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Marko Perivolaris; Great Racer, Even Better Persom

Marko Perivolaris; Great Racer, Even Better Persom

Bracket Breakdown Feb 18, 2026 68 min
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About this episode

Marko Perivolaris joins the Bracket Breakdown team to share his journey in drag racing, from his early days in a 94 Camaro to becoming a formidable competitor with six national event wins. The conversation dives into his racing schedule, including plans for the Pomona Divisional and upcoming events. Marko discusses the importance of family support in his racing career and reflects on the camaraderie within the racing community. With exciting stories and insights on his vehicles, including a 1967 Camaro Roadster, this episode captures the passion and dedication of a true racer.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

Daytona 500

"...you know we had Daytona 500 this weekend and race season's back baby oh yeah..."

The Daytona 500 is a famous car race that happens every year in Florida. It's a big event for NASCAR fans and marks the start of the racing season.

Part

shifter

"...the shifter got in my in my race car for stock and just a handful of other things that you remember to do as soon as you start loading..."

A shifter is the part of the car that you use to change gears, like going from first gear to second gear. It's important for controlling how fast the car goes.

Term

race car

"...the shifter got in my in my race car for stock and just a handful of other things that you remember to do as soon as you start loading..."

A race car is a type of car built for racing. It's made to go fast and handle well on a track, often with special parts that make it different from regular cars.

Term

batteries

"...got new batteries for the trailer the shifter got in my in my race car for stock and just a handful of other things that you remember to do as soon as you start loading..."

Batteries in cars are what give power to start the engine and run things like lights and radios. In race cars, they might use special batteries that are lighter and more powerful.

Term

turn the bottle on

"...you better remember to do all seasons turn that bottle on well luckily for me I come from the the supercomp car where it was routine to turn the bottle on..."

Turning the bottle on usually means starting a system that gives the car extra power for a short time. It's often used in racing to help the car go faster.

Part

brakes

"I got some brakes coming today I'm gonna finally upgrade the the 80 pound stock disc brakes on the hot rod and get some real racing brakes in the front and rear"

Brakes help a car slow down or stop. Upgrading to racing brakes means getting better parts that can stop the car more effectively, especially during fast driving.

Term

short block

"and the short block I think finally sailed away this weekend to get to get tuned up and get some new rings and bearings and all"

A short block is a part of an engine that includes the main components like the block and crankshaft, but not the top parts like the cylinder head. It's important for rebuilding or upgrading engines.

Term

throttle stop

"I got a throttle stop too ooh Troy's coming to Pomona for some super street action..."

A throttle stop is a tool that limits how much power a car can use, which is important in racing to keep cars within certain speed limits. It helps ensure fair competition in specific racing classes.

Term

super street

"...Troy's coming to Pomona for some super street action I don't know we'll see if I get her done this year..."

Super Street is a type of drag racing where cars are modified to go fast but still need to be somewhat street-legal. Racers compete to see who can finish a quarter-mile race in the shortest time, usually around 10.90 seconds.

Term

1090 racing

"...if not this year 2027 we're going super street we're going 1090 racing and I'm pumped for it..."

1090 racing is a drag racing class where cars try to finish a quarter-mile race in about 10.90 seconds. It allows for some modifications to the cars, but they still have to follow specific rules.

Concept

Pomona Divisional

"you talked about maybe Pomona Pomona Divisionals the plan I love it what's your what's your schedule looking like this year..."

The Pomona Divisional is a drag racing event that takes place in Pomona, California. It's part of a series of races where drivers compete to earn points and qualify for bigger races.

Concept

NHRA

"are you gonna do a lot of NHRA stuff chase more big money stuff what you got so we're gonna start off the season by going to the Pomona Divisional..."

NHRA stands for National Hot Rod Association, which is a big organization that runs drag racing events. They organize races where cars compete to see who can go the fastest in a straight line.

Car

TNT Dragster

"we have a 2014 TNT Dragster that we run in super comp that's got a 615 inch 20 degree engine..."

The TNT Dragster is a type of race car made for going really fast in drag races. The 2014 model is built specifically for racing competitions.

Part

20 degree engine

"that's got a 615 inch 20 degree engine in it built by Ponella..."

A 20 degree engine is a type of engine where the parts are angled in a specific way. This can help the engine perform better, especially in racing.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"... built by Ponella and the super gas car is a 1967 Camaro Roadster and that's got a 582 inch 20 degree as ..."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a powerful car that many people love for its speed and cool looks. The 1967 version is especially famous and is often seen in races and car events.

Concept

dirt track racing

"your dad happened to race some dirt track am I right on that that is correct"

Dirt track racing is a type of car racing that happens on dirt surfaces. It often involves different kinds of cars and is known for being very exciting.

Term

ET drags

"he suggested that I take my 94 Camaro out to the Sonoma ET drags in 2011"

ET drags are a type of race where drivers try to complete a certain distance in the shortest time possible. It's a common way to compete in drag racing.

Concept

Wednesday night drags

"...the lowest stakes races that I've ever been involved in are the Wednesday night drags at snowmer raceway which is what I mainly started off doing back in high school so the..."

Wednesday night drags are fun racing events where people can race their cars against each other. It's a chance for anyone to try out their car's speed in a safe place.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...he trip back to Chicago we brought the super gas Corvette that we had at that time we actually had just fre..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people admire. It's known for being really powerful and is often used in races, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Term

dragster

"...the plan was actually to pull out with the dragster..."

A dragster is a type of car made for racing really fast in a straight line. They are built to go as fast as possible in short distances.

Term

snapped a valve

"...the Corvette that is snapped a valve and then it was I believe the second time trial..."

When a valve in the engine breaks, it can cause serious problems. This usually means the engine needs a lot of work to fix it.

Term

engine swap

"...my mom and dad are up till almost four in the morning doing the engine swap..."

An engine swap is when you take out the engine from a car and put in a different one. People do this to make their cars faster or to fix problems.

Concept

Norwalk

"...I would say the first one on the list has definitely got to be Norwalk I mean just working there last year to getting to know and work with the Bader family was just an amazing experience..."

Norwalk is a famous racetrack in Ohio where many drag racing events take place. It's known for being a great place for racers and fans alike.

Concept

Virginia Motorsports Park

"...but and I've heard really good things about Virginia Motorsports Park that'd be a cool track to race at someday..."

Virginia Motorsports Park is a racetrack in Virginia where different types of racing events happen, especially drag racing. It's a popular spot for racers and fans.

Concept

Bowling Green

"...Bowling Green and Gainesville would be another one as I mean I know they're all so far away but you just you watch them on live feeds..."

Bowling Green is a racetrack in Kentucky known for its connection to the Corvette. It's a place where people can race and enjoy car events.

Concept

Gainesville

"...and Gainesville would be another one as I mean I know they're all so far away but you just you watch them on live feeds..."

Gainesville is a racetrack in Florida famous for drag racing events. It's known for hosting big races and is a popular spot for fans and racers.

Concept

Indy

"...but I think that my my bucket list track there's a lot of them that I'd like to attend but Indy is one for me being a stock eliminator guy I want to go to Indy the the event not necessarily the track..."

Indy is a well-known racetrack in Indiana where many big car races happen, including the famous Indianapolis 500. It's a popular place for racing fans to visit and experience the excitement of motorsport.

Concept

World Footbreak Challenge

"...luckily I got to go visit my buddy Jason out there and race his Camaro at the World Footbreak Challenge which was really cool..."

The World Footbreak Challenge is a drag racing event where drivers have to use their foot to control the brakes instead of special equipment. It's a test of skill and timing for racers.

2 cars featured

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