NASCAR Podcast: Has the Changing of the Guard Happened or Not?
By T. Walker
Is the NASCAR Cup Series becoming a young man’s race? It’s debatable if the changing of the guard has happened in NASCAR, but one thing is certain; the young drivers are here to contend.
NASCAR storylines are plentiful. Young drivers are showing up, and veteran drivers are still hanging on. Pocono gave you everything. After leading 100 laps, Kyle Bush put a block on Ryan Blaney, sending NASCAR fans into hysterics. Dale Jr. seemed confused after shifting to the wrong gear and blowing his engine. Jimmie Johnson took a hard hit against the wall and knocked himself out the race after experiencing brake issues. When Johnson hit the wall, Jamie McMurray followed in a fiery crash. Oh, and Danica had it out with a few fans before the race. After all, she’s “A f—— person, you know what I mean?” Her words, not mine.
If you thought the veterans gave you something to talk about, the young guys were not to be outdone. Ryan Blaney won his first Cup race after only 16 race starts in the Monster Energy Cup Series. Let’s not forget Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr., who started his first Cup race and knocked down many barriers as an African-American driver in NASCAR. Erik Jones held off past NASCAR champs, Kurt Busch (P4) and Brad Keselowski (P5) for a P3 finish just behind 2014 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Champion, Kevin Harvick.
Seven of the top twenty drivers at Pocono were all drivers with three years or less experience as full-time Cup drivers, whereas veteran drivers Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Dale Jr. and Jamie McMurray did not finish the race. If the playoffs started today, Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott would be in. Wait! What? I can go on, but I think you get the point. Things have changed.
Yes, there are some familiar faces that have secured spots in the playoffs including past champions Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski, but fan favorite Dale Jr. and Matt Kenseth, who I like to call “the quiet assassin” are not. While I let that sink in, ask yourself, “Has the changing of the guard really happened?” If so, when? Are you ready for it? I know I’m not. Well, I am. No, I am not.
I had to come to grips with Tony Stewart tucking his NASCAR driver’s gloves neatly away in his glove box, but like many NASCAR fans, I am not ready for the changing of the guard. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see Clint Bowyer racing for Stewart-Haas, but I would much rather see Tony Stewart in the No. 14. I’m still waiting on Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards to come back–really.
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Don’t get me wrong, I love watching the young drivers. Kyle Larson is something special. And when things click for Chase Elliott, he is going to be great. He has already shown that he is poised to follow in his dad’s footsteps when he secured the fan vote over Danica Patrick at this year’s All-Star race. Once Daniel Suarez masters the intricacies that make driving a Cup car different from driving in the Xfinity Series, he too will be a driver to watch.
We are witnessing something–something special–with the young drivers to be exact. As NASCAR fans, you see it. It’s as clear as if it is written on the wall. Has the changing of the guard happened? It depends on you and if you are ready. I don’t know the answer, but I do enjoy talking about the moves both young and veteran drivers are making on All Turns No Brakes, a NASCAR podcast for fans by fans.
Check it out. Join the debate with Rene and me as we talk all things NASCAR in an unapologetic, humorous and unfiltered way.
In this episode, we discuss:
[0:57] Rene takes a break from Las Vegas — but for how long?
[1:30] Tam’s weekend: Test driving the Mazda MX-5 and Miata in San Diego
[3:31] Pocono: It was everything — and then some
[3:38] Kyle Busch blocks Ryan Blaney
[4:46] Could Kevin Harvick have done more to try to win the race?
[5:38] Drivers who would not pass up the opportunity to steal the win
[6:17] Congratulations to the No. 21, Ryan Blaney on his first Cup Series victory at Pocono
[6:47] Jimmie Johnson slams into the wall at Pocono
[7:51] Jamie McMurray crashes out behind Jimmie Johnson
[8:12] The cause of both accidents
[8:52] The Top 10 at Pocono
[10:24] How Bubba Wallace fared in his first Cup Series race
[11:53] NASCAR’s changing of the guard has—happened?
[12:33] How fans reacted in the stands to Ryan Blaney’s victory
[13:13] Why Rene thinks the changing of the guard has happened
[14:15] Consistently good performance from younger NASCAR drivers
[15:02] The departure of veteran drivers from the sport
[16:00] How Tam feels about Dale Jr.’s impending retirement
[17:19] The misadventures of two engines
[18:02] Fan’s response to @turnsnobrakes question on Twitter
[19:17] Could there be residual effects from Dale Jr.’s concussion?
[20:42] Will Dale Jr. make the playoffs in his final NASCAR season?
[21:21] Fans are concerned about their favorite driver
[22:11] Dale Jr. always has the support of his loyal fans
[23:25] Danica Patrick
[24:06] What made Danica spill fumes at her fans?
[26:13] Will Danica return to IndyCar?
[27:02] How Bubba felt after completing his first Cup race
[29:03] The one trait that Tam and Danica share
[30:24] Too much emphasis on Bubba’s ethnicity
[31:53] Tam shares her thoughts on why people focus on Bubba’s racial background
[33:36] What will Tam’s book be about?
[34:18] Tam’s social experiment
[35:03] A number of storylines for NASCAR over the weekend
[36:28] Fan comment of the week
[37:56] Fan says the focus should be on Bubba’s talent
[38:50] Bubba’s persona and what he brings to NASCAR
[39:37] Michigan predictions: Rene picks Brad Keselowski to win and Kyle Larson as his dark horse
[42:27] Michigan predictions: Tam picks Kyle Busch to win and Matt Kenseth as her dark horse
Next: NASCAR TV Ratings Drop Only Slightly at Pocono
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