Daily Driver

The Biggest Key to Success

In this episode, we're going to do something a little different. I'm going to read my latest column on Confidence from The Science of Winning. If you like this format, let us know! 

Nerves

Being nervous doesn't mean you are unprepared or uncertain. It is possible to be both confident and nervous. Embrace the nerves.

Starting Line Mechanics

When we struggle on the starting line, we inherently look for reasons why. We don’t want to admit that the weak link is us. Whether that is mental or physical mechanics. How do fix it? Train it. Trust It. 

Guilty

We all have our days. Days when we feel not so great or feeling perhaps even sorry for our selves. That trap we fall into seeing this life as a burden. Flip the script and see it as a gift. 

Memory (Part 2)

Last episode we talked about memory and focused on the things we want/need to remember. On this episode, let's explore the things that we might be better served to forget!

Memory (Part 1)

I've raced for a long time, so I tend to take for granted some of the simple stuff. This quote can be adapted to our racing “If there’s a request that you keep forgetting, that’s a sign that it isn’t very important. The really important stuff doesn’t go away.” - Jason Fried. 

Interdependence and Control

As we prepare for the upcoming season, it's natural to focus in on goal setting. But what we think about our goals for the upcoming season, we are usually thinking of the ultimate outcome. It's important to note that our outcomes in this sport are interdependent.

The Wiring of Intuition

We have so many things in our racing and in our lives that we connect the dots seemingly automatically. Probably way more often then we even realize. Connecting the dots on what we actually hear versus what we know or assume is happening. 

Your Finest Hour

"To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour." - Winston Churchill

FOPO

Fear of Other People's Opinions. FOPO. In racing it's easy to caught up in wanting others to see us in a positive way, to recognize our talents. How do we stop caring what others think? Or at the very least how do we care less? 

Train It & Trust It

In Dr. Bob Rotella's book "How Champions Think" he introduces 'Train it. Trust it'. He talks about how having that mindset can change your game. In this episode, Luke talks about how we can apply that same mindset in our racecars. 

Catch a Drop

We have all been there, your on a run and you get dropped on your head. Of course it always seems to be on the run when your car picks up too, right? Is there anything that you can do to prevent it? Can you really 'catch the drop'? 

Top End Throttle Stops

The Top End Throttle Stop. Is it a fad that is here to stay? In this episode, Luke is joined by special guest, Justin Lamb to discuss. This episode was taken from our free “Super Class 101” training. Watch for free at thisisbracketracing.com/90

Bracket Racing vs .90 Racing

Bracket Racing versus Super Class Racing. With the technological advances in the Super Classes, the two have become much more similar.  In this episode, Luke is joined by special guest, Justin Lamb to discuss the differences and similarities of each style of racing.  This episode was taken from our free “Super Class 101” training. Watch for free at thisisbracketracing.com/90

What changes are required for .90 racing?

This week's episode talks in reference to a dragster, specifically if you are a competitive bracket racing looking to dabble into Super Comp. Luke is joined by special guest, Justin Lamb to discuss what is needed.  This episode was taken from our free “Super Class 101” training. Watch for free at thisisbracketracing.com/90

Victim Mentality

Racing is hard. The margins are thinner then ever and you will lay down a run that isn't good enough. In this episode, Luke talks about the importance of not becoming the victim, the only one it happens to. 

Super Class Tire Selection

Tires, we all need them to race but what kind? What size? In this episode, Luke Bogacki and Justin Lamb discuss what works best for Super Class Racing. 

The Argument for Holding More

Continuing on from the last episode about holding, in this episode Luke dives into the argument for holding more. Is there a benefit to being able to hold a lot? Is there a skill set involved in holding a bunch? What are the advantages? 

Hold More or Less?

To be the "driver" or the "dialer"... Which one wins more in today's bracket racing scene? In this episode, Luke shares the pros and cons of each strategy and how the answer to this question has changed over time. In 2024? The answer may surprise you.

Divisionals or Nationals - What's harder?

Both NHRA Divisionals and National events are important to a championship-winning score card... Which one is "easier" to win? What skills are required to overcome the unique challenges each event offers? In this episode, Luke is joined by special guest, Justin Lamb to discuss the intricacies of each style of competition.  This episode was taken from our free "Super Class 101" training. Watch for free at thisisbracketracing.com/90

Super Class 60' Consistency

Inconsistent 60' times are a common issue for super class racers... What goes into achieving predictable, tightly grouped 60's on your .90 machine? In this episode, Luke Bogacki and Justin Lamb dive into all the variables at play.  This clip was taken from our free throttle stop training: Super Class 101. Watch for free at thisisbracketracing.com/90

Throttle Stop Carburetor: Is smaller better?

In our world, bigger is often better. But when it comes to carburetors, especially on a throttle stop application, this might not always be the case. Check out this video to hear 5x World Champion, Justin Lamb's experience. This clip was taken from our free throttle stop training: Super Class 101. Watch for free at thisisbracketracing.com/90

The Argument for Going (real) Slow

In the midst of Champ's $500K race in a slow door car, let's talk about that argument. The argument for going slow, real slow. How could being one of the slowest competitors be an advantage?  

Overcoming the Bad Run

We all want to have the perfect race. Be 00 every time, take 00 every time. But what happens when we have a bad run but win. Maybe we miss it on the tree or you don't execute the finish line as planned. How do you overcome that run and get back up there for the next round? 

How Tight to Setup, Part 2

Continuing on last week's episode on how tight to set up on the starting line, this week let's talk about what happens when you have those outliers. What do you do? Do you adjust your delay box? Do you throw those reaction times out? 

How Tight to Setup

One of the most common questions I get is how tight do I set up on the starting line? There is a simple answer in my mind and it's probably not what you are expecting. 

Reputation vs Character

We don't control the narrative around our lives. We can, however, look in the mirror and judge ourselves. Are you happy with what you see? How can you change what you see in the mirror to be the person you want to be?

Attitude

There is no doubt that racing can be really frustrating. There are a lot of negative triggers everywhere. It's easy to let yourself fall into a less then positive attitude. The solution? Choosing the better attitude, optimism. 

Burnout

If we spend to much time at the track in competition and when it becomes to much, we are no longer growing and that can compound quickly.  When we step back from time to time, it shows us just how much we love it and how to not take it for granted. 

Perfect Weapon - Super Classes

Up to this point we have talked about what is better door car or dragster. We have talked about what is the ultimate door car and the ultimate dragster. Today let's shift gears and talk Super Classes. What is the best tool for the job? 

Perfect Weapon - Dragster

We've talked about the ultimate door car now let's talk about the ultimate dragster. What does the perfect weapon of choice look like? How fast should you go? What should some of the characteristics be? 

Perfect Weapon - Door Car

Where are all my door car drivers at? We are continuing our discussion on the Perfect Weapon and if you have decided that the perfect weapon for you will never be a dragster? Then your speaking my language! Let's discuss what it takes to have a great door car. 

Perfect Weapon (Door Car or Dragster)

What is the "perfect weapon" for sportsman drag racing? The ultimate car if you will. This will be a fun series here and we'll dive into some thoughts on what the ultimate machine is for the various forms of racing in our sport. This kick off episode talks about the perfect weapon is what you make it. 

Comparison

Racing today is filled with social media, live feeds, podcasts, etc. It's very easy, for all of us, to put successful racers up on a pedestal. We often then judge ourselves in comparison to other racers, especially those on the pedestals. Stop saying you can't do what those successful racers do, because you can. 

Racing and Responsibility

This episode is dedicated to the future generation of racers in our sport: Junior Dragster racers. Showcasing the impact of this new responsibility that our junior drivers acquire when they start their journey.

The Hardest Thing

In our culture, we take pride in doing the "hard thing". We lean into everyday challenges. And in our sport, we have many difficult facets we lean into. What if these difficult things are not the hardest tasks that we undertake in our pursuit for on track success?

Mentorship & Accountability

You have a goal. A vision for yourself or yourself as something more than you are today. Listen to this episode to find out about the two specific things that I have found that will help speed up this process.

Balance

Can you be "world class" at more than one thing? In this episode, we explore the role of "balance" when it comes to choosing to be our best on the race track. 

Attention

Your attention is one of your most valuable assets. How do you protect and maximize it behind the wheel? 

Cause and Effect

“'In terms of how people react to art or entertainment, you learn that it sometimes goes well and it sometimes doesn’t. It doesn’t mean that the cause and effect are connected.' That's a quote from renowned actor/director Ben Stiller. Obviously, he's talking about art and entertainment here, but I think there are some obvious (and perhaps, not so obvious) parallels to our own form of performance on the race track."

A Crisis in Confidence

What separates Peter Biondo from Peter Piper? Mental toughness. In this episode, I discuss how some of the best racers in our sport deal with overcoming mistakes, and how it may be one of their greatest advantages. 

Racing IQ

Flexibility

Flexibility, or "versatility" is one of the common traits among the greats in our sport. Does driving a variety of cars and competing in different classes make us better drivers? In this episode, I answer this question with some recent experience in my own vehicles. 

Trees in a Forest

Lacking a compass, an old scouting trick is this... If you're lost in a forest, unsure of the way out, or even what direction to move, you locate three trees in a row. One close by, another a little ways away, and one farther off in the distance - all in line with each other. And you move from one tree to the next, picking another tree farther down the line each time that you progress. That's a literal interpretation: actually finding our way out of a forest. The generality applies...

Dealing with a long tree

Expectation

In this age, it’s easier - more natural than ever - to judge ourselves and our racing in comparison to others. Between social media, live feeds, and frankly people like Jed and I, It’s so easy to put successful racers on a pedestal: Racer X wins, and is never worse than 010 on the tree for 9 straight rounds. Racer Y dominates, holding .06 or more. Racer Z’s matched the dial in 8 times in 9 rounds. And we think… Damn. I can’t do that!

To stage or not to stage?

Opportunity

Under Reacting and Presence

Very selfishly, part of this podcast is for my own benefit: as I work through some of these ideas in the process of my own day-to-day life. On our way here, not even halfway through our trip, our new (to us) motorhome broke down. It was certainly not the way that things were planned! The reason I share this, not to pat myself on the back, is because I'm actually really proud of the way that I handled this situation. 

Happiness is Available

In racing, I think we face this juxtaposition a lot, often in settings that can elicit high emotion. We’re passionate about what we're doing. We put a lot of time & work into it. We’ve typically got aspirations surrounding competition. We’ve often got an expectations - both about our performance and how things will go in general. And, occasionally (perhaps more often than not), something doesn’t align w/ those expectations! How we deal with that, I'd argue impacts not only our...