AltDriver

To get legendary NASCAR driver Richard Petty back on the Plymouth NASCAR Racing Team, the Chrysler production brand built a race car just for him. Thus begins the story of the Plymouth Superbird. A modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner and the follow-up stock car racing model to the Dodge Charger Daytona, the 1970 Superbird was designed after Petty switched to Ford’s NASCAR racing team for the 1969 season. The King had wanted a winged car, and though Plymouth had initially pushed back (which caused Petty to move to Ford), the company started the Superbird program to get Petty back for the 1970 season. The rear wing and wind-tunnel shaped nose cone actually made the Superbird slightly less aerodynamic, but styling flaws aside, Petty ended up winning eight races in 1970 and placing in many others. As far as engine specs go, the Superbird had three different engine options: the 426 Hemi V8 engine with 425 brake horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 490 lb⋅ft at 4,000 rpm of torque (which only 135 models were fitted with), the 440 Super Commando Six Barrel (also known as a six pack V8) with 3X2-barrel carburetors producing 390 horsepower, and the 375 horsepower 440 Super Commando with a single 4-barrel carburetor. The Plymouth Superbird is still considered to be one of the most iconic American muscle cars, and it holds a prime place in NASCAR and classic car history. For more check out altdriver.com

One of the most iconic “back to basics” American muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s may have wore the badge of a funny little cartoon character, but that didn’t mean the Plymouth Road Runner wasn’t ready to rumble with the best of them. In any case, the Plymouth Road Runner commercials were hoot to watch. Plymouth's formula of a cheaper, high-powered, bare bones muscle car paid off, and being associated with the old school Wile E. Coyote character didn’t hurt either. In fact, we're surprised companies like Ford or Chevrolet didn't follow suit with the whole cartoon angle. The more car commercials with cartoons the better. Plymouth rented the Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner names from Warner Bros for a sum of $50,000, or in today’s dollars, about $350,000. Plymouth also paid $10,000 at the time to develop the well-known “beep beep” horn sound. A worthwhile investment, considering the Plymouth Road Runner's immediate success. For more check out AltDriver.com

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

If you’re looking for a stylish four-wheel drive pickup truck that’s not a Ford or an off-road Jeep that’s not a Wrangler, allow us to introduce you to the Jeep Comanche. Fiat Chrysler discontinued the Jeep pickup decades ago, but it hasn’t stopped the Jeep Comanche Pioneer and Jeep Comanche Eliminator from becoming modern-day classics. While Jeep models like the Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler are certainly much loved, they don’t do anything to fill the void left by the unibody Jeep pickup’s absence. Unfortunately, we won’t be getting a new Comanche anytime soon, either. Recently, the Jeep Comanche and Wagoneer were passed over for a Jeep pickup revival in favor of the new Jeep Gladiator. But, there are plenty of things to love about the Comanche, from its unique styling, to its long-lasting drivetrain, to its great fuel economy (even newer model-year pickup trucks can't match a Comanche's MPGs) to its Jeep Cherokee-based front suspension. If you're looking for an aftermarket Comanche or are just interested in learning some helpful trivia, here are 5 facts that make the Jeep Comanche one of a kind. For more checkout AltDriver.com

Armenian-American internet personality Dan Bilzerian certainly likes money – perhaps this shared interest explains why so many people, for better or worse, live vicariously through Dan’s social media presence. Born Dan Brandon Bilzerian, the Tampa, Florida native (though now he lives in Las Vegas, Nevada) has said that he estimates his own net worth at about $100 million. There are no other official numbers out on how much Dan Bilzerian is worth, though we do know that Dan and his brother Adam Bilzerian are probably extremely rich. Their father, Paul Bilzerian, was a corporate takeover specialist and Wall Street raider that set up trust funds for both his children. We also know that Dan plays poker. In a Howard Stern interview, Dan said that although he refuses to play against professional poker players, he won about $50 million in one year. Both Bilzerian brothers have fairly decent poker careers, which has probably served them well financially. In the 2009 World Series of poker, Dan came in 180th place – certainly respectable. We also know that the Instagram-er won $385,000 in a quarter-mile race against prominent Supreme Court expert Tom Goldstein. Bilzerian beat out the Ferrari 458 Italia in a 1967 AC Cobra. Dan’s lifestyle certainly takes its toll on himself and those around him. In Navy Seal training, Dan failed to graduate twice and was ultimately cut after a safety violation on the shooting range. By the time he was 32, Dan had already suffered three heart attacks related to his drug abuse and high stakes lifestyle. What’s more, in agreeing to push an 18-year-old woman, Janice Griffith, from a multi-story roof into a pool for Hustler in 2014, he shares much of the blame for the injuries she suffered. There is also video evidence of Bilzerian deliberately kicking another woman, Vanessa Castano, in the face at a Florida nightclub while wearing what appear to be heavy combat boots. So, there is certainly plenty of evidence that Dan “Blitz” Bilzerian is rich. But money isn’t everything and, unfortunately, there also seems to be a lot of evidence that Dan is a damaging, toxic influence on society who’s probably pretty damn sad inside. For more check out AltDriver.com

Back in 2018, "Fred Flintstone," who was actually a Florida man named Don Swartz, drove around the Wesley Chapel area in a Smart Car that was customized to look a lot like the iconic Flintmobile. It must’ve been a slow day in the neighborhood, because Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Deputy H. Echevarri decided to use the off-the-wall incident as an opportunity for a photo op, staging a scene where Swartz got pulled over and cited for speeding. In a Facebook post, the Pasco Sheriff’s office joked that “Mr. Flintstone” “became unruly and had to be detained.” “After further investigation, Mr. Flintstone was issued a Notice To Appear and released. Deputy Echevarria then seized the vehicle which is now part of the PCSO fleet. This is what Intelligence-Led Policing looked like in the stone age,” the post read. “A very special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Don and Trina Swartz for being such great sports… Yabba Dabba Doo!” Even if this guy wasn’t actually breaking any laws, you have to ask yourself what he was doing all dressed up more than a week after Halloween. For more check out Altdriver.com

The “Golden Eagle” is a 1964 Dodge 330 Limited Edition that inspired Stephen King to write the horror novel "Christine." It's been called "the most evil car in America." But do you know why? It was originally used as a police car in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Three of the officers who drove the vehicle all ended up killing their families in a murder-suicide. Eventually, it was sold to the Allen family, who claimed that the car's doors would swing open when they drove it on the highway. The Allens were never harmed, but several poor souls who vandalized the car in the '80s and '90s met tragic fates. One was struck by lightening. Another was decapitated by an 18-wheeler. Two kids who were hit by other cars died after being flung onto the Golden Eagle. In 2008, one kid simply touched the car. He later went home to murder his whole family and burn his house to the ground. Wendy Allen, who was nicknamed the EelKat and the Sea Witch of Old Orchard Beach, was the car's longtime owner. She claims to collect and decorate nothing but haunted cars, which she takes to car shows. Even after the Golden Eagle was chopped up and sent to junkyards, Wendy tracked down some of the pieces and had it remade. Spooky stuff, right?

The 1969 Talladega 500 was the worst NASCAR race of all time. There were plenty of issues surrounding that infamous running at Talladega Superspeedway (formerly Alabama International Motor speedway) that contributed to it being an absolute Whopper-sized dud. Chief among these issues were serious tire failures that occurred during the race’s practice run. These failures spurred Richard Petty, who was the President of the Professional Driver Association, to lead a boycott of the race. Those who joined Petty in the boycott included David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, Tiny Lund, Ramo Stott, and nine additional drivers. Firestone also withdrew their tires from the race as a result of the tire malfunctions. By all accounts, the race never should have happened, but NASCAR President Bill France Sr. was determined that it go on as scheduled. In a last-minute scramble, France offered fans free admission to the 1970 Daytona 500 if they bought tickets to the Talladega race. On top of that, Goodyear had a new set of tires flown in the day before race day. The NASCAR Grand National Series race was pretty uneventful, although it did mark the first race that Dodge Charger Daytona race cars were used in the Cup Series. As far as race results go, Bobby Isaac won the pole and Richard Brickhouse came away the winner, though even that was the subject of controversy. Jim Vandiver, who ended up finishing second, argued that he had actually lapped Brickhouse and should have been considered the winner. Some auto racing scholars think that Brickhouse racing in a winged Dodge Daytona and Vandiver racing in an older Charger 500 was the major reason behind Brickhouse’s win. In any case, the PDA ended up disbanding after its boycott of the ’69 Talladega 500. Considering the background and execution of the race, it’s hard to come up with a worse race in United States stock car racing history.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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."

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.

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.

It's never worth it to drive drunk. Get a designated driver or order a ride share. Stay safe on the roads this holiday!

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!

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/

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.

Are you more of a Camaro or a DeLorean? Maybe you just like your good ol' Ford truck. Let us know!