GNY EP.199 | feat. Badger from the Syracuse Nationals
In this episode of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Brian "Badger" Badger, Operations Manager for the Syracuse Nationals — the largest car show in the Northeast. Badger gives an inside look at what it takes to prepare the New York State Fairgrounds’ 375 acres for three massive days (July 16th-18th) that draw over 7,000 show cars and roughly 90,000 attendees, all run by a tight team of just 6-7 staff plus dedicated volunteers.
Badger breaks down everything happening at this year’s event: the Thursday night "Horsepower After Hours" kickoff party ($5 after 5) featuring lowrider exhibitions, three-wheel motion, a dyno competition with Mobile Dyno Masters, a stereo competition, live music from The Arcade, and nitro cars firing up. He also talks about the returning Wall of Death, celebrity appearances all three days (including Candy Clark from American Graffiti), the Signature Showcase, Winfield Select 6 display cars, a massive lowrider building, and a huge C10 truck invasion.
The conversation also covers family-friendly admission perks (kids 12 and under free, 16 and under free if riding in a show car), camping details (600 spaces, already at capacity), and where to find tickets and more info. It’s a fun, high-energy conversation for car lovers and anyone curious about what goes into running one of the region’s biggest automotive events.
Chapters:
0:00 – Badger’s Thursday night party rundown (teaser)
0:25 – Welcome & introduction to Badger
0:33 – Who is Badger? Operations Manager for Syracuse Nationals
0:58 – Let’s talk Nationals — dates and details
1:00 – 375 acres at the NYS Fairgrounds
1:22 – What’s it take to get ready? Behind-the-scenes prep
2:56 – What can people expect this year?
3:10 – Thursday’s Horsepower After Hours kickoff party
3:50 – Nitro cars, Wall of Death, celebrity appearances
4:23 – 7,000+ cars showing up
4:30 – How big is the event? ~90,000 people
4:47 – Run by a staff of just 6-7 people
5:27 – Where are you trying to grow the event?
5:35 – Family-friendly admission perks
6:31 – Any standout vehicles this year?
6:40 – Signature Showcase, Winfield cars, lowriders, C10 invasion
8:06 – Where to get tickets & event info
8:49 – Camping details (600 spaces, at capacity)
9:08 – Anything else to add?
9:19 – Closing & sponsor thanks
Links & Info:
🔗 www.goodnewsyork.com
🔗 Syracuse Nationals tickets & info: www.syracusenationals.com
Thank you to our sponsor, Ads on the Go — helping local businesses get their message out on the move. Check them out at www.getadsonthego.com
This episode was produced by Click Stream Studios. Want a tour of our new podcast studio, or looking to produce your own podcast or marketing video? Visit www.clickstreamstudios.com to learn more.
