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What happens when a 10-second drag racer and a 15-year fire service veteran takes over a 50-year motorsports legacy and decides to modernize the hustle?

You get something bigger than a shop. You get a standard of excellence.

In this episode of the Late to Grid Podcast, we dive into the career of John Harkenrider, General Manager of Havoc Motorsport. John talks about the transition from the high-stakes world of firefighting to managing one of the nation’s premier open-wheel arrive-and-drive programs at Autobahn Country Club.

From building nitrous-fed Trans Ams... to becoming a team "gopher"... to now overseeing a fleet of F3 and Formula Mazda cars, this episode is about the relentless work required to run a professional racing organization. It’s about the evolution from grassroots drag strips to championship-winning Atlantic Open programs. And it's about why "Work Harder" is more than just a banner on the wall—it's a requirement.

🏁 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How John transitioned from 15 years in the fire service to leading a top-tier race team
• Why LinkedIn has become the ultimate tool for landing international drivers and title sponsors
• The reality of Arrive and Drive programs and why the "Bumble" model of sponsorship is changing the game
• What happens when a renter "isn't vibing" with a car and how it affects lap times
• The massive financial investment of scaling a fleet of six-figure F3 chassis
• Why John’s favorite quote is: "Early is on time, on time is late, and late equals go home"

This isn’t just a 9-to-5. This is a 24/7 commitment to precision and performance. A professional paddock built on discipline, leadership, and racing spirit.

Havoc Motorsport blends a half-century of history with the modern necessity of high-level networking. Whether you are a karter looking to make the jump to open-wheel, a brand seeking a VIP hospitality presence at the track, or a driver wanting a "one-stop-shop" for coaching and data, this episode reveals what it takes to operate at the highest levels of the SCCA and FRP.

And with Atomic Autosports focusing on the same "Atomic Prep" philosophy, the connection between technical excellence and shop-level discipline has never been clearer.

Need to get your car ready for the track before the season starts? Schedule your appointment here to make sure that you're not Late to Grid!

Flowers, bees, fresh cut grass and...oh yeah, RACING is just around the corner. It would be the "pits" litereally if your car wasn't ready to get on track early. Get your car scheduled for service today to make sure that it is Atomic Prepped and not Late to Grid. We even have an easy link for it! Springtime scheduling

Ready to get more from your track days? Want to move to the front of the line for your track day prep? Then you need the Atomic Autosports Apex Club. From a merch pack and exclusive events to priority booking for your track prep essentials. The Atomic Auto Apex Club helps you get on the podium. Stop chasing lap times alone. Join the Apex Club to maximize your performance and share your passion. Sign up at Atomic Autosports.com

Thanks for listening and taking an interest in growing grassroots racing. The Late To Grid podcast shares the stories and inspiration that help listeners along their motorsports journey.

Find all episodes on the Atomic Autosports website.

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when a global social media manager for one of the world’s most iconic tire brands decides to spend his weekends chasing podiums in a mud-filled Copart Mustang?

You get something bigger than a hobby. You get a masterclass in technical curiosity and community.

In this episode of the Late to Grid Podcast, we sit down with Chris Armbruster to discuss his journey from childhood memories of his father’s rotary-swapped Beetle to building a Spec Iron Mustang from the ground up. Chris shares his evolution as a racer—from "survival driving" in endurance races to high-stakes sprint battles—and explains why the NASA community is a unique ecosystem where even your toughest competitors will hand you spare parts to keep you on track.

🏁 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Chris transitioned from a $500 "rusty" Miata to a competitive Spec Iron Mustang build.
• Why "Driver Mod" is often the worst advice for new racers and why tires should be your biggest investment.
• The science of "heat spotting" and what dismounted NASCAR tires can teach you about your camber setup.
• The terrifying reality of being an instructor when a student’s GT-R goes airborne at 130 MPH.
• Chris’s next target: joining the 200 MPH club at Bonneville in a Bentley Continental GT.

This isn’t just about lap times; it’s about a shared goal of having fun safely and lifting the next generation of racers. Whether you’re a builder debating torque vs. cornering power or an instructor looking to improve your "teaching moments," this episode is your green flag.

Need to get your car ready for the track before the season starts? Schedule your appointment here to make sure that you're not Late to Grid!

Flowers, bees, fresh cut grass and...oh yeah, RACING is just around the corner. It would be the "pits" litereally if your car wasn't ready to get on track early. Get your car scheduled for service today to make sure that it is Atomic Prepped and not Late to Grid. We even have an easy link for it! Springtime scheduling

Ready to get more from your track days? Want to move to the front of the line for your track day prep? Then you need the Atomic Autosports Apex Club. From a merch pack and exclusive events to priority booking for your track prep essentials. The Atomic Auto Apex Club helps you get on the podium. Stop chasing lap times alone. Join the Apex Club to maximize your performance and share your passion. Sign up at Atomic Autosports.com

Thanks for listening and taking an interest in growing grassroots racing. The Late To Grid podcast shares the stories and inspiration that help listeners along their motorsports journey.

Find all episodes on the Atomic Autosports website.

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when a former educator and industry veteran looks at the fragmented world of motorsports networking and decides to build a bridge?

You get something bigger than an app.
You get a connection.

In this episode of the Late to Grid Podcast, we dive into the launch of RACERSHIP with founder Heidi Bandish. Heidi talks about what it means for racers, brands, and mentors to finally have a dedicated space to find each other and grow the sport together.

From the halls of PRI… to the "Women with Drive" summit… to building a motorsports-exclusive networking platform, this episode is about the power of the network. It’s about the evolution from cold-calling sponsors to building a "living resume" that speaks for you. And it’s about how RACERSHIP is creating a structured, accessible gateway for the next generation of racers.

🏁 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How RACERSHIP combines the lifestyle of Instagram with the professionalism of LinkedIn
Why the "Bumble" model of sponsorship puts brands in the driver's seat
How to build a "Living Resume" that showcases lap times, results, and pitch decks
The three tiers of mentorship: Peer-to-peer, professional, and career-focused
Why the 2026 season is the year of the "Founding Member" badge
Heidi’s advice on why you should never "let someone cut in front of you" in your career

This isn’t just social media.
This is a professional paddock in your pocket.
A digital stage built on transparency, growth, and racing spirit.

RACERSHIP blends the need for funding with the necessity of mentorship. Whether you’re a youth racer looking for a mentor, a brand looking for fresh talent, or a veteran driver looking to organize your racing history, this platform creates a realistic entry point into high-level partnerships.

And with Atomic Autosports championing driver development and shop-level precision, the connection between technical prep and professional networking has never been stronger.

🔥 Why This Connection Matters

Heidi Bandish has spent years at the heart of the industry with PRI and SEMA, learning that the best opportunities come from who you know.

RACERSHIP exists to help the community:

Streamline the sponsorship pitch process
Connect students with internships and career paths
Monetize mentorship and coaching services
Build a trusted marketplace

Need to get your car ready for the track before the season starts? Schedule your appointment here to make sure that you're not Late to Grid!

Flowers, bees, fresh cut grass and...oh yeah, RACING is just around the corner. It would be the "pits" litereally if your car wasn't ready to get on track early. Get your car scheduled for service today to make sure that it is Atomic Prepped and not Late to Grid. We even have an easy link for it! Springtime scheduling

Ready to get more from your track days? Want to move to the front of the line for your track day prep? Then you need the Atomic Autosports Apex Club. From a merch pack and exclusive events to priority booking for your track prep essentials. The Atomic Auto Apex Club helps you get on the podium. Stop chasing lap times alone. Join the Apex Club to maximize your performance and share your passion. Sign up at Atomic Autosports.com

Thanks for listening and taking an interest in growing grassroots racing. The Late To Grid podcast shares the stories and inspiration that help listeners along their motorsports journey.

Find all episodes on the Atomic Autosports website.