8.5 Pro Mod Legend Von Smith, Blake Bowser On The March Meet and More!

About this episode

This episode features NHRA Pro Mod legend Von Smith and Blake Bowser discussing their experiences and the upcoming 2026 March Meet at Famoso Drag Strip.

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast Powered by Speedmaster, NHRA Pro Mod legend Von Smith and the March Meet's Blake Bowser join host Brian Lohnes to tell stories, recount history, and explore all that's coming at the 2026 March Meet at historic Famoso Drag Strip in Bakersfield. 2010 NHRA Pro Mod champion Von Smith is the first guest on the show and he talks about his incredible career, transitioning from Funny Car to Pro Mod, winning championships, being among the first to race internationally more than a decade ago, and the kind of inside racer stories we love. Learn about the health battles he overcame, his memorable 2010 season title, and how the world of five second 250mph door slammer racing has evolved and how he himself helped evolve it. Blake Bowser is the second guest on the show. A man with multiple generations of history at Famoso Drag Strip, he now oversees the operation of the famed Good Vibrations March Meet and the California Hot Rod Reunion. Get the inside scoop on what's happening in 2026, the incredible history of the event, and why it continues to be one of the great drag races on the planet from the guy who knows it best. All that and more including…

People in this episode

Host: Brian Lohnes

Guests: Von Smith, Blake Bowser

Topics covered

• NHRA
• Pro Mod
• drag racing
• March Meet
• Famoso Drag Strip

Keywords

• championships
• Funny Car
• drag races
• California Hot Rod Reunion

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Speedmaster

Places: Bakersfield

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