Digest

This episode of the podcast dives into the Dover race weekend, highlighting Denny Hamlin's victory and the various events that unfolded. The discussion begins with the challenging weather conditions, particularly on Saturday, which made for a difficult race. Brad Keselowski's spin-out is analyzed, with the hosts attributing it to a loose car and the difficulty of driving these new cars sideways. Jimmy Johnson's call for more practice is debated, with the hosts questioning the effectiveness of a single 45-minute session. The episode then delves into the controversial wreck involving Zane Smith and Tyler Reddick, with the hosts analyzing the incident and discussing the blameworthiness of each driver. The hosts also touch upon the use of rearview cameras in the cars, with Kyle Larson's suggestion to remove them sparking debate. The episode concludes with a discussion about the performance of Ford drivers, who are still winless this season, and the overall dominance of JGR and HMS cars. The hosts also discuss Eric Jones's absence from the Dover race due to a back injury and Corey Heim's performance in his place. The podcast then transitions to a segment called "Reaction Theater" where fans call in to share their thoughts and opinions on various topics. The hosts discuss the upcoming Kansas race weekend, the potential for an 18-game NFL season, and the impact on the Daytona 500 schedule. They also discuss Kyle Larson's decision to have Kevin Harvick practice and qualify his car for the All-Star race while he competes in the Indy 500. The hosts analyze the implications of this decision and the potential benefits for both Larson and Harvick. The episode concludes with a discussion about the Dash for Cash race at Talladega and the significance of the event for drivers like Anthony Alfredo.

Outlines

00:00:00

Dover Race Weekend Recap

This Chapter discusses the Dover race weekend, including the challenging weather conditions, Brad Keselowski's spin-out, and Denny Hamlin's victory.

00:03:27

Jimmy Johnson's Advocacy for More Practice

This Chapter delves into Jimmy Johnson's call for more practice time, with the hosts debating the effectiveness of a single 45-minute session and the potential impact on tire usage.

00:07:11

Driving Styles and Passing Difficulty

This Chapter explores the changes in driving styles in the new cars, particularly the increased speed through the center of the corners, and how it affects passing opportunities.

00:08:25

Dover's Unique Characteristics

This Chapter highlights the unique aspects of Dover, including the track's rubbering, the potential for big wrecks on restarts, and the passionate fan base.

00:10:08

Race Dynamics and Passing Challenges

This Chapter analyzes the race dynamics, including the changing track conditions, the difficulty of passing, and the impact of pit stops on car performance.

00:13:06

The Zane Smith and Tyler Reddick Wreck

This Chapter examines the controversial wreck involving Zane Smith and Tyler Reddick, with the hosts discussing the blameworthiness of each driver and the impact of the incident on the race.

00:18:21

Rearview Cameras and Arrow Blocking

This Chapter delves into the debate surrounding rearview cameras in the cars, with Kyle Larson's suggestion to remove them sparking discussion about the impact on arrow blocking and passing opportunities.

00:21:57

Ford's Winless Streak and Team Performance

This Chapter discusses the ongoing winless streak for Ford drivers and the overall performance of Ford teams compared to JGR and HMS cars.

00:25:39

Watkins Glen Track Changes and Safety Concerns

This Chapter examines the recent changes to the Watkins Glen track and the safety concerns raised by drivers, particularly Kyle Larson's comments about the impact on his body.

00:29:52

Eric Jones's Absence and Corey Heim's Performance

This Chapter discusses Eric Jones's absence from the Dover race due to a back injury and Corey Heim's performance in his place.

00:52:52

Reaction Theater

This Chapter features the "Reaction Theater" segment where fans call in to share their thoughts and opinions on various topics, including the Dover race weekend, the upcoming Kansas race weekend, and the potential for an 18-game NFL season.

01:11:30

DBC Picks

This Chapter features the "DBC Picks" segment where the hosts make their picks for the upcoming Kansas race weekend.

01:23:02

Looking Ahead to Kansas

This Chapter discusses the upcoming Kansas race weekend and what fans can expect from the event.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the weather conditions like at Dover during the race weekend?

  The weather was challenging, particularly on Saturday, with cold temperatures and rain. Sunday saw better conditions with sunshine and warmer temperatures.

• Why did Brad Keselowski spin out during the race?

  Keselowski's spin-out was attributed to a loose car and the difficulty of driving the new cars sideways. The hosts noted that the new cars are less forgiving when it comes to being loose.

• What is Jimmy Johnson's stance on practice time in NASCAR?

  Johnson advocates for more practice time, specifically a 45-minute session. However, the hosts questioned the effectiveness of a single session and the potential impact on tire usage.

• What happened in the controversial wreck involving Zane Smith and Tyler Reddick?

  The wreck occurred on a restart, with Tyler Reddick making an aggressive move that resulted in a three-wide situation. Zane Smith, caught in the middle, was unable to avoid the contact and ended up spinning out, triggering a multi-car crash. The hosts debated the blameworthiness of each driver, with some arguing that Smith should have been more defensive.

• What is Kyle Larson's opinion on rearview cameras in NASCAR cars?

  Larson believes that rearview cameras make arrow blocking too easy and suggests removing them. The hosts debated the impact of this change on passing opportunities and the role of spotters.

• How are Ford drivers performing this season?

  Ford drivers are still winless this season, with the hosts expressing concern about their performance compared to JGR and HMS cars. They highlighted the need for Ford teams to improve their performance quickly.

• What happened to Eric Jones at Dover?

  Jones was unable to race at Dover due to a back injury. The hosts explained that the injury was more of a preventative measure, with concerns about potentially aggravating it at a track like Dover. Jones is hoping to return to racing soon.

• How did Corey Heim perform in Eric Jones's absence?

  Heim had a decent run at Dover, finishing 25th. The hosts noted that he showed decent speed and was not a problem for the other drivers.

• What is the significance of the new track changes at Watkins Glen?

  The changes to the track have been met with mixed reactions, with some drivers expressing concern about the impact on safety and the increased G-forces experienced during the race. The hosts discussed the potential impact of the changes on the racing at Watkins Glen.

• What is the current state of the NASCAR season?

  The season is about one-fourth of the way through, with the playoffs approaching. The hosts discussed the increasing pressure on drivers to perform well and the importance of winning races to secure a playoff spot.

• What is the potential impact of an 18-game NFL season on the Daytona 500 schedule?

  The hosts discussed the potential for the NFL to start their season on a weekend that includes a Monday off, which would coincide with the Daytona 500 weekend. They debated the potential impact on the race schedule and the possibility of moving the Daytona 500 to a different date.

• Why did Kyle Larson choose Kevin Harvick to practice and qualify his car for the All-Star race?

  Larson is competing in the Indy 500 on the same weekend as the All-Star race, so he needed someone to practice and qualify his car. Harvick, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion and a recent retiree, was chosen because of his experience and knowledge of the cars. The hosts discussed the benefits of this decision for both Larson and Harvick.

• What is the significance of the Dash for Cash race at Talladega?

  The Dash for Cash race is a unique event that gives drivers who may not have the opportunity to race for a win throughout the season a chance to compete for a significant cash prize. The hosts discussed the importance of this event for drivers like Anthony Alfredo, who won the race at Talladega.

Show Notes