NHRA Insider Podcast

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast, Brian Lohnes is joined by Rob Flynn and Erica Enders to talk about the incredible seasons both of them are having. For Rob Flynn, tuning the dragster of Mike Salinas has been an experience in measured aggression. The Scrappers team has four wins already this year and there's no sign that they'll be slowing down to let someone take them off the perch they are on now, leading the top fuel points. Flynn talks about the team, the approach, another successful weekend in Norwalk, and what the upcoming Western Swing means for him and all of his guys. Erica Enders has five wins in eight races and is on pace to smash her personal best record for a season which was 9 wins in 2015. Erica talks candidly about a number of subjects from attitude to staging, to the sometimes prickly nature of head-to-head competition. Lots of insight into the cars, the career-building moments, and the state of the class in 2022. The Insider will be on a one-week hiatus next week but we'll be back right before Denver!

After an exciting race weekend in Bristol, Tennessee, Tony Pedregon and National Dragster's Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to review the event and look forward to this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Ohio. The three go class by class and talk about not only the winners but also those drivers and riders who made headlines for reasons both good and bad in Bristol. The conversation ranges from how teams can succeed in the summer heat, the massive top fuel field assembling at Norwalk, and its implications, along with a host of other topics that NHRA fans are interested in. The Summit Racing Equipment Nationals could be a make-or-break weekend for some of drag racing's top teams, it will be interesting to see how the event shakes out!

Tony Pedregon joins Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, and the two delve deep into the upcoming 2022 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. This conversation touches on everything from the updated racing surface to the successes and failures of teams so far this year, the possibility for team shakeups in this back half of the regular season, why some teams can't seem to get it together, and more. The two review each class and the performances of those who have defined them thus far in 2022, both good and bad. There's plenty of talk on Mike Salinas, how his team has succeeded, Matt Hagan and Robert Hight, Erica Enders, and more. Lastly, the two talk about NHRA drag racing and how the need for tension and even conflict is important for the sport's growth and popularity. The level of competition, especially in classes like Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle, seem poised to drive competitors into the type of tension that fans love to see and which makes for great competition. It's Bristol, Baby! Give it a listen.

On This episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, pro stock racer Kyle Koretsky and funny car racer JR Todd join host Brian Lohnes. The two racers are still chasing their first win of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, but their drive to compete is unabated. For Kyle Koretsky, the 2022 season sees him sitting 3rd in the points and with one final round appearance on the year. He has been consistently going rounds week after week and his KB powered Lucas Oil Camaro has flirted with number one qualifying positions as well. Kyle talks about his driving, the work his team is putting in and why they will succeed this year. Koretsky also talks about his family's purchase of Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania and the amount of investment and work they are putting in to revamp and upgrade the iconic facility. This is an awesome story for drag racing. JR Todd talks about some frustrations in his team's work to success ratio but knows that the work will pay off through the second half of the regular season. The DHL GR Supra has made two semi-finals this year and showed good promise in Epping. Todd talks about his love for all types of racing, his race routines, and the upcoming races at Bristol and Norwalk. A fun show and two great conversations!

Tony Pedregon and National Dragster's Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The trio look forward to this weekend's running of the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire. The event marks the start of a busy two months in NHRA drag racing and the conversation centers around who can most take advantage of what will be a six-race stretch through the months of June and July. Lots of great insight here from two of the sport's most knowledgeable voices!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, two-time NHRA pro mod champion Stevie Jackson and current top 10 funny car racer Chad Green join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the work they have put in this season and how they plan on carrying their recent performances forward through a long 2022 drag racing season. Chad Green is having his best funny car season ever and it's one that shows no signs of slowing. After committing to hiring full-time crew members in the off-season and hiring Dan Wilkerson to be the crew chief on the car full time, Green's driving has improved race to race and the former pro mod racer is sitting inside the top ten of points for the first time in his career. Green talks about his advancement as a car owner and driver, how his crew is working together, and what the rest of 2022 has in store. Steve Jackson a two-time pro mod champ always ahs something to say about the class he has come to define in NHRA drag racing. The wide-ranging conversation talks about his early-season struggles, progress made in Virginia, and how the pro-modified class has banded together to grow car counts and continue with steep competition. New rules adjustments are discussed, the $25,000 shootout in Brainerd that's coming up, and a whole lot more. Two drivers with plenty of say and lots of excitement surrounding them.

Pro Mod star Lyle Barnett and top fuel ace Austin Prock join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider. The two drivers are among the elite in their respective categories for performance both on the starting line and beyond. They approach their jobs with the kind of intensity rarely found in the sport and both guys have great insight to share on how they do what they do and what the rest of the 2022 season has in store. For Lyle Barnett, the Charlotte 4-Wide race final is a sticking point and one that he will not soon forget. Nearly pulling off a win after a calamity brough on by other competitors he talks about the memorable and jumbled up run. Barnett talks about the intensity of NHRA pro mod, the need for the class to stay quarter mile, the recent infusion of sponsors and excitement, and what it all means for 250mph door slammer drag racing going forward. Truly a fun conversation with a racer's racer. Austin Prock's last two races have been far stronger than the races that preceded them. Prock talks about the team, the maturation process, an incredibly successful Virginia for John Force Racing and how his program will evolve as the season grinds toward the countdown. Currently sitting 5th in the points and seeking a first win of the season, he recaps Virginia and looks toward a busy June in NHRA drag racing. Two great drivers who are striving to make it to the top.

This episode of the NHRA Insider brings two of the NHRA high performers together for a discussion about pro stock motorcycle and top fuel, not just in 2022 but over the last few seasons. The stories of Matt Smith and Justin Ashley are decidedly different in 2022 but their end goal remains the same, a world championship. Matt Smith talks about the recent NHRA rules changes in pro stock motorcycle, performance in the class, parity, riders on the rise, and how his own program is evolving with Angie, Matt, and the Scrappers Racing motorcycles as well. He talks about the recent war of words and performance with Steve Johnson and what he sees as good for the class and not so good for the class when it comes to rivalries. Justin Ashley is all about winning, growth, and forward advancement in top fuel. The discussion ranges from his strong start in 2022 and the subtle changes in his team and program over the last few seasons. Why is this all working? Who's bringing the most to the table? How's his team playing the long game of parts, performance, and sustained success in 2022? He talks about all of it here. Two very different racers, both chasing top-level success in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing!

Mike McIntire Jr and Cameron Ferre join host Brian Lohnes on this week's episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. McIntire made the final round of nitro funny car in his family-owned and operated McAttack Toyota Camry flopper. On the top fuel side, Cameron Ferre was the runner-up in the Paton family top fuel dragster after qualifying on the bump spot and battling through the first two rounds of eliminations on an exciting Sunday. For McIntire and his operation, this weekend was the validation of a lot of hard work and the validation of a talented, if part-time crew. A champion in the nostalgia nitro funny car ranks, he and his team know how to run and service a car at the highest levels and their final round appearance in a tough field was the display of those truths. Cameron Ferre had a 10 race schedule lined up for 2022 and at the last moment, the deal was rescinded. From that setback, he doubled down his efforts to keep his top fuel career afloat and managed to secure funding for his appearance in Charlotte. With a runner-up finish, he raised eyebrows and hopefully more sponsorship opportunities in the future. His race day had plenty of twists and turns and he tells the story here. Two great stories from the real world of regular guy nitro racing!

NHRA on FOX analyst Tony Pedregon and National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes for this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast. The three talk about all the wild storylines from Houston and how race day was among the most amazing thy had all seen. The storylines from each class, the upsets, the driving performances, and the mounting pressure to be good have all ratcheted up. Telling some of the behind-the-scenes stories you have not heard, these guys will have you laughing and thinking with their analysis. After a breakdown of Houston, the chat turns for Charlotte and the upcoming Circle K Four-Wide Nationals, the second and final four-wide race of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Season. Love it or hate it, all the racers are in the same boat and it's a crowded one! Full fields in all pro categories will make this Charlotte contest one to remember. Fun, insightful, and informative. This quick-moving show has nuggets buried at every turn!