What does it take to turn a local bracket meet into a 140-car institution that tracks want to host and racers plan their year around? We sit down with Scott Stregel to unpack the Texas Muscle Car Club Challenge, from how the series shares revenue with drag strips to the schedule and class design that keep cars in the lanes and teams coming back.

Scott explains why a fourteen-date calendar beats endless makeup races, and how shifting out-of-town events to Saturday afternoons through midnight helps racers dodge brutal Monday commutes after long tows. We break down the club divisions—5A for large rosters, 4A for mid-size, 3A for smaller teams—why everyone still races everyone in brackets, and how the points chase remains fair across club sizes. You’ll also hear why most race cars run eighth mile in this region, when quarter mile makes sense for street-tire classes, and how that balance keeps competition safe and close.

Beyond the staging lanes, we get into the media engine behind the growth: consistent social content, cross-promotion with host tracks, and the push to document more live racing with photos and video. That spotlight doesn’t just hype results; it builds a community identity that travels from Ferris to Houston and beyond. Scott previews the targeted mid-March season start, the spring and fall segments, and the venues on the wish list, plus the addition of a TV vehicle class aimed at new participants. For details on rules, brackets, and contacts, he points listeners to the central hub at tmcc.org.

If you care about grassroots racing that’s organized, sustainable, and genuinely fun, this is the blueprint. Subscribe, share with your club, and leave a review to tell us which track you want on the schedule next.

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Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

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A flat tire, a British accent, and a time machine into racing’s most underrated proving ground—this one starts with a grin and lands with substance. We sit down with journalist and author James Newbold to unpack Formula 3000, the 1985–2004 series that quietly shaped today’s open-wheel landscape. From its wild early years with multiple chassis and engines to the spec-era shift that prioritized driver skill and team preparation, F3000 became the launchpad for names you know and stories you probably don’t.

James shares why he wrote Formula 3000: Where Legends Earn Their Stripes and how he unearthed 350 rarely seen photos from archives now stewarded by Getty. We connect the dots from F3000 to GP2 to modern Formula Two, demystify how the ladder works, and spotlight alumni who made waves across motorsport—F1 contenders, IndyCar champions, and team leaders who still shape race weekends. Expect clear explanations, race-weekend context, and a few surprising career pivots along the way.

Then we shift gears to car culture at street level: the origins of car clubs, the rough edges of early turf wars, and the transformation into today’s community-focused cruise-ins and charity events. It’s a reminder that craft, identity, and belonging drive this hobby as much as horsepower. We close with a grounded review of the 2025 Subaru Ascent, a three-row SUV with a conservative design, strong safety chops, a torquey 2.4L turbo flat-four, and real-world comfort for road trips—plus a quick look at pricing and segment rivals.

If you love the hidden history behind big-league racing, appreciate the heartbeat of local car scenes, or just want a smart take on a family hauler, this episode delivers. Hit play, subscribe for more honest car talk, and leave a review to tell us which F3000 alum you think had the most underrated career.

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Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

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Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

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For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at

info@inwheeltime.com

Nitro belongs to the people who build the cars, tow the trailers, and wrench late into the night—and that’s exactly where we start. We sit down with IHRA Division Director Doug Foley to unpack how a racer-led sanctioning body is rebuilding big-league drag racing around access, value, and raw excitement. Think eight-car nitro fields, a clean two-day show, and five passes to a $50,000 purse—designed to cut costs without cutting thrills.

Doug takes us inside IHRA’s class lineup, from Top Fuel Funny Car and Top Fuel to Pro Mod, Top Alcohol, and the fan-favorite Mountain Motor Pro Stock. He explains why IHRA’s rules hew close enough to NHRA for cross-compatibility while staying flexible for teams sidelined by expensive mandates. We also dig into the hidden economics of safety recertifications and how smarter formats reduce parts attrition and travel burn, giving privateers a real shot.

One of the biggest shifts: IHRA now owns multiple tracks, including National Trail Raceway, Milan Dragway, and Galot Motorsports Park. Facility ownership creates stability, consistent prep, and better sponsor value. Add in serious member insurance—robust liability, accident coverage, and income protection—and the message is clear: take care of racers and the show gets better for everyone. We map the season opener in Ohio, the World Finals in North Carolina, and tease livestream details so you can watch from anywhere.

If you care about sustainable nitro, big-inch Mountain Motor action, and events built by racers for racers, this conversation is your pit pass. Subscribe, share with your track crew, and leave a review to help more fans find the show. What would you change to make pro drag racing stronger? Tell us—we’re listening.

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Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

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Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

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For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at

info@inwheeltime.com