006, it is set for a 2020 revival.
With appearances on Sons of Guns, Celebrity Apprentice, Street Customs, and American Chopper, James also starred on the Spike TV show Jesse James Is a Dead Man, where he performed death-defying stunts. Under his own company Payupsucker Productions, James has also produced such shows as History of the Chopper, Iraq Confidential with Jesse James, and Green Scream.
As far as other business ventures go, James opened Cisco Burger in 2006, right across the street from West Coast Choppers. In lock step with WCC, the restaurant has since moved from Long Beach to Austin. Since 2006, James has nationally published Garage magazine and also owns Jesse James Firearms Unlimited. To say that this guy keeps busy is an understatement.
Controversy and Legal Issues
For as much success as Jesse James has enjoyed over the years, he’s had an almost equal amount of controversy. For one, you could write an entire book chronicling his relationship issues alone.
With three children from his first marriage to Karla James, James was married to adult film star Janine Lindemulder from 2002-2004. It was a relationship fraught with drama, including assault charges against Lindemulder and a messy custody battle over the couple’s daughter after Lindemulder’s release from prison over tax evasion charges.
James later married actress Sandra Bullock in 2005. That marriage deescalated into tabloid fodder following rumors of James cheating on The Blind Side star with multiple women, which he later admitted was true. James and Bullock divorced in 2010. Following the intense fallout from his infidelity, James checked himself into an Arizona rehabilitation facility for 30 days, where he received treatment for anger management and sex addiction.
James is also no stranger to litigation. In 2007, he was fined more than $270,000 by the California Air Resources Board after authorities determined that James’ bikes were in violation of California’s clear air laws and emitted 11 times the legal limits of hydrocarbons. In 2008, James faced two costly lawsuits: One was a $422,680 over a breach of contract with a customer, and the other was $327,533 in unpaid lawyer fees.
Jesse James Net Worth and Personal Life
Jesse James has an estimated net worth of $100 million. While he’s clearly doing much better from a financial aspect than he was during his early days, he’s also been thriving on the relationship side as well, having been married to drag racer Alexis DeJoria since 2013.
See more at altdriver.com
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Kyle Busch Net Worth: Here's How Rowdy Earned His Money
https://altdriver.com/racing/kyle-busch-net-worth/
Kyle Busch's estimated net worth is $50 million. Here are 3 ways he really earned it.
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That Time Jeremy Clarkson Was Held at Gunpoint During “Top Gear” Filming
Since 2016, Jeremy Clarkson has been hosting the car show The Grand Tour along with Richard Hammond and James May. But, before parting ways with the BBC and moving on to Amazon Prime Video, the co-hosts had plenty of memorable moments on the long-running show Top Gear.
One of these moments happened back in 1997, during the filming of a Top Gear episode in Detroit, Michigan. What started as the scouting out of an abandoned train station as a film set ended in Clarkson being held up at gunpoint by a local gang, as Clarkson recalled in early 2019.
Jeremy Clarkson Reveals That Time He Got Held at Gunpoint
“Somebody held a gun against my head in Detroit,” Clarkson recalled, according to The Drive. “It’s a long, complicated story but we were trying to do some filming and some people thought we were trespassing on their turf. It was pretty nasty. And this time, 100 yards from where that happened, I was having dumplings in a goose broth.”
“I’m sure if you actually lived there you wouldn’t call it interesting, you’d call it dangerous,” the former Top Gear presenter continued. “But the chrome shoots of rejuvenation are growing again so you can actually eat quite well there, you can stay in a nice hotel, you can go short distances from A to B without being shot.”
Looking back on the terrifying moment, an unidentified member of the Top Gear film crew added, “Jeremy was filming in a ruined railway station but was warned by cops not to go inside as there were warring gang factions operating.”
“But he ignored the advice and was surrounded by gangs.”
Despite the intense gang run-in, Clarkson has gone back to Detroit to shoot footage multiple times over the course of his TV show career. Hopefully, Clarkson doesn’t find himself face-to-face with any dangerous gangs, whether from Detroit or elsewhere, anytime soon.
Read More: altdriver.com
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Brenda Jackson, Mother of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dies at 65
https://altdriver.com/racing/brenda-jackson-mother-of-dale-earnhardt-jr-dies-at-65/
The entire NASCAR community is in mourning following the news that Brenda Jackson, the mother of Dale Earnhardt Jr., died on April 22 following a battle with cancer. She was 65.
For 15 years, Jackson worked at JR Motorsports, the racing team co-owned by Dale Jr. and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller.
May she rest in peace.
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How to Make Homemade Car Wash Soap in 3 Steps
Going through the car wash at Walmart or your local grocery store is definitely convenient, but there's something about washing your own car. You're not worried about potential scratches on a new car, and you get to be picky about the detailing. Although I will admit the soap at a car wash spot is top tier.
It smells amazing, and it suds up perfectly. Whether you wash your car at home because it's a classic car you only trust in your hands, or because you truly enjoy the dirty work, consider making your own homemade car wash soap. Trust me, you'll want to use this recipe to make your car look shiny and new.
What You'll Need to Make Your Own Car Wash Soap:
A bucket
Warm water
1/4 cup baking soda (Some prefer white vinegar)
1/4 cup dishwashing soap (Some prefer to use baby shampoo)
Step One:
Grab a bucket. You can probably find one at your local grocery store for a dollar or grab one on Amazon. You'll also want a measuring cup so you can make sure you have the correct amount of each ingredient.
Step Two:
After you have put dishwashing liquid and baking soda into the bucket, fill up the bucket with water. As the bucket fills, it will start to look like soapy water.
Step Three:
Wash your car!
Car cleaning products can be expensive, and if you park your car in a garage daily like me, you know how much car cleaning you have to do. There's a good chance you already have all of these products at home. Dish soap is a versatile cleaning product by the way. Laundry detergent isn't a stain remover, but dish soap can definitely aid in removing stains. A drop of liquid soap and scrubbing is one of the best home remedies pre-treatments I've done for my clothes.
Quick tip, keep this homemade car wash soap in a spray bottle. Sometimes water and the work of your windshield wipers just don't get a bird's mess off your windshield. Next time you're at the gas station and want to touch up some dirty spots, spray the car cleaner solution on it.
A clean car makes all the difference. I've driven a car where the car's paint wasn't in the best condition, but once I got the grime off the body of the car, the paint job didn't look as bad. Out of the car maintenance your vehicle requires, surely this is the cheapest responsibility.
Pass this recipe on to your favorite kids and let them take up car washing for a fun summer job. With this car soap, they'll be able to stay in business for about $8.
See more at altdriver.com
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Remembering Grave Digger’s Infamous Backflip Gone Wrong
As you can probably imagine, being a driver on the Monster Jam circuit is no walk in the park. Simply put, when you’re attempting off-the-wall stunts on machines that weigh around 12,000 pounds, your risk of injury goes up significantly. Even the most experienced driver isn’t safe. Nothing hits that point home more so than the injury of longtime Grave Digger driver Dennis Anderson back in 2017.
During a freestyle run at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Anderson attempted a backflip that ended in disaster after the truck stalled in mid-air and landed hard on the roof. Following Anderson’s landing, the crowd continued to cheer, not realizing the extent of Anderson’s injuries or even that he was injured at all. Soon after, he was taken to a local hospital after suffering undisclosed injuries.
Anderson’s son Adam, who also competes behind the wheel of Son of Grave Digger, told Fox Sports at the time, “Dad’s been at this for a long time had his fair share of ups and downs. There’s one thing that’s for certain he’s never been stopped before.”
“He’s up and moving just gonna have to take it easy for a little while. Can’t wait for him to get home and watch my wild children. Can’t keep him down it’s like he’s half man half machine.”
Because of his injury, Anderson was not able to compete at World Finals 18. As a matter of fact, that fateful show at Raymond James Stadium marked his last event as a Monster Jam driver. On September 18, 2017, surrounded by fans at Monster Jam’s 2nd Annual 2018 Season Kickoff Show, Anderson officially announced his retirement, a bittersweet announcement considering that he gave more than 40 years to the sport. But, it just goes to show that the Monster Jam lifestyle is not an easy one.
See more at altdriver.com
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Paul Teutul Jr.: Where Is the “American Chopper” Star Today?
If you like motorcycles, Discovery Channel shows, or memes, you’re probably a fan of Paul Teutul Jr. Even if you didn’t watch the show American Chopper, you have almost certainly seen the iconic, oft-memed image from the show, commonly known as the “American Chopper Argument” meme. And, if you haven’t, then you must not have the internet, which means you are not reading this article.
But, besides being a meme superstar, what is Paul Teutul Jr. up to these days? We’re glad you ask! Let’s take a look at the former Discovery Channel personality’s life.
Paul Teutul Jr.: Motorcycle Builder and American Chopper Star
In 2008, Teutul Jr. decided to leave Orange County Choppers — the motorcycle shop started by his father, Paul Teutul Sr. — and eventually started his own competing chopper company called Paul Jr. Designs.
The big, blowout fight that led to Junior and his dad parting ways was documented on the hit Discovery Channel reality TV show American Chopper, and that ensuing fight fueled the extremely popular “American Chopper Argument” meme.
In 2009, very much not par for the course, Teutul designed a dog park in Montgomery, New York. After that, his shop’s first design was a facelift for a — drum roll, please — Coleman Grill. Later in 2010, Paul pitched a series of dog toys to a company called Bamboo Pets.
If you’re wondering why Teutul didn’t jump right into running his own shop, it’s because he has to wait out a one-year non-compete clause from his contract with OCC. After the contract was up, Teutul immediately began building bikes at Paul Jr. Designs. Paul’s new company is now in competition with Paul Sr.’s Orange County Choppers shop. He’s even poached some former OCC employees. In American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior, which aired on Discovery Channel from 2010-2012, we get a look at the competition between father and son, though they end up reconciling in the end.
In 2014, PJD built a bike for the World of Warcraft video game, which appeared in-game, as well. And, in 2016, PJD built two bikes for the Ninja Turtles movie. The builds were both awesome custom motorcycles.
In December 2019, it was announced that Paul Jr. and Paul Sr. were filming a two-hour special, during which they build a new bike together. Filming was scheduled to end on January 15, 2020, though an official air date for the show is yet to be determined.
On the personal side of things, Paul married his girlfriend Rachael Biester in 2010. And, in 2015, she gave birth to their son Hudson Seven Teutul.
Paul Teutul Jr. Net Worth
You may also be wondering how well Teutul Jr. has done for himself since leaving American Chopper. Currently, his net worth sits at about $2 million. So, not too shabby!
See more at altdriver.com
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What Your Car’s Air Recirculation Button Actually Does
Admit it: Even though you’ve been driving for a long time, you still have no idea what at least a few of the buttons on your car’s dashboard do. Take the air recirculation button, for example. You know, the button that has the symbol of the car with the U-turn arrow inside of it. You’ve probably noticed it right next to where your air conditioning controls are and have probably even pushed it a few times. But, if someone were to ask what it exactly does, would you be able come up with a solid answer? It’s ok if the answer is “No.”
If you already know what the recirculate function does, read no longer. If you have absolutely no clue or need a jumpstart to the ol’ memory banks, we’ve got you covered.
What Does the Air Recirculation Button Do?
Simply put, the air recirculation button recirculates air. Yep, that’s it. Case closed. End of article.
Come on, you don’t think we’d actually just leave you with that explanation, do you?
According to World Class Auto Service, the air recirculation button “recirculates the kind-of-cool air that you get from the A/C when you first turn it on. The longer it’s on, the cooler your car gets until it’s as as cool as it can possibly be.”
Makes sense, right?
When Should You Use the Air Recirculation Button?
Now, you really only want to press the air recirculation button in the summertime. If you’re not recirculating the air during those hot days, your car’s air conditioning system is working harder to cool the warm outside air as it goes inside of the car, which can really put your A/C compressor through the ringer and isn’t great for your fuel economy.
In the colder winter months, you’re basically going to want to forget that the air recirculation button even exists. If you press that sucker when it’s cold outside, you’re effectively trapping humidity inside of your car, which can lead to foggy windows, aka bad news for any driver hoping to make a safe commute.
Considering we’re smack dab in the middle of the hottest month of the year, though, that air recirculation should be your best friend right now. Stay cool out there, y’all!
See more at altdriver.com
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7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Samantha Busch
https://altdriver.com/life/samantha-busch-7-things/
From her work as a blogger to her TV stardom, Samantha Busch is more than just the wife of a professional race car driver.
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Keanu Reeves Has a Seriously Badass Motorcycle Collection
If you’re a big Keanu Reeves fan, you know that these are all movies that the 54-year-old actor has starred in. But, did you know that he rode motorcycles in those movies, too?
As it turns out, Reeves doesn’t ride bikes only on the silver screen. The Hollywood star has a HUGE passion for motorcycles in real life. So much so that he is actually the co-founder of Arch Motorcycle Company in Hawthorne, California, a high-end custom motorcycle shop that he started with Gard Hollinger back in 2011.
Being the motorcycle aficionado that he is, Keanu Reeves, of course, has quite the impressive collection. One of the bikes he owns is a 2004 Ducati 998, which, as it turns out, is the very same bike that was used in the iconic chase scene in The Matrix Reloaded. Ridden by Carrie-Anne Moss in the movie, Reeves never actually got the chance to take it for a spin during filming. But, hey, he gets to ride it now.
When it comes to riding motorcycles, whether it’s the Ducati 998, a 1978 MK2A Norton Commando, or another sport bike that he keeps at the shop, Keanu is particularly drawn to the zen-like feeling he gets whenever he hits the road or the race track.
“It’s the visceral quality of it, the vibration, the wind, the sound,” he told GQ. “It’s really a great place to think, to feel, to get away. When I don’t ride a motorcycle, I go through withdrawal. It’s not good for my health.”
Hey, if going 135 MPH on a souped-up motorcycle keeps Keanu going at 54, then good for him.
For more check out AltDriver.com
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Remembering Late NASCAR Legend David Pearson
https://altdriver.com/racing/remembering-late-nascar-legend-david-pearson/
On November 12, 2018, NASCAR icon David Pearson passed away. He was 83.
Known as the "Silver Fox" for his cunning racing style, Pearson was a three-time champion and was most known for his rivalry with Richard Petty.
"I never went into any race I didn't think I could win," Pearson once said.
What a legend. Rest in peace, David.
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Maya Sieber: Where Is the “Ice Road Truckers” Star Today?
You may have seen Maya Sieber when she made her television debut in the fifth season of the History Channel reality tv show, Ice Road Truckers. This die hard truck driver proved she loved the challenge while navigating through the dangerous icy roads of Alaska.
Originally from New York City, She's been working around trucks since she was only 8 years old. She started off as a model before jumping into her own career in the trucking industry. Once she obtained her commercial license, she gained experience fast as she navigated through the narrow and busy streets of New York. She spent 3 years driving prior to being on boarded to the popular show. But what has this talented trucker been up to since her time on the reality show ended?
Well, you'll be glad to hear that Sieber hasn't walked away from the big rigs yet. She's still embracing her career as a professional truck driver. This chick has a Kenworth Trucks tattoo on the back of her neck, so it's safe to assume she's pretty dedicated to this line of work. Following her appearances on Ice Road Truckers, she decided to get away from all the snow and resume work for the family business, Pyskaty Bros, based out of New Jersey. Today, she can be seen putting her beautiful custom Peterbilt 379 to work.
Maya Sieber may have a pretty busy schedule with trucking, but she's also managed to fit in a few side projects as well. She recently stared in a music video for country rock star Jayne Denham's song, Black Coffee and White Lines. Denham wrote this song around 13 years ago, and recruited not only Sieber, but two other Ice Road Trucker stars as well; Carey Hall, and Lisa Kelly. The result was an awesome video that showcased the trucks and the truck drivers in Alaska before the song starts.
It's awesome to see this girl still hard at work out there. Judging by her Instagram, her 379 is definitely her pride and joy. I can't blame her, the truck is absolutely gorgeous and it would be a pleasure to be able to drive it on a daily basis. We wish this trucker the best of luck out there on the road as she continues to live out her childhood dream.
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Remembering Dale Earnhardt's First Daytona 500 Win
While there are so many incredible Dale Earnhardt memories from over the years to look back on, his first Daytona 500 win is on another level of special. If you were a NASCAR fan in the late ’90s, you probably remember that historic moment from Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s like it was yesterday.
By the time the 1998 Daytona 500 rolled around, it was the Intimidator’s 20th run of the race. He had accomplished just about everything a NASCAR driver could dream of by then, including seven NASCAR Cup Championships. And yet, he had yet to see a checkered flag at the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona Beach, despite having finished second on four different occasions and landed within the top five eight different times.
But, I guess 20 was his lucky number.
As far as restrictor plate races go, it was a relatively smooth race. There were no major accidents and only three caution flags, and it resulted in the second-fastest running of the Great American Race at the time.
Though Jeff Gordon put everyone on notice with a promising push about halfway through the race, Earnhardt came away with the victory at Daytona International Speedway pretty handily. The Intimidator dominated, leading for 107 laps in the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. To put that into context, Bobby Labonte finished second and only led for 22 laps.
After the Kannapolis, North Carolina native won the race, the victory lane celebration at the Florida race track afterwards was incredible, with every crew member of every team lining up to shake Mr. Restrictor Plate’s hand.
“I have had a lot of great fans and people behind me all through the years and I just can’t thank them enough,” Dale Jr.'s dad said immediately following the win. “The Daytona 500 is ours. We won it, we won it, we won it!”
Though the rest of the '98 season would not go well for Dale Earnhardt Sr. (with Daytona being his only win that year), his first-time victory at the 1998 Daytona 500 was a historic moment for the NASCAR Hall of Fame member and motorsports legend's career and a historic moment for NASCAR.
Though the iconic race car driver tragically lost his life at the 2001 Daytona 500, his legacy will live on through stories like this.
See more altdriver.com
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