Moron Nation Unfiltered Ep. 13: No Participation Trophies
About this episode
Episode 13 swings between shop-life talk and hard-edged drag-racing realities. The hosts revisit past builds (bearings, rear-end fixes, and track troubleshooting) and then get into what it really costs to race—payouts, repairs, and the risk of mechanical failures. They also debate class rules, tire categories, and “participation trophies,” arguing for fair competition while planning upcoming events like the shakedown at M town and beyond.
Welcome back to Moron Nation Unfiltered Episode 13!This week Shawn and Phantom go down memory lane and talk about the many different lives they've lived before becoming full-time race car addicts. From old stories and lessons learned to how racing has changed over the years, this episode covers a little bit of everything.The guys also dive into the current state of small tire racing and discuss why they don't believe every class needs a "participation trophy" division just so slower cars have a chance to win. If you want to win, build a faster car and step up to the challenge.We also talk about what's next on the schedule, including upcoming MWDRS Pro Mod competition with Blue and the next stop for the Outlaw Syndicate Small Tire Series.If you're a racer, gearhead, or just enjoy hearing two idiots talk racing, life, and everything in between, this episode is for you.👍 Like the video💬 Leave a comment with your thoughts on multiple small tire classes🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes#MoronNation #SmallTire #ProMod #OutlawSyndicate #MWDRS👕Get your official Murder Nova and 187 Customs apparel or order parts for your hotrod at:https://www.themurdernova.comGet your Never Eyewear here:https://neveneyewear.com/?rfsn=8810281.b585c0&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8810281.b585c0 mTAGSFollow Us!https://www.facebook.com/187Nova/https://www.facebook.com/187customsLLC/https://www.instagram.com/murdernova/https://www.instagram.com/187customs_/https://www.instagram.com/phantom.405/
Rolls-Royce Phantom
"Come sit down, honey. Got something Phantom wants to ask you. We're not actually dealing yet."
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a very expensive luxury car. It’s designed to be comfortable and quiet, with a focus on high-end features. The podcast mentions it as part of a conversation, likely because it’s a notable luxury vehicle.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a luxury flagship sedan built for high-end comfort, quiet operation, and a very premium driving experience. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as “Phantom wants to ask you,” which is a playful way to refer to the car in the conversation. It’s brought up because it represents the top tier of luxury in the lineup.
blower
"[940.0s] Dom's Coop, whatever that yellow Coop is. [942.7s] He's got a blower on that deal now. [944.1s] Oh really? [944.9s] Yeah."
A “blower” is a device that forces extra air into the engine. More air usually means more power, but it often requires tuning so the engine runs safely.
A “blower” is a supercharger: a forced-induction device that compresses air before it enters the engine. Adding a blower typically increases power by allowing more oxygen into the cylinders, but it also changes how the engine must be tuned and protected.
run 530 every pass
"That thing will run 530 every pass, little Fox body with a coyote in it."
In drag racing, “run 530” usually means the car’s time is about 5.30 seconds for the run. The point is that it can do it again and again, not just once.
“Run 530” is shorthand for achieving a consistent 5.30-second elapsed time (ET) in drag racing. It’s a way racers talk about repeatability—hitting the same time on multiple runs rather than just one lucky pass.
Mustang Fox Body
"That thing will run 530 every pass, little Fox body with a coyote in it."
A “Fox body” is an older Ford Mustang (from the late ’70s to early ’90s). Putting a “Coyote” engine in it means swapping in a newer, stronger Ford V8, which is a common way to make an old Mustang much faster.
“Fox body” refers to the 1979–1993 Ford Mustang platform, known for its huge aftermarket and drag-racing popularity. A “Coyote” swap means fitting Ford’s modern Coyote V8 into that older Mustang body, which dramatically boosts power and drivability compared with the original engines.
twin turbo coyote
"I mean, twin turbo coyote, Fox body."
“Twin turbo” means there are two turbochargers helping the engine make more power. With a “Coyote” engine, that combo is often used to build a Mustang that can run very fast, especially for drag racing.
“Twin turbo” means the engine uses two turbochargers to force more air into the cylinders, allowing much higher power than naturally aspirated setups. When paired with a “Coyote” V8 swap, it’s a common drag-racing recipe for very high horsepower and repeatable quarter-mile passes.
nitrous
"This guy wouldn't be sitting here and let's say let us run nitrous on the Nova."
Nitrous is a system that adds a special gas to the engine to make it produce more power quickly. Drag racers use it because it can give a big boost for a short run.
Nitrous (nitrous oxide) is an aftermarket power-add system that injects gas into the engine to increase oxygen availability, which can dramatically raise power for short bursts. It’s commonly used in drag racing because it can help cars hit faster times without changing the whole engine build.
Chevrolet Nova
"...ting here and let's say let us run nitrous on the Nova. Yeah."
The Chevrolet Nova is an older American car that many people modify for racing. Nitrous is a system that adds extra power for short bursts. The podcast is talking about using nitrous on a Nova to make it faster.
The Chevrolet Nova is a classic American car that’s often associated with drag racing and engine upgrades. The podcast specifically mentions running nitrous on the Nova, which is a common way to temporarily boost power. That’s why it comes up in performance conversations—nitrous changes how the car accelerates.
piston
"It got a new piston. Yep. It got a new piston and it got new rings in that one hole."
A piston is a metal part inside the engine that moves up and down in a cylinder. It helps turn fuel into power, and replacing one usually means the old one was worn out or damaged.
A piston is the moving part inside an engine cylinder that compresses the air-fuel mixture and transfers force to the crankshaft. When someone says they installed a new piston, it usually means they found internal damage or wear that needed a replacement part.
rings
"It got a new piston and it got new rings in that one hole. So we fired it up, shoved it in the trailer."
Rings are small metal bands on the piston that help seal the cylinder. If they’re worn, the engine can lose compression and may burn or leak oil, so replacing them can bring the engine back to health.
Piston rings are thin metal rings that seal the gap between the piston and the cylinder wall. Replacing rings in a specific cylinder (“that one hole”) is typically done to restore compression and reduce oil blow-by after wear or damage.
small tire racing
"I, you guys know, I am a fan of small tire racing. I do love to small tire race and I do love to race the OG. Like I said, when that door drops, we plan on winning."
“Small tire racing” means using narrower tires than most race cars. That affects how much grip you get and how the car launches and handles, so it changes the whole race strategy.
“Small tire racing” refers to a class or style of drag/track racing where competitors run narrower tires than typical high-grip setups. Smaller tires change traction and gearing/launch behavior, so the driving and car setup can feel very different from “big tire” racing.
Cherry picking races
"We did not show up, but for the record, there is a difference in being scared to race cars. Cherry picking races. You can call it whatever you want."
“Cherry picking races” means picking the races you think you’ll do well in, and skipping the harder ones. It’s usually said as a complaint that someone isn’t facing the toughest competition.
“Cherry picking races” is the idea of choosing only the events where a team expects an easier result, rather than entering every race in the series. In racing talk, it’s often used as criticism that someone is avoiding tougher competition.
Armageddon
"We raced at Armageddon too. Oh yeah. We did."
They’re talking about a specific race event called “Armageddon.” It’s where they tried to run the car, but it still wasn’t ready.
“Armageddon” is referenced as a specific racing event the group attended. In this context it functions as a named race weekend or track event where they tried to run the car.
two tenths
"So everybody else has picked up two tenths since we have raced that car. Minimum."
In racing, “two tenths” usually means 0.2 seconds faster or slower. That’s a big deal in drag racing because small time gaps add up fast.
“Two tenths” is drag-racing shorthand for a time difference of 0.2 seconds between runs. In straight-line racing, even a tenth or two can represent a noticeable change in acceleration, traction, and power delivery.
teens, teens or O's
"We will. But we need to be running teens, teens or O's with no nitrous."
They’re talking about how fast the car should be in seconds, like running in the 10s or 11s. The “O’s” is just their quick way of saying the 10-second range.
“Teens” and “O’s” are shorthand for elapsed times in the 10s/11s/12s/13s range (and “O’s” typically meaning 10.0s). The speaker is saying they need to be running those target time ranges without nitrous.
suspension
"I still feel like there's, we're missing something in the suspension and maybe it was the shocks that Chris Bill just fixed, but Brandon's never been happy with the way that the car acts in the rear."
Suspension is what connects the wheels to the car and helps the tires stay in contact with the road. Tuning it can make the car handle better and feel more stable.
Suspension is the system of components (springs, shocks, links, and related geometry) that connects the wheels to the car and controls ride height, wheel movement, and tire contact. In racing, suspension tuning is often the difference between a car that feels predictable and one that’s unstable or slow in certain corners.
rear
"but Brandon's never been happy with the way that the car acts in the rear. Just doesn't do what he wants."
“Rear” means how the back tires and back end of the car behave. If the rear doesn’t act the way the driver wants, the car can feel hard to control in turns.
“Rear” here refers to the rear axle/tires and how the car’s back end behaves under acceleration, braking, and cornering. Rear-handling balance is a common tuning target because small changes in suspension damping or setup can make the car rotate too much or not enough.
radial shocks
"Well, to be honest, guys, we never had radial shocks or. They were, they were big. Slit shocks."
Shocks are the parts that control how the car moves over bumps. “Radial shocks” is a specific shock design, and it can change how well the car sticks to the road and feels in handling.
“Radial shocks” refers to a shock absorber design where the damper’s internal geometry is oriented around a radial layout rather than a more conventional configuration. In racing setups, changing shock design can significantly affect how the car controls body motion and traction, especially over bumps and during cornering.
slit shocks
"They were, they were big. Slit shocks. Yeah."
Shocks control how the car settles after hitting bumps. “Slit shocks” sounds like a shock design detail that changes how the fluid moves inside, which can change the car’s ride and grip.
“Slit shocks” likely refers to a shock absorber valving/porting style that uses slits to control fluid flow through the damper. That kind of internal design changes the shock’s damping characteristics, which can make the car behave better in one tire/track condition and worse in another.
four link
"But when Ryan got the fireball out, he set that four link up exactly the same as what he did."
A “four link” is a type of rear suspension that uses four arms to hold the back axle in the right place. Because it controls how the rear end moves, it can change how the car hooks up and launches consistently.
A “four link” is a rear suspension setup that uses four control arms (links) to locate the axle. It strongly affects how the car behaves under acceleration and braking, especially traction and how consistently the car launches from pass to pass.
Pontiac Firebird
"...kend, but I mean, right? I mean, he had, he had a firebird. He took out the red car."
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American muscle car. The podcast mentions someone having a Firebird and then switching to a red car, suggesting it was part of a comparison or sequence. It’s brought up because it’s one of the cars in the story.
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic muscle car that shares the same era and performance culture as other popular American V8 cars. In the context given, it’s mentioned alongside a “red car,” implying it was part of a lineup or comparison in the story. That makes it relevant to discussions about what cars were present and how they were handled or modified.
true slick
"A couple test days and the first car ever in the threes and went three on a full on a true slick."
A “slick” is a special drag-racing tire with no tread. It’s made to grip hard for launches, and “true slick” usually means it’s the real drag-race type, not a normal street tire.
A “slick” is a drag-racing tire with no tread pattern, designed to maximize grip during straight-line acceleration. A “true slick” implies a purpose-built drag tire rather than a street-legal tire, which can dramatically improve traction and consistency.
Chrysler 300
"Yeah. It's like a Chrysler 300 until a fan pulls up. Ryan, Ryan, put space on hi..."
The Chrysler 300 is a big sedan made by Chrysler. The episode mentions it “until a fan pulls up,” which usually means the cooling fan turns on and you can hear or notice it. That’s a common thing people talk about when describing how a car behaves.
The Chrysler 300 is a large, full-size sedan that’s known for its strong presence and V8-powered performance in many trims. The podcast compares it to “a Chrysler 300 until a fan pulls up,” which points to a cooling or fan-related moment—likely something noticeable during operation. That’s why it comes up: it’s a recognizable car, and the fan behavior is a detail people notice.
kick the tires
"[1804.1s] Bumblebee looked pretty quick from what I seen at both passes. [1807.7s] I seen it. [1808.1s] Kick the tires. [1808.7s] Um, yeah, it did."
“Kick the tires” means you go look at the car yourself—usually by checking how it looks and feels—before you buy it. It’s a quick way to judge condition.
“Kick the tires” is a common car-shopping phrase meaning to physically inspect a vehicle and judge its condition. Enthusiasts often use it as shorthand for a quick, hands-on check before committing to a purchase.
transmission broke
"Like his transmission broke somehow, landed on his foot, made it go wide open throttle until that he hung the rods out of it and it shut off. Luckily though, the transmission was broke."
The transmission is the part that helps the engine’s power reach the wheels in the right gear. If it breaks, the car can behave unpredictably and the engine may end up doing something it shouldn’t.
A transmission is the drivetrain component that manages gear ratios between the engine and the wheels. When the transmission “breaks” in a severe incident, it can lead to loss of control, abnormal engine behavior, and sometimes catastrophic engine damage if the engine is forced to run under extreme conditions.
wide open throttle
"Like his transmission broke somehow, landed on his foot, made it go wide open throttle until that he hung the rods out of it and it shut off."
Wide open throttle means the gas pedal is basically all the way down. That tells the engine to pull in as much air as possible, so it revs hard—something that can be dangerous if the car is already damaged.
Wide open throttle (WOT) means the throttle plate is fully opened, so the engine gets maximum airflow. In a crash scenario, it can cause the engine to rev aggressively even if the car is damaged, which is why it’s often mentioned alongside drivetrain failures.
hung the rods out of it
"Like his transmission broke somehow, landed on his foot, made it go wide open throttle until that he hung the rods out of it and it shut off."
That phrase is basically saying the engine suffered a catastrophic failure inside. The connecting rods can break and damage the engine block, usually meaning the engine is ruined.
“Hung the rods out” is a slang description of a severe internal engine failure where connecting rods break and can puncture the engine block. It usually happens after extreme mechanical stress—often when the engine is forced to run at high load or RPM.
converter
"[1930.9s] The converter had to have already came out. [1932.7s] I mean, the flex plate was off."
The converter is the automatic-transmission part that transfers power from the engine to the rest of the drivetrain. If it comes loose or fails, the car may not move correctly.
In an automatic transmission, the torque converter (often just called the converter) uses fluid coupling to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. If the converter or its mounting hardware fails, the drivetrain can separate and the car may lose drive or behave unpredictably.
flex plate
"[1932.7s] I mean, the flex plate was off. [1935.8s] Like it was part of the transmission."
A flex plate is a metal part that connects the engine to an automatic transmission. It helps the engine’s spinning motion turn smoothly into the transmission’s motion.
A flex plate is a thin metal plate that bolts to the engine’s crankshaft and provides the mounting surface for the torque converter. It flexes slightly to help smooth out engine vibrations and to connect the engine to the automatic transmission’s torque converter.
carbon pads
"[1972.4s] So I need to burn right through them carbon pads. [1975.0s] It's got carbon brakes on it."
Carbon pads are special brake pads made from carbon-based material. They’re used on performance cars because they can keep braking power when the brakes get very hot.
“Carbon pads” refers to brake pads made with carbon-based friction material. They’re typically used in high-performance braking systems because they can deliver strong stopping power and fade resistance under extreme heat, but they require proper operating conditions to work well.
carbon brakes
"[1974.4s] Yeah. [1975.0s] It's got carbon brakes on it. [1976.2s] Yeah."
Carbon brakes are high-performance brakes that use carbon material to stop the car. They’re designed to work best when the brakes are hot, like in racing.
Carbon brakes are braking systems that use carbon-based friction material (often in racing applications). They can be extremely effective at high temperatures, but they may not perform the same way when cold and can be sensitive to how they’re used and maintained.
Bowling Green
"“At Bowling Green, he was a car out. But again, it's a turbo car, and they're, they're inconsistent.”"
Bowling Green is a racing location. The hosts are using it to talk about a specific moment where a turbo car performed (or misbehaved) during a run.
Bowling Green is a motorsports venue in the U.S. where drag-racing-style runs and track incidents are discussed. In the segment, it’s used as a reference point for how a “turbo car” behaved in competition.
turbo car
"“But again, it's a turbo car, and they're, they're inconsistent.”"
A “turbo car” has a turbocharger that helps the engine make more power. The speaker is saying turbo cars can sometimes be less predictable—great when they’re right, but not always consistent.
A “turbo car” uses a turbocharger to force more air into the engine, which can boost power. The host is also pointing at a common enthusiast concern: turbo setups can be more sensitive to tuning, heat, and boost control, which can make them feel inconsistent.
beams
"“...he went through the beams sideways and Rankin drove around him at the big end.”"
In drag racing, “beams” are the timing lights that record your run. Going through them sideways means the car wasn’t tracking straight when it hit the timing point.
“Beams” refers to the timing lights used to measure elapsed time and speed in drag racing. When the host says he “went through the beams sideways,” they mean the car crossed the timing sensors while not straight or stable, which can affect traction and results.
big end
"“...Rankin drove around him at the big end.”"
“Big end” means the end of the drag strip where cars are going fastest. The speaker is saying the pass happened near that high-speed zone.
“Big end” is drag-racing slang for the far end of the track where cars are at their highest speed. The host’s point is that Rankin passed the other car near the top-speed section after the turbo car lost stability earlier.
turbos
"[2096.3s] So, and that sucks because man, I like turbos, especially in small tire stuff. [2101.6s] And I still believe that turbos have a place in small tire racing."
A turbocharger is a device that uses the engine’s exhaust to spin a turbine. It pushes more air into the engine, which helps the engine make more power.
“Turbo” refers to a turbocharger, a device that uses exhaust gas to spin a turbine and force more air into the engine. That extra air lets the engine make more power without needing a larger engine size, which is why turbos are popular in many forms of motorsport.
Chevrolet Corvette
"Yeah. But then also, you know, that's a, the Corvette's a short wheelbase car, too. So that doesn't help him out any, because you look at the, that motor's way back there,"
The Corvette is a sports car made by Chevrolet that’s built for fast driving. It has a shorter wheelbase and the engine sits farther back than in many cars, which changes how it drives. That’s why it can feel different in turns and at speed.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance sports car known for its lightweight design and strong engine layout. In the discussion, it’s mentioned as having a short wheelbase and a motor positioned far back in the chassis, which affects how the car feels and handles. That’s the kind of detail people bring up when talking about driving dynamics and traction.
short wheelbase
"[2134.6s] Yeah. [2135.2s] But then also, you know, that's a, the Corvette's a short wheelbase car, too. [2139.8s] So that doesn't help him out any, because you look at the, that motor's way back there,"
Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels. A short wheelbase can make a car feel quicker to turn, but it can also make it harder to keep stable when you’re going very fast.
“Short wheelbase” means the distance between the front and rear axles is relatively small. In racing, a shorter wheelbase can make the car rotate and change direction more quickly, but it can also make it easier to get unstable if you’re pushing the car at the limit.
motor's way back there
"[2139.8s] So that doesn't help him out any, because you look at the, that motor's way back there, [2143.2s] you look at the Jones car, big car, and it's always under control, too."
That phrase means the engine is located farther toward the middle or rear of the car. Where the engine sits changes how the car’s weight is balanced, which affects grip and control.
Saying the “motor’s way back there” is describing engine placement—specifically a rearward or mid-engine layout. Engine location strongly influences weight distribution, which affects traction and how controllable the car feels under hard acceleration.
Dodge Charger
"...pen. I went, holy shit, man, he didn't have a pro charger on that car. Yup."
The Dodge Charger is a larger sedan that can be built for high performance. A “pro charger” is a device that forces more air into the engine to make it produce more power. People talk about it because it changes how strong the car feels.
The Dodge Charger is a full-size performance sedan that’s often associated with powerful engines and aftermarket upgrades. The podcast references a “pro charger,” which is a supercharger setup used to increase engine power. That’s why it comes up in conversations about performance builds and how the car is modified.
bracket racer
"Because Bill's a bracket racer."
Bracket racing is a drag-racing style where you pick a target time before the run. Your goal is to be as close as possible to that time, so consistency matters as much as outright speed.
A bracket racer competes using a handicap system based on a target elapsed time (ET). Instead of racing for the absolute fastest run, you try to be as close as possible to your dial-in time, and the winner is the one that stays closest without going faster than the dial-in.
billet block
"Is that what they, is that what they class it as is if you have a billet block, you'd be in that class?"
A billet block is a stronger engine block made by cutting it out of a solid metal chunk. Drag racers use them when they’re pushing the engine hard and need it to survive higher stress.
A “billet block” is an engine block machined from a solid piece of metal (billet) rather than cast. In drag racing, billet blocks are often used for strength and durability under high cylinder pressures, especially in high-boost or high-RPM builds.
LS guy
"And look, man, it may have five or six years ago. And that's cool. I'm an LS guy. Like, to the bone, I am an LS guy."
An “LS guy” means the person prefers GM’s LS V8 engines. Those engines are popular because there are lots of parts available and they’re known for making strong power when built.
“LS” refers to General Motors’ LS-series V8 engines, a popular modern swap and performance platform. When someone says they’re an “LS guy,” they typically mean they prefer LS-based engines for their power potential, aftermarket support, and ease of building.
Hemi guys
"The LS combination shouldn't be running with the Hemi guys, man."
“Hemi guys” means people who run Chrysler’s HEMI V8 engines. The HEMI is a famous engine design, and in racing talk it often comes up when comparing which cars should compete in which classes.
“Hemi” refers to Chrysler’s HEMI V8 engine family, known for its hemispherical combustion chambers. In drag-racing discussions, “Hemi guys” usually means people running HEMI-powered cars and arguing about how those cars should be classed versus other engine families.
1,900 pound car
"You shouldn't be trying to unless you've got a 1,900 pound car."
They’re talking about how much the car weighs. In drag racing, lighter cars usually accelerate differently and can put less load on the tires than heavier ones, which changes how well they hook up.
The speaker is using vehicle weight as a classing argument: a “1,900 pound car” is light enough that traction and launch behavior differ from heavier cars. In drag racing, weight strongly affects acceleration, tire loading, and how easily a car can spin the tires.
cast
"Okay. [2363.3s] You separate it into two classes. [2365.4s] You got billet and you got cast."
“Cast” parts are made by pouring melted metal into a mold. It’s a common manufacturing method, and in racing discussions it’s often contrasted with billet parts.
“Cast” refers to parts made by pouring molten metal into a mold. Compared with billet machining, cast parts can be cheaper and faster to produce, but they may have different strength characteristics depending on the material and design.
big block
"You think somebody out there isn't going to get a solid hit big block and hang a pro [2374.1s] charger off the front of it and run over all your LS cars to like you at the end of the [2381.1s] day, you got to get in where you fit in."
A “big block” is a bigger V8 engine than the small-block style. People use it in racing because it can make a lot of power, especially with the right parts.
“Big block” is a slang term for large-displacement V8 engines (commonly in the 400+ cubic-inch range in American muscle-car culture). It usually implies a heavier, higher-power engine package that’s popular for drag racing and class competition.
pro charger
"You think somebody out there isn't going to get a solid hit big block and hang a pro [2374.1s] charger off the front of it and run over all your LS cars to like you at the end of the [2381.1s] day, you got to get in where you fit in."
A “Pro charger” is a supercharger—an add-on that forces extra air into the engine. More air usually means more power, which is why it’s common in racing builds.
“Pro charger” here refers to a supercharger system (a forced-induction setup) used to cram more air into the engine for more power. In drag/racing talk, it’s often associated with high-boost builds where the supercharger is a key performance component.
LS cars
"You think somebody out there isn't going to get a solid hit big block and hang a pro [2374.1s] charger off the front of it and run over all your LS cars to like you at the end of the [2381.1s] day, you got to get in where you fit in."
“LS” is a GM V8 engine family that many people swap into cars. When someone says “LS cars,” they mean cars powered by that GM LS engine.
“LS” refers to General Motors’ LS-series V8 engines, which became a popular swap and performance base due to their compact size and strong factory tuning. In racing comparisons, “LS cars” usually means cars running an LS engine rather than a traditional big-block setup.
small tire class
"And if you don't fit in a small tire class anymore. [2385.9s] Yeah, but the whole world believes that you should get participation trophies."
A “small tire class” is a race category where the rules limit tire size. Smaller tires usually mean less grip, which helps keep cars more evenly matched.
A “small tire class” is a racing category where tire size is restricted to limit traction and keep performance closer between different cars. Tire limits are a common way to balance competition when engines and builds vary widely.
participation trophies
"[2385.9s] Yeah, but the whole world believes that you should get participation trophies. [2389.6s] I don't believe that like, and it just seems I thought maybe that the racing world, it [2396.6s] would bypass the racing world because everybody's so competitive."
“Participation trophies” are awards given just for taking part, not for winning. Here, the host is criticizing the idea of making racing classes so that more people get trophies even if they’re not the fastest.
“Participation trophies” is the idea of rewarding people for showing up rather than for performance. In this racing context, the host is arguing against rules/classes that are designed to make it easier for everyone to win.
Ford Mustang
"...y would you want a class that is made for your 86 Mustang that's red that has the stock Ford in it, you kno..."
The Ford Mustang is a sports car that’s known for performance and a classic look. An “86 Mustang” refers to a specific model year from the mid-1980s. It’s often discussed because it’s a common car to modify or race.
The Ford Mustang is a long-running American muscle car that’s popular for its styling and performance potential. In the context provided, it’s specifically tied to an “86 Mustang,” which points to the classic 1980s generation. That’s the kind of car people discuss when talking about what fits a certain class or build.
himmys
"But like you said, man, that car can run with them himmys because what's that car way? Exactly. It's light. I know what it weighs."
“Himmys” is slang for Chrysler’s HEMI V8 engines. The HEMI is known for being a high-performance engine that can make a lot of power.
“Himmys” is a slang reference to Chrysler’s HEMI V8 engines (most famously the 426 HEMI). In enthusiast circles, “HEMI” is shorthand for a specific engine family known for its hemispherical combustion chambers, which help support high airflow and power.
light
"Exactly. It's light. I know what it weighs. Yeah."
“Light” here means the car weighs less. A lighter car usually speeds up faster and feels easier to control.
In racing talk, “light” is shorthand for vehicle weight being low, which improves acceleration and handling. Lower mass generally makes it easier for an engine to accelerate the car quickly and for tires to maintain grip under load.
pro mod
"if you had a, if they, if a regular, not a regular guy, because those guys are obviously the top of the line, but if someone switched their car to a himmy, like, is it even affordable? I mean, obviously compared to how you are running a pro mod, himmy versus a small tire himmy."
“Pro mod” is a drag-racing category for cars that are heavily modified for maximum speed. It usually means the engine and drivetrain are built to handle a lot more abuse than a street setup.
“Pro mod” (short for Pro Modified) is a drag-racing class for highly modified cars, typically running purpose-built engines and specialized setups. The speaker contrasts a “pro mod” HEMI build with other HEMI configurations, implying different levels of stress and cost.
small tire himmy
"I mean, obviously compared to how you are running a pro mod, himmy versus a small tire himmy. I mean, we ran still rods in our big block, so I didn't even have to worry about changing to pistons or the rods every 25 passes."
In drag racing, “small tire” usually means using narrower tires for a particular class or traction setup. That changes how the car hooks up and can affect how hard the engine has to work.
“Small tire” refers to drag-racing setups that use narrower tires to fit specific classes or traction strategies. Pairing that with “himmy” suggests a HEMI-powered build configured for that class, which can change how hard the engine is loaded and what maintenance intervals look like.
still rods
"I mean, we ran still rods in our big block, so I didn't even have to worry about changing to pistons or the rods every 25 passes. Yeah."
“Rods” are part of the engine that connect the pistons to the crankshaft. They’re talking about using stronger aftermarket rods so the engine can survive harder racing without replacing parts every few runs.
“Still rods” likely refers to aftermarket connecting rods (often forged) chosen for strength in high-power drag racing. The speaker’s point is that with stronger rods, they didn’t have to replace pistons/rods as frequently.
every 25 passes
"I mean, we ran still rods in our big block, so I didn't even have to worry about changing to pistons or the rods every 25 passes. Yeah."
“Every 25 passes” means they were rebuilding or replacing engine parts after only a small number of drag runs. That’s common when the engine is pushed very hard for racing.
“Every 25 passes” describes an extremely frequent maintenance/refresh interval typical of hard-core drag racing, where internal engine parts can wear quickly under high loads. It highlights how race class and power levels drive how often components like pistons and rods need replacement.
small tire car
"Small tire car, I think he's making about 30, 30 passes for rods. What about crank and all that stuff? I mean, I don't know. That's, that's, if you ask six different people..."
A “small tire car” means the drag car is running narrower tires than the biggest-grip setups. That can change how the car hooks up and can make tires wear out faster, which drives up costs.
A “small tire car” is a drag-racing setup that uses narrower tires than the widest, most-grippy options. Smaller tires can change traction and stress levels, often increasing how quickly tires wear and affecting how often teams need to service the car.
crank
"Small tire car, I think he's making about 30, 30 passes for rods. What about crank and all that stuff? I mean, I don't know."
“Crank” means the crankshaft, which is a key rotating part inside the engine. If the car is making a lot of power and launching hard, the crank can also be something teams monitor and replace.
“Crank” refers to the crankshaft, the rotating shaft that converts piston motion into usable engine rotation. Like rods, crankshaft wear or damage can become a maintenance item in hard-launch, high-power racing programs.
set of tires
"Yeah. I mean, it's $600 a set of tires. Now you got to show up with 10 sets of tires. I mean, quick math errors."
A “set of tires” means the whole tire package you buy for the car. In drag racing, tires can wear out fast, so the cost per set matters a lot.
A “set of tires” is the full tire package needed for the car (typically four tires for most drag cars, though setups vary). In racing budgeting, tire cost is often tracked per set because tires can be consumed quickly by repeated passes.
Chevrolet Camaro
"My bad. Sorry about Billy's, Billy's Camaro. He's taken it to a lot of shitty services, but l..."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a performance car, usually a two-door coupe, designed for driving fast. The episode mentions someone’s Camaro that has been serviced poorly, which can lead to problems later. It’s basically a story about maintenance and repairs.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a performance coupe that’s frequently used as a platform for modifications and tuning. The podcast mentions “Billy’s Camaro” and that it’s been taken to “shitty services,” which suggests ongoing maintenance or repair issues. That kind of talk usually centers on how prior work can affect reliability and drivability.
Hemi
"Who’s the guy that helped you with the Hemi? Isn't he part of the person?"
“Hemi” usually means a powerful V8 engine design from Chrysler. It’s a well-known performance engine name that racers and muscle-car fans recognize.
“Hemi” is shorthand for a Chrysler HEMI V8, a famous engine design known for its hemispherical combustion chambers. In enthusiast circles, “Hemi” usually implies a high-performance build and is strongly associated with drag racing and muscle cars.
Chevrolet Chevelle
"...like a shoebox car. That's why I thought it was a Chevelle. Yeah."
The Chevrolet Chevelle is an older American car that’s known for a classic muscle-car look. In the episode, it’s mentioned because someone thought a car was a Chevelle based on how it looks. It’s basically about identifying the car by its shape.
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic mid-size muscle car known for its body style and performance heritage. The podcast references it in a way that suggests someone was trying to identify a car by appearance—calling it “a shoebox car” and thinking it was a Chevelle. That kind of mention is typical when discussing classic car shapes and how people recognize them.
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