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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6.43 Reliving The 2024 Finals - One Of The Greatest NHRA races ever
11/20/2024
6.43 Reliving The 2024 Finals - One Of The Greatest NHRA races ever
On this monologue-style episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes takes you inside the incredible In-N-Out Burger Finals and all of the stories that helped to make it one of the greatest events in the history of drag racing. From the championship stories, the rookie debuts, the upsets, the insane emergency disruption, and a whole lot more. This is not just a cut and dried look at the event, it's insider stories and knowledge that you won't find anywhere else. Every one of the top line stories was the culmination of many factors, most that started weeks before any of the teams actually rolled into the gates in Pomona. A race nearly without compare on performance, drama, excitement, heartbreak, and elation, the Finals were epic. Enjoy this in-depth breakdown of the madness.
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6.42 The Insiders Dive IN to the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals
11/12/2024
6.42 The Insiders Dive IN to the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals
On this final pre-race episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast Powered by Speedmaster season, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon of the NHRAonFOX and Kevin McKenna of NHRA's National Dragster to talk about the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals coming up this weekend. The three compare notes on the championship leaders, their path to potential glory, the pitfalls they need to avoid, and any of the concerns they have about the way this final race of the season will be shaping up for them. Lohnes talks about a raft of news broken at the SEMA show, excitement for 2025, and the overall picture of the season leading into this much hyped finals. Press play and get pumped up for the final race of the year and an event where champions will be crowned, likely in dramatic fashion.
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6.41 Richard Gadson and Tony Pedregon Talk Rookie of the Year and All Things Las Vegas!
10/29/2024
6.41 Richard Gadson and Tony Pedregon Talk Rookie of the Year and All Things Las Vegas!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Rookie of the Year Candidate Richard Gadson and NHRAonFOX Analyst Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the last two races of the season, this weekend's upcoming battle in Las Vegas, and Gadson's rookie season in the NHRA. Richard Gadson takes us inside some really interesting elements of his first full NHRA drag racing season, the highs and the lows. He talks about his approach, the team dynamic at Vance and Hines, the challenges of the evolving rules of Pro Stock Motorcycle, and why he'd be a good representative of the NHRA as Rookie of the Year. An impressive conversation with an impressive racer. Tony Pedregon's fired up for what's to come at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. Incredible conditions await huge fields of nitro cars and large numbers of pro stockers and motorcycles. There are potential records on the line and certainly huge implications for the championships so many racers are trying to lock up tight. Tune in and enjoy this pre-Ford Performance Nationals episode!
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6.40 Austin Prock and Ida Zetterstrom Talk Points, Promotion, and Chasing Dreams
10/22/2024
6.40 Austin Prock and Ida Zetterstrom Talk Points, Promotion, and Chasing Dreams
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Funny Car points leader Austin Prock and NHRA Rookie of the Year candidate Ida Zetterstrom join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their respective seasons at drag racing's pinnacle. The two youthful stars have different goals this year but they are both chasing the dreams they have held since childhood. For Austin Prock, the odds-on favorite for the 2024 NHRA Funny Car championship, it's been a season of incredible highs and some abrupt lows like the one that stopped his Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet Camaro in Dallas. Prock talks about the year, about the mistake that ended his race day, some interesting stories about his very early career, and how the team plans to attack over the next two events of 2024. A fascinating chat about goals, attitude, performance, and how it all ties together. Rookie NHRA Top Fuel racer Ida Zetterstrom burst onto the scene with an upset holeshot win against Steve Torrence in Brainerd and has been making waves ever since. A tireless spokeswoman for the NHRA, her career, and the sport of drag racing globally, she walks us through her breakneck schedule that has carried her back and forth to Europe all season long. The ups and downs of her rookie experience are front and center as well. All this and more on this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster!
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6.39 Texas Winning Crew Chief Mike Green and Funny Car's Blake Alexander Talk Dallas and Success
10/15/2024
6.39 Texas Winning Crew Chief Mike Green and Funny Car's Blake Alexander Talk Dallas and Success
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by winning Top Fuel Crew Chief Mike Green and top 10 Funny Car racer Blake Alexander. The conversations are entertaining and enlightening on several aspects of the sport. Green talks about one of the most challenging race-winning weekends of his decorated career. Justin Ashley was available to make a single qualifying run Friday and then left the track for religious observance. Returning Sunday, Ashley and the entire team put on a furious performance that garnered them the Top Fuel points lead and dropped jaws along the way. He takes us all inside the winning approach. Blake Alexander is in the best running funny car of his career right now and the performance continues to impress. Running 3.831 and then 3.87 at Dallas showed that Jim Head, Dave Leahy, and the whole team have their program in good order and he's driving to match. Lohnes and Alexander talk about the car, the preparation, and all the behind the scenes business work Blake does to sustain and grow his career. That and more on this show!
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6.38 A Stampede Of Info and Hot Takes Headed Into A Texas Weekend
10/08/2024
6.38 A Stampede Of Info and Hot Takes Headed Into A Texas Weekend
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by General Manager and Co-Owner of the Texas Motorplex Christie Meyer Johnson as well as NHRA on Fox's Tony Pedregon. The first half of the show involves a great conversation with Christie Meyer Johnson of the Texas Motorplex regarding the evolution of the Stampede of Speed, how it has revitalized the Texas Motorplex, and how the event has grown from its beginnings in 2021. A week unlike any other on the tour, the inside perspective of the work and dedication to make the Stampede what it is today is amazing. Tony Pedregon joins the show and along with Lohnes lays out the scenarios and potentialities of the weekend. The two go down a couple of rabbit holes of hot takes regarding different cars, different approaches drivers take, and how the emergence of tension, anger, and personality, could help grow the sport. This is one you do not want to miss.
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6.37 Dallas Glenn and Mike Neff Talk Winning St Louis, Work, and The Countdown Grind
10/01/2024
6.37 Dallas Glenn and Mike Neff Talk Winning St Louis, Work, and The Countdown Grind
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by back to back Pro Stock winner Dallas Glenn and the winning Top Fuel crew chief form St Louis, Mike Neff. The two bring lots of insight into their recent successes and what it has taken to achieve them. Glenn has accepted all comers over the last two races, including beating his nemesis and closest contender Aaron Stanfield in a pair of squeaker final rounds. He talks about the team dynamic, his approach, and how small things can add up to big success or heartbreak. Mike Neff has a good race car to tune now and the frustrations of the season were washed away in one fell swoop with a huge win at Worldwide Technology Raceway. A minute issue with clutch discs manifested itself into months of futility, but now corrected the JCM racing dragster is among the best in the nation and could make a dramatic championship run. A great show with lots of fun and in-depth conversation!
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6.36 Jack Beckman and Julie Nataas Talk St Louis, Experience, and a Top Fuel Debut
09/24/2024
6.36 Jack Beckman and Julie Nataas Talk St Louis, Experience, and a Top Fuel Debut
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Funny Car veteran Jack Beckman and Julie Nataas, the 2023 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster Champion who will be making a Top Fuel debut at the NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend. The two have very different stories but awesome insights to what motivates them and what they hope to achieve at Worldwide Technology Raceway. For Jack Beckman, earning points weekly for John Force is still a dream come true. His longstanding relationships with not only the Force family but people like Chris Cunningham who is one of his JFR crew chiefs is a source of pride and comfort. Jack talks about his role in the success of the Peak Blue DEF funny car in this Countdown, what it will take to move up in the points, and how he may treat any future opportunities. Julie Nataas is making a hotly anticipated Top Fuel debut with the Scrappers team this weekend in a second car and she talks about the long road to get to this point. Touching on her career, licensing, the business grind of drag racing, and the motivation to do it all, she paints the picture of a determined racer who has fought the good fight for this moment to happen. She does not plan to waste it. A full throttle and fun episode to get pumped up for what should be a wild weekend at Worldwide Technology Raceway.
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6.35 The Insiders Unite and Talk Indy, Reading, and Championships
09/11/2024
6.35 The Insiders Unite and Talk Indy, Reading, and Championships
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to discuss the results of Indy, what they have to do with the Countdown and how some teams are championship hopefuls and others may struggle to get their footing when pressures rise and results are mandatory. The upcoming Pep Boys Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania are set to be a true horsepower throwdown with an ideal forecast and limited excuses for top tier teams to struggle. The guys talk about how the past may not necessarily be the best predictor of the future during this 2024 season and just because you are entering the yearly battle at Maple Grove Raceway as the number one seed doesn't mean you'll leave there as such. An informative, interesting, and sometimes intense conversation on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast!
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6.34 Champion Crew Chiefs Hines and Jim Oberhofer Talk Toyota US Nats Triumph
09/05/2024
6.34 Champion Crew Chiefs Hines and Jim Oberhofer Talk Toyota US Nats Triumph
It was the race of races like it usually is and the winners certainly earned all of their accolades. On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Andrew Hines, crew chief for Indy winner Gaige Herrera in Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Top Fuel winning crew chief Jim Oberhofer who tunes Clay Millican's 330mph missile. Along with an extended race recap to start the show, these two interview conversations are fascinating. Hines relates the struggles the team had in Sonoma, how they course corrected for Indy, and how the timing of a test session can really make a difference in racing conditions. The details shared here are awesome. Jim O talks about his team, his personal trials and travails at the US Nationals and how this victory was the culmination of a lot of work for he, Nicky Boninfante, and the their entire race team. Jim is detailed and very emotionally invested in telling the story of his team, their win, and why they are not to be looked over when it comes to the final six races of the season. This, like the race, is one to remember!
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6.33 The Most Wonderful Week of The Year - An Insider's Take on Indy
08/26/2024
6.33 The Most Wonderful Week of The Year - An Insider's Take on Indy
On this monologue episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes takes you though the myriad of reasons this 70th running of the US Nationals means so much to the racers, the fans, and the sport as a whole. There insight into the history of the event, the reasons why people attend, why the race is like a nitro powered piece of orchestral music, and what separates the US Nationals out from other drag races in the NHRA and around the globe. This is a week to truly immerse in drag racing. From the raw performance of stock and super stock qualifying, the tightrope walk that will be qualifying in top sportsman and top dragster, the specialty races, a revamped Hemi Challenge, and more, there's loads to explore and talk about. It's Indy week and the whole sport is buzzing about it!
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6.32 Tony Stewart and JR Todd Talk Brainerd - Indy Looms Large, and More!
08/20/2024
6.32 Tony Stewart and JR Todd Talk Brainerd - Indy Looms Large, and More!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by JR Todd and Tony Stewart to discuss their respective weekends at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota as well as the upcoming Toyota US Nationals. These two racers had two radically different experiences and they dive into both. For JR Todd it was a weekend of explosive turmoil punctuated by the greatest pit thrash in a decade. He takes us inside the madness of the repairs that took place between the second and third rounds at Brainerd, how the whole pit area seemed to come to the aid of his DHL team, and the emotional highs and lows of this draining weekend. He also explains some of the finer details that the cameras did not catch. Tony Stewart ran career best numbers and has the best race car he has been in all season. He talks about the long road to his final round in Sonoma, the heartfelt message he shared with Antron Brown after that race, how his team is equipped for the US Nationals, and the similarities and differences he is experiencing in Top Fuel as opposed to his NASCAR and IndyCar experiences. A banger of a show from end to end!
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6.31 The Insiders Talk Big Brainerd Stories, Who's a Contender and Who's Pretending
08/14/2024
6.31 The Insiders Talk Big Brainerd Stories, Who's a Contender and Who's Pretending
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon joins Brian Lohnes to talk all things Lucas Oil Nationals, championship contenders, fresh drivers arriving at the race, and how some teams are contending for a title already and some teams are pretending to. The pair spend the first part of their discussion deep diving into the arrival of Jack Beckman on the scene as John Force's replacement driver. They talk about his experience, how the team can and should succeed, and what Jack brings to the table as the right man for the job. There's a pretty candid look into how the competition stacks up in the category and who may benefit from Jack's arrival and who may suffer for it. Following that chat they go class by class singling out high performing teams as well as those that seem to be fading at this important juncture in the season. Pro Stock? That's a spicy chat about who may actually be the flagship car on each of the major teams and how that name isn't who you'd necessarily expect. The good, the bad, and the juicy all right here leading into Brainerd!
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6.30 Antron Brown Talks Success in Sonoma, Capps Talks Top Fuel In 2026 and More!
08/06/2024
6.30 Antron Brown Talks Success in Sonoma, Capps Talks Top Fuel In 2026 and More!
On this revealing episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Antron Brown and Ron Capps. Brown, a Top Fuel winner three times already this season talks about his success in Sonoma, their building of a successful program in 2024, and why his team always seems to be in fighting form at this time of the year. Brown talks about many aspects of his team, his approach, the future expansion he has his eyes on, and even some fun he is planning on having this winter in the Pro Mod ranks. It's a high energy conversation with a true newsmaker in the sport. Ron Capps explains a lot of the behind the scenes work that his team had to do following their massive explosion in Seattle, how they have been working, why the 2022 car they ran at Sonoma put them a bit behind the other more modern chassis they were racing, and how he views this time of the year in relation to the impending Countdown. The most stunning part of the Capps conversation is his revelation that the team will be adding a Top Fuel dragster for 2026 and he has a partner and a driver lined up already. Hear him tell the story in his own words. Big stuff happening here and these guys are driving it!
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6.29 Sleepless in Seattle and Surging Toward Sonoma
07/23/2024
6.29 Sleepless in Seattle and Surging Toward Sonoma
In this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider host Brian Lohnes gets your caught up on the major stories coming out of the Northwest Nationals and leading right into this weekend's Denso Sonoma Nationals. A hectic travel week means that the whole sport is on the move. There are many observations from Pacific Raceways that could translate to this weekend's success or failures on the track. From the massive upsets we saw in eliminations, the wrecked equipment and more, things are looking very interesting. Lohnes takes you inside the long weekend in Seattle, gives insight into the craziness of Sunday and what it meant for the NHRAonFOX team, talks trends both positive and negative, and gives you all the info you've been waiting for to prepare for Sonoma. A high peformance weekend is on tape in Northern California. Evening qualifying, the motorcycle call out and more!
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6.28 The Insiders Prep You For A Trip To The Northwest Nationals
07/17/2024
6.28 The Insiders Prep You For A Trip To The Northwest Nationals
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon to talk all things NHRA Northwest Nationals. The race this weekend will be unique, featuring Friday night late evening qualifying to really kick things off and great weather is forecasted throughout. There are awesome storylines, and the race also represents the start of the back half of the NHRA season. 10 races down and 10 races to go! The favorites, the high performers, the teams that are struggling, and more, all chatted about here. Plus insight into some breaking news and more stuff going on in and around the world of the NHRA. Walk into the weekend informed with the insiders!
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6.27 Josh Hart Talks About His Top Fuel Struggle And The Insiders Deep Dive Play NHRA
07/09/2024
6.27 Josh Hart Talks About His Top Fuel Struggle And The Insiders Deep Dive Play NHRA
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast top fuel team owner and driver Josh Hart joins host Brian Lohnes to discuss the work, the struggles, the commitments, and the challenges his team has faced and how they are going to overcome them. This is a fascinating and in-depth look into the harder side of the top fuel world. Beyond the accolades, the speed, and the glory, there is the need to succeed, the work behind the scenes, and how hard decisions are made in the world of professional motorsports. On the second half of the show, Lohnes is joined by National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin Mckenna and the two deep dive into the world of Play NHRA and how it has started to transform the sport in its earliest stages. The two explore the basics, blow up some misconceptions, talk about the looming championship odds, and give an educational look at how to participate with your wallet or without. It may not be a race week, but there is LOADS going on!
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6.26 Brian Corradi and Aaron Brooks Talk Winning Norwalk, The Challenges Ahead
07/02/2024
6.26 Brian Corradi and Aaron Brooks Talk Winning Norwalk, The Challenges Ahead
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by a pair of winning crew chiefs. Up first it is Brian Corradi who leads Antron Brown's team in their tuning efforts and works with one of the most longstanding and respected groups of minds in the sport. Corradi talks about the challenges of Norwalk and then looks forward to the races that are on the horizon. He talks about his early career, how he likes to treat his guys, and the impact Antron Brown continues to have on the sport. Next up it is Aaron Brooks and in this entertaining conversation Brooks talks about working with Todd Okuhara, how they communicate, why they make a good team and how racing nitro funny cars in 2024 is unlike racing them even as little as five years ago. Brooks talks about the team's combination which they lost the handle on for a short time but have shown it to be flexible and worthy with a runner up and win over the last two races. Happy fourth of July weekend and enjoy the show!
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6.25 An Insider's Insight Into The Virginia Nationals and A Big One On Tap At Norwalk
06/25/2024
6.25 An Insider's Insight Into The Virginia Nationals and A Big One On Tap At Norwalk
On this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes will take you through the Virginia Nationals, provide the available information on the condition of John Force after his crash, and get ready you ready for the huge upcoming weekend at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. The NHRA Virginia Nationals will be a race forever remembered by fans for one singular moment and the way it has drawn the drag racing community closer together. John Force's first round crash was a stunning reminder of how dangerous this sport can be. The performances of his daughter Brittany and team driver Austin Prock were both reminders as to their skill and professionalism as well. With everyone clamoring for answers, Lohnes provides the available information and talks through many of the things that we are all thinking about. The Norwalk race will be huge with 20 Top Fuel dragsters on tap, loads of awesome performances slated, and weather that will be more forgiving than Virginia. Information, insight, and observations here.
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6.24 Jianna Evaristo Talks Pro Stock Motorcyle and The Insiders Talk Boiling Hot Virginia
06/20/2024
6.24 Jianna Evaristo Talks Pro Stock Motorcyle and The Insiders Talk Boiling Hot Virginia
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Jianna Evaristo joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about her final round appearance at the recent Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and Tony Pedregon joins to talk about what will be a sweltering weekend at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. Evaristo rode one of the best races of her career in Bristol and it was the culmination of a lot of work, training, and adaptation to the V-Twin Buell motorcycle she is riding this season. The conversation has plenty of depth about the competition in Pro Stock Motorcycle, the internal nature of drag racing's mental game, and how Evaristo has been working for her success over the course of several seasons. This is a truly interesting trip through the story and the mind of a high-level competitor. The story of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals is yet to be written but the prologue can be described as heat. Tony Pedregon and Brian Lohnes talk about the challenges, potential pitfalls, and keys to success in racing through conditions that will test the stamina of everyone on the property, no matter their role at the track. A fast moving show that covers a lot of ground!
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6.23 JR Todd and Clay Millican Talk Bristol's Challenges, Seasons Promise
06/11/2024
6.23 JR Todd and Clay Millican Talk Bristol's Challenges, Seasons Promise
Host Brian Lohnes is joined by Funny Car ace JR Todd and Top Fuel handler Clay Millican on this episode of the NHRA Insider. The three talk about the challenges, triumphs, and heartaches of the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol and then what lay ahead for racers at Virginia Motorsports Park along with the rest of the season. The conversations are interesting in that they delve not only into the racing action we just saw but the interpersonal dynamic internally with these two successful teams. Todd sits third in the points and Millican is little more than two rounds out of cracking the top five in Top Fuel. Candid, honest, unflinching, and interesting, you'll enjoy this listen as two of the NHRA's biggest names wheel and deal with the inside formation you love to learn.
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6.22 The Insiders Recap Epping and Talk A Smooth New Bristol Surface
06/04/2024
6.22 The Insiders Recap Epping and Talk A Smooth New Bristol Surface
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon and National Dragster's Kevin McKenna to talk about the amazing 2024 New England Nationals and look forward to this weekend's Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The Epping race was an action packed contest with sold out crowds two out of the three days and great qualifying. The guys talk about the track, its unique fanbase, the action over the course of the three days and more. They key in on John Force and what it means to see him as a front running competitor in the class for the first time in years, the colossal strength of the Kalitta Motorsports team, the pro stock battles that were waged and more. The Bristol conversation involves Pro Stock Motorcycle, the freshly repaved track surface at Bristol Dragway, how teams will learn and adapt to a less character filled surface, and the seemingly perfect forecast. Great insight and a fast moving chat with two guys who know!
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6.21 Dickie Venables and Tony Pedregon Talk Winning Epping and Epic Conditions
05/29/2024
6.21 Dickie Venables and Tony Pedregon Talk Winning Epping and Epic Conditions
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Dickie Venables, the crew chief for back-to-back 2024 winner Matt Hagan. Dickie and Matt also have four wins at New England Dragway and are the winningest funny car tandem in the history of the New England Nationals. Dickie talks about the trickiness of Chicago, the approach change for Epping, why his team is clicking so well, and what the performance potential is for cool New Hampshire air in qualifying. Tony Pedregon is the second guest on the show and there's a spicy conversation about the simmering Pro Stock frustrations pervading the pits, who the favorites are on what could be an all-time performance weekend, and the potential of seeing 340mph not just out of one car, but maybe others as well. It's a supercharged look at what's to come this weekend on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour!
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6.20 Gaige Herrera and Dallas Glenn Talk Chicago, Epping, and The Future
05/22/2024
6.20 Gaige Herrera and Dallas Glenn Talk Chicago, Epping, and The Future
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Chicago winners Gaige Herrera and Dallas Glenn. Two competitors cut from the same cloth, they talk about the mechanics of winning, how the competition is tight, and how they are both looking toward the future in their seasons and careers. Gaige joins the show first and talks about his record breaking eighth straight victory in Pro Stock Motorcycle and how his approach his changed this season. He talks about the team dynamic at Vance and Hines, why they operate at such a high level, and how his own personal drive has powered him on this amazing streak. Dallas Glenn tells his story of a challenging race weekend that paid off with the ultimate satisfaction of a victory on Sunday. It's an interesting tale of Call-Out frustration turned race-day elation. Glenn also talks about what he needs to do through the middle of the season and ultimately the countdown to garner his first championship in the category. That's the chat and some fun forward-looking thoughts on the upcoming NHRA New England Nationals!
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6.19 Blowin' Into The Windy City - Ashley and Pedregon Talk Top Fuel and Route 66 Nationals
05/15/2024
6.19 Blowin' Into The Windy City - Ashley and Pedregon Talk Top Fuel and Route 66 Nationals
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Top Fuel points leader Justin Ashley and NHRAonFOX Analyst Tony Pedregon for two wildly different discussions about racing, Chicago, and the 2024 season. Justin Ashley is riding a huge wave of success so far in 2024 and his team is in command of the points by nearly 100 over Doug Kalitta. His final round appearances and wins this year have been impressive but the inner workings of the organization may be even more impressive than the wins themselves. Ashley takes us inside his team, his mindset, and his success. The two talk long term goals, the outlook for Chicago, and why a hot start is more important than ever in 2024. A fired up Tony Pedregon joins the show to talk about everything from a stacked top fuel field, the NHRA sports gaming announcement, a near brawl behind the scenes in pro stock, and a whole lot more. This rollicking interview makes up the second half of the show and it's one you cannot afford to miss!
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6.18 An Early Season Check In With Daniel Wilkerson and Andrew Hines
05/07/2024
6.18 An Early Season Check In With Daniel Wilkerson and Andrew Hines
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by rookie nitro funny car driver Daniel Wilkerson and multi-time champion rider turned Vance and Hines crew chief Andrew Hines. The two guys have unique perspective on the 2024 season and they share it in these conversations. For Dan Wilkerson, it has been a decent start to the 2024 year culminating in his best race yet in Charlotte at the 4-Wide Nationals. Wilkerson talks about so many aspects of his evolution as a driver and the face of his team this season. It is interesting to understand the working dynamic between he and his crew chief dad and how they are both settling into what are new roles for each of them. Andrew Hines oversees the tuning of Gaige Herrera's Suzuki motorcycle and many aspects of the workload at the Vance and Hines shop. He talks about the fact that two races in they are still learning, how Richard Gadson is doing, and why the pro stock motorcycle class is as tight as it can be with the motorcycles showing up these days. Lohnes asks him about the controversies coming into Charlotte and squashing them with a strong win. It's a wide ranging conversation about competition, motorcycle drag racing, and more! Two dynamic racers doing what they do to succeed in the tough world of the NHRA!
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6.17 The FULL Insider Story of The Great Charlotte Intake Manifold Controversy
04/30/2024
6.17 The FULL Insider Story of The Great Charlotte Intake Manifold Controversy
On this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes takes you step by step through the crazy happenings on Saturday at the Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals involving Bob Tasca's team, the tech department, and what was determined to be an illegal intake manifold. It is a story with some interesting twists and turns, some truly big implications, and one that, at least in Lohnes's view, actually happened at the right time. This recounting of events takes us through the discovery of the problem which was revealed live on air to Lohnes and Tony Pedregon during the NHRA Insider LIVE, the ensuing social media craziness, why the intake was illegal, and how the whole thing shook out. This is not just a retelling of events, it is a breakdown on the hows and whys of everything that happened on that very interesting day. This is as insider as it gets.
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6.16 The NHRA Insiders ON FIRE Before Charlotte 4-Wide
04/23/2024
6.16 The NHRA Insiders ON FIRE Before Charlotte 4-Wide
On this high-octane episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by National Dragster's Phil Burgess and Tony Pedregon to talk about the electric running of the Las Vegas 4-Wide Nationals as well as the upcoming Carolina 4-Wide Nationals this week. The conversation ranges from driver performances, driver attitudes, what a hole shot actually is, the process and procedures of top-end interviews for TV, and a whole lot more. There are flying sparks, hot takes, deep dives, and great analysis of the teams that are carrying the torches forward in their respective categories, those that are poised to break out, and who needs to get their act together coming into this second and final four wide contest. An entertaining and swift-moving show if there ever was one!
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6.15 Jasmine Salinas, Bob Tasca, and Del Worsham Talk Command and Control Post Vegas Powered by Speedmaster
04/17/2024
6.15 Jasmine Salinas, Bob Tasca, and Del Worsham Talk Command and Control Post Vegas Powered by Speedmaster
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Jasmine Salinas, Bob Tasca, and Del Worsham to discuss the Las Vegas 4-Wide Nationals, growth, strategy, and how great teams get their cars back on track. Jasmine Salinas is the first guest on the show and a great conversation ensues about her early period in Top Fuel, what she has learned so far, how she has evolved as a racer, and how her competitive personality was formed in the sport of drag racing where she has dedicated so much of her time and effort for the last several years. Bob Tasca talks about his team's measured approach to the Vegas race, what they tested after the race, and how his relationship with his crew chiefs ultimately has lead to them having the fastest funny car in history and one of the most competitive in the NHRA. A high energy discussion! Finally, Del Worsham recounts his team's struggles, his own personal grief over the performance of the funny car he tunes, and how they committed themselves to righting their own ship which resulted in a car that went rounds in Phoenix and Las Vegas. It's an insightful crew chief chat. This is a jam packed episode with something for everyone!
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6.14 The Insider Recap of Phoenix, Paul Lee on Funny Car Success, and A Vegas Preview
04/09/2024
6.14 The Insider Recap of Phoenix, Paul Lee on Funny Car Success, and A Vegas Preview
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, funny car ace Paul Lee joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about the rapid growth of performance and success his team has experienced under the leadership of John Medlen and Jonnie Lindberg, how well Phoenix went before a mechanical problem, and what his outlook is for the rest of the NHRA season. Lee brings some great insights as a racer and an owner on how things are shaping up in nitro funny car. Lohnes recaps Phoenix and the action fans saw all weekend long, talks about 4-Wide drag racing in Las Vegas its perception and attitude and the ONE thing fans can bank on seeing during that always high energy event. A bang-bang Insider!
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