NHRA Insider Podcast Brian Lohnes

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!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Dickie Venables, the crew chief for back-to-back 2024 winner Matt Hagan. Dickie and Matt also have four wins at New England Dragway and are the winningest funny car tandem in the history of the New England Nationals. Dickie talks about the trickiness of Chicago, the approach change for Epping, why his team is clicking so well, and what the performance potential is for cool New Hampshire air in qualifying. 
 
Tony Pedregon is the second guest on the show and there's a spicy conversation about the simmering Pro Stock frustrations pervading the pits, who the favorites are on what could be an all-time performance weekend, and the potential of seeing 340mph not just out of one car, but maybe others as well. 
 
It's a supercharged look at what's to come this weekend on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Chicago winners Gaige Herrera and Dallas Glenn. Two competitors cut from the same cloth, they talk about the mechanics of winning, how the competition is tight, and how they are both looking toward the future in their seasons and careers. 
 
Gaige joins the show first and talks about his record breaking eighth straight victory in Pro Stock Motorcycle and how his approach his changed this season. He talks about the team dynamic at Vance and Hines, why they operate at such a high level, and how his own personal drive has powered him on this amazing streak. 
 
Dallas Glenn tells his story of a challenging race weekend that paid off with the ultimate satisfaction of a victory on Sunday. It's an interesting tale of Call-Out frustration turned race-day elation. Glenn also talks about what he needs to do through the middle of the season and ultimately the countdown to garner his first championship in the category. 
 
That's the chat and some fun forward-looking thoughts on the upcoming NHRA New England Nationals!

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast powered by Speedmaster host Brian Lohnes is joined by Top Fuel points leader Justin Ashley and NHRAonFOX Analyst Tony Pedregon for two wildly different discussions about racing, Chicago, and the 2024 season. 
 
Justin Ashley is riding a huge wave of success so far in 2024 and his team is in command of the points by nearly 100 over Doug Kalitta. His final round appearances and wins this year have been impressive but the inner workings of the organization may be even more impressive than the wins themselves. Ashley takes us inside his team, his mindset, and his success. The two talk long term goals, the outlook for Chicago, and why a hot start is more important than ever in 2024. 
 
A fired up Tony Pedregon joins the show to talk about everything from a stacked top fuel field, the NHRA sports gaming announcement, a near brawl behind the scenes in pro stock, and a whole lot more. This rollicking interview makes up the second half of the show and it's one you cannot afford to miss!

On 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 understand the working dynamic between he and his crew chief dad and how they are both settling into what are new roles for each of them. 
 
Andrew Hines oversees the tuning of Gaige Herrera's Suzuki motorcycle and many aspects of the workload at the Vance and Hines shop. He talks about the fact that two races in they are still learning, how Richard Gadson is doing, and why the pro stock motorcycle class is as tight as it can be with the motorcycles showing up these days. Lohnes asks him about the controversies coming into Charlotte and squashing them with a strong win. It's a wide ranging conversation about competition, motorcycle drag racing, and more!
 
Two dynamic racers doing what they do to succeed in the tough world of the NHRA!