What does it take to turn a city street into a world-class drag strip? Kurt Johnson, owner of Total Venue Concepts and the man behind some of the best racing surfaces in the world, joins us for a deep dive into track prep, drag strip operations, and the state of drag racing today.
From the evolution of traction compound and “rubber stretch” science, to the business realities of running a successful track, Kurt shares decades of hard-earned knowledge plus where he sees the sport headed next. We also cover how he’s applying motorsports expertise to other industries, why the fan experience matters more than ever, and the cultural changes drag racing needs to thrive.
If you’re a racer, track operator, or motorsports fan, this episode is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else.
Topics include:
Roadkill Nights and building a drag strip in the streets of Pontiac
The art and science of track prep (and why it’s not “witchcraft”)
How to run a great drag strip from the front gate to the finish line
Revenue, margins, and the hidden challenges of track ownership
The future of slicks, radials, and class trends
Lessons from consulting for Tony Stewart Racing
Using AI, new tech, and cross-industry skills in motorsports
The cultural side of racing and why personality sells
#AutomotiveAdvantage #DragRacing #TrackPrep #KurtJohnson #TonyStewartRacing #RoadkillNights #MotorsportsBusiness #NHRA #IHRA
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