NHRA Insider Podcast
the NHRA Insider Podcast Presented by Speedmaster is an inside look at the world of the NHRA and all things drag racing. Hosted by Brian Lohnes. https://www.speedmaster79.com/
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8.35 Regular Season Funny Car Champ Hagan and an Insider's Countdown Preview!
09/15/2026
8.35 Regular Season Funny Car Champ Hagan and an Insider's Countdown Preview!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Matt Hagan joins the show to talk about the hard-fought regular season title his team eared at Indy, the approach they are taking to the Countdown, and how he plans on battling with the best for a fifth NHRA championship. Following Hagan, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join the show to dive into a class-by-class breakdown of not only the Dodge Great Lakes Nationals but also a longer look into the six-race Countdown to the Championship that kicks off this weekend and roars through three straight events. Insight, rumors, news, and more! It's time to get fired up about the NHRA heading back to Michigan and the Countdown kicking off!
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8.34 Brian Husen and Tim Fabrisi On Winning the Nitro Battles At Indy
09/09/2026
8.34 Brian Husen and Tim Fabrisi On Winning the Nitro Battles At Indy
On this post Cornwell Quality Tools US Nationals episode, host Brian Lohnes is joined by winning crew chiefs Tim Fabrisi and Brian Husen, the guys who captured the Nitro Funny Car and Top Fuel diamond Wally trophies on a wild Monday at the biggest race of the season. Both men talk about the challenges presented by the weather with incredible temperatures, off the charts humidity, and wild swings over the four days of competition between qualifying and racing. For John Force Racing's Tim Fabrisi and Daniel Hood, the guys who tune Jack Beckman's funny car, it was a rich weekend in every respect. Between the race win and their All-Star Call Out victory, they netted about $200,000 in 48 hours. Fabrisi takes us inside the weekend and shares some truly neat stories about how they approached and conquered the US Nationals. Brian Husen knew his team needed to break out of their three-race slump and boy did they! Husen talks about the weekend that landed them in the most coveted winner's circle in drag racing, the one at IRP. Listen to him explain where the struggles were, how they fixed them, and what he is looking for over the next six races. The inside story of the teams that conquered Indy!
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8.33 Insider Bonus Show: Indy Pro Mod - Facts, History, and Rookie Peter Norton!
09/01/2026
8.33 Insider Bonus Show: Indy Pro Mod - Facts, History, and Rookie Peter Norton!
On this bonus Cornwell Quality Tools US Nationals Insider, Brian Lohnes dives deep into the world of JBS Equipment Pro Mod and interviews rookie sensation Peter Norton who has been racing for nine months and has already done huge things with his young team. Norton is making his quarter-mile Pro Mod debut at Indy, his home track. Outside of the conversation with Norton there's a breakdown of the Road to the Championship, the points standings, the drivers to watch, a history lesson of the Pro Mod class at the US Nationals, statisics, bump spots, and a whole lot more. If you love Pro Modified like we do, this is a must listen show to know it ALL going into the World's Largest Drag Race. The implications for careers are huge, championship runs are on the line, and the intensity cannot be beat.
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8.32 The Insiders Dive Into the 2026 Cornwell Quality Tools US Nationals
09/01/2026
8.32 The Insiders Dive Into the 2026 Cornwell Quality Tools US Nationals
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Kevin McKenna and Tony Pedregon join the show for an in-depth romp into all things 2026 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA US Nationals. Kevin McKenna and Brian Lohnes go deep into the storylines, names, history, and cars that will be competing in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing series categories at the event from Stock Eliminator all the way up to the Top Alcohol Funny car and Dragster divisions. The Sox and Martin Hemi Challenge, FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown and more are also discussed. That plus the cars you need to find in the pits, the strategy to win the most grueling race on the tour, and a whole lot more is broken down. Tony Pedregon joins the show and the conversation moves to the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series categories and a class-by-class breakdown that examines regular season championship leaders, new and returning faces, and the high-stakes poker that qualifying becomes with the massive herd of cars descending upon Indy. It's an interesting and eye-opening discussion. Info on how and where to watch, emerging story lines and more. It's Indy and EVERYONE is fired up!
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8.31 Maddi Gordon, Jordan Vandergriff, and the MKD Pit Reporter Tell All!
08/26/2026
8.31 Maddi Gordon, Jordan Vandergriff, and the MKD Pit Reporter Tell All!
On this super-sized, three guest episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Maddi Gordon, Jordan Vandergriff, and Mario Boesch (aka "The MKD Pit Reporter") join the show to talk all things about Brainerd, the points, Indy, sportsman drag racing and more. Add that with an action-packed monologue to start the show, and you have the perfect recipe to prepare yourself or two of the largest weeks of NHRA drag racing all year. Jordan Vandergriff hits lead-off on this episode and he talks about the runner up finish he and his team earned in Brainerd, the season so far, and the idea that he is a Funny Car rookie only seven points out of the lead for the regular season championship. Jordan drops plenty of knowledge and some interesting hints at fun to come at Indy. Maddi Gordon is up next, and she regals us with the tale of her first career runner-up finish, the season that has been, the idea of legitimately running for a Top Fuel title, and how the whole world of drag racing has changed so much for her in a year. The final guest on the show is Mario Boesch, a Right Trailers Top Sportsman and Top Dragster racer that is better known on the internet as the "MKD Pit Reporter". Mario has become a huge hit on the drag racing internet making great videos and more importantly standing as a voice for sportsman drag racers. He talks about how this all happened, the stuff he has done, the benefits racers have seen from it, and more. This is a BIG show and we're just getting warmed up for the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA US Nationals!
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8.30 The Insiders Talk Brainerd, Points Battles, and More!
08/18/2026
8.30 The Insiders Talk Brainerd, Points Battles, and More!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Powered by Speedmaster Tony Pedregon of the NHRAonFox and Kevin McKenna of National Dragster join the show, and the conversation is locked in on the Brainerd Nationals, the pitched points battle for lucrative in-season championships, and more The conversation this week really gets into the nuts and bolts of the teams, the drivers, and the cars that have a chance to land first in the points by the end of the regular season and the methods, challenges, and threats they face while trying to do it. There's plenty of talk about stats, driver performances, and the lessons this 2026 season has taught everyone in terms of who can get the job done and how they can do it. The domination of the Kalitta Top Fuel cars is explored, the Pro Stock situation among leading teams, and the wide-open Funny Car battle that seems impossible to call, even now. Loads of insight, loads of excitement, and all the knowledge to get you fired up for Brainerd and beyond!
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8.29 Spencer Hyde and Dean Antonelli Talk Norwalk, Points, Brainerd and More!
08/12/2026
8.29 Spencer Hyde and Dean Antonelli Talk Norwalk, Points, Brainerd and More!
On this very Funny Car episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined first by Funny Car racer Spencer Hyde and then by Dean "Guido" Antontelli, the Crew Chief for current points leader Ron Capps. Hyde shares his experience running at the Norwalk Night Under Fire, how his team turned a performance corner there, how his outlook is for the rest of the season, a new sponsor, his relationship with Jim Head, and more. This is a fun conversation. The second guest is Dean "Guido" Antonelli, the man who leads the RCM Napa GR Supra team into battle, the team that currently leads the Funny Car points by a small margin. Guido talks about winning Norwalk, the team's struggles on the Western Swing, how they can correct them, clutch discs, leadership, and more. This is a window into the mind of a champion. One more week until Brainerd and the Insider is keeping the conversation rolling.
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8.28 JR Todd Breaks Down A Hectic Seattle Win
08/04/2026
8.28 JR Todd Breaks Down A Hectic Seattle Win
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Seattle Funny Car winner JR Todd joins the show to tell the inside story of how his team overcame some potentially crippling issues to win the Muckleshoot Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways. Todd talks about his season, how the team has been evolving their performance, and how he feels they are a legitimate championship contender. Only a couple of rounds out of first place, these guys have a regular season championship to contend for, a call out to race at Indy, and potentially a World Championship run on the horizon. All that and an extended monologue on this week's show.
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8.27 Antron Brown and Austin Prock Talk Points, Progress, and Performance
07/29/2026
8.27 Antron Brown and Austin Prock Talk Points, Progress, and Performance
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Antron Brown and Austin Prock join the show. The two talk about their respective seasons, how they have been peaking at the right time, and how consistency has come their way after periods of lagging finishes. Antron Brown gives great insight into the 2026 season for his AB Motorsports team, how their approach has evolved over time and their performance has come with it. Brown details their rise into a race winning and potentially championship contending car as well as his incredible schedule away from the track. You'll be tired just listening to it. Austin Prock takes listeners inside the Tascar Racing Funny Car season with great insight and depth, detailing the growth of their program and how that growth has brought them to climb their way from obscurity to the precipice of the number six position in the points. He details Seattle and other races and pulls back the curtain on the evolution of their work at and away from the race track. A fun episode that's takes you to the heart of NHRA drag racing!
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8.26 Alan Johnson and Jasmine Salinas Tell Sonoma Top Fuel Tales
07/23/2026
8.26 Alan Johnson and Jasmine Salinas Tell Sonoma Top Fuel Tales
On this episode of the NHRA Insider presented by Speedmaster, we talk with Alan Johnson, the winning Top Fuel Crew Chief from Sonoma and Jasmine Salinas, the Top Fuel runner-up driver from the same event. The story of the NHRA Denso Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge is one for the ages. The upsets in Pro Stock, Gary Sclezi in the booth, exploding rear ends, Vandergriff vs Prock, and the dogfight that was Top Fuel. Oh, and the sellouts! Alan Johnson talks about the race weekend he and his team had and how they managed to work out a win; he shares some great inside stories from the season, talks about what this time of the year means for him, and shares some great tales from his storied past. Jasmine Salinas is our second guest, and in this conversation she takes us through the last-minute thrash to make the race, the performance of she and her team, how Sunday became the best race day of her life, and why this Scrappers team is poised for more success through 2026 and beyond. Insight, emotion, and intelligence. This show's got all of it!
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8.25 Insiders Talk Sonoma, A Half Season Down Plus Dylan Winefsky
07/14/2026
8.25 Insiders Talk Sonoma, A Half Season Down Plus Dylan Winefsky
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join the show to talk about the upcoming Denso Sonoma Nationals presented by Power Edge and young Funny Car racer Dylan Winefsky talks about the development of his family's privateer flopper effort. Pedregon, McKenna and Lohnes get down into the weeds about the first half of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and break down the people and performances that have defined it as well as those that need to happen to move teams forward toward championship level success. Lots of interesting insights here. Dylan Winefsky makes his NHRA Insider debut to talk about his evolution from Junior Dragsters to Nitro Funny Car, how operating a humble family team requires a true love of the sport, and how success is how you measure it week in and week out. All that and a monologue you don't want to miss!
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8.24 Rob Flynn and Aaron Stanfield Share Incredible Stories From Norwalk
07/01/2026
8.24 Rob Flynn and Aaron Stanfield Share Incredible Stories From Norwalk
On this post Summit Racing Equipment Nationals episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Carlyle Tools Top Fuel crew chief Rob Flynn joins the show along with Pro Stock winner Aaron Stanfield. The two share their awesome stories of victory on one of the most memorable NHRA Sundays in years. Rob Flynn explains the team's first round drama, the tuning decisions he made during the day, and the ace driving job his rookie pilot Maddi Gordon executed, carrying them to victory. It's a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Aaron Stanfield won his second race of the season and did so in incredible fashion, driving like a man possessed in his Elite Motorsports fielded Camaro. He shares the details of how he was able to execute on a superhuman level to win. All this and more on a wall-to-wall killer episode of the Insider!
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8.23 Norwalk Talk With the Insiders: From Thunder Valley to Corn Country
06/23/2026
8.23 Norwalk Talk With the Insiders: From Thunder Valley to Corn Country
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by the insiders themselves, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna. The guys break down Bristol results, some of the overarching stories that have been a part of each category leading up to Norwalk and the teams that are trying to change their position over this last run of the regular season. The conversation is snappy, informative, and insightful. There are some crazy numbers shared, some hot takes, and plenty of the good stuff that will get you fired up for a big weekend of drag racing in Ohio.
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8.22 The Runner Ups: Langdon and Dan Wilkerson Talk Bristol
06/16/2026
8.22 The Runner Ups: Langdon and Dan Wilkerson Talk Bristol
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Top Fuel runner up Shawn Langdon and Funny Car runner up Dan Wilkerson. They both have amazing stories to share about their weekends in Thunder Valley. For Langdon, it was escaping two harrowing rounds where mechanical issues reared their heads at the last second, and his team was able to remedy them both with legendary action. He made his sixth straight final, seemingly against all odds. Dan Wilkerson's weekend was the best of his season. The Scag Power Equipment Jackal made its first final of the year and turned a mechanical corner that they had been working to fix all year long. Two high energy, in-depth conversations with racers who made headlines in Bristol!
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8.21 The Insiders Dig Into The Eastern Swing, Preview Bristol
06/09/2026
8.21 The Insiders Dig Into The Eastern Swing, Preview Bristol
On this rollicking episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join the show to talk about the first two races of the NHRA three race Eastern Swing, how they have gone, the stories they have produced, and what's to come at the Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol. The Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals will feature a new track surface, the weather delayed Funny Car and Top Fuel finals from Epping on Friday night, and all the action that one of the most breathtaking venues in the country can provide. The show opens with a monologue from Lohnes about the New England Nationals, the impact they have on the area, and more. Get informed before this culmination of the three back-to-back NHRA races begins on Friday!
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8.20 Masters of Maryland: Angie Smith and Thomas Prock Spill The Beans
06/02/2026
8.20 Masters of Maryland: Angie Smith and Thomas Prock Spill The Beans
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Thomas Prock and Angie Smith join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their winning weekends at the first ever NHRA Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway. For Thomas Prock, this victory was the validation of a decision he and his family made to leave John Force Racing and take over the on-track operations at Tasca Racing. Prock details the process, the struggles, the highs and the lows, that have brought them back into winning form. This is a story of big brains and hard work. Angie Smith's win at MIR was historic, marking the 200th professional class female triumph, an amazing milestone. IT was also as wild and hard fought as any she has had before or ever will in the future. Listening to her tell the tale of Matt being hospitalized, deciding last minute to run the motorcycles, qualifying number one, and running the table on Sunday is astonishing. A show you'll dig from end to end.
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8.19 The Insiders Preview The Potomac Nationals and Chris King Chats Chicago
05/26/2026
8.19 The Insiders Preview The Potomac Nationals and Chris King Chats Chicago
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Kevin McKenna and Tony Pedregon join to talk about the upcoming NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by Jegs and privateer Funny Car racer Chris King joins to talk about his first 2026 race at his home track in Chicago. The Potomac Nationals kick off a three-in-a- row rip for NHRA drag racers that will take them up the eastern seaboard and then into Tennessee at three of the most historic facilities on the tour. McKennna and Pedregon breakdown what we saw in Chicago and then look forward into what will be a very busy month for racers on the tour. An exciting and interesting conversation. Chris King, the Funny Car racing Chicago fireman joins the show to talk about how his team performed in Chicago, how his program is evolving, and what his plans are for the rest of 2026. Insight into the wild world of firefighting and drag racing. All that and more on this show!
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8.18 Matt Smith and Chad Green Detail Windy City Wins
05/21/2026
8.18 Matt Smith and Chad Green Detail Windy City Wins
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Chicago winners Matt Smith and Chad Green join the show to talk about how they navigated the track, the wind, and the competition to victory. For Matt Smith, it was a harrowing experience picking up a second consecutive win on the NHRA tour. The crosswinds tested his bravery and ability on the drag strip. He goes in-depth about what they did to navigate it, his close call, and the final round that didn't go the way anyone expected it to. Chad Green is having a career season in Funny Car. For the first time he has multiple wins in the same campaign and he has done it twice in six races. Green talks about pedaling around Ron Capps, the consistency of his people, new sponsors, and the team that he calls the best of his career. This is a great episode with two chats that define two very different winning experiences!
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8.17 - The Insiders Talk Chicago - Mendy Fry Talks Titles, Her New Doc, and More
05/12/2026
8.17 - The Insiders Talk Chicago - Mendy Fry Talks Titles, Her New Doc, and More
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join the show to talk all things SGMP and Gerber Collision and Glass Rt 66 Nationals presented by Peak, plus, two-time NHRA Heritage Series Top Fuel Champion Mendy Fry joins to talk about a new documentary she is the subject of; "Time Trials: A Drag Strip Requiem". Pedregon and McKenna get into the meat and potatoes of what we have seen so far this season, land some pretty hot-take opinions, and delve into the numbers across the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour to give the kind of insight that you can't really get at surface level. The conversation is wide ranging and will definitely get your ears perked up when the boys get rolling. Mendy Fry has had an incredible career and life inside the world of drag racing rising to become a two-time Top Fuel Champion in the NHRA Heritage Series wheeling front engine nitro dragsters. Her life and career are the subject of a new documentary that drag racing fans need to see. In this conversation that talks about life, the film, her career, highs and lows, and more, you'll begin to understand the compelling nature of Mendy and her drag racing journey.
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8.16 Brian Husen and Chris Cunningham Break Down Georgia Records and Wins
05/06/2026
8.16 Brian Husen and Chris Cunningham Break Down Georgia Records and Wins
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Brian Husen the Crew Chief for the record setting and Southern Nationals winning Kalitta Air dragster and Chris Cunningham, the crew chief for the winning Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet Funny Car join host Brian Lohnes to break down their memorable wins on a wild and challenging Georgia weekend. Great insights from these tuners who have spent their lives in the sport of drag racing to grow and perfect their craft are shared into the tuning approach, the team nature of the sport, and how it all came together for them on a sunny Sunday at South Georgia Motorsports Park. A fun listen from two top tier tuners in the NHRA!
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8.15 The Four Wide Frenzy and A Southern Nationals Preview
04/29/2026
8.15 The Four Wide Frenzy and A Southern Nationals Preview
On this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes talks about the highs and lows of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax and previews the return of this weekend's Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park. Get up to speed on the inside stories from the four-wides, on top of the teams and individual racers that surprised the NHRA world both good and bad, the interesting position that some racers hold in the points standings, and a whole lot more. After that Lohnes talks about South Georgia Motorsports Park, a vastly different venue than zMax, what kinds of performances and experiences can be expected this weekend, and a whole lot more. Insight, some interesting takes, and all the news to have you primed up for the first ever NHRA National Event in South Georgia!
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8.14 Hagan Talks Pomona Win, McKenna and Pedregon Preview Charlotte
04/22/2026
8.14 Hagan Talks Pomona Win, McKenna and Pedregon Preview Charlotte
On this three-wide episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster dropped on Charlott Four-Wide Nationals week, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon, Kevin McKennna, and Matt Hagan. Pedregon and McKenna join first to look back on an epic Pomona race day and then look forward at the names and news makers that will be attacking this four wide format at Charlotte for the only time this season. The discussion ranges from paid drivers looking like professionals, the return of Pro Stock Motorcycles, another potential KB runway Pro Stock season, and more. Matt Hagan joins the show next for a rollicking conversation that looks over not only his Pomona win, but the strength of his established team that is already in a championship form. Hagan covers lots of ground here, has interesting takes, and delivers on his larger-than-life personality. A big show leading into a big two race stretch for the NHRA!
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8.13 Conquering Pomona: Greg Anderson and Mike Green Break It Down
04/14/2026
8.13 Conquering Pomona: Greg Anderson and Mike Green Break It Down
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster Pomona winners Greg Anderson and Mike Green join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their weekends, their early seasons, and a whole lot more. The Lucas Oil Winternationals were historic in its denotation of the 1,000th Funny Car race, challenging in its weather and track conditions, and ultimately epic in its ending. Both of these guys were able to navigate all of it in their respective roles. Anderson as a driver and tuner, Green as the Crew Chief for Tony Stewart in Top Fuel. Both guys break down the weekend, the season, and their awesome respective stories that saw them to the winner's circle in Pomona.
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8.12 The Insiders Get Fired Up For A Fast Pomona
04/07/2026
8.12 The Insiders Get Fired Up For A Fast Pomona
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster Kevin McKenna and Tony Pedregon join the show to talk about the lessons learned over the first two races and how the game will totally change in Pomona. With temperatures expected to be more than 40 degrees cooler than Phoenix, this will be the fastest, highest performing race of the early 2026 season so far. In this episode of NHRA Insiders, the guys break down who is in the best position to take advantage of the horsepower that will be available. The panel talks about the early season surprises for some teams and those that need to really establish themselves at the Lucas Oil Winternationals. Everyone has been chomping at the bit for this race, and by the time you are done listening to this show, you'll have your own predictions to make regarding who's favored to win and just how quick everyone will have to go. Hot takes and great insight from the crew abound.
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8.11 Freeman Talks Pro Stock Changes, Van Sant on Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Burgess on History and More!
03/31/2026
8.11 Freeman Talks Pro Stock Changes, Van Sant on Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Burgess on History and More!
On this jam packed episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, three big guests join host Brian Lohnes to talk all things NHRA. First up is Richard Freeman. Richard talks all about the new Elite Top Fuel Team, their early success, the evolution of the program, and how it will grow in the future. He also talks about major transformative changes to Pro Stock in 2027 with a new look, new rules, and more. Chase Van Sant is the second guest. Chase talks about his outlook for 2026, the work his team has done to get faster, the increase in participation by Trick Tools, and how it is all coming together to make a more competitive campaign this year. Finally, National Dragster Editorial Director Phil Burgess joins to talk about the early stories of 2026, the 75th NHRA season, 55 years of rear engine Top Fuel winners, the major stories for the Lucas OIl Winternationals, and a whole lot more. This is a banger of a show!
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8.10 Crew Chiefs Guido Antonelli and Neal Strausbaugh Tell Their Hot Phoenix Tales
03/24/2026
8.10 Crew Chiefs Guido Antonelli and Neal Strausbaugh Tell Their Hot Phoenix Tales
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, winning Funny Car Crew Chief Dean "Guido" Antonelli and runner-up Top Fuel Crew Chief Neal Strausbaugh talk about navigating the heat of Phoenix and collecting win lights along the way. The show opens with an in-depth race monologue by host Brian Lohnes. Antonelli's path to the winner's circle was tumultuous, having a solid running car explode during a second-round victory which kicked off an amazing thrash to get it prepared for the semi-finals. Their recovery, performance, and precision in that round propelled them to a final round success for the ages. Get the inside story of this incredible win from the man who led the effort. Neal Strausbaugh weaved his Top Fuel tune up to a near victory at the Arizona Nationals. Get his perspective on the event, the track, the challenges, and how the TSR and Elite Top Fuel teams are working with and learning from each other in 2026. The inside stories of the hottest race in years on this episode of The NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster.
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8.9 The Insiders Talk Gainesville and Phoenix, Hartford Breaks Down His Win
03/17/2026
8.9 The Insiders Talk Gainesville and Phoenix, Hartford Breaks Down His Win
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Matt Hartford joins the show to talk about his hard-fought Pro Stock victory in Gainesville, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join to recap the Gatornationals, and a whole lot more. Pedregon and McKenna open the show with a freewheeling discussion about all the big stories that came out of the Gators both on and off the track. The dramatic wins, the dramatic DNQs, the energized crowd, and what it all seems to mean for the season to come. The guys talk about how teams will deal with the challenging conditions of a red-hot Phoenix weekend on the horizon and many other topics. A truly rollicking chat. Matt Hartford's win at the Gators was a long time coming. After making four final rounds in the 2025 season and winning none of them, he won the first final he appeared in to start 2026. Matt talks about the team's approach, their strategy, and how sometimes letting it all hang out is the best way to do business in Pro Stock. Hartford is candid, interesting, and provides valuable insight into his home track of Firebird Motorsports Park where the action will take place for race two of 2026. An episode you'll want to hear every moment of this week!
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8.8 Crew Chiefs Serena and Flynn talk Gainesville, Maddi Mania, More
03/10/2026
8.8 Crew Chiefs Serena and Flynn talk Gainesville, Maddi Mania, More
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Joe Serena and Rob Flynn join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their experiences at the Amalie Oil Gatornationals. Serena and Dean Marinis tuned Chad Green to a second straight win in Gainesville and Rob Flynn oversaw the semi-final finish of Maddi Gordon much to the delight of the crowd. The conversation with Serena is enlightening and interesting, a window into what goes into the building, training, and drilling of a new team to start a new season. He talks about the decisions and execution that carried the team to victory, his own growth in drag racing, and more. A fascinating chat. Rob Flynn is the crew chief for the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster with additional support from Monster Energy. Flynn talks about how Gordon has come a long way in a short time in a Top Fuel car, how he has approached this season with a new driver and how that approach changed with her skillset, and his front row seat to Maddi Mania which exploded onto the scene in Gainesville. To start the show Lohnes has a monologue about the event and how significant and wildly positive things happened during the weekend which will reverberate for a long time to come.
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8.7 The Insiders Take A Deep Dive Into the 2026 Gatornationals
03/04/2026
8.7 The Insiders Take A Deep Dive Into the 2026 Gatornationals
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Kevin McKenna of National Dragster and Tony Pedregon of the NHRAonFOX join host Brian Lohnes to talk all things Gatornationals and beyond in 2026. This conversation covers a wide array of subjects, people, rumors, speculation, and more leading into the first race of the 2026 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series schedule. The personnel, driver, equipment, and sponsor changes we'll see are gone over, broken down, and evaluated. The variables that no one can predict are approached, and beyond that, the guys all lend their considerable insights into what will be a Gatornationals unlike any we have seen in many, many years. Race one of 2026 promises to be a contest for the ages, attended by legends that span the history of the NHRA. Let this episode get you fired up for it!
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8.6 Langdon Talks 345 mph, Vandergriff Spills the Rookie Beans
02/23/2026
8.6 Langdon Talks 345 mph, Vandergriff Spills the Rookie Beans
On this high-speed episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, Shawn Langdon talks about his historic week of testing at Gainesville Raceway and Jordan Vandergriff talks about a breakout rookie week earning his stripes as a Funny Car driver. For Langdon, Gainesville was not a test session but a continuation of a global drag racing journey he'd been on since November. Langdon ran 3.621, which is the unofficial quickest of all time, and then the next day went 345.62, the unofficial fastest of all time. He breaks down these runs, his globe-trotting odyssey, and more in this insightful interview. Vandergriff has massive shoes to fill at John Force Racing. He knows it, the world knows it. He had an amazing week, gaining a Funny Car license, running 3.80s, and putting the world on notice that he can do the job. Vandergriff tells all about his new status as a Funny Car driver, his new crew chiefs, and his new crew in this chat. This and some more testing and cool news on the show!
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