Claim OwnershipNHRA Insider Podcast
Subscribed: 245Played: 10,061
Subscribe
© 2025 the National Hot Rod Association
Description
the NHRA Insider Podcast Presented by Speedmaster is an inside look at the world of the NHRA and all things drag racing. Hosted by Brian Lohnes.
https://www.speedmaster79.com/
https://www.speedmaster79.com/
298 Episodes
Reverse
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna to talk all things Reading and Charlotte. There's been loads of action on the track, unexpected winners, points leads gained and lost, and a whole lot more. The guys take you through a class by class look at who is rising, who is falling and why. They also dive into some of the points scenarios that could unfold over the next few races. They touch on recent stories and controversies, as well as investigating the strength or lack thereof that some of those points leads have built into them. Lastly, they talk Charlotte carnage and the most major stories, concerns, and headlines as we head into the halfway point of the 2025 Countdown. Don't miss this one!
Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes on this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster to take a deep dive into the Countdown, the favorites, the dark horses, and how the match can and should play out in Reading, PA this weekend. There's breaking news during the show, there's a hint at more big news coming this week at the race, and there's a lot of analysis of how top performers earned their spots and how everyone else is lining up take their shot in knocking them off. An intense weekend is on tap in the Keystone State and you need to enter it armed with the information that'll make you the most knowledgeable fan in the room on raceday!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Indy Top Fuel winner Justin Ashley and Indy Top Fuel runner up and regular season champion Tony Stewart join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their respective races. Their Top Fuel final on Monday afternoon was an absolute instant classic and one that will be talked about for the ages. Justin Ashley reveals some interesting things in this interview. Whether it's the fact that the team rolled a new car out and didn't tell anyone, his process and how he adjusts it through the day, his approach, and what he takes most pride in as a driver, you'll learn it here. Tony Stewart tells awesome behind the scenes stories about the team's capture of the NHRA's first regular season Top Fuel championship. How the day unfolded, what he needed to do and more importantly couldn't do, what it all means for his team and crew, and a whole lot more. Two of Top Fuel's best tell all about their experiences at the greatest drag race on the planet.
A new tower, testing mishaps, countdown controversy, teams that are fast when it's cold and teams that are cold when it's fast, this episode has it all. Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to talk about all aspects of the 2025 Cornwell Quality Tools US Nationals and it's a banger of a chat. From the interesting situation of Brayden Davis in Pro Stock Motorcycle, the relentless stomping domination of Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn in Pro Stock, who can challenge Austin Prock in Funny Car, and why Doug Kalitta may win the regular season Top Fuel championship, this one has all the elements on tap. The conversation is lively, the debate informed, and the excitement for the greatest drag race of them all is off the charts. Listen and enjoy!
On this Top Fuel centric episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast presented by Speedmaster, all-time great crew chief Alan Johnson and NHRA rookie Top Fuel driver Kyle Satenstein join host Brian Lohnes. The two guys are on wildly different ends of their Top Fuel lives but both bring fascinating perspective to the conversation. For Alan Johnson the conversation takes us through this season and the approach that has placed the team in the thick of a championship run yet again. It moves through Johnson's history in the sport, his evolving approach to Top Fuel racing, and the sometimes invisible elements that make good teams into great ones. His insights into the more hidden corners of the crew chief role are fascinating. Kyle Satenstein is a racer through and through. Coming from the world of small tire and grudge racing, his path to Top Fuel racing is both interesting and unexpected. Sporting one of the most unique sponsors in the class and the attitude of a successful and hardcore racer, he had a heck of a weekend in Brainerd. The small team nearly pulled off the upset of the race in round one and you'll hear him tell the whole story. Two very different men in very different places with the singular passion of NHRA Top Fuel drag racing. Enjoy the conversations.
On this high energy episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, the guys are together again and the fur flies. Tony Pedregon, Kevin McKenna and Brian Lohnes join in a very lively discussion that covers the last couple of races and looks at Brainerd as a significant hinge point for many teams trying to sort out their either dimming or fading championship hopes. The guys dive deep into all three professional classes competing weekend, talk about Shawn Reed's replacement driver selection, and even go hard into some driver related stuff, especially in top fuel. This is not an episode to miss. News, opinion, and some amazing takes await!
On this Funny Car edition of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Dan Wilkerson and Ron Capps to discuss the stories of their respective seasons and where they are headed on the back stretch of 2025. Wilkerson documents the battle he has faced in recent weeks with engine explosions, broken parts, and tight timelines while Capps reviews the season and talks about the evolution of a tune-up that has him vying for what could be a runner up regular season finish. Both of these drivers have great stories, insights, and information on the inner-workings of their teams, the sometimes chaotic nature of professional drag racing, and the strategies needed both with the wrenches and in the driver's seat to make it work. Two great conversations, breaking news and more!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Richard Gadson and Greg Stanfield join host Brian Lohnes to talk about their awesome victories at the NHRA Denso Sonoma Nationals last weekend. Both guys have been in peak form for several races and both had to really bushwack their way to the winner's circle. For Richard Gadson a -.001 red light on Saturday in the Pro Stock Motorcycle Call-Out final was frustrating but valuable motivation for his work on Sunday. Leveraging the disappointment of that moment into the race day success he earned is a really fascinating process to listen to. Greg Standfield won his first Pro Stock race in more than a decade by taking on his own son in the final round. A moment generations in the making for the duo, it was a race to the stripe with all the awesome tightness we have come to expect out of the category. Stanfield relives it all. Those interviews, an Insider monologue, and more. This is an episode you'll love
On 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 think it will be any slow there, Lohnes has other thoughts, and he tells you why. Tune in and get ready to fly!
On 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 the two largest teams, both good and bad. Once you understand the numbers you'll be able to see the clear difference between those that are succeeding and those that and not gotten a solid footing. This is a deep breakdown before the tour heads west, enjoy!
On this revealing episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, Thomas Prock and Joey Gladstone join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the victories they scored with their teams at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals. Both guys have interesting stories and behind the scenes info that will keep you locked in. Joey Gladstone is up first and he talks about the incredibly special relationship he shares with Cory Reed, their trials, tribulations, and his transition from championship level Pro Stock Motorcycle racer to critical wrench on Cory's car. The win was emotionally charged and you will know why when you listen to Gladstone's exceptional interview. Thomas Prock is the junior half of one of motorsports most interesting crew chief duos. The senior half is of course his father Jimmy. In this chat, Prock talks through back to back victories, racing Funny Cars on tracks hot enough to fry eggs on, and the lessons learned so far this year. Two young guys with futures in this sport that seem limitless, you'll love this in-depth exploration of their success.
On 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 show and host Lohnes goes into all of the classes, the controversial Top Fuel winner situation, and all the factors he learned about all of it. This one will get you primed for the action this coming weekend in Norwalk!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join host Brian Lohnes to talk about all the big stories coming out of Bristol and coming into the American Rebel Light NHRA Virginia Nationals this weekend. The boys really deep dive into the Mission Foods classes and the conversation has more than a few twists and turns. There's a returning potential young rock star in Pro Stock Motorcycle, a pro debut in the same class, there's untold levels of angst and ire in the Pro Stock car class, which is not at this race but is discussed in depth, and then there are the nitro categories which have their own myriad storylines that the guys go over. Get geared up for three qualifying sessions on a warm Saturday, a roasty toasty Sunday, and network coverage on FOX this week here on the Insider!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, Ron Capps Motorsports crew chief Dean Antonelli and Vance and Hines lead wrench Andrew Hines join the show to discuss the wild action at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Antonelli, Hines, and their teams were the masters of the most difficult racing conditions of the 2025 season so far. The conversations are interesting, centering around the ways that Antonelli managed the power and clutch of his car through every changing weather situation, delays, and a racing surface that was anything but cooperative. Hines talks about the debut of Brayden Davis, his amazing riding skills, and how Richard Gadson was not only deserving of his first win but was primed and ready to attack. A race of controversy, fights, and more, get the inside scoop here.
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, JR Todd joins host Brian Lohnes to talk about his big victory in Epping, New Hampshire and how it all came together. The conversation with Todd follows a recap of the action from the New England Nationals which was historic by any measure. Also included in this episode is a look forward to the SuperGrip Thunder Valley Nationals this coming weekend and an update on all the breaking news from the nitro Funny Car debut of Julie Naatas, adjustments made to the NHRAonFOX television schedule for the remainder of the season, and more. An updated and upgraded drag strip awaits the most powerful racing machines in the world this weekend and there's plenty to talk about!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider powered by Speedmaster, Kevin McKenna of National Dragster and Tony Pedregon of the NHRAonFOX join Brian Lohnes to talk about the excitement of Chicago and how that will translate into the action at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire this weekend. The New England Nationals are always a unique event each season. The classic track, the fast air and surface, and increasing pressure on teams at this time of the year, always lead to memorable moments. On this show the three talk about the news of the week, the drivers who are making headlines for the right and wrong reasons, the outlook for Pro Stock this weekend after an extended break, and how the whole season is shaping up. There's also the #1 Clawifier for the first time ever on Friday night, and they talk about all the good stuff on the line there as well. Big fun in the Granite State, coming this weekend!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Jack Beckman the Funny Car winner from the Gerber Collision and Glass Rt 66 Nationals presented by Peak as well as Chicagoland's favorite Top Fuel son, T.J. Zizzo. The two guys take us deep inside a race weekend that will long live in the lore of NHRA history. Incredible weather conditions from high winds to the first actual dust storm in Illinois for 91 years had racers on their toes. The teams that best navigated the conditions won the race and Beckman takes us all on a weekend trip through a topsy-turvy battle he and his team faced. T.J. Zizzo was eliminated in the first round but it's still amazing to hear how his part time team dealt with the wild weather everyone was handed at Rt 66 Raceway. He takes us through their approach, goals, and what they learned. A great show about an exceptional race!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, Tony Pedregon and Kevin McKenna join Brian Lohnes to talk all things about the Gerber Collision and Glass Rt 66 Nationals presented by Peak Performance. The guys go over each class of competition, talk about the teams that are struggling and those that are on the rise. The weekend is also unique in that there are loads of independent nitro teams in both Funny Car and Top Fuel which have the potential to upend the apple cart for the established full-time touring operations. The facility is one of the best on tour and the action will be hot and heavy from qualifying session one all the way to Sunday afternoon. This is a great conversation and one that will have you fired up for the week's upcoming action!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster, Austin Prock and Dallas Glenn join host Brian Lohnes to talk about leading the points in their respective categories, winning back to back four-wide races, and their outlook for the rest of the season. Prock is the first guess and in this conversation he talks about the evolution of his team, why they work so well, the elements fans can't see that make teams great, and how John Force continues to be the guiding star for the race team that bears his name. Prock is insightful in his answers and provides a lot of interesting takes on his team and season. Dallas Glenn is having the season dreams are made of so far. He has appeared in every final round since late in 2024 and has won back to back races. He has come close to winning a title but has never been able to leave a season as a champion in Pro Stock drag racing. Is this the year? He talks about his approach and how he is working to make himself better each race. A fun episode with two really hot superstars of NHRA!
On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster Shawn Langdon and Matt Smith join host Brian Lohnes to deep dive into their victories at the American Rebel Light Four-Wide Nationals. For Shawn Langdon it wasn't just the second win of his season, it was winning the 1,000th Top Fuel race ever held that has set it apart in his already decorated career. Langdon talks about a dramatic qualifying run in amazing detail, how the race day went, and why this team is once again on a path to championship contention. His insights about winning and sharing the winner's circle with Don Garlits and Connie Kalitta are fantastic. A truly historic day for both he and the NHRA. Matt Smith made the final in Gainesville and then roared through the field to win the 4-Wides in Charlotte. In a wide-ranging discussion, Smith talks about not only his path to victory but the ins and outs of his rigorous off-season making more than 70 dyno pulls to master the VP Racing Fuel that has come back into the class for 2025, and more. It's a window into the mind and approach of a six-time champion, who is relentlessly seeking 7. Great racers talking success and hard work!
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
I just heard your co- host, Tony mention your podcast....I found it and excited to start listening while checking out the ones I've missed. I think your amazing in your new NHRA role. Your always excited, genuinely appear to LOVE what you do , not to mention funny and informative!!!