Rodeo Hats, Road Trips, And Hybrids? Yee Haw!

Rodeo hats on, sleeves rolled up, and the garage door wide open—this one blends street-level car culture with the blunt truth about where the auto industry stands. We lay out why major automakers posted eye-popping EV write-downs and what that means for real buyers who just want reliability, value, and a car that fits their life. The takeaway is simple but powerful: the future isn’t either-or. Hybrids, EVs, and tried-and-true ICE models will share the road, and smart shoppers can use that variety to their advantage.

We map the season ahead—from the Team Gillman Mega Meet to Tailpipes and Tacos—and share a practical spring prep checklist you can tackle this weekend. Wash and decontaminate the paint, refresh trim, and give that K&N filter a proper clean and dry before a light re-oil to keep sensors happy. We also flag a surprising road-trip stat: a 648-mile stretch with no public restrooms. Planning matters, whether you’re managing bathroom breaks, plotting charging stops, or just making sure the kids don’t hit meltdown mile. Good prep turns long hauls into easy wins.

Our test drive of the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE shows why sensible can still feel special. The two-tone look is sharp, the cabin is simple to live with, and the fuel economy makes daily driving painless. AWD and a refined ride help in bad weather, while pricing stays competitive against the Kia Niro and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Cargo with the rear seats up is tight and the CVT won’t thrill, but the balance of comfort, efficiency, and price lands in the sweet spot for commuters and small families.

We wrap with quick hits from the racing world, including the Andretti-linked Cadillac chassis naming, and a clear-eyed view of how policy and pricing shape demand. If you care about real ownership costs, weekend shows, and the next car that earns your driveway, you’ll find the signal here without the noise. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s car-curious, and drop a review telling us what you’re driving to your next cruise-in.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

---- -----
Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
----- -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/

https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime

https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime

For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at

info@inwheeltime.com

InWheelTime.com/InWheelTimeCarTalk.com available on iHeartRadio, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and most podcast providers.