NHRA Insider Podcast

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon joins Brian Lohnes to talk all things Lucas Oil Nationals, championship contenders, fresh drivers arriving at the race, and how some teams are contending for a title already and some teams are pretending to. The pair spend the first part of their discussion deep diving into the arrival of Jack Beckman on the scene as John Force's replacement driver. They talk about his experience, how the team can and should succeed, and what Jack brings to the table as the right man for the job. There's a pretty candid look into how the competition stacks up in the category and who may benefit from Jack's arrival and who may suffer for it. Following that chat they go class by class singling out high performing teams as well as those that seem to be fading at this important juncture in the season. Pro Stock? That's a spicy chat about who may actually be the flagship car on each of the major teams and how that name isn't who you'd necessarily expect. The good, the bad, and the juicy all right here leading into Brainerd!

On this revealing episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Antron Brown and Ron Capps. Brown, a Top Fuel winner three times already this season talks about his success in Sonoma, their building of a successful program in 2024, and why his team always seems to be in fighting form at this time of the year. Brown talks about many aspects of his team, his approach, the future expansion he has his eyes on, and even some fun he is planning on having this winter in the Pro Mod ranks. It's a high energy conversation with a true newsmaker in the sport. Ron Capps explains a lot of the behind the scenes work that his team had to do following their massive explosion in Seattle, how they have been working, why the 2022 car they ran at Sonoma put them a bit behind the other more modern chassis they were racing, and how he views this time of the year in relation to the impending Countdown. The most stunning part of the Capps conversation is his revelation that the team will be adding a Top Fuel dragster for 2026 and he has a partner and a driver lined up already. Hear him tell the story in his own words. Big stuff happening here and these guys are driving it!

In 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 Sunday and what it meant for the NHRAonFOX team, talks trends both positive and negative, and gives you all the info you've been waiting for to prepare for Sonoma. A high peformance weekend is on tape in Northern California. Evening qualifying, the motorcycle call out and more!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon to talk all things NHRA Northwest Nationals. The race this weekend will be unique, featuring Friday night late evening qualifying to really kick things off and great weather is forecasted throughout. There are awesome storylines, and the race also represents the start of the back half of the NHRA season. 10 races down and 10 races to go! The favorites, the high performers, the teams that are struggling, and more, all chatted about here. Plus insight into some breaking news and more stuff going on in and around the world of the NHRA. Walk into the weekend informed with the insiders!

On 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 National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin Mckenna and the two deep dive into the world of Play NHRA and how it has started to transform the sport in its earliest stages. The two explore the basics, blow up some misconceptions, talk about the looming championship odds, and give an educational look at how to participate with your wallet or without. It may not be a race week, but there is LOADS going on!

On 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 is Aaron Brooks and in this entertaining conversation Brooks talks about working with Todd Okuhara, how they communicate, why they make a good team and how racing nitro funny cars in 2024 is unlike racing them even as little as five years ago. Brooks talks about the team's combination which they lost the handle on for a short time but have shown it to be flexible and worthy with a runner up and win over the last two races. Happy fourth of July weekend and enjoy the show!

On 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 daughter Brittany and team driver Austin Prock were both reminders as to their skill and professionalism as well. With everyone clamoring for answers, Lohnes provides the available information and talks through many of the things that we are all thinking about. The Norwalk race will be huge with 20 Top Fuel dragsters on tap, loads of awesome performances slated, and weather that will be more forgiving than Virginia. Information, insight, and observations here.

On 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 racing's mental game, and how Evaristo has been working for her success over the course of several seasons. This is a truly interesting trip through the story and the mind of a high-level competitor. The story of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals is yet to be written but the prologue can be described as heat. Tony Pedregon and Brian Lohnes talk about the challenges, potential pitfalls, and keys to success in racing through conditions that will test the stamina of everyone on the property, no matter their role at the track. A fast moving show that covers a lot of ground!

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.

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!