I Build Race Cars

Written by Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth & Jason Keller, this dramatic contemporary monologue comes from the award-winning film *Ford v Ferrari*. Carroll Shelby delivers a powerful public address outlining the profound distinction between casual ambition and pure, consuming obsession. Although Shelby speaks on a platform to a receptive gathering, he directs his true intent toward Ken Miles in the crowd. This dynamic creates a striking subtext, acknowledging their shared passion while publicly crediting Henry Ford.

Shelby is a master of charisma who naturally commands attention while balancing corporate politics with his own racing instincts. He projects warmth, confidence, and authority, yet he harbors the restless spirit of a driven craftsman who understands real obsession. His ability to navigate public showmanship while maintaining an intense personal conviction reveals a complex leader who knows precisely what must be sacrificed to achieve greatness.

Running approximately one and a half minutes, this piece provides an exceptional platform for actors seeking to demonstrate layered, nuanced storytelling. The monologue requires you to manage two distinct objectives simultaneously: entertaining a wide room and delivering a piercing, personal message to a single listener. It offers casting directors a clear look at your vocal control, poise, and ability to project quiet authority without leaning on excessive physical movement.

This scene is ideal for self-tapes, drama school auditions, agent showcases, and advanced practice sessions. Actors fitting Leading Man, Authority Figure, Charming, Intense, or Everyman casting brackets will find this material especially rewarding. It serves performers who excel at delivering compelling speeches fueled by passion, ambition, and internal drive.

Clearly map out the shifts between your expansive public voice and the intimate subtext aimed at your partner. Establish a specific focal point in the room for the individual you are truly speaking to, ensuring the contrast between public charm and private intensity remains razor-sharp. Take your time with the transitions, breathing through the realizations and letting the audience witness the moment corporate necessity takes precedence over personal loyalty.