NASCAR on NBC podcast NBC Sports

Checking in on NASCAR’s early short track season with Denny Hamlin getting hot behind the best pit crew in Cup, and Martin Truex Jr. feeling heated about a potential restart violation. Interviews with Chase Briscoe, Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith. And exploring the emotional connection of Hendrick Motorsports to Martinsville Speedway as the team celebrates its 40th anniversary.

A recap of some major takeaways from NASCAR’s trips to Las Vegas and Phoenix, as well as the IndyCar 2024 opener in St. Petersburg. Among the topics: Toyota’s strong showing on a critical track; the short-track rules package debate; changes for Kyle Busch and his pit crew; Rajah Caruth’s breakthrough NASCAR victory; NASCAR president Steve Phelps on the possibility of racing at Dodger Stadium; a discussion of charter systems and big salaries in IndyCar; St. Pete winner Josef Newgarden and his new professional outlook.

With his first Daytona 500 victory, William Byron continues the momentum of his breakthrough 2023 season and overcomes some of the “impostor syndrome” that he’s felt as an iRacer turned NASCAR Cup Series championship contender. And some early season thoughts from Ryan Blaney, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr.

On the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Daytona 500, revisiting some of the major storylines and big moments before, during and after Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning the Great American Race for the first time. With President George W. Bush and a cavalcade of stars on hand, NASCAR opened its season with a new title sponsor in Nextel and a new playoff-style system to choose its champion.

A look back at the 2023 season and look forward to 2024 through the eyes of five stars in the NASCAR Cup Series – Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin.

After suffering a massive penalty for manipulating tire pressure data during last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona victory, two-time defending champion Meyer Shank Racing was left without a manufacturer deal for the 2024 season and on the sidelines of IMSA for the first time in 20 years. How team owner Mike Shank is handling the disappointment of missing Daytona and his plan to return in 2025.