Keith Jones from Total Seal Piston Rings and host Joe Castello interview the world's most knowledgeable engine builders. Technology, tips, and information about how to tackle challenges when building high performance engines and finding that "Hidden Horsepower".
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60 recent
August 20, 20261 hr 1 min
John Card - Pulling Tractors to Farmer's Bling
John Card joins Hidden Horsepower for a deep conversation about his career in the tractor pulling and drag racing world. The New England engine builder who relocated to Brownsburg, IN gives the details of his process on this episode. Keith Jones and Joe Castello pepper John with questions about his innovation mindset. Keith Jones is on the road for a Total Seal trackside tech talk in Brainerd, MN at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals.
August 8, 202649 min
David Nickens - Hidden Horsepower
David Nickens joins Hidden Horsepower for a conversation about his legendary career. Nickens Brothers racing engines have been at the pinnacle of NHRA Competition Eliminator for decades. David discusses his early years, world championships, being named NHRA Top 50 Sportsman Racer, and of course the secrets of high performance. Keith Jones and Joe Castello host.
July 18, 202640 min
Q & A with Keith Jones of Total Seal Piston Rings
If you are building or rebuilding an engine...start here. Keith Jones answers questions from the basics of ring seal, to cylinder finish, to break in oil, and more. Gapless rings are a hot topic. Questions are answered on this episode.
May 23, 20261 hr 7 min
Steve Johnson - 40 Years of Racing
Steve Johnson, a 2X NHRA U.S. Nationals winner who is celebrating 40 years in Pro Stock Motorcycle racing, takes some time to reflect on Hidden Horsepower. From Dale Earnhardt to Don Prudhomme, Steve Johnson has been in the center of racing for decades. Steve will talk about how he had to reinvent himself from a marketing person to an engine builder over his career, and how he has done some wild things just to make it to the track. Hosts Keith Jones and Joe Castello pepper Steve with questions about his thoughts on engine technology and his life in drag racing. Steve's BATMAN technical scholarships program helps young people become automotive technicians and he is the perfect person to give a little advice to aspiring machinists and engine builders. This is a fun episode.
May 19, 202648 min
Dan Binks - 3 Cylinder Monster
On this episode of Hidden Horsepower, presented by Total Seal Piston Rings, we sit down with Dan Binks — former Director of Corvette Racing.From leading GM’s factory Corvette program to multiple championships and Le Mans victories, Dan has engineered at the absolute pinnacle of motorsports. Today he’s bringing that same championship mindset to dirt racing with a wild, high-revving 3-cylinder monster that’s tearing it up at the Chili Bowl Nationals.Hosts Keith Jones and Joe Castello dive deep with Dan on ring seal technology, cylinder pressure management, and the relentless attention to detail it takes to compete and win at the highest levels of the sport.If you build engines, race cars, or simply love cutting-edge horsepower stories, this is one you need to hear right now.Hidden Horsepower — Real power lies in the details. Watch / Listen now.
April 18, 20261 hr 10 min
Sandy Wilkins of Wilkins Racing Engines
Go inside the highly successful "small" business that is Wilkins Racing Engines with Hidden Horsepower. Sandy Wilkins joins Keith Jones and Joe Castello for a in depth conversation about his career as a engine builder, his business, and his racing career. Wilkins, who started his career as an educator, breaks down the lessons he learned at Roush Yates Racing Engines while on the road to becoming a World Champion NHRA Top Sportsman racer. The lessons of the past are always valuable regardless of how high tech things become in the world of engine building. Sandy and Keith discuss ring seal technology, and WFO Joe ever produces some behind the scenes content from Sandy's last race win. This is a fun episode filled with life lessons and information.
March 18, 202613 min
Chris Straub - Straub Technologies - PRI 2025
Chris Straub of Straub Technologies makes his yearly appearance at the Total Seal booth. Chris provides a preview of the road ahead for the performance industry. New parts, new engines, and a great attitude for the machine shop in Piney Flats, Tennessee. Keith Jones and Joe Castello host.
March 16, 202613 min
Gary Stinnett - Blow by as a tuning tool - PRI 2025
Gary Stinnett returns to the Total Seal booth for a deep discussion about "blow by" as a tuning tool in the dyno room. Total Seal's Keith Jones and Gary have an eye opening conversation about best practices and the right tools. Gary also gives an update on his break out product, FOGGIT. A visit by Stinnett is a yearly part of PRI.
March 14, 20268 min
Josh Hart - A New Beginning - PRI 2025
John Force Racing's new Top Fuel driver, Josh Hart, stops by the Total Seal booth to preview his 2026 NHRA Drag Racing season. Spoiler Alert: He did pretty well by winning his first race! Hart who also owns the massive BURNYZZ Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida discusses learning from the legend John Force, and the automotive high-performance industry as a whole.
February 21, 202612 min
Keith Simmons - An Insider's Perspective - PRI 2025
The Hidden Horsepower podcast goes live on location from the bustling Total Seal booth at the 2025 PRI Trade Show, bringing you an exclusive insider's view straight from the heart of the performance racing industry. Join host Joe Castello and Total Seal's own Keith Jones as they sit down with renowned industry veteran and engine builder Keith Simmons. With decades of experience building championship-winning engines —including his time shaping powerplants for NASCAR legends like Jeff Gordon —Keith Simmons delivers candid, no-holds-barred insights on the current state of the racing world. In this special on-the-floor episode, Keith shares his expert perspective on: The evolving challenges and opportunities facing today's racers What engine builders and competitors truly need to stay competitive The cutting-edge technology and innovation on display at Total Seal, from advanced piston ring designs to solutions that unlock that elusive hidden horsepower Recorded amid the energy of the PRI Show floor, this conversation captures the pulse of the industry—real talk from a true insider about trends, tech, and the future of high-performance engines. Whether you're an engine builder, racer, or hardcore enthusiast, don't miss this boots-on-the-ground discussion from the Total Seal booth at PRI 2025. Tune in for technology, tips, and unfiltered perspectives that help you find every last bit of power. Hosted by Joe Castello and Keith Jones. Hidden Horsepower by Total Seal—where the pros reveal what really makes engines win.
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