Hauler Talk

NASCAR announced on Monday the return to the Chase format with some updates to the old system! Win, and you're in, along with playoff points, are no more, as the top 16 drivers in points after 26 races will chase the championship. Mike and Nate discuss the behind-the-scenes discussions of the format change, along with several rulebook changes that will go into effect for the O'Reilly Auto Parts series and the Craftsman Truck series when they start their season in Daytona mid-February.0:00 Welcome to the show1:30 Testing at North Wilkesboro and the effects of 750 horsepower12:10: 2026 lug nut rulebook update for NOAPS and NCTS17:20: Addition of OEM provisional to NOAPS and NCTS30:45: Minimum age requirement raised in the NOAPS31:50: Fastest lap rule change38:27: Behind the scenes of the Chase format discussions56:00 Modeling the old points system and the new system and competitive the results were1:04:50: Mark Martin’s outspokenness on the playoff committee1:10:01: How much can the schedule change with the elimination of cutoff races1:15:20: Why the Chase field size is 16 drivers1:17:45: How the new format impacts specialist drivers who relied on certain tracks to make the playoffs1:22:15 Jeff Gordon’s comments on the new format1:23:12 Show closeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Amanda, and Nate wrap up the 2025 season after returning from Phoenix, kicking off by talking about the championship celebrations by Corey Heim, Jesse Love and Kyle Larson. Amanda explains what the champion goes through after they win and how winning multiple championships have different experiences. The group then talked about the Awards Ceremony moving two days after the Cup Series Championship instead of waiting a few weeks to celebrate. After Mike and Nate discuss the caution that sent us to Overtime in Phoenix where William Byron blew a tire as Denny Hamlin was three laps away from his first championship. The group wraps up this episode talking about the Riedel system that NASCAR has been using to communicate among race control during the race season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Nate and Amanda sit down for this season's penultimate episode of Hauler Talk. The big topic of discussion from Martinsville was Sam Mayer wrecking Jeb Burton after the checkered flag and what penalties were handed out. Nate inquired about why there were no free passes given out during some of the cautions at Martinsville. Then the group looked forward to this weekend's race in Phoenix, starting with remote race control staffing, inspection procedures, and then a deep dive into the post-race activities for the champions after they win.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NASCAR Communications' Mike Forde and Amanda Ellis are joined by NASCAR.com's Nate Ryan to review the YellaWood500 at Talladega. Coming up this weekend, Goodyear is bringing a new set a left-side tires to Martinsville for the penultimate race of the season. Plus, NASCAR's Managing Director of Track Development Jerry Kaproth explains how the San Diego street course was built. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike and Nate kick off this week's show discussing the biggest storyline of the weekend, the wreck between Ty Dillon and William Byron. Then Mike and Nate dive into what is considered an uncontrolled tire and how that is determined. Finally, they talk about the angle of a few inside walls at Talladega that got changed to reduce the impact, like we saw with Christopher Bell in the spring race.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Mike, Nate, and Amanda talk all things Charlotte Roval, starting off with why it took so long to finalize the Round of 8 for the Xfinity series. Mike discussed Chastain's move in the final corner and explained if it would be considered a rules violation or not, and Amanda talked about if spotters are allowed to tell their drivers about the playoff points situation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Amanda and Nate discuss the events from the Kansas race weekend, including Zane Smith's unintentional wall ride, Brad Keselowski losing the free pass, and the crew chief ejections. Then they look forward to this weekend's race at the Roval where Xfinity might end the race under the lights, the addition of tire packs, and playoff car post-race inspection procedures.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Nate, and Amanda discuss the great racing at New Hampshire with the new tire, who parked Gibbs after coming out on track, and the New Hampshire tire test back in July. Then Mike drops some info about the options being weighed for the new playoff formats, and Chris Popiela joins to discuss the approval process for RAM or other OEMs to submit new bodies for competition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Hauler Talk Mike, Amanda and Nate look back at the race in Bristol. They discuss the length of cautions, the unexpected high tire degradation and the fires that broke out under a handful of Fords during the race. Afterwards, they discuss why William Byron had his free pass recinded during the race, Denny Hamlin's crew member suspension, and the Richmond tire in New Hampshire this weekend.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Nate and Amanda recap the action at Gateway, kicking off the episode by discussing the brake markers that fell off during the weekend. After they dove into the Trackhouse cars, driving through the grass post-race, and the potential consequences that could occur. Looking ahead to Bristol a new tire will be raced, and we will eliminate four drivers from the playoffs at the end of the race. Wrapping up the episode Mike and Nate discussed the potential of a new playoff format heading into 2026.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Nate, and Amanda talk about the Xfinity race in Portland, what was learned, and Zilisch missing the first turn on the final restart. Then they talked about the action in Darlington and a new tire compound in Gateway.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NASCAR's Mike Forde & Amanda Ellis alongside NASCAR.com's Nate Ryan discuss the 2025 regular season finale at Daytona and look ahead to Sunday's playoff opener at Darlington.(2:30) The 24 car fails inspection at Daytona. Crew Chief Rudy Fugle was ejected and the William Byron started at the back of the field. We go inside the inspection process.(17:30) Should NASCAR give relief drivers official wins? Connor Zilisch and Parker Kligerman win at Daytona in the Xfinity series.(26:30) Connor Zilisch has formally been announced as Trackhouse's replacement for the outgoing Daniel Suarez. Go inside the car number selection process.(36:50) The A-Post flaps made their debut at Daytona and no cars went airborne despite "The Big One" in stage 1. Did you notice the bright colors under the A-post flaps when they enaged? We explain.(42:40) The 2025 NASCAR Playoffs kickoff Sunday night at Darlington in the Southern 500. The Craftsman Truck Series has a unique Saturday afternoon time slot at Darlington. Why the change?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NASCAR EVP, Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer Ben Kennedy & Managing Director of Competition Operations Jusan Hamilton joins Mike Forde, Amanda Ellis & Nate Ryan to peel back the curtain on NASCAR's 2026 schedule release.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Mike, Nate, and Amanda discuss what would've happened if the 19 team put one of their tires on the 23 car, Chase Elliott's pit road penalty, and Connor Zilisch's options for potentially returning at Daytona. Additionally, Dr. Eric Jacuzzi, Vice President of Vehicle Performance, joins the show to discuss the new A-post flap being introduced this weekend in Daytona and the process of creating that part.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Amanda and Nate discuss an eventful weekend at the Glen. They discuss victory lane procedures after Connor Zilisch's fall on Saturday, waiver scenarios for Zilisch and an update on Stewart Friesen's waiver situation that should be finalized by Richmond. The group broke down what happened with the big accidents on Saturday, if Austin Hill and Zilisch were going to get penalized, and what that means for the future of track limits at Watkins Glen. Finally, Mike and Nate discussed what happens when a car withdraws from the race, and if another car would be added if one were available. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Amanda, and Nate recap the action at Iowa, discussing the oil at the end of the Xfinity race, speeding penalties during the Cup race, and the possibility of more horsepower for short tracks in 2026. Mike and Amanda also sit down with Steve Swift, the Senior Vice President of Operations for Speedway Motorsports. They discussed the process of installing and tearing down a baseball field inside Bristol Motor Speedway and what can be learned from hosting the MLB.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hot off the press is the news that Austin Hill will serve a one-race suspension for the upcoming race in Iowa. Mike and Amanda explain how the decision was made to give out the suspension, and how the control tower determined to park Hill for five laps during the race. Nate asks Mike to explain how the random selection works for inspection each week, along with any changes surrounding the current playoff format heading into the 2026 season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amanda sits down with San Diego track president Amy Lupo to discuss NASCAR's return to southern California. All three NASCAR national series will race in San Diego at Naval Base Coronado at the end of June.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Amanda, and Nate sit down to talk about a mostly clean race in Sonoma. They discuss how NASCAR viewed the situation between the pit crews of Brad Keselowski and Ty Gibbs during green flag stops, the Ty Dillon and Alex Bowman contact on the final lap, and why the race wasn't red flagged to fix the tire pack after the 47 contact.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike and Nate are back from vacation, joining Amanda to talk about the Chicago cautions. We saw big hits by #51 Cody Ware and #21 Josh Berry, and there was a caution due to a spectator emergency. Plus the end of the original Chicago contract is up so what does that mean for the future of the Cup series? Mike, Nate, and Amanda break it all down in this week's episode of Hauler Talk!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.