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

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

Easy Ways to Significantly Drop Lap Times
By Peter Nelson / Published Jan 28, 2021

Prepping My Car for Sale Went So Wrong That I Ended up Keeping the Thing
By Peter Nelson / Published Jan 8, 2021

Best Racing Tires: Boost Your Speed and Performance
By Peter Nelson / Published Oct 23, 2019

Best Rooftop Tents: Enjoy the Outdoors from Your Vehicle
By Peter Nelson / Published Oct 8, 2019

How To Change Your Oil
By Peter Nelson / Published Aug 25, 2019

Best Trailer Wheel Locks: Bring Your Own Boot
By Peter Nelson / Published Jul 15, 2019