Christopher Bell was in the Championship 4 in Phoenix a few months ago, but engine issues ended his run at the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series title early that day.

Bell notched the win this weekend in his return, capping an emotional week at the track for Joe Gibbs Racing.

AFP’s NASCAR writer, Rod Mullins, breaks down the Phoenix race, and previews Bristol, where he will be on the scene beginning on Saturday.

Virginia (21-9, 12-7 ACC) cannot afford a hiccup with Georgia Tech (14-16, 7-12 ACC) coming to town Saturday night.

AFP editor Chris Graham breaks down the matchup, and also looks across the ACC at the conference’s three NCAA Tournament bubble teams – UVA, Wake Forest and Pitt – and what each needs to do heading into next week’s ACC Tournament.

Stories mentioned in this podcast:

• Preview: Virginia faces absolute must-win this weekend with Georgia Tech in town

Kyle Larson raced to victory in Las Vegas on Sunday. AFP NASCAR beat writer Rod Mullins joins the show to break down Larson’s win, and the rides of other top drivers in Sunday’s race.

Other topics:

• What happened to Chris Buescher’s tire, and why is NASCAR investigating?

For the first time in a decade, AFP editor Chris Graham will be attending a Virginia game without a credential hanging around his neck.

Chris will be in Cameron Indoor Stadium for Saturday’s ACC clash between Duke and Virginia.

It’s not a must-win for the ‘Hoos, but a W would be a nice add to the NCAA Tournament resume.

On the eve of the contest, Chris breaks down the matchup with an eye on how Virginia will try to game plan for what Duke will bring.

Story referenced in this podcast

• Virginia heads to Duke, where a Cavalier Court Storm could help NCAA resume

Daniel Suarez was just thismuch faster than the field in his photo-finish win in Atlanta on Sunday, at the end of one of the more thrilling NASCAR Cup Series races in recent memory.

AFP’s resident NASCAR beat writer, Rod Mullins, joins the podcast to break down the action – 48 lead changes, crashes involving 32 race teams, the three-wide finish.

We also look ahead to this Sunday’s race in Las Vegas.

Virginia (20-8, 11-6 ACC) needs a win at Boston College (15-12, 6-10 ACC) on Wednesday to keep on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

But are there bigger issues for this Virginia team, which has lost three of its last four, and hasn’t scored out of the 40s in two weeks?

AFP editor Chris Graham addresses the issues for the ‘Hoos, and the strategic tweaks that coach Tony Bennett could be putting in place to get things moving in the right direction.

Stories referenced in this podcast

• Preview: Virginia faces do-or-die game with Boston College on Wednesday

We’ve been writing all week about how Virginia coach Tony Bennett and his team have recognized that there’s a softness about this year’s team.

Can the Cavaliers toughen up in time to make a stretch run heading into March Madness?

AFP editor Chris Graham previews the next game up for UVA – with ACC leader North Carolina coming to JPJ.

Stories referenced in this podcast

• Just being honest: North Carolina is a tough, tough matchup for this Virginia team

There was enough of a break in the torrential rain to allow for the running of the 2024 Daytona 500 on Monday, with William Byron taking the #24 Chevrolet to the checkered flag in the NASCAR season opener.

Rod Mullins joins AFP editor Chris Graham to break down how it happened.

We also discuss the ongoing review of fuel strategies by NASCAR, and the dispute between the team owners and the France family over how the billions that the business generates should be divided up.

No shame in losing, but Virginia’s 75-41 loss at Virginia Tech on Big Monday was more than an instance of losing a game.

There was a lot wrong with everything that happened down in Blacksburg.

AFP editor Chris Graham tries to get to the bottom of what happened in the loss, which in a couple of ways seems to have undone the good of the recent eight-game winning streak.

Stories referenced in this podcast

• Listless Virginia pantsed by Virginia Tech in front of national TV audience

Virginia (20-6, 11-4 ACC) faces a tough road test on Monday night with a game at in-state ACC rival Virginia Tech (14-11, 6-8 ACC).

AFP editor Chris Graham breaks down the matchup, the second of the home-and-home between the two this season.

We also look back at Virginia’s 49-47 win over Wake Forest on Saturday, and how the weekend action impacted the six ACC teams in contention for NCAA Tournament at-large bids.

Stories referenced in this podcast

• Preview: Virginia has tough road test at Virginia Tech on Big Monday