Daily Driver
Sports
About
The Daily Driver podcast presented by ThisIsBracketRacing.com is a daily podcast dedicated to helping sportsman drag racers become the best version of themselves on the race track. Each day in season 2 (which stretches from November 1 through November 30), 3-time NHRA World Champion Luke Bogacki explores a topic of competition and shares the insights and experience that he’s gained as a racer, teacher, and perpetual student of the game.
Episodes
- When to quit?
This episode of The Daily Driver features a story about a racing memory involving the host's father, focusing on themes of belief, perseverance, and passion. It recounts a rain-delayed national event in Topeka, a wounded race car, and a si…
- Time Slip App Strategy
This episode discusses strategies for using time slips, both digital and paper, to gauge opponents' performance at various racetracks. It addresses how to adapt strategy based on the type of time slip system used at different racing venues.
- Geographic Superiority
The Daily Driver podcast episode "Geographic Superiority" discusses the ongoing debate in drag racing about which regions of the country produce the best racers.
- Double Entries, Part 2
This episode of Daily Driver revisits the question of how often final rounds in larger bracket races involve doubling. The hosts delve deeper into the statistics of doubling in races of $25k and larger.
- What tire should I run?
This episode of Daily Driver features a Q&A session discussing rear wheel and tire recommendations for a 1650lb altered drag racing vehicle with 550 horsepower. Recommendations are provided by the TIBR and ELITE teams.
- Understanding Data Acquisition: In the Lab w/ Mike Mans
Mike Mans, a multi-time NHRA winner, joins The Daily Driver to discuss the Win Light Lab program's focus on data acquisition. He highlights the benefits of small-group learning and applying data analysis for improved performance on the tra…
- How can I make my car react quicker?
This Daily Driver episode tackles the question of making a car react quicker, drawing on insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust. It marks the beginning of a Q&A series addressing current racer questions.
- What do you find is the best breathing technique at the starting line?
This episode of Daily Driver addresses Jamey's question about the best breathing technique for the starting line, drawing on insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust.
- What do racers want to hear on the mic?
This episode addresses Denny's question about what racers want to hear during a race, discussing preferences for stats, history, and other content. It's the first in a Q&A series based on current racer inquiries.
- To Double or Not to Double?
This episode of Daily Driver addresses a listener question about the frequency of doubled final rounds in large bracket races. The discussion features insights from the TIBR and ELITE teams.
- How do you "game plan" when you don't know who your racing?
This episode addresses how to game plan for a race when the opponent is unknown, with insights from Kris Whitfield, guest instructor at ThisIsBracketRacing ELITE. The discussion covers preparation, mindset, and strategy for such scenarios.
- The top 5 sportsman racers of all time
This episode of Daily Driver discusses the debatable topic of the top five sportsman racers of all time, drawing on insights from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust. Listeners can submit their own questions for future episodes.
- Are Bottom Bulb Racers Really at a Disadvantage?
This episode of The Daily Driver addresses the listener question: "Are Bottom Bulb Racers Really at a Disadvantage?". It features discussions from the TIBR and ELITE brain trust, continuing a Q&A series based on current racer inquiries.
- The Win Light Lab with Kris Whitfield
This episode announces The Win Light Lab, a new program on This Is Bracket Racing starting in 2026. Hosted by elite instructors including Kris Whitfield, the program will focus on different elements of competition, beginning with 'The Ment…
- Is Footbrake still a thing?
This episode introduces the Question of the Week segment on The Daily Driver, featuring a discussion on whether footbraking remains relevant in bracket racing. The team addresses inquiries from the ThisIsBracketRacing community.
- Graduation
The Daily Driver episode on Graduation discusses the transition of young, talented racers into full-size competition. It emphasizes the emotional nature of this phase and how support for these drivers will influence the future of the sport.
- Pressure
This episode of The Daily Driver discusses pressure, exploring its origins, the impact of experience, and its persistence. The episode suggests embracing pressure as a sign of caring and a tool for peak performance.
- The Power of Community
This episode of The Daily Driver explores the power of community, arguing that while independence can initiate success, growth is accelerated by surrounding oneself with ambitious peers. The right community not only offers support but acti…
- Grace
This episode of The Daily Driver offers advice to a young racer preparing for a significant event. It emphasizes the importance of grace in responding to mistakes, trusting one's abilities, and maintaining confidence throughout a long comp…
- The stuff of LEGENDS
This episode of The Daily Driver features the audio version of the column "The Science of Winning" from NHRA's National Dragster magazine, with this week's piece being "The Stuff of Legends."
- How can I improve this offseason?
This episode of The Daily Driver focuses on the offseason, or 'separation season,' for racers. It highlights that while many take a break, this period offers the best opportunity to improve and gain a competitive advantage.
- Golden Era
The host discusses the rising costs of competing in racing and reflects on how the sport has evolved and thrived over the past 30 years despite similar concerns in the past.
- Unintended Consequences
This episode discusses how shifting focus to improve one racing skill, like the finish line, can unintentionally lead to a decline in another, such as the starting tree. It explores the mental energy trade-off when leveling up new abilitie…
- I'd rather be wrong than indecisive
In the Daily Driver podcast, the host discusses their statement 'I'd rather be wrong than indecisive.' They contrast their usual intentional approach in daily life with a more decisive stance taken in racing scenarios.
- The Trophy Case
This episode of The Daily Driver features the audio version of "The Trophy Case," a column from NHRA’s National Dragster magazine, which is part of the "The Science of Winning" series.
- Honoring the NHRA Sportsman Champions
The Daily Driver podcast episode pays tribute to the 2025 NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Champions.
- Pomona... With a Twist!
NHRA altered the Pomona schedule, running sportsman classes on Thursday without time trials due to weather. This change impacts the championship chase, leaving some questions unanswered.
- Will Darian Boesch Win TWO Championships this season? One? None? It's all on the table!
Darian Boesch is in contention for championships in both Top Dragster and Top Sportsman entering the season finale. The episode explores the possibility of him winning one, two, or zero championships.
- Pomona Super Class Reset: Can Whitfield & Brock hold on?
The final race of the NHRA Lucas Oil series is here. This episode discusses the Super Classes and the performance of Whitfield and Brock.
- The Jeff Taylor of it all
This episode focuses on Jeff Taylor's performance at a recent Vegas race. Taylor, a three-time NHRA World Champion, proved his capabilities during the event.
- Justin Lamb = Unbelievable!
This episode of the Daily Driver podcast focuses on Justin Lamb's performance in a recent race, highlighting his determined win.
- Using a lane discrepancy to your advantage
This episode of the Daily Driver podcast discusses lane discrepancies and explains how listeners can leverage them to their benefit. The content focuses on practical applications for drivers.
- Nerd Out: Resetting the championship field in Super Stock, Super Comp, and Super Gas
This episode of Daily Driver breaks down the championship races in Super Stock, Super Comp, and Super Gas. Host Luke discusses the favorites, including Jimmy Hidalgo, Jr. in Super Stock, Kris Whitfield in Super Comp, and JJ Brock in Super…
- Nerd Out: Updating the title chase in Comp, Top Dragster, & Top Sportsman
Luke discusses the favorites and contenders for the Top Dragster, Top Sportsman, and Competition Eliminator titles with only two weeks remaining in the season.
- Nerd Out: It was a good weekend for the incoming leaders!
The episode recaps the NHRA Lucas Oil season event in Las Vegas. The weekend favored the points leaders, with no lead changes occurring, which is uncommon late in the season.
- Racing with nothing to lose
This episode of Daily Driver discusses the 'nothing to lose' racing mindset, with the host sharing insights on how it leads to best performance and the ongoing challenge of accessing this mindset reliably.
- The nerd out! A deep look in the Super Gas title chase
This episode of The Nerd Out discusses the Super Gas title chase, noting that the drama has consistently come down to Pomona for the past three seasons. Eleven drivers remain in contention for the championship as they enter the West Coast…
- Super Comp Reset
The 8.90 Super Comp category is resetting for the final three weeks of the season. Kris Whitfield has dominated, but his championship isn't secured due to waived wins.
- Resetting the Super Stock Title Chase
The Super Stock title race is heating up. Despite Jimmy Hidalgo, Jr.'s lead, his closest competitors, who have a combined nine NHRA World Championships, are still in contention.
- Nerd Out Updates - Stock & Comp
This episode of Daily Driver focuses on the Stock and Comp classes for the final three weeks of the season. The content specifically addresses updates related to these two racing categories.
- Jessica Eastburn makes a MOVE (Updated T/D Nerd Out)
Jessica Eastburn is featured in the latest Top Dragster Nerd Out episode of the Daily Driver podcast. The episode focuses on updates related to Top Dragster.
- The Nerd Out! Stock Eliminator
The Nerd Out! series is shifting focus, dedicating each episode to a single racing class. This installment dives deep into Stock Eliminator.
- The Nerd Out! (Featuring SC, TD, TS)
In this episode of Daily Driver, titled 'The Nerd Out!', the host provides a high-level overview of several classes that are unlikely to be significantly affected by the upcoming divisional races.
- The Jr. Dragster Experience
This episode of The Daily Driver features 'The Jr Dragster Experience,' a piece from the author's column 'The Science of Winning' published in NHRA's National Dragster magazine.
- Dragster or Door Car? with Mikie Sturgill
On The Daily Driver, former NHRA World Champion Mikie Sturgill joins the podcast to discuss his transition from racing a dragster to a door car. Sturgill, a respected name in sportsman drag racing, shares his expertise.
- Where I come from
The Daily Driver podcast features a column titled 'Where I Come From', originally published in NHRA's National Dragster.
- The benefits of versatility with Matt Dadas
This episode of Daily Driver features instructor Matt Dadas discussing his adaptability and experience driving multiple classes. The conversation focuses on the advantages of being versatile in racing.
- What helmet shield do you recommend? with Mikie Sturgill
This episode addresses the common question of helmet shield recommendations, drawing from a segment on the ThisIsBracketRacing Facebook page. Mikie Sturgill joins the discussion to share expertise.
- Character
This episode of Daily Driver focuses on character, specifically the kind that emerges when it seems least important and no one is observing. It prompts listeners to consider how they will choose to act when unobserved.
- Making performing under pressure easy!
This episode discusses the mental game of bracket racing, focusing on strategies to make performing under pressure easier. It is the final audio edition of the ThisIsBracketRacing email series.