{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Las Vegas Playoff Recap: Denny Hamlin Advances to Championship 4, Byron and Blaney Struggle, NASCAR 750 HP News","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/las-vegas-playoff-recap-denny-hamlin-advances-to-championship-4-byron-and-blaney-struggle-nascar-750-hp-news","audioUrl":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/FOXM6003721654.mp3?updated=1760393675","description":"It was a monumental weekend in Las Vegas! Kevin Harvick, Kaitlyn Vincie, and Mamba Smith recap Denny Hamlin’s emotional victory, which not only secured his spot in the Championship 4, but also marked his 60th career Cup win, tying him with Harvick on the all-time list. The crew breaks down what this win means for Joe Gibbs Racing, and how it shakes up the Round of 8. Then, the team reacts to NASCAR’s massive horsepower announcement, increasing output to 750 horsepower on select tracks next season. Harvick and Kaitlyn share why they’ve been pushing for this change — but explain why they’re skeptical it will make a huge difference right away. Plus, Mamba brings the week’s best social media moments in Social Sips, and in Last Call, the crew grades Hamlin’s burnout and makes their Talladega predictions.\n\nLINK TO SUBMIT PICKS FOR TALLADEGA: https://forms.gle/Jw4H6P12RD4Qcjgd9\n\n0:00 - Intro\n\n5:36 - Las Vegas Recap\n\n28:17 - Talladega Preview\n\n35:46 - NASCAR To Boost Horsepower In 2026\n\n43:06 - Mamba’s Social Sips\n\n55:47 - Last Call!\n\n1:00:06 - Submit Picks For Talladega\n\nGAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).\n\nPlease Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD).\n\n21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Sponsored by DK.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices"},"annotations":[{"startTime":360.0,"endTime":362.0,"type":"car","title":"Oldsmobile Intrigue","url":"/cars/oldsmobile/intrigue","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/1998_Oldsmobile_Intrigue%2C_Rear_Left%2C_10-28-2020.jpg","quote":"All right guys. So this race, the ending had some intrigue with differing strategies.","canonicalId":"car:oldsmobile:intrigue","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"SsmIntrigue (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":3194.0,"endTime":3195.0,"type":"car","title":"Mazda MX-5 / Miata","url":"/cars/mazda/mx-5-miata","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/1990_Mazda_MX-5_Miata%2C_front_left%2C_06-08-2024.jpg","quote":"when I drove this Miata. That was game changer.","canonicalId":"car:mazda:mx-5 / miata","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"FOX Sports","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/las-vegas-playoff-recap-denny-hamlin-advances-to-championship-4-byron-and-blaney-struggle-nascar-750-hp-news/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}