The Starting Line Society

Welcome to the podcast where horsepower meets partnership. Join Eily Stafford and James Day as they take you behind the visor and inside the staging lanes of the NHRA. Known as one of drag racing’s ultimate power couples, Eily and James are breaking down what it actually takes to handle thousands of horsepower, survive the brutal G-forces, and keep their sanity when the win light comes on.

In this episode, they’re looking back at the incredible lineup of cars they’ve both driven—from unpredictable Fuel Altereds to nitro-burning Funny Cars. Whether you're a die-hard gearhead or just want to know how two high-speed drivers balance life in the fast lane, strap in. This is going to be a wild ride.

Get ready to burn some rubber! This Thursday, The Starting Line Society is bringing you a high-octane, action-packed episode you absolutely cannot miss.

While Paul holds down the fort holding the tree in the studio, Paul Miller Dave Hill are coming to you LIVE from the Funny Car Chaos Super nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio! Paul and Dave will be right in the thick of the action, capturing the smell of nitromethane and grabbing exclusive, live trackside interviews with the drivers, crews, and madmen fueling the chaos. Expect raw energy, loud engines, and the kind of insight only The Starting Line Society can deliver.

Paul, Ryan and Paul talk about fuel altereds, the ihra and more

Join Paul and Corey for a high-octane, "all-access" episode as we go behind the scenes at the Grand Prix Autosport shop. We’re sitting down with the 2023 Nitro Chaos Champion, Gary Wheeler Jr., to talk about what it takes to dominate the circuit and the grit required to keep a championship-caliber team running at peak performance.

But the real highlight of the night is our conversation with a true "Young Gun"—14-year-old Enzo Marx. Enzo isn't just hanging out in the pits; he’s the "bottom end guy" for Trent Work, proving that passion and talent have no age limit in the world of drag racing.

In this episode:

The Championship Mentality: Gary Wheeler Jr. breaks down the 2023 title run and what’s next for the team.

Next-Gen Nitro: Enzo Marx joins us to discuss his role on the crew, how he learned the ropes at 14, and what it’s like working on some of the most powerful engines on the planet.

Shop Talk: A look at the tools, the tech, and the teamwork happening right now at Grand Prix Autosport.

Whether you're a die-hard nitro fan or just love a great underdog story, you don’t want to miss this live session!

the history of radial racing, Funny Car Chaos, the first sub 5 second pro mod pass and more

live with warlord racing and cone hunter racing

The conversation covers drag racing history, childhood racing memories, the Supercharged Outlaws series, the atmosphere of Albuquerque Dragway, the formation of the Supercharged Outlaws series, success with the Cone Hunter Funny Car, and staging the car in the finals. The guests share their experiences and insights, providing a comprehensive look at the world of drag racing. The conversation delves into the stress and challenges of race day preparation, highlighting the Zen moments and the logistical hurdles faced by car owners. Additionally, it explores the potential impact of IHRA on NHRA, discussing the financial viability and the lure of million-dollar bonuses for racers. The conversation delves into the performance of racing cars, the potential of IHRA, the challenges of racing at different altitudes, favorite drag strips, legendary racing moments, and future racing plans. It also explores the impact of track conditions, race strategy, and team decisions on racing performance.

Takeaways

• Drag Racing History
• Childhood Memories Race day stress and preparation
• The impact of IHRA on NHRA IHRA's potential for growth
• The challenges of racing at different altitudes

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Track Historian
• 12:14 Atmosphere of Albuquerque Dragway
• 18:03 Success with Cone Hunter Funny Car
• 23:10 Staging the Car in the Finals
• 46:18 The Impact of IHRA on NHRA
• 54:03 Racing Performance and NHRA Dominance
• 01:01:02 Favorite Drag Strips and Racing Memories
• 01:06:03 Legendary Racing Moments and Achievements
• 01:12:37 Future Racing Plans and Involvement

a look at the 2026 season at Albuquerque Dragway, world series of pro mod and the ihra/nhra situation

Robert talks about missing the biggest field of pro mods ever buy the slimmest of margins