NHRA Insider Podcast

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, two members of the same team join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the red-hot start to their season. Justin Ashley and Mike Green, the driver and crew chief of the Phillips Connect Top Fuel Dragster, have, along with a talented team, scored two convincing wins in a row at Phoenix and then Pomona. In these two separate conversations, Lohnes talks to Ashley about not only winning but the process of racing at the highest levels, taking the Mission #2Fast2Tasty crown, number one qualifier, and event win in Pomona along with many other topics like his race weekend, regimen and more. Mike Green talks about running his dragster, being paired with a talent like Ashley, and operating the points-leading team so far in 2023. There's a great insight into the last two races from a chief crew perspective, the dynamics of his crew, the fact that his boss works actively on the car, and why these guys are built for the long haul this season. Insights from the driver's seat as well as the chief crew lounge on this episode and all from the same winning team!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider, host Brian Lohnes breaks down the NHRA Lucas Oil Arizona Nationals from Phoenix. Taking listeners inside some of the major happenings of the race, you'll learn the root cause of some of the more intriguing moments of the weekend and get a full breakdown regarding the key points of the event. History was made when Camrie Caruso got her first Wally and became the second female Pro Stock winner ever; deep dives into the head-to-head battles between Antron Brown and Shawn Langdon, among others, and a full explainer on the Pro Stock controversy from round two in eliminations. Phoenix was a monster of a race from a crowd perspective, a tricky race from the track perspective, and the perfect start to the Mission #2Fast2Tasty program that perhaps over-delivered from even the most well-seasoned viewer and fan perspectives. The Winternationals will be spiced up both in performance and emotion based on what we saw in Arizona. Listen up!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the controversy of "weightgate" following the 2023 Amalie Oil Gatornationals, recapping the high and low performers of that event, and they look forward to the 2023 NHRA Arizona Nationals as well. The three talk extensively about their impressions of what happened following the Gators with Mike Salinas and his team, their penalty for coming arcoss the scales light after the final round, and what the implications may be going forward. It is an interesting chat with some perspective you will not find anywhere else. Recapping the Gatornationals, Lohnes, Pedregon, and McKenna review the performances of teams who exceeded, lived up to, and failed to reach the performance bar they all expected at the season-opening race. The episode concludes with an interesting talk about whether or not drag racers are truly ready to be "big time" in the sporting world and the direction of professional drag racing as a whole. This is the best way to get revved up for a fast weekend at Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park!

On this post-Gatornationals episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Andrew Hines and Rob Flynn, two winning crew chiefs from the event, join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their experiences and how they achieved victory. For the Vance and Hines team, this one was a long time coming. Plucking rider Gaige Herrera from relative obscurity and giving him the chance to ride one of the best machines in the category may have seemed risky to some, but Andrew Hines knew that Herrea was a talent that just needed horsepower. Boy, was he right. The whole story of his victory is one for the history books. Rob Flynn commanded his tune-up and team like a maestro in Gainesville, making the final round of the Pep Boys All-Star Top Fuel Call Out and then winning Top Fuel Eliminator on Sunday. Rob talks about his approach, his team, and how everyone came together under high-stress, short turnaround conditions at the opening race of the season. The story of two victories, a look back over the race, some fun insider stories, and more on this episode!

On this pre-Gatornationals episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon and National Dragster Sr. Editor Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to talk about how testing has gone, what teams should be better than they were in 2022 and which teams have made the most waves in testing. The guys also delve into the topic of the things they DO NOT want to hear in 2023, and that may be the most entertaining part of the whole exercise. Pedregon takes us deep inside the Bob Tasca team to talk about what happened to cause his crew chief change, the immediate results of it, and why the driver/crew chief dynamic is so important on any team. Lohnes shares a wild story about how they may have known about the change before many others did. Clay Millican's team is talked through, and expectations are shared now that they have the most parts, pieces, and funding than they ever have had before. Similarly, the guys talk about Doug Kalitta and the whole Kalitta camp and what they foresee for Shawn Langdon and Doug in 2023. The class-by-class breakdown culminates in a fun conversation about the cliches and actions the guys want to see drivers abandon for 2023. Whether it's feigning to not care about opponents or turning the top end into a recreation of the summer of love, the boys have a few ideas. Perhaps you have more to add! A fun show to get us fully cranked up for the start of the season!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Tony Schumacher and Bob Tasca III join host Brian Lohnes to talk about off-season moves, upcoming testing, and the reasons why both think they are in a position to succeed during the 2023 season. For Tony Schumacher, 2022 was not a return year that was arranged in a relatively hasty fashion. It's easy to hear in his words and tone that the Seattle winning team wasn't exactly firing on all eight cylinders all year long, nor were they in a luxurious position with their equipment. With the addition of Mike Neff and John Shafer as the leaders of the team, new crew members throughout, and a load of fresh parts, the SCAG Power Equipment top fuel dragster is ready to roll. The two also chat about the addition of Tim Wilkerson to the JCM team. A fun chat. Bob Tasca has grouped Aaron Brooks and Todd Okuhara together to lead his Motorcraft Ford Mustang team in 2023. He's also added new people to the crew and the team has some really lofty goals for the season. A strong running car in the summer, Tasca and crew need to pick up the pace in the Spring and Fall to really be championship contenders. This is a great show with lots of insider stories you'll only get here!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by David Grubnic and Robert Hight. Hight is coming off of an incredible season, perhaps the best in his career, but one that did not see him with a championship when it was all over. Robert talks about testing and how fast his car was, the work that they have done in the off-season, personnel changes at John Force Racing, and the fact that the major players in funny car are all coming back strong for this season. This is an interesting and insightful conversation. David Grubnic enters a season for the first time as a defending world champion. The conversation with Lohnes is wide ranging, from his first experience seeing nitro cars when he was 13 years old at Surfer's Paradise, to the approach he and his team take to testing. He also talks about testing being interrupted by weather and the goals he and the team have to achieve when they return shortly to get their last two days completed. Great chats, more news from inside the NHRA, and insight into the sport that we all know and love.

On this episode of the NHRA Insider, new Vance and Hines team rider Gaige Herrera and multi-time champion funny car crew chief Dickie Venables join host Brian Lohnes to talk about testing, preparing, and what it will take to win in 2023. Third-generation drag racer Gaige Herrera was practically made for this moment in his life. He's the newest name on the Vance and Hines roster, and after a highly successful first test session at Gainesville, he'd ready for what the season will bring. Herrera talks about his evolution in drag racing, his family's roots in the sport, and the expectations he has to perform in the 2023 season. If the test was any indicator, this guy is going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. Dickie Venables talks about the fresh start to 2023 with the same team in the same roles. He talks about his off-season preparations, how he reviews data, what it will take to be at the top in '23, and how life at TSR racing is a breath of fresh air in NHRA drag racing. Dickie talks about his hobbies away from the track and how excited he is to return to Chicago this year. All this plus news, insider information, and a multitude of topics in professional NHRA Camping World drag racing!

A rare three-guest show this week on the NHRA Insider. Tim Wilkerson, Justin Ashley, and Camrie Caruso are all guests talking about their plans, news, and prep for 2023. The show begins with host Brian Lohnes getting everyone up to speed on the latest NHRA news and info and rolls into a great conversation with Tim Wilkerson on his new partnership with Maynard Family Racing and SCAG teammate Tony Schumacher. This is truly a new chapter in his career, and he tells all. Justin Ashley talks about preparing for the season with testing, what Top Fuel will look like in 2023, and why his team is primed for another championship contenting run over the year. Finally, Camrie Caruso talks about being a part of KB Racing, how her whole outlook has changed with this move, how her job changes on the team, and why working in drag racing outside of the car has been great for her career. Lohnes and Caruso talk about her tough 2022 Countdown, what she learned, and how she'll approach it in 2023. A great show with three NHRA stars!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Cruz Pedregon and Leah Pruett join host Brian Lohnes to talk about strong late-season 2022 performances and the hopeful prospects for 2023 with renewed vigor and established teams. Cruz Pedregon took a leap at the end of 2022, swapping to a six-disc clutch program and bringing on Lee Beard to assist John Collins, his crew chief. This resulted in the most dominating win of his long career at the NHRA Finals in Pomona. Pedregon talks about being at the Chili Bowl with his midget race cars, his outlook for 2023, what the prospects are for the Raiders signing Tom Brady, and his testing plans for the winter. Leah Pruett's team was barely assembled before the 2022 season. They matured and won Denver and then had a strong car for the last stretch of the season. The win lights didn't come on, but the performance was certainly ramped up. Leah talks about the late Ken Block, transitioning to the role of driver and not a "do-all" person on a team, and how their stable crew will help them succeed in 2023. That and more on this episode of the NHRA Insider!

Kyle Koretsky and Clay Millican join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Both of these racers had wild positive upheaval in their 2022 campaigns, with the Koretsky family buying Maple Grove Raceway and Millican's team being purchased and added to the Rick Ware Racing fold. The conversations with both racers center around how those changes are behind them and how 2023 is a positive, fresh, and stable slate. Lohnes talks about the upcoming difficulty in a top fuel class that continues to rise, additional pressures with new competitors coming in pro stock, and some of the other news of the drag racing week. A fun talk with two fan-favorite racers here on the Insider!

For this first episode of 2023, NHRA Insider host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna to talk about the things all three of them need to see in 2023. This is a wide-ranging discussion about what drivers and riders need to stand on it, what teams need to make a recovery fast, what they want to hear in interviews, and who they think will be breaking through for their first career wins in the season ahead. There are plenty of rumors to address, potential testing schedules to look at, and a myriad of different topics covered here. We're getting closer to Gainesville by the day, and these guys set up some of the biggest potential stories of the year during this first show of 2023. Hope springs eternal for everyone at this early moment of the season, and time will tell how accurate their predictions and wants are. Come up with some of your own, or choose to agree/disagree with the panel here.

On this season-ending episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes reviews the hot news from the PRI show, takes a retrospective look over the year that was, teases some interesting stuff that is in the news pipeline, and looks forward to the 2023 season both on the track in the Podcast-verse. It's a timely and tidy end to a racing year that saw sellouts, records, great competition, surprise winners, and hard-fought championships come down to the wire. After nearly 50 episodes this year, we'll take a couple of weeks off, get our engines tuned up, and we'll be back to sling the news, dig the dirt, and get you inside the hottest stories in drag racing.

Just when you thought Antron Brown could not get any cooler, he just did. Last weekend Antron attended the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals at the NHRA-sanctioned Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida and drove Manny Buginga's 3,000hp Pro275 car known as Fred. This is basically a stock wheelbase car with full suspension and as much power as a pro mod on tiny 275mm wide rear tires. He didn't just drive it, he won the race! Brown joins host Brian Lohnes on this episode to tell the epic tale of how he found himself in the car and what it was like to do something he had never done in drag racing. It is an amazing and fun story told by one of the sport's all-time greats. His legend continues to grow! Additionally, Lohnes drops the hottest rumors surrounding the NHRA on this week of the PRI show in Indiana, where many of them will be brought to light and either confirmed or denied. There's a new nitro funny car driver coming, crew changes, and a whole lot more to talk about here!

Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider for one last look over the 2022 NHRA season before turning their sights to rumors, 2023 plans, and the overall state of the sport as we move into the depths of the winter months. There's a lot to take in here. From the upcoming changes in the alcohol funny car ranks, Factory X, the big news of Angelle and the Vance and Hines team going their separate ways, massive Top Fuel rumors, and more, the guys touch on the stuff that happened, the stuff that might happen, and what they all expect to see in 2023. New names coming in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car, Funny Car, and Top Fuel? That's what they are hearing among a load of other topics and conversations. The show will continue in the off-season, but for these two guests they're preparing for a winter break! A fun listen that will keep you locked in.

On this episode of the NHRA Insider now two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Brittany Force joins Brian Lohnes to talk about her Pomona triumph, the team that made it all happen, and how a second world championship in top fuel eliminator changes the game for her and the entire John Force Racing team. Truly an insightful conversation with a driver who lived up to the billing in 2022 and about a team who produced the greatest and most speedy runs in the history of the class. Following that, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join Lohnes to talk all things Pomona finals and what this one race could indicate for the coming 2023 season. The key performances that delivered race wins and championship results are fascinating to break down. The guys stick to this one race and promise a full season breakdown in the coming weeks. Heck, enough happened at the Finals that the one race seemed like a season in and unto itself!

The last race of the season is upon us, and with it comes some incredible storylines. National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna and NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes to talk about news, rumors, championship scenarios, and what we should all be looking for during a race that promises to be incredible. While the pro stock championship is locked up, three other championships are wide open, and they each carry their own unique stories. Can Matt Smith lock up his 6th title and join Andrew Hines and Dave Schultz? Can Robert Hight thump his three closest rivals? Which of the potential five top fuel champions will get the job done? The silly season is already springing into high gear, and the rumors are flying! The threesome talk about these as well. A fun listen before the final race of the year!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, National Dragster's Kevin McKenna and the NHRAonFox's Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes o preview the coming action at the second to last race of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series 2022 Tour in Las Vegas. The huge storylines include the first competition start for Tony Stewart, who will be running in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, the potential coronation of Erica Enders as the Pro Stock World Champion, the raging battles in Pro Stock Motorcycle, nitro funny car, and top fuel, as well as plenty of other interpersonal storylines. This second to last race of the year will be as wide open as the city that's hosting it, and listening to this show will have you fired up and informed for what promises to be a weekend that breaks the ultimate Vegas rule. What happens at the Las Vegas nationals won't be staying at the NHRA Nevada Nationals

Ron Capps and Clay Millican join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Both racers are in a strong position with regard to their seasons. Capps sits just 10 points behind leader Robert Hight and Millican, with fresh ownership and parts is in the fastest race car he has had in years. While Millican may be a bit too far out to be considered a favorite, Capps has been slugging with Hight and Hagan on a weekly basis to maintain his championship position. Clay Millican brings great insights into the operation of his top fuel team under the ownership of Rick Ware Racing and what it means for the future of the entire outfit. It is an exciting time for he and the entire team as they now have an inventory of parts that will allow them to run the car as hard and fast as the front runners under crew chief Jim Oberhofer. Ron Capps is loving life at the moment. He comes off a big win in Dallas and is in the dream position of being less than one full round out of first place in his NAPA Toyota GR Supra. A multi-time champion, he reflects on the hardened experience of those first two championships and how that struggle can help him here. Capps talks about his crew, Dean Antonelli and co-crew chief John Medlen, and what the future holds for his operation. This is a fun listen with two of drag racing's great personalities!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Tony Pedregon of the NHRAonFox and National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna come on with host Brian Lohnes to talk about the NHRA Texas Falls Nationals. This is a race with massive implications in every Camping World Drag Racing Series category and, for some, could actually provide the points needed to lock in a world title. Taking it from the top with a conversation about St Louis, the threesome dive into each pro class, talk about who has the command of the moment, what desperate measures could be taken by others to stop them, and what the conditions looming in Texas could bring on as far as challenges. There's a discussion about discord in a championship-contending top fuel team, a breakdown of the role a legendary crew chief is playing with regard to a funny car team, and a conversation about how a 21-point lead in pro stock motorcycle seems larger than it is on paper. THIS is truly an "Insider" look at the world of NHRA drag racing and it's up-to-the-minute good!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Antron Brown and Matt Smith join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their successes this season, the hard work behind them, and what they both think it will take to add to their championship career resumes. For Matt Smith, the 2022 Midwest Nationals were a showcase of his abilities as a tuner and a rider. Setting low ET on Friday and then carrying a strong motorcycle through an evolving track surface on Saturday and Sunday set him up for a win that gave him the points lead. We talk about that win, what he's doing to prepare for the final three races, and the mindset of a man chasing his sixth career title. Antron Brown has shown his class and his classic approach to team building, hard work, and faith this season. After frustrations through much of the year, the talented organization put the train back on the tracks fully in Topeka, dipped into the .60s in Brainerd, won the US Nationals, and roared into championship contention with a blistering start to the 2022 Countdown to the Championship. Some of the things Brown reveals and talks about here are very telling in the best of ways. Two guys who are in the running for titles in their classes tell all! A very interesting and informative show.

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, NHRAonFox's Tony Pedregon and National Dragster Sr. Editor Kevin McKenna weigh in with all that has been happening through two races of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. The hot takes fly, especially when the conversation turns to the action in Charlotte, North Carolina, last weekend and which teams have exerted themselves hard enough to be true championship contenders. The threesome chat about all manner of things in every professional class and really bear down on the top fuel class, which is seemingly set to produce one of the most incredible single season turn around tales ever, with the rocket-like rise of Antron Brown since the Topeka, Kansas race in the regular season. Controversy about Billy Torrence not staging first round? Yeah, that is gone through here as well. Lohnes riffs on his experience at Drag Week between both races, and this is a show that will have you on the chip for this weekend's race or maybe ready to fire off an angry e-mail! Get pumped up because the action will only get more intense from here on out.

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to talk about Indy, set up this weekend's Pep Boys Nationals, and work to figure out who will be coming out of the gate swinging in this first round of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. There are loads of great points discussed, some controversy addressed, and opinions a-plenty. Can Brittany do it? Will Steve Torrence come from the fourth spot? So many questions. The second half of the show is a conversation with Virginia Pro Mod winner Tylor Miller. Miller's history in drag racing is astonishing, racing full-sized cars half a decade before he had a driver's license. The stories will have you laughing and leaning in to listen to more. Miller also talks about how his family business Pee Dee Fleet is involved with the upcoming Pro Mod race in Charlotte and career opportunities at the operation. This is a great show, a fun listen, and a perfect way to get pumped up for the race this weekend!

National Dragster Sr Editor Kevin McKenna and NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon join Brian Lohnes to take a look at the upcoming Dodge Power Brokers US Nationals as well as a look back at Brainerd. Over the course of this wide-ranging chat, there's talk about teams on the rise, breaking news about high-level personnel being hired, and a truly in-depth look at the upcoming US Nationals. Lohnes and McKenna break down some of the race's "hidden gems" that every fan who loves the sport cannot miss, the three of them go professional class by class to talk about surprise entries, who can pull it off, and who the potential Cinderella stories of the race could be. There's talk about the Pep Boys All-Star Callout Events, the Jeg's All-Stars, and so much more. Listen up and get excited about the upcoming US Nationals!

: On this episode of the NHRA Insider, NHRA Vice-President of Broadcasting Steve Reintjes and FOX Sr. Coordinating Producer Pete Richards join host Brian Lohnes to delve into the fascinating world of putting drag racing on television. There's lots to learn here. From the size and scope of the broadcast team to the literal production elements of the shows. Both guys have loads of experience and are descriptive and thorough in their descriptions of many elements that go into the end product you watch at home. Both Reintjes and Richards have many years of experience in the sports television industry and their perspective on what makes drag racing not only different but exceptionally difficult to produce on TV is interesting and well rounded. If you love our NHRAonFOX shows, you'll love this deep dive into how they make it to your TV!

NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon and National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider. The talk is all about the upcoming Menard's NHRA Nationals presented by Pet Armor in Topeka, Kansas, and how teams will either sink or swim in the projected searing heat of the weekend. The trio talks about the massive weekend that was in drag racing with major events all over the country, the tail end of the western swing, and then they evaluate the storylines class by class for this weekend's throwdown in America's heartland. There are some interesting points made here, some great analysis, and some raw opinion that will get you fired up! If you want to go into this weekend with more knowledge than your fellow NHRA pals, this is the show that will get you there. Listen up!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Tony Schumacher joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about his season so far, Joe Maynard taking a majority ownership stake in his car, his wild victory at Seattle, and what the future holds for the rest of this season and seasons to come. This is a long-form, insightful conversation with the winningest driver in top fuel history. He's able to bring interesting perspective into the struggles of building the team he is on and the payoff of their victory. The conversation regarding the Maynard Family Racing transition is highly informative and interesting. The Maynards have significant goals which could have positive reverberations all through drag racing, not just in the top fuel ranks. Lohnes recaps Seattle, talks about the swing, and then looks forward to the upcoming Topeka race. Listen up!

Sonoma winner Joey Gladstone and NHRA funny car points leader Robert Hight join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. After an incredible race in Sonoma, Lohnes recaps the event, its highlights, and provides some insight into not only Sonoma but this week's Seattle race before settling down with the show's guests. Joey Gladstone captured his first national event win in his third straight final round by nailing a holeshot against Eddie Krawiec in the Sonoma final. Lohnes talks to him about that event, the weeks leading up to it, and how his career has formed him up to rise to this occasion. This is a very personal conversation with the brightest rising star in this class of drag racing. Robert Hight is having one of his greatest seasons ever and it shows no signs of letting up. While he was eliminated in the semi-finals in Sonoma he had been on a streak of finals and wins that have made him the points leader by a wide margin. Hight talks about the lessons learned in 2021 and how they have translated into the successes of 2022. It's a cool conversation and one that will take you inside the current successful season for JFR. Big-time stuff happening at this time of the year and Seattle is coming in hot!

The 2022 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile High Nationals were a showcase of the best elements of NHRA drag racing. There were speed records set. There were upsets. There were holeshots, destroyed engines, and four champions across the Camping World Series spectrum. In this unique format episode of the NHRA Insider, host Brian Lohnes takes you through the inside stories of the race, gives context to some of the things you saw on the broadcast, and looks at the Denso Sonoma Nationals through the prism of Denver. As it is a short turnaround between races, the normal cast of characters and guests were all tied up so, in this monologue-style show, you get some juicy behind-the-scenes morsels from the weekend along with the hows and whys of victory and defeat. Relive Denver one last time with Lohnes and then set your sights on wine country with him as he does the same. From the thin air struggles of the mountain in Colorado to the abundance of sea level horsepower-making air in Sonoma, it's the most manic two races of the whole season.

As the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series heads into the most intense three-race series of its 2022 season, Kevin Mckenna and Tony Pedregon join Brian Lohnes to talk all things Dodge Power Brokers Mile High Nationals. This challenging race kicks off the Western Swing and forces teams and drivers into the most uncomfortable physical and mental atmosphere of the entire year. For many teams, the Western Swing provides an opportunity to right the ship and make a mad grab at valuable points as the regular season grinds ever closer to its end at the US Nationals. For other teams, this mountain provides a power equalizer that can align their potential performance better with the pack than other locations can. The end result? A race historically known for its stunning upsets through eliminations. There's chatter about the revised 2023 NHRA schedule, some insider information on new potential deals and drivers returning, as well as the insight that these two veterans of the sport bring to the table. Get your breathing right and get your knowledge bucket filled with this Mile High Nationals episode of the NHRA Insider!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Brian Lohnes is joined by Rob Flynn and Erica Enders to talk about the incredible seasons both of them are having. For Rob Flynn, tuning the dragster of Mike Salinas has been an experience in measured aggression. The Scrappers team has four wins already this year and there's no sign that they'll be slowing down to let someone take them off the perch they are on now, leading the top fuel points. Flynn talks about the team, the approach, another successful weekend in Norwalk, and what the upcoming Western Swing means for him and all of his guys. Erica Enders has five wins in eight races and is on pace to smash her personal best record for a season which was 9 wins in 2015. Erica talks candidly about a number of subjects from attitude to staging, to the sometimes prickly nature of head-to-head competition. Lots of insight into the cars, the career-building moments, and the state of the class in 2022. The Insider will be on a one-week hiatus next week but we'll be back right before Denver!

After an exciting race weekend in Bristol, Tennessee, Tony Pedregon and National Dragster's Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to review the event and look forward to this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Ohio. The three go class by class and talk about not only the winners but also those drivers and riders who made headlines for reasons both good and bad in Bristol. The conversation ranges from how teams can succeed in the summer heat, the massive top fuel field assembling at Norwalk, and its implications, along with a host of other topics that NHRA fans are interested in. The Summit Racing Equipment Nationals could be a make-or-break weekend for some of drag racing's top teams, it will be interesting to see how the event shakes out!

Tony Pedregon joins Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, and the two delve deep into the upcoming 2022 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. This conversation touches on everything from the updated racing surface to the successes and failures of teams so far this year, the possibility for team shakeups in this back half of the regular season, why some teams can't seem to get it together, and more. The two review each class and the performances of those who have defined them thus far in 2022, both good and bad. There's plenty of talk on Mike Salinas, how his team has succeeded, Matt Hagan and Robert Hight, Erica Enders, and more. Lastly, the two talk about NHRA drag racing and how the need for tension and even conflict is important for the sport's growth and popularity. The level of competition, especially in classes like Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle, seem poised to drive competitors into the type of tension that fans love to see and which makes for great competition. It's Bristol, Baby! Give it a listen.

On This episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, pro stock racer Kyle Koretsky and funny car racer JR Todd join host Brian Lohnes. The two racers are still chasing their first win of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, but their drive to compete is unabated. For Kyle Koretsky, the 2022 season sees him sitting 3rd in the points and with one final round appearance on the year. He has been consistently going rounds week after week and his KB powered Lucas Oil Camaro has flirted with number one qualifying positions as well. Kyle talks about his driving, the work his team is putting in and why they will succeed this year. Koretsky also talks about his family's purchase of Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania and the amount of investment and work they are putting in to revamp and upgrade the iconic facility. This is an awesome story for drag racing. JR Todd talks about some frustrations in his team's work to success ratio but knows that the work will pay off through the second half of the regular season. The DHL GR Supra has made two semi-finals this year and showed good promise in Epping. Todd talks about his love for all types of racing, his race routines, and the upcoming races at Bristol and Norwalk. A fun show and two great conversations!

Tony Pedregon and National Dragster's Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The trio look forward to this weekend's running of the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire. The event marks the start of a busy two months in NHRA drag racing and the conversation centers around who can most take advantage of what will be a six-race stretch through the months of June and July. Lots of great insight here from two of the sport's most knowledgeable voices!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, two-time NHRA pro mod champion Stevie Jackson and current top 10 funny car racer Chad Green join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the work they have put in this season and how they plan on carrying their recent performances forward through a long 2022 drag racing season. Chad Green is having his best funny car season ever and it's one that shows no signs of slowing. After committing to hiring full-time crew members in the off-season and hiring Dan Wilkerson to be the crew chief on the car full time, Green's driving has improved race to race and the former pro mod racer is sitting inside the top ten of points for the first time in his career. Green talks about his advancement as a car owner and driver, how his crew is working together, and what the rest of 2022 has in store. Steve Jackson a two-time pro mod champ always ahs something to say about the class he has come to define in NHRA drag racing. The wide-ranging conversation talks about his early-season struggles, progress made in Virginia, and how the pro-modified class has banded together to grow car counts and continue with steep competition. New rules adjustments are discussed, the $25,000 shootout in Brainerd that's coming up, and a whole lot more. Two drivers with plenty of say and lots of excitement surrounding them.

Pro Mod star Lyle Barnett and top fuel ace Austin Prock join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider. The two drivers are among the elite in their respective categories for performance both on the starting line and beyond. They approach their jobs with the kind of intensity rarely found in the sport and both guys have great insight to share on how they do what they do and what the rest of the 2022 season has in store. For Lyle Barnett, the Charlotte 4-Wide race final is a sticking point and one that he will not soon forget. Nearly pulling off a win after a calamity brough on by other competitors he talks about the memorable and jumbled up run. Barnett talks about the intensity of NHRA pro mod, the need for the class to stay quarter mile, the recent infusion of sponsors and excitement, and what it all means for 250mph door slammer drag racing going forward. Truly a fun conversation with a racer's racer. Austin Prock's last two races have been far stronger than the races that preceded them. Prock talks about the team, the maturation process, an incredibly successful Virginia for John Force Racing and how his program will evolve as the season grinds toward the countdown. Currently sitting 5th in the points and seeking a first win of the season, he recaps Virginia and looks toward a busy June in NHRA drag racing. Two great drivers who are striving to make it to the top.

This episode of the NHRA Insider brings two of the NHRA high performers together for a discussion about pro stock motorcycle and top fuel, not just in 2022 but over the last few seasons. The stories of Matt Smith and Justin Ashley are decidedly different in 2022 but their end goal remains the same, a world championship. Matt Smith talks about the recent NHRA rules changes in pro stock motorcycle, performance in the class, parity, riders on the rise, and how his own program is evolving with Angie, Matt, and the Scrappers Racing motorcycles as well. He talks about the recent war of words and performance with Steve Johnson and what he sees as good for the class and not so good for the class when it comes to rivalries. Justin Ashley is all about winning, growth, and forward advancement in top fuel. The discussion ranges from his strong start in 2022 and the subtle changes in his team and program over the last few seasons. Why is this all working? Who's bringing the most to the table? How's his team playing the long game of parts, performance, and sustained success in 2022? He talks about all of it here. Two very different racers, both chasing top-level success in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing!

Mike McIntire Jr and Cameron Ferre join host Brian Lohnes on this week's episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. McIntire made the final round of nitro funny car in his family-owned and operated McAttack Toyota Camry flopper. On the top fuel side, Cameron Ferre was the runner-up in the Paton family top fuel dragster after qualifying on the bump spot and battling through the first two rounds of eliminations on an exciting Sunday. For McIntire and his operation, this weekend was the validation of a lot of hard work and the validation of a talented, if part-time crew. A champion in the nostalgia nitro funny car ranks, he and his team know how to run and service a car at the highest levels and their final round appearance in a tough field was the display of those truths. Cameron Ferre had a 10 race schedule lined up for 2022 and at the last moment, the deal was rescinded. From that setback, he doubled down his efforts to keep his top fuel career afloat and managed to secure funding for his appearance in Charlotte. With a runner-up finish, he raised eyebrows and hopefully more sponsorship opportunities in the future. His race day had plenty of twists and turns and he tells the story here. Two great stories from the real world of regular guy nitro racing!

NHRA on FOX analyst Tony Pedregon and National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The three talk about all the wild storylines from Houston and how race day was among the most amazing thy had all seen. The storylines from each class, the upsets, the driving performances, and the mounting pressure to be good have all ratcheted up. Telling some of the behind-the-scenes stories you have not heard, these guys will have you laughing and thinking with their analysis. After a breakdown of Houston, the chat turns for Charlotte and the upcoming Circle K Four-Wide Nationals, the second and final four-wide race of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Season. Love it or hate it, all the racers are in the same boat and it's a crowded one! Full fields in all pro categories will make this Charlotte contest one to remember. Fun, insightful, and informative. This quick-moving show has nuggets buried at every turn!

Tony Pedregon joins Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider to set the scene and the storylines for the NHRA Springnationals in Houston this weekend. The event planned to be the last national event at this facility is sure to be a real barn burner. There's a killer weather forecast on tap and the fields are jammed with the best drag racers in the world. There's something special to be said about winning the last event at a facility, especially one with the legacy and history that Houston Raceway Park has. When we look across the spectrum of stories, a few jump to the fore. In top fuel can Brittany Force maintain the torrid pace she set at Las Vegas on the starting line and to the finish line? Can Leah keep up her starting line game? Can Mike Salinas rebound from his mistake? In pro stock can Erica Enders go-to for two after calling her shot in Las Vegas? This track has more meaning to her than perhaps anyone else, so all eyes will be on the red Camaro. How does Matt Smith run on his new Suzuki? Does Karen Stoffer continue her crushing performance from Gainesville? Finally, in a funny car which of the "Big Three" wins this week? Or does another driver interrupt the Hight/Hagan/Capps party? This show covers all and goes into depth. Listen up!

Jim Yates and Johnny West join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. The two highly decorated veteran racers have turned their considerable experience into the kind of working knowledge teams desperately need in modern drag racing. For Yates that is coaching and crew chiefing rookie pro stock racer Camrie Caruso and for West it is working with a myriad from the biggest to the smallest in the sport in order to help get their programs on track or down the track faster. Jim Yates talks about a wide range of topics from how his teaching methods have changed with age, how pro stock cars have evolved, and how he is working with this fresh team to turn on win lights during a pressure-packed rookie season. He recounts a famous story from 1994 where he took the legendary Darrell Alderman to the cleaners twice on the starting line perhaps to the dismay of Buster Couch. A great conversation. Johnny West talks about his development and engineering of parts on nitro cars, his history in drag racing, and his approach to working with smaller teams to sort their programs out. It is the basic bedrock knowledge of a veteran racer being used to better the cars and thereby the sport. West tells of his astonishment to get the call from the CAPCO Contractors team to work on Billy Torrence's car and how it has been a great experience thus far. Two guys who live and breathe drag racing telling their histories. What's better than that?!

NHRA Top Fuel crew chief David Grubnic and five-time sportsman world champion Justin Lamb join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Grubnic is coming off a huge win with Brittany Force and team at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. Lamb won his 29th NHRA national event at Las Vegas and he's the second guest on this show. In the conversation, Grubnic and Lohnes dive into everything from tuning philosophy to leadership practices, communication among the team, and more. It is a chat that goes far beyond the nuts and bolts of running a Top Fuel car. Grubnic is hugely insightful and brings listeners deeply into the world of top fuel drag racing. Lamb has won 29 NHRA national events and five world titles. He is among the greatest Stock and Super Stock racers of his generation and after this conversation you will be blown away by the depth of his knowledge of the sport. Lamb talks about how hard it is to compete in win with the depth of competition in the NHRA and he's very open with his explanations of competing with two cars on most race weekends. A pair of interesting guys and even more interesting conversations.

NHRA Editorial Director Phil Burgess and NHRAonFOX Analyst Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The conversation ranges over the course of the episode but the crux of it is looking into those racers who are performing up to expectations, some who are exceeding, and a few others who are not making the cut at this early part of the season. There's also a look into the Las Vegas 4-wide nationals which are coming up this weekend. It has been a hot minute since we have had any four wide competition in NHRA so it will be interesting to see who can deal with the extra confusion and tension that comes in this format. Rumors are discussed, personnel is a large topic of conversation and while no guesses are made on who the latest crew chief shuffle involves, the anticipation of the news is pretty high. This is a fun episode with two guys who really know the inner workings of the sport and the personalities involved.

Matt Hagan and Shane Westerfield join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The two men are both playing a hot hand with respect to their competition in the nitro funny car and top alcohol funny car ranks respectively. Hagan is coming off of a victory in Gainesville after making the final round in Phoenix as well. Westerfield, the 2017 Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion won the NHRA Winternationals and the ensuing Phoenix Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series regional event. The conversation with Hagan centers around his energy in 2022, the signs of success he is seeing at Tony Stewart Racing, the different environment that he is racing in for this Camping World season, and what exactly it will take to run for a championship over the long stretch of the 2022 season. There's loads of great personal and racing insight here. Shane Westerfield talks about racing with Rick Jackson, the stiffness of the TAFC competition he is facing, and why he thinks that his team is champion caliber. The conversation runs through the recent small car counts in TAFC and what can be done to fix them, along with Westerfield's passion for boat drag racing, which has become a full-time business for him. Two champs, two recent winners, and two funny car phenoms.

Funny car racer Blake Alexander as well as crew chiefs Jamie Miller and Dickie Venables join host Brian Lohnes on this post-Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Off the top of the show, Lohnes recounts the race, his experiences during it, and the near-mythical quality it took on as what was a seemingly lost weekend turned into one of the quickest pound-for-pound two day stretches in NHRA drag racing history. Blake Alexander was the runner-up in nitro funny car and nearly completed what would have been a storybook return to the sport after a disastrous ending to the 2021 campaign. His team suffered the tragic loss of crewman Dylan Cromwell in a transporter crash. That crash also destroyed a truck, a race trailer, and many of the contents inside. With a new crew, a mostly completed trailer, and the memory of Cromwell on their mind, his team put forth an effort for the history books. Jamie Miller is one of the most diversified, sought after, and successful crew chiefs in door slammer drag racing but NHRA victory has long eluded him. That all changed at Gainesville when he tuned Kris Thorne's ProCharger equipped Camaro to a solid victory after making not a single qualifying lap. Miller talks about tuning pro mods, racing on different surfaces, and how he and his guys were able to lock up a win in the hotly contested pro mod series. Dickie Venables is one of the greatest nitro crew chiefs in the history of the sport and one of the most experienced. Even his voluminous experience didn't prepare him fully for the conditions facing racers on Sunday. Using his guile and the skills of his team and driver Matt Hagan, he was able to tune the car to the first drag racing victory of Tony Stewart Racing. He recounts the race, the challenges, and why his team is championship caliber already, just three races in. A big show from a big race filled with big stories!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, 2017 NHRA Top Fuel World Champion Brittany Force joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about the often hidden hard work of racing at a championship level in the class. Lohnes leads off the show with a Gatornationals preview monologue running through the latest news in the sport leading up to the race, looking at the pro stock motorcycle category, and talking about what's in store for racers and fans as part of the Pep Boys All-Star Top Fuel Callout. All of the professional categories have full fields and the top fuel and pro stock classes both sport some 21 entries, which means that qualifying will be filled with the kind of suspense and intrigue that fans love to see. The conversation with Brittany Force takes us inside the workings of a top fuel team with discussions on leadership, team chemistry, and how the balance of an insane workload gets offset by the familial relationship that teams develop over the course of a relentless season. It's interesting, informative, and introspective.

NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon and NHRAonFOX pit producer Todd Veney join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider. This wide-ranging show surveys the scene after the second race of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season. The action has been amazing across each of the professional categories and Phoenix was no exception. Lohnes and guests talk about early-season surprises, who is performing above expectations, and who is performing below them. They talk driver performance, psychology, and who is already in mid-season form. The sense of urgency to deliver this year is off the charts and it seems that some are more prepared than others to do just that. An insightful and fun look into the world of NHRA drag racing!

Justin Ashley and Bo Butner join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Ashley talks about his highly impressive start at the Lucas Oil Winternationals where he took home a national event victory over Austin Prock in the final round. The race may be a harbinger of things to come in top fuel where the competition is off the charts and will only get more difficult as the season goes on. Ashley talks about the race, the competition, his internal drive, and the need to stay up on the wheel for the whole season. Bo Butner is back into the world of NHRA pro stock full time and he's having a blast. With a sponsor who is one of the world's wildest car guys, the 2022 season is looking like it will be a great one for the former class champion. Bo talks about Pomona, Phoenix, the difference between bracket racing and pro stock, what his outlook is for the year, and the state of modern pro stock drag racing. Add in a monologue about Pomona off the top of the show and that's this episode of the Insider!

National Dragster's Phil Burgess and NHRA on Fox analyst Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes on this final episode of the off-season before the 2022 NHRA Winternationals. The triumvirate talk about the major stories of the winter, one of which is how many major stories there have been this winter! From the wild performance of John Force at the pre-season test to the emergence of new team owners, the emergence of new teams, the notable drivers coming back, and a whole lot more, there's so much to talk about it's hard to keep all the storylines straight. Pedregon digs in from the owner and driver perspectives to talk about the level of competition that the biggest names in the sport will have to confront. In top fuel, it is nearly unrivaled in modern drag racing history and early stumbles will not bode well for long-term season success. In funny car it is more of the same and TPed breaks down all of it for the audience. Phil Burgess brings his years of NHRA experience to bear in this conversation and takes an in-depth look at the major headlines leading to Pomona. From the looks of the pro stock rank and file to the large contingent of funny car racers, top fuel insanity, and more, Burgess has the stories. There is also a chat about the state of media in drag racing and how teams are amping up their efforts to create interesting and cool content that fans both new and old love. A HUGE episode before a HUGE race!