The Backstretch

The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 14: Chris Buescher

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Carson Hocevar gets his first career Cup Series win — and celebrates like it.

In Season 5, Episode 14 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Hocevar’s breakthrough moment, what it means for Spire Motorsports, and why this win could be bigger than just one race.

It also felt like a big weekend for the sport — maybe even a shift.

🏁 What Matters / What Doesn’t

  • A changing guard in NASCAR? From Hocevar’s win to rising names across the sport
  • Cleetus McFarland finishes second in ARCA, Corey Day wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts race (with Jason Kelce on the pit crew) — is this real momentum or just a moment?
  • A major leadership change: Jim France steps down as CEO, and Steve O’Donnell becomes the first non-France family member to take the role — how much does that matter?

    • 🎤 Turn 5 – Five Minutes with Chris Buescher

    Chris joins the show to talk Talladega, adapting to evolving race strategy, and what it takes to stay competitive as the season shifts.

    📻 Say What? (Radio Chatter)

    • New stage strategies reduced fuel saving — but passing still proved difficult
    • More radio issues across teams — and a much bigger problem this week for Ryan Preece at Talladega

      • 🛠 Pit Notes

      Chris Carrier previews Texas Motor Speedway — speed, risk, and why execution matters more than ever at one of the fastest tracks on the schedule.

      Fast takes. Real insight. Inside the garage.

      Subscribe for weekly NASCAR breakdowns, driver interviews, and pit box perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

      #NASCAR #CarsonHocevar #ChrisBuescher #Talladega #TexasMotorSpeedway #CupSeries #BackstretchPodcast

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      The BackstretchBy Heather Williams