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Were the Haters Right? Did We Fix NASCAR?

Were the Haters Right? Did We Fix NASCAR?

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About this episode

Corey LaJoie and Ryan Florez break down Bristol across trucks and Cup, debating whether NASCAR “fixed” the short-track racing. They praise the racing and tire/migration changes, but point to ongoing issues like the wide tire and how it affects grip and handling. They discuss Ty Gibbs’ first Cup win, Christopher Bell’s rebound, and the key late calls in the O’Reilly race involving Kyle Larson’s tire wear and Marty Lindley’s strategy. Corey also shares truck-series growing pains, pit-crew culture talk, and a broader motorsports roundup (WRC, F1, Indy).

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

Bristol

"We're gonna break down Bristol between the trucks O'Reilly's and cup tide Diabs getting his first career dub... I think Bristol the way it is now with the the rubber on the bottom the PJ one on the bottom and then the truck race"

Bristol is a NASCAR race track where the cars have to race in a tight space. Because of the track’s surface and how the tires behave there, it can make racing really intense and unpredictable.

Concept

NASCAR

"We're gonna break down Bristol between the trucks O'Reilly's and cup tide... Did We Fix NASCAR?"

NASCAR is a type of racing where cars race on tracks—mostly ovals. This podcast is talking about different NASCAR races and divisions.

Concept

F1

"...we're gonna talk about F1... We're getting into the time where F1's back in full force."

F1 is the world’s biggest open-wheel racing series. The podcast is saying they’ll also cover F1 news and racing.

Concept

Cup series

"Ty Gibbs punches his ticket... into being a first-time winner in the Cup series"

The Cup Series is NASCAR’s main, biggest league. It’s where the most high-profile races and drivers compete.

Concept

Xfinity success

"...with the bonafide prospect that he was and in his Xfinity success it hadn't translated to Sunday yet"

Xfinity is NASCAR’s “next step” series below the Cup level. Doing well there usually means a driver is getting ready for the biggest NASCAR races.

Concept

three wide

"...Larson almost pokes it in three wide on the top"

“Three wide” means three cars are trying to race next to each other at the same time. It’s exciting, but it can also be dangerous if there isn’t enough space.

Concept

PJ one on the bottom

"I think Bristol the way it is now with the the rubber on the bottom the PJ one on the bottom and then the truck race"

This part is probably about how the track surface is changing and where the grip is best. The speaker is using shorthand that NASCAR fans often recognize.

Concept

rubber on the bottom

"I think Bristol the way it is now with the the rubber on the bottom the PJ one on the bottom and then the truck race"

Race cars leave rubber on the track as they drive. That rubber can make certain parts of the track grip better, which changes where drivers want to race.

Concept

downforce

"But I think it has a lot to do with the downforce the trucks... But they just make so much more downforce that"

Downforce is the “suction” from the car’s shape that presses it down onto the track. When there’s more downforce, the tires can grip better, especially in corners. That can make races faster and sometimes closer.

Part

lug nuts

"Had to come back down first pit stop put a couple more lug nuts tighten it up"

Lug nuts are the bolts that hold the wheel onto the car. If they’re not tightened correctly, the wheel can loosen. That’s why pit crews are trained to tighten them precisely.

Concept

grip

"So still just in the trenches trying to try to find some trying to find some grip there But it's it's fun like racing it's fun being in the mix man that the trucks field from"

“Grip” is basically how well the tires can hold the road. If the tires have good grip, the car feels easier to control and goes faster through turns.

Concept

caution

"They had like a 75 leper on so the tires are shot 90 90 leper on caution 25 to go Generally generally speaking the everybody else the field is it has been chasing the 88 all day is going to do opposite of what "

A “caution” is when the race slows down because something happened on track. Everyone has to drive more carefully, and teams often use that time to adjust strategy and pit.

Term

blocked

"And and he didn't quite get there. He kind of got blocked behind the 18 and it took No, the 19 shout out Brent Cruz. Brent Cruz is driving that thing to watch"

Being “blocked” means another car prevents you from getting to the line you want, often limiting passing opportunities. In NASCAR, blocking can be especially damaging when you’re trying to capitalize on a pit strategy or restart.

Term

qualify

"So then the metric starts to compound against you start going out earlier to qualify So it just really starts stacking the deck."

Qualifying determines starting position, which heavily influences track position on short tracks like Bristol. The hosts connect qualifying timing to how disadvantages “compound” during the race.

Term

points

"Well, he went from 35th in points like three weeks ago now He's two points out of the playoffs or something like that."

Points are how NASCAR ranks drivers over the season. Being “a couple points out” means you’re very close to making the playoffs.

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playoffs

"Well, he went from 35th in points like three weeks ago now He's two points out of the playoffs or something like that."

NASCAR playoffs are the postseason format where drivers compete for the championship. The hosts discuss how close a driver is to making the playoffs, which raises the stakes for every race result.

Concept

all-wheel drive

"Seen back in the Sienna with an available rear seat entertainment system slip into the RAV4 with available all-wheel drive and let's go"

All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That usually helps it grip better on slippery roads.

Concept

collateral damage

"It wrecked him it wrecked his teammate Kate and honey cup and the 34 [746.7s] Yeah, so a lot of collateral damage from that instance [750.0s] You turn somebody like that in front of the field at Bristol and it's a big large pile up."

Collateral damage means other cars get hurt because of the main crash. In NASCAR, wrecks can spread fast when cars are packed together.

Concept

hit a wall

"Man Stu had a scary incident last year that really was close to taking his life hit a wall in Canada with his dirt modified [774.6s] Basically hit the wall with the seat."

Hitting the wall means the car crashed into the barrier. It’s serious because the impact can be hard on the driver, even with safety gear.

Concept

seat time

"So he is getting plenty of seat time because you're back there with guys that are also Trying to stay in the cup series."

“Seat time” means time spent driving the car in practice and races. More seat time helps drivers learn tracks, refine feedback, and build consistency—especially when they’re trying to stay competitive in NASCAR’s top series.

Concept

18th to 32nd

"like from the drop of the rag from 18th to 32nd is a absolute heavyweight Ground and pound dog fight"

That’s the part of the race where a lot of cars are bunched together and it’s a tough fight for positions. Even small mistakes can cost you spots.

Term

fueler

"Ian Anderson fueler Jackson Gibbs ties cousin a buddy of mine sent me a video"

A fueler is the person on the pit crew who adds gas to the race car during a stop. They have to do it fast and safely so the team doesn’t lose time.

Term

Ryan Newman

"He was the car chief on the 39 for me with Ryan Newman when I started changing tires"

Ryan Newman is a NASCAR race car driver. Mentioning him here is basically saying the speaker worked with a real, well-known driver while learning pit work.

Concept

speeding penalties

"We saw a lot of speeding penalties. You bury yourself in 30th at Bristol your day is done."

During pit stops, NASCAR has a speed limit. If you go too fast, you get a penalty that usually drops you back and makes it harder to win.

Concept

spotter

"whether it's pit crew or driver or spotter Sometimes they make a change just for the sake of saying they make well"

A spotter watches the race from a different angle and tells the driver what’s happening around them. That helps the driver avoid problems and make better decisions.

Concept

pit crew

"We were sixth overall on the day a lot of instances whether it's pit crew or driver or spotter"

The pit crew is the group that works on the car during pit stops. If they’re fast and organized, the car can get back out quicker and stay in a better position.

Term

heat race

"One guy can't get a stuff fired every single heat race. That's the worst. I'm over that"

A heat race is like a qualifying race. It helps decide who gets into the main race and where they start.

Concept

put them on the edge

"And he said he loves when we get into the weeds of like how cars drive and put them on the edge and he's like"

It means driving right at the limit of what the car can grip. Faster laps happen there, but it’s also where mistakes can cause a spin or crash.

Term

edge of a tire

"Only people that have tasted the edge of a tire know that feeling"

It means the tire is gripping as hard as it can. Right at that point, the car starts to feel like it might lose control if you push a little more.

Term

ref

"Shut up. You can stop yelling at the 16 year old ref Or ump like we're just here."

A ref is the person who makes sure the game is played by the rules. They call penalties when something breaks the rules.

Term

ump

"Or ump like we're just here. Nobody's making any money. Yeah, where nobody wants to be here teaching my kid on the other team"

An umpire is the official who decides what counts as a strike, ball, or out. They keep the game fair by calling what they see.

Concept

supercross

"I keep a little bit of a tab on that supercross... I'd watch it every week now... Do you know we need to get a supercross rider on the show?"

Supercross is motorcycle racing on a stadium track. The course is packed with jumps and obstacles, so it’s fast and really skill-heavy.

Brand

FS1

"I love supercross when it was on was a fs1. Yeah, you just turned on a lot."

FS1 is a TV channel that shows lots of sports, including racing. The speaker is saying they used to watch supercross on that channel.

Concept

Cup race

"...watch supercross get ready for the cup race the next day"

NASCAR’s Cup Series is the biggest, top-tier level of NASCAR racing. The speaker is talking about getting ready to watch one of those main events.

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