Digest

This episode of Action, Statemental dives into the latest NASCAR news, starting with the return of the Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge. The hosts discuss the format, the participants, and the potential for upsets. They also touch on the news that Race Hub is ending after 15 years, and the implications of this for NASCAR's media presence. The episode then shifts to Michael McDowell's move to Spire Motorsports for the 2025 season, with the hosts analyzing the potential impact of the move on both McDowell and Spire. The episode concludes with a detailed recap of the Darlington race weekend, including a discussion of the race's key moments, the drivers' performances, and the impact of the race on the playoff standings. The hosts also delve into the controversial incident involving Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Kyle Busch, and the potential for payback in future races. The hosts also discuss Josh Berry's performance at Darlington, highlighting his strong runs and the potential for future success. The episode ends with a discussion of Denny Hamlin's wife Jordan's upcoming go-kart race, with Denny expressing his excitement for the event and his plans to help her prepare.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge

This Chapter begins with the hosts introducing the episode and discussing the return of the Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge. They explain the format of the bracket, which will feature the top 32 drivers in the standings after the Charlotte race, and will run over five weeks, starting at Gateway and ending at Nashville. The hosts also discuss their own potential matchups in the bracket.

00:03:32

Race Hub Ending and Michael McDowell's Move to Spire

This Chapter focuses on the news that Race Hub is ending after 15 years, and the hosts discuss the implications of this for NASCAR's media presence. They also analyze Michael McDowell's move to Spire Motorsports for the 2025 season, discussing the potential impact of the move on both McDowell and Spire. The hosts express their opinions on the move, and discuss the factors that may have influenced McDowell's decision.

00:12:30

Darlington Race Recap and Controversial Incident

This Chapter provides a detailed recap of the Darlington race weekend, including a discussion of the race's key moments, the drivers' performances, and the impact of the race on the playoff standings. The hosts also delve into the controversial incident involving Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Kyle Busch, and the potential for payback in future races. They analyze the incident, discussing the drivers' actions and the potential consequences.

01:07:09

Truck and Xfinity Race Recap

This Chapter provides a recap of the Truck and Xfinity races at Darlington. The hosts discuss the key moments of each race, the drivers' performances, and the impact of the races on the respective series standings. They also highlight the performances of drivers who competed in both the Cup and lower series races.

01:11:09

Spotter Communication and All-Star Break

This Chapter focuses on the communication between drivers and their spotters, specifically discussing the use of the term "soft three" to indicate a restart strategy. The hosts also discuss the upcoming All-Star Race, and the fact that it is not a points race. They express their excitement for the race, and discuss their expectations for the event.

01:14:05

Kudos and Hard Charger Award

This Chapter highlights the performances of drivers who deserve recognition for their efforts at Darlington. The hosts discuss the performances of Todd Gillan, Justin Haley, and Josh Berry, and their potential for future success. They also discuss the impact of driver ownership on their perspective of the sport.

01:18:22

Josh Berry's Performance and Jordan Hamlin's Go-Kart Race

This Chapter focuses on Josh Berry's performance at Darlington, highlighting his strong runs and the potential for future success. The hosts also discuss Denny Hamlin's wife Jordan's upcoming go-kart race, with Denny expressing his excitement for the event and his plans to help her prepare.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge and how does it work?

  The Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge is a NASCAR fan competition where participants predict the outcomes of races to determine a champion. The bracket features the top 32 drivers in the standings after the Charlotte race and runs over five weeks, starting at Gateway and ending at Nashville. Participants fill out their brackets and earn points based on their predictions. The player with the most points at the end of the bracket wins.

• What are the implications of Race Hub ending for NASCAR's media presence?

  The cancellation of Race Hub marks a significant shift in NASCAR's media strategy, as it moves towards digital platforms. The show's cancellation reflects the changing landscape of television viewership, as cable networks are losing viewers to streaming services. NASCAR is likely looking to reach a wider audience through online platforms, such as YouTube, which offer greater flexibility and reach.

• What factors may have influenced Michael McDowell's decision to move to Spire Motorsports?

  Michael McDowell's decision to move to Spire Motorsports for the 2025 season is likely influenced by a combination of factors, including financial security, a multi-year contract, and the potential for future success with Spire. McDowell may have been seeking a more stable situation after driving for Front Row Motorsports on a year-to-year basis. Spire's recent investments in resources and its commitment to building a competitive team may have also been attractive to McDowell.

• What was the controversial incident involving Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Kyle Busch at Darlington?

  The incident occurred during a restart, when William Byron made an aggressive three-wide move on the bottom lane, spinning out Ryan Blaney. Kyle Busch was also caught up in the incident. Blaney was furious with Byron, expressing his anger on the radio and confronting Byron after the race. The incident sparked a debate about driver responsibility and the potential for payback in future races.

• What are the key takeaways from the Truck and Xfinity races at Darlington?

  The Truck Series race saw Ross Chastain dominate and win, while the Xfinity Series race was dominated by Justin Allgaier. Both races saw Cup Series drivers who dropped down to the lower levels struggle early on, highlighting the challenges of adapting to different cars and tracks. The races also showcased the talent and potential of drivers who are not yet competing in the Cup Series.

• What is the meaning of the term "soft three" in spotter communication?

  The term "soft three" is used by spotters to indicate a restart strategy. It means that three cars have taken the bottom lane, and the driver has the option to either take the top lane or the bottom lane based on their assessment of the situation. The spotter is providing the driver with information about the number of cars taking each lane, allowing them to make an informed decision about their restart strategy.

• What are the hosts' expectations for the upcoming All-Star Race?

  The hosts are excited for the upcoming All-Star Race, which is a non-points race that features a unique format and a prestigious trophy. They are looking forward to the event, which is a showcase for the best drivers in the sport. The hosts are also interested to see how the race will play out at North Wilkesboro Speedway, which is returning to the NASCAR schedule after a long absence.

• What drivers deserve recognition for their performances at Darlington?

  The hosts highlight the performances of Todd Gillan, Justin Haley, and Josh Berry, who all drove strong cars and deserve recognition for their efforts. They also discuss the impact of driver ownership on their perspective of the sport, noting that they are now more attentive to the performances of drivers who are also co-owners of their teams.

• How does driver ownership change the hosts' perspective of the sport?

  The hosts acknowledge that driver ownership has changed their perspective of the sport, as they are now more attentive to the performances of drivers who are also co-owners of their teams. They are more aware of the challenges and pressures that come with being both a driver and an owner, and they are more appreciative of the drivers who are able to balance these roles successfully.

• What is the "Better Half Dash" and how does it relate to Jordan Hamlin?

  The "Better Half Dash" is a go-kart race for the significant others of NASCAR drivers. Jordan Hamlin, Denny Hamlin's wife, will be competing in the race at the Trackhouse Motorplex. Denny is excited for the event and plans to help Jordan prepare.

Show Notes