When most enthusiasts talk about a second-generation Camaro, the conversation usually heads in a predictable direction. People imagine full teardown restorations, complete panel replacements, or pro-touring builds that cost more than the car’s original sticker price. The goal for many is to bring these cars back to showroom condition or to modernize them into high-dollar machines that look too perfect to risk on the street. Casey Ladd’s burnout Camaro takes a completely different path.

Ladd’s 1981 Chevy burnout Camaro, nicknamed “Tire Fire,” is the opposite of a hands-off museum piece. It is, in his words, “a car to drive, a car to roast tires with, and a car to enjoy for all its worth.”

For 16 years, Casey has chosen smoke over shine. His burnout Camaro may not be a flawless restoration. Still, it has something far better: History on the street, rubber on the quarter-panels, and a reputation at competitions across the country.

A Camaro Built To Drive

The heart of “Tire Fire” is a Gen-1 350 with Brodix heads, a carbureted and straightforward setup that delivers about 300 horsepower to the tires. Backing it is a TREMEC TKX five-speed transmission, which Casey proudly calls his best upgrade. The driveline is rounded out with 3.73 gears, a locker, Quick Performance axles, and disc brakes on all four corners.

Cooling systems, extra oil capacity, and durable components make sure this burnout Camaro doesn’t just survive a tire-smoking session, but lives to drive home afterward. Unlike many burnout cars that get trailered from event to event, Casey’s Camaro hits the road under its own power.

“I daily drive the car,” he says. “I drive the car to every event I go to.” On the interstate, it’s surprisingly efficient, returning around 26 miles per gallon.

That detail is what sets his build apart. It isn’t just a showpiece or a one-dimensional competition rig. It is a driver, one that racks up real miles, day in and day out.

A Life In Motion

Casey’s story adds another layer to the Camaro’s identity. Born and raised in England, he eventually settled in Shell Knob, Missouri, where he owns and operates his own mechanic shop. Now 28 years old, he spends his time wrenching for others during the week and pushing his own burnout Camaro to the limit on weekends.

Since 2016, he has owned and operated his shop, which helps him keep “Tire Fire” in fighting form. The F-body has become both his calling card and his companion, carrying him to the biggest burnout competitions in the country. “I just drive my car across the country to most of the biggest burnout competitions,” Casey says. For him, the journey is just as important as the show.

Thirty Thousand Miles Of Burnouts

When asked how many miles he’s logged behind the wheel, Casey doesn’t hesitate. “Close to 30,000 miles just to burnout competitions and back,” he explains. That number doesn’t even include daily driving, cruises, or local tire-shredding fun.

Those miles represent not only dedication but also a lifestyle. While many classic car owners average only a few hundred miles a year on their carefully preserved machines, Casey puts his burnout Camaro through thousands annually, often under the harshest possible conditions.

Tire smoke is the Camaro’s trademark. On average, a fresh set of cheap tires lasts about one minute and forty-five seconds before giving up in a haze of smoke. Casey goes through a brand-new set at every single event. While others might debate compounds or brands, Casey keeps it simple: “I buy the cheapest possible tires available.”

Reliability Over Reinvention

In today’s world of LS and LT swaps, Casey’s decision to keep the car small-block powered might seem unusual. But to him, the reasoning is straightforward. “Small blocks are more reliable in my experience,” he says. For a car that gets driven as much as his, reliability matters more than chasing the latest trend or peak dyno numbers.

That practicality extends to the rest of his build. There are no exotic one-off parts, no endless rewiring projects, and no fragile aftermarket electronics that take the fun out of driving. Instead, Casey’s burnout Camaro is built to last, built to take abuse, and built to get him home.

It is a philosophy that often gets overlooked in the modern era of high-budget builds. Many enthusiasts throw endless money into making their cars perfect, only to tuck them away in a garage, fearful of rock chips, breakdowns, or wear. Casey embraces the opposite. He believes cars are meant to be used.

The Culture Clash: Restoration vs. Enjoyment

Spend time around car shows and you’ll see the divide. On one side are the pristine restorations, cars that gleam under the sun but often remain untouched by asphalt. On the other side are the drivers, the ones that may have blemishes but carry stories in every mile. Casey’s burnout Camaro sits firmly in the second camp.

Some people have criticized him online, accusing him of “destroying” or “ruining” a classic Camaro by using it for burnouts. He shrugs it off. “Some comments on Facebook people have got mad, but who cares,” he says.

That mindset is refreshing. Too often, car culture gets bogged down by rules about what should or shouldn’t be done with a classic car. Casey proves that enjoyment is the most important factor. His Camaro isn’t about resale value or originality points. It’s about creating memories, one burnout at a time.

The Favorite Moments

When asked about his favorite burnout, Casey smiles. He has plenty of moments to choose from, but the answer is less about a single event and more about the feeling. Every time he drives onto the burnout pad, it’s another chance to let the car do what it was built for.

That joy is why he continues after 16 years. Burnouts are tough on a car, and even tougher on tires, but the excitement never fades. For Casey, the act of burning rubber is an art form, a performance, and a celebration all at once.

Lessons For Aspiring Burnout Builders

What would Casey recommend for anyone who wants to build a burnout Camaro of their own? His advice is simple: focus on durability and reliability. “The TKX five-speed is the best upgrade,” he says, emphasizing how important it is to have strong, dependable parts that can handle repeated abuse.

He also stresses that you don’t need top-dollar components to join the fun. A small-block with decent heads, a good rearend, strong axles, and a reliable cooling system can take you a long way. Throw in cheap tires, and you’re ready to go.

Burnout competitions aren’t about lap times or dyno sheets. They are about smoke, sound, and crowd reaction. That means a burnout Camaro like Casey’s, built on straightforward principles and enjoyed to the fullest, is more than capable of competing with higher-dollar builds.

More Than Smoke

There’s a deeper message in Casey Ladd’s Camaro. It reminds us that car culture doesn’t have to be about perfection or preservation. Too many vehicles end up hidden away, only brought out for shows where they’re parked behind ropes.

Casey takes the opposite approach. His burnout Camaro is proof that driving hard and enjoying the moment is more important than keeping a car flawless. After all, cars were built to be driven. Burnouts, daily miles, and tire smoke are simply ways of honoring that purpose.

A Mindset Worth Adopting

As the sun sets at another burnout competition and Casey drives his Camaro home with tire smoke still clinging to the air, the lesson becomes clear: This is what muscle cars were made for. Not storage units, not endless restorations, but real use.

For more than 16 years, Casey has chosen to drive, shred tires, and enjoy every mile. He’s racked up 30,000 miles of smoke-filled memories, all while keeping “Tire Fire” reliable, simple, and true to its roots.

It’s a reminder to the rest of us that maybe we shouldn’t be so afraid of using our cars. Whether it’s a burnout competition or just a weekend drive, enjoyment matters more than perfection. Casey Ladd’s burnout Camaro proves that the best builds are the ones that never stop being driven.