Classic Auto Mall Show #177 - Stewart Howden with Guest, Author J. K. Kelly

Classic Auto Mall SHOW

Classic Auto Mall Show #177 airdate 01-22-25. Stewart is joined by J. K. Kelly, Author, Photographer and Screenwriter. They talk about his novels including "Deadly Driver", "Switchback", "Deadly Driver-Spy Driver", "The Lost Bird" as well as his autobiography, "Fuelin' Around". Also some very interesting chemistry from his time with VP Racing Fuels and memories of working for #DieHardBatteries with the venerable #DarrellWaltrip @NHRA @IMSA #PennState
They discuss the early life of J.K. and his adopted family owning a funeral parlor and him hot rodding and street racing the Hearse since it had a big engine. He had a long career at VP Racing Fuels and has a lot of great knowledge about the business of racing fuels and how VP was able to grow to a powerful brand. He even spent time working with Darrell Waltrip Racing and was a freelance writer for many magazines and publications like Car Craft and Super Stock where he wrote a monthly column called Afterthought. While discussing the chemistry of racing fuels, they discuss legends like Big Daddy Don Garlits, Jungle Jim Liberman and John Force. They talk about the competition in racing fuels and the need to quickly reformulate fuels and change chemistry to be better than other brands like Sunoco and be the fuel of choice of racing teams and organizations like IMSA, World of Outlaws and the NHRA. J.K. Kelly and Stewart discuss the books he’s authored including his biographical novel ‘Fuelin’ Around’, his new thriller ‘Deadly Driver – Spy Driver’ about a Formula One driver that is manipulated by the CIA, as well as ‘Lost Bird’ about a stolen World War II B2 Bomber during an Air Show, the ‘Deadly Driver’ sequal ‘Switchback’, as well as ‘The Blood Compass’, ‘The Lost Pulse’, ‘The Export’ and ‘The Export’s Revenge’. Many of his books have been received great reviews from motorsports legends and hall of famers David Hobbs, C E Albanese, NHRA Funny Car Driver Ron Capps, Hurley Haywood, Lyn St. James, and many more. J.K. talks about writing his biographical book and how Howard Stern called his book ‘Private Parts’ a letter to his children and that it would explain his live and why he wasn’t always around and had to work and travel. He discusses influences and inspirations for his novels and screenplays, including his career and travels around the world and how they led to the stories in his books. He talks about the ELF Race Team coming to the United States and changing fuel rules to benefit them, like having the specific gravity of race fuel changed so they would be the only fuel in compliance, locking out VP. But VP chemists were able to quickly adjust their formula and get back on top. He talks about the current interest in his recent screenplay by the group that produced the Netflix movie ‘Senna’ about the Brazilian F1 legend.

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Recorded in our Showcase Studio just inside the entrance of the Classic Auto Mall in Morgantown, PA, Host Stewart Howden, Classic Auto Mall President and Classic Car Specialist Steve Saffier talk about this unique and amazing place often with amazing guests.
YES...Classic Auto Mall is a REAL former shopping mall that covers almost EIGHT football fields with an average of nearly ONE THOUSAND classic vehicles under one, climate controlled roof and they're all FOR SALE!
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