NHRA Insider Podcast

Latest Episodes:

8.19 The Insiders Preview The Potomac Nationals and Chris King Chats Chicago May 26, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Kevin McKenna and Tony Pedregon join to talk about the upcoming NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by Jegs and privateer Funny Car racer Chris King joins to talk about his first 2026 race at his home track in Chicago. The Potomac Nationals kick off a three-in-a- row rip for NHRA drag racers that will take them up the eastern seaboard and then into Tennessee at three of the most historic facilities on the tour. McKennna and Pedregon breakdown what we saw in Chicago and then look forward into what will be a very busy month for racers on the tour. An exciting and interesting conversation. Chris King, the Funny Car racing Chicago fireman joins the show to talk about how his team performed in Chicago, how his program is evolving, and what his plans are for the rest of 2026. Insight into the wild world of firefighting and drag racing. All that and more on this show!

8.18 Matt Smith and Chad Green Detail Windy City Wins May 21, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Chicago winners Matt Smith and Chad Green join the show to talk about how they navigated the track, the wind, and the competition to victory. For Matt Smith, it was a harrowing experience picking up a second consecutive win on the NHRA tour. The crosswinds tested his bravery and ability on the drag strip. He goes in-depth about what they did to navigate it, his close call, and the final round that didn't go the way anyone expected it to. Chad Green is having a career season in Funny Car. For the first time he has multiple wins in the same campaign and he has done it twice in six races. Green talks about pedaling around Ron Capps, the consistency of his people, new sponsors, and the team that he calls the best of his career. This is a great episode with two chats that define two very different winning experiences!

8.17 - The Insiders Talk Chicago - Mendy Fry Talks Titles, Her New Doc, and More May 12, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join the show to talk all things SGMP and Gerber Collision and Glass Rt 66 Nationals presented by Peak, plus, two-time NHRA Heritage Series Top Fuel Champion Mendy Fry joins to talk about a new documentary she is the subject of; "Time Trials: A Drag Strip Requiem". Pedregon and McKenna get into the meat and potatoes of what we have seen so far this season, land some pretty hot-take opinions, and delve into the numbers across the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour to give the kind of insight that you can't really get at surface level. The conversation is wide ranging and will definitely get your ears perked up when the boys get rolling. Mendy Fry has had an incredible career and life inside the world of drag racing rising to become a two-time Top Fuel Champion in the NHRA Heritage Series wheeling front engine nitro dragsters. Her life and career are the subject of a new documentary that drag racing fans need to see. In this conversation that talks about life, the film, her career, highs and lows, and more, you'll begin to understand the compelling nature of Mendy and her drag racing journey.

8.16 Brian Husen and Chris Cunningham Break Down Georgia Records and Wins May 06, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Brian Husen the Crew Chief for the record setting and Southern Nationals winning Kalitta Air dragster and Chris Cunningham, the crew chief for the winning Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet Funny Car join host Brian Lohnes to break down their memorable wins on a wild and challenging Georgia weekend. Great insights from these tuners who have spent their lives in the sport of drag racing to grow and perfect their craft are shared into the tuning approach, the team nature of the sport, and how it all came together for them on a sunny Sunday at South Georgia Motorsports Park. A fun listen from two top tier tuners in the NHRA!

8.15 The Four Wide Frenzy and A Southern Nationals Preview Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

On this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes talks about the highs and lows of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax and previews the return of this weekend's Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park. Get up to speed on the inside stories from the four-wides, on top of the teams and individual racers that surprised the NHRA world both good and bad, the interesting position that some racers hold in the points standings, and a whole lot more. After that Lohnes talks about South Georgia Motorsports Park, a vastly different venue than zMax, what kinds of performances and experiences can be expected this weekend, and a whole lot more. Insight, some interesting takes, and all the news to have you primed up for the first ever NHRA National Event in South Georgia!

8.14 Hagan Talks Pomona Win, McKenna and Pedregon Preview Charlotte Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

On this three-wide episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster dropped on Charlott Four-Wide Nationals week, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon, Kevin McKennna, and Matt Hagan. Pedregon and McKenna join first to look back on an epic Pomona race day and then look forward at the names and news makers that will be attacking this four wide format at Charlotte for the only time this season. The discussion ranges from paid drivers looking like professionals, the return of Pro Stock Motorcycles, another potential KB runway Pro Stock season, and more. Matt Hagan joins the show next for a rollicking conversation that looks over not only his Pomona win, but the strength of his established team that is already in a championship form. Hagan covers lots of ground here, has interesting takes, and delivers on his larger-than-life personality. A big show leading into a big two race stretch for the NHRA!

8.13 Conquering Pomona: Greg Anderson and Mike Green Break It Down Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster Pomona winners Greg Anderson and Mike Green join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their weekends, their early seasons, and a whole lot more. The Lucas Oil Winternationals were historic in its denotation of the 1,000th Funny Car race, challenging in its weather and track conditions, and ultimately epic in its ending. Both of these guys were able to navigate all of it in their respective roles. Anderson as a driver and tuner, Green as the Crew Chief for Tony Stewart in Top Fuel. Both guys break down the weekend, the season, and their awesome respective stories that saw them to the winner's circle in Pomona.

8.12 The Insiders Get Fired Up For A Fast Pomona Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster Kevin McKenna and Tony Pedregon join the show to talk about the lessons learned over the first two races and how the game will totally change in Pomona. With temperatures expected to be more than 40 degrees cooler than Phoenix, this will be the fastest, highest performing race of the early 2026 season so far. In this episode of NHRA Insiders, the guys break down who is in the best position to take advantage of the horsepower that will be available. The panel talks about the early season surprises for some teams and those that need to really establish themselves at the Lucas Oil Winternationals. Everyone has been chomping at the bit for this race, and by the time you are done listening to this show, you'll have your own predictions to make regarding who's favored to win and just how quick everyone will have to go. Hot takes and great insight from the crew abound.

8.11 Freeman Talks Pro Stock Changes, Van Sant on Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Burgess on History and More! Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

On this jam packed episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, three big guests join host Brian Lohnes to talk all things NHRA. First up is Richard Freeman. Richard talks all about the new Elite Top Fuel Team, their early success, the evolution of the program, and how it will grow in the future. He also talks about major transformative changes to Pro Stock in 2027 with a new look, new rules, and more. Chase Van Sant is the second guest. Chase talks about his outlook for 2026, the work his team has done to get faster, the increase in participation by Trick Tools, and how it is all coming together to make a more competitive campaign this year. Finally, National Dragster Editorial Director Phil Burgess joins to talk about the early stories of 2026, the 75th NHRA season, 55 years of rear engine Top Fuel winners, the major stories for the Lucas OIl Winternationals, and a whole lot more. This is a banger of a show!

8.10 Crew Chiefs Guido Antonelli and Neal Strausbaugh Tell Their Hot Phoenix Tales Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, winning Funny Car Crew Chief Dean "Guido" Antonelli and runner-up Top Fuel Crew Chief Neal Strausbaugh talk about navigating the heat of Phoenix and collecting win lights along the way. The show opens with an in-depth race monologue by host Brian Lohnes. Antonelli's path to the winner's circle was tumultuous, having a solid running car explode during a second-round victory which kicked off an amazing thrash to get it prepared for the semi-finals. Their recovery, performance, and precision in that round propelled them to a final round success for the ages. Get the inside story of this incredible win from the man who led the effort. Neal Strausbaugh weaved his Top Fuel tune up to a near victory at the Arizona Nationals. Get his perspective on the event, the track, the challenges, and how the TSR and Elite Top Fuel teams are working with and learning from each other in 2026. The inside stories of the hottest race in years on this episode of The NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected