Shows
NHRA Insider Podcast7.46 Jordan Vandergriff Speaks, PRI News, Views, and MoreOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Jordan Vandergriff who was revealed to be the new driver of the Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet for the 2026 season at John Force Racing. Vandergriff talks about gaining the shot, the challenges ahead, how he is preparing, and the natural rivalry he'll share with Austin Prock when the season dawns at Gainesville. The conversation is open, honest, and full of the kind of insights only a professional driver on the doorstep of living a dream can share. Lohnes talks PRI, the recent announcement of a ne...
2025-12-1644 min
NHRA Insider Podcast7.42 Rain, Heartbreak, and Bad Takes: An Insider Recounts the In-N-Out Burger FinalsOn this monologue episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Brian Lohnes takes you through his manic experience at the In-N-Out Burger Finals in Pomona. From a breakdown of the weekend as only an Insider can to the logistics and thought process behind how the race was ended and why, this is a must listen for any fan looking for the real story from a guy who was there. Lohnes also systematically breaks down why the race was cancelled and not moved or rescheduled with insight that goes far deeper than what has been reported. There's some breaking cre...
2025-11-2137 min
NHRA Insider Podcast7.41 A Vegas Recap, SEMA News, and The Insiders Talk In-N-Out FinalsOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon joins host Brian Lohnes to talk all about the events of the last couple of weeks in the world of NHRA drag racing, big news, and the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. Lohnes kicks off the show with a monologue getting you up to speed on all the different sportsman and professional championship scenarios, recaps some of the big news from the SEMA show, and more. Tony Pedregon joins to talk about the implications of Las Vegas, who was a mover and who was not as well as ho...
2025-11-1149 min
NHRA Insider Podcast7.38 Brittany Force and Eddie Krawiec Talk Titles, The Future, and Legacies of SpeedOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Brittany Force and Eddie Krawiec join host Brian Lohnes for a pair of interesting and insightful conversations. Both longtime veterans of the sport, they have unique perspective on the final two races of the 2025 season. For Brittany Force those races will represent her final runs in a Top Fuel dragster for the foreseeable future as she leaves the seat to concentrate on starting a family. She tells some great stories about her career, her legacy, and what the first experience she ever had in a Top Fuel dragster was li...
2025-10-141h 04
NHRA Insider Podcast7.36 A Serious St Louis Sit Down With Ida Zetterstrom and Mike KnudsenOn this post St Louis episode off the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes chats with two big headline makers from the weekend. First he is joined by Ida Zetterstrom fresh off her first Top Fuel final round and her best day as an NHRA racer. Ida talks about the work, the struggles, and the discoveries that have turned her team in the right direction. She is hunting sponsors hard and looking forward to Dallas with a renewed vigor and outlook. The second guest on the show is the Crew Chief on the Tony Stewat Racing Funny Ca...
2025-09-301h 02
NHRA Insider Podcast7.27 A Smashing Seattle Leads to a Potentially Speedy SonomaOn this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes takes you though an incredible weekend in Seattle that not only challenged teams and drivers but also challenged the record books. Conditions that were ideal for traction and horsepower delivered the fastest speed in Top Fuel history, multiple track records, and more. There were scary moments as well in terms of Shawn Reed's crash and Buddy Hull's foray into the gravel trap at the end of the strip. Lohnes goes over all of it here, winners, big moments, and takeaways that can be carried to Sonoma. If you...
2025-07-2249 min
NHRA Insider Podcast7.26 Seattle, Stats, and Setting Regular Season Championship ExpectationsOn this monoogue style episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes takes you through a load of information to set up not only the Muckleshoot NHRA Northwest Nationals but also the teams who are in best contention for the first NHRA regular season championship bonuses in history. Diving into the statistics that drive the sport Lohnes takes you through, class by class, the leaders, how they got there and how they need to stay there. Additionally, there is a look at Pro Stock and the performance numbers that have come to define the season for th...
2025-07-1651 min
NHRA Insider Podcast7.24 A Blazing Hot Richmond Recap, A Funny Car Fire Fighter, and Norwalk LoomsOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Chris King, the Chicago firefighter who has battled his way into the NHRA Funny Car ranks and will attempt to qualify with 20 other drivers in Norwalk. The conversation with King starts off with the wild story of him having to act to save his neighbor's life just before the interview and ranges through the growth, challenges, ups, downs, and memorable moments of funny car racing. King is the second half of the show. A monologue style recap of the Virginia Nationals starts the s...
2025-06-2454 min
NHRA Insider Podcast7.14 Neal Strausbaugh Breaks Down Tony Stewart's Incredible WinOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Crew Chief Neal Strausbaugh joins host Brian Lohnes to give an in-depth breakdown of how he and his team were able to provide Tony Stewart a race car capable enough to win one in Las Vegas. A race rife with challenges, plot twists, and downright curveballs, Neal's take on how the team did it is fascinating. Strausbaugh talks about the change in approach for the entire team in 2025, the addition of experienced people like Phil Shuler, and a whole lot more. He takes us inside the workings of the operation, the pressures, the de...
2025-04-1553 min
NHRA Insider Podcast7.11 Freiburger, McKenna, and Lohnes Talk Phoenix and Preview The Winternats!On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, David Freiburger and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to talk about an incredible weekend in Phoenix and the looming Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals. Whether it was the bizarre Pro Stock final round, the emotional Funny Car victory of Paul Lee, or the domination of the team Kalitta Top Fuel cars, it was a weekend packed with stories from wall to wall. Oh, did we mention that the place was sold out, as well?! The Lucas Oil Winternationals, one of the great major races on the Mission Foods Drag R...
2025-03-251h 06
NHRA Insider Podcast7.3 Interesting Insider Rumors, Crew Chief Brian Husen Talks 2024 and 2025, MoreOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Top Fuel crew chief Brian Husen. The Brians chat about the 2024 season that was, lessons learned, things accomplished and how it sets the Kalitta Air team up for success in 2025. Husen shares some really great personal insights into what he learned and how he will grow along with his entire crew for the upcoming season. Along with that chat, Lohnes has some semi-spicy rumors regarding some equipment bought, a familiar name that's also going to be a bit of a shocker in Pro Sto...
2025-01-2833 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.46 Brian Corradi and Jordan Lazic Talk Titles in Top Fuel and Pro ModA pair of champions join host Brian Lohnes on this week's episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster. For Brian Corradi it was the grind of a top fuel season being rewarded with an epic and hard fought finish at the In-N-Out Burger Finals in Pomona and for Jordan Lazic it was the realization of a lifelong drag racing dream to hoist a Congruity HR NHRA Pro Mod championship trophy in Las Vegas. These two conversations are interesting. Lots of talk about team, about dedication, about how communication and quality of work has to match in order to rise to...
2024-12-1051 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.42 The Insiders Dive IN to the In-N-Out Burger NHRA FinalsOn this final pre-race episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast Powered by Speedmaster season, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon of the NHRAonFOX and Kevin McKenna of NHRA's National Dragster to talk about the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals coming up this weekend. The three compare notes on the championship leaders, their path to potential glory, the pitfalls they need to avoid, and any of the concerns they have about the way this final race of the season will be shaping up for them. Lohnes talks about a raft of news broken at the SEMA show, excitement for 2025, and th...
2024-11-121h 00
NHRA Insider Podcast6.39 Texas Winning Crew Chief Mike Green and Funny Car's Blake Alexander Talk Dallas and SuccessOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by winning Top Fuel Crew Chief Mike Green and top 10 Funny Car racer Blake Alexander. The conversations are entertaining and enlightening on several aspects of the sport. Green talks about one of the most challenging race-winning weekends of his decorated career. Justin Ashley was available to make a single qualifying run Friday and then left the track for religious observance. Returning Sunday, Ashley and the entire team put on a furious performance that garnered them the Top Fuel points lead and dropped jaws along th...
2024-10-1552 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.38 A Stampede Of Info and Hot Takes Headed Into A Texas WeekendOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by General Manager and Co-Owner of the Texas Motorplex Christie Meyer Johnson as well as NHRA on Fox's Tony Pedregon. The first half of the show involves a great conversation with Christie Meyer Johnson of the Texas Motorplex regarding the evolution of the Stampede of Speed, how it has revitalized the Texas Motorplex, and how the event has grown from its beginnings in 2021. A week unlike any other on the tour, the inside perspective of the work and dedication to make the Stampede what it...
2024-10-091h 12
NHRA Insider Podcast6.29 Sleepless in Seattle and Surging Toward SonomaIn this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider host Brian Lohnes gets your caught up on the major stories coming out of the Northwest Nationals and leading right into this weekend's Denso Sonoma Nationals. A hectic travel week means that the whole sport is on the move. There are many observations from Pacific Raceways that could translate to this weekend's success or failures on the track. From the massive upsets we saw in eliminations, the wrecked equipment and more, things are looking very interesting. Lohnes takes you inside the long weekend in Seattle, gives insight into the craziness of Su...
2024-07-2348 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.27 Josh Hart Talks About His Top Fuel Struggle And The Insiders Deep Dive Play NHRAOn this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast top fuel team owner and driver Josh Hart joins host Brian Lohnes to discuss the work, the struggles, the commitments, and the challenges his team has faced and how they are going to overcome them. This is a fascinating and in-depth look into the harder side of the top fuel world. Beyond the accolades, the speed, and the glory, there is the need to succeed, the work behind the scenes, and how hard decisions are made in the world of professional motorsports. On the second half of the show, Lohnes is joined by...
2024-07-101h 04
NHRA Insider Podcast6.26 Brian Corradi and Aaron Brooks Talk Winning Norwalk, The Challenges AheadOn this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by a pair of winning crew chiefs. Up first it is Brian Corradi who leads Antron Brown's team in their tuning efforts and works with one of the most longstanding and respected groups of minds in the sport. Corradi talks about the challenges of Norwalk and then looks forward to the races that are on the horizon. He talks about his early career, how he likes to treat his guys, and the impact Antron Brown continues to have on the sport. Next up it i...
2024-07-0253 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.25 An Insider's Insight Into The Virginia Nationals and A Big One On Tap At NorwalkOn this monologue style episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes will take you through the Virginia Nationals, provide the available information on the condition of John Force after his crash, and get ready you ready for the huge upcoming weekend at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. The NHRA Virginia Nationals will be a race forever remembered by fans for one singular moment and the way it has drawn the drag racing community closer together. John Force's first round crash was a stunning reminder of how dangerous this sport can be. The performances of his da...
2024-06-2537 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.24 Jianna Evaristo Talks Pro Stock Motorcyle and The Insiders Talk Boiling Hot VirginiaOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Jianna Evaristo joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about her final round appearance at the recent Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and Tony Pedregon joins to talk about what will be a sweltering weekend at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. Evaristo rode one of the best races of her career in Bristol and it was the culmination of a lot of work, training, and adaptation to the V-Twin Buell motorcycle she is riding this season. The conversation has plenty of depth about the competition in Pro Stock Motorcycle, the internal nature of drag ra...
2024-06-2056 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.18 An Early Season Check In With Daniel Wilkerson and Andrew HinesOn 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 un...
2024-05-0752 min
NHRA Insider Podcast6.17 The FULL Insider Story of The Great Charlotte Intake Manifold ControversyOn 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 In...
2024-05-0139 minNHRA Insider Podcast6.14 The Insider Recap of Phoenix, Paul Lee on Funny Car Success, and A Vegas PreviewOn 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 La...
2024-04-0945 minNHRA Insider Podcast6.10 Austin Prock and A Post Gainesville Breakdown To End 'Em All!On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Amalie Oil Gatornationals funny car runner up Austin Prock to discuss his weekend and his rapid rise to funny car stardom. There's also a class by class breakdown and analysis of the action from the Gators and what it means for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series going forward. Austin Prock is candid, thoughtful, and reflective in this conversation. The topics range fom getting handed a rocket of a car and taking it by the horns, the differences in physically driving the ma...
2024-03-1245 minNHRA Insider Podcast6.5 Lyle Barnett Talks Full Time Pro Mod in '24 - Justin Ashley Talks SCAG, Strategy, and Success On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast re-minted full-time Pro Mod racer Lyle Barnett and top fuel Ace Justin Ashley join host Brian Lohnes to talk off-season moves, big expectations for 2024, and how, as individuals, they plan on making a measurable impact on the upcoming season. Lyle Barnett had a whirlwind of an off-season. Initially tagged as the replacement driver for Leah Pruett, the situation changed and he was left without a ride. A single conversation with Pro Mod team owner Scott Tidwell placed him in the seat of a highly competitive car and one he will pilot all se...
2024-02-0646 minNHRA Insider Podcast6.4 Eddie Krawiec Talks About Getting Off The MotorcycleOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast host Brian Lohnes dives into the big news of the Pro Stock Motorcycle category of the last week with four time champion and 49 time race winner Eddie Krawiec. National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna also joins the show to talk about motorcycles along with other brewing NHRA stories. In this candid conversation, Eddie Krawiec talks about his career, his decision to abdicate the seat of the second Vance and Hines Suzuki, who Richard Gadson is and the process of bringing another rising star in motorcycle drag racing to the sport's largest stage. I...
2024-01-2555 minNHRA Insider Podcast6.3 Funny Car: The Next Generaton - Daniel Wilkerson and Austin Prock Talk 2024, MoreIf the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series off-season comes in waves, consider this the second one, and it's the central focus of this episode of the NHRA Insider. Host Brian Lohnes has Daniel Wilkerson, the newly minted driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang, and Austin Prock, the even newer named driver of the Cornwell Tools, AAA, John Force Racing Chevrolet Camaro on as guests. Both guys will be fresh to the funny car category as full-time competitors, both will be tuned by their fathers and both are high energy, entertaining, dynamic personalities. This show radiates the energy yo...
2024-01-1756 minNHRA Insider Podcast6.2 Schumacher and Wendland Tell All On Team Building, Sponsorships, MoreOn this fired up episode of the NHRA Insider host Brian Lohnes talks with Shawn Reed Racing crew chief Rob Wendland and JCM Top Fuel pilot Tony Schumacher about a multitude of behind the scenes topics in professional drag racing. Wendland talks about the massive undertaking of getting a new Top Fuel operation off the ground. From the literal nuts and bolts, to the work, how the labor is divided, how a new team functions together, and the expectations he has for the 2024 season. This is as insightful as it gets into the world of a crew chief overseeing a hu...
2024-01-0958 minNHRA Insider Podcast6.1 2024 Is ON - The Insiders Talk Ownership Controversies, Passing of Legends and MoreOn this first 2024 episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon to talk about the news of the last couple of weeks, the passing of legends like Don Schumacher and Roland Leong, the wild news about JCM Racing, the new SCAG factory drag racing team, and a whole lot more. What is normally a quiet stretch of time between Christmas and New Year's Day was far busier than normal this year. Lohnes and Pedregon take time to reflect on the lives and careers of both the late owner and tuner Roland Leong as well as...
2024-01-0245 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.53 Championship Crew Chief Alan Johnson, A Wrap On 2023, and Some Final Rumors!On this final 2023 episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes talks to championship crew chief Alan Johnson who worked with a talented team to achieve a Top Fuel world championship with the Kalitta team. He talks about the building process, the end of the season run, and a lot about the inner workings of a top fuel drag racing team. It's a fascinating chat with one of the most decorated minds in drag racing history. The other section of the show is a monologue wrap up of the 2023 season, some news and rumors that are still bubbling in th...
2023-12-1934 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.52 An NHRA PRI News Avalanche and New Funny Car Driver Buddy Hull!On this episode of the NHRA Insider host Brian Lohnes takes you through the absolutely astonishing torrent of news that came from the 2023 PRI show in Indianapolis and is later joined by a guy who helped to make some headlines in the form of Buddy Hull, who is moving into the Jim Dunn Racing nitro funny car for the 2024 season. The first 20 minutes of this show is nothing but headlines, analysis, and breakdown of a relentless 2023 PRI show. The news was all positive from drivers changing classes, to drivers moving into ownership roles, the emergence of an FIA champion into N...
2023-12-1246 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.51 The Insiders Talk More Crew Chief Moves and a Monster Week Ahead At PRIThis week on the NHRA Insider Podcast host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon. The pair talk about the continuing news around crew chief moves in the NHRA and they preview what will be the largest and most exciting week of drag racing news in years at PRI. From the announcements of new teams, new drivers, the NHRA National Dragster All-Star Team, new sponsors, and more, this will be a week long remembered by NHRA fans and a week that will supercharge an already busy off-season. The pair talk about Leah Pruett testing her car in 40-degree weather at IRP...
2023-12-0534 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.50 Crew Chief News and Rumors, Matt Smith, Chad Green, and More!On this episode of the NHRA Insider, host Brian Lohnes drops the puck on the silly season with a load of news from behind the scenes of NHRA drag racing. Crew chiefs moving around, brewing controversy with one announcement, perhaps, longtime unions busted up, and new ones formed. This is wild stuff! The guests on the show are funny car racer and Pomona winner Chad Green who talks about his weekend, his season, his ability to help decide a title, and how he feels going into the 2024 campaign and the off-season. Matt Smith is the second guest and he talks a...
2023-11-2850 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.49 The Insiders Talk Pomona, Champions, Failures, and The Future!On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Tony Pedregon and Phil Burgess host Brian Lohnes to talk all things past, present, and future in NHRA drag racing. The trio have a class-by-class championship breakdown with loads of insight, loads of information, and loads of behind-the-scenes knowledge only they can bring. This wide ranging discussion moves to the teams and people that struggled during the countdown after strong regular season efforts and the potential reasons for why and how they can improve for 2024. There's lots of great information to be had here and an in-depth breakdown of individual performances along wi...
2023-11-201h 08NHRA Insider Podcast5.48 NHRA Insider LIVE: Soothsayer and the SpoilersOn this live edition of the NHRA Insider Podcast, hosts Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon are joined by National Dragster Editorial Director Phil Burgess, top fuel driver Josh Hart, and funny car pilot Chad Green. The guy will get inside the head of drag racing's most knowledgeable journalist and get his take on early qualifying and how the weekend is laying out in the performance realm and championship storylines. Josh Hart sawed his way through tough competition to go rounds in Las Vegas and cause heartburn for many top fuel contenders. The guys will talk t...
2023-11-1244 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.47 The Insiders Talk Vegas Controversy, Winners, and The In-N-Out Burger Finals!On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon talk all things Las Vegas and about the upcoming In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. It was a controversial and hardcore weekend in the desert paradise of lights and glamour where a handful of racers set their course for potential championships. Gaige Herrera dominated, Erica Enders got her 10th victory at the facility, and the already tight nitro ranks got even tighter leading into this last race. The two talk about the major stories that came from the pits at the race, their net effect on the outcome, and whi...
2023-11-0859 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.46 NHRA Insider LIVE at Vegas: Pro Mod Championship EditionJoin hosts Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon in the pits at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as they talk to the three leading contenders for the 2023 NHRA FuelTech Pro Mod championship. Mike Castellana, Justin Bond, and Kris Thorne are racing to the wire. Thorne is the defending series champion, and both Bond and Castellana are seeking their first world title. The conversation will be lively and both Lohnes and Pedregon will get deep into the realm of NHRA drag racing and this championship chase that ends at The Strip on Sunday!
2023-10-2836 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.45 Controversy, Rules Changes, and The NHRA Nevada Nationals Preview On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon dive into the hot topics of the week in the world of NHRA drag racing. There's controversy coming from the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks with a weight adjustment, there's some behind the scenes anger in the Funny Car category, Clay Millican's team was disqualified and fined from the Dallas race, and a whole lot more. The end-of-season tensions are at a high! After working through all that, the guys take a deep dive into this weekend's NHRA Nevada Nationals, which will have a ground s...
2023-10-2459 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.44 Insider Crew Chief Edition: Neal Strausbaugh and Mark Ingersoll Talk Winning In DallasOn this crew chief edition of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Dallas-winning Top Fuel crew chief Neal Strausbaugh and Dallas pro stock-winning crew chief Mark Ingersoll for two revealing discussions. Both of these crew chiefs talk about pressure, leadership, the team dynamic in drag racing, and how they stuck to their respective programs even when things were not always going according to plan in the 2023 season. For Strausbaugh, the proof is in the results. A final round appearance in St Louis was followed in quick order by a win in Dallas among one of the fa...
2023-10-1755 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.43 Special Episode: Live from the NHRA Fall Texas NationalsWe're going LIVE from the pits at the NHRA Fall Texas Nationals with three big guests at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis. Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon will play host and co-host on a beautiful Saturday with guests Phil Burgess, the Editorial Director of NHRA's National Dragster Magazine, three-time and defending NHRA funny car champion Ron Capps and fellow three-time funny car champion Matt Hagan, who is coming off a big win in St Louis. The weekend has been historically fast already, and we're not even done with qualifying yet! The group will talk all things Countdown to the Championship, th...
2023-10-1449 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.42 An Insider's Stampede of Hot Takes and News For The Stampede Of SpeedThe NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series heads to the Texas Motorplex for the Fall Texas Nationals, and on this week's episode of the NHRA Insider Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon to break down what fans should expect to see, what racers need to do, and how championship hopes will be bolstered or crushed in Ennis, Texas. The pair have a class-by-class breakdown of not only the leaders and their positions post St Louis but also of the cars and drivers on the bubble of still being in contention to feasibly win a world title. It is fascinating th...
2023-10-111h 05NHRA Insider Podcast5.41 Hot and Heavy - Greg Anderson and Clay Millican Tell Their St Louis StoriesNHRA Midwest Nationals winners Clay Millican and Greg Anderson join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The race changed the face of the points in all professional categories and Lohnes opens up the show talking about just that. For Greg Anderson, back-to-back wins in this late-season stretch have juiced his chances of winning a title. Now sitting number two in the points, he is in a place that many had thought impossible for him to find earlier in the season. After middling performances, he has broken out from the pack and stands a very scant nu...
2023-10-031h 10NHRA Insider Podcast5.40 NHRA Insider LIVE: Steamin' In St Louis with Rob Flynn and Andrew HinesBrian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon welcome a pair of crew chiefs on this episode of the NHRA Insider LIVE from Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Rob Flynn will talk about the factors that led him to tune a 300mph eighth mile run at zMax Dragway just one week ago. He'll also answer questions about the Scrappers top fuel season and 2024. Andrew Hines has tuned Gaige Herrera to a historic first season. The number one qualifiers and victories have come in hot and heavy. Can they win a title? The conversation will be interesting and r...
2023-09-3032 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.39 Three In A Row Makes 'Em Go - Lohnes and Pedregon Review The Coutdown And Look At St LouisOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon to talk about the first two races of the 2023 NHRA Coundown To The Championship and preview the upcoming third race at Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, this weekend. The NHRA Midwest Nationals will mark the halfway point in the playoffs and will present the clearest picture yet about who can actually hoist a championship trophy at the end of the year. The guys get into everything from the lanes at Charlotte to the chances that some teams have to employ strategy to...
2023-09-261h 16NHRA Insider Podcast5.38 NHRA Insider LIVE at zMax Dragway!The NHRA is at zMax Dragway for the second race of the Countdown To The Championship and that means hosts Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon are sitting down with some of the drivers who made big headlines at Maple Grove where the playoff series of drag racing began. Matt Hartford and Doug Kalitta will be the featured guests along with plenty of news and analysis to go along with the interviews. Matt Hartford took the win and the pro stock points lead in Pennsylvania after a challenging couple day of qualifying. Defying the odds and driving one of the best ra...
2023-09-2343 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.37 Lohnes and Pedregon Preview The 2023 CountdownOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by his right hand man in the broadcast booth, Tony Pedregon and the two look critically at the upcoming NHRA Countdown to the Championship. Starting with this weekend's race at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, they systematically go through the cars and drivers who are leading the conversation, who are potentially falling behind, and lastly, those that can spoil the party for the front runners. There's plenty of depth and insight here as the pair looks back over the season to observe trends, find out what lesso...
2023-09-1356 min
The Dork-O-Motive Podcast3.7 Origin Story: How Stock Car Racing Was Born In Los Angeles Circa 1934!You think you know, but you have no idea. Stock car racing in the United States was born in the south, but not the south you are think of. On this episode of the Dork-O-Motive podcast, host Brian Lohnes tells the story of the first true stock car race as we know it in America, the 1934 Mines Field Gilmore Cup race.
The greatest stars of racing were gathered to compete against one another in "stock" automobiles. There was cheating, there was a wild promoter, and there was more star power in one place than the racing world h...
2023-09-071h 32NHRA Insider Podcast5.36 The Post US Nationals Show - Antron Brown and Erica Enders Tell AllOn this post US Nationals NHRA Insider podcast, Brian Lohnes speaks with Top Fuel Winner Antron Brown and Erica Enders who enters the Countdown To The Championship third in the pro stock points. Lohnes gives a post-race monologue and then dives right into the conversations with two multi-time champions. For Antron Brown, Indy was a study in perseverance. Qualifying, which was hard scrabble for the team led them to a 15th spot on race day and they ran with it, defeating some of the sport's hottest talent to win a second straight US Nationals. He gives the inside scoop on th...
2023-09-071h 12NHRA Insider Podcast5.34 Indy Week 2023: Looking Ahead To The World's Greatest Drag RaceThis week's NHRA Insider is a relatively quick one as host Brian Lohnes goes monologue style, looking forward to the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA US Nationals which are set to kick off in the coming days. As there is a planned NHRA Insider LIVE coming on Saturday at Indy, consider this a warm-up act for the event and what listeners can expect to see during the week. Lohnes shares some of the major storylines coming into the race, from the new programs that have been announced, racers jumping in different classes, the debut of Factory X, driver development programs, and mo...
2023-08-2937 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.33 Brainerd's Best: Top Fuel's Brian Corradi, Pro Mod's Jason Lee and Eric Gustafson Talk Work and Victory at BIROn this episode, Antron Brown's Crew Chief Brian Corradi, pro mod's Jason Lee and Eric Gustafson all join host Brian Lohnes for a conversation about how they set about winning their respective categories at Brainerd, Minnesota. The weekend was a challenge for everyone and there were some interesting bumps in the road for each team to endure and overcome. They talk about 'em all here. Corradi joins the conversation at the helm of a very hot top fuel team. Maturing through the season, the AB Motorsports group has peaked at the seeming right time. Like last year, a late regular se...
2023-08-2258 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.32 SPECIAL Episode! Live from the pits in BrainerdFor the first time ever, the NHRA Insider podcast hits the road! The pits of Brainerd International Raceway will serve as the backdrop for host Brian Lohnes, co-host Tony Pedregon and guests Erica Enders and Justin Ashley. Dealing the same deep cuts, hot takes, and snappy opinions NHRA Insider fans have gotten for the last three years, Lohnes and Pedregon will chat with the racers, get you up to speed on this second to last race of the regular season, and bring you deep inside the NHRA world like only they can. There's breaking news in Pro Stock, exciting moves be...
2023-08-1838 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.29 Talking Topeka With Tony Pedregon and Jim EplerOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast Tony Pedregon and Jim Epler join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the upcoming Menard's NHRA Nationals presented by Pet Armor. Lohnes and Pedregon put a fine point on the western swing and break down, by class, where people are coming into this home stretch of the regular season, culminating at the Dodge Power Brokers US Nationals. The discussion on the western swing centers not just on the races and teams themselves but on the true look we got at their individual performances over the three week stretch. Did some teams show th...
2023-08-081h 05NHRA Insider Podcast5.28 Jon Oberhofer, Todd Smith, and Chase Van Sant - Of Victory, Tenacity, and A Long NHRA SeasonOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast host Brian Lohnes is joined by Jon Oberhofer and Todd Smith, the winning funny car crew chiefs from the Denso Sonoma Nationals as well as rookie Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Chase Van Sant. In the case of Oberhofer and Smith, the conversation centers around the long and systematic rebuilding process of their tune-up and race car after the disaster weekend they had in Pomona with a crash followed by a horrible explosion. It is a fascinating thing to hear about their approach, the arduous work, and ultimately when the results began to c...
2023-08-021h 02NHRA Insider Podcast5.26 From The Mountain Tops to the Tree Tops - Denver Wrapped, Seattle Previewed On this monologue-style episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes takes you through all the news and storylines from Denver and looks forward to this weekend's Northwest Nationals at historic Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington. The last Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway will be marked by three things. A weekend sellout, seemingly impossible track records, and dramatic victories across the Camping World Drag Racing Series classes. There were moments of sheer frustration, of amazing success, and of shocking upsets. The inside story? Lohnes is here to bring you that. T...
2023-07-1841 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.23 Buckeye Banger: A Summit Racing Equipment Nationals PreviewTony Pedregon and Todd Veney join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. The three guys talk about many of the interesting elements that Bristol brought to the table and how the results there may have an influence on what happens in Ohio. From Gaige Herrera turning on a red light in the final against Steve Johnson to Erica Enders hole-shotting herself to a win over the pro stock field, it was a weekend that just didn't quit. In the nitro categories the guys discuss Ron Capps' victory as well as his legacy as a racer, ho...
2023-06-201h 03NHRA Insider Podcast5.22 Masters of the Valley: Mike Green, Tommy DeLago, and Dean AntonelliIt's a crew chief-heavy episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast this week. Bristol-winning crew chiefs Mike Green, Tommy DeLago, and Dean Antonelli join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the ins and outs of succeeding at Thunder Valley, the unique pressures of two races in one weekend, and the systematic approach that they took to earn their respective victories. Mike Green and Tommy DeLago had a dream weekend, sweeping every available contest in Bristol. They won the rain-delayed New England Nationals and the Thunder Valley Nationals while also capturing the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. It was an amazing effort an...
2023-06-131h 14NHRA Insider Podcast5.21 A Soggy Bottomed Epping Monologue and Bristol ExplainerOn this short and sweet episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes delivers a monologue on the race that never was, the New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire. The event was a testament to the heartiness of the New England region fans who battle searing temperatures on Friday and then rainy, frigid temperatures for the rest of the weekend, all the way until nothing more could be done on Monday afternoon. Lohnes talks about the event, the people, and the implications of what's coming in Bristol this weekend. An insanely short turn for the teams, the people of...
2023-06-0720 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.12 The Driver and the Crew Chief - Justin Ashley and Mike Green Talk WinningOn 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...
2023-04-041h 08NHRA Insider Podcast5.10 Insiders In The Desert - Gainesville, Top Fuel Weight Controversy - and Phoenix!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 el...
2023-03-211h 06NHRA Insider Podcast5.8 Spittin' Fire and Talking Gators With Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKennaOn 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 im...
2023-02-2755 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.6 David Grubnic and Robert Hight Talk Team, 2023, and Relentless CompetitionOn 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 en...
2023-02-1553 minNHRA Insider Podcast5.4 Wilkerson, Ashley, and Caruso Are Racing Into 2023A 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 wh...
2023-02-011h 11NHRA Insider Podcast5.2 Koretsky and Millican Talk Stability For 2023Kyle 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 o...
2023-01-1041 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.43 Antron Brown Goes Outlaw Racing and Tells All!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...
2022-12-0646 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.41 Brittany Force Interview and Looking Back Over A Bonkers PomonaOn 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 t...
2022-11-181h 14NHRA Insider Podcast4.33 The Big Pre-Show For The Big GoNational 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 ca...
2022-08-2559 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.30 A Chat with Seattle Top Fuel Winner Tony SchumacherOn 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. Th...
2022-08-0343 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.29 Joey Gladstone and Robert Hight Are Riding A Summer Success WaveSonoma 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 c...
2022-07-2845 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.28 The Mile A Minute Mile High Nationals Recap and Sonoma PreviewThe 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 gu...
2022-07-2043 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.14 A Top Fuel Tuner and A Stock/Super Stock CrusherNHRA Top Fuel crew chief David Grubnic and five-time sportsman world champion Justin Lamb join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Grubnic is coming off a huge win with Brittany Force and team at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. Lamb won his 29th NHRA national event at Las Vegas and he's the second guest on this show. In the conversation, Grubnic and Lohnes dive into everything from tuning philosophy to leadership practices, communication among the team, and more. It is a chat that goes far beyond the nuts and...
2022-04-0651 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.11 A Driver and Two ChiefsFunny car racer Blake Alexander as well as crew chiefs Jamie Miller and Dickie Venables join host Brian Lohnes on this post-Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Off the top of the show, Lohnes recounts the race, his experiences during it, and the near-mythical quality it took on as what was a seemingly lost weekend turned into one of the quickest pound-for-pound two day stretches in NHRA drag racing history. Blake Alexander was the runner-up in nitro funny car and nearly completed what would have been a storybook return to the sport after...
2022-03-1559 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.10 Talking The Gators, Callouts, and the Grind of Top Fuel with Brittany ForceOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, 2017 NHRA Top Fuel World Champion Brittany Force joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about the often hidden hard work of racing at a championship level in the class. Lohnes leads off the show with a Gatornationals preview monologue running through the latest news in the sport leading up to the race, looking at the pro stock motorcycle category, and talking about what's in store for racers and fans as part of the Pep Boys All-Star Top Fuel Callout. All of the professional categories have full fields and th...
2022-03-0839 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.9 The Insider Review After Race Number TwoNHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon and NHRAonFOX pit producer Todd Veney join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider. This wide-ranging show surveys the scene after the second race of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season. The action has been amazing across each of the professional categories and Phoenix was no exception. Lohnes and guests talk about early-season surprises, who is performing above expectations, and who is performing below them. They talk driver performance, psychology, and who is already in mid-season form. The sense of urgency to deliver this year is off the charts a...
2022-03-0159 minNHRA Insider Podcast4.4 The Sophomore and The InsiderMulti-time Top Fuel winner Josh Hart and NHRAonFOX analyst Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. For Josh Hart, 2022 represents his sophomore year as a driver/owner in the top fuel category of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. He comes in as a confirmed race winner, fully sponsored, and prepared to run every race of this upcoming year with his sights set on a world championship. He talks the business of drag racing, the learning curve of his first season, and why team stability will play a big ro...
2022-01-2543 minNHRA Insider Podcast3.36 The Truth is the Same in Both DirectionsTony Pedregon and Josh Hart join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider. Lohnes and Pedregon go over who has risen and who has fallen over the last four races, who can get their program righted, and who is in big trouble as the countdown continues. They talk some silly season stuff and layout what needs to be done for certain teams to lock down a title or at least get back in the fight. Josh Hart joins to talk about racing four events in a row, winning Charlotte, and working not only with his sponsors but with hi...
2021-09-3048 minNHRA Insider Podcast3.35 Going from Good to GreatAlexis DeJoria and Clay Millican join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider podcast this week to talk about their strong seasons and what it will take to move from being good cars to great cars. Both teams and drivers have made finals in 2021 but neither has closed the deal on the 4th win light of a Sunday afternoon. Alexis and Clay share great insights into their teams and how the pieces all come together a certain way on those weekends when the round wins stack up. Lohnes talks about Charlotte, what to look for in St Louis and some...
2021-09-2359 minNHRA Insider Podcast3.29 the Josh and Tony ShowJosh Hart and Tony Pedregon join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast. Hart talks about the hurdles of getting back on track full time in 2021 and how he has been working hard to make sure his team is championship caliber when he returns. Hart is chasing Rookie of the Year honors and is relentless in his pursuit of building a team worthy of his own expectations. This is an interesting conversation. Tony Pedregon breaks down the results of the NHRA Western Swing both good and bad for the premier teams in the sport. A...
2021-08-1155 minNHRA Insider Podcast3.25 Hey New Guy!Alex Laughlin joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about the stunning news that he will be racing top fuel at Denver this weekend as part of the Dodge SRT Mile High Nationals. The move came in a pinch when sponsor requirements needed to be met and Laughlin was without his traditional pro modified car. Hooking up with Scott Palmer at the last minute and achieving his top fuel license at a small Kansas Drag Strip, it has been a whirlwind and one that he's happy to be on. With Palmer concentrating on tuning and Laughlin concentrating on driving, the...
2021-07-1543 minNHRA Insider Podcast3.15 The Hot ShotsAntron Brown and Bob Tasca III join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The two Atlanta winners talk about their respective victories at the final NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. For Bob Tasca III, his second race win in a row stands as an affirmation that his team is not only championship caliber, but built for the long haul of the 2021 Camping World NHRA season. Antron Brown talks about the hard path he took to victory on Sunday in Atlanta, how his team rose to the occasion each round, and how facing down Steve...
2021-05-0655 minNHRA Insider Podcast3.7 An Outgoing Legend and the Inside ScoopOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Mike Janis and Kevin McKenna join Brian Lohnes. Janis was recently told by doctors that his hall of fame pro-modified driving career was at an end but Mike is not letting that end his career in the sport. Janis has put JR Gray in the family pro mod and will continue as the leader of the family race team that has garnered championships and race wins by the dozens over the years in pro mod. Mike talks about his career and the future of the team. National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna...
2021-02-161h 00NHRA Insider Podcast3.5 Rumors, Scoops, and Top Fuel's Newest Team OwnerOn this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Tony Pedregon and Josh Hart join host Brian Lohnes for two entertaining chats. Firstly, Pedregon talks about news, rumors, and innuendo he has been hearing around the NHRA hotbed of Brownsburg, Indiana. There's some inside stuff here you are not going to get anywhere else. Following the talk with Tony, Lohnes and Josh Hart describe his rise to become a top fuel team owner, what his goals are, and how he plans on executing his season as a freshly minted top fuel racer. A standout in the alcohol ranks, Hart is...
2021-02-0354 minNHRA Insider Podcast3.1 An Author, A Racer, and A Look Inside The Biggest Stories of 2021On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Elana Scherr the author of "Don Prudhomme, My Life Beyond The 1320" joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about making this amazing book and the inside stories behind the creation of the world. It's a fascinating discussion about The Snake and his influence on drag racing and beyond. Tony Pedregon is the second guest on this show. He and Lohnes delve into the biggest stories of the year so far, the crew chief announcements, race schedule announcements, and more. They also talk about Tony's battle with COVID-19 and his hospitalization. A wide-ranging...
2021-01-051h 03NHRA Insider Podcast2.39 The Funny Car Strongman And Some Big 2020 NumbersMatt Hagan joins Brian Lohnes on this week's episode of the NHRA Insider podcast and talks about his 2020 NHRA Camping World Funny Car Championship season. The ups, the downs, the motivating factors, and the ultimate victory in Las Vegas. Lohnes also talks about some of the most interesting numbers from the 2020 top fuel season as well. A fun listen!
2020-11-1845 minNHRA Insider Podcast2.34 The Hard Part About Getting To The TopThe Hard Part About Getting To The Top Tommy Johnson Jr and Cameron Ferre join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider podcast this week. Lohnes talks Camping World, craziness at St Louis, and then has two great conversations with a veteran funny car racer and a top fuel competitor who is working hard to climb the ranks in arguably the most competitive category in the sport. This is about the pressures of a wild weekend, the pressures of working hard to live your dream, and the idea that always having a plan is the best approach no matter what...
2020-10-141h 00NHRA Insider Podcast2.32 Faster and Faster We GoStevie "Fast" Jackson and "Fast Jack" Beckman join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Jackson and Beckman are fresh off US Nationals wins and come into the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals with momentum on their side. Jackson also recently reset a world record in radial tire drag racing and he tells Lohnes about the challenges that are associated with each style of competition. Beckman talks about the trials and tribulations of the funny car season and being in an amazingly tight battle for the points with his teammates.
2020-09-2246 minNHRA Insider Podcast2.22 Into the Friend ZoneOn this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, Mike Galimi and Joe Castello join host Brian Lohnes. Both guys are deep into the world of drag racing media and both of them are longtime pals of Lohnes. The conversation is wide-ranging from different series outside of NHRA to the technology in today's drag racing world, the recovery from COVID-19, how different series are handling it, and how the media has worked to keep the stories of drag racing at the forefront of people's minds. A great conversation and covers a lot of ground with two different guests!
2020-06-251h 14NHRA Insider Podcast2.16 A Privateer Top Fuel Owner And The Man Who Can Drive AnythingJim Maroney and Brad Plourd join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. Maroney is the Arizona based privateer top fuel team owner and racer who has had a steady climb up the ranks of drag racing competition and in business. He speaks with Lohnes about his career, his plans for the re-start of the NHRA season, and his take on the state of top fuel. Brad Plourd has won 21 NHRA Nationals events, he has won in 5 categories, he has won in cars he'd never driven before an event started, and he's delivered in a stocker...
2020-05-1356 min
The Dork-O-Motive Podcast1.16: The Forgotten Disaster - How America's Worst Maritime Nightmare Happened In 1865 And Who It Happened ToThe sinking of the SS Sultana in 1865 to this day stands as the greatest maritime disaster in the history of the United States. More people died in the middle of the Mississippi river on an April night than would die some 50 years later on the Titanic in the depths of the North Atlantic. This is a story of steam, a story of greed, a story of sadness, and a story of the astonishing lengths some people will go to make a dollar.
Incredibly this nightmare is known by very few people in America. At the time that i...
2020-05-0458 min
The Dork-O-Motive Podcast1.10: International Incident- How American Indy Cars Destroyed Formula One Cars Heads Up At Monza In 1957 and 1958It was called, "The Race of Two Worlds" and it was one of the neatest racing spectacles ever devised. The premise was simple. American Indianapolis racers vs the best European Formula One teams on the speed oval at Monza, Italy. The speed course at Monza was a near identical copy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway but with increased banking. The course was so similar it was nicknamed, "Monzanapolis".
Accepting the challenge to run what would certainly be the fastest and most dangerous race in the history of the automobile, a brave team of American drivers and car owners s...
2020-04-1358 min
The Dork-O-Motive Podcast1.7 The Final Dinosaur: The Story Of The Last Front Engine Dragster To Win An NHRA Top Fuel WallyThis is the awesome and improbably story of how a 23-year old speed shop counter worker became the last guy to ever win top fuel at a national event in a front engine dragster. From the car's history with Don Prudhomme to the bizarre raceday turns of events that made it all happen, host Brian Lohnes tells you the story and gives you the details that you don't hear anywhere else.
In 1971 when Don Garlits perfected the rear engine dragster and won multiple national events, the world knew that a new era had dawned. By 1972 it was a...
2020-04-0211 minNHRA Insider Podcast2.9 Legendary Voices - Bob Frey and Jon LundbergDrag race announcing legends Bob Frey and Jon Lundberg join Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider to talk about their lives, history, and memories in drag racing. Two of the greatest to ever do the job, they are entertaining and awesome to listen to. Lohnes also prepared a tribute to the great NHRA announcer Dave McClelland. 2020 revised schedule talk, some updates on 2020 NHRA news, and more on this extended episode of the Insider.
2020-03-271h 31
The Dork-O-Motive Podcast1.4: Captain Jack McClure - The Man With The 215mph Rocket Powered Go-Kart!Captain Jack McClure is one of the most fascinating stories in the history of American motorsports. A racer, a daredevil, and as brave a human that has ever lived, McClure's ticket powered life is the stuff of legend. Listen here as Brian Lohnes shares his story with period facts, period audio, and the most detail his story has ever been told with.
Jack McClure did many things but the fact that he raced a hydrogen-peroxide rocket powered go-kart for years and lived to tell the story is the best. Making 200mph runs at strips all ac...
2020-03-1641 minNHRA Insider Podcast2.7 Gatornationals Glory: Past and PresentDarrell Gwynn and Greg Anderson join the NHRA Insider podcast with Brian Lohnes this week. Gwynn talks about his 1990 triumph and tells the most hilarious drag racing stories you have ever heard. He talks about his career, racing against Don Garlits, racing with Ken Veney, and a whole lot more. Greg Anderson talks about the KB Racing team's resurgence at the World Doorslammer Nationals and about new driver Kyle Koretsky. Lohnes previews the story lines both big and small for the 51st running of the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in the packed show!
2020-03-1059 minThe Dork-O-Motive Podcast1.3: The Awesome, Defiant, and Mysterious Life Of NASCAR Great Mario RossiMario Rossi was one of the smartest, most innovative, and hard scrabble crew chiefs in NASCAR history. His brilliant thinking and approach to racing is still applied in today's modern NASCAR world. Rossi nearly pulled off the greatest NASCAR upset of all time at the 1971 Daytona 500 with driver Dick Brooks. Relive that amazing moment with period audio in this podcast. Sadly, Rossi's story does not have a happy ending. He disappeared under cloudy circumstances in 1983. What happened? You decide.
Host Brian Lohnes takes you through Rossi's incredible career, his amazing near success at Daytona 1971 and his shocking a...
2020-03-0953 min
The Dork-O-Motive Podcast1.2: The Greatest Upset In Racing History That You've Never Heard Of!Back in 1959 Rodger Ward completed the greatest upset in American racing history when he drove a dirt track midget on a road course and beat the best sports cars and sports car racers in America at their own game. The event was held at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut and the short circuit was the perfect setting for the little midget to get the job done.
Host Brian Lohnes tells the story with the depth and historical perspective that you just cannot get anywhere else. This is an awesome tale of a great driver, a strange car, a...
2020-02-2928 min
The Dork-O-Motive Podcast1.1: Fireball Roberts Takes On LeMans And Nearly Wins!On this first episode of the Dork-O-Motive Podcast, host Brian Lohnes tells the story of how NASCAR great Fireball Roberts raced a Ferrari at the 1962 24 Hours of LeMans and nearly won! This is the story of a talented driver, a unique car owner, and a leader of NASCAR who was seeking to get his organization international acclaim.
Few people remember Roberts' foray into sports car racing nor how good he was at it. You'll learn the history of this great story, all the players involved, and how a near miracle was turned by a souther fried racer a...
2020-02-2937 minNHRA Insider Podcast2.3 Comings and Goings Jason Line and Antron Brown join Brian Lohnes to talk about their 2020 seasons. Line will be retiring from driving at the close of the year and Brown recently announced his intention to become a team owner, working with DSR to attain that goal. Also, Lohnes rants on the Countdown changes and more!
2020-01-2951 minNHRA Insider Podcast1.32 the Gospel According to LohnesOn this season-ending episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes delivers his recap of the NHRA finals, talks about the NHRA awards, an NHRA trip to Saudi Arabia, and the PRI show. He touches on the state of drag racing and talks about what's coming this winter for the podcast.
2019-12-1736 minNHRA Insider Podcast1.27 In The Hunt for GloryBrittany Force and Stevie Fast Jackson join Brian Lohnes to talk championship hopes, struggles, behind the scenes stories, and more about their lives on this episode of the NHRA Insider. Lohnes talks about his recent travels to races all across the nation. It's big fun and eye-opening!
2019-09-241h 05NHRA Insider Podcast1.20 The Whole TruthJason Line and Andrew Hines join Brian Lohnes on the NHRA Insider podcast to talk about their seasons and their preparations for the NHRA Mile High Nationals. Frank and honest conversations about the competition and evolution of the classes follow. Lohnes talks about Epping and talks about the efforts of the NHRA on Fox team to evolve their story telling to give fans the most gritty, honest NHRA experience they have had in years.
2019-07-0954 min