Five to Go

Episode 296: NASCAR's new rules, plus author Lee Weeks and Matt DiBenedetto

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Five to Go
Episode 296: NASCAR's new rules, plus author Lee Weeks and Matt DiBenedetto
January 15, 2025
Doug and Devin break down NASCAR's latest rules bulletin and weigh in on the damaged vehicle changes, the Playoff waiver, and the open exemption provisional. They also discuss Mike Wallace's not being allowed in the Daytona 500 and the difference in FOX's promos of NASCAR and Indy. Doug also interviews "Sundays at the Track" author Lee Weeks (:53 min) and driver Matt DiBenedetto (1:10) on his faith journey, which is among those profiled in the book. DiBenedetto also discusses the end of his Cup career and new opportunities in the Xfinity Series.
Date Name
02/04/25 Episode 299: Chase's Clash and working on cars in haulers Doug, Devin, and Dan recap Chase Elliott's dominant Clash victory and discuss whether or not NASCAR has solved the short track problem. They also discuss teams disappointed with their Clash run, why this race could be a springboard, and what the future of the Clash could be. They also discuss off-site inspections, the Chevy "nothing" car, Ford's EV stock car, a change up top at Penske, and what FOX lacked in the Clash broadcast. They also discuss breaking news about Xfinity that dropped during the recording.
01/29/25 Episode 298: The Clash, The Rock, and 2025 is alive Doug, Dan, and Devin break down what they expect from The Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium and whether or not the move from the non-traditional fan is the right one. They also discuss why Rockingham may be the perfect NASCAR track and react to Kasey Kahne's return there. The crew also breaks down a flurry of pre-season headlines (including Corey LaJoie's new plan) and mourns the loss of two influential NASCAR figures.
01/22/25 Episode 297: JRM takes on the 500, NASCAR gets FAST With Dan away, Doug and Devin comment on JR Motorsports attempting the Daytona 500 with Justin Allgaier, Truex Jr. and Johnson taking more stabs at it. They also talk about some new entrants to The Clash, Cody Ware's move to the No. 51 car, and the latest in the NASCAR antitrust suit. Then they discuss NASCAR's launching a FAST channel on Tubi and its importance.
01/15/25 Episode 296: NASCAR's new rules, plus author Lee Weeks and Matt DiBenedetto Doug and Devin break down NASCAR's latest rules bulletin and weigh in on the damaged vehicle changes, the Playoff waiver, and the open exemption provisional. They also discuss Mike Wallace's not being allowed in the Daytona 500 and the difference in FOX's promos of NASCAR and Indy. Doug also interviews "Sundays at the Track" author Lee Weeks (:53 min) and driver Matt DiBenedetto (1:10) on his faith journey, which is among those profiled in the book. DiBenedetto also discusses the end of his Cup career and new opportunities in the Xfinity Series.
01/10/25 Episode 295 - Big Daytona 500 names, rotating races Doug, Dan, and Devin talk about some surprising and big names entering the Daytona 500, the growing list of NASCAR drivers in the Rolex 24, and the NASCAR team that may want to run Indy. They also discuss some Truck, NXS, and ARCA driver news, the start date for the NASCAR monopoly lawsuit, and Chase Elliott's popular new sponsor. They also toy with the idea of having NASCAR races rotate on and off the schedule.
12/31/24 Episode 294 - The upper hand in the NASCAR suit, grading the Cup Series' middle class Doug, Dan, and Devin discuss the suing teams' big recent win versus NASCAR and what a non-chartered Tyler Reddick could have decided. They also parse through some racing headlines and chew on the idea of AI helping make a new Playoff format. The crew also talks about NASCAR's big media facility controlling much of the live content in the next years and how that saves broadcasters money. And the boys give season grades for RFK Racing, Trackhouse, and 23XI.
12/17/24 Episode 293 - Driver marketing and grading five more Cup teams Doug and Devin talk about NASCAR's tweaks to the practice and qualifying formats for 2025, the latest twists in the big lawsuit, and if there could be another lawsuit soon. They also discuss driver marketing incentives and how NASCAR has missed the mark in recent years. And they grade the 2024 Cup seasons for Kaulig Racing, Legacy Motor Club, Wood Brothers Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and Stewart Haas Racing.
12/10/24 Episode 292 - Platforms and grading Cup teams Doug, Dan, and Devin talk about the Snowball Derby and buzz through some other racing headlines. Included in that mix is NASCAR president Steve Phelps saying the platforms for NXS and NCTS changing, at some point. Dan defines what a platform is and Doug wonders why the changes came to Cup first. The crew also grades the seasons for Spire Motorsports, Front Row Motorsports, the former JTG Daugherty team, and Rick Ware Racing - and Devin has a harsh grade for one of them.
12/03/24 Episode 291 - Short tracks, lawsuits, and uniforms Doug, Dan, and Devin discuss the NASCAR drivers entering the Snowball Derby and Dan recalls how pricey post-race tear down can be for teams. They also talk about the latest in the NASCAR lawsuit saga, Toni Breidinger's move to Trucks, and new Truck Series firesuits and the reasons why NASCAR changed the rules.
11/26/24 Episode 290 - GM finally allowed in F1, crew chief shakeups With Dan away, Doug and Devin discuss the big F1 weekend in Vegas and Cadillac/GM's move to F1, including American drivers to consider. They also talk about Chris Gabehart's move from the No. 11 pit box and some other big crew chief announcements and why JGR made the move. And they talk about 23XI adding Herbst to a third team and whether or not the No. 35 has a charter, Truex Jr.'s Cup news, and some other Silly Season moves.
11/20/24 Episode 289 - Swaps, expansions, sales, and Joe dirt Doug, Dan, and Devin discuss the new Amazon-TNT booth and the pending sale of some of the NBC Networks - and what that sale says about NASCAR's TV future. They also talk about RFK adding Kroger and Preece and what that leaves of Stenhouse Jr.'s No. 47 team. The trio then breaks down Todd Gilliland's number switch, JGR's dirt allowance, and the latest in the lawsuit saga. They also theorize about if NASCAR would actually own its own teams and charters, as they do in IMSA.
11/12/24 Episode 288 - Logano: champion to elite, remembering Bobby Allison Doug, Dan, and Devin break down Logano's third Cup championship win at Phoenix and how the racing action fared. They also discuss Allgaier's epic drive and the career comeback of Majeski. The crew also talks about SHR's closing, the ends of several other eras, and the life of the late Bobby Allison.
11/04/24 Episode 287 - Outsmarting-self-ville: Blaney's game winning drive, the hijinxes, and Holly Cain Doug, Dan, and Devin discuss Blaney's clutch drive in consecutive years and how the desperate Playoff drivers and gooey tires made for a really good race. They also break down Bell's fateful wall ride, manufacturer games and if they are really that bad or not, and some outsized tempers in Xfinity and Trucks. The crew also gives their Phoenix championship picks right after reporter Holly Cain joins to preview her new "NASCAR Mavericks" book.
10/24/24 Episode 285 - Doug Rice's Last Lap sees a familiar Playoffs story emerge Doug, Dan, and Devin break down Joey Logano's fuel-saving win in Las Vegas and how is not as underrated as some say. They talk about Bell's runner-up disappointment, Reddick's hasty move and major wreck, and Allmendinger's big win. They also discuss Hailie Deegan's move to INDY NXT and some crew chiefs out of a job. And they also play the audio from PRN's Doug Rice's invocation, green flag, checkered flag, and sign off from his last broadcast from the booth.
10/08/24 Episode 283 - 'Dega, new ROVAL, and charter suit Devin shares how fans with him in the Talladega grandstands had a different reaction that many others during the Cup race. He, Doug, and Dan also break down some officiating pitfalls and the main thing missing in each call. They also discuss why the win for Stenhouse Jr. is more significant than people realize, the Playoff implications in all three series after 'Dega, and the changes to the Charlotte ROVAL layout. Then Devin and Doug analyze some arguments from 23X1/Front Row camps' historic lawsuit against NASCAR and why opinions will shift with time.
10/01/24 Episode 282 - Kansas comebacks, win-pressure, 'Dega preview Doug, Dan, and Devin break down the four races from Kansas Speedway, including the non-Playoff spoilers, Truck Series eliminations, and Cup and Xfinity contender drama. They also talk about the pressure on Elliott and Busch to win, if Hendrick was playing possum earlier in 2024, and Ty Dillon's move back to Cup. Then they check the Talladega entry lists and preview the big tripleheader weekend there.
09/24/24 Episode 281 - Devin's full breakdown of the Bristol weekend Doug, Dan, and Devin discuss all four races at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend, including the vibe Devin got in the pits and garage all weekend and why he was not surprised by the tire falloff on Saturday. Dan details why Kyle Larson's dominance was no easy feat and the boys also analyze the rare in-season trade of Haley and LaJoie. The trio also previews Kansas and why no Xfinity driver should feel safe, as they begin their Playoffs.
09/17/24 Episode 280 - Tire hype, Playoff fright at Glen and Bristol Doug, Devin, and Dan break down Chris Buescher's thrilling win over Shane Van Gisbergen at Watkins Glen and Devin shares a compelling stat about Playoff driver finishes. They also talk about drivers having a surprisingly good run after two Cup Playoff races, the failed hype over Watkins Glen tire falloff, King Connor Zilisch, and how Bristol's tires will be harder to predict than people think.
09/13/24 Episode 279: Logano wins Playoff opener, Charter disagreements Devin Kupka and Dan Elliott breakdown Joey Logano's win at the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff opener. Will Ford go for the three-peat, and is the pressure on Chase Elliott to perform? Kupka and Elliot go in depth about the latest news on charters. A look at the tires the cup cars are on for Watkins Glen.
09/03/24 Episode 278: Briscoe-rella, AMS preview, tight Playoffs, Hovecar one-on-one Doug, Dan, and Devin breakdown Chase Briscoe's haymaker vault over Kyle Busch at Darlington and into the Playoffs and why Darlington is a really good regular season finale site. They check the numbers of past recent Playoffs and how tight the field is in 2024 and since the Next-Gen. They also preview Atlanta, talk about the 2025 NASCAR schedule, hear from Chase Elliott about AMS, and talk to rookie Carson Hocevar about how prepping for Atlanta is so different than other tracks.