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DENSO Sonoma Nationals results/ Muckleshoot Northwest Nationals preview on WFO Radio

DENSO Sonoma Nationals results/ Muckleshoot Northwest Nationals preview on WFO Radio

WFO Radio Podcast Jul 21, 2026 75 min
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About this episode

Hosts kick off with sponsor chatter and then broadcast live from the Muckleshoot Casino Resort as they gear up for the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Northwest Nationals, coming straight from Sonoma. They recap the Denso Sonoma Nationals—highlighting a triple sellout, chaotic early-round swings, and dominant performances like Jordan Vanagraaff’s win—while also diving into race-day logistics like a 10 p.m. curfew debate. The show mixes pro stock, Top Fuel, and Funny Car talk with sponsor-driven engine and emissions tech plugs.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

diesel particulate filter

"Looking to replace your OEM diesel particulate filter or diesel oxidation catalyst?"

A diesel particulate filter is a device that catches the smoky soot that a diesel engine makes. It helps the truck meet emissions rules by keeping that soot from going out into the air.

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Term

diesel oxidation catalyst

"Looking to replace your OEM diesel particulate filter or diesel oxidation catalyst?"

A diesel oxidation catalyst is an emissions device that helps clean up exhaust. It helps turn some of the harmful gases into less harmful products before they leave the vehicle.

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Term

OEM replacement

"designed as an exact fit OEM replacement, with all makes coverage for light, medium, and heavy duty trucks."

An OEM replacement part is designed to match the original equipment manufacturer’s fitment and function. In practice, that usually means the aftermarket part is built to bolt in and work like the factory component rather than requiring major modifications.

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Term

reverse OEM lookup tool

"be sure to check out our comprehensive reverse OEM lookup tool, always new, never re-manufactured."

It’s a website tool that helps you find the right replacement part for your specific truck. Instead of guessing, it matches your vehicle to the correct factory part.

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Company

FTI

"For more than a decade, FTI has strived to become the leader in the aftermarket, performance, transmission, and converter industry."

FTI is the company being advertised here. They sell aftermarket parts, and they’re talking about expanding their reach and capabilities.

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Term

top fuel funny car

"We've joined forces with McLeod driveline components under the leadership of top fuel funny car pilot Paul Lee, and now have a larger distribution network, more resources, and more power."

Top Fuel Funny Car is a drag racing category. The cars are built for maximum acceleration, and they use a special body style that’s designed for speed down the track.

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Company

McLeod driveline components

"We've joined forces with McLeod driveline components under the leadership of top fuel funny car pilot Paul Lee, and now have a larger distribution network, more resources, and more power."

McLeod driveline components is another parts company mentioned as working together with FTI. The point is that the partnership expands what they can supply for performance vehicles.

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Person

Paul Lee

"We've joined forces with McLeod driveline components under the leadership of top fuel funny car pilot Paul Lee, and now have a larger distribution network, more resources, and more power."

Paul Lee is a race driver in the Top Fuel Funny Car category. The ad is using his racing connection to suggest the company is serious about performance.

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Place

Muckleshoot Casino Resort

"Hey, everybody, WFO Radio, we are on the air on location at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort as we get ready for the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Northwest Nationals."

This is the resort/casino where the show is being broadcast from. It’s the local event location tied to the Northwest Nationals.

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Place

Sonoma

"That's right, I came right from Sonoma, here to Seattle, and it is wild."

Sonoma is where the host says they were just before coming to Seattle. The transcript doesn’t name the exact track, but it’s part of the event travel route.

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Term

SCCA

"The photograph on the ad is like Miata's in SCCA."

SCCA is a big U.S. club racing organization. It hosts amateur races where lots of people run cars like the Miata.

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Car

Mazda Miatas

"as well. The photograph on the ad is like Miata's in SCCA. So if that's you or you got some friends, now there's insurance for those fine folks"

The Mazda MX-5, or Miata, is a small two-seat convertible made for fun driving. People also race them in amateur events because they’re relatively easy to drive and set up. The podcast is bringing it up in the context of insurance for Miata owners.

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Company

Larisse Motorsports Insurance

"So if that's you or you got some friends, now there's insurance for those fine folks as well. Go to Larisse Motorsports Insurance."

Larisse Motorsports Insurance is a company that sells insurance for people who do motorsports. The point is that it’s meant for racers, not just regular car insurance.

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Brand

Redline Synthetic Motor Oil

"Want to shout out to the folks at Redline Synthetic Motor Oil. Thank you, Redline."

Redline is a company that makes performance motor oil and other fluids for cars. In the episode, they’re being thanked as a sponsor.

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Term

water wetter

"It's been a great year of promoting Redline Synthetic Motor Oil and water wetter and all their great products."

“Water wetter” is an additive you mix with coolant. People use it to help the engine run cooler, especially when driving hard.

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gear oil

"Again, like gear oil, everything you could want, Redline Synthetic Motor Oil."

Gear oil is the special oil used in places like the transmission and differential. It helps gears stay lubricated and protected under heavy load.

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Term

Top Fuel cars

"But if you don't have a race car and you want to support the show in Redline, you see how all the top fuel racers, they're supporting out there."

Top Fuel is a drag racing category known for very powerful race cars. When they say top fuel racers use a product, they mean it’s tested in very demanding racing.

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Company

HustyPerformance.net

"Also, HustyPerformance.net. Not everybody's a racer."

HustyPerformance.net is a website that sells performance and racing parts. In this segment, it’s mentioned as a place to get things like gaskets.

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Term

gaskets

"Not everybody's a racer. Not everybody needs gaskets, but if you are a racer and you need gaskets, these are the guys."

Gaskets are thin sealing parts that stop fluids from leaking where two parts meet. Racers talk about them because engines get hot and stressed.

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Company

Source in America

"David Allen and the team, Source in America, Made in America, High Quality, the highest quality cutting tools possible."

Source in America is mentioned as part of the team behind the products being promoted. The host is highlighting that the items are made in the U.S. and are high quality.

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Part

torque converters

"Shout out to FTI Performance Transmissions and Torque Converters, of course, and Jesse Converters Global Emissions System Incorporated."

A torque converter is a fluid coupling used in automatic transmissions to multiply engine torque and transfer it to the drivetrain. In drag racing, the converter’s stall speed and efficiency strongly affect launch consistency and how quickly the car reaches its power band.

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Company

Global Emission Systems Incorporated

"Jesse Converters Global Emissions System Incorporated. How about Eric Latino and Matt Latino?"

Global Emissions System Incorporated is presented as a supporter/sponsor and as a company involved with emissions hardware. The host specifically connects it to catalytic converters for trucks and performance applications.

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Person

Eric Latino

"How about Eric Latino and Matt Latino? Those guys, what a first round of racing and pro stock. My goodness, it was insanity."

Eric Latino is named as one of the racers who advanced through the first round of pro stock racing. The host also credits him with getting through while describing a chaotic opening round.

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Person

Matt Latino

"How about Eric Latino and Matt Latino? Those guys, what a first round of racing and pro stock. My goodness, it was insanity."

Matt Latino is named alongside Eric Latino as a racer who advanced through the first round of pro stock. The host frames it as a high-pressure round where “nobody was safe.”

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Term

Wholeshot victories

"What was going on? Wholeshot victories. Nobody was safe."

A “wholeshot” is a drag racing term for winning the race by getting the jump at the start—typically meaning you’re first to the finish line in the opening phase of the run. In eliminations, wholeshots can swing momentum because they force the other car to chase traction and timing.

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Term

catalytic converter

"They do catalytic converters for over-the-road trucks or performance catalytic converters out west here."

Catalytic converters are exhaust components that reduce harmful emissions by converting pollutants into less harmful gases. The host specifically mentions them in the context of over-the-road trucks and performance catalytic converters, implying both emissions compliance and flow/performance considerations.

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Brand

G-Sport brand

"You might want to have high performance. You might want to keep the air that you're breathing clean. That's what the G-Sport brand is all about."

The “G-Sport brand” is presented as a product line focused on emissions-related hardware, tied to catalytic converter solutions. The host’s wording emphasizes keeping the air clean while still supporting performance use cases.

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Person

John Oberhofer

"[734.5s] John Oberhofer is a savant with setting up a rear end was what I was told. [740.0s] I was told about how good he is and how smart he is..."

John Oberhofer is a Top Fuel crew chief known for race-car setup expertise, particularly around getting the car’s rear-end behavior working correctly. In this segment, other teams credit him with being exceptionally good at setting up the rear end.

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Term

gears

"And then I was told something along these lines and leave, leave a little room in there, ...but that there's two companies that make gears for top fuel cars nowadays, two companies."

Gears are the ratios inside the rear drivetrain that decide how quickly the car accelerates. The right gearing helps the engine keep making strong power instead of bogging down.

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Part

rear end housings

"Nobody blamed the team. ...the rear ends, strange and Christman, which you know, that's the rear end housing, but then the actual gear is a different source."

The rear end housing is the metal “case” in the back of a rear-wheel-drive car. It holds the gears and differential that send power to the wheels.

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Term

rear ends

"But the ones that I talked to said, no, no, no, it's something else, something else. ...but that there's two companies that make the rear ends, strange and Christman, which you know..."

“Rear ends” is a racing shorthand for the whole gear-and-differential setup in the back of the car. It’s what ultimately controls how power gets to the rear wheels.

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Company

Strange

"...but that there's two companies that make the rear ends, strange and Christman, which you know, that's the rear end housing, but then the actual gear is a different source."

Strange is a company that makes racing rear-end parts—basically the gear/differential hardware in the back of the car. The segment is saying they supply some of the rear-end components used in Top Fuel.

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Company

Christman

"...but that there's two companies that make the rear ends, strange and Christman, which you know, that's the rear end housing, but then the actual gear is a different source."

Christman is mentioned as another company that supplies parts for the rear drivetrain in Top Fuel. The speaker is distinguishing the rear-end housing from the gears inside it.

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Term

nitro

"You know, we always talk about tires and nitro and we need tracks. We need gears."

“Nitro” usually means nitromethane, the special fuel used in Top Fuel drag racing. It helps these engines make huge power for the race.

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Term

supply chain

"And so perhaps something along the supply chain, one of the processes may be dumb luck, who knows, but you know, put the pitchforks away, please, and we'll go to the next one"

A supply chain is the whole process of making and getting parts to where they’re needed. The speaker is saying problems in that process can cause racing setbacks.

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Person

Greg Stanfield

"There it is. [1122.4s] Greg Stanfield. [1123.6s] Crazy Grandpa or Grandpa Gone Crazy."

They’re talking about a specific person named Greg Stanfield. In this part of the show, his name is tied to a nickname they’re using for a car/entry.

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Term

KB powered cars

"There were also some down moments for the KB powered cars. [1158.6s] Matt Hartford had a 70 reaction time."

“KB powered cars” means the cars are running a specific kind of performance setup from KB. In drag racing, that kind of setup can change how hard the car pulls off the line.

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Term

reaction time

"There were also some down moments for the KB powered cars. [1158.6s] Matt Hartford had a 70 reaction time."

Reaction time is how quickly the driver responds when the race starts. In drag racing, it matters because it can help you get a better launch, but it has to be legal.

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Person

Matt Hartford

"There were also some down moments for the KB powered cars. [1158.6s] Matt Hartford had a 70 reaction time."

Matt Hartford is the driver they’re talking about. They mention his reaction time, which is how fast a driver/car responds when the race start signal happens.

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Car

Porsche 911

"And I see a 91. I think it was 91-1 to 92-1. And he had me by a little on the tree."

The Porsche 911 is a high-performance sports car made by Porsche. It’s known for quick acceleration and a distinctive design, including an engine placed toward the back. The podcast is mentioning it in a competitive driving situation.

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Term

speed

"And for the number one spot, identical ETs, [1837.2s] you want it on speed, you want the diesel on it,"

Here “speed” means how fast the car is going near the end of the run. In some drag races, if two cars take the same time, the one with the higher speed can be favored.

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Term

slug fest

"and the teams like slug fest, [1850.1s] just frame it up for us from your perspective."

“Slug fest” just means a really intense, close fight. Here it’s describing two cars racing each other and trading wins run after run.

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Term

spray oil

"But right now I want to tell you Foggett, the spray. [1957.1s] The engine spray developed by Gary Stinnett. [1959.9s] Steve Williams helping out. [1961.7s] It's available at Summit Racing Equipment."

Spray oil is oil that comes out of a can as a mist. In this context, it’s used to coat the inside of an engine so moisture doesn’t cause rust or other damage when the engine isn’t being used.

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Person

Gary Stinnett

"The engine spray developed by Gary Stinnett. [1959.9s] Steve Williams helping out. [1961.7s] It's available at Summit Racing Equipment. [1963.8s] It's available on Amazon."

Gary Stinnett is the person credited with creating the engine spray. The idea came from him inspecting racing engines and noticing damage from moisture/neglect.

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Company

Summit Racing Equipment

"The engine spray developed by Gary Stinnett. [1959.9s] Steve Williams helping out. [1961.7s] It's available at Summit Racing Equipment. [1963.8s] It's available on Amazon."

Summit Racing Equipment is a store that sells car and racing parts. The host is saying you can buy the spray there.

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Brand

Foggett.com

"It's available at Summit Racing Equipment. [1963.8s] It's available on Amazon. [1966.0s] It's available on Foggett.com. [1967.8s] Look, here's the deal, guys."

Foggett.com is the website where you can buy the Foggett engine spray directly. The host is listing it as one of the places to get the product.

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Term

condensation

"because Gary Stinnett would tear down these engines [1975.8s] and see neglect and condensation ruining the cylinder finish. [1982.5s] And so he wanted to come up with a way, a means with which [1985.3s] to protect it."

Condensation is water that forms when warm and cool conditions cause moisture to collect. If it happens inside an engine, it can lead to rust and damage unless you protect the internals.

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Term

friction

"The number one source of friction in your engine is not what you think. Piston rings rubbing against the cylinder walls generate more friction than any other part of the engine."

In an engine, friction is the resistance to motion between moving parts, like piston rings sliding on cylinder walls. Higher friction increases heat, which can raise wear rates and reduce efficiency (often felt as less horsepower).

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Part

piston rings

"The number one source of friction in your engine is not what you think. Piston rings rubbing against the cylinder walls generate more friction than any other part of the engine."

Piston rings are small metal rings on the piston inside the engine. They help seal the engine so power stays efficient, and if they’re not right, they can rub and cause extra wear.

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Term

cylinder walls

"Piston rings rubbing against the cylinder walls generate more friction than any other part of the engine. More friction and temperature means more wear and less horsepower."

Cylinder walls are the inside surfaces of the engine cylinders. The surface quality matters because it affects how smoothly the piston rings move and how quickly parts wear out.

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Brand

Total Seal

"Fortunately, the team at Total Seal knows how to reduce friction and wear through innovative piston ring design. If it takes a piston, Total Seal could build a better ring."

Total Seal makes piston rings for engines. The idea is that their rings are designed to rub less and wear less, which can help an engine last longer and run more efficiently.

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Term

cylinder finish

"Keith Jones and myself, just the basics, the basic questions. Cylinder finish, break-in oil, all of the things that are the most consistent questions."

Cylinder finish is how smooth (and how textured) the inside of the cylinder is at a microscopic level. It matters because it helps the piston rings “bed in” and keeps the engine from wearing out too fast.

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Term

break-in oil

"Cylinder finish, break-in oil, all of the things that are the most consistent questions. Where do you start?"

Break-in oil is the oil you use right after building or rebuilding an engine. It’s meant to help new parts wear in correctly and seat the piston rings without causing excessive damage.

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Term

drag and drive

"Well, we're going to do drag-and-drive. Where are you going to do drag-and-drive?"

“Drag-and-drive” means you drive the car to the event, race it like a drag car, and then drive it back afterward. The point is that it has to be fun and fast, but also street-usable and reliable.

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Company

NHRA

"All right, let's bring on Josh Hatchet, NHRA's communication director."

NHRA is the big organization that runs and promotes drag racing in the U.S. It’s like the governing body for drag strips and events.

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Term

points

"I think he's up to fourth in points. So he's kind of quietly stuck back up there, which has been great."

In motorsports series like drag racing, points are the season-long scoring system used to rank drivers based on their race results. When the host says someone is “up to fourth in points,” it means they’re currently ranked fourth in the overall standings.

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Concept

starting line

"But obviously he's outstanding on the starting line. But yeah, it's a lot of fun right now on Top Fuel."

The starting line is where the race begins for drag racing. Getting off the line well matters a lot because it can decide the outcome before the cars even reach top speed.

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Person

Ron Kapps

"Ron Kapps, who won the mission foods too fast to Tasty, [3211.2s] goes out first round in the marking matchup"

Ron Kapps is a professional drag racer. Here, they’re talking about how well he’s been doing and how that affects the championship race.

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Term

first round

"goes out first round in the marking matchup [3213.3s] against Austin Proc."

The first round is the earliest elimination race in the event. You race another driver directly, and if you lose you’re out of the next matchups for that event.

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Person

Austin Proc.

"goes out first round in the marking matchup [3213.3s] against Austin Proc."

Austin Proc. is another driver in the same drag racing event. They’re mentioned because he’s the person Ron Kapps races against in the first elimination matchup.

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Term

funny cars

"And I think that shows us what could happen in funny car [3217.3s] that there's a minefield out there"

Funny car is a type of drag racing. The cars look like modified versions of production models, but they’re built on special race frames and are designed to accelerate as hard as possible for a short distance.

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Person

Jared Todd

"You know, Jared Todd's run well [3249.6s] and then he loses on a very close race to Matt Hagan."

Jared Todd is a drag racing driver. They’re saying he ran well but got knocked out in a very close race, showing how unpredictable eliminations can be.

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Person

Matt Hagan

"and then he loses on a very close race to Matt Hagan. [3253.9s] I mean, in the first round"

Matt Hagan is another professional drag racer. They’re saying he won a close head-to-head, which matters a lot for the championship points.

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Car

Dodge Challenger

"...ing to stay in this thing because there's so many challengers. It's so exciting that we're getting to crunch ti..."

The Dodge Challenger is a muscle car, meaning it’s designed for strong power and fast driving. It’s known for its bold styling and performance-focused feel. The podcast mentions it because there were a lot of them around and it made the event more exciting.

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Term

top fuel ranks

"[3774.3s] I mean, last Sunday or last year, Sunday in Seattle [3777.2s] was pretty epic, you know, that string of top fuel runs."

Top Fuel is the quickest category of drag racing. A “run” is one straight-line race pass down the track where they measure how fast it goes.

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Topic

Sunday in Seattle

"[3774.3s] I mean, last Sunday or last year, Sunday in Seattle [3777.2s] was pretty epic, you know, that string of top fuel runs."

“Sunday in Seattle” is the name of a drag racing event in the Seattle area. The host is using it to remind listeners that the racing there has been exciting before.

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Term

pro stock

"[3781.2s] Pro stock's going in the 640s all weekend. [3784.3s] On Sunday, Dallas, Glenn broke the track record"

Pro Stock is a drag racing class where cars are based on production models, but they’re heavily modified for racing. They’re built to launch hard and run consistent times.

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Place

Pacific Raceways

"[3796.1s] Super exciting going out to Pacific Raceways. [3799.1s] And I know you've heard the stories, [3800.7s] John Force and all the crazy stuff,"

Pacific Raceways is a well-known drag racing track near Seattle. The hosts are saying it’s a place where big drag racing events happen and the cars can run extremely fast.

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