Phil Howell and John Cappa let go in the same week? Wtf?
Well, I was never a big fan of Cappa's. When Pewe was Editor in Chief for JP, it was about tech and travel. Then when Cappa was demoted from 4Wheeler to JP, it turned into a quasi Maxim. Maybe not even Maxim, more like Stuff. I thought it was strange to see him Editor in Chief for Fourwheeler, their oldest 4x4 magazine. Now Phil Howell, is a veteran Editor in Chef. He was in charge of 4Wheel & Sport Utility in the early 90's. So this is his second time around.
I think looking at what Source Interlink has done to the websites of all their magazines is really telling, They seems to be getting rid of a lot of the slower selling magazines. All of the truck magazines, Peterson's 4Wheel & Offroad, Fourwheeler, 4Wheel & Sport Utility, Offroad, Trucks!, etc... are all under one website, Fourwheeler Network. If you look at the web presence, everything is under Motor Trend. Although Hot Rod will be splitting off and starting their own channel this year.
Also, look at what other magazines Source Interlink has axed recently. Modified, Sport Compact Car, etc... I heard the whole Culver City office was let go. That's the problem when all of the 'car' magazines were brought under one roof. The only competition they have is against other sister magazines.
What's keeping Source Interlink alive is Moter Trend and Hot Rod Magazine. Not the publications but the web shows. The Magazine business is mostly dead.