Pomona Snyder Sportsman Classic
About this episode
The conversation dives into the inaugural Snyder Sportsman Classic at Pomona, highlighting its significance as a rare divisional event at the historic track and the involvement of the Snyder family, owners of In-N-Out Burger. Hosts discuss standout racers like Tanner Theobald, Macy Gordon, and Cooper Chun, noting impressive performances and close competition across multiple classes. They also touch on the challenges of racing in extreme heat at upcoming events in Phoenix and Tucson, the camaraderie among racers, and the unique atmosphere of race track concessions. The episode wraps with reflections on NHRA legends' candid comments about race distances and a preview of the busy racing season ahead.
An eventful weekend in Pomona left us with a lot to talk about! Super Comp winner Tanner Theobald joins.
drag
""There's a drag. Right there. Right there. That's awesome. Like a kid.""
Drag means a race where cars go really fast in a straight line to see who is quickest. It's like a sprint but with cars.
In automotive terms, 'drag' usually refers to drag racing, a type of motor racing where cars compete to be the fastest over a straight, short distance, typically a quarter mile. It focuses on acceleration and top speed in a straight line.
class racer
"Um, I'm not a class racer. So baby, that's why, right? And not, certainly not a class racer in, in Southern California,"
A class racer is someone who races cars that fit into a certain group with rules to keep the cars similar, so the race is fair.
A class racer is a competitor who races in a specific class or category defined by rules that limit modifications to ensure fair competition among similar vehicles.
top sportsman
"...Lindsey Snyder Ellingson, um, the owner now races top sportsman, and they sponsor Pomona drag strip..."
Top Sportsman is a category in drag racing where racers use very fast and powerful cars to compete.
Top Sportsman is a popular class in drag racing featuring highly modified cars that run on gasoline or other fuels. It is known for competitive racing with cars capable of very fast elapsed times.
divisional
"...they haven't had a divisional there since 2002. Everything since has been, uh, a national event or they, they have had a couple one-off races..."
A divisional is a type of drag race that happens in a certain region. Racers compete in these to earn points and qualify for bigger races.
In drag racing, a divisional is a regional event that is part of a series of races leading up to national championships. These events attract competitive racers and are important for points and standings.
national event
"...Everything since has been, uh, a national event or they, they have had a couple one-off races..."
A national event is a big drag race where racers from all over the country come to compete. It's more important than local or regional races.
A national event in drag racing is a major race that draws competitors from across the country, often part of a national championship series. These events are typically larger and more prestigious than divisional races.
sportsman classic
"...That's the first ever Snyder sportsman classic. I believe so..."
A sportsman classic is a special drag race event for racers who compete in sportsman classes, which are more about fun and competition than professional racing.
A sportsman classic is a drag racing event focused on sportsman-level racers, often featuring various classes and emphasizing grassroots competition.
super comp cars
"They got the super comp cars. They got the, the, the alcohol cars."
Super Comp cars are special race cars that try to run a set time on the drag strip. They are fast and use special engines to go really quick.
Super Comp is a popular drag racing class featuring highly modified vehicles that run on a fixed index, typically 8.90 seconds in the quarter mile. These cars often use superchargers or turbochargers and run on racing fuel or alcohol.
alcohol cars
"They got the super comp cars. They got the, the, the alcohol cars."
Alcohol cars are race cars that use special fuel made from alcohol to go faster on the track.
Alcohol cars refer to drag racing vehicles that run on methanol or other alcohol-based fuels instead of gasoline. These fuels provide higher performance and cooler combustion temperatures, allowing for more power.
NHRA
"And, uh, uh, the NHRA has done, I think they've outdone themselves with those 75th anniversary wallets."
NHRA is the main group that runs drag races in the U.S. They make sure races are fair and organize big drag racing events.
The NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) is the largest governing body for drag racing in the United States, organizing events and setting rules for various drag racing classes.
comp eliminator
"let's just start with comp eliminator Ryan pretty getting it done in the mountain motor pro stock car."
Comp Eliminator is a drag race group where many kinds of cars race against each other but with special rules to keep it fair.
Comp Eliminator is a drag racing class under NHRA rules that features a wide variety of cars competing with index-based handicaps, allowing different types of vehicles to race competitively.
Ford Mustang
"... racing and some sick cars, man. Matt dolls, new Mustang, that blue fastback Mustang, small tire looking ..."
The Ford Mustang is a type of car made by Ford. It is designed to be fast and sporty, often used for racing or fun driving. The fastback style means the back of the car slopes down smoothly.
The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car known for its powerful performance and sporty design. The reference to a blue fastback Mustang suggests a classic or modern fastback model, popular among enthusiasts for racing and street performance. Mustangs are often discussed for their blend of heritage, speed, and customization options.
stock eliminator
"Yep. Also former world champ Cody Lane in comp one stock eliminator"
Stock Eliminator is a type of drag race where cars are mostly like the ones you buy from the store, with only small changes allowed.
Stock Eliminator is a drag racing class where cars are closer to factory stock specifications, emphasizing driver skill and minor modifications.
super stock
"But like 005 stock, 008 super stock, 008 super comp, 13 super gas, 12 super street, seven top sportsman, 13 top director and 14 sportsman motors."
Super Stock lets drivers make more changes to their cars than Stock racing, but there are still rules to keep things fair.
Super Stock is a drag racing class allowing more modifications than Stock but still with restrictions to keep competition close. It balances performance upgrades with driver skill.
1958 Chevrolet Corvette
"super gas. We had Brad Pierce in his, uh, uh, what is it? A 58 Corvette. Fun fact about that car. Um, that is an actual Corvette. That's not a, that's not a fiberglass copy Corvette. It's the real deal."
The 1958 Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car from America. It was special because it used a lightweight fiberglass body, which was new back then, making it fast and cool-looking.
The 1958 Chevrolet Corvette is a classic American sports car known for its distinctive design and performance. It is notable for being one of the early generations of the Corvette, featuring a fiberglass body which was revolutionary at the time.
super gas
"Absolutely. Uh, super gas. We had Brad Pierce in his, uh, uh, what is it? A 58 Corvette."
Super Gas is a type of drag racing where cars race to be as close as possible to a set time without going faster. It’s about being steady and careful, not just fast.
Super Gas is a popular drag racing class that features cars running a fixed index time, typically 9.90 seconds, and requires strict adherence to rules regarding modifications and weight. It emphasizes consistency and driver skill over outright speed.
red light
"Cause in, in round five, he's red, but I think his opponent was more red. It comes back around for the buy in round six. He's red again."
In drag racing, if a driver starts too early and triggers the red light, it means they broke the rules and lose that race.
In drag racing, a 'red light' indicates a false start where a driver leaves the starting line before the green light, resulting in disqualification for that run.
breakout
"And, uh, you know, just a, just a nasty, nasty final double breakout deal. And, uh, Brad put a little closer than Eric."
In bracket racing, drivers predict how fast they will run. If they go faster than that prediction, it's called a breakout and usually means they lose.
In bracket drag racing, 'breakout' refers to a driver running quicker than their dial-in time, which results in a loss unless the opponent commits a more serious infraction like a red light.
sportsman motorcycle
"hold up. You brought up sportsman motorcycle a little bit. Um, and Clayton Howie gets it done there. Did I not see, uh, uh, some sort of announcement a couple of weeks ago, or a week ago that Clayton Howie's going to be racing pro stock motorcycle as well."
Sportsman Motorcycle is a kind of motorcycle drag race where riders race less modified bikes, making it more about skill than big engine power.
Sportsman Motorcycle is a drag racing category for motorcycles typically featuring less modified or amateur-level bikes, focusing on rider skill and consistency.
Vance and Heinz
"I think he's on a Vance and Heinz bike. Okay. So yeah, I see something."
Vance and Heinz makes special parts for motorcycles that help them go faster in races, especially in drag racing.
Vance and Heinz is a well-known manufacturer of high-performance motorcycle parts and accessories, especially popular in drag racing and sportsman motorcycle racing.
bracket racer
"...David Meyer, big time bracket racer. Doesn't, doesn't hit the divisional scene as often as he should..."
Bracket racing is a type of drag racing where racers guess how fast their car will go and try to run as close to that time as possible without going faster. It helps make races fair even if cars are different speeds.
A bracket racer competes in drag racing using a handicap system called 'bracketing' where each racer predicts their elapsed time, and the race is won by the driver who runs closest to their predicted time without going faster. This levels the playing field between cars with different performance levels.
Super Street
"...ringing that last win light in Super Street in the, in the Cavalier wouldn't be surprised to see him down in Tucson..."
Super Street is a type of drag race where regular cars that you can drive on the street race each other, but they have some rules about what parts can be changed.
Super Street is a popular drag racing class that typically features street-legal cars with limited modifications. It emphasizes driver skill and consistency, often using bracket racing rules.
minimum index
"...Jen Wiens puts it on the board in the number one spot at the minimum index of six, 10 with some change."
The minimum index is the slowest time a racer can run in a race. If they go slower than this, they might not qualify or win.
In bracket drag racing, the minimum index is the slowest allowed elapsed time for a given class or race. Racers must run at or faster than this time to qualify or win, which helps maintain fair competition.
foul
""That's not a look either one of those guys want breaks it out by a foul. And Coop 13 puts it one above pushes him through...""
A 'foul' means a driver started too early or broke a rule at the start of the race, which usually means they lose.
In drag racing, a 'foul' occurs when a driver breaks the rules at the start, such as leaving the starting line before the green light, resulting in disqualification or a loss.
tune up
"I asked him today. I'm like, you got 107 degree tune up. He's like, Oh yeah, buddy."
A tune up means making sure the engine is set just right to run its best, like adjusting how much fuel it uses or when it sparks.
A tune up in racing refers to adjusting the engine's settings, such as fuel mixture and ignition timing, to optimize performance for specific conditions like temperature or altitude.
blower car
"He's like, Oh yeah, buddy. So, you know, we'll see what the blower car can do this weekend going to be fun to watch."
A blower car has a special device called a supercharger that pushes extra air into the engine to make the car go faster, especially in drag races.
A blower car refers to a vehicle equipped with a supercharger (often called a blower) that forces more air into the engine, increasing power output significantly, commonly used in drag racing.
stock eliminated
"But like stock eliminated to the lanes at like 7am or something crazy. Great. That means we got to be up at like three o'clock to wake everybody up."
Stock Eliminated is a racing group where cars are mostly like they came from the factory, with only a few changes allowed, so it's about how well the driver and car work together.
Stock Eliminated is a drag racing class where cars must remain mostly stock with limited modifications, emphasizing driver skill and vehicle reliability.
commentary
"Only if Bob Frye comes in and does a little bit of the commentary to make it real good. I hope that's a regular thing..."
Commentary means people talking about the race while it happens to help viewers understand and enjoy it more.
Commentary in motorsports is the live or recorded narration and analysis provided by announcers during a race, offering insights, explanations, and entertainment to viewers.
funny car
"I guess he won a funny car that year, Troy. In 96? Was it John Force? It was John Force."
Funny Cars are special drag racing cars that look like regular cars but are built to go very fast in a straight line. They have big engines and light bodies.
Funny Cars are a class of drag racing vehicles characterized by their altered wheelbases and lightweight fiberglass or carbon fiber bodies that resemble production cars. They are known for their extreme speed and loud, powerful engines.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.