Victory Lane

Another week, another race with Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin up front battling for the win. Davey recaps a busy Brickyard 400 from Indianapolis, including numerous tire failures (and rough impacts), the pit road fiasco resulting in an injured crew member and the strategy/on track battle between Harvick and Hamlin. He also touches on why we should sit back and appreciate the battle the two future Hall of Fame drivers and teams are putting on right now, and analyzes whether or not it'll last throughout the season. Plus, the addition of the Daytona Road Course to the 2020 schedule, President Donald Trump's false comments surrounding Bubba Wallace and NASCAR's television ratings, a brief Kentucky preview and more.

The first ever NASCAR Cup Series doubleheader weekend was a success, as Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin both earned victories (and almost swept the events) from the Tricky Triangle. Davey recaps all the racing action from Pennsylvania over the weekend before welcoming on businessman, entrepreneur and photographer extraordinaire: Daylon Barr (28:15). The two friends have an all encompassing conversation, ranging from whether or not birds are real (IYKYK), learning what a chanticleer is to his fascination with memes. The two also discuss how Daylon has built his racing photography company from the ground up, the satisfaction of it turning into one of the premier outlets in the garage, trials and tribulations that have come with owning his own business, life on the road traveling the NASCAR circuit and more. Plus, Davey previews this weekend’s Fourth of July racing festivities from Indianapolis, tightens some Lug Nuts and gives an ode to a former pace car driver and race winner from the great state of Maryland.

After what's been a whirlwind week, Davey discusses the events that have thrust NASCAR and Bubba Wallace into the international spotlight, including how the sanctioning body handled finding a noose in the No. 43 garage stall at Talladega, the positive resolution and problems that still persist following the incident. He also recaps the instant classic from 'Dega, where Ryan Blaney was victorious in yet another (identical) photo finish, previews the doubleheader and racing action from Pocono and more.

With the Class of 2021 for the NASCAR Hall of Fame set to be enshrined, Davey touches on each of the inductees and why the new process of electing three individuals instead of five is infinitely better for the sport long term. He also preaches as to why the resume of one inductee makes him a slam dunk for the Hall, despite some naysayers. Plus, a complete recap of a busy weekend of racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

It's been a progressive week for NASCAR amid protests for racial injustices, which culminated in the sanctioning body banning the confederate flag. Davey explains why this flurry of changes are good for the sport, and represent a glimpse into the future of inclusivity within it. He also details his unique experience being one of the only media members to cover a race during COVID-19, including the screening process. Plus, recaps of the events from Atlanta and Martinsville and a preview of Homestead-Miami.

There are bigger things going on in the country than racing right now, and they need to be talked about. Davey addresses the current racial tensions and injustices going on in the United States and why staying silent is no longer an option in the fight for equality. He also recaps the insane race from Bristol, where a perfect storm resulted in one of the best races in the last few years. Plus, a preview of Atlanta this weekend and NASCAR's return to Nashville is announced.

Davey recaps the double shot of racing from Charlotte, including Brad Keselowski's Coca-Cola 600 win, Chase Elliott's costly decision, the bounty being claimed in the Truck Series, Elliott getting the monkey off his back on Thursday and more. Plus, a preview of Bristol this weekend.

Real NASCAR racing is back and all is right in the world again. Davey recaps all the action from Darlington Raceway, including Kevin Harvick's milestone win and Denny Hamlin's rain-shortened victory on Wednesday. Topics also include Hamlin's hilarious mask, Chase Elliott's gesture to Kyle Busch, why Wednesday Night NASCAR needs to become a regular thing and was a gigantic success and more. Plus, Chase Briscoe's emotional and inspiring victory over Kyle Busch in the Xfinity Series and a preview of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.

Sam Hunt is breaking the mold as a NASCAR team owner at 26-years-old, and his story is anything but ordinary. After catching the racing bug growing up in the Netherlands, the "Americanized" racing scene took over once back stateside, where he stumbled upon a family friend: J.D. Gibbs. Hunt details their relationship and the help Gibbs gave him before and after college, starting his own team, moving to North Carolina and living in a van outside a shop for six months. Plus, how he and Colin Garrett became partners, the nerve-wracking qualifying run at Homestead in 2019 and why the Daytona heartbreak to kick off 2020 didn't phase him. Davey also recaps the finale iRacing event from North Wilkesboro and previews the return to real (!) racing this weekend at Darlington.

Davey welcomes on Colin Garrett (6:25) for a conversation full of laughs and reminiscing. The Elmo, Virginia native details his late start in getting behind the wheel and the rapid progression in the six years that followed, moving from class to class at his home track of South Boston Speedway, making the jump to race against "(his) heroes" in the K&N Pro Series, including his memorable debut at Langley Speedway. Garrett details moving from shop to shop in order to keep the racing dream alive and some stories of when he and team owner Sam Hunt took over the former Obaika Racing shop filled with junk. Plus, details on how the Hunt and Garrett partnership came together, their brotherly relationship, his love, appreciation and fascination with Formula 1, heartbreak after missing the show in Daytona, his family history in the armed forces translating to veteran backed sponsorships and more. Also, William Byron continues his iRacing dominance, winning at Dover.

Davey welcomes on NASCAR YouTube star Eric Estepp (17:00) to discuss his beginnings on the platform and becoming interested in racing, origins of becoming a Matt Kenseth fan, how his following ballooned to over 100,000 subscribers, getting recognized in public (at Disneyland, of all places!), making his show, "Out Of The Groove" a profitable and legitimate venture now that he's graduating college, his future plans for the channel/his career and more, including his crazy hair back in the day and living life as VERY tall person. Plus, with NASCAR slated to return in mid May at Darlington and Charlotte, Davey details what went into the decision to resume the 2020 season and gives his thoughts on the risk vs reward aspect.

Davey welcomes on the best teenage reporter in NASCAR, wink wink, Andrew Kurland, as the two discuss a myriad of topics on and off the track. The two break down the shocking news of Matt Kenseth replacing Kyle Larson at Chip Ganassi Racing for the remainder of 2020 and whether or not he'll be able to contend for race wins, how Andrew got started as a media member at the ripe age of 14 and why NASCAR was hesitant at first to grant him access. Plus, some legendary stories about the early days, including following Jeff Gordon into the driver's meeting, running on adrenaline while standing in Victory Lane with Jimmie Johnson, bombarding Mike Helton to ask him a stupid question and more. The two also touch on workout routines in quarantine, his freshman year at Arizona State University and long term goals for the 18-year-old, who has already accomplished so much in the industry. Davey also touches on the Pro Invitational Series race at Talladega won by Alex Bowman--or did his dog drive to the victory?

Davey welcomes on Aaron Bearden, founder and CEO of Motorsports Beat, for a wide-ranging conversation. Topics include how his job deeming him essential leads him to living an extremely normal life while others are quarantined, growing up in Indiana, his love for racing starting early on, being a NASCAR fan first and finding IndyCar/the Indianapolis 500 later and attending Ball State University (including how an allergy changed the trajectory of his life). Plus, why he began writing for fun, how it spiraled into something more, overcoming internal struggles with depression and why that makes him a doer, starting Motorsports Beat, the early wake-up calls to write "The Morning Warmup" newsletter, spending hours and hours on the road driving from race to race, tips to stay awake and, of course, how he comes up with his majestic puns...time after time.

Davey welcomes on Chase Wilhelm of NASCAR.com (6:10) for an extended conversation, including some jabs at each other, per usual. How he got into NASCAR at a young age in Ohio, how he almost majored in law instead of journalism in school, moving down to Charlotte to chase a dream (with no job waiting for him), getting his big break, only to get laid off, but eventually getting back on his feet and more. Plus, balancing the friend/professional relationship with drivers, why the hell he’s a Michigan fan when never attending the heinous institution, and of course, some Tinder talk. Also, a recap of William Byron’s second consecutive win in the Pro Invitational Series at Richmond and Lug Nuts of the Week.

With perhaps the best name in NASCAR, Jagger Jones has a rich family history in racing, but has already begun blazing his own trail. Davey and Jagger touch on his love of mountain biking and how that hobby is keeping him sane during this quarantine, being born in a post 9/11 world/not being a 90's kid, his family's background in racing and why how he got started at a young age may not be how most assume. Plus, an extended conversation about his dairy allergy (yes, really), spending some time as a teenager competing in go karts in Europe, reliving the infamous final lap on the Las Vegas Dirt Track in 2019, running the Norra 1000 with "The Snake" Don Prudhomme, why seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson has become a mentor for Jones as he works his way through the ranks and more. Davey closes the show by addressing the Kyle Larson racial slur that led to his firing from Chip Ganassi Racing.

Zach McAfee, founder and owner of Sim Seats, producing Made in USA Driving Simulators since 2009, joins Davey to discuss how Sim Seats has become a leader in the simulator industry, including he got into the business from playing with a pile of scrap metal in college, how his passion for racing drove his interest further and the "aha" moment when he realized his endeavor may be a profitable one. Plus, the extreme financial gain in the last 36 months (amid the coronavirus pandemic, no less), a dive into what makes each rig different (including cost and features) his relationship with drivers, A.K.A. customers, including a funny story about having a conversation with the G.O.A.T. in his garage while delivering a rig, and more.

After recapping the caution-filled Pro Invitational Series event from Bristol won by William Byron, Davey welcomes on Diego Alvarado, eNASCAR Heat Pro League driver for Richard Petty Motorsports and photographer extraordinaire to discuss his cool story. From how a Southern California Hispanic kid got introduced to NASCAR to Davey and Diego's first time meeting, the two touch on everything. Discussing their fanboy stages, cross country road trips chasing the dream, getting drafted by RPM (and how he didn't know when he ~actually~ was selected), his goals and aspirations moving forward, an incredible revelation of his two part-time jobs and more. In "Lug Nuts of the Week," how the NASCAR industry is giving back amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Davey chats with longtime friend Hannah Newhouse in a wide-ranging, all over the place conversation. But who’s surprised about that with these two on the mic? From Hannah’s upbringing in Idaho, time behind the wheel racing, pivoting to the media route, packing up and moving to Charlotte, eventually landing at the Motor Racing Network (with various stops along the way), the two touch on it all. Plus, how has she done all she has at only 23-years-old? The famous “douchebag” comment heard ‘round the world is addressed fully, with two unique perspectives on the incident, how she deals with the wacky Door Bumper Clear crew and, of course, the ~goodest~ girl, Super Planet Janet, makes a couple appearances.

Maryland's finest, Timmy Hill, earned the virtual win at Texas as Round Two of the Pro Series Invitational was a bit cleaner, but albeit more realistic. As iRacing continues to take over the NASCAR landscape, Davey chats with the voice of iRacing, specifically the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, Evan Posocco (15:15). The two discuss the rapid ascension of iRacing in the racing community, Evan's unorthodox introduction to NASCAR, how he got started announcing races, moving from Canada to Las Vegas and attending UNLV. Could an iRacing driver make it to the national series AND have success? Plus, What does the future look like for the sport virtually?

As the sports world remains on hold due to coronavirus, NASCAR and iRacing have joined forces to give a sense of normalcy back to the industry. Davey provides an update from NASCAR President Steve Phelps on the situation and recaps the virtual race at Homestead, won by Denny Hamlin, before welcoming on Ryan Vargas (18:10). The two dive into how eTruck Series Night in America came to be, why it was so successful in a short period of time, whether we'll see another edition of it in the near future and more. Plus, how his roller coaster of a racing career, including some dark times, has helped him learn how to push through in the face of adversity, chicken nuggie talk and more.