Go for Donny! with Mark Stepp | Season 2

Top Gear USA director and editor Mark Stepp joins Go for Donny! to reveal the chaos, cars, stunts and unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories that went into producing the hit automotive series. Mark and Donny McGuire reunite to revisit their years working with Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara on Top Gear USA. They share stories from the massive tractor challenge, the Vegas taxi episode, Unkillable Cars and the night Tanner performed donuts in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard. Mark also explains what it takes to direct live television, coordinate productions using as many as 30 cameras and lead a crew when something goes wrong on the air. He shares his philosophy that every crew member matters, regardless of title or position: “If a PA is not doing their job, we’re not going anywhere.” The conversation also covers Mark’s automotive production work with Lexus, filming prototype vehicles in Japan, driving an Lexus LFA and IS F at Laguna Seca, watching race cars test at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi and capturing the moment Scott Pruett returned to the pits with his brakes on fire. In this episode: • Behind the scenes of Top Gear USA • Working with Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara • The tractor challenge and Vegas taxi episode • Why the “Unkillable” Toyota Corolla refused to die • Donny driving a Buick Grand National through two fireballs • Directing live television when everything goes wrong • Why communication and preparation matter on every production • The importance of production assistants and crew teamwork • Filming secret Lexus prototypes in Japan • Driving the Lexus LFA and IS F at Laguna Seca • Working at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi CHAPTERS 00:00 Mark Stepp joins Go for Donny! 01:04 Reuniting after Top Gear USA 03:41 The massive tractor challenge 06:00 Creating the Top Gear USA look 08:15 Studio shows versus field productions 10:17 The unforgettable Vegas taxi episode 15:09 Behind the scenes of Unkillable Cars 19:51 Donny drives through two fireballs 24:08 How “The Puma” got his nickname 30:03 The pressure and excitement of live television 32:24 Mark’s approach to directing and preparation 35:07 Why every crew member matters 36:07 Moving up through the production ranks 43:40 Top Gear accidents and production safety 47:22 Yas Marina Circuit and Abu Dhabi 49:32 Filming secret Lexus prototypes in Japan 50:05 The Lexus LFA at Laguna Seca 55:45 Final thoughts and Switch to Channel 2 Subscribe to @gofordonny for more wild production stories, automotive adventures and honest conversations with the people behind your favorite television shows. Follow Go for Donny! on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X and Reddit at @gofordonny. For sponsorships, brand partnerships and collaborations: gofordonny@gmail.com donny.mcguire@gofordonnyproductions.com #topgearusa #MarkStepp #GoForDonny #Tannerfoust #RutledgeWood #AdamFerrara #podcast #behindthescenes #AutomotiveTV #tvproduction #livetelevision #topgear #lasvegas #vegas #DirectorLife #CarShows #ProductionStories #FilmCrew #CrewCamaraderie #OnSet #VehicleStunts #LiveBroadcast #TravelStories #AbuDhabi #JapanTravel #EntertainmentPodcast #FunnyPodcasts #YouTubePodcasts #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcasts #SubscribeNow #PodcastCommunity #podcastlife #tvproduction #FilmCrewStories #entertainmentinsider #youtubepodcasts