Podcast #61 — An interview with Michigan International Speedway President Rick Brenner

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Eric Young

Podcast #60 — NASCAR has a nice (aero) package

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Eric Young

Recap: All-Star Race

News Items:

Preview: Coke 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway

Picks

- Eric: Joey Logano
- James: Ryan Blaney

Dark Horse

- James: Erik Jones
- Eric: DINGER

Shoutouts if any

Plug the fantasy league
Plug Patreon

Close show

Where can we be found on social media?
James @jameskuch on Twitter
Eric @Eric8199 on Twitter
The SuperSpeedway @TSuperspeedway on Twitter
Facebook @ TheSuperSpeedway

For more of the podcast:

Website address: www.thesuperspeedway.com
Podcasts will be found on there as well.
Find us on iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud

Podcast #59 — Are we STILL talking about penalties?

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Eric Young

Show notes:

Recap: KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway

- Harvick comes out on top again
- Kyle Larson was the guy until the runin with Blaney
- Truex stayed out after the contact, Harvick pitted for tires.

AUDIO (:39) — Rodney Childers didn’t think they were going to win.

Big wreck

News Items:

Guess What: Kyle Larson gets an L1 penalty for the window brace
AUDIO (1:00) Scott Miller explains the penalty and what NASCAR will do in the future.
NASCAR says next penalty will be stiffer
- https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2018/05/15/scott-miller-nascar-senior-vice-president-reacts-penalty/
NASCAR has eliminated the rule that requires teams to start on the same tires they qualified on.
- http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=1-23523155

Preview: All Star Race from Charlotte Motor Speedway

NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: 5:00pm/et on FS1
Open Race Coverage: 6:00pm/et on FS1
NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: 7:30pm/et on FS1
All-Star Race Coverage: 8:00pm/et on FS1
• The format for the annual non-points event will include four stages – 30 laps, 20 laps, 20 laps and 10 laps.
• Only green flag laps will be counted in the Final Stage.
• Normal stage break procedures will be in effect, but NASCAR Overtime will be in play for all stages.
• There will be no mandatory pit strategy.
• The Monster Energy Open will be three stages set at 20, 20 and 10 laps respectively. Each stage winner will advance to the evening’s main event.

All-Star Race field; The All-Star race will consist of 21 cars — the 17 eligible drivers, the winner of each stage in the Monster Energy Open, and the fan vote winner.
Entry Lists for the Monster Energy Open and All-Star races at Charlotte Motor Speedway are posted.
All 17 eligible drivers are entered for the All-Star race.
For the open, 21 teams are listed including: #00-Cassill, #15-Chastain, #51-Rhodes, #55-Sorenson, #66-Hill, #72-LaJoie.
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/races/2018/story/_/id/23172337/2018-monster-energy-all-star-race

Are we OK with the current criteria?
- Dave Moody says the race should be more exclusive

Expectations?
Picks
- Open Picks
- James: Chase Elliott, Aric Almirola, Erik Jones FV: Matt DiBenedetto
- Eric: Chase Elliott, Aric Almirola, Daniel Suarez FV: Darrell Wallace Jr.
- All Star Picks
- James: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Eric: Kyle Larson

Shoutouts if any
- Plug the fantasy league
- Plug Patreon

Close show

Where can we be found on social media?
James @jameskuch on Twitter
Eric @Eric8199 on Twitter
The SuperSpeedway @TSuperspeedway on Twitter
Facebook @ TheSuperSpeedway

For more of the podcast:

Website address: www.thesuperspeedway.com
Podcasts will be found on there as well.
Find us on iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race

The Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway

The Date: Saturday, May 19

The Time: 6 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 5 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: Open – 3 Stages: 20 Laps / 20 Laps / 10 Laps

All-Star Race – 4 Stages: 30 Laps / 20 Laps / 20 Laps / 10 Laps

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Alsco 300

The Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway

The Date: Saturday, May 26

The Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 12:30 p.m. ET

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 300 miles (200 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Next Race: North Carolina Education Lottery 200

The Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway

The Date: Friday, May 18

The Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 201 miles (134 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 134)

Podcast #58 — NASCAR is for Sale

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Eric Young

Show notes:

Recap: AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover

Harvick regains top billing
Stewart Haas has another superb day
Xfinity Finish – Battle of the teammates

News Items:

NASCAR for sale?
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/motorsports/exclusive-majority-owners-explore-sale-of-nascar/ar-AAwU66a?li=BBnb7Kz
- Our initial thoughts
Trucks to be rebranded as Gander Outdoors Truck Series
- https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/05/08/truck-series-to-be-rebranded-nascar-gander-outdoors-truck-series-in-2019/
Brandon and Dennis Setzer suspension from CARS Tour
- http://www.shorttrackscene.com/2018/05/09/opinion-cars-tour-massively-bungled-the-brandon-setzer-penalty/
Dover penalties
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/23452092/dover-post-race-penalties-announced
- Daniel Suarez
- Clint Bowyer
- Austin Dillon
- Justin Allgaier
- Jeb Burton
Kenseth’s schedule looks clearer
- https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/05/08/matt-kenseth-no-problems-with-trevor-bayne-after-good-conversation/

Preview: KC Masterpiece 400

Expectations?
Picks
- Eric: Martin Truex Jr.
- James: Jimmie Johnson

Dark Horse:
- James: Matt Kenseth
- Eric: Paul Menard

Shoutouts if any
- Plug the fantasy league
- Plug Patreon

Close show

Where can we be found on social media?
James @jameskuch on Twitter
Eric @Eric8199 on Twitter
The SuperSpeedway @TSuperspeedway on Twitter
Facebook @ TheSuperSpeedway

For more of the podcast:

Website address: www.thesuperspeedway.com
Podcasts will be found on there as well.
Find us on iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud

Podcast #57 — Enough With All The Commercials

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Eric Young

Show Notes:

Recap: GEICO 500 at Talladega

Joey Logano is back in victory lane, a year after his last victory.
Race was mildly uneventful
- One “big one”
- Hamlin speeding issues
- Weird fuel strategy
- No one making the move at the end.
Xfinity race was the second all drivers broadcast
- Spencer Gallagher gets first Xfinity win

News Items:

Spencer Gallagher suspended from NASCAR indefinitely due to violation of the Substance Abuse Policy
- https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/gallagher-suspended-for-violating-nascar-s-substance-abuse-policy-1032860/
- NASCAR will not say what the violation was or when it happened
- Gallagher has agreed to enter NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program
- Claims it was a one-time mistake
- Knocks him out of eligibility for the playoffs/championship — NASCAR said it will not give him a waiver
- Knocks him out of the Dash 4 Cash
  - Ryan Sieg is now part of the Dash 4 Cash this weekend at Dover
NASCAR buys ARCA
- What does this mean?
- Is this good or bad?
Dale Jr. is a dad

The great commercial debate:
- http://awfulannouncing.com/racing/does-the-data-back-up-nascar-fans-complaints-about-fox-showing-too-many-commercials-at-talladega.html’
James Hylton dies at 83
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/29/obituaries/james-hylton-nascar-dies.html
- 1966 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
- 602 Cup races
- Two wins
- Three second place championship finishes
- Raced ARCA from 2009-2013

Preview: AAA 400 Drive for Autism

Expectations?
Picks
- James: Jimmie Johnson
- Eric: Chase Elliott

Dark Horse:
- Eric: Erik Jones
- James: Aric Almirola

Shoutouts if any
- Plug the fantasy league
- Plug Patreon

Close show

Where can we be found on social media?
You can find me @TSuperSpeedway on Twitter
James @jameskuch on Twitter
Facebook @ TheSuperSpeedway

For more of the podcast:

Website address: www.thesuperspeedway.com
Podcasts will be found on there as well.
Find us on iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud

We are now on Patreon

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Eric Young

I’ve teased it the last two episodes of the podcast, but I’ve finally launched our Patreon page to allow you, our listeners and readers, to become a part of what we’re doing here and to hopefully provide us with the support to do even more.

We launched The SuperSpeedway a little over a year ago, a couple of races into the 2017 season. When James and I recorded our first podcast, we had aspirations for what this could become, but we had no idea it would move as fast as it has.

Last year, on a whim, I decided to apply for press credentials to the Eldora Dirt Derby Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway. I didn’t expect to be approved. I already had a ticket to the event — one that I’ve attended since the inaugural race. But I thought what the heck? The worst they can do is tell me no.

To my surprise, I was approved. I lived what I thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime moment that weekend (well, that Tuesday and Wednesday) as I worked as a member of the media, taking photos and reporting on an actual NASCAR race. Not only that, but I was there in victory lane when Matt Crafton celebrated his victory. And with my heart in my throat, I stood up in the media center and asked him a question after the race.

Again, on a whim, I applied for press credentials to the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Again, to my surprise, I was approved. This time it was myself and James who got to cover a race, but this was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.

Since then we’ve had meetings with the MIS Manager of Media Relations on several occasions, and have built a relationship that will allow us to cover more races. We have already been approved for credentials to both races at MIS in 2018, as well as the Quacker State 400 weekend at Kentucky Speedway. We also plan to cover Eldora again this year, as well as the Cup race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

What started as a hobby and a bit of fun is quickly becoming a real opportunity. But it’s one we need some help with being able to afford. I don’t have a problem having a few ads on our site and a sponsor or two on the podcast, but I don’t intend to put our content behind a paywall and clutter the screen with popup ads and other garbage to try and make a buck. So I decided to turn to Patreon, which is helping creators like us get paid for their work.

If you like what we’re doing, please consider becoming a patron. There are several tiers you can choose, with different rewards for each tier. Most importantly you’ll be helping us get to these tracks and provide you with more coverage. At this point we’re not doing this so we can line our wallets. We’re planning on putting everything back into the work we are doing, toward travel, hotel rooms, equipment and more to continue providing you with NASCAR coverage, as so many other media outlets are cutting their coverage in the interest of cost savings.

Consider becoming a patron. Check out our Patreon page and we thank you for your support. And if you choose not to, that’s fine too. We’ll keep up with the weekly podcast and whatever else we can afford to do throughout the season.

Podcast #56 — Guess Who’s Back, Kenseth’s Back

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Eric Young

Matt Kenseth set to return to Roush Fenway in Kansas in the 6 car
- Will split time with Bayne
- Could be a multi year deal
- Wyndham is the sponsor – New to the sport
- Our Thoughts on the deal

Recap: Toyota Owners 400

KB Makes it three in a row
- KB vs Harvick. Who ya got?
Joey has a strong run
Chase Elliott P2 for the 8th time. Ties his father Bill for most before first win.
- Tries to be realistic
- https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-chase-elliott-welcomes-second-at-richmond-1029080/
- A good day for Hendrick
Winners and losers?

News Items:

Air guns
- NASCAR says only nitrogen can be used this weekend.
- Teams have been gaming the system using helium
Gibbs re-ups with Toyota
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/23287969/joe-gibbs-racing-renews-toyota
Matt DiBenedetto is running one of the all-time best schemes ever in the Darlington throwback race
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/23315251/matt-dibenedetto-darlington-throwback-scheme-unveiled

Preview: GEICO 500 at Talladega

Expectations?
Picks
- Eric: Joey Logano
- James: Brad Keselowski

Dark Horse:
- James: Trevor Bayne
- Eric: Darrell Wallace

Shoutouts if any
- Plug the fantasy league

Close show

Where can we be found on social media?
You can find me @TSuperSpeedway on Twitter
James @jameskuch on Twitter
Facebook @ TheSuperSpeedway

For more of the podcast:

Website address: www.thesuperspeedway.com
Podcasts will be found on there as well.
Find us on iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud

Podcast #55 — Kyle Busch and Dale Jr. Clear the Air

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Eric Young

Show notes:

Recap: Food City 500

KB Makes it two in a row
Kyle Larson finishes second to Busch again
Bubba Wallace had a STRONG race. Took the lead at one point.
Felt a bit like the old Bristol
Winners and losers?

News Items:

Bristol moves August truck race to Thursday night instead of Wednesday
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/trucks/2018/story/_/id/23216141/bristol-truck-series-race-moved-thursday
Ford will run the Mustang in Cup next year
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/23213881/ford-switching-mustang-cup-2019
Fastenal, Sunny D, and Fifth Third Bank sign with Stenhouse’s team through 2021
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/23213881/ford-switching-mustang-cup-2019
Consumers Energy takes over as the title sponsor for the August Cup race at MIS
- http://www.mispeedway.com/Articles/2018/04/Consumers-Energy.aspx
Red Bull Global Rallycross Shuts down
- http://autoweek.com/article/racing/red-bull-global-rallycross-shuts-down-2018-leaves-trail-unpaid-bills
Dale Jr. and Kyle Busch dish on 2008 Richmond Incident
- Audio 2:28 — Excerpt from the podcast
- http://jeffgluck.com/2008-richmond-race-dale-earnhardt-jr-kyle-busch/
- http://www.dalejr.com/radio/tdjd/

Preview: Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond

Expectations?
Picks
- James: Kyle Busch
- Eric: Denny Hamlin
Dark Horse:
- Eric: Aric Almirola
- James: Kasey Kahne

Shoutouts if any
- Plug the fantasy league

Close show

Where can we be found on social media?
You can find me @TSuperSpeedway on Twitter
James @jameskuch on Twitter
Facebook @ TheSuperSpeedway

For more of the podcast:

Website address: www.thesuperspeedway.com
Podcasts will be found on there as well.
Find us on iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Toyota Owners 400

The Place: Richmond Raceway

The Date: Saturday, April 21

The Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

TV: FOX, 6 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 300 miles (400 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 100),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 200), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 400)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: ToyotaCare 250

The Place: Richmond Raceway

The Date: Friday, April 20

The Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 6:30 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 187.5 miles (250 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 75),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 150), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 250)

Podcast #54 — All Star Race Gets Restricted

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Eric Young

New format/rules announced for all star race

Four stages: 30, 20, 20, 10. Overtime in play for all stages. No mandatory pit strategy.
Changes to the cars
- Aero ducts
- Six-inch high spoiler with two 12-inch ears
- Restrictor plate
- 2014-style splitter
- Similar package to the Xfinity cars last year at Indy

Recap: O’Reilly Auto Parts 500

KB Show returns
Thoughts on Harvick Pit issues
- Pit guns. Are they a problem?
- No call compared to Blaney
The Big One
- Tire issues: Took out top contenders

News Items:

Penalties… Again
- Team: #9-Chase Elliott
- Violation: Section 20.4.8.1 Rear Window Support and Structure Note: Rear Window Support Braces must keep the rear window glass rigid in all direction at all times
- Penalty: Crew Chief (Alan Gustafson) has been suspended for the next two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Points Events and fined $50,000. Team has been assessed with the loss of 20 owner points and 20 driver points.
Monster Energy renews for 1 season (2019)
- http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/23100682/monster-energy-extend-sponsorship-deal-nascar-cup-series
2019 Schedule is released with no major changes
Suarez injury
- “I went to the doctor this morning. They say I have an avulsion fracture in my left thumb, but I will be ready to go this weekend @BMSupdates!”
Bobby Labonte to race for Whelen Euro Series title
- http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/23090108/bobby-labonte-race-nascar-whelen-euro-series-title

Preview: Food City 500 at Bristol

Expectations?
Picks
- James: Erik Jones
- Eric: Kyle Busch
Dark Horse:
- Eric: Chase Elliott
- James: Ricky Stenhouse

Shoutouts if any
- Plug the fantasy league

Close show

Where can we be found on social media?
You can find me @TSuperSpeedway on Twitter
James @jameskuch on Twitter
Facebook @ TheSuperSpeedway

For more of the podcast:

Website address: www.thesuperspeedway.com
Podcasts will be found on there as well.
Find us on iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Food City 500

The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway

The Date: Sunday, April 15

The Time: 2 p.m. ET

TV: FOX, 1:30 p.m. ET

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 266.5 miles (500 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 125),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 250), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 500)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300

The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway

The Date: Saturday, April 14

The Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: FS1, 12:30 p.m. ET

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 159.9 miles (300 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 85),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 170), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 300)

Podcast #53 — Bowyer Beats the Snow to Win

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Eric Young

Show notes:

Recap: the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway

Clint Bowyer gets the win
- Audio: (3:23): Clint Bowyer Press Conference
- Breaks a 190-race winless streak
- First win since Fall 2012 at Charlotte
- Another from the “old guard” gets a win over the youngsters
Kyle Busch finishes second for the 43rd time in his career
- Matches his 43 wins
Race was snowed out – first time since 1993
- How did NASCAR do with that decision?
Relatively mild Martinsville Race
- Only one caution that wasn’t a pre-planned one
- Fewest cautions at Martinsville since
- Let’s talk about cautions