The Racing Network

15-Year-Old Beats National Champions | Spec Racer Ford Super Tour Win | Inside the SCCA

In this episode of Inside the SCCA, I sit down with rising racing talent Asad Nikadambaev, who stunned the field at Buttonwillow Raceway by taking victory in Spec Racer Ford Gen3 against some of the most experienced drivers in the class.Asad’s journey started the way many modern drivers do — karting, sim racing, and relentless practice on the sim — but his rise through the ranks has been incredibly fast. In this interview we dive into:• How he went from karting at 10 years old to winning national races at 15• Why Spec Racer Ford is one of the best development platforms in motorsports• How sim racing helped him stay calm under pressure• The story behind the viral racing videos he makes with his sister• His goal of reaching GT racing, IMSA, and beyondIf you want to understand how young drivers climb the motorsports ladder, this episode gives you a rare look inside the mindset, preparation, and family support behind a rising racing career.And yes… he held off multiple national champions to do it.👇 Drop a comment: Could sim racing really be the best training tool for real drivers?#SCCA #SpecRacerFord #SimRacing #Karting #motorsports https://www.nikadambaev.com/https://www.instagram.com/nikadambaev_motorsports/Instagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. rayesportsracing.comAbout the Host: Brian Bielanski has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

From wrenching in the paddock… to becoming a national champion with Eric Yagel | Inside the SCCA

In Episode 259 of Inside the SCCA, Brian Bielanski sits down with 2025 B-Spec National Champion Eric Yagel to break down his journey through grassroots racing, endurance battles, and the strategy it took to win big at SCCA Runoffs. From his first chaotic laps at Texas World Speedway to dominating at Road America, this episode dives deep into real racecraft, tire science, drafting tactics, and how to actually get faster.You’ll hear why racing in the rain makes you faster, how spec classes really work behind the scenes, and the mindset shift that separates mid-pack drivers from champions. If you race, sim race, or want to start racing — this episode is a masterclass.⚙️ Topics covered:Building skill through endurance racingChoosing the right car for your driving styleTire strategy secrets (Goodyear vs Hankook)Drafting psychology in spec racingWinning strategy at the June Sprints👉 Whether you run club races, compete in iRacing, or dream of your first green flag — this episode will change how you think about racing.Photo Credit: Visors Down Motorsports Photography   / visorsdownmotorsportsphotography  #Motorsports #Racing #Racecraft #SCCA #SimRacingInstagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. rayesportsracing.comAbout the Host: Brian Bielanski has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

The SCCA Super Tour doesn’t just happen — it’s built mile by mile. | Inside the SCCA

In this episode of Inside the SCCA, Brian Bielanski sits down with Scott Dobler, SCCA Racing Series Manager and the man who literally drives the Super Tour across America. From 36,000 miles on the road to behind-the-scenes logistics, schedule changes, Barber Motorsports Park’s big debut, and what’s actually new for the 2026 Super Tour — this is the inside story you don’t hear anywhere else.Scott shares how he grew up in the SCCA, why the Super Tour is the pinnacle of grassroots sprint racing, and what competitors need to know heading into 2026 — including tech tips, helmet rules, and why “neat and clean” matters more than ever.If you race SCCA, work events, or just love how big racing weekends come together, this episode pulls back the curtain like never before.👇 Drop a comment and tell us which Super Tour stop you’re most excited for in 2026.#SCCA#SuperTour#ClubRacing#Motorsports#GrassrootsRacingInstagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. rayesportsracing.comAbout the Host: Brian Bielanski has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

How to Start Wheel-to-Wheel Racing (Without Wasting $20K First) | Inside the SCCA

Want to go wheel-to-wheel racing but have no clue where to start? This episode breaks down the real path to getting your SCCA novice permit, what happens at a driver school, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes most new racers make.Inside this episode of Inside the SCCA, Brian sits down with Jacob Yeznik of PTC Driving Academy to talk about the smartest entry point into amateur racing, why driver schools matter, and how to transition from karting, sim racing, track days, or autocross into real competition.We cover:What actually happens during a 2-day racing schoolHow to get your SCCA novice permitThe difference between club schools and arrive-and-drive programsWhy starting in lower-power formula cars makes you faster long-termThe biggest mistakes new racers makeWhat you really need to bring to your first schoolIf you’ve ever thought, “I want to go racing” — this is the roadmap.Whether your goal is Formula Ford, GT cars, Trans Am, endurance racing, or just club racing for fun, this episode shows how drivers safely and affordably enter the sport.🎯 Perfect for fans of: SCCA racing, grassroots motorsports, racing licenses, track driving, karting progression, and race driver development.#SCCA #Motorsports #RacingSchool #RaceCarDriver #GrassrootsRacing #TrackDay #ClubRacing #FormulaFord #DriverDevelopment #goracinghk Instagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer PTC ACADEMY: https://www.ptcdriving.com/Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. rayesportsracing.comAbout the Host: Brian Bielanski has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

SCCA Runoffs Returning to Road Atlanta in 2027–2028 | Inside the SCCA

The SCCA National Championship Runoffs are officially getting a new home — and it’s a historic one.In this special breaking news episode of Inside the SCCA, Brian Bielanski is joined by SCCA’s Eric Prill to announce that the 2027 and 2028 Runoffs will return to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. This marks a homecoming for the Runoffs, which spent 24 legendary years at Road Atlanta — the era that defined SCCA championship racing.We break down:🏁 Why Road Atlanta was chosen🏁 What changes made the move possible🏁 Event format updates (Saturday race finish!)🏁 Paddock logistics and space planning🏁 How this affects racers and workers🏁 Why 2026 at Road America is still can’t-missThis isn’t just a venue change — it’s a return to the track that helped build SCCA history.If you’re an SCCA racer, crew member, volunteer, or lifelong fan of American road racing, this one matters.👉 Are you planning to run the Runoffs at Road Atlanta? Let us know in the comments.#SCCA #Runoffs #RoadAtlanta #ClubRacing #Motorsports #RoadRacing #RacingNews #SCCARunoffsInstagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. Go to rayesportsracing.com for all the info you need. About Brian: Brian has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.