Matt and Angie Smith and Chad Green join WFO Radio after Route 66 NHRA Nationals
WFO Radio Podcast
WFO Radio Podcast May 19, 2026
Matt and Angie Smith and Chad Green join WFO Radio after Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Matt and Angie Smith and Chad Green join WFO Radio after Route 66 NHRA Nationals

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81:40
Matt and Angie Smith and Chad Green join WFO Radio after Route 66 NHRA Nationals
Term

diesel particulate filter

A diesel particulate filter is a part that catches the smoky soot from a diesel engine. Over time it can get clogged, so it needs cleaning or replacement.

Term

diesel oxidation catalyst

A diesel oxidation catalyst is a part in the exhaust that helps clean up the gases coming out of a diesel engine. It works with other emissions parts to reduce pollution.

Company

DPFXfit

DPFXfit is the company selling replacement emissions parts for diesel trucks. They’re advertising DPF and exhaust catalyst replacements that are supposed to fit like the originals.

Term

OEM replacement

An OEM replacement means it’s made to match the original factory part. That helps it fit correctly and work as intended in the emissions system.

Company

FTI

FTI is a company that sells performance parts for transmissions and related drivetrain components. They’re talking about growing their reach and resources.

Company

McLeod driveline components

McLeod driveline components is another company involved in drivetrain parts. The hosts say FTI teamed up with them to expand distribution and resources.

Term

top fuel funny car

Top Fuel Funny Car is a drag racing category where cars are built for maximum acceleration. They run in short bursts and are among the fastest vehicles in NHRA.

Topic

Route 66 NHRA Nationals

This is the specific NHRA drag racing event they’re talking about. They’re recapping what happened during the weekend.

Nissan Serena
Car

Nissan Serena

The Nissan Serena is a minivan, which means it’s built to carry people—usually families—with more space than a typical car. It’s designed for practical daily driving and passenger comfort. In the podcast, the “Serena” mention likely points to the vehicle name even if the context is about a person.

Topic

Pro Stock Motorcycle

Pro Stock Motorcycle is an NHRA motorcycle racing class with production-based engines tuned for drag racing. It’s referenced here as part of the audience the show wants to reach.

Term

Ring Seal Technology

Piston rings are the metal bands on the piston that help keep combustion pressure where it belongs. “Ring Seal Technology” means the rings are designed to seal better, so less pressure escapes and the engine runs more consistently.

Part

Total Seal Piston Rings

Piston rings are parts inside the engine that help seal the piston to the cylinder. Total Seal makes performance versions intended to work better when the engine is pushed hard.

Term

Hidden Horsepower

“Hidden Horsepower” usually means the engine has extra power potential that you can unlock with the right parts or setup. It’s not always obvious until you test it or feel the difference.

Brand

Redline Synthetic Motor Oil

Redline Synthetic Motor Oil is a specific brand of engine oil used for performance and protection. Oil choice can matter in racing because it affects lubrication under heat and load, and it’s part of how teams manage wear and engine longevity.

Term

cylinder finish

The cylinder wall has a specific surface texture. That texture helps the piston rings work correctly and hold oil, so it’s important for engine health and power.

Term

corroded or eroded

When an engine sits, the inside surfaces can get damaged. “Corroded” is rust-like chemical damage, and “eroded” is surface wear—either can hurt how well the engine seals later.

Topic

HPX Summit

HPX Summit is a motorsports event. The guest is going there to speak and meet with others to plan for what’s next.

Topic

two bikes in the final

They’re talking about how their bikes did well enough to make it to the final round. Then they explain what happened and why it was both exciting and disappointing.

Term

staggered the rear axle

They changed the rear axle position so the bike would “track” straighter. The goal is to keep the bike centered in the lane even when wind tries to blow it off line.

Term

rooster

“Rooster” is a racing setup adjustment that helps the bike steer back toward the center. They used it to fight the wind pushing the bike sideways.

Term

crosswind

A crosswind is wind blowing sideways across the track. It can push the bike off center, so the team changes the setup to compensate.

Term

rear steer

Rear steer means the bike can be set up so the back end helps correct its direction. That helps it stay in the lane when wind blows it sideways.

Term

eighth mile

Drag racing is measured in distances. The “eighth mile” means the race is 1/8 of a mile long, so it’s a shorter sprint than the full quarter-mile.

Term

transmission failure

A “transmission failure” means the bike’s shifting/gear system broke or malfunctioned. If it happens, the bike can’t put power to the wheels the way it needs to, so the run ends.

Term

second gear

“Second gear” is one of the gears in the bike’s gearbox. Switching gears changes how the engine’s power is delivered to the wheels.

Term

shutdown area

The shutdown area is where the bike slows down after the run. They’re saying the problem didn’t show up during the slowing-down part, which helps narrow down what went wrong.

Term

fourth gear

Fourth gear is one of the gear settings in the bike’s gearbox. If it’s “not there,” it usually means that gear won’t work properly—either it won’t engage or power doesn’t go through it.

Term

burnout

A burnout is when you spin the rear tire(s) on purpose before the run to get better grip. They’re using it as a checkpoint that the bike seemed fine right before going to the water.

Term

clutch

The clutch is what lets you separate the engine from the gearbox. If the clutch is pulled in but the bike still behaves like it’s connected (or stops unexpectedly), that suggests a problem with how the clutch is disengaging.

Term

neutral

Neutral is when the bike isn’t in any gear, so the engine shouldn’t be driving the back wheel. They put it in neutral to see if that fixes the weird behavior during the roll-back.

Term

dog off

A drag bike’s transmission uses parts that “grab” to lock a gear. If the speaker says the “dog” broke off, it means that locking/grabbing part failed, so the bike couldn’t put the power down correctly.

Term

left the line

“Leaving the line” is drag-racing shorthand for the launch moment when the racer starts the run from the starting area. The segment ties the transmission failure to that launch attempt, implying the bike didn’t transition cleanly into the intended gear.

Topic

Winter Circle interview in the Media Center

After the race, there’s usually a place where racers talk to reporters. This is that interview moment, and they’re discussing the emotions around the result.

Topic

Pomona

Pomona is a drag-racing stop on the NHRA schedule. The speaker is saying this race is early in the season, but Pomona later matters more for the championship.

Term

Q3

In drag racing, qualifying is split into numbered rounds. “Q3” means the third qualifying round, and they’re saying she lost on speed in that round.

Term

fork

The fork is the front suspension on a motorcycle—the part that connects the front wheel to the bike’s frame. Saying something broke “off the fork” means it came loose from the front suspension area.

Term

third gear

A transmission has different “gears,” which change how the engine’s power is delivered. “Third gear” is one of those settings, and they’re saying something went wrong when it was supposed to work there.

Term

drum

A drum is a rotating part inside the transmission that helps move the shifting parts. As it turns, it helps the bike’s gearbox select the next gear.

Term

fuel check

A “fuel check” is when officials verify the fuel being used follows the race rules. They do it to prevent unfair advantages.

Term

scales

“Scales” means they weigh the vehicle to make sure it meets the rules for its class. It’s a quick check to keep the competition fair.

Topic

Potomac Nationals

The “Potomac Nationals” is an upcoming drag racing event. They’re talking about it as the next race where the team hopes things go better.

Concept

no data on board

It means they don’t have previous track experience or measurements to guide their setup. So they have to make educated guesses and hope the car/motorcycle works well there.

Concept

100 grams of water

Drag strips sometimes get watered to change how grippy the surface is. The goal is to help the tires hook up so the car can accelerate better and more consistently.

Concept

100 degrees

In drag racing, the weather and track temperature can change how well the tires grip. That can make the car faster or slower, so racers pay attention to it.

Concept

Outlaw Pro Street

Outlaw Pro Street is a drag-racing style where cars look like they could be street cars, but they’re built to go fast. The rules are usually looser than more official classes, so teams can build them more aggressively.

Concept

double O on the tree

The “tree” is the starting light system. “Double O” is a way racers describe a bad start timing situation, and it can make you lose even if your car is quick.

Concept

conservative

“Conservative” here means she planned to be careful with the launch and not push too hard. When conditions are tricky, being smooth can help you avoid losing traction.

Concept

testing

“Testing” means practice passes to work out what the car is doing and how to tune it. It’s not as much about winning that moment as it is about learning for the next runs.

Term

50 on the tree

“50 on the tree” means she reacted about half a second after the start lights. A quicker, consistent reaction can help you win the race.

Term

won by a thou

“Won by a thou” means the win was by an extremely tiny amount—like one-thousandth of a second. In drag racing, that’s basically a photo-finish.

Term

starting line

The “starting line” is where the drag cars stage and launch under the rules controlled by the starting tree. It’s also where drivers must manage nerves and timing because the launch is the first critical moment of the run.

Term

CNC billet

“CNC billet” means the part is cut out of a solid chunk of metal using a computer-controlled machine. People use this for race parts because it can make them very strong and precise.

Term

pressed in

“Pressed in” means the part is pushed into place with force so it fits tightly. That tight fit helps it stay put when the car or bike is under stress.

Term

backlash

“Backlash” is a tiny bit of looseness between connected parts. When torque changes quickly, that looseness can cause extra shock loads that can help something break.

Term

new transmission

A “new transmission” means they replaced the gearbox. Race launches put huge stress on it, so if it breaks or wears out, they swap it before the next event.

Company

Joe Serena

Joe Serena is the person the host says has been helping with their car for years. In racing, the crew is a big deal because they keep the car working well between runs.

Term

shortage of good crew teams

The speaker is talking about a shortage of experienced crew teams and good crews. In drag racing, the crew handles setup, tuning support, and rapid repairs between runs, so crew quality directly affects consistency and how often the car can make successful passes.

Company

Alan Johnson

Alan Johnson is referenced in the context of learning and racing operations, with the speaker saying they couldn’t do what others can. In NHRA-style drag racing, team leadership and experienced crew members often help reduce mistakes that can lead to broken parts or failed runs.

Concept

destroying equipment to learn

They’re saying there’s a difference between learning by breaking stuff versus learning while keeping the car intact. Breaking equipment can cost money and time because you can’t run the car as often.

Concept

blow it up all the time

“Blow it up” means the car breaks in a big way. The host is saying some teams have problems so often that it hurts their ability to keep running and improving.

Term

power management

Power management is how a race team controls the car’s power during a run. Instead of just making the engine as strong as possible all the time, they manage it so the car hooks up and doesn’t stress out too much.

Concept

load her for bear

“Load her for bear” is a saying that means “go all out.” Here, it means they expected a hard race and prepared to give it everything in the first round.

Term

first round

“First round” refers to the opening elimination matchup in a drag-racing bracket. It’s often high-pressure because you’re immediately competing head-to-head, and a mistake can end the run early.

Term

Goodyear tires

Goodyear makes the tires. In drag racing, the tires decide whether the car grips the track or spins and smokes at the start.

Term

smokes the tires

“Smokes the tires” describes tire spin at launch, where the rubber slips faster than the car is moving. In drag racing, that usually kills acceleration because the engine’s power isn’t being converted into forward traction.

Term

throttle

The throttle is how much you press the gas pedal. If you add too much gas right after the tires start spinning, they’ll spin again instead of grabbing the track.

Term

nitro racing

“Nitro racing” means the car runs on nitromethane fuel. It makes a lot of power, but it can be tricky at the start because the car can spin the tires if you don’t manage it carefully.

Term

pan pressure switch

That switch watches the engine’s oil pressure. If the oil pressure isn’t right, it can shut the engine off so the engine doesn’t get damaged.

Topic

Sunday drag racing is better than going on Saturday

They’re talking about which day to go to a drag race. The point is that Sunday tends to be a better experience than Saturday for how the event runs.

Term

hooked up

In drag racing, “hooked up” means the car got good traction. Instead of the tires just spinning, the car actually grabs and accelerates.

Chevrolet C5
Car

Chevrolet C5

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car made by Chevrolet. It’s designed to be fast and fun to drive, with a focus on performance. The “C5” reference usually means a particular generation of Corvettes from that era.

Term

fogging oil

Fogging oil is a special oil you put into an engine to help protect it while it’s sitting. It leaves a protective coating so parts don’t rust as easily.

Term

internal combustion engines

An internal combustion engine is the kind of engine where fuel burns inside the engine to make power. The product they’re talking about is meant to protect the inside parts when the vehicle sits.

Brand

Fog It

Fog It is a product made to protect engines when they’re not being used. The hosts say it’s meant to coat the inside of the engine to help prevent corrosion.

Company

Summit Racing Equipment

Summit Racing Equipment is a store that sells car and racing parts. They’re mentioned here as a place you can buy the Fog It product.

Company

Brian Heusen

Brian Heusen is part of the racing team that helps the car perform. The transcript also mentions he and the team won an event, which points to him having a big impact on how the car runs.

Concept

chemistry, the all for one, the one for all

They’re talking about teamwork. In racing, everyone has to be on the same page because the car’s performance depends on how well the driver and crew coordinate.

Term

Mission Foods Too Fast to Tasty Challenge

The Mission Foods Too Fast to Tasty Challenge is a branded competition referenced as something Heusen’s team won. In NHRA coverage, these kinds of challenges are often special event formats or sponsor-linked race segments.

Concept

qualifying session

Qualifying is when racers run to earn their spot in the bracket. Your qualifying results can affect who you race in the next round.

Chevrolet Nova
Car

Chevrolet Nova

The Chevrolet Nova is an older Chevrolet model that was made as a regular car, and later many people turned them into faster, race-style cars. In the podcast, it sounds like the Nova is being talked about in connection with racing. That usually means the car may have been modified for performance.

Topic

NHRA drag racing

NHRA drag racing is a type of racing run by the NHRA. It’s the kind of racing where people really respect the older, experienced racers.

Topic

situational racing

“Situational racing” means adjusting your plan based on what’s going on in that exact race. It’s about reacting to conditions and the other car so you can make the best choices at the right time.

Term

top fuel car

A “Top Fuel” car is the NHRA’s fastest drag-racing category, using a specialized nitro-burning engine and a purpose-built chassis. Drivers typically get “fitted” because the cockpit setup (seat position, harness, controls) matters for safety and for consistent performance during extremely violent acceleration.

Concept

snap judgments

They’re saying not to decide something based on just one race. Racing results can swing from day to day, so it’s smarter to look at more than one event.

Term

qualifier

Qualifying in drag racing is like a tryout round. Your best run decides where you start in the bracket, and the “number one qualifier” is the top performer in those rounds.

Term

semis

In drag racing, “semis” means the semifinal round. It’s one of the last steps before the final, so the competition is usually at its toughest.

Term

thousands

Drag races are timed very precisely. “Thousands” means the difference was in thousandths of a second, so it was basically a photo-finish.

Term

round one

“Round one” is the first bracket matchup after qualifying. Win that race and you move on to the next round.

Term

reaction time

Reaction time is how fast the driver reacts when the starting lights turn on. Faster reaction time usually means the car gets off the line sooner, which can decide a drag race.

Term

goes red

“Goes red” means the driver got a bad start at the lights. In drag racing, that usually counts as a loss even if the car is fast.

Term

Pro-modified

Pro Modified is a specific drag racing class where cars are heavily modified. The hosts are talking about whether the class is getting better and more competitive.

Term

parity

Parity means the competition is more even. If parity is high, more different cars/drivers have a real chance to win.

Term

Top alcohol dragster

Top Alcohol Dragster is a type of drag racing class. The cars are dragsters that run alcohol fuel and compete in their own category.

Company

FrankHolly.com

FrankHolly.com is the website tied to Frank Holly’s Drag Racing School. The school is meant to help people experience drag racing in a structured way, even if they’re new to it.

Concept

Dragster Adventure

“Dragster Adventure” sounds like a packaged experience for trying drag racing. Instead of only watching, you get to participate so you understand what drag racing is like.

Company

HustyPerformance.net

HustyPerformance.net is mentioned as a performance parts supplier. In this segment, they’re associated with selling gaskets that racers may need for their engines.

Part

head gaskets

A head gasket is a seal inside an engine that helps keep important fluids and compression where they belong. If it fails, the engine can start leaking or lose power.

Part

copper gaskets

Copper gaskets are made from copper and are used to seal engine parts. The segment suggests there are other gasket materials available now, not just copper.

Part

composite gaskets

Composite gaskets are made from engineered layers/materials designed to seal reliably across temperature and pressure changes. In performance parts catalogs, they’re often offered as an alternative to metal gaskets like copper depending on the engine and application.

Part

oil pan gaskets

An oil pan gasket seals the bottom of the engine so oil doesn’t leak out. If it fails, the engine can lose oil and that can be dangerous.

Part

valve covered gaskets

Valve cover gaskets help seal the top of the engine where the valve cover sits. If they leak, oil can seep out and make a mess or cause issues over time.

Concept

contingency program

A contingency program is like a sponsor deal: if you perform well at races, the sponsor gives you a reward. It helps racers offset costs and encourages participation.

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