Explore every episode of the podcast Daily Driver

Two categories. Two very different championship battles. And it could all come down to Pomona.

In Comp Eliminator, Joe Carnasciale still leads the standings, but five-time World Champion Jeff Taylor isn't going away quietly. With three events remaining, Taylor still has a path to another title and one big win could change everything.

Meanwhile, Top Sportsman is WIDE open. Lance Abbott looks like the favorite, but with a crowded field of contenders and plenty of points still available, anything can happen.

In this NERD OUT, I'm breaking down the championship math, the drivers still in the hunt, and what it will take to come out on top as the 2026 season winds down.

Two drivers. Tied for the points lead. And a World Championship that could come down to the final race.

After a wild weekend in Dallas, JB Strassweg and J.R. Baxter sit tied atop the Top Dragster standings but their paths to get there couldn't have been more different.

From Strassweg's devastating engine fire and borrowed race car to Baxter's JEGS Allstars victory and clutch semifinal finish, I'm breaking down the drama, the tiebreaker advantage, and the contenders still in the hunt.

With Las Vegas and Pomona remaining, can Strassweg find a way to reclaim the lead, or will Baxter hold on for the World Championship?

Five races remain, and the Super Gas World Championship is still up for grabs.

Jordan Pratt leads the standings with 624 points and controls his own destiny, but the competition isn't going away quietly.

In this NERD OUT, I'm breaking down the contenders still in the hunt including Tim Powell, Kris Whitfield, Rick Mattioli, and Bo Butner, along with the points scenarios that could shake things up.

With a double divisional in Rockingham this weekend and the final races in Las Vegas and Pomona approaching, the championship picture is about to get a whole lot clearer.

Can anyone catch Jordan Pratt?

When the pressure is on, Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo Jr. just keeps delivering.

After another clutch performance in Dallas, Hidalgo now leads BOTH the Stock and Super Stock World Championship standings with 644 and 647 points.

But can he hold on to both?

I'm breaking down Hidalgo's incredible run at the Stampede of Speed, the contenders still chasing him, and what it will take to secure one or possibly TWO World Championships.

Plus, a look at just how remarkable Hidalgo's consistency has been over the past several seasons.

Two categories. Two championship leads. And plenty of drama still to come.

The NERD OUT continues as we head into one of the most pivotal weekends of the NHRA Lucas Oil championship chase. With the Texas Motorplex divisional event behind us and the Dallas national event underway, I’m breaking down where things stand, who still has a path to a championship, and which categories could see some major shakeups.

From the ongoing battles in Stock, Super Stock, and Super Gas to the challenges facing championship leaders in Top Dragster and beyond, there’s plenty to unpack. The opportunities are running out, the pressure is building, and every round matters as we close in on crowning our 2026 World Champions.

Programming note: This episode was originally scheduled to drop Friday, but a slight hiccup delayed its release. Thanks for your patience!

The points lead has changed hands in TWO categories — and with Dallas up next, things are about to get even more interesting.

Jordan Pratt’s pressure-packed Super Gas win in St. Louis vaulted him to the top of the standings with 624 points, ending Nathan Vrooman’s run atop the leaderboard. Pratt controls his own destiny, but with Tim Powell, Phil Unruh, Bo Butner, Kris Whitfield and others still in the hunt, this one is far from settled.

Meanwhile, JB Strassweg took over the Top Dragster lead with a win of his own in St. Louis. He’s got points left to earn and a strong position heading into Dallas — but J.R. Baxter, Holden Laris, Kevin Robb and Ty Gaynor still have paths to make things interesting.

In this Nerd Out update, Luke breaks down:

• Why Pratt is in the SG driver’s seat — but 624 probably isn’t enough
• Strassweg’s new advantage in Top Dragster
• How an extremely quick Dallas Top Dragster field could impact the championship
• Why this week’s Stampede of Speed could dramatically narrow the list of title contenders

We’re officially at the point of the season where every round matters. Dallas should give us a whole lot more clarity.

The Competition Eliminator championship chase might be the most compelling story in sportsman drag racing right now.

Joe Carnasciale has put together a nearly perfect season with seven wins, one runner-up, and 659 points -  a résumé that would normally have a World Championship all but locked up. But five-time and reigning World Champion Jeff Taylor still has a path.

In this NERD OUT, I'm breaking down the points, why round counts matter so much in Comp, and what Taylor needs to accomplish over the remaining National Events to potentially chase down Carnasciale.

Seven wins versus a five-time World Champion chasing number six. This one could get wild.

The NERD OUT is changing gears as we enter the final stretch of the 2026 NHRA Lucas Oil season. With fewer races remaining, I’m taking a weekly look at the biggest movers, shakers, and championship developments from the weekend.

This week, we’re recapping St. Louis and the impact it had on Stock, Super Stock, and Super Gas - from Jimmy Hidalgo Jr.’s late-season charge to several new names entering the championship conversation. The races are running out, and every round matters.

The NERD OUT returns to Super Comp, but the conversation has changed. At this point, it’s less about the championship chase and more about just how historic Trey Vetter’s 2026 season has become.

With 711 points, five wins in nine races, and a 44–4 round record, Vetter has joined an incredibly exclusive group of racers to eclipse the 700-point mark. Now the question becomes: How high can he go? I’m digging into the history behind the 700-point milestone and whether Vetter has a legitimate shot at one of the greatest point totals in NHRA Lucas Oil Series history.

The NERD OUT rolls into Stock Eliminator, and this championship chase is getting crowded. Joe Santangelo has taken over the top spot, but with several contenders still holding valuable opportunities to improve, 633 points may not be enough to close the door.

I’m breaking down the paths for Michael Brand, Cooter Hidalgo, Parker Theobald and others still in the hunt. Plus why this weekend in St. Louis could have a major impact on the championship picture. The races are running out, the points are getting harder to find, and Stock is far from settled.

Today on The Daily Driver, we’re introducing the next installment of our Win Light Lab series - this time led by Gage Burch and focused on bottom bulb racing.

Gage joins us to talk about his “chameleon” approach to competition, the importance of being able to adapt to any situation, and what racers can expect from this small-group experience. From footbrake and transbrake to the starting line, finish line, and everything in between, this Lab is all about becoming a more versatile and complete bottom bulb racer.

Interested? Sign up by visiting https://learn.thisisbracketracing.com/courses/gage-burch-win-light-lab

The NERD OUT continues, and today I’m turning my attention to Super Gas, a category that has delivered some incredible championship drama in recent years.

Nathan Vrooman has built a sizable lead, but in Super Gas, 612 points is far from a guarantee. I’m breaking down his path to the title, why Bo Butner and Phil Unruh still have plenty of opportunity, and how Jordan Pratt has quickly raced his way into the championship conversation.

The schedule is getting shorter, the opportunities are disappearing, and I believe our 2026 Super Gas World Champion comes from this group of four. Let’s nerd out on how it could all unfold.

The NERD OUT continues, and this time I’m breaking down the Super Comp championship chase. With the 2026 Lucas Oil season heading into the home stretch, the points picture is getting interesting and changing quickly.

I’m taking a closer look at Trey Vetter’s position at the top, the paths that Phil Unruh and Jordan Pratt have to challenge him, and why Zach Mazir is my long shot worth watching. There are still points on the table, races to be run, and plenty of scenarios that could shake things up before this championship is decided.

Today’s episode of The Daily Driver is dedicated to the memory of Larry Croft. We take a moment to honor his life, remember the impact he made, and reflect on the legacy he leaves behind within the racing community. This one is for Larry.

The NERD OUT rolls on, and this time I’m diving into the Super Stock championship chase. With the Lucas Oil season winding down, I’m looking at the battle from three different perspectives: the current leader, a top contender, and a long shot who still has a path to the championship.

There’s still plenty of racing left and plenty of ways this thing can play out. Let’s dig into the points, the possibilities, and what each of these racers needs to make a run at the title.

It’s that time of year again...The NERD OUT is back! With the NHRA season entering its final stretch, I'm deep diving into the championship picture across the Lucas Oil categories.

First up: Competition Eliminator. Who’s in the hunt? What does the path to a championship look like? And which races, points opportunities, and potential scenarios could shape the final two months of the season? It’s time to nerd out on the Comp Eliminator championship chase.

"Which NHRA Class is the "Easiest" to win?"

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

"When I bracket race my super class car, should I run it wide open or should I run it on the throttle stop?"

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

"When you cross the finish line, what is the safest way to complete your pass - get out of the gas and put it in neutral, shut down and coast or leave it in gear and let the engine slow you down?"

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

"When it comes to racing top bulb and bottom bulb (same day or not), why do you think some racers elect to switch between box and no box even when they are clearly better with no box? I watch a few racers channels on YouTube and I will notice they are hitting the tree better with no box better than the box runs. Why not just run top bulb with no box at that point? Ego? I have the box why not use it? Maybe just a bad day on the box?"

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Brian, who asks: I really enjoyed the episode about your first national event win, curious if we turn back the clock even more could you tell us the story of your first win in general?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

After more than a decade of faithfully chasing his first win, longtime ELITE member Bryan Campbell finally broke through—and he did it on one of the biggest stages possible: a $50,000-to-win event at Mid-Michigan Motorplex.

In this episode, Luke celebrates Bryan’s incredible accomplishment and shares what happened when Bryan walked the ELITE community through the race, round by round.

But the bigger story may be what happened next.

Within minutes, the same room went from celebrating one member at his highest to helping another experienced racer regain perspective after a weekend that had completely unraveled.

That’s one of the hardest parts of ELITE to explain from the outside.

It’s a community that celebrates the wins, helps you learn from the mistakes and reminds you that none of us does this alone.

ELITE isn’t a shortcut—and joining won’t guarantee your next win is worth $50,000. The work and commitment still have to come from you.

But when serious racers surround themselves with the right people, information and support, it can help move the needle.

ELITE enrollment closes tonight. Learn more here: thisisbracketracing.com/elite

Today on The Daily Driver, our ELITE Spotlight series continues with another look behind the scenes of an ELITE member's racing season. Throughout the year, we're following select members as they share race recaps, personal insights, lessons learned, and the ups and downs that come with competing.

Our next featured member is Lee Newmeyer. Tune in to get to know Lee and follow his journey as he shares his experiences with the ELITE community throughout the season.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Dave, who asks: Do you find a difference in your reaction time if you stage first or you stage second?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from David, who asks: On an old episode of the Sportsman Drag Racing Podcast, I heard you talk about how odd a role Billy Torrence has played in your racing career. As a CAPCO fan, as a Torrance fan, I'd love to hear the Billy Torrence of it all.

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

Today on The Daily Driver, our ELITE Spotlight series continues with another look behind the scenes of an ELITE member's racing season. Throughout the year, we're following select members as they share race recaps, personal insights, lessons learned, and the ups and downs that come with competing.

Our next featured member is Megan Bemiller. Tune in to get to know Megan and follow her journey as she shares her experiences with the ELITE community throughout the season.

Today on The Daily Driver, we're excited to announce the next course in the Win Light Lab series at This Is Bracket Racing. This time, Matt Dadas takes the lead with Win Light Lab: Prepared for Anything. A course designed to help you become the kind of racer who's ready to step into any class, any car, or any opportunity with confidence. 

Listen to learn more about the course and hear why versatility is such a powerful advantage. Sign up at https://learn.thisisbracketracing.com/courses/matt-dadas-lab

Today on The Daily Driver, I’m sharing the audio version of my latest National Dragster column, "Sportsman Top 50, The Calculus". In this piece I'm peeling back the curtain and walking through the selection process of the Sportsman Top 50. 

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Ryan, who asks: First and foremost congratulations to your son Gary on his recent Western Conference Finals Jr Dragster Championship but I got to ask the question, out of all of the cool things you have done in your racing career - whether it's winning the Spring Fling Million, the US Nationals, World Championship, I've got to ask were you more nervous watching your son in the final round or staging up for the final round of one big race of your own?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

A few weeks back on The Daily Driver, we announced a new addition ELITE Spotlight program. Throughout the season, select ELITE members will be sharing their racing journey through blog posts, updates, and other behind-the-scenes interactions.

From the highs and lows to lessons learned along the way, this is a chance to follow along with real racers navigating a real season. Tune in as we introduce the members who will be sharing their story with the community this year. Next up we have Henry Roberson!

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Gabe, who asks: I am preparing for my first National Event, not really looking for advice so much as a story. Can you tell me a little bit about your first National Event or your first National Event win?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

Today on The Daily Driver, I’m sharing the audio version of my latest National Dragster column, “The Great Debate.” This piece dives into one of the most talked-about discussions in sportsman drag racing history, the debate surrounding Scotty Richardson and Peter Biondo. Two of the most accomplished and influential racers the sport has ever seen. 

Today on The Daily Driver, we’re excited to announce a new addition ELITE Spotlight program. Throughout the season, select ELITE members will be sharing their racing journey through blog posts, updates, and other behind-the-scenes interactions.

From the highs and lows to lessons learned along the way, this is a chance to follow along with real racers navigating a real season. Tune in as we introduce the program and the members who will be sharing their story with the community this year. Up first we have longstanding member Jordan Pratt. 

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Paul, who asks: My son is becoming a very good racer but he's not always the best sportsman. He doesn't handle losing well. Can you share any personal experience on how to learn to lose.

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

Today on The Daily Driver, I share one of my favorite memories involving my father and a lesson in belief, perseverance, and passion for racing that has stayed with me for nearly 25 years. From a rain-delayed national event in Topeka to a wounded race car and a matchup against my idol, this story is about more than competition, it’s about the unwavering confidence a parent can instill and the impact that belief can have long after the moment has passed. 

This week’s Question of the Week comes from David, who asks: How do I strategize against my opponent at different types of race tracks when it comes to time slips. For example at Worldwide drag strip they use the time slip app I can look up an opponent's car number and gauge whether he's dialing honest or holding some numbers. How do I strategize against my opponent at racetracks like Benton that still use the paper time slips?"

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

On this episode of the Daily Driver we are discussing Geographic Superiority in drag racing and the ongoing debate regarding which regions of the country produce the best racers.

Back at the beginning of March, there was a question that was submitted here on the Question of the Week "What percentage in the final round (Winner and RU) in $25k and larger races that allow it are doubled?" and we wanted to take another episode to really peel back the layers of doubling.

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. 

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Ben, who asks: My question is, for an altered that weighs roughly 1650lbs (125" wheelbase) and makes 550 horsepower, what would be your suggestion for the rear wheel/tire combination?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

Today on The Daily Driver, I’m excited to introduce another course in our Win Light Lab program at This Is Bracket Racing - Win Light Lab: Understanding Data Acquisition, hosted by Mike Mans.

Mike, a multi-time NHRA winner and respected shock and suspension expert, joins us to talk about the value of small-group learning and why it’s so effective for dialing in individual vehicle combinations. We also dive into how understanding and applying your data can turn a significant investment into a real competitive edge on the track.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Brad, who asks: How can I make my car react quicker?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Jamey, who asks: What do you find is the best breathing technique at the starting line?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Denny, who asks: What do racers want to hear during the race? Do you prefer just win loss stats(numbers)? Do you want history behind racers?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Mark, who asks: What percentage in the final round (Winner and RU) in $25k and larger races that allow it are doubled?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

This week’s Question of the Week comes from Robert, who asks: How do you game plan when you don’t know who you’re racing? Joining us to break it down is Kris Whitfield, guest instructor from ThisIsBracketRacing ELITE, sharing insight on preparation, mindset, and strategy when the matchup is unknown. 

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

This week’s Question of the Week doesn’t actually come in question form and full transparency, I borrowed the idea from the Be00Take00 Podcast. Instead, today’s Daily Driver dives into a fun (and debatable) topic: Who are the top five sportsman racers of all time?

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

Today on The Daily Driver, we continue on with the Question of the Week, a segment many of you already recognize from the ThisIsBracketRacing Facebook page. Now, we’re bringing those conversations to the podcast. This week’s question: "Are Bottom Bulb Racers Really at a Disadvantage?"

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

Today on The Daily Driver, I am excited to announce a new program coming to This Is Bracket Racing: The Win Light Lab. Rolling out throughout 2026, each version of the Lab will be hosted by one of our ELITE instructors including Mike Mans, Justin Lamb, Kris Whitfield, Gage Burch, Mikey Sturgill, and Matt Dadas. Each Lab will be focused on a different element of competition.

We kick things off with The Win Light Lab: The Mental Edge, hosted by Kris Whitfield, who joins us today to talk about why small-group learning matters and why the mental game is such a powerful separator in racing.

Today on The Daily Driver, we kick off Question of the Week, a segment many of you already recognize from the ThisIsBracketRacing Facebook page. Now, we’re bringing those conversations to the podcast. This week’s question: "Is footbrake still a thing?"

If you’ve got a topic you want us to tackle, submit it at thisisbracketracing.com/ask. With insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, this episode starts a series of Q&A discussions built around the questions racers are asking right now.

Today on The Daily Driver, we reflect on graduation. Young racers stepping into full-size competition. It’s an emotional transition and a reminder of how fast it all goes. These drivers are capable, talented, and how we choose to support them will help shape the future of the sport.