Stef Schrader is a former senior staff writer for The Drive. She started writing about cars in 2013 after meeting Jalopnik's editor-in-chief at a race track, where Stef can be found at every available opportunity. Her main interests include weird cars, Nürburgring records, incredible vehicular feats and whatever you're working on in your garage.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Interests include wrenching, amateur racing, the lesser-known parts of car culture, and particularly rare or strange vehicles. (Bonus points if they’re aircooled.)
- Meticulous writer and editor who actually enjoys browsing court records.
- Member, Porsche Club of America
- Winner, 24 Hours of Lemons Index of Effluency
- Previous bylines include Jalopnik, Popular Mechanics, Autoweek, Panorama, Slate, AutoGuide, DriveTribe, Autoblog, The Truth About Cars, Winding Road, The Inventory and the Baylor Information Network.
EXPERIENCE
Schrader's in-depth investigations, notable scoops and other work have been cited by publications across the globe. She established and led the Black Flag motorsports sub-site at Jalopnik, transforming it into a destination for in-depth coverage of motorsports' biggest championships, grassroots racing events and all things fast. Stef also hosted Jalopnik's "Build of the Week" video series, featuring interesting home-built project cars that ranged from resourceful budget builds to four-seat DeLoreans and LS swaps. She worked full-time at The Drive in 2021 and 2022, leading its social media efforts and occasionally going on tangents about fast Porsches.
EDUCATION
Schrader has a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University with a double major in Film and Digital Media and Political Science.
Fun Fact
Stef collects Fisher-Price Puffalumps that occasionally ride in her car at track days. She owns two race cars, a Porsche 944 and a Volkswagen 411, which she frequently works on in her spare time.
NOTABLE WORK
- How a Fake Billionaire Scammed Rich Buyers for Millions With Bogus Ferrari Build Slots: FBIThe Drive
- 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo Review: The Autobahn Queen of the FutureThe Drive
- How Sabine Schmitz Changed the Automotive WorldThe Drive
- I Can See You: The Strange Story of Virgin Trains’ Oddly-Aware Talking ToiletsThe Drive
- Porsche IPO Docs Reveal It’s Still Fighting Lawsuit Over Who Designed the 911The Drive
- Build of the WeekYouTube
- What a Race Car Crash Does to Your Brain Jalopnik
- The Original Nissan Z Car Was Never Supposed to HappenJalopnik
Get latest from Stef Schrader

Want To Adopt a Highway? Here’s How the Iconic Program Really Works
By Stef Schrader / Published Nov 9, 2022

An Even More Powerful BMW XM Is Coming: The 735-HP Label Red
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 27, 2022

Sorry, Budget Airlines: Feds Are Cracking Down on Hidden Fees
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 27, 2022

Crash Kills 2 During Unsanctioned H2Oi Tuner Car Spin-Off Event
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 26, 2022

Mercedes Cars To Feature Tech From Vision EQXX Concept in ‘2 to 3 Years’
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 23, 2022

Oldest Speedway in Western Canada Shuts Down After 68 Years
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 23, 2022

Spend Forever Spotting the Hilarious Details in This Mercedes F1 Garage Parody
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 23, 2022

California Pizza Huts To Get Electric, 3-Wheeled, Single-Seater Delivery Vehicles
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 22, 2022

New Caterham Super Sevens Serve Retro Style, Modern Upgrades
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 21, 2022

Porsche IPO Docs Reveal It’s Still Fighting Lawsuit Over Who Designed the 911
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 21, 2022

Porsche’s Future Depends On Higher-Dollar Variants of High-Dollar Sports Cars
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 19, 2022

Porsche’s IPO and $75B Valuation Could Be One of the Richest Ever
By Stef Schrader / Published Sep 19, 2022