Unmatched Community: Michael Narx and Drag Drive Repeat’s Story
In a special crossover episode of the Gearheads ‘n Gasoline podcast, co-hosts Barry from Motorhead Digital and Annette Bower Creative sat down with a familiar face in the drag-and-drive world: Michael Narx, founder of Drag Drive Repeat. What unfolded was a deep dive into the raw energy, hustle, and heart behind the fastest-growing grassroots motorsports community in the world — and the man who helped ignite its media revolution.
"All I was covering was Drag and Drive. It’s the best car community out there. I’ll fight anybody that wants to argue with me about it." — Michael Narx
From Hot Wheels to Horsepower
Michael’s automotive addiction runs deep — like, Hot Wheels in the grocery store aisle deep. As a kid, every store run with his mom and grandmother meant snagging a die-cast car or stumbling into a local cruise night. Those early days built a foundation that’s now wall-to-wall in his shop, with hundreds of collectibles still proudly on display.
And let’s not forget the ’66 C10. Originally owned by his grandfather and driven across the U.S. by an ironworker in the '60s and '70s, that truck became Michael’s first car at 16. Today, it's a turbo LS-powered burnout machine with a welded diff, 500 wheel hp and plenty of history stitched into every scratch on the patina. The goal? Reliability, road trips, and gnarly high-speed burnouts.
But Narx’s journey wasn’t just forged in the garage — it was shaped by years in car dealerships, logistics, and a relentless pursuit to blend his passion with purpose.
From Sales Floors to Start Lines
A high-school dream to start a shop with his buddy Aaron got sidetracked by real life — sales jobs, raising kids, and chasing stability. But when tragedy struck in 2020 with the passing of his father, Michael’s path took a turn. That was the wake-up call.
“I was in my late 30s with two kids, and I started feeling something shift. That’s when I started interviewing racers and learning everything I could about Drag and Drive. It showed me life was short and I better get to doing something I like.”
With the cancellation of Hot Rod Drag Week due to COVID, Rocky Mountain Race Week 2.0 opened up — and just two hours from home. Michael jumped in with a camera, built the NarxKart (an open-cage Grand Marquis monstrosity), and launched into what would soon become Drag Drive Repeat.
Birth of a Brand: Why Niche Wins
Drag Drive Repeat didn’t happen by accident — it was meticulously crafted. Michael spent weeks building the name, logo, and identity before the first post ever hit the feed.
“I didn’t want to just fire stuff off and figure it out later. I wanted a real brand. One that could serve the community.”
That intentionality paid off. While others tried to cover “everything automotive,” Narx doubled down on a niche: drag-and-drive events only. No promods. No drifting. No distractions. Just the hardcore world of Drag and Drive — a community of racers who daily their builds, thrash on parts in parking lots, and rack up thousands of miles between passes.
The formula worked. In just a few years, Drag Drive Repeat has become a powerful voice for the Drag and Drive community — with 1500+ videos, two weekly livestreams, and thousands of daily followers.
Grinding for Growth (and Sponsorships)
“We posted more than 3,000 times in 2022. We blanketed everything.”
That relentless volume of content helped DDR earn a loyal following and draw attention from key industry sponsors like Summit Racing and DeatschWerks. But Michael admits — sponsorship doesn’t come easy. It's not just logos and hope. It’s about storytelling and solving a problem for the brand.
“Don’t just send an email asking for a sponsorship. Show them how you can help. Use their products. Talk about them. Build the relationship first.”
Narx also emphasized the value in local partnerships. He cited how Rocky Mountain Race Week collaborates with Denver-based businesses, and how even small brands can move the needle when they back everyday racers.
Highlighting the Underdogs
Narx and Drag Drive Repeat has always kept the spotlight on every racer, even the slower cars. That’s where the bulk of Drag and Drive racers live. And those are the stories he loves to tell — the ones where people JB Weld their oil pans, zip-tie radiators back together, and still make it to the next checkpoint.
“I want to see your car at a gas station, not just the starting line. That’s what makes this community different.”
Community is everything. When a racer breaks down, others step in. It’s not about beating each other. It’s about finishing the week — together.
Stats, Strategy, and the Future
Michael is obsessed with stats. But in a world of inconsistent event tracking, he’s had to scrape, chase, and archive performance data from over 100 events. That’s why he’s now working on backend website tools to collect and organize records across all events.
“I want Drag Drive Repeat to be the NHRA Stats of Drag and Drive.”
It’s not just about numbers. It’s about honoring every single racer, from 14-second grocery-getters to 4-second monsters. And while he dreams of automation to collect ETs and mile-per-hour data, Narx knows it’ll take time and buy-in from promoters.
Until then, he’ll keep chasing. Keep building.
Going All In
Narx made the leap full-time in 2023. He left corporate life. Took odd jobs. Hustled content gigs with Tulsa Raceway Park, Keith Haney Racing, and the Midwest Drag Race Series — all to fund his dream.
With 40+ events on the Drag and Drive calendar and over 5,000 racers worldwide, the demand for coverage is exploding. But for Narx, it’s still personal.
“How can Eric and I talk about Drag and Drive all day, every day? That’s all I want to do.”
Even with 100K followers just around the corner, the grind never stops. He’s up late editing videos. Managing six brands at once. All while raising two competitive daughters and prepping a new car build for his youngest so she can compete in Junior Street.
What Keeps Him Grounded
Beach vacations are rare. Time off is even rarer. But mountain biking in Bentonville and the occasional unplugged day helps. So does the support from his wife Melissa, who holds it down while Narx travels 17+ weeks a year to cover events.
Still, unplugging is hard when your brand is your life.
“This phone is my favorite tool. Document everything. Take photos. Post them. You won’t remember all the cool stuff you did unless you do.”
The Bigger Picture
As Drag and Drive continues to grow, so does the need for impact studies, sponsorship education, and smart event promotion. Narx believes every racer, promoter, and business owner needs to understand the value they bring — and how to articulate it.
His advice?
Use the products you want to represent.
Build relationships before you ask for support.
Think bigger than just your car — think about your influence.
And always keep the story at the center.
“Every car has a story. That’s what makes this community unmatched.”
🎙 Final Shoutouts:
Summit Racing (major sponsor of Drag Drive Repeat)
Daniel Green (mentor and friend)
Eric White (co-host and creative partner)
Rocky Mountain Race Week, Sick Week, and the entire Drag and Drive family
Follow Michael Narx & Drag Drive Repeat:
Facebook: Michael Narx
YouTube & Instagram: @DragDriveRepeat
Website: dragdriverepeat.com
Want more Drag and Drive coverage?
Check out our full archive of recaps, racer interviews, and event news at Daily Dose.
Because this isn’t just racing — it’s a lifestyle.
