NHRA Insider Podcast

Latest Episodes:

6.23 JR Todd and Clay Millican Talk Bristol's Challenges, Seasons Promise Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

Host Brian Lohnes is joined by Funny Car ace JR Todd and Top Fuel handler Clay Millican on this episode of the NHRA Insider. The three talk about the challenges, triumphs, and heartaches of the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol and then what lay ahead for racers at Virginia Motorsports Park along with the rest of the season. The conversations are interesting in that they delve not only into the racing action we just saw but the interpersonal dynamic internally with these two successful teams. Todd sits third in the points and Millican is little more than two rounds out of cracking the top five in Top Fuel. Candid, honest, unflinching, and interesting, you'll enjoy this listen as two of the NHRA's biggest names wheel and deal with the inside formation you love to learn.

6.22 The Insiders Recap Epping and Talk A Smooth New Bristol Surface Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon and National Dragster's Kevin McKenna to talk about the amazing 2024 New England Nationals and look forward to this weekend's Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The Epping race was an action packed contest with sold out crowds two out of the three days and great qualifying. The guys talk about the track, its unique fanbase, the action over the course of the three days and more. They key in on John Force and what it means to see him as a front running competitor in the class for the first time in years, the colossal strength of the Kalitta Motorsports team, the pro stock battles that were waged and more. The Bristol conversation involves Pro Stock Motorcycle, the freshly repaved track surface at Bristol Dragway, how teams will learn and adapt to a less character filled surface, and the seemingly perfect forecast. Great insight and a fast moving chat with two guys who know!

6.21 Dickie Venables and Tony Pedregon Talk Winning Epping and Epic Conditions May 29, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Dickie Venables, the crew chief for back-to-back 2024 winner Matt Hagan. Dickie and Matt also have four wins at New England Dragway and are the winningest funny car tandem in the history of the New England Nationals. Dickie talks about the trickiness of Chicago, the approach change for Epping, why his team is clicking so well, and what the performance potential is for cool New Hampshire air in qualifying. Tony Pedregon is the second guest on the show and there's a spicy conversation about the simmering Pro Stock frustrations pervading the pits, who the favorites are on what could be an all-time performance weekend, and the potential of seeing 340mph not just out of one car, but maybe others as well. It's a supercharged look at what's to come this weekend on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour!

6.20 Gaige Herrera and Dallas Glenn Talk Chicago, Epping, and The Future May 22, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Chicago winners Gaige Herrera and Dallas Glenn. Two competitors cut from the same cloth, they talk about the mechanics of winning, how the competition is tight, and how they are both looking toward the future in their seasons and careers. Gaige joins the show first and talks about his record breaking eighth straight victory in Pro Stock Motorcycle and how his approach his changed this season. He talks about the team dynamic at Vance and Hines, why they operate at such a high level, and how his own personal drive has powered him on this amazing streak. Dallas Glenn tells his story of a challenging race weekend that paid off with the ultimate satisfaction of a victory on Sunday. It's an interesting tale of Call-Out frustration turned race-day elation. Glenn also talks about what he needs to do through the middle of the season and ultimately the countdown to garner his first championship in the category. That's the chat and some fun forward-looking thoughts on the upcoming NHRA New England Nationals!

6.19 Blowin' Into The Windy City - Ashley and Pedregon Talk Top Fuel and Route 66 Nationals May 15, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Top Fuel points leader Justin Ashley and NHRAonFOX Analyst Tony Pedregon for two wildly different discussions about racing, Chicago, and the 2024 season. Justin Ashley is riding a huge wave of success so far in 2024 and his team is in command of the points by nearly 100 over Doug Kalitta. His final round appearances and wins this year have been impressive but the inner workings of the organization may be even more impressive than the wins themselves. Ashley takes us inside his team, his mindset, and his success. The two talk long term goals, the outlook for Chicago, and why a hot start is more important than ever in 2024. A fired up Tony Pedregon joins the show to talk about everything from a stacked top fuel field, the NHRA sports gaming announcement, a near brawl behind the scenes in pro stock, and a whole lot more. This rollicking interview makes up the second half of the show and it's one you cannot afford to miss!

6.18 An Early Season Check In With Daniel Wilkerson and Andrew Hines May 07, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by rookie nitro funny car driver Daniel Wilkerson and multi-time champion rider turned Vance and Hines crew chief Andrew Hines. The two guys have unique perspective on the 2024 season and they share it in these conversations. For Dan Wilkerson, it has been a decent start to the 2024 year culminating in his best race yet in Charlotte at the 4-Wide Nationals. Wilkerson talks about so many aspects of his evolution as a driver and the face of his team this season. It is interesting to understand the working dynamic between he and his crew chief dad and how they are both settling into what are new roles for each of them. Andrew Hines oversees the tuning of Gaige Herrera's Suzuki motorcycle and many aspects of the workload at the Vance and Hines shop. He talks about the fact that two races in they are still learning, how Richard Gadson is doing, and why the pro stock motorcycle class is as tight as it can be with the motorcycles showing up these days. Lohnes asks him about the controversies coming into Charlotte and squashing them with a strong win. It's a wide ranging conversation about competition, motorcycle drag racing, and more! Two dynamic racers doing what they do to succeed in the tough world of the NHRA!

6.17 The FULL Insider Story of The Great Charlotte Intake Manifold Controversy Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

On this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes takes you step by step through the crazy happenings on Saturday at the Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals involving Bob Tasca's team, the tech department, and what was determined to be an illegal intake manifold. It is a story with some interesting twists and turns, some truly big implications, and one that, at least in Lohnes's view, actually happened at the right time. This recounting of events takes us through the discovery of the problem which was revealed live on air to Lohnes and Tony Pedregon during the NHRA Insider LIVE, the ensuing social media craziness, why the intake was illegal, and how the whole thing shook out. This is not just a retelling of events, it is a breakdown on the hows and whys of everything that happened on that very interesting day. This is as insider as it gets.

6.16 The NHRA Insiders ON FIRE Before Charlotte 4-Wide Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

On this high-octane episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by National Dragster's Phil Burgess and Tony Pedregon to talk about the electric running of the Las Vegas 4-Wide Nationals as well as the upcoming Carolina 4-Wide Nationals this week. The conversation ranges from driver performances, driver attitudes, what a hole shot actually is, the process and procedures of top-end interviews for TV, and a whole lot more. There are flying sparks, hot takes, deep dives, and great analysis of the teams that are carrying the torches forward in their respective categories, those that are poised to break out, and who needs to get their act together coming into this second and final four wide contest. An entertaining and swift-moving show if there ever was one!

6.15 Jasmine Salinas, Bob Tasca, and Del Worsham Talk Command and Control Post Vegas Powered by Speedmaster Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Jasmine Salinas, Bob Tasca, and Del Worsham to discuss the Las Vegas 4-Wide Nationals, growth, strategy, and how great teams get their cars back on track. Jasmine Salinas is the first guest on the show and a great conversation ensues about her early period in Top Fuel, what she has learned so far, how she has evolved as a racer, and how her competitive personality was formed in the sport of drag racing where she has dedicated so much of her time and effort for the last several years. Bob Tasca talks about his team's measured approach to the Vegas race, what they tested after the race, and how his relationship with his crew chiefs ultimately has lead to them having the fastest funny car in history and one of the most competitive in the NHRA. A high energy discussion! Finally, Del Worsham recounts his team's struggles, his own personal grief over the performance of the funny car he tunes, and how they committed themselves to righting their own ship which resulted in a car that went rounds in Phoenix and Las Vegas. It's an insightful crew chief chat. This is a jam packed episode with something for everyone!

6.14 The Insider Recap of Phoenix, Paul Lee on Funny Car Success, and A Vegas Preview Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, funny car ace Paul Lee joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about the rapid growth of performance and success his team has experienced under the leadership of John Medlen and Jonnie Lindberg, how well Phoenix went before a mechanical problem, and what his outlook is for the rest of the NHRA season. Lee brings some great insights as a racer and an owner on how things are shaping up in nitro funny car. Lohnes recaps Phoenix and the action fans saw all weekend long, talks about 4-Wide drag racing in Las Vegas its perception and attitude and the ONE thing fans can bank on seeing during that always high energy event. A bang-bang Insider!

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