NHRA Insider Podcast

Latest Episodes:

5.14 All The World's A Stage(-ing) Duel - Langdon and Buginga Tell All Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

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 Thorne, Buginga stood his ground in pre-stage until he physically could not hold the car still any longer. This whole situation cost him a crew chief immediately following the run. Ever defiant, Manny lays out the logic, his career experience, and his expectations for the rest of this season. One of the spiciest and most interesting episodes ever, you'll hang on every word!

5.13 An NHRA Insider's Guide To The Good, Bad, and Ugly of 2023 Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

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 game may not be so true. Lots of meat on this bone as the guys go deep into these storylines. Finally, the Top Fuel class is the center of discussion. Obviously, Justin Ashley's recent performances are on the table as are those teams struggling to get up to speed, and which of them will be the first to notch themselves a breakout weekend? Loads of interesting food for thought here about teams, reality series', secrecy, and how the sport of drag racing benefits from a little cage rattling and feather ruffling! An entertaining listen that's full throttle the whole way through!

5.12 The Driver and the Crew Chief - Justin Ashley and Mike Green Talk Winning Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

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 well as the chief crew lounge on this episode and all from the same winning team!

5.11 Analyzing Phoenix - The Southwestern Swing Begins! Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

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!

5.10 Insiders In The Desert - Gainesville, Top Fuel Weight Controversy - and Phoenix! Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

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 a whole. This is the best way to get revved up for a fast weekend at Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park!

5.9 The Chiefs of Gainesville - Andrew Hines and Rob Flynn Speak! Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

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, and more on this episode!

5.8 Spittin' Fire and Talking Gators With Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

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 Langdon and Doug in 2023. The class-by-class breakdown culminates in a fun conversation about the cliches and actions the guys want to see drivers abandon for 2023. Whether it's feigning to not care about opponents or turning the top end into a recreation of the summer of love, the boys have a few ideas. Perhaps you have more to add! A fun show to get us fully cranked up for the start of the season!

5.7 Big Names Surrounded By New Faces: Schumacher and Tasca Talk Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

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 running car in the summer, Tasca and crew need to pick up the pace in the Spring and Fall to really be championship contenders. This is a great show with lots of insider stories you'll only get here!

5.6 David Grubnic and Robert Hight Talk Team, 2023, and Relentless Competition Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

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, and insight into the sport that we all know and love.

5.5 Gaige Herrera and Dickie Venables On Testing 2023, and How To Succeed Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

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 his hobbies away from the track and how excited he is to return to Chicago this year. All this plus news, insider information, and a multitude of topics in professional NHRA Camping World drag racing!

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