Digest

Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi continue their discussion about the Coca-Cola 600, focusing on the $75,000 fine given to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for his actions after the race. They debate whether the fine was excessive, considering the context of the incident and the precedent set by previous fines. Gluck argues that the fine was too high, suggesting a more moderate amount would have been sufficient. Bianchi, however, acknowledges the need for NASCAR to send a message about unacceptable behavior, even if the amount seems steep. They also discuss the different perspectives within NASCAR on the incident, with the marketing and social media departments potentially seeing it as an opportunity for publicity, while the competition side prioritizes maintaining order and discipline. The conversation then shifts to the Good Race Poll, where they discuss the low score for the Coca-Cola 600 despite the good racing, attributing it to the race being canceled before its conclusion. Finally, they share a humorous anecdote about a young fan who plans to wear a pink suit for Halloween, inspired by Jordan's infamous pink suit worn during a previous podcast bet.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast, The Teardown, and its hosts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, who are Motorsport writers for The Athletic. They discuss the Memorial Day hangover and the disappointment of the Coca-Cola 600 being rained out.

00:00:18

Kyle Larson's Double Attempt

This Chapter focuses on Kyle Larson's attempt to run both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The hosts discuss Larson's emotional reaction to the rain-shortened 600, which prevented him from getting in the car. They also debate whether Larson should receive a waiver for missing the start of the 600, with Gluck arguing against it and Bianchi in favor.

00:55:57

The Future of Stewart-Haas Racing

This Chapter discusses the future of Stewart-Haas Racing, including the potential for a new charter agreement that limits teams to three cars. They speculate on the future of SHR's charters and the potential impact of the new agreement on the sport.

01:01:54

Chase Elliott's Disconnection

This Chapter discusses Chase Elliott's apparent disconnection from NASCAR news, as evidenced by his lack of awareness of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s $75,000 fine. The hosts discuss the benefits and drawbacks of disconnecting from social media and news.

01:04:41

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Fine

This Chapter delves into the $75,000 fine levied on Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for his actions after the Coca-Cola 600. The hosts debate the justification of the fine, considering the context of the incident and the precedent set by previous fines. They also discuss the different perspectives within NASCAR on the incident, with the marketing and social media departments potentially seeing it as an opportunity for publicity, while the competition side prioritizes maintaining order and discipline.

01:08:01

The Good Race Poll

This Chapter discusses the Good Race Poll, where the hosts discuss the low score for the Coca-Cola 600 despite the good racing, attributing it to the race being canceled before its conclusion.

01:10:27

The Pink Suit

This Chapter shares a humorous anecdote about a young fan who plans to wear a pink suit for Halloween, inspired by Jordan's infamous pink suit worn during a previous podcast bet.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the reason behind the $75,000 fine levied on Ricky Stenhouse Jr. after the Coca-Cola 600?

  Stenhouse Jr. was fined for his actions after the race, specifically for confronting another driver and engaging in a heated exchange. NASCAR deemed his behavior unacceptable and decided to send a message with a significant fine.

• What are the different perspectives within NASCAR regarding the fine levied on Stenhouse Jr.?

  The marketing and social media departments might see the incident as an opportunity for publicity, while the competition side prioritizes maintaining order and discipline. This highlights the different priorities and agendas within the organization.

• Why was the Coca-Cola 600 given a low score in the Good Race Poll despite the good racing?

  The race was canceled before its conclusion due to weather, leaving fans disappointed and unable to see the full race. This contributed to the low score, as many fans felt cheated out of a complete race experience.

• What is the significance of the precedent set by Matt Kraft's fine in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series?

  Kraft was fined $25,000 for a similar incident, which established a baseline for fines in lower series. This was used as a reference point when determining the fine for Stenhouse Jr. in the NASCAR Cup Series, with the amount typically doubling as you move up the series ladder.

• What is the impact of the new charter agreement on the NASCAR Cup Series?

  The new agreement is expected to limit teams to three cars, potentially encouraging new ownership groups to enter the sport and spreading out the charters. This could lead to a more diverse field of teams and drivers, as well as a more competitive racing environment.

• What is the significance of the Indy 500 being the biggest race in the world?

  The Indy 500 is considered the biggest race in the world due to its history, its prestige, and its global reach. It is a major event in the world of motorsports, and it attracts a large audience of fans and media.

• What is the purpose of the waiver rule in NASCAR?

  The waiver rule was primarily implemented to ensure that drivers would start at every race, even if they were injured. It was also intended to prevent drivers from skipping races for personal reasons. However, the rule has been modified over time, and it is now used in a variety of situations.

• What is the potential impact of Kyle Larson's attempt to run the double on NASCAR?

  Larson's attempt to run the double has generated a lot of interest in NASCAR, both from fans and from the media. It has also helped to elevate the sport and make it more appealing to a wider audience.

• What is the future of Stewart-Haas Racing?

  It is expected that Stewart-Haas Racing will divest itself of its charters and cease to exist as a NASCAR Cup Series team after the 2024 season. The team's charters are likely to be purchased by other teams, and the new charter agreement is expected to limit teams to three cars.

• What is the significance of the Coca-Cola 600 being a crown jewel race?

  The Coca-Cola 600 is considered a crown jewel race due to its length, its history, and its Memorial Day weekend timing. It is also the most important race of the regular season in terms of points awarded.

Show Notes