Nhra Insider Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ron Capps and Clay Millican join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Both racers are in a strong position with regard to their seasons. Capps sits just 10 points behind leader Robert Hight and Millican, with fresh ownership and parts is in the fastest race car he has had in years. While Millican may be a bit too far out to be considered a favorite, Capps has been slugging with Hight and Hagan on a weekly basis to maintain his championship position.    Clay Millican brings great insights into the operation of his top fuel team under the ownership of Rick Ware Racing and what it means for the future of the entire outfit. It is an exciting time for he and the entire team as they now have an inventory of parts that will allow them to run the car as hard and fast as the front runners under crew chief Jim Oberhofer.   Ron Capps is loving life at the moment. He comes off a big win in Dallas and is in the dream position of being less than one full round out of first place in his NAPA Toyota

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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