Hot Rods and Hustle: Alex Taylor and Derek Bieri Talk Horsepower, Grit, and Garage Dreams
Alex Taylor on Passion, Perseverance, and Pro Mods | In the Aisles Recap
Drag racer, Hot Rod Garage co-host, and all-around badass Alex Taylor joins Derek Bieri in a laid-back but hilarious conversation during O'Reilly's Leadership Conference in Houston. From duct tape fixes to rule-breaking history, here are the standout moments from the episode—with timestamps, commentary, and behind-the-scenes context.
1. The 16-Year-Old Who Changed Drag Week Rules
Alex showed up to race at Drag Week at just 16, only to be told she was too young after going through all of tech.
Racers literally threatened to protest if she wasn’t allowed to compete—and it worked.
This moment led to a rule change allowing under-18 racers with a waiver—a wild example of the drag and drive community standing together.
2. Duct Tape Fix at 200 MPH?!
Midway through a 200+ mph race week, her oil pressure was basically gone.
Her dad’s solution? Cover the oil pressure gauge with duct tape and keep going!
"Less data is sometimes a good thing," Alex joked. The kind of story that perfectly captures drag and drive grit.
3. From Underpowered TV Builds to Show-Stopping Roadkill Nights Winner
On Hot Rod Garage, Alex fought to bring her dad in to help build the infamous “Seavoy” for Roadkill Nights.
In just over 2 weeks, they turned a rusted-out ’55 Plymouth into a big-tire monster that won—and changed the tone of TV builds.
Her mindset: Don’t just show up—build to compete.
Recap with Time Stamps for the episodes:
**[00:00–01:50]** The episode kicks off with a hilarious misconception: Alex thought they were LS swapping an Aztec. Instead, she finds herself wrenching on a retired stock car in the middle of the O'Reilly Leadership Conference.
**[02:28–04:23]** Together with Tony Angelo and Derek, Alex tackles an engine swap live at the event, swapping in a small block Chevy with a Holley Sniper 2 EFI system. She gets roped into fiberglass-heavy wiring duties, leading to a revenge prank on Derek later.
**[07:37–13:16]** Alex reveals her racing origin story—from her parents’ street rod business to her first drag-and-drive build at 16. Her first Drag Week almost didn’t happen due to her age, but thanks to community support and some quick advocacy from David Freiburger, she made history. The result? Rule changes that opened the door for other young racers.
**[14:22–21:20]** The two discuss Alex's three-season run on *Hot Rod Garage*, where she brought a performance-focused mindset. One standout project? The infamous 'Seavoy,' a 1955 Plymouth Savoy turned serious competition car for Roadkill Nights.
**[22:55–25:04]** With Hot Rod Garage behind her, Alex now runs her YouTube channel, *Riding with Alex Taylor*, chronicling drag-and-drive adventures, event coverage, and new shop builds. Her 6-second 1955 Chevy continues to evolve as she competes across the U.S.—and possibly even Sweden.
**[26:43–30:21]** Derek and Alex also touch on her slower side: a '62 VW Bug that runs 18-second ETs but brings endless joy. She teases an upcoming Pro Mod-inspired 1955 build that’ll be a more intentional, high-end version of her current car.
**[36:45–39:53]** One of the best laughs? Alex shares a 'hack' during a drag-and-drive event when oil pressure dropped to 5 PSI. Her dad’s solution? Slap duct tape over the gauge so she couldn't see it. Problem solved.
**[40:12–47:30]** The episode wraps with a fun parts-guessing challenge using mystery Dorman parts—complete with good-natured trash talk and a tied game.
From lighthearted storytelling to real-deal racer insight, Alex Taylor’s episode offers a killer combo of grit, humor, and horsepower. Catch the full interview on the O'Reilly Auto Parts YouTube channel.
