EP 2143: In Texas, Kyle Larson Earns His Place in the Finals

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The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters
EP 2143: In Texas, Kyle Larson Earns His Place in the Finals
October 19, 2021
Kyle Larson's locked up one place in the finals. Who's next? Brett McMillan welcomes Jeff Hammond from Sirius-XM NASCAR Radio and Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic.
Date Name
10/19/21 EP 2143: In Texas, Kyle Larson Earns His Place in the Finals Kyle Larson's locked up one place in the finals. Who's next? Brett McMillan welcomes Jeff Hammond from Sirius-XM NASCAR Radio and Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic.
10/13/21 EP 2142: Larson Advances by Winning for a Seventh Time The old saying in the playoffs is survive and advance. Well, Kyle Larson did one better by winning at the ROVAL to affirm his dominance in 2021. Brett McMillan is joined by Jeff Gluck from The Athletic and Reuters reporter Lewis Franck to discuss the Elliott-Harvick dustup, if there’s any way Kyle Larson misses the championship round and debate which organization has the best shot to bring home the big prize in Phoenix.
10/06/21 EP 2141: Talladega Delivers a Piece of NASCAR History Three first-time winners, a piece of NASCAR history and an absolute free-for-all in the playoffs. After Talladega, what more could you ask for?! Brett McMillan is joined by PRN turn announcer Rob Albright and Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal to break down the significance of Bubba Wallace’s win, the future of 23XI with Kurt Busch mentoring Bubba and what’s sure to be an exciting weekend at Charlotte’s Roval as we trim the playoff field again.
09/29/21 EP 2140: Hamlin Gets to Relax in Talladega - But Will He? A win in Vegas means Denny Hamlin can relax at Talladega, but will he? Brett McMillan is joined by Lee Spencer from Racinboys.com and Reid Spencer of the NASCAR Wire Service to discuss Kyle Larson’s missed opportunity and if it could cost him with the unknowns of Talladega and the Roval looming. Plus, we discuss the playoff battles in the Xfinity and Truck Series after a couple of non-playoff contenders won in Las Vegas.
09/22/21 EP 2139: What Does NASCAR Do for an Encore After Bristol? So, what does NASCAR do for an encore after Bristol? Las Vegas may be the perfect place to find out. Brett McMillan welcomes Vince Welch of Fox Sports, and Nate Ryan of NBC Sports.
09/15/21 EP 2138: If You Thought Darlington Was Unpredictable - Wait Till Bristol! Here we are at the end of Round 1, and if you thought Darlington was unpredictable, wait until you see Bristol! Brett McMillan is joined by Chris Knight from Catchfence.com and Charlotte Observer writer Alex Andrejev to discuss Martin Truex and Toyota’s domination at Richmond and look ahead to the chaos that is the Bristol night race! Plus, we discuss the 2022 schedule and new venues in Cup, including the Los Angeles Coliseum and the new-look Busch Clash!
09/08/21 EP 2137: Jordan Bianchi and Tom Jensen join host Brett McMillan One race into the playoffs and brackets aren’t busted but the standings were reshuffled! The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi and Tom Jensen of the NASCAR Hall of Fame join Brett Jensen for this week’s show. With stages and two full races left before the first cut, is it too early to panic if you’re below the cut line? And on the other end, can drivers who had a good night at Darlington fall victim to getting too comfortable?
09/01/21 EP 2136: The Cup Playoffs Begin! Now what can we expect? The field is set and it’s time for the Cup playoffs to begin: What can we expect? Brett McMillan welcomes Kelly Crandal from Racer.com and The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck to preview the 10-race run to the championship! After seeing what happened to Kevin Harvick last year, Jeff says he isn’t considering Kyle Larson a lock to reach the championship round. Plus, Kelly addresses the rumors surrounding the future of Front Row Motorsports and where that new 23XI charter could come from.
08/25/21 EP 2135: One More Race In the Regular Season - Still Much to be Decided There's one more race in the regular season, and still much to be decided. Brett McMillan welcomes Bruce Martin of Speed Sport, and Jim Utter of Motorsport.com.
08/18/21 EP 2134: Is Your Enthusiasm for Road Course Racing Curbed after Indy? Is your enthusiasm for racing curbed after a rough weekend at Indianapolis? Brett McMillan is joined by Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports and NASCAR.com’s Chase Wilhelm to grade the Verizon 200 at IMS. Was the carnage too much for another go, or will this year’s race be a great learning experience for future events? Plus, Bob explains why Matt Kaulig’s sudden rise to Cup Series ownership could be more successful than many new teams, and we discuss rumors about Denny Hamlin looking to buy at least one charter from Front Row Motorsports to expand 23XI’s footprint.
08/11/21 EP 2133: When is The Brickyard Not the Brickyard? NASCAR is going back to Indy but when is the Brickyard no longer the Brickyard? Brett McMillan is joined by NBC’s Dustin Long and Jamie Little of Fox Sports as we look ahead to the final three races in the regular season. Has Chase Elliott finally met his match on road courses in Kyle Larson? Speaking of Larson, what’s behind his road racing prowess? Jamie and Dustin agree his early career struggles might’ve been the best preparation for a ride with Hendrick. And finally, we’re getting a NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader: Will this be the wave of the future?
08/04/21 EP 2132: NASCAR Heads to the Glenn. Brett McMillan, Lewis Franck, Jerry Jordan Good news for fans of the watermelon man: Ross Chastain has a new deal with a new team! Brett McMillan is joined by Lewis Franck of Reuters and KickinTheTires.net’s Jerry Jordan to discuss Chastain’s move to Trackhouse and why it may or may not work. Jerry tells us why Brad Keselowski’s jump to ownership is a logical step for the former champion and we look ahead to the annual trip to Watkins Glen.
07/28/21 EP 2131: Mid Season Evaluation: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer, Brett McMillan With the Olympic break upon us, Lee Spencer of Racinboys.com and Reid Spencer of the NASCAR Wire Service join Brett McMillan for a review of the season thus far.
07/23/21 EP 2130: Keswlowski Goes Into Ownership Brad Keselowski is going to NASCAR ownership and Aric Almirola’s going to the playoffs, but only one of those is a surprise! Brett McMillan is joined by John Roberts from SiriusXM and Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic to discuss Keselowski’s future as an owner/driver and what this could mean for the remainder of Jack Roush’s hall of fame career. The shakeup at Team Penske brought big changes to the Wood Brothers, who are putting Harrison Burton in their car next season. Is that a surprise? And what’s next for Matt DiBenedetto?
07/14/21 EP 2129: Nate Ryan, Alex Andrejev. Brett McMillan hosts. It was a Busch bash in Atlanta, who’s ready for a lobsterfest in Loudon? Brett McMillan is joined by NBC’s Nate Ryan and Alex Andrejev of the Charlotte Observer to discuss the heated comments from drivers about the major change to Atlanta Motor Speedway. The driver’s council is no more, but Nate explains why Denny Hamlin believes it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Plus, as some older drivers like Kevin Harvick step down from leadership roles in the garage, who among the next crop of talent will lead the sport into the 2020s? And did NASCAR find the secret to Hendrick’s success?
07/07/21 EP 2128: Change Coming to Atlanta Motor Speedway One more time around Atlanta before it finally gets repaved...but that isn’t the only change coming to AMS! Brett McMillan is joined by FS1’s Vince Welch and Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM to recap the upcoming Atlanta reconfiguration that the drivers weren’t asked about! Chase Elliott scored the win at Road America; what’s the secret to his road course success? Plus, NASCAR’s Scott Miller explains why local yellows aren’t feasible at most courses and the trucks are going dirt racing in America’s heartland!
06/30/21 EP 2127: Alan Cavanna, Adam Stern, Brett McMillan What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July at a track named America? Brett McMillan is joined by Alan Cavanna from The Positive Regression podcast and the Sports Business Journal reporter Adam Stern to preview the Cup Series’ first trek to Wisconsin in over 60 years. Pocono’s doubleheader was great in every way but one...and it could be the most important factor of all. Alan makes a passionate case that Kyle Busch winning is why we love racing and our panel gives some insight to Kyle Larson’s dominance. And the other big news this week: Who will replace Jeff Gordon at Fox Sports?
06/23/21 EP 2126: Jonathan Merryman, Tom Jensen, Brett McMillan Kyle Larson won again but he’s not perfect...is he? Brett McMillan is joined by NASCAR.com reporter Jonathan Merryman and Tom Jensen from the NASCAR Hall of Fame to break down another dominant Kyle Larson win. Hendrick currently has a huge gap on the field but can they keep it up through the playoffs? The charter system was introduced to give owners a bargaining chip when their team shuts down. Has it finally reached a point of value for new teams coming into the sport?
06/16/21 EP 2125: Reid Spencer, Holly Cane, Brett McMillan For the second time in two months, we’re off into the great unknown! Brett McMillan is joined by NASCAR Wire Service writers Reid Spencer and Holly Cain to preview the Nashville race weekend and recap Kyle Larson’s exciting All-Star win at Texas. Was the new All-Star format a hit? Our panel seems to think so. Hendrick Motorsports has been unstoppable lately but is there concern that they’re peaking too soon? Reid doesn’t think so, plus Kyle Busch is one win away from his 100th Xfinity Series victory. What does Brett think he has in common with Jimmie Johnson (other than he wins a lot)?
06/09/21 EP 2124: Kelly Crandall of Racer.com, and Rob Albright of PRN Kyle Larson staged another showcase and will Texas make the All-Star Race bigger? Brett McMillan is joined by PRN’s Rob Albright and Kelly Crandall of Racer.com to break down the Toyota Save Mart 350, including the former F1 driver who coached Kyle Larson on road racing. Plus, Jeff Gordon is rumored to take on a bigger role at Hendrick Motorsports, speed isn’t everything, even at Talladega, and there’s the complicated format for the All-Star Race. Has the event simply run its course?