Top Gear has been a staple of British TV since 1977 and then a hit since being relaunched in 2002. This show has celebrated everything connected to vehicles, from reckless stunts, to daring test drives in supercars, to celebrities cruising around cities in reasonably priced trucks. In the US, the hosts are muscle-car fanatic Adam Ferrara, pro racing driver Tanner Foust and Rutledge Wood, a racing analyst.
Rutledge Wood submits reports on everything that makes NASCAR so special, be it unique towns or enthusiastic drivers. He made his Olympic debut with NBC Sports Group in 2016. He traveled to Kentucky Derby and served as a reporter for NBC Sports’ coverage of the event. He was also a correspondent for the FOX Sports 1’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pre-race show. Rutledge Wood has his own TV show, Lost in Transmission. Here are 15 things you didn’t know about gearhead Rutledge Wood.
15 Top Gear USA Was Canceled
While the British TV show is looking up, the worst happened to the American version in 2016. The History Channel cancelled Top Gear USA. Many viewers said in reviews and comment that Rutledge Wood was nothing like British hosts, and he could never be one of them. This put the TV show at a disadvantage.
14 His Father Helped Him Restore Cars
Rutledge Wood's parents worked hard to provide him a quality education. His father worked for AT&T and was transferred to Georgia. He was the one who helped Rutledge Wood to learn the idea of restoring and trading classic cars. Then he went to the University of Georgia where he graduated with a degree in marketing.
13 He Has An Eclectic Car Collection
As a classic car enthusiast, one would expect Rutledge Wood would have a car collection to be envied by many. When we check his garage, we're not surprised that his collection ranges from a heavily tuned BMW to barely running trucks. Every car screams "Rutledge" as he picks up some of the most unique models.
12 His Net Worth Is $3 Million
Rutledge Wood has an estimated net worth of $3 million. He has gained his name and fame by working as the co-host for Top Gear. His worth is contributed by the salary that he's received from serving NASCAR as an analyst. He's getting more and more popular with 330K followers on Instagram.
11 He Often Partners Up With Kenwood Rod Shop
Rutledge Wood loves old cars, and guys at Kenwood Rod Shop often help him restore classic models. For example, the 1953 Plymouth Suburban was loaded with tons of great parts. The car underwent ground up restoration and got a custom Magnaflow exhaust, 408ci engine, a new sound system and a 6-speed transmission.
10 He Hosts A Show On Netflix
If you are ready for some racing or need a show that the whole family can watch, then Rutledge Wood hosts a new Netflix show - Hyper Drive. It is about 30 amateur drivers who come with their own cars and put it all in to prove who is the best.
9 He Is A Part Of CatConExpo
In 2020, Rutledge Wood went to CatConExpo for the first time. He posted a picture on Instagram, saying "They make some amazing machines that get real work done, but to me, the people at Cat and who operate Cat machines are the real hero’s. Huge thanks to the legendary Speedo."
8 He Is Friends With Toyota Racing
He owns many Toyota Tundras that he modified together with Toyota Racing. Rutledge Wood often gets car parts and other goodies for free and then shows them off on Instagram. The 2016 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO is his latest model that's fitted with a Magnuson supercharger.
7 He Fits Powerful Engines In Old cars
This is what Rutledge Wood loves doing: he takes an old car like a 1994 Toyota pickup and fits a huge 1JZGTE engine under the hood. He also loves big tires that he gets from his friends at Continental Tire USA. You can find many crazy projects of Wood's on Instagram.
6 He Got The 2020 Toyota GR Supra As A Gift
In 2020, Rutledge Wood got to unveil the 2020 Toyota GR Supra at SEMA, and then he could keep it as a gift. He gave the car to his friends who pumped the engine power up to 750 hp. Then they added Extreme Sports tires, new suspension coilovers and racing wheels.
5 He Owns A Pair Of Custom Air Max 90s
Rutledge Wood is one of lucky owners of the custom Nike Air Max 90s. He writes that "I dreamed how cool it would be if I had a pair of my favorite shoes that would match my new RWB 911 build, and now just days before the car is revealed at SEMA, it’s happening."
4 He Owns A Monstrous Red COE Ramp Truck
Rutledge Wood showed off his huge red COE Ramp Truck at the Hyper Drive show. The truck was tuned by Rimz One who changed the wheels to 19.5-inch ones wrapped in continental tires. He says that the wheels changed the feel and look of this machine. Not to mention its custom stickers and exterior details.
3 His Favorite Music Band Is New Found Glory
Rutledge Wood isn't very open about his private life, but we know that he loves the band New Found Glory. He said that "This band has been the soundtrack to so many days in my life, and they truly LOVE what they do and it shows. Thanks for being you, NFG."
2 His Favorite Car Is The Porsche RWB 911
Wood owns many cars, but the Porsche RWB 911 has a special place in his heart. At least 17 different tuning shops and designer teams have worked on it. This green car is the most customized vehicle Rutledge Wood owns at the moment. Even the seat belts are new and made specifically for him.
1 He Lets Fans Decide On Car Modifications
Rutledge Wood often asks his fans about which modifications should happen next. For example, fans got to choose between 2 engine options for his 2018 Toyota Mk 4 Supra. Other upgrades include custom coilovers, a Magnaflow exhaust, huge wheels and Extreme Contact Sports tires. A big battery sits under the hood.