NHRA Insider Podcast

On this final episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast for 2020, Brian Lohnes conducts a wide-ranging series of whip around interviews with members of the NHRAonFOX team ranging from the faces you see on-air, to the brilliant minds and talented people who work on the other side of the lens to make NHRA drag racing shows. There's a load of memories, inside stories, cool details you never knew, and remembrances from the year that was. There's also a neat musical tribute to the top fuel season of 2020 as well! Listen to this last episode of the wackiest year in modern drag racing history and enjoy your holidays!

Four-time Pro Stock champion crew chief Rick Jones joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about being a leading race car builder, a champion, and his road to becoming a champion mind in the world of NHRA drag racing. Jones' path from a guy who daydreamed about building cars for a living has become a reality beyond even his wildest expectations. There's also a fun musical look back at pro stock in 2020!

Lyle Barnett joins Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider to talk about his path through the world of small tire drag racing and into the ranks of the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series. On the day they spoke, Barnett had completed his licensing making runs of more than 250mph in the quarter-mile. He talks about the experience, his recovery from a horrendous fire in 2015, and how he has made his way to the highest rank of door slammer racing in the world. An intense and fascinating man, this is one you'll want to hear. There's also a fun musical look back at the Funny Car category with very final round set to an iconic tune.

Leah Pruett and A Look Back At Pro Stock Motorcycle On this return episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Leah Pruett joins host Brian Lohnes for an in-depth interview about the 2020 season which was both successful and tumultuous for the driver of the Mopar SRT Dodge top fuel dragster. The talk ranges from the start, the stop, life, the mental aspects of the sport, and how pressures both real and imagined weigh on a driver's performance in drag racing. There's also a cool musical look back over the incredible final rounds of 2020 in the pro stock motorcycle category!

Matt Hagan joins Brian Lohnes on this week's episode of the NHRA Insider podcast and talks about his 2020 NHRA Camping World Funny Car Championship season. The ups, the downs, the motivating factors, and the ultimate victory in Las Vegas. Lohnes also talks about some of the most interesting numbers from the 2020 top fuel season as well. A fun listen!

In a year that was heavily influenced by powers and forces outside of the realm of NHRA Camping World drag racing, Ron Capps and Ryan Oehler were both outside influencers from within the sport. Both men had strong seasons with wins and final round appearances and both men made noise and had some sway on who became champions in both Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Host Brian Lohnes speaks to both racers about the season that was, what they took from it, what their personal highlights were, and what they are looking forward most to in 2021. Two insightful and fun conversations from within the world of NHRA drag racing. Both of these guys have their sights set on championship fun in 2021.

Erica Enders and Antron Brown Newly minted four-time NHRA pro stock world champion and Las Vegas top fuel champion Antron Brown join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider Podcast. These are two awesome conversations with NHRA competitors who battled adversity, bad luck, and disappointment to ultimately prevail in the closing stanza of the 2020 season. Brown talks about how his team has worked diligently and tirelessly for nearly two years to get back into the top fuel winner's circle. For Erica Enders, it was a shocking and positive end of the 2020 season when Christian Cuadra beat Jason Line on a holeshot. Hearing her tell the story is awesome.

Tony Schumacher, Matt Smith, and Tony Pedregon join Brian Lohnes on this pre-Dodge NHRA Finals episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. The conversation ranges from who we think can win championships, what it means to Tony Schumacher to have an 85th Wally after a massive final round in Houston, and what Matt Smith needs to do in order to lock down his 4th career pro stock motorcycle crown. The chats are all wide-ranging and insightful. It's the business of drag racing, the psychology of winning, and ultimately talking about the things that take the great and elevate them above the good in pressure situations. An awesome show to have right before the season's competition reaches its zenith!

Phil Burgess and Tony Pedgreon join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider to talk about a wide range of topics from the event in Dallas, the upcoming race in Houston, and the unexpected and shocking passing of crew chief Eric Lane. Some of the news broke during the production of the show so that conversation is handled with Phil Burgess. The news on the track is interesting and off the track is hard. Burgess and Pedregon give a great perspective on both.

The Hard Part About Getting To The Top Tommy Johnson Jr and Cameron Ferre join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider podcast this week. Lohnes talks Camping World, craziness at St Louis, and then has two great conversations with a veteran funny car racer and a top fuel competitor who is working hard to climb the ranks in arguably the most competitive category in the sport. This is about the pressures of a wild weekend, the pressures of working hard to live your dream, and the idea that always having a plan is the best approach no matter what level you compete at.

Biting Commentary On this episode of the NHRA Insider, Tony Pedregon and Joe Castello join Brian Lohnes to talk about the amazing Amalie Oil GatorNationals as well we this weekend's AAA Midwest Nationals in St Louis. The conditions are going to be totally different. Who has what it takes to win? Who impressed Tony and Joe? Who needs to figure it out fast, and who's falling by the wayside. This is a good listen with some fun analysis of the races, the racers, and the intensity of the season going forward.

Stevie "Fast" Jackson and "Fast Jack" Beckman join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Jackson and Beckman are fresh off US Nationals wins and come into the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals with momentum on their side. Jackson also recently reset a world record in radial tire drag racing and he tells Lohnes about the challenges that are associated with each style of competition. Beckman talks about the trials and tribulations of the funny car season and being in an amazingly tight battle for the points with his teammates.

National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna joins Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider podcast this week to talk about pro stock motorcycle, the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA US Nationals, sportsman drag racing, and pro modified. A wide-ranging conversation about the season, the upcoming races, and why the pro stock motorcycle category has been so wide open in 2020 and beyond. The pair also discuss the upcoming Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals as well. This time it's the Insider's Insider on the hot seat!

Erica Enders and Shawn Langdon join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. These are two of the most mentally tuned-in drivers in the game and to hear them walk through their US Nationals victories is really interesting. They both have an amazing depth of understanding about how their actions both on the physical and brain-related side change the way they perform in the car. Fascinating conversations with two NHRA champions and Denso Spark Plugs US Nationals winners.

Eddie Krawiec and Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Eddie talks about pro stock motorcycle, the Mickey Thompson Pro Bike Battle, and the evolution of the four-valve head in pro stock motorcycle competition. Tony Pedregon pops in to talk about getting a sportsman drag racing license with Bo Butner, his predictions about the Denso Spark Plugs US Nationals, and who he thinks is ready to perform on the big stage.

TJ Zizzo and Angelle Sampey join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider Podcast to talk about their careers, recent successes, and how the long and winding road of drag racing has taken them to places both physically and mentally they never expected. Zizzo's trip through top fuel is full of highs and lows as he prepares for the first final round of his career to be contested at the Denso Spark Plugs US Nationals and Angelle talks about getting her first win in four years at the Dodge Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil. This truly is a pair of epic tales.

The First-Timers Ron Capps and Joe Morrison join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider. Capps is coming off of his first race win at Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis. Morrison is coming off of his first-ever top fuel start after qualifying for the Dodge Indy Nats presented by Pennzoil. Both guys talk about the race and both talk about the kind of inside drag racing stuff that we love to hear on the show. Two great conversations with two cool guys.

Andrew Hines and Donald "Duck" Long join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider to talk drag racing! Hines talks about the start of the 2020 pro stock motorcycle season, the upcoming Mickey Thompson Pro Bike Battle to be run at the US Nationals, and more. Donald Long is one of the most well known and outlandish promoters in drag racing. He talks about the history of his races, the classes he has created, and what's happening in drag racing these days. Great conversations! Be There!

Clay Millican, Jack Beckman, and Bruno Massel join host Brian Lohnes for a wide-ranging conversation about NHRA drag racing, history, the ever-changing landscape of the schedule, and what it takes to compete at drag racing's highest level. For Millican it's chat about getting over the hump at Indy, with Beckman it's talking about the points lead and drag racing history, and with Massel it's a discussion on how he has risen through drag racing's ranks and became a multi-time champ along the way.

Pro Stock Bikes and Indy races NHRA pro stock motorcycle winner Ryan Oehler and National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna join Brian Lohnes for a wide-ranging episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Oehler talks about the self-made program that he and his dad have developed into a contenting operation virtually on their own and Kevin McKenna lends a reporter's insight into the action we saw at the first to NHRA return races at Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis.

Host Brian Lohnes is joined by the NHRA's Kasey Coler who is the Vice President overseeing track management and operations. Coler was a point man on the development of the procedures and strategies to keep NHRA fans, racers, and media people as safe as is possible during the upcoming restart events at Lucas Oil Raceway. This is a fascinating chat with a guy who has been working as hard as anyone in racing!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Mike Galimi and Joe Castello join host Brian Lohnes. Both guys are deep into the world of drag racing media and both of them are longtime pals of Lohnes. The conversation is wide-ranging from different series outside of NHRA to the technology in today's drag racing world, the recovery from COVID-19, how different series are handling it, and how the media has worked to keep the stories of drag racing at the forefront of people's minds. A great conversation and covers a lot of ground with two different guests!

In this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Dr. Jamie Meyer is the guest. After a successful career at General Motors and serving on the SEMA Board, Meyer is the new president of PRI, the Performance Racing Industry association. PRI operates a massive trade show for racing and is also working hard to become a forceful ally of racing in all of its forms across America. We talk about Dr. Meyer's philosophy, approach, and what the world of racing needs most right now. A great listen!

NHRA President Glen Cromwell joins Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider to talk leadership in tumultuous times, decision making, the people who helped him form his love and dedication to drag racing, and the necessary moves being made for the health and longevity of the NHRA drag racing world. This is an honest and enlightening personal conversation with the man who some would say is the most powerful person in drag racing.

NHRA pro stock motorcycle veteran Steve Johnson and A/fuel dragster standout Garrett Bateman join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Johnson tells the gut-wrenching, tragic, but ultimately triumphant story of Ervin "Jock" Allen, his lead technician and right-hand man who contracted COVID-19 and battled for his life in the hospital. Johnson talks about the dark days, the hard work, and the dedication of the medical staff that ultimately saved Jock's life. It is a stunning story and a sobering one. Garrett Bateman talks about his life in drag racing, his successes, and the topic soon shifts into his varied successes in motorsports. Bateman is a member of the 200mph club on the Bonneville salt flats, he operates a five engine pulling tractor for fun, and when he is not doing that he is stacking up Wally trophies with a 280mph injected nitro-burning dragster.

Cruz Pedregon and Tyler Crossnoe join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider. Pedregon talks about his approach to what will be a very unique 2020 NHRA Mello Yello drag racing season and how his experience will play a role in it. Tyler Crossnoe, a 27-year old drag racing wunderkind is the Vice President of Virginia Motorsports Park and the Series Director for the PDRA. He talks about the current challenges facing tracks and series as the sport of drag racing slowly rumbles back to life after this pandemic subsides. Interesting conversations from two different perspectives!

Jason Line and Don O'Neal Description: Guests Jason Line and Don O'Neal talk drag racing, making power, planning a schedule for 2020, and what they have learned in their pursuits of speed. The conversation with Line concentrates around his career and an engine builder and not just in pro stock. We chat making 600hp with a Buick, building a turbo engine, Chrysler Hemis, and more. Don O'Neal talks about running a Factory Stock Showdown engine in a pro stock chassis while competing in Top Sportsman and host Brian Lohnes surprises O'Neal with the 2020 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Schedule hours before it was released to the public. O'Neal gives his spot reactions to the schedule and format of the championship chase.

Jim Maroney and Brad Plourd join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Maroney is the Arizona based privateer top fuel team owner and racer who has had a steady climb up the ranks of drag racing competition and in business. He speaks with Lohnes about his career, his plans for the re-start of the NHRA season, and his take on the state of top fuel. Brad Plourd has won 21 NHRA Nationals events, he has won in 5 categories, he has won in cars he'd never driven before an event started, and he's delivered in a stocker as well as a blown alcohol competition eliminator machine. He truly is the McGruber of drag racing and can make any hot rod work in a pinch. Plourd talks racing, philosophy, success, and how he went from a weeknight runner in Seattle to one of the premier players in the game.

Matt Hartford and Will Smith join the NHRA Insider this week, host Brian Lohnes talks about the newly revamped start date for NHRA in 2020 and there's an audio look back at the "blow over era" in top fuel as well using vintage audio from the late 1980s and early 1990s. The conversation with Matt Hartford centers around the business he owns, Total Seal Piston rings, and how they have been dealing with the undulations of the current economic and social trends. Will talks about his rise and climbs to drive on one of the best A/fuel dragsters in the country. He's also a charter member of the "mullet mafia" so he riffs on tat as well. Stick around until the end for that vintage audio!

On this NHRA Insider, Shawn Langdon and Luke Bogacki join host Brian Lohnes for a wide-ranging pair of discussions within the sport of drag racing. Landon talks about his growth and development in the iRacing scene, talking about how he has gone from a frustrated rookie to a competitive racer after applying himself and acquiring knowledge and experience Champion sportsman racer Luke Bogacki dives deep into the psychology of sportsman competition and brings a level of depth and interest that you have likely never heard before. Bogacki talks about being successful, making mistakes, big rounds he has lost, and how he uses his knowledge to reach others. A fresh episode every week!

Champion funny car racer Ron Capps and multi-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion Austin Williams join Brian Lohnes for two entertaining discussions. Capps talks about his burgeoning iRacing career, helping sponsors in this time of delay, and working hard to keep his skills and mind sharp for a return to racing. Austin Williams shared amazing insight into the depth of skill sportsman drag racing requires, his amazing 2019 NHRA US Nationals victory, and how he has evolved his game with the ever more complex landscape of sportsman racing. An awesome and insightful look into the methods of a world champion.

Dom Lagana and Billy Stockiln Speak Description: On this episode of the NHRA Insider, Dom Lagana and Billy Stockiln join host Brian Lohnes to talk about tuning race cars, their lives in the sport, and the things that have made them into the successful racers that they are today. Lagana quite literally grew up with wrenches in his hands and nitro burning race cars as his toys. Billy Stocklin has been a successful crew chief in more than a half dozen different categories of drag racing and he talks about this diversity and how he has made it to where he is in the sport. Both men talk about their mindset and how people have been instrumental in helping them learn and achieve. Two truly insightful interviews.

An incredible one hour interview with Connie Kalitta that has never been heard before. Recorded in 2018, this one hour long conversation ranges from business, to life, to drag racing history, and more. It is smart, it is interesting, and it is a window into the life of a man who has climbed the highest ladders or professional motorsport and business the world has to offer. The man, the myth, and the legend...wide open.

JR Todd and Joe Amato join the NHRA Insider podcast to talk shop with host Brian Lohnes. Todd talks about his experience at the Pros vs Joes Reaction Time Challenge, a contest of skill that took the best NHRA pro racers and faced them off in remote practice tree battle with the best sportsman racers in the world. Joe Amato joins the show to talk about his 1990 championship, his life, his business success, and he shares great stories from his career.

Drag race announcing legends Bob Frey and Jon Lundberg join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider to talk about their lives, history, and memories in drag racing. Two of the greatest to ever do the job, they are entertaining and awesome to listen to. Lohnes also prepared a tribute to the great NHRA announcer Dave McClelland. 2020 revised schedule talk, some updates on 2020 NHRA news, and more on this extended episode of the Insider.

Tony Pedgreon and historian Bret Kepner join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider to talk about the stoppage in NHRA racing, when the series had been stopped before back in 2001, and the historic implications of what's happening in the world of motorsports. Kepner, a racing historian has researched extensively the effects of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and compares those years to what's happening today. A fascinating talk about a strange time in drag racing history.

Darrell Gwynn and Greg Anderson join the NHRA Insider podcast with Brian Lohnes this week. Gwynn talks about his 1990 triumph and tells the most hilarious drag racing stories you have ever heard. He talks about his career, racing against Don Garlits, racing with Ken Veney, and a whole lot more. Greg Anderson talks about the KB Racing team's resurgence at the World Doorslammer Nationals and about new driver Kyle Koretsky. Lohnes previews the story lines both big and small for the 51st running of the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in the packed show!

Jeg Coughlin, Steve Matusek, and defending NHRA alcohol funny car champion Sean Bellemeur join host Brian Lohnes on this fun episode. Coughlin talks about early-season success and his vision for the final season of his pro stock career, Matusek talks about the new wide-open world of pro mod racing in NHRA, and Bellemeur talks about trying to three-peat in alky funny car. All this and a killer historical feature that's narrated by Dave McClelland! A must-listen for NHRA drag racing fans!

Erica Enders and Jack Beckman are two of the hottest racers on the NHRA Mello Mello trail in 2020 and they join Brian Lohnes to talk about success in 2019 and how it has propelled them into brilliant starts for this season. Enders talks pro stock and Fast Jack goes in deep on nitro funny car. Big fun!

Doug Kalitta is driving like he is on fire, Ron Capps' race car was on fire at Pomona and before, and journalist Mike Galimi talks about Stevie Fast Jackson's inferno hot start in the outlaw drag radial world for 2020. This is the fire show, those are the guests and we're back at it on the NHRA Insider!

Jason Line and Antron Brown join Brian Lohnes to talk about their 2020 seasons. Line will be retiring from driving at the close of the year and Brown recently announced his intention to become a team owner, working with DSR to attain that goal. Also, Lohnes rants on the Countdown changes and more!

Stevie Fast Jackson, Justin Ashley, and Bobby Bennett headline this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast with Brian Lohnes. Jackson, the E3 Spark plugs pro mod champion is poised for a big season in 2020 and he's getting prepared. Justin Ashley is a promising young top fuel rookie with big aspirations and a proven skillset. We talk 2020 with him. Bobby Bennett is the founder and Editor in Chief of CompetitionPlus.com, a leading drag racing journalist, and someone who's life in the sport provides a unique perspective on its current state and the future. This is a fun episode!

On this first podcast of 2020, guests Blake Alexander and Tony Pedregon talk about what's to come in the 2020 season. For Tony, the conversation centers around the recent weirdness with pre-season testing, rumors in the NHRA world, and more. For Blake, it's about his new partnership with Jim Head, his 2019 season as a team owner and a whole lot more. An interesting and wide-ranging drag racing conversation!"

On this special Christmas week edition of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes takes you on a trip back through 2019 using final round calls and fun music to relive the season. The highs, the lows, the upsets, and the incredible championship victories are all here. Crank up the speakers and enjoy this musical drag racing romp!

On this season-ending episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes delivers his recap of the NHRA finals, talks about the NHRA awards, an NHRA trip to Saudi Arabia, and the PRI show. He touches on the state of drag racing and talks about what's coming this winter for the podcast.

The whole NHRAonFOX on-air crew joins Brian Lohnes on this NHRA Insider podcast along with some off-camera talent as well. Championship picks, stories from 2019, explanations of behind the scenes TV making and more fill this rollicking podcast. The biggest and best of the season before the most important race of 2019!

Jack Beckman and Jeg Coughlin Jr. know that they are within striking distance of a championship but they also know that any stumbles behind the wheel may cost them. Brian Lohnes reviews the last two races and has great conversations with Beckman and Coughlin on this episode!

The -79 Club Description: Austin Prock and Bob Tasca III are both 79 points behind first place in Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car respectively. Host Brian Lohnes talks to them about what they need to do to bridge the gap, the pressures of the late season, the future of drag racing and more!

Erica Enders and Shawn Langdon join Brian Lohnes to talk about their dramatic wins in St Louis and the fact that both of them are now back in the world championship conversation. Langdon won in nearly every way possible on Sunday and Enders drove like a boss when it counted. True professionals!

Brittany Force and Stevie Fast Jackson join Brian Lohnes to talk championship hopes, struggles, behind the scenes stories, and more about their lives on this episode of the NHRA Insider. Lohnes talks about his recent travels to races all across the nation. It's big fun and eye-opening!