Sonoma is a famous race track in California. It’s a road course, so it tests driving skill in a way that can make results less predictable than at some other tracks.
A “wild card” is someone who gets into the bracket without being one of the top-ranked teams/drivers. They can be a surprise—sometimes they do great, sometimes they don’t.
“Points” seeding means the bracket matchups are determined by the drivers’ standings in the NASCAR points system. A “number one seed” is the highest-ranked entry based on those points, which typically gives them a theoretically easier path in the bracket.
Road courses are tracks with lots of turns and braking, not just left turns like an oval. On these tracks, where you start the race (your starting position) can be really important because it can be harder to pass.
Qualifying is when drivers try to set the fastest lap before the race. Your qualifying result decides where you start, and on twisty tracks that can make a big difference.
NASCAR has different “generations” of race cars. “Next Gen” means the newer NASCAR car design, and the speaker is saying the driver hasn’t done well with that newer car.
In NASCAR, tracks are often grouped by length. “Mile and a half” means the oval is about 1.5 miles long, and that affects how teams set up the car and how the race is run.
Ryan Blaney is a NASCAR race driver. The hosts are arguing whether he’s the safer pick, including the idea that pit crew mistakes could hurt his chances.
Eric Jones is a NASCAR driver. The hosts are talking about how his chances in this matchup compare to Denny Hamlin’s.
Term
tie down
“Tie down” here is about how well the car is set up to stay stable and predictable. The hosts are saying that with the right setup, the other driver might have had a better shot.
“Echo Park round three” is the name of a specific race event (with a sponsor) and it’s the third round of the tournament. They’re talking about who they think will advance from that race.
This is special foam inside the bumper area that’s meant to soak up crash energy. If NASCAR removes it, the car may get damaged more when it hits someone. The goal is to change how crashes play out on short tracks.
Short tracks are smaller race tracks where cars are packed together more often. That makes bumping and contact more common. So changes to crash parts can matter more there than on bigger tracks.
The Dodge Ram is a large pickup truck made for hauling and everyday driving. Because it’s heavy, what happens in a crash can be serious, so it may be mentioned when people discuss safety at a track. The key point is that hitting someone at speed can lead to major consequences.
“Unsettled” means the car doesn’t feel stable in the turn. The goal (in this context) is to make the car rotate and handle changes more instead of feeling glued to the track.
In stock-car racing, the bumper is more than just bodywork—it’s part of how cars make contact and how drivers can “push” or disrupt each other. The host is discussing rules/intent around allowing bumper contact to help create passing and more dynamic racing on short tracks.
North Wilkesboro is a famous short oval race track in North Carolina. It tends to produce close, physical racing, so changes to car behavior or rules can noticeably change how the race plays out.
Term
progressive baking
This sounds like a track-prep method that changes how the racing surface grips as the event goes on. The host is using it to explain why the track feels different now than in the past.
Term
IRP
IRP is an abbreviation for another race track the host is comparing to. The point is that the track feel now is more like that other venue than the older North Wilkesboro.
Bristol is a well-known short track that’s famous for tight, aggressive racing. The host is saying it might react similarly if the rules or car behavior changes take effect.
Martinsville is a short oval track known for close racing and lots of driver-to-driver interaction. The host thinks it will clearly show whether the changes make cars behave differently in corners.
Concept
in-season tournament challenge
They’re talking about a special NASCAR event during the season, kind of like a tournament. It can affect strategy because the rules and how you advance can be different than a normal race stretch.
Term
cup series polls
They’re referring to “poles,” which means qualifying fastest and starting from the front. Starting up front usually makes the race easier to manage.
Term
modified racing
“Modified” racing is a type of short-track stock-car racing with cars that are set up differently than NASCAR. Drivers who race modifieds often develop strong handling skills that can help them when they step into NASCAR.
Company
FRM
FRM is a racing team name. In NASCAR, the team’s people and resources can make a big difference in how well the car performs.
Company
Tricon
Tricon is a racing team name. In NASCAR, teams work on car setup and strategy, and that can affect how competitive they are race to race.
A “dive bomb” is when a driver brakes really late and turns in hard to try to pass. It’s a bold move that can go wrong if there isn’t enough space or traction.
The “checkered flag” is the official signal that the race is over. It’s waved at the finish line when the checkered flag moment happens.
LIVE
It's time for bringing the heat with Trey Lyle
Welcome on into another edition of bringing the heat with Trey Lyle. I'm the aforementioned Trey Lyle
Joining me like he does
Every most weeks most weeks or he'll be behind the scenes depending on who we have on is Caleb Barnes
but this is important Caleb because we I have you on because
We are about to dominate
So no interview this week, but instead we are going to quote-unquote preview
Ian season challenge. As you know, it was announced on happy hour last night
I think I mentioned it during the watch party on Sunday. We are in competition kill
Against the other podcast and we have to win. Otherwise, you're doing the punishment
I've we have not decided on a punishment. Did they decide on the punishment last night? I haven't let
I don't think they did during the podcast last night
I mean, I will say I was I was producing behind the scenes last night
So I know all the choices that they made so I've had like a full day to try to think about how we're gonna make ours better
Trey, maybe we just make the same exact ones. My nomination was if you know my favorite and I'm gonna play the clip
I think the loser should present. Oh, please tell me I didn't delete it
not
No, I didn't this award what's going on ladies and gentlemen at Trey Lyle asked me to record a video for you guys to
present one of the nominees for the front stretch awards and of course he wanted me to
Announce the nominees for Brian Nolan dumbass of the year
That's the award
I think the person who loses to present even though it will always be the Brian Nolan dumbass of the year award
I think we should get them dressed. I don't know in whatever they want. Maybe they have to dress like a
Insert driver here
Like I don't know back in the day, but that that's my nomination
So but of course shot the Brian Nolan there. All right, so let's pull up the bracket now. Here we go
Look at it if you're watching on our YouTube stream
You can or our YouTube video you can see it in all its glory. This is course from nascar.com
We're gonna do our best to pick through the bracket
Of course starting at Sonoma Caleb
How about this before before we get in we kind of talked about this last week with Chris any initial thoughts on the bracket overall
like big takeaways from it as we
Will uh, we'll scan through it
I didn't have any big takeaways
I think it's funny that
Then he handling and Ty Daylander mashed up again
I'm glad that we're not starting off with Atlanta this year and
Although I Atlanta still is one of the races in in the middle of the round like that's a better better spot than round one
Sonoma is interesting. Yeah enough of a wild card, but also like I think is a better wild card for the first round then
Because it's more skilled based of a wild card than a like chance
Random luck big wreck a big wreck that happens. Yes. I Dylan in two races
Yeah, although I don't know I still there's still a part of me that like would like it to be like all
Traditional tracks, although I mean I guess any in any sort of bracket challenge. You got to have some level of chaos
I mean March madness is just
64 teams ready for a bunch of chaos on that first weekend anyways
So I guess you can't make it to if you it was too straightforward
It would get really choppy with uh in our in our NASCAR world
So I guess that does keep it a little bit spicy, but yeah, I I tend to agree. All right. Let's go in number one seed is Tyler
Reddick this was based off points as they ran after Pocono
So points number one seed Tyler Reddick taking on Alex Bowen at Sonoma
I feel like this is this is actually kind of a dip sneaky difficult first round matchup for Tyler Reddick
You wouldn't expect a hint or quarter sports card
We thought 32 seed just because how weird Alex Bowen season's been that's how it sets up
But I think this is easy for us. We can go. I think Tyler Reddick
Would you agree advances? Yeah, it is weird. I feel like Tyler's actually been like
He must have seen a black cat recently or something. So he's had a few weeks of bad luck now
And that's the one tricky thing is like we could all be super confident that Tyler Reddick is gonna move on and then he
Could like literally last year like we had the one yes
We had a 30 the 32 seed is undefeated against the one seed in the end season
But that that being said yeah, I think Tyler Reddick
I mean he was right there to win this past weekend. He may not win, but bowman just has not had anything going for him this year
So yeah, all right sneaky matchup between
Man who took over for another guy. I I think this is actually pretty straightforward considering we're in a road course
We'll take Austin Cendrick
Agree. Yeah. All right quickly moving on Suarez and Todd Gilliland tough much matchup for Todd
I think Suarez wanted Sonoma has been pretty good there. I'll take I'll take Daniel Suarez
Suarez Suarez has been good
I'm trying to remember how Todd was running this past weekend because I feel like he's an underrated road racer
But that being said, I think Spire has been so good this year as well that I think Suarez is the right pick
But Todd finished 21st and Suarez finished. I think you got caught up in one of the wrecks
Did he not I I think he did on that
13th no Suarez finished 13th. Okay, although I if Suarez was in a track house car
I think that would be a very different conversation
But yeah, Spire has been lighted out. I feel like for the most part this year
This is pretty straightforward. We have to pick this ain't Smith over Carson
we
We can go with that one Carson's
Carson's also we are picking. I don't care. Carson was that good. We're picking it skip. No
Hey, hey, I just I just wanted to say that Carson
He had a pretty good run
It's no more a couple years ago whenever he like broke his leg but they're like still raised and all that but
Yeah, we got to do something different from the happy hour guys and we got to take some chances and try to try to beat them
So I think that's an area where I haven't seen the happy hour bracket Kaila pass full disclosure
He was helped produce last night as he mentioned chase brisco a gelmendinger sneaky matchup for an upset
Did they pick AJ last night? You can admit it. They did pick AJ last night. I think we go brisk. I think
See AJ was really good
And I think the problem here is I don't trust colleagues performance at tracks where they people have notes
No one had notes last week and that's why I think AJ it's it's part of the reason why Heim had such a
Was able to win like he did shout to Corey Heim within a phenomenal performance
But it'll be part of my final thoughts segment at the end
Tease that up there in the business, but I'm gonna go brisco just cuz they're so it feels like Toyota is so good at that
Track and I I could see brisco getting it done
Do you yet we have to agree on these
Yeah, so I can I think you get the overrule. Yeah, is that what you're saying? I guess
Yeah, um
It's weird because like I know everyone talks about
Colleague not having the sim and everything but I feel like they've actually been pretty decent the last few weeks like
Michigan-Nashville, which some of that was strategy based
But yeah, we can go brisco. I'm on team brisco. He's a he's a really good road racer as well
And I think I guess he finished second here last year AJ finished. Let's see 18th. So
Yeah, let's go brisco team brisco. Let's go. All right. Hi Gibbs and Austin Dylan. I'm easy tie Gibbs. I feel like yes
Yeah, yeah
Do it for Ed
Shut oh, maybe I don't want to do it then. No, I'm just kidding it
Tie pretty simple
Bubbles Michael McDowell got a whole lot interesting after this week. I again
As mentioned on the the front stretch
Watch party. I think Lewis Hamilton was deciding to race in the 23 car this past weekend. And you know what?
I'm gonna go with vibes are high. Yeah, I you know, I
I'm going with vibes here again another track. I just think Toyota is gonna be better than everyone there
So I I'm I'm actually I and I also think this is one where we can go against the grain because I feel like everyone's gonna pick McBowel
Yes, I think we go bubble wall is just maintaining the momentum and I also think Lewis Hamilton is actually driving that car road courses
No, yeah, I totally agree. I feel like I mean that that is the conversation with Bubba
Literally every road course as they make jokes about him and stuff
But I feel like the last two to three years
He's really improved especially when it comes to qualifying and and just getting a good starting position
And that's a huge deal on road courses and so no more traditionally
I think has been probably his worst but at the same time
those Toyotas have been fast everywhere and I feel like he's really learned a lot from his teammates
So I like Bubba for that pick McDowell hasn't been quite as fast as his spire teammates either
He's had a little bit more to kind of fight through this year. So I like Bubba there some of these tracks
I are some of these matchups. I feel like her just layups like we just we can click it and move on
This is one of them
Chase Elliott, Noah Gregson, Chase Elliott
Well, you don't think Noah Gregson's gonna show up and I don't put kind of Magnus in in his car this weekend
It may be we'll see what we'll talk about that later
It let's save the funniest matchup for the end of the first round. All right
By the way to review on the if you're looking at it on the screen the left side of your bracket
We have Reddick, Cinderick, Suarez, Zane, Briscoe Gibbs
Wallace and Chase Elliott advancing moving to the right side will work from bottom to up now again
Not much work here and these next two I don't think
Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry, Ryan Blaney. Yeah
Even though he crashed in this rate in the last road course race
Which again, we could talk about the point situation with him
That could be a big that he basically goes below the cut line now because of it
Ryan Priest doesn't think he's even gonna do it check out a social media for that. That was a funny post
That was a great post
SPG over Ryan Priest
Yeah, I mean great with both of those we good so far. Hey priest did give a SPG the chrome horn a little bit
They got a little bumper tag, but yeah, I I still a guy who's
Undefeated at Sonoma as SPG is yeah
Pretty simple another another one that I actually think after this weekend
You need this this would be I would not be surprised by the upset
Now I don't think it will happen and we're gonna talk about it
But this is one that at first you think oh, this is an easy advance
But given the performances past weekend which he ended up finishing eighth and it's cuz he got moved out of the way by
AJ almond Dinger at the end
So he's ironically still would have lost the matchup to Kyle Larson, but Kyle Larson Riley Herbst
That's one where I think is gonna be like if it happened is the most shocking upset
It's the tie Dylan of last tie Dylan over Danny Hamlet last year because I I think if somehow tie Dylan beats Danny Hamlet this year
No one's gonna call it shocking because it's already happened, but this could be the sneaky upset pick where
It's like shocking, but if you really think about it, it's not really considering what Riley Herbst showed at San Diego
But I still think you have to take Kyle Larson
Yeah, really good at Sonoma. Yeah, I mean Riley Herbst has been really good this year
like I mean he's taken a huge step from where it was last year, but I
Feel like everywhere that we've been where I'm like, oh my Riley Herbst is running pretty well
Kyle Larson's still a couple spots ahead of him
And so I think that will continue unless I mean Larson did have a loose like he did lose a wheel a couple years ago at
Sonoma, I don't remember what race it was
So I mean again, you never know with any of these matchups that there could be one of that
They're Larson could get caught up in some mess and turn 11, but yeah, I think I mean, that's that's the safest the best pick right there
Another easy one to me Byron overston house
It should be easy, but Byron's had some like horrible luck lately
Yeah, but and I feel like Sonoma's not his best road course either, but I don't even know where Stenhouse would be on road courses
So yeah, which Bell and Chastain I want to take Ross here simply because of the injury. I
It's just hard. Bell. I mean Bell was one Sten at San Diego. I don't know if they're gonna do that again
They haven't talked about it, but it plus track house has been good Ross was really good
In San Diego Ross finishes 7th. I was obviously Cruz got caught up in that wreck
So I guess it would count, but I I'm actually gonna take the upset and take Ross here. Okay
Yeah, Ross was let's see. He was 24th last year. I mean, I know track house everybody's been more about Bell's injury then like
Yeah, it's hard for you know, like Bell like because of Bell's injury. I think it's hard for me to be like
like
Does Cruz fill in does this happen, you know
It also would be just for the sake of the bracket like I mean
I know they do the whole like if Bell starts and then Cruz hops in it's still Bell's points
It would be curious if like Bell started the race and they did that. Yeah
But like the end of the race results
It would be interesting if like Bell started and then like hopped out if that would count in the bracket challenge
But I mean Ross was so last year. He was 24th the year before he was 5th
I feel like track houses like they're in a weird spot where I
They're not bringing the speed into the weekend like they maybe have in years past
But I feel like by the time you get to stage two in the race
They're starting to figure stuff out whether strategy or speed. So I don't think that's a horrible pick
All right, we'll go Ross. I
Think this is
Another one that could be not a shocking upset John Hunter shown but I think bushers is too good
So I'm gonna take busher. Yeah, Bushers a stud on road courses. I gotta say I I said I I would pick booker
And then we have to agree. This is our show. All right
Logano Jones, I'm taking Jones just off of recent performance. I feel like they've the 43 has been better than the 22. I
Agree with that. Logano. Yeah, just has not been I mean, I think he had a solid run at snow. Well last year surprisingly
But yeah, I feel like Jones is the all right pick there. The funniest possible matchup
Denny Hamlin tie Dylan to
This is one I feel like because everybody is talking so much about I feel like Hamlin's gonna end up
Yeah, actually showing up this weekend. Yeah, and it's also a track. He's one like I think he's one at Sonoma. So like
Again, let we're looking back to last week tie Dylan finished 30th Hamlin finished
14th, so
Yeah, I
As much as it would be funny again, wouldn't it be hilarious show up the chip Patterson of the cover three podcast
But I would take to me. I think you have to take yeah, I mean Denny has struggled
I think like they're saying last night talking about Denny stats at Sonoma specifically in the next gen and it's been really bad
but he's another one where I
Think sometimes he kind of mentally checks out a little bit for the road course races
But I think the way that things went last year with the in-season challenge
We had a pretty solid run this past weekend at San Diego
So I think he could like as long as he just puts it gives it just a little bit of effort
Like I think I think he could get it done
All right summarize the right side of the bracket Hamlin Jones
Busher Chastain Byron Larson SVG Ryan Blaney
There all right. Let's move to Chicago land round number two here
Pretty simple with the first match up here the 116 Tyler retic
I just I don't trust Pinsky at the my own a house right expense. This is gonna be a one-out racetrack
I think I think this is gonna suit retic give me Tyler retic
We we got to move a little quicker here. So we're gonna
You can just interrupt me if you disagree and we'll talk about it for this round Zane Smith over Daniel Suarez
You can't disagree with that one executive decision
This is interesting briscoe and Gibbs I
Think briscoe is gonna get more desperate at these races because he is lower in the standings
So I'm actually gonna go chase brisco
Also gives this will be Gibbs first time at Chicago land
I think briscoe has been there before at least in the O'Reilly series if I'm not mistaken. Oh, that's a good question
So I'm gonna take 2019
Yeah, probably I'll take brisco
There
Bubba and chase Elliott
I'll take
I'll take Bubba actually
That's a hard one chase has been I feel like Hendrick is fine and something a little bit. Yeah
But I
The toy has been too good at the mile and a half. It reminds me a lot of Kansas, you know, and that's where 2311's been really good
So give me the 23 there
SVG Ryan Blaney, unfortunately, I'll take Ryan Blaney. Okay devil's advocate. What if
Like Chicago's the race for something bad to go wrong with Blaney with this pit crew or something like that and
I'll still take Ryan Blaney. Okay
Larsen really good at Chicago land. I'll take him over Byron
Bushur and Chastain I'll take busher
and
Then Hamlin and Jones Hamlin and Jones. I'll take Denny
Yeah, I picked a win that race. I think I'm picking Denny at this point
So if it was anyone else that Eric Jones was going against like not only if we had big tie down
But if it was anyone else, I think Jones could make a run but because Denny
Sorry. All right
Now we're at Echo Park round three Tyler Reddick Zane Smith
Are we going Zane? You think I would pick, you know, he wanted Atlanta. He's got good luck
But I mean that looks been it's summer
Things get dry. The Fords are good at good at that. Yes. I'm going Zane Smith
Smith to the semi-finals
Let's go. Look, it's hard to have luck every super speedway race. So
Let's go Zane. Bubba over Briscoe. I think Bob was just better at those tracks
Yeah, he's
Even though he was close, I think it's time for him to win one of these so I think he could very much win that race
Hamlin and Bushur. This will be the fun matchup. That's a tough one
We'll save that for the last we'll save that for last. Okay, Blaney Larsen Blaney. I think cuz it's at Echo Park
I'm taking Blaney. Yeah, I agree. This will be a fun matchup, but I just Larsen
Ironically, that could be the first win for him. All right. Here we go. Hamlin and Bushur. I
Just feel like Denny's in his bag
Even though it's a super speedway and he's his super speedway magic has gone away in the next gen
I feel like Denny's got something cooking this summer and I
Think it's I think it's Denny
All right, North Wilkesboro
Zane and Bubba
Hamlin and Blaney
And how do we get here?
That's hard. I think I honestly think at North Wilkesboro
If we go back to there
Bubba Wallace finished second in an all-star race there. Oh, I forgot about that
So I think he's a good. He's good at Martinsville. He's a good short track racer. I think we're gonna go Bubba
Overs. I also think 2311 will bring a better short track car than FRM
so I I think this is where the luck of Zane Smith runs out and
I I
If I had to pick anyone to win in a short track, I'm picking Ryan Blaney. So that's what I was gonna say
I would pick Ryan Blaney over Denny Hamlin at North Wilkesboro
That's a tough one, but I would agree even the Toyota and Bell did win there last year
Yeah, I again and that was the all-star race
and now I just looked at
Happy Aller's Bracket and so I don't know if we should pick the same winners then
But at Indy we've got enough of a difference already, but what did we like?
Should we just be for for you know what we're gonna get a third-party observer to this
Get storms opinion, we're gonna bring him Storm Lyle expert opinion. I'll say I don't hate Bubba as a winner
Maybe I'll just between these two at Indy. I'll call her and see what she'll say
We're doing our behind-the-scenes magic. Hey, okay, you got to be you get to decide our championship. All right
Okay, we have Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney. You're two favorite drivers
So who who who do you want? Who should we pick to win when this tournament?
All right, she went with Ryan Blaney. All right, thank you so much. I love you. All right, we'll go with Ryan Blaney and if
If we lose it's her fault. I
Mean Bubba won last year Blaney was front row the year before with Larson and all that over time
I just realized I need a yeah. All right, so we're
Matching can you see my screen is it weird? All right, cool. No, I see it
For tiebreaker laps, I don't feel like Blaney would leave that menu laps across all the tracks
Maybe he could rack him up at North Wilkesboro and Atlanta. Oh Atlanta
So like we think like 120 how about
220 okay, 320 320 420 we did 420 last night, so
All right
66 70 because we can do six. That's all right
All right, Ryan Blaney we we have agreed with the happy hour guys
Fantastic, I don't know how to feel about that but to summarize our bracket
We'll give you the final four of Zane Smith Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney best of friends. I think that would be a great matchup for a final having
literal best friends
match up in a final
That would be that would be great and Ryan Blaney getting it done
Shout to storm Durham or storm Lyle. I gotta get I gotta yeah
I used to saying that
Luckily, I'm luckily two and a half weeks in all right, so but that's it give us your thoughts
As we do this every podcast even the pit straight and Neff and Eric Schneck the stock car scoop and we'll have
Michael give his out for through the gears and make sure you tune into that as well
But now let's get to the news with what's still hot. What's still hot?
It's time to upgrade you on the latest news in NASCAR
All right news that broke today
Here pretty interesting speaking of North Wilkes-Bro new NASCAR rule bulletin today with removal of energy absorbing bumper
Foam from short tracks heard earlier this month that drivers have been pushing for this
They don't be able to plow into someone at a short track when their consequences now if you ram into someone at the short track
Your car will likely be damaged at least that is my understanding that is from the athletics GF Gluck
I think this is a really good thing. I think there shouldn't I think this will help the short track racing a little bit
You won't see as much like
Just like sailing it in there moving the car out of the way. I think there'll be a little finesta things
I think this is a pretty good thing
killed
Yeah, I guess my quite is the foam in the front bumper or the rear bumper or is it both? Oh
the rear bumper of the car
okay, yeah cuz
Like the
Whenever they hit each other feels like nothing happens. So I am pro
Anything that's going to disrupt the cars more whether I mean and you're never gonna get this with the next gen
But like with the O'Reilly cars where they can get close to each other and get each other air loose on the bigger tracks
And then on short tracks they can bump each other and move each other up the hill
Man these next gen cars you got to hit someone so so hard just to get them out of the groove because they're so stuck to the tracks
so
Whether this
I'm hoping this will be something that will help but kind of get those cars unsettled in the corners
I think that's something that would be beneficial for the racing that we see on short tracks
Although I mean it has steadily gotten better over the last year or two as they've been doing more with the tire wear
But yeah, I would like to see
The bumpers be able to come into more of an effect
The one part about like so that there would be more damage or whatever. I'm not sure how happy about that because
Again, like I think on a short track, especially your bumper should be a tool that you have the option to use now
That's a whole different conversation not as to whether or not it should be the tool that you use but
like I don't want guys being afraid to use their bumpers because
Because they're worried about
Like damaging their front end or anything, but um, yeah, I mean hopefully it'll it'll impact the racing and help these cars
Get a little bit more unsettled who knows maybe it'll play into effect and we'll get some really cool race wind eye cast as well some
Different bumper looks if they if guys are running into into each other a little bit more
So yeah, I guess those are my thoughts what we'll see we'll see if it comes into effect that North Wilkesboro
I feel like that tracks actually the corners have been really fast and they've been like running
It's been a different North Wilkesboro that we've returned to as opposed to
You know your daddy or your grandfather's North Wilkesboro
Got a little bit of that progressive baking and everything kind of more reminding more like an IRP type of thing
But yeah, we'll see if it comes into effect that Wilkesboro
Bristol might be another one, but then Martinsville is the one that really I think you'd be able to see
What sort of a difference that this makes?
Speaking of North Wilkesboro, it was announced that the rocket man
Ryan Newman headed back to a dodge where he earned 13 of his 18 career cup wins
43 of his 51 cup series polls
Returns to the NASCAR manufacturer after a 13 year absence
They I mean this felt like a layup as one of the picks you get Ryan Newman
Obviously with his his recent
Abilities in the wheel of modified tour. He's been racing in plenty of short tracks. I think this is really cool to see
Someone, you know, who is truly a Dodge driver
There's a hint that another guy who was a true Dodge driver back in the day
Could could could hop in this at one point
But it's pretty cool to see the rocket man back in a dodge and gonna race it at North Wilkesboro
Yeah, and you mentioned his skills have been staying pretty fresh with his modified racing
I feel like some of these other guys like Boyer McMurray like I know McMurray did that race with his son
But for the most part it feels like they've been out of the car so much that
It was a lot for them to get in and try to do this
Hopefully Newman and his consistency with racing with some of the modifies
Will really be able to like he'll be able to go and maybe be a bit more competitive than we saw
But then also like just the biggest thing for that team
I feel like I know they have this like circulating all-star truck and everything
But man, I really want to see them start getting some some veterans in there that can help kind of diagnose
What's going on with their equipment and try to make improvements with those trucks because?
I know they are still a little bit behind with some of the resources and everything
But it would be great to see those ramps start to get in more towards the front of the field competing with
the Toyotas with the Fords with FRM with Tricon so
And I mean being at a short track
I feel like that levels the playing field maybe a little bit and then a guy like Ryan Newman
His modified stuff modified guys that skill translates pretty well to short tracks. So yeah, it'd be cool to see
Trey you think maybe even though it's Ram and they've kind of stuck with their branding all year
You think we'll see a dodge throwback for Newman there
Maybe they aren't ran a throwback for him and Pinsky with the 12
I just think it'd be cool if he got the pole like somehow got the pole. That would be the coolest thing
So we'll see we'll see with that anyways other news and notes from the weekend
Do want to just quickly mention
Something cool happening is NASCAR steaming up with the band the Rolling Stones
Stone to celebrate the spirit of life on the road check that out. It will have
merchandise among other things there will be a
Custom NASCAR listening lounge in Chicagoland, but a pretty cool band pretty cool time there
But we got to get to you know, don't hopkins became a celebrity this weekend for posting a certain video
And that is our sound by the week
I will I will preface of you if you have young children in the car if you're listening on the road or anything
Some some foul language is used
So please viewer discretion is advised
So here we go. Well, Tony, what angered you at the end of the race? What did you take issue with?
What the hell do you think I was mad about dumb little shit runs us clear down to the infield
He wants to about everybody else and he's one it drives like a little I'm gonna bust his ass. Thanks, Tony
It's time for the soundbites of the week
Why I was get on
What is your problem
Yeah
Why did you write
Oh
Just so good, I mean shout out to f1 for tweeting out these old video like
With was it Niko Holkenberg, but yes, this is so good. Hi. This was such a great interaction KMAG
I want more KMAG and NASCAR. I just I love I mean
No, it's a fun personality, but like I just love KMAG with no F's given. He literally was like
F off he
He he he
He's like he literally like do you speak English and then said f off?
Shots don't forgetting this. This was so good
But I know that was a lot of f bombs and I apologize especially my mother who might be listening this I
Just
It was just so good that's that's in the end of day kill
Yeah, I I mean, wish I would have responded with the picture
I think someone else did a little bit later of like the towel day and nights
Confrontation because that's that was when at the first time I watched the video. That's exactly what puffed in my head because
like towel day and nights they're arguing and
They're saying a bunch of things, but they're not really responding to each other. They're just kind of saying random things and
I mean, I guess it was more of a response at the same time
Like Noah was asking a question trying to get an answer and he just kept getting basically the same response and
And that that response was making him even more angry
I do there's a part of me that
That feels for Noah it just been a rough go for him at FRM and I think he was actually having a
More solid day than past at a road course especially since that like he he made it through the big wreck and
Gains and spots from bats
at the same time
The the whatever started it like whenever he pulled down and kind of blocked a KMAG like I feel like that I
Guess Noah has a right to try to block and cover off a move like that
But at the same time
I mean
it's one thing if Noah was trying to pass someone else and
Get late on the break because you would come through that section through turn 12 or whatever and go around the tire barriers
and then try to swing back out to the right to make that hard left turn and
Noah now if you're trying to pass someone you would
Instead of going right you just go straight and dive bomb and Noah wasn't trying to pass anyone there
He was just staying right to try to block and so he kind of got booted and I mean I think just about any other racer like I
Mean yeah, you
I think he said FAFO at one point so I would throw that in there
Yeah as well KMAG just was a star and he got the fastest lap granted
It was because he had clean track and fresh tires, but still you get the fastest lap. So that was cool
Anyway, so let's get to the checkered flag. It's gonna be a drag race all the way back to the start finish line
The checkered flag is out and it's time for the final thoughts
Final thoughts anything you want to rant rave or review Caleb Barnes you're up
You know
The the main thing
Talking about court. It was cool to see Corey Hime get that win in the number 67 this weekend
And I know I think they said he was gonna be in the 35, but whatever please
2311 if you can hear me could you please keep Corey Hime in the 67?
I think that would be really cool to see I love seeing drivers be able to come into a series and make a number their own
Like Jeff Gordon with a 24
Feel like Jimmy Johnson kind of did that with the 48 for the most part and I would love to see
I think Corey Himes got a great chance to do that with the 67 a number that really hasn't been run a time in the past
So please 2311 if you can if it's not too late, please change Corey Hime to run the 67 full-time next year
Yes, I like that idea I like hold it and I just want to say
Beasts are back
Just shout out to like
Carson hosar was hosting the deal junior download and basically it was like Corey Hime didn't have service and then they went at each other sponsors
And Corey Hime roasted him also shot to Jesse love for also roasting him where like
Hose of our complaint how they keep talking about the friendship between Conor Zillich and Jesse love
They quote tweeted it said just say you're jealous
Carson Carson is we're getting roasted this week, you know, he's also throwing shot. He's shooting a shot with K Adams
So I just want to say that was it was really fun to see the rivalry
Especially because you know, obviously Hime
maybe moved
Who's the more out of the way didn't give many room considering how bad the history goes back so
Just kiss on that so just a fun weekend in San Diego shots
That was a great weekend on her like it was a phenomenal race venue phenomenal sights great racing
Everything was great about the weekend in San Diego at Caleb Barnes underscore. You can follow him Caleb. Are you writing this week?
No, okay, cool at trail LVT. You can follow me check out through the gears
Michael will give you your best picks in his bracket and you can follow along
Our bracket challenge, please root for our podcast over happy hour. My goal is to beat happy hour
And that means I definitely don't finish and last
So that that's my goal. You know, we're gonna get get it on the fairway
And keep moving on so anyways for Caleb Barnes. I'm trail I'll sign it off now on this episode of bringing the heat
About this episode
The hosts kick off with a bracket-style “in-season tournament challenge,” joking about podcast bragging rights and a punishment for the loser. They break down the tournament bracket—why Sonoma is a strong wild-card first round and how seeding is based on points—then debate matchups using recent form, road-course fit, and stage-two adjustments. The conversation widens to short-track racing changes, including NASCAR’s bumper-foam removal, plus driver/manufacturer angles like Ryan Newman’s Dodge return and Denny Hamlin’s Next Gen struggles.
