Episode 85: Kyle Jergensen

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with one of the fastest drivers in desert racing — Kyle Jergensen. From humble beginnings wrenching and learning his craft, to now piloting some of the most advanced trucks in the sport with Camburg Racing’s Kinetik program, Kyle has carved out a name for himself as one of the most precise and composed drivers in the game. Matt and Kyle dig into the details of what makes modern race trucks so capable — from the mid-fuel design of the Kinetik truck to how vehicle balance and setup affect performance at high speeds. Kyle also shares his thoughts on why he prefers the Spec Truck class over Unlimited, and how the challenge of managing traction, weight, and control brings out the best in his driving. But more than anything, this episode is about the mindset behind success in modern off-road racing — staying calm at 120 mph, learning from every race, and evolving with the sport as technology and competition keep pushing the limits.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with Chris Blais, one of the most accomplished motorcycle racers to come out of the desert. Before making the jump into UTVs, Chris was among the best moto racers in the world, competing against the toughest riders on the planet and even landing on the podium at the legendary Dakar Rally.That same intensity and focus have carried him into the UTV world, where Chris has built a reputation not just as a talented driver, but also as a builder who understands how to maximize performance. In the episode, he dives into his philosophy on race builds, why weight and balance matter so much, and how years of experience on two wheels gave him a unique perspective behind the wheel of a four-wheel machine.Chris’s story is more than just racing — it’s about resilience, adapting to new challenges, and staying true to the competitive spirit that first pushed him to race dirt bikes at the highest level. His journey shows how the core values of determination and grit can carry a racer from Dakar to the desert UTV wars of today. 🎙 Presented by Dirt Co.

Before Jason Coleman was behind the wheel, he was 'the shop kid' at Terrible Herbst — sweeping floors, cleaning CVs, and learning the sport from the ground up.This is a recurring story that comes up frequently on the show. We always talk about the importance of “sweeping the floor.” It’s a humble start, but it’s how countless racers and industry leaders got their foot in the door. That work builds respect, discipline, and opportunity — Jason’s story proves it.Matt and Jason also touch on the legendary Herbst Truggy and AWD truck, machines that pushed the boundaries of off-road innovation.

This week we sit down with Mike “Otto” Deutsch, co-founder of Biltwell, a brand that has become a cornerstone of motorcycle culture. These days, Otto is best known for helping bring people together—through events like the Biltwell 100 and countless other moto gatherings that celebrate the spirit of two wheels and the garage-built community.In this episode, Otto and Matt dive into everything from the early days of Biltwell to the evolution of grassroots racing, the crossover between moto and off-road, and the importance of keeping the culture authentic. They talk about the lessons learned from building a lifestyle brand, the people who make it thrive, and the stories that keep events like the Biltwell 100 so special.This is a wide-ranging conversation that captures not just Otto’s journey, but the spirit of the community he’s been helping to shape for decades. 🎙 Presented by Dirt Co.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, we sit down with Dan Roush — a racer with a story unlike any we’ve heard before. Dan isn’t a household name in the off-road world, but his life was forever changed in an instant during a brutal crash in Baja. In the moments after the impact, Dan made the conscious choice to keep breathing, fight through the pain, and survive. From the details of that day to the long road of recovery, Dan shares his journey with honesty and perspective. We talk about how his crash reshaped his outlook on life, what it taught him about resilience, and why the off-road community played such an important role in his healing. This is more than just a racing story — it’s a story about the human spirit, perseverance, and finding strength in the face of overwhelming challenges. 🎙 Presented by Dirt Co.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with David Clay, founder of RacingTrax, the GPS tracking and timing system used by UNLTD and many other off-road racing series. We dive into how a series of frustrating experiences racing in Baja led David to develop one of the most important innovations in modern desert racing. What started as a tool to keep track of race vehicles has evolved into a system that increases safety, improves race management, and provides critical real-time data to teams, officials, and fans alike. We talk about how the technology works, what it takes to run it across thousands of square miles of remote terrain, and what’s next for the future of live tracking and safety in off-road racing.This one’s a deep dive into the tech that keeps our sport moving forward. — Matt MartelliPresented by: @thedirtco – Built for those who go off-road.

On this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, we sit down with rising off-road racer Dave Mason Jr., one of the most versatile drivers in the sport today. From a foundation in karting and open-wheel, to years competing in Pro Buggy, Dave brings a unique perspective and driving style to desert racing — one that blends technical precision with raw speed. We get into his transition into the Unlimited Truck class, the philosophy behind his race program, and how he’s built a competitive team by starting with proven equipment and refining it over time. Dave also shares how his family’s structural steel business plays into the operation, and how they’ve created a shared shop and crew that fuels both sides of their hustle. This episode also touches on the deeper lessons of racing — the grind, the long-term thinking, and the challenges of staying competitive without overextending. Whether you’re a driver, builder, or just a fan of how things come together in the off-road world, this conversation offers insight into what it takes to climb the ladder — and why doing it your own way matters. Presented by Dirt Co. - Clothes for the ones who live off-road. Grab gear that matches your lifestyle at thedirtco.com

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, I sit down with Bryan Harrold, Motorsports Program Manager at Fox Factory. From growing up in the pits of Plaster City to helping guide one of the most influential brands in off-road racing, Bryan’s path has been built on creativity, consistency, and a deep understanding of the culture. We dig into Bryan’s early days photographing desert races, his creative path, and how mentors like John Marking helped guide him into his current role at Fox — where he now bridges the gap between engineering, marketing, and racing culture. Bryan also talks about the groundbreaking evolution of Live Valve technology, Fox’s expansion into international racing like Extreme E and Dakar, and the importance of supporting grassroots racing through programs like contingency and 1600 class incentives.

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, we sit down with Robert Blanton, a retired Marine, Silver Star recipient, and founder of Warfighter Made — a nonprofit dedicated to helping combat-wounded veterans through off-road racing, fabrication, and community. Blanton takes us through the battles that came after the war — the struggle to adjust, the weight of post-traumatic stress, and the moment he nearly gave up. We talk about how wrenching on a Camaro in his garage became the first step in his recovery, and how Warfighter Made has since given that same opportunity to hundreds of other veterans. This is a conversation about service, identity, recovery — and the power of getting behind the wheel and moving forward.robertblanton, warfightermade, offroadracerpodcast, desertracing, unlimitedoffroadracing, veteransupport, silverstarrecipient, posttraumaticstress, mentalhealthawareness, offroadcommunity, militarystories, offroadtherapy, veteranvoices, racerstories, garagebuilt, dirtcodriven, offroadlife, healingthroughracing, serviceandstrength, motorsportculture

In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, we sit down with Trey Gibbs — one of the most exciting young drivers in off-road right now. Still deep in the short course world and stepping confidently into desert racing, Trey represents the next generation of racers who are fast, focused, and built for both sides of the sport. We talk about how it started, what he’s learning, and where he’s headed — from early wins to big lessons and everything in between. Whether it’s behind the wheel or behind the camera, Trey’s building something real. This one’s about potential, precision, and carving your own path.