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NHRA Insider Podcast

NHRA Insider Podcast

340 episodes — Page 6 of 7

3.14 The Comeback Kids

David Grubnic and Eddie Krawiec join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider podcast to talk about life, drag racing, and getting back into the sport that they love in 2021. Grubic, who serves as the crew chief on Brittany Force's top fuel dragster has come out of the gate swinging in 2021 and it's been fun to watch. He talks about being away and what it means to come back after being away for nearly a full year. Eddie Krawiec was at the track when he called into the show, having completed a successful test day with teammate Andrew Hines. The V-twin-powered motorcycles with their EBR bodies showed promise at the test session and the two are excited to be on the drag strip for the rest of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. Eddie and Andrew talk success, pressure, a three motorcycle team, and more!

Apr 27, 202156 min

3.13 The Money Men

Shawn Langdon and Tony Pedregon join the NHRA Insider podcast this week for a wide-ranging discussion about drag racing, the upcoming Denso Spark Plugs 4-Wide Nationals, and other storylines in the sport. The discussion with Langdon centers around the difficulties, attraction, and culture of big money bracket racing, an arena he competes infrequently outside of NHRA top fuel. This is an enlightening discussion on a large swath of bracket racing many people are undereducated on. Tony Pedregon joins the show to preview the upcoming race weekend in Las Vegas. The discussion is about who looks strong, who's debuting at the event, who needs to step it up and the proclivities of 4-wide drag racing. Lots of great insider info here, opinion, and more!

Apr 13, 20211h 17m

3.12 Making a Splash

Andrew Hines and Elon Werner join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Werner, the Vice-President of Sports Publicity for the Tony Fay Agency of Texas has long been a presence inside NHRA drag racing, garnering teams like John Force Racing headlines over the years. He talks about the modern world of PR, how things have changed over his 30 years in the sport, and what he is doing to work with people like Kalitta Racing, Justin Ashely, and more each week. The second guest on the show is Andrew Hines who tells the amazing tale of the new Vance and Hines four-valve cylinder head, developing new motorcycles for Cory Reed and Joey Gladstone, testing before Gainesville, and breaking the 200mph barrier with Angelle during the race. Truly an awesome story of applied technology in the sport of NHRA Camping World Drag Racing.

Apr 6, 202150 min

3.11 Greg and Guido Inside the Hearts and Minds of Champions

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Greg Anderson and Dean Antonelli, lovingly known as Guido join Brian Lohnes on the show to talk about their early-season successes and careers. Guido and Jon Medlen are the crew chiefs overseeing the Ron Capps-driven NAPA Dodge out of the Don Schumacher camp and Greg Anderson was the Gainesville winner with a crushing performance that put the class on notice. Antonelli shares some amazing insights on not only his career but on the weekly pressures and life of a crew chief and his crew. The talk about the service time between rounds is really amazing and you'll work up a sweat just listening. Greg Anderson talks Gainesville success, searching for a primary sponsor, chasing the magical 100 career win mark, watching Dallas Glenn make his first start, and the importance of Jason Line's transitioned role at KB Racing to the organization. Two veterans with stories and great insight into the sport.

Mar 30, 202137 min

3.10 Meet the Smiths

Gatornationals winning crew chief Todd Smith and Gatornationals winning pro stock motorcycle racer Matt Smith both join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider. The discussion with Todd centers around the race weekend and the off-season preparation that went into getting the car ready for battle at Gainesville. Sharing the insight gleaned from a long and distinguished career, Todd Smith takes us inside the decisions and leadership that are making the DHL Toyota Camry a front runner in the earliest parts of the 2021 season. A fascinating look behind the scenes with a crew chief who knows the game. Matt Smith won the Gatornationals and became the first rider in history to make four straight 200mph passes to do it. He talks about the race weekend, the performance of the rival Suzuki motorcycles, and how he dealt with the loss of his brakes in qualifying, a situation that would have put lesser riders in a much more harrowing position. Hear the champ talk about the racing program, his attack in 2021 and how h hopes to fend off all comers for another championship!

Mar 22, 202148 min

3.9 Gators Winners Two Ways

Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals funny car winner JR Todd and top fuel winning crew chief Ron Douglas join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider. Todd talks about the off-season and his road to victory in Gainesville, a welcome change from the frustrations of a 2020 season that saw no wins for his DHL Toyota Camry. Todd talks about the electricity of the crowd, the champagne bath at the end, and how this could be a very special season in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing. The second guest is crew chief Ron Douglas who tuned Josh Hart to a dramatic victory in Gainesville. Douglas talks about the weekend, talks about his career, the things he has learned along the way, and the special group of people who lay their hands on the race car to make it go down the track each time. This is a great perspective from a crew chief who shows up to win, weekend after weekend.

Mar 18, 202140 min

3.8 A Crew Chief and a Champion Tell All

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, crew chief Rob Flynn and top fuel world champion Steve Torrence join Brian Lohnes. Flynn tells his story of how he got into drag racing, how he worked his way through the ranks of competition to become one of the most respected crew chiefs in the sport, and how Kalitta Motorsports plans on running for a top fuel championship in 2021. The second conversation on the show is with top fuel world champion Steve Torrence. He talks about the incredible and indomitable spirit of Dom Lagana and how his family and crew have established themselves as an amazing top fuel dynasty. It is an emotional and in-depth discussion about the strength, toughness, and mental temerity of a beloved member of the CAPCO family and how this one man personifies the entire operation. You'll learn a lot about these two men who are chasing the same goal in 2021 and doing it in different ways.

Feb 25, 20211h 9m

3.7 An Outgoing Legend and the Inside Scoop

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Mike Janis and Kevin McKenna join Brian Lohnes. Janis was recently told by doctors that his hall of fame pro-modified driving career was at an end but Mike is not letting that end his career in the sport. Janis has put JR Gray in the family pro mod and will continue as the leader of the family race team that has garnered championships and race wins by the dozens over the years in pro mod. Mike talks about his career and the future of the team. National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna joins to talk about the inside stories breaking and developing around the sport. In wide-ranging conversation, he and Lohnes talk about the return of John Force, the situation in various categories of the NHRA universe, the path forward for hopeful professional racers, and what the 2021 season may have in store for all of us.

Feb 16, 20211h 0m

3.6 The Fire Within

Angelle Sampey and Bruno Massel join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The conversation with Angelle is about the amazing announcement of Mission Foods coming on board to sponsor her season on a brand new Vance and Hines pro stock Suzuki with a four-valve cylinder head. She talks about her belief that her career ended with the closure of the Harley-Davidson sponsorship and what it feels like to be born anew on this new bike and this new program. Bruno Massel talks about having the "holy trinity" of drag racing problems in his life. Running pro stock, running Competition Eliminator, and also working the NHRA on FOX broadcasts. It is a juggle he accepts happily and with the help of his dad, he knows he can succeed. A fun show with two hardcore drag racers!

Feb 10, 202159 min

3.5 Rumors, Scoops, and Top Fuel's Newest Team Owner

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Tony Pedregon and Josh Hart join host Brian Lohnes for two entertaining chats. Firstly, Pedregon talks about news, rumors, and innuendo he has been hearing around the NHRA hotbed of Brownsburg, Indiana. There's some inside stuff here you are not going to get anywhere else. Following the talk with Tony, Lohnes and Josh Hart describe his rise to become a top fuel team owner, what his goals are, and how he plans on executing his season as a freshly minted top fuel racer. A standout in the alcohol ranks, Hart is a man with a plan in top fuel and if history is a guide, he will not be denied!

Feb 3, 202154 min

3.4 The Grudge Man Cometh

Joey Gladstone and JR Gray join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Both men have backgrounds in drag racing's grudge scene and have worked their way to the worlds of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle and e3 Spark Plugs Pro Modified respectively. Gladstone talks about the upcoming season and the new Vance and Hines Suzuki motorcycles he will be racing with Cory Reed. The four-valve, fuel-injected bikes will be the most technologically advanced machines in the sport when they debut at Gainesville. JR Gray is one of the most recognized names in the grudge racing world as well as the Radial Vs The World arena of competition as well. With the guts and guile of a scrappy grudge racer, he has earned all the accolades and money that comes with those two forms of competition. He's taken the driver's seat at Mike Janis racing for the 2021 season and will be fun to watch. Two awesome interviews!

Jan 25, 202157 min

3.3 The Business of Speed

Cruz Pedregon and Justin Ashley join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast to talk about the headlines they have made on the business side of drag racing during this off-season. For Pedregon, a three-year extension with Snap-On is major news and for Justin Ashley, cultivating new and unique sponsors by creating opportunities for them both in and out of drag racing has been the secret to his program's growth. This is a fun look behind the scenes of business in the world of NHRA drag racing.

Jan 19, 202139 min

3.2 The Young Operators

Tyler Crossnoe and Victor Alvarez join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. These two guys are among the youngest and most innovative track operators in the country and they do it in different ways. For Crossnoe who oversees Virginia Motorsports Park, an NHRA Camping World national event track, it's identifying trends and building the best customer experience possible for the racers and the fans. For Victor Alvarez who owns and operates Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida, it is using the creativity and flexibility he has as an owner/operator to innovate programs, foster local series, and programs, as well as working to continually grow his facility's reach on social media and other platforms. These are two guys who work hard to not only see into but to make drag racing's future.

Jan 14, 20211h 14m

3.1 An Author, A Racer, and A Look Inside The Biggest Stories of 2021

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Elana Scherr the author of "Don Prudhomme, My Life Beyond The 1320" joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about making this amazing book and the inside stories behind the creation of the world. It's a fascinating discussion about The Snake and his influence on drag racing and beyond. Tony Pedregon is the second guest on this show. He and Lohnes delve into the biggest stories of the year so far, the crew chief announcements, race schedule announcements, and more. They also talk about Tony's battle with COVID-19 and his hospitalization. A wide-ranging episode!

Jan 5, 20211h 3m

2.43 2020 Year in Review 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!

Dec 22, 20201h 37m

2.42 Rick Jones is the Thinking Mans Pro Stock Crew Chief

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!

Dec 15, 20201h 8m

2.41 Pro Mods Newest Brawler and the Pressure Cooker of Funny Car

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.

Dec 10, 202048 min

2.40 Over Under Sideways Down

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!

Dec 1, 20201h 1m

2.39 The Funny Car Strongman And Some Big 2020 Numbers

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!

Nov 18, 202045 min

2.38 The Outside Influencers

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.

Nov 10, 202058 min

2.37 Big Finishers

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.

Nov 5, 202056 min

2.36 Three Champions Talk Las Vegas Horsepower and How To Win

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!

Oct 27, 202058 min

2.35 From the Inside Out

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.

Oct 20, 20201h 3m

2.34 The Hard Part About Getting To The Top

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.

Oct 14, 20201h 0m

2.33 Snapping up the Gatornats on to the Gateway City

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.

Sep 29, 20201h 6m

2.32 Faster and Faster We Go

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.

Sep 22, 202046 min

2.31 The Insiders Insider

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!

Sep 15, 202036 min

2.30 Going Mental

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.

Sep 9, 202058 min

2.29 In The Money and In The Know About The Go

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.

Sep 1, 202056 min

2.28 The Long and Winding Road

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.

Aug 18, 20201h 1m

2.27 The First Timers

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.

Aug 13, 20201h 5m

2.26 Bikes and Bombast

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!

Aug 5, 202045 min

2.25 Three for the Road

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.

Jul 28, 20201h 8m

2.24 The Triumphant Return Edition

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.

Jul 21, 202058 min

2.23 Planning for the Unplannable

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!

Jul 8, 202029 min

2.22 Into the Friend Zone

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!

Jun 25, 20201h 14m

2.21 Leadership, Life, and The Pursuit Of Motorsports

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!

Jun 22, 202030 min

2.20 The Cost of Being the Boss

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.

Jun 11, 202041 min

2.19 A Story of Survival and A Climb To The Top

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.

Jun 3, 20201h 21m

2.18 The Experience vs the Experienced

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!

May 27, 202059 min

2.17 The Horsepower Hour

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.

May 19, 202055 min

2.16 A Privateer Top Fuel Owner And The Man Who Can Drive Anything

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.

May 12, 202056 min

2.15 Pro Stock, Piston Rings, Mullets, and Blow Overs

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!

May 5, 20201h 13m

2.14 Chatting With Champions: Shawn Langdon and Luke Bogacki

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!

Apr 28, 202051 min

2.13 The Racers Mind

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.

Apr 23, 202057 min

2.12 Heart, Soul and Horsepower

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.

Apr 15, 202056 min

2.11 Connie Kalitta Wide Open

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.

Apr 9, 20201h 12m

2.10 Reaction Times and Memories

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.

Apr 1, 202037 min

2.9 Legendary Voices - Bob Frey and Jon Lundberg

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.

Mar 27, 20201h 31m

2.8 The Big Stop

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.

Mar 17, 202059 min