NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Masters of the Valley: Mike Green, Tommy DeLago, and Dean Antonelli

It's a crew chief-heavy episode of the NHRA Insider podcast this week. Bristol-winning crew chiefs Mike Green, Tommy DeLago, and Dean Antonelli join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the ins and outs of succeeding at Thunder Valley.
14 Jun 2023
Posted by NHRA.com staff
NHRA Insider podcast

 

It's a crew chief-heavy episode of the NHRA Insider podcast this week. Bristol-winning crew chiefs Mike Green, Tommy DeLago, and Dean Antonelli join host Brian Lohnes to talk about the ins and outs of succeeding at Thunder Valley, the unique pressures of two races in one weekend, and the systematic approach that they took to earn their respective victories. 

Green and DeLago had a dream weekend, sweeping every available contest in Bristol. They won the rain-delayed NHRA New England Nationals and the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals while also capturing the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. It was an amazing effort and one that has some truly cool backstories that they share. 

Antonelli and the entire Ron Capps Motorsports team had to rebound from a first-round loss in the New England Nationals to race again on Sunday for the Thunder Valley Nationals crown, which they got. Antonelli talks about how they altered their clutch program, hung together as a group, and worked hard on a challenging Sunday to win. He talks about his career and some of the more unique things about leading a nitro Funny Car team into battle. 

Lastly, to head up the show, Lohnes goes on a rant about people who are constantly repeating lame tropes about drag racing and actually harming the sport they claim to be helping. He's going to be short some Christmas cards this year. 

Something for everyone here!