8.2 Headline Makers and Writers: Will Smith, Buddy Hill, and Kevin McKenna

On this super-sized, three-guest episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast Powered by Speedmaster, National Dragster's Kevin McKenna, Bluebird Turf Top Fuel driver Will Smith, and Funny Car stalwart Buddy Hull join the show to talk 2026 in all forms and fashions. 

 

McKenna and host Brian Lohnes dive into a range of 2026 season topics, break down some of the recent news, speculate on some of the happenings still in the wings, and explore the radical door slammer fun to come in both Congruity HR Pro Mod and the new Right Trailers Outlaw Street series presented by Xpel. A great chat with lots of insight. 

 

Smith is living a dream. Recently named the driver of the new addition to the Scag Power Equipment factory team, he will be competing full time in Top  Fuel. Smith shares his story, his outlook, and his awesome persona here. A real-deal drag racer speaks from the heart. 

 

Hull made big news a few weeks back, announcing that he would be fielding his own Funny Car operation in 2026. Get the inside scoop on who is tuning, what lessons he learned over a hard 2025 season, and what the strategy is for 2026. One of the biggest personalities in the class goes into success, failure, and the effort of doing it his own way in the coming year.