Meanwhile, a reality show for gear heads

JOLIET – A reality show focused on cars in the Joliet and Chicago areas is racing off the blocks Friday on the Discovery Channel’s automotive channel.

“Garage Squad” is a reality show that has been filming in Joliet garages and elsewhere since March. The show will debut its first season 8 p.m. Friday on the Velocity channel.

Mechanics and hosts of the show traveled to individuals' garages around Chicago and Joliet-area communities, helping them out with their project classic cars and restoration. It features Joliet-area mechanics working on cars of local residents and is directed by a Joliet native.

“I loved it,” said Joe Zolper of Joliet, head mechanic for the show. “Getting to help these people with their cars, we did do some really cool cars and really cool stuff. There’s a natural respect there between gear heads. We didn’t have a bad day.”

Zolper operates an auto and bike shop called Prison City Choppers in unincorporated Kendall County. But working as a main cast member for Garage Squad was a completely different experience, he said.

The director, Ted Lega, was brought up in Joliet as the son of locally known band director Ted Lega and steel sculptor Marsha Lega.

Nine episodes of the show were taped through the spring and summer. And the cast and crew are anxious about how the first episode will be received.

“We’re literally sitting here waiting,” Zolper said. “It’s nerve-wracking. It’s all about the people and what they’re going to like about the show.”