Track Schmak

Last week we forgot about the repave, but this week we were all reminded as the race took some fun turns. This week, the trachschmak podcast (sponsored by Trach Schmak, no relation), takes a look at Aric Almirola (although not at how to say his name), Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson's amazing recovery, Kyle Busch's spin, Greg Biffle's spin, Danica Patrick's spin and retaliation, and all the other spins and incidences of the day.

Picks for Martinsville:

Coach: Jeff Gordon

Rob: Clint Bowyer

This week, we take note of a half-sponsorship, a less than half-hearted crowd, and the best 5 laps of any racing in the last month.

That, plus the Dale Jr. medical leave, Keselowski's fuel issue, relative points, Fox contract extension, qualifying rule changes, and more!

Picks for next week:

Coach: Brad Keselowski

Rob: Denny Hamlin

The show this week takes a look at the sights (ohh, my eyes!) from Talladega, and how not great the race really was. Can you really call it a race if you can lay back at 3/4 throttle for all but the last 20 laps? What was up with Kid Rock? Kurt Busch - mistake or meltdown? Points - NASCAR's or ours? All these questions and more are answered in this week's episode.

Picks - this week, the pick totals are tied - who will win at Charlotte?

Rob: Jimmie Johnson

Coach: Denny Hamlin

This week's super exciting trachschmak captures all of the excitement and intrigue that was Dover! All of it! From pit reporters not able to "report" from the TeeVee, Biffle's bleep-fest, real points, alternate points, pick points, and more, it was a heck of a show.

Also, bonus footage of us straightening out the Trachschmak Pick Points (TPPs) this week. It's exciting!

Picks for next week at Talladega:

Coach: Dale Jr.

Rob: Keselowski.

Better than last week, but that's not saying much. This week, we detail the death of the 'staché, Kyle Busch and his team issues, and more!

Picks for next week:

Coach: Jimmie Johnson (safe, boring, but a winner).

Rob: Martin Truex Jr. ('cause sometimes, you use your silver bullet, and sometimes, you use a spitball).

A boring race. Schmaked.

Ratings 1 or 1.5 out of 5. Horrible. But at least there was some grab-assery.

Picks for Loudon:

Rob: Kasey Kahne

Coach: Clint Bowyer

[edit]We mentioned in the podcast as predicted strong drivers – Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin. Kind of obvious, but needed to be noted. Also, I think Dale Jr. will have a pretty decent day here (top 5ish).

One of the better races (and schmaks) of the season (below Bristol and Watkins Glen), the race for the chase actually had some heat. Would Newman turn a lead into a win? Would Gordon catch Bowyer? Ohh wait, you already know. Well, the last 100 laps of the race gave us the excitement alluded to in the first 100 laps.

Picks for the chase:

Rob: Jimmie (who else) Johnson, dark horse Keselowsky

Coach: Denny (the Hammer) Hamlin, dark horse Keselowsky

Yep, we picked the same dark horse.

New chase, new rules - we're allowed 1 pick of the chase top 12 for the remainder of the season.

Picks for Chicago:

Rob: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Coach: Kevin Harvick

Atlanta happened. And so did some other stuff, like Jeff Gordon's regret, Matt Kenseth's revival at Gibbs, and Joey Logano's release to Penske, among other things.

Picks for next week:

Rob: Clint Bowyer

Coach: Kevin Harvick

What a race! What a summer of racing! Great racing means less to complain about, but still plenty to talk about in the schmak of the week.

Picks for next week:

Rob: Jeff Gordon

Coach: Kasey Kahne

We're back! Lots of topics including Danica at the road courses, great/horrible analysis of the race from ESPN, the new ESPN app, the horribleness that was Indianapolis, mediocreness that was Pocono, the greatness that was Watkins Glen & Montreal, and the pretty-goodness that was Michigan.

Very special note: at the end of this podcast, Rob made me an offer of letting me pick Keselowski if he could pick all three MWR cars. I initially declined, and picked Kyle Busch.

But then reflecting on it and seeing Keselowski's retro paint scheme for the race made me beg for a change. And so it happened.

So picks have changed - now they are:

Coach: Keselowski

Rob: Truex, Bowyer, & Vickers

I like my chances...