Podcast Summary: Tosh Show – "My New Mechanic - Tony Angelo"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Tosh Show
- Host: Daniel Tosh
- Guest: Tony Angelo
- Episode Title: My New Mechanic - Tony Angelo
- Release Date: October 8, 2024
Introduction
In this episode of Tosh Show, host Daniel Tosh welcomes Tony Angelo, a renowned Drift Racer Mechanic and former host of Hot Rod Garage. The conversation delves deep into Tony’s journey from a passionate drift racer to a television personality, exploring his expertise in automotive mechanics, personal anecdotes, and insights into the drift racing world.
Tony Angelo’s Early Life and Introduction to Drift Racing
Tony Angelo begins by sharing his early fascination with cars, despite not having learned to work on them initially. He attributes this to his father's influence but developed his skills through hands-on experience with go-karts and a Honda Civic Si.
- Tony Angelo [03:31]: “I was still married. I've only been married once. I got engaged twice, but I'm not going to talk about my first engagement. That happened, you know, 30 years ago. All right, I'll tell you about it. That's just. No, it's a depressing story.”
Tony’s passion for drift racing was ignited in his early twenties. He recounts his first drift race at age 22 in the early 2000s and his rapid ascent in the sport, achieving a ranking in the high teens out of approximately 70–80 licensed racers.
- Tony Angelo [17:08]: “I was probably 22.”
- Tony Angelo [20:16]: “Probably in the high teens.”
Insights into Drift Racing
Daniel Tosh and Tony engage in a detailed discussion about the mechanics and nuances of professional drift racing. Tony explains that drift racing isn't a traditional race for speed but is judged based on style, line, and angle.
- Tony Angelo [13:57]: “It's like a cool looking cool contest in your car.”
- Tony Angelo [14:28]: “It's judged. Yeah, it's tough because everyone is incredibly good now. And the difference between winning and losing is really hard to decipher.”
Tony elaborates on the origins of drift racing in Japan, highlighting how Keiichi Tsuchiya transformed it into a professional sport. He contrasts Japanese drift racing with American drag racing, emphasizing the cultural and technical differences that shape each style.
- Tony Angelo [16:09]: “Japan has tons of turns and mountain roads and their cars are smaller, they handle better.”
Transition to Hosting Hot Rod Garage
After several years in drift racing, Tony transitioned to television, becoming the host of Hot Rod Garage on Motor Trend. He discusses the challenges and rewards of moving from drifting to building and restoring cars for television.
- Tony Angelo [30:38]: “I just left my show because I want to be home more.”
- Tony Angelo [32:07]: “No, it's just us. So it was me and my buddy. Lucky you became the co-host. He was originally a little bit off camera wrench guy.”
Daniel and Tony reminisce about the early days of the show, the camaraderie among the crew, and the creative process behind building cars for each episode. Tony emphasizes the importance of hands-on involvement in every aspect of the show, from selecting projects to editing.
- Tony Angelo [32:45]: “I was involved in editing. I would go through the cuts.”
- Tony Angelo [33:15]: “They're like, you guys taught me how to do all this stuff. I'm just going to go do it over here.”
Personal Life and Family
Tony Angelo opens up about his decision to leave Los Angeles and return to Pennsylvania to prioritize his family. He shares heartfelt moments about spending quality time with his children and the fulfillment it brings him.
- Tony Angelo [36:11]: “I live like four miles away and I see my kids constantly. It's awesome.”
- Tony Angelo [36:30]: “My Stay Tuned YouTube channel has been like growing and growing. So it feels like I kind of did a pretty decent thing now.”
Daniel Tosh relates by sharing his own experiences balancing career and personal life, creating a genuine and relatable dialogue between the two.
Projects and Current Endeavors
Tony discusses his current projects, including running a YouTube show, "Stay Tuned," where he continues his passion for cars by working on various restorations and builds. He highlights the evolution of his projects from professional drifting to more diverse automotive endeavors.
- Tony Angelo [34:09]: “Probably my kids.”
- Tony Angelo [34:17]: “I have a 55 Chevy with a legit NASCAR motor in it, makes 811 naturally aspirated 9,000 RPM horsepower.”
Daniel Tosh proposes a fun project involving a 1969 or 1970 Subaru Sandbar 360 van, humorously suggesting its transformation into a volunteer school bus. Tony responds enthusiastically, illustrating the dynamic and collaborative nature of their interaction.
- Daniel Tosh [40:29]: “I have a 1969 or 1970 Subaru Sandbar 360 van. I don't know if you're familiar with the van.”
- Tony Angelo [42:08]: “Absolutely. To be clear, I've never worked on a classic Subaru, so let's give it a crack.”
Anecdotes and Fun Stories
Throughout the episode, Tony and Daniel share entertaining stories from their respective automotive experiences. Tony recounts his stint in stunt work and the challenges of precision driving, while Daniel humorously narrates his adventures with his son and the mishaps that ensue.
- Tony Angelo [24:36]: “Tony and Lucky. Tony and Lucky. You just go over there to their YouTube channel and I'm sure they'll fix your car.”
- Daniel Tosh [25:12]: “So we did it. He smoked that Ferrari.”
Tony reflects on his younger, more reckless days in drift racing, admitting to past mistakes and emphasizing the growth he has experienced since then.
- Tony Angelo [26:36]: “Yes. They say a bad sound. Oh yeah.”
Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, Daniel Tosh expresses his gratitude towards Tony Angelo, highlighting the collaboration and the unique bond they've formed over their shared love for cars. The episode concludes with a light-hearted exchange about garage essentials and the perpetual quest for automotive perfection.
- Daniel Tosh [43:48]: “I just don't care.”
- Tony Angelo [44:18]: “You got big mitts. Jesus. How do you fit those in such tight quarters in cars?”
Tony Angelo’s appearance on Tosh Show offers listeners an in-depth look into the life of a drift racing mechanic turned television host. His candid storytelling, combined with Daniel Tosh’s engaging hosting style, makes for a captivating episode that resonates with automotive enthusiasts and general audiences alike.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Tony Angelo [14:18]: “It's judged. Yeah, it's tough because everyone is incredibly good now.”
- Tony Angelo [20:16]: “Probably in the high teens.”
- Tony Angelo [32:45]: “I was involved in editing. I would go through the cuts.”
- Tony Angelo [36:30]: “My Stay Tuned YouTube channel has been like growing and growing.”
- Daniel Tosh [40:29]: “I have a 1969 or 1970 Subaru Sandbar 360 van.”
This episode of Tosh Show not only showcases Tony Angelo’s extensive knowledge and passion for automotive mechanics and drift racing but also provides a heartfelt glimpse into his personal life and professional journey. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or simply enjoy engaging conversations, this episode offers valuable insights and entertaining stories that are sure to captivate.