Five To Go

Doug, Dan, and Devin discuss the close finish in Vegas and the win for Kyle Larson, along with Dan's surprise at Bell's runner up finish. They talk the Blaney un-DQ, and how much a crew chief can really dictate strategy. Doug recalls his time at Road Atlanta's Petit Le Mans and Devin shares some big Kevin Harvick tributes for Homestead this weekend. The crew also updates and speculates the latest Silly Season developments.

Devin shares his observations after covering the ROVAL race and Doug and Dan and him talk about Allmendinger's win and why it does not assure his future. They talk about the drivers eliminated from the Cup and Xfinity Series' Playoffs, Mayer's clutch win, Burton's choke and his future, and racing with Stage yellows. They also discuss Deegan to the NXS and another top driver rumored to be leaving Kaulig. Then they go over the big changes in the 2024 Cup schedule and why it is better than some think.

Doug and Dan hear from Devin about his view from the Talladega stands and the crowd reaction to the Blaney win. They also discuss the agony for Kevin Harvick, the crapshoot Playoff standings, and the hard hits Cup cars took. Christopher Bell helps preview the strategy at the ROVAL and the boys discuss fight ethics after a nasty one in the Truck Series garage.

With Dan off, Doug and Devin explain how NASCAR's cultural irrelevance shows and some ways they think that could change. They also talk about some drama leaving Texas, the driver Devin thinks will make a deeper Playoff run, and Devin's view from the stands at Talladega this weekend. They also cover some NASCAR Silly Season news and rumors and connect some Truck Series dots ahead of their elimination weekend in Talladega.

Devin downloads some of his big Bristol stories: Zane Smith-Trackhouse, Spire-Live Fast charter, Hemric-Kaulig-Cup, teammates tussling, Logano's elimination, Harvick's malaise, Bristol-concrete-Spring returning, Earnhardt Jr. leading laps, Hamlin embracing the heel, and Truck and Xfinity Silly Season rumors. Doug and Dan discuss this all with him and also the Gen-7 parity problem and whether or not tires will be a Texas x-factor. And they leave off with a tribute to the late Sherry Pollex.

Doug and Dan chat with Devin, while he is on his way to Bristol, about stories he will cover this weekend, Playoff takes from Kansas, and the teammate rivalry at Hendrick. They also discuss Trackhouse and Kaulig Silly Season rumors, including arm hair-analysis, and take a deep dive on A.I., while reminiscing on the lost art of the press conference.

Doug, Devin, and Dan discuss the ups and downs of the 16-driver Playoff cadre and why one race is not enough to judge most of them. They also talk about what made the Southern 500 memorable on Sunday, how Kyle Larson won, and Bowman v. Suarez v. Mack. Then they talk Silly Season rumors (some of which broke after the recording) and play a little hot stove "Would You Rather."

Doug, Devin, and Dan are back together to digest Buescher's Daytona win and the Cup Series regular season results. They each give their sure bet, dark horse, and total shock guesses for the Playoffs and talk about parts of the Gen-7 car that NASCAR should consider tweaking. They talk about manufacturer support and the disparity there, too. And they wrap up with Doug discussing watching a German hill climb race, including his conversations with drivers Michelle Tute and Gerold Schneider.

Doug, Dan, and Devin give their takes on McDowell's statement win and how the Playoff implications are deeper than most think. They rate Elliott's chances to win Watkins Glen, what SVG's Truck debut could spell for his future, and the NASCAR driver with whom McDowell most likely compares. The crew also examines the point standings and just how close some of the Playoff drivers are.