The latest episode of The Not Bland Show brings together motorsports and football talk with a timely, wide-ranging conversation that drag racing fans won’t want to miss. Host Dujunnea Bland welcomes Caleb Cox, longtime general manager of Cruz Pedregon Racing, for an in-depth discussion on where the team stands heading into the 2026 season — and what’s changed behind the scenes.
The episode opens with Cox addressing recent offseason movement within Cruz Pedregon Racing, a topic that has generated plenty of outside speculation. Cox offers a perspective on how the organization views turnover, continuity, and growth in the modern NHRA landscape, comparing the drag racing offseason to NFL free agency and college football’s NIL era.
From there, the conversation expands beyond the race shop. Cox and Bland touch on the importance of organizational culture, long-term sponsor relationships, and why Cruz Pedregon Racing continues to attract experienced personnel despite the constant churn that defines the sport. There’s also a broader discussion about the state of drag racing, including how additional racing opportunities and emerging series can help teams gain valuable reps and build stronger programs.
As always on The Not Bland Show, football finds its way into the mix. The episode closes with spirited debate on the NFL playoff picture, quarterback situations around the league, and how parity — or the lack of it — is shaping both professional football and motorsports.
It’s a relaxed, candid conversation that blends insight with personality, offering fans a look at how one of NHRA’s most established teams is preparing for what comes next.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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