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Author: Quinn McCullough

  • NASCAR and truTV to air Weekly Recap Show: Inside the Playoffs

    NASCAR and truTV to air Weekly Recap Show: Inside the Playoffs

    Jordan Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck discuss the new NASCAR Weekly show coming to truTV this Thursday night

    On the latest episode of Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi’s podcast, The Teardown, Bianchi revealed he would be on a new weekly NASCAR recap show by TNT Sports that will air on truTV on Thursday evenings. The show, NASCAR – Inside the Playoffs, will air each week at 7-8 p.m. ET and will also be available to stream on MAX.

    The announced cast will be accomplished broadcaster Shannon Spake, NASCAR “Chief Hype Officer” Mamba Smith, former crew chief Steve Letarte and Jordan Bianchi, a NASCAR reporter for The Athletic, who will cover breaking news. It will also feature a rotating cast of current drivers. According to Bianchi, Kyle Busch will join the show in the first two episodes.

    “This is going to be so much fun,” said Shannon Spake. “I get to talk about the sport I have been a part of for 20 years in two totally different settings, alongside some of my greatest friends and most respected peers in the industry. The fans have been so good to me over the years, and I’m excited to take them further inside the action of the postseason while staying up to speed on some of the fun and entertaining things unfolding away from the track.”

  • The importance of the 1979 Daytona 500 to NASCAR TV Broadcasting

    The importance of the 1979 Daytona 500 to NASCAR TV Broadcasting

    Before CBS broadcast the 1979 Daytona 500 in full from flag to flag, NASCAR races were not broadcast all the way through and instead were tape-delayed. NASCAR tape-delay races would instead be shown in parts with broadcasters, but on rotation in a show like ABC’s Wide World of Sports or NBC Sports World.

    This was very popular with the networks on the weekends and sometimes weekdays in the late 50s to the 1980s to show sports that would have a niche interest in the eyes of the networks. Fan interest was also put into play in terms of what niche sports were shown. NASCAR races were also broadcast live through these programs as well.

    It wasn’t until 1978 when legendary NASCAR Broadcaster Ken Squier and NASCAR Chairman at the time Bill France Jr. convinced CBS to air the 1979 Daytona 500 from start flag to checkered flag. At first, CBS was very hesitant to air the full event due to concerns about the four-hour length of the race and the viewability of it. Before that, they would show parts of NASCAR races on their version of Wide World of Sports called CBS Sports Spectacular.

    Flag-to-flag coverage of a race had never been tried before by any network. Then later that year Mr. Squier convinced Neal Pinson, who worked at CBS and CBS Sports at the time, to air the entire Daytona 500 on CBS TV from green flag to checkered flag across the US. After that, the rest was history. What also helped was on the day of the 1979 Daytona 500 there was a massive snowstorm across most parts of the US but the race track didn’t have that issue.

    This led to many people staying in their homes and watching TV. This was a godsend to NASCAR and CBS. Thousands of people flocked to their TV sets and watched that year’s Daytona 500. The Daytona 500 is one of those Super Bowl-like events millions watch today when it’s on FOX, which acquired the rights to broadcast it in 2001 after NASCAR and CBS stopped working together. If it weren’t for Mr. Squier and CBS, as well as NASCAR’s family, the France family, we wouldn’t have full races and NASCAR coverage on TV and on video like we do today.

  • A look back at Dick Berggren’s 2001 interview with Dale Earnhardt at Daytona

    A look back at Dick Berggren’s 2001 interview with Dale Earnhardt at Daytona

    Many long-time viewers of NASCAR who have watched the sport know who Dick Berggren, PhD is. He’s been a color commentator and pit reporter in NASCAR broadcasting for many years.

    Berggren has encountered and interacted with many legendary drivers throughout his career, but one that particularly stands out is Dale Earnhardt Sr.

    As many NASCAR fans know, Earnhardt Sr. liked an excellent prank and would never hesitate to pull one when he could.

    It all started at Daytona International Speedway in the 2001 Daytona Speedweeks when Berggren was a Pit Reporter for Fox Sports, the new NASCAR broadcast partner at the time. FOX was under pressure to make sure all of its NASCAR broadcast team hires made a great first impression.

    During the 2001 Daytona 500’s practice and qualifying laps, a pit producer at FOX Sports wanted Berggren to try to get an interview with Earnhardt right after he finished his practice and qualifying laps.

    When Berggren saw Earnhardt Sr. was done with his laps and out of his car, he noticed and tried to tell the FOX producer we couldn’t get him, yet he was with his team and discussing strategy.

    Once Berggren talked to the producer, there were better times to talk to Earnhardt Sr. and to wait. The producer said,” We need Earnhardt; get him now.”

    Berggren would later say, “he’ll be done discussing with his team in a moment, then I’ll go over there and interview him.”

    Berggren started to walk over to Earnhardt now that he had stopped talking with his team. Berggren would ask when he went up to him and ask him for the interview.

    Earnhardt Sr. would then pull a prank and say,” Not now, can’t talk.”

    Once Berggren heard that he thought nothing would come out of it.

    Then, a short second later, Earnhardt Sr. turned him around and then said loudly,” How about now!”

    Once the interview happened, Berggren knew Earnhardt Sr. pulled one on him. Berggren would later realize that it would be the final interview he would ever have with Earnhardt before he died tragically at the Daytona 500 later that week.

    It was definitely a classic Earnhardt Sr. story that many, including Berggren, will remember for a long time.

  • Spire Motorsports to Make Driver Change for 2025

    Spire Motorsports to Make Driver Change for 2025

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 25, 2024) – Corey LaJoie will not return to the driver’s seat of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025.

    LaJoie, 32, has been a fixture at Spire Motorsports since 2021 and has recorded four top-five and six top-10 finishes over four seasons, including a fourth-place finish in this year’s Daytona 500.

    The full-time driver for the team’s No. 7 entry in 2025 will be announced at a later date.

    “Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since 2021 and it would be impossible to overstate what he’s meant to this organization and how much I’ve agonized over this decision,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “Corey put his heart and soul into this team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work before we had a race shop, a toolbox or even our own cars. Those days, looking back, were so much simpler than where we are in our journey now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the racetrack. Today, we’re consumed with consistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins in the near future.

    “In racing, there are always variables but one thing we all know, is this is a performance-based business, and it just hasn’t been there for several reasons. All those reasons are factored in when it comes to making a decision of this magnitude. With Ryan (Sparks) moving upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025. Corey deserves a fresh look from another organization, too, and we’ll do everything we can to help him get another opportunity in the Cup garage. I believe in Corey and his ability to be successful in this sport and look forward to him using this as motivation to prove all his doubters wrong.”

    About Spire Motorsports …
    Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team also fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth drives the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Silverados in the No. 77.

    Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

  • Frankie Muniz will race part-time in Craftsman Truck Series for Reaume Brothers Racing in 2024

    Frankie Muniz will race part-time in Craftsman Truck Series for Reaume Brothers Racing in 2024

    Reaume Brothers Racing has announced that Frankie Muniz will join the team for three races this season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Muniz will take part in three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at Nashville Superspeedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway.

    He will also compete at Michigan International Speedway in August in the ARCA Menards Series for the team.

    Video from Black Flags Matter

    Muniz has raced part-time in the Xfinity Series this season for Emerling-Gase Motorsports where his best finish was 30th at Phoenix Raceway for the Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200.

    Last year he had a great season in the ARCA Menards Series for Rette Jones Racing and led the points standings for a long time, showing that he could race well with his opponents and demonstrating good car control.

    It will be exciting to see how well Muniz does in the Truck Series as he continues to build his resume in NASCAR with Ford and Reaume Brothers Racing.

    You can watch Muniz in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut behind the wheel of the No. 22 Ford F-150 at Nashville Superspeedway, on Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET on FS2.

  • The Elite Rise of Christopher Bell

    The Elite Rise of Christopher Bell

    Heading into the championship finale weekend for NASCAR’s three main touring series at Phoenix Raceway, Christopher Bell is looking to win his first career Cup Series Championship. Bell won the Truck Series Championship in 2017 and this year, he is the only playoff driver for Toyota after Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., and Tyler Reddick were eliminated from contention.

    The Oklahoma native drives the No. 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing and has six wins in his Cup Series career. This is his third year at JGR after leaving the now-defunct Levine Family Racing and he has been tearing it up in the Cup Series.

    Along with his six wins in his Cup Series career, he has two Championship 4 runs in the Playoffs as well as 10 poles and 62 top 10’s. This year Bell has shown immense speed at various types of tracks.

    Before arriving in NASCAR, Bell was an established dirt track racer and still is today. He has raced in the World of Outlaws Series and many other dirt track series across the United States. He won this year’s Bristol Dirt Race which will be the final Bristol Dirt Race since NASCAR turned Bristol back to a paved track.

    With his mastery of different types of race cars and race tracks, he has developed a diverse craft of racing skills and abilities. The key for Bell in the Championship Race is whether he can stay consistent and get the win.

    Make sure to tune in to the race and all the action on Sunday on NBC at 1 p.m. CT.

  • Will 2023 be the ‘The Year of Hamlin’?

    Will 2023 be the ‘The Year of Hamlin’?

    Each year when the NASCAR Playoffs start, fans ask who will win the championship. One driver who is always in these conversations is Denny Hamlin, the driver of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Throughout his career, Hamlin has been close to winning his first NASCAR Cup Series championship many times but has always seemed to fall short.

    But, maybe this year could be different. Hamlin had a dominating performance in the final Round of 16 race at Bristol Motor Speedway last Saturday night.

    After the race, however, he was booed immensely by many NASCAR fans which led to an entertaining post-race interview with NBC Sports Reporter, Marty Snider, with Hamlin telling the fans, “I beat your favorite driver!” Marty would follow up by asking him “And who would that be? Denny responded by saying, “All of them!” Once the interview was over the crowd fell silent.

    https://youtu.be/Qhbb4gsS94w

    It is too early to say that this year could be different for Hamlin, as the points for the Playoffs are reset following each round. But Hamlin also had a great finish at Kansas Speedway last weekend, finishing second to Tyler Reddick who drives for Hamlin’s team, 23XI Racing that he co-owns with NBA legend Michael Jordan.

    Hamlin has three total wins this year including Kansas Speedway in May, Pocono Raceway in July and Bristol.

    When asked on the post-race show at Bristol about his confidence in this year’s Playoffs, Hamlin said they are looking better this year and having improved finishes. And though he is doing well now, things can change quickly during the Playoffs

  • Spire Motorsports buys Charter from Live Fast Motorsports

    Spire Motorsports buys Charter from Live Fast Motorsports

    Live Fast Motorsports confirmed today that they have sold their charter to Spire Motorsports. Live Fast Motorsports currently owns the No. 78 car and charter, which Spire will acquire in the deal.

    Spire currently fields the No. 7 car piloted by Corey LaJoie and the No. 77 car driven by Ty Dillon. It is unsure whether Ty Dillon will be returning to Spire after this season. Corey LaJoie is returning next season on a multi-year deal signed earlier this year.

    There has not been a driver announcement for the new Spire Motorsports No. 78 car.

    This deal will make Spire Motorsports a three-car full-time race team for the first time in its history as a NASCAR Cup Series race team. This purchase comes at a time when charters are skyrocketing in price. This is also close to when teams are expected to receive a bigger share of the revenue NASCAR generates. This revenue will come through the new upcoming TV deal that is being worked on by NASCAR and TV broadcast partners. The current TV deal expires in 2025, and the new one will start during the 2025 season.

    It’ll be exciting to see how this team does with three cars and if Spire can continue being on the cutting edge of NASCAR.

  • Ryan Preece ready to return after scary crash at Daytona

    Ryan Preece ready to return after scary crash at Daytona

    Playoffs for the NASCAR Cup Series start Sunday at Darlington Raceway for the Cook Out Southern 500. One driver is ready for a bounce-back race, and that driver is Ryan Preece.

    He drives the 41 car for Stewart Haas Racing. This season is a return to full-time Cup Series racing for Ryan since he raced for JTG Daughtery Racing just two years ago.

    After last week’s scary crash at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona where Preece’s car flipped in the air and crashed to the ground several times. He was discharged and released from the hospital earlier this week.

    When NASCAR on Fox Sports Insider Bob Pockrass spoke with Preece earlier this week, Preece said,” ‘They aren’t bad,’ ‘What I want you all to know is [that] racing in general — whether you’re racing a sprint car, modified, anything — is dangerous.”

    Drivers like Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports came out and acknowledged that NASCAR was quick to work on safety improvements after Ryan’s dangerous crash at the race last weekend.

    Interview with Ryan Preece from Stewart Haas Racing’s YouTube Channel

    This is not the first time NASCAR has had safety issues with their 7th Generation Car. NASCAR leadership hopes that their will be fewer safety issues in the future.