The Sportsman Drag Racing Podcast w/ Luke & Jed

Luke and Ashley recap the This is Bracket Racing Drivers Series. Jed joins Luke to cover the Summit E.T. National champions, as well as confirmed locks on NHRA Sportsman champions.

After last weeks million drama, Troy Williams asked to come on the show to give his perspective, honest, and to the point. Luke, Jed, and Troy also preview and make picks for the NHRA ET Championships. Luke details some NHRA points changes after Rockingham, and finish out with some more bad beats. A long, interesting, must listen episode.

We thought it was going to be a slow week...we were wrong, very wrong. We have had lots or racers "break the internet" often in good ways, this week we have social media going crazy for not such a good reason. Listen in to hear Luke and Jed's take on the situation at the Million, a few more NHRA class points chase pictures becoming more clear, and IHRA crowns their World Champions.

Luke and Jed have a huge episode on tap. A ton of racing, all over the country, big bracket racing turnouts, along with Luke racing in Ohio. Of course this time of year, an episode wouldn't be complete without an in depth update on NHRA points implications. Tune in for another sportsman racing filled episode!

Luke and Jed put together a huge show, with a ton of entertaining discussion. From Fall Fling results with similar names, to Luke being in OHIO...to Comp Eliminator Drama, you name it you'll find it. A great show on tap, be sure to tune in!

Luke and Jed catch up on the latest huge bracket race winners. They discuss Derby City $100k results, Jim Harrington Bracket Nationals, and of course a catch up on NHRA points situations. Couple all of the racing with a hilarious #MANSCAPED ad and shoutouts, and you'll be sure to stay entertained.

Jeff Serra and Nick Hastings...heard those names? Nah...us either. On this weeks show, Luke and Jed cover the last few weeks big stories and interesting happenings, which include two of the most consistent HUGE money winners of all time. Tickets are being punched to the NHRA E.T. World Finals as well, with Divisions finishing up their E.T. Finals, we begin to detail those racers heading to Vegas. Tune in for a huge show!

Huge episode this week, Luke and Jed have a ton to talk about this week. A ton of racing over the Labor Day weekend at Indy, Norwalk, Division 6 E.T. Finals, and of course Bristol. They recap the highlights from all of those events. They also throw in some "bad beats" that were just heart breaking. Tune in for a jam packed show!

Luke is joined by National Dragster senior editor Kevin McKenna to preview the annual JEGS All-Stars, held in conjunction with this weekend’s NHRA U.S. Nationals (for a complete list of All-Stars participants, check out Kevin’s column on NHRA.com: https://www.nhra.com/news/2021/jegs-allstars-preview-introduction-talent-heavy-indy-fields). Following that spirited conversation, Ashley Thompson joins the show to provide an update on the ThisIsBracketRacing.com/driverseries standings as racers from across the continent head into the home stretch in search of $10,000+ top prizes in both the Top Bulb & Bottom Bulb categories.

Luke and Jed are back together this week, leading off with an impressive run from the young Kentucky native, Garret Griffith. With the BTE Labor Day $250k and the Summer Door Car Shootout, coming up very soon, the guys talk about those races and the hardships and upsides that come from promoting races. The second half of the show is NHRA heavy with highlights from the divisional and national scene.

Jed gets to take the reins this week and sit down with Hazlehurst, Georgias own Caraline and Tripp McCarty. Tune in to find out the behind the scenes story. They discuss their day to day, who's best racing, bike wrecks and more. Oh and they'll let us know why they are sitting in a truck in the Hazlehurst, GA Tractor Supply parking lot!

Luke welcomes big dollar bracket racing extraordinaire, and now perhaps the youngest race track owner in the industry: Gleason Raceway Park's own Christopher Northup. Funny Car Chris tells us how a kid from the big city of Boise, Idaho came to own a small race track in rural Gleason, TN, and details their HUGE opening night (last weekend, their spectator count exceeded the town's population)! Chris shares his vision for the race track, where bracket racing fits in, and much more...

The guys return from vacation with a lot of great racing to talk about from all over the country. Some repeat names among the top tier bracket races, Jeff Serra staying hot and Doug Foley Jr. winning huge money! NHRA in Pomona, Topeka, and Sonoma ramps up points chases! Tune in to hear Luke and Jed's take on the past weeks events!

This weeks episode is dedicated solely to our friend Kyle Seipel, throughout this episode you will hear from some of Kyles close friends that were willing to give up some of their favorite stories involving Kyle. Some of the stories are recent, some are from Kyle's younger days, but surely these stories will be a pleasure to listen to for anyone that knew of kyle, be it personally or through his racing adventures.

Luke and Jed cover racing from all over, among that coverage Luke goes mini-nerd out on some really close NHRA points battles that are shaping up. The Eastern Conference Finals had some great performances, as well as some various big money racing around the country. Tune in for a great show!

Jed was finally able to convince Adam Davis to come on the show, and it did not disappoint! You'll get to hear a lot about his mentality going into a round, what he does during the week, and lots of other cool AD behind the scenes info. Tune in to hear the little heard from Adam Davis!

Luke and Jed are together this week after what was a very successful weekend for both. Jed, after another very successful WFC, recaps some of the results and stories from his weekend. Luke, fresh off a Super Gas divisional win at Summit Motorsports Park, discusses some of the results and stories from the NHRA side. They also discuss the SFG 500k postponement. Tune in for another entertaining show!

This week, we assembled two episodes, Episode 71 and Episode 124. Kyle Seipel was a guest on both of those episodes, 71 alongside his friend and business partner Peter Biondo, and in 124 he was by himself. As Luke mentions in his intro, sometimes these are hard to listen to, but its still Kyles voice, and the stories will still bring a smile to your face.

Luke and Jed come together to start the episode for a couple minutes to honor Kyle Seipel. Luke then catches up with our return guest Kevin McKenna, Sr. Editor of NHRA National Dragster, to review the NHRA season as we find ourselves mid-season in lots of exciting points battles. Tune in now to hear their take on this seasons progress.

Luke and Jed are back together this week, they cover some NHRA highlights from around the US, as well as a few big money races in Indiana, Virginia, and South Carolina. Then we make an attempt at making a few racers really happy and the rest of the country mad at us! Tune in to find out why!

Luke catches up with some of the past weeks racing, and then gets to sit down with long time NHRA standout Rock Haas. They discuss Rock's "Rocking Super Class Shootout", and the advent of these races that are are occuring with NHRA type competition without being under the NHRA umbrella. In the second part of the show Luke catches up with TIBR Driver Series brainchild Ashley Thompson and discusses the series progress, and some big news.

On this weeks episode, we go Luke-less, Jed has the opportunity to talk with Don Oneal. Racing takes a bit of a backseat in this episode to the much more impactful, inspiring, and touching story of the life Don and Diane Oneal lived together.

Luke and Jed spend a fair amount of time recapping the Dream Team Shootout as well as results from Holly Springs, and other large races around the country. Luke discusses some of the red hot sportsman drivers to keep an eye out for. Finally Jed finishes us off with a #manscaped ad, that is most definitely worth listening to.

Luke and Jed are back together this week. They go into a lengthy discussion about the reign on big money racing that Nick Hastings currently holds on the sport, as well as comparisons and opinions on the "greatest ever" discussion. Luke discusses early season NHRA success, and results. As always some entertaining #manscaped reads and general racing discussion from the past few weeks.

Jed gets to sit down with up and coming promoter, among many other things, Paige Hamlin. Paige discusses her start in the sport from a very young age, she talks about how she has gotten into the different aspects of the sport in which she participates today. A woman of many talents, this is a great interview, be sure to tune in.

At just 28 years of age, Tyler Crossnoe is a man of many titles: he is the Vice President at Virginia Motorsports Park, the Director of the PDRA, and the proprietor of the Outlaw Street Car Reunion. Tyler joins Luke to discuss the role of the promoter in today's world of bracket racing, the state of our sport, and its future. In their multi-faceted conversation the two touch on the history of big dollar bracket racing, the biggest challenge facing tracks promoting their own bracket events in 2021, and the stresses that go along with track management (that we'd never even consider as racers).

Would today's most prominent bracket racers have been more successful or less successful in a previous era? What skill set has the biggest impact on success in today's big dollar bracket world, and how has it changed? Jed and I discuss and debate these topics on this week's podcast. In addition, we share some thoughts on the recent major announcements from the two richest events on the 2021 calendar. Listen on ThisIsBracketRacing or wherever you typically find podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Google Play, Stitcher and more.

Jed gets the opportunity to sit down with two of the biggest winners of the 2021 season, the SFG $500k winner Todd Arnold and the Loose Rocker $75k winner Soggy Dunn. Both have incredibly unique stories, and it was really interesting to hear how their weekends played out.

Luke and Jed cover some results and happenings from the Houston LODRS, London, KY, VMP, SFG500 (mid-race at recording time), and the Class Racer Revival. The guys finish off with a big product partnership, and of course finish off the "Race Car Names" bracket.

Luke sits down with the winningest driver in NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing history, Dan Fletcher. Their wide-ranging discussion includes Fletch's perspective on how much the sport (and his spot within it) has changed over the last 25+ years, the Fletcher family racing legacy, his biggest triumphs, and his future plans. In addition, Ashley Thompson provides a brief update on the 2021 ThisIsBracketRacing Driver Series (racers at Greer Dragway and Beech Bend Raceway begin earning points this weekend).

An action packed episode that surely won't disappoint. Luke and Jed discuss Spring Fling million happenings, they get to talk to the big winner, Bo Butner about his awesome day! Then of course, an update on the "Best Race Car Name Final Four" Be sure to tune in, we have awesome content coming from all angles this week!

The guys recap the high points of a really busy early spring bracket and NHRA season. Highlighting stand out winners and performances. The real fun comes in the second half of the show. Returning after a COVID hiatus, the March Madness bracket with a drag racing flare. Drag Car names! Its too good to miss folks, be sure to tune in! www.thisisbracketracing.com/podcast

Luke and Jed preview a portion, (S/Comp, S/Gas, S/Street and ET Series) of the NHRA upcoming season. Recapping last years champion, and pick some contenders for the upcoming season. They make some bold predictions, discuss new happenings, and make some insider picks.

Clay Millican joins Luke to preview a portion, (Comp, S/Stock, Stock, TD, and TS) of the NHRA upcoming season. Recapping last years champion, and pick some contenders for the upcoming season. They make some bold predictions, discuss new happenings, and make some insider picks. Tune in Clay always brings a great energy, and has really kept his finger on the pulse of sportsman racing.

Luke and Jed are back together with ACTUAL racing results and stories to talk about! Starting off with the Southern Big Buck Nationals (Baton Rouge), moving on to West Coast Bracket Racing's huge event at Tuscon, and then onto the Top Bulb 150 at Gulfport. A couple of NHRA events with the Baby Gators and Belle Rose, and finishing off with some results from Wes Buck's World Doorslammer Nationals. Tune in for a packed episode!

Somehow, Scotty hasn't ever been on the Sportsman Drag Racing Podcast with Luke and Jed, that changes today. Scotty Richardson on the Spring Fling Million, the one thing he hasn't done in racing, the "Young Gun" that impresses him most, and more!

In this weeks interview, Jed goes without Luke to have a great sit down discussion with John DiBartolomeo. Topics range from John's history in the sport, to big money racing's effect on local tracks. Jed and John are all over the board in this wide ranging conversation. Be sure to tune in! www.thisisbracketracing.com/podcast

On the heels of last episode's discussion about the financial aspect of sportsman racing, Luke sits down with Wes Buck. Buck, best known as the founder and editorial director at Drag Illustrated made a huge splash in 2020 as the promoter of the World Doorslammer Nationals. He discusses the motivation and the challenges that go into promoting an event of that magnitude, and the two explore how some of his experience and success could translate to the world of big dollar bracket racing.

May have taken the official plunge off the rails with this episode, after many trips seemingly off the rails, I think we found the limits this time! Luke and Jed have a really in depth and interesting conversation, "Can you actually race for a living?" As awesome as that segment is, it doesn't hold a candle for what was to follow. Sportsman racer, Olympian, or Adult Film Star? Jed has to decide when given 16 different names. We think you all will find this incredibly entertaining, be sure to tune in!

Gary Don Free makes a return to the show, Drag Champ has grown in incredible ways since the last time Gary was on the show last nearly 100 episodes ago. Jed gets to talk about Drag Champ, its progress, and staff.

Luke continues the winter interview series with 2020 NHRA Stock Eliminator Champion, Jody Lang. After a pair of points runner up finishes and a slew of top 10's Jody finally was able to seal the deal in 2020. Luke gets to talk about Jody's championship run in this weeks episode! Be sure to tune in.

Folks, we have a very entertaining episode on tap for today. Luke and Jed discuss a series of Facebook posts made by Bug McCarty, and give them some analysis. The show takes a fun turn in the second half, with the guys ranking the top 5....errr or 7, active sportsman cars they would love to drive. Tip: Hang in for todays shoutouts...its worth it!

Luke and Jed are back for the new year! After a few weeks off, Luke and Jed recap a few of the recent races including the SFG Christmas Bash at Bradenton and the New Years Nationals at Palm Beach International Raceway. After that the guys go down the ever popular "Top 25" list path. This is the 2021 pre-season top 25. Tune in to hear where your favorites land on the list!

Jed sits down with Charlie Lockhart in a really interesting discussion, ranging from Charlie's start in racing, to his favorite pizza topping! Charlie gets to weigh in on a lot of subjects, like what does footbraking need more of...and of course what does it need less of. Tune in for an awesome conversation!

Luke gets the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Serra to talk about his unbelievable season, specifically his monumental win at Memphis in October. Jeff talks about the trials and tribulations of the Great American Guaranteed Million and how his season has played out.

Luke Bogacki and Justin Lamb recorded their live This is Bracket Racing Elite webinar from 12/1/2020. This is Bracket Racing Elite open enrollment ends Friday 12/4!

This weeks episode, one of the most fun of the year, has become affectionately known as "The Poddy's" (our "awards" show). Luke and Jed will break down all the happenings from 2020 and hand out their "awards", ok so we don't actually have any awards to hand out...but it makes for really great podcast content! Tune in to hear this years "Best Appearing Driver" and the GOAT...or goat were according to Luke and Jed!

Here at the Sportsman Drag Racing Podcast with Luke and Jed, we really have a favorite time of year, and thats "interview season", while no racing is happening in most of the country, we begin catching up with racers, and their stories. We kick this years interviews off with Thomas Gall, originator of GallstarTV, a bracket racing youtube channel (5:55). Luke gets to delve into Gall's background, how the channel came to fruitition and where its heading in the future. A really interesting episode be sure to tune in! GallstarTV

As the season comes to an end across most of the U.S. Luke and Jed do a complete NHRA National Sportsman Champion break down (9:47). They clean up some loose ends on the big money bracket scene (1:04:10) and round out the show with some random tidbits mostly concerning 2021 events (1:27:00). Tune in for an especially thorough breakdown of the NHRA season conclusion. BTE TIBR Elite

Luke leads off by honoring the NHRA Summit E.T. World Champions, and breaking down the remaining NHRA Lucas Oil points chases in Stock, Top Dragster, and Super Gas. Jed sits down with recent Million Dollar Race Winner Kevin Brannon (18:32) to discuss the biggest win of his illustrious career, and how it seemed overshadowed to some extent by the bizarre end-of-race sequence that he and Gary Williams will never forget. The inaugural ThisIsBracketRacing Driver Series has reached its conclusion, crowning Lane Cavar (Top Bulb) and Kip Poole (Bottom Bulb) as 2020 champions! Ashley Thompson closes the show (1:27:12) in a conversation with Poole in which they recap his title season and his racing background. This episode is brought to you by This is Bracket Racing Elite and BTE.