Peter Nelson is a Staff Writer at The Drive. He often finds himself blogging about all-things motorsports and off-roading as he's thoroughly infatuated with having fun behind the wheel. But his automotive enthusiasm is quite expansive and digs just about every corner of the industry.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Interests include BMWs, motorsports, old Land Rovers, do-it-yourself maintenance, track driving, and road cycling
- Enjoys writing about about wide variety of subjects, as well as his experiences behind the wheel and beneath a safely supported project car
- Previous work experience: Winding Road Racing/Winding Road Magazine, a very brief stint in banking, several fulfilling years in non-profit, a short-yet-fun tenure as a Chicago bicycle messenger
EDUCATION
Nelson graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in German and a minor in International Studies.
Words of Wisdom
"I swear, at least 40 percent of the reasoning behind the Discovery badge is because you’re always discovering leaks."
NOTABLE WORK
- ‘No Man’s Land’ 1987 Movie Review: Watch Charlie Sheen Steal Air-Cooled Porsches in ’80s LAThe Drive
- Trackside: How a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Team Meticulously Preps for a 10-Hour RaceThe Drive
- We Went Deep on the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla at SEMA’s Measuring Session for TunersThe Drive
- I Tinkered With My BMW 128i’s Computer Coding and Didn’t Break ItThe Drive
- Momentum Driving: How to Be One of the Fastest Cars with the Least PowerThe Drive
Get latest from Peter Nelson

Tuning a Toyota GR Corolla: What Could the Aftermarket Do For the Latest Hot Hatch?
By Peter Nelson / Published Apr 1, 2022

My First BMW 128i Wrenching Experience Went Strangely Well
By Peter Nelson / Published Mar 23, 2022

Best Motor Oil: Ensure Smooth and Reliable Performance
By Peter Nelson / Published Oct 28, 2021

Best Off-Road Jacks: Save Your Bacon on the Trails
By Peter Nelson / Published Oct 7, 2021

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback: The Better Civic Grows Up, But Keeps The Manual
By Peter Nelson / Published Jun 23, 2021

There’s No Good Reason for New Cars to Be Sold Without Dipsticks but It’s Happening Anyway
By Peter Nelson / Published May 7, 2021

Even With Only 100 HP, the Mazda2 Evil Track Was One of Mazda’s Coolest Concepts Ever
By Peter Nelson / Published May 6, 2021

I Got My Daily Driver Under 2,100 Pounds but It Cost a Lot of Comfort
By Peter Nelson / Published Mar 23, 2021

GM Took On the Import Scene With Body Kits and Underglow in 2001
By Peter Nelson / Published Mar 3, 2021

A Mildly Modified Hatchback Is All You Need to Try Time Attack Racing at Gridlife
By Peter Nelson / Published Feb 17, 2021

Here’s Everything You Need to Stay Comfy at a Track All Day
By Peter Nelson / Published Feb 9, 2021

The Forgotten Ford Escort ZX2 S/R Was a Parts-Bin Masterpiece, Thanks to the Aftermarket
By Peter Nelson / Published Feb 4, 2021