Nhra Insider Podcast

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Tony Pedregon and Todd Veney join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the major stories and trends coming out of the Chicago Rt 66 Nationals and to preview the weekend ahead at New England Dragway. The event this weekend is unique as it centers around Top Fuel and Nitro Funny car, with the Pro Modified class also a showcase during the event.    The three touch on some really interesting topics like how talent is recognized and snatched up the ranks in drag racing, why smaller teams don't take more advantage of races like Epping where they'd get more attention and have a better shot to win, the effect of the Indy 500 weekend on racing across America, and the seemingly instant turn of performance for Tony Schumacher's car during testing post-Chicago. All this and a whole lot more on this week's Clam Chowder-powered NHRA Insider!

On this post-Rt66 Nationals episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, NHRA's Joe Castello joins Brian Lohnes along with Vance and Hines chief tuner Andrew Hines. The talk is centered on an incredible race weekend at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The fans came out by the 10s of thousands, the car counts were fantastic, and the competition through the event was off the charts. Sunday was one of the most incredible race days that anyone has ever seen and you'll get it from the perspective of a television reporter and of a racer in Andrew Hines.    The conversation eventually turns to the unstoppable nature of Gaige Herrera, how Hines continues to work with him, how his multi-faceted presence is aiding the team, and some surprising facts about this racer who may be most well known on a motorcycle but can do damage in cars as well.    The stories from inside the race, on the starting line, and in the pits, all right here!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Tony Pedregon and NHRAonFox pit producer Todd Veney join host Brian Lohnes to talk all things about the upcoming Gerber Collision and Glass Rt 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois. This is the first time the NHRA has raced at the venue since 2019, and expectations are high for the great event.    The conversation works class by class through the race. Which competitors are in positions of power, which need to better their fortunes, and which may want to start smashing the panic button with a sledgehammer. The first ever All-Star Pro Stock Call Out is broken down and discussed, possible pairings are bandied about, and the class and competitors analyzed.    Finally, the guys break down the freakish points situation top fuel where, after five races, two of the top three have not won any of them!    Fun perspective to get you revved up about this weekend!

On this three-guest episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, racers Tony Stewart, T.J. Zizzo, and Chris King join host BrianLohnes to talk about winning races, new cars, and working relentlessly to make it in the sport of NHRA drag racing.    Tony Stewart has come on very strong lately in Top Alcohol Dragster. Winning the national event in Las Vegas unleashed he and his team and they have gone on to capture another victory, recently, at the Indy regional Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Stewart talks about the evolution of the team, how he has evolved as a competitor, and a wide variety of topics.    T.J. Zizzo and Chris King are both Chicagoland area drag racing success stories. Neither man is made of money but both will be racing nitro-burning cars at the Rt 66 Nationals. Zizzo and team took more than a season off to construct a brand new, cutting-edge top fuel dragster. They have designs on making trouble for the competition at their home track.    Chris King is a Chicago firefighter who loves funny cars an

Josh Hart and Del Worsham join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast and both of them have plenty to talk about. In the case of Josh Hart, the conversation centers around his growth as not only a driver, but as a personality, team owner, and most importantly a competitor in the ranks of professional drag racing. It has not always been fun or easy and Josh takes us inside the process. The chat reveals a hardnosed competitor and a genuinely good guy who is not going to be stopped in his championship quest.   Del Worsham is the second guest on the show and he talks about the evolution of the tune up that has created the most consistent funny car in the sport today. Currently second in the points, Worsham reveals that the team was headed in a different tune up direction before the season started but reverting back to last year's car and tune have brought them to the place they are today.    Two fascinating guests and two great insider chats! 

On this race week episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, National Dragster Sr. Editor Kevin McKenna and NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon join Brian Lohnes to talk all things Circle K NHRA Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals. The guys talk about the news of Bandimere's impending closure, the Pro Stock Motorcycle downtime and who made the best of it, starting line/staging espionage, and the questionable forecast for this weekend's race to start with.    Leading into the race discussion, the group talks about racers like Antron Brown, the complexity of operating the near double-digit Elite Motorsports Pro Stock team, Matt Hagan's dominating funny car performances thus far, and why the NHRA needs to embrace a power ranking system like other sports have.    This one goes deep into some interesting subjects. There's some laughs, some debates, and some hot fire spit by this panel on all the above topics. In other words, it's another must-listen trip inside the world of NHRA Camping World Drag Racing!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast Shawn Langdon and Manny Buginga join host Brian Lohnes to talk about two of the season's most memorable moments this far and they both happened on the starting line.    For Shawn Langdon, it was the second round of Top Fuel at the Las Vegas 4-Wide Nationals where he took a slower-than-normal approach to counteract the starting line tactics of Josh Hart which eventually drew him a foul for timing out. The conversation centers around the world of top fuel, the exciting nature of staging four-wide, and how different drivers approach their procedure differently. Langdon takes us inside the moments leading up to the run, the scene on the line, and the aftermath with competitors and teammates. This is an open and honest recounting of a memorable situation.    For Manny Buginga, his first-ever race as part of the NHRA Pro mod series was memorable for fans and competitors alike. Engaged in a two-minute and thirty-second staging battle with defending series champion Kris Tho

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Brian Lohnes brings back the regular race week guest panel of Tony Pedregon, NHRAonFox analyst, and Kevin McKenna National Dragster Senior Editor to talk about the Las Vegas 4-Wide Nationals, a wild weekend in Pomona, and some of the deeper stories brewing behind the scenes in the world of NHRA drag racing.    The rollicking conversation kicks off with a look at Pro Stock and how the class has taken on a "Countdown" feel already in this early part of the season. The points standings are tight, some racers who we all place high expectations on are struggling and others are making their mark right out of the gate. The conversation focuses on how a Pro Stock season can vary versus a nitro-powered one and the driver performances to this point.    The group delves into the recent craziness in nitro Funny Car from the hot starts of Chad Green and Alexis DeJoria to the weekend of John Force and JR Todd, how those teams will recover, and how the idea of las Vegas being anyone's gam

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

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

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

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 Langd

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

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,

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

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 N

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

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.