236 – Martinsville II with Jeff Gluck: Everyone Went Nuts

11/02/21 • 151 min

2 Listeners

A tripleheader race weekend at Martinsville Speedway set the stage for NASCAR Championship Weekend. Brett Griffin, T.J. Majors, Freddie Kraft, and special guest Jeff Gluck of The Athletic return from Virginia to react to a wild two days of action.

They begin by sharing their instant thoughts on how the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday unfolded, including debating what served as the spark to the dramatic final 50 laps. T.J. shares the intensity that Brad Keselowski faced throughout the race and especially in the closing laps when he could sniff the win that would earn him a Championship 4 spot.

Multiple instances of brake-checking occurred at Martinsville, including between Keselowski and Chase Elliott as they raced for third late in the day. Hear what events led up to the contact that sent the No. 9 car around as the event neared its finish.

Then with 5 laps remaining, Alex Bowman spun leader Denny Hamlin as they fought for the top spot. Hear what the gang thinks of Bowman’s move, whether it was warranted and what it says about racing with respect. Was it a cheap shot or just hard racing? Then the non-playoff vs playoff driver debate resurfaces and the guys share what they believe has changed in the driver’s minds.

After taking the checkered flag, Bowman returned to the frontstretch to celebrate where he was met by an angry No. 11 car. The crew reacts to Hamlin’s actions on the track, the double-birds he displayed to Bowman and the choice words he had for the winner afterwards. Were his comments justified? Hear what the table thinks and what it means moving forward.

Now the Cup Series title race will come down to a battle between Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. Is this best for the sport? Who has the upper hand? How will it play out? The gang engages in a lively debate about what to expect in the season finale. Plus, hear their thoughts about if Martinsville could ever host the title race.

The Xfinity Series race featured its share of action as its Championship 4 was determined. The always spicy Ty Gibbs had harsh comments for eventual winner Noah Gragson after contact sent the No. 54 car around. Find out what the guys think Gibbs lacks and why it has been impacting his performance throughout the season.

A decision to stay out during Saturday night’s race placed the slower car of Spencer Boyd right in the middle of the playoff mix. The group doesn’t hold back airing their feelings about a car that typically runs in the back being a moving chicane at the front of the field as drivers raced for their seasons.

Similar comments are shared when discussing the Truck Series race and how Austin Wayne Self nearly cost John Hunter Nemechek a shot at the championship. Find out whether the guys believe what he said afterwards and how the series has completely lost its respect. Plus, is it time for NASCAR to step in?

Before Reaction Theatre, the DBC crew and listeners gets a sneak peek of a brand-new podcast coming soon to Dirty Mo Media.

In Reaction Theatre, the fans are fired up after the ending of Sunday’s race. Hear what they have to say to Denny Hamlin and then what the gang thinks about Hamlin’s more unfiltered approach to life.

The crew then makes championship picks for each of the three title races this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. They dissect what to look for in each event and breakdown the opportunities that the drivers fighting for the title will battle for.

Then Gluck answers questions from the guys before leaving, including his thoughts on what transpired this season, the reaction to his column contrasting NASCAR and Formula 1, and what’s next for him.

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Before Reaction Theatre, the DBC crew and listeners gets a sneak peek of a brand-new podcast coming soon to Dirty Mo Media.

Want more DBC? Check out and subscribe to the new DBC YouTube channel!

Previous Episode

235 – Kansas II: Feeling Entitled

The Bojangles Studio is full again as the trio of spotters is back together after race weekend at Kansas Speedway. Freddie Kraft, Brett Griffin and T.J. Majors didn’t blow away while in Kansas and are here to cover storylines from the weekend of racing, spanning NASCAR and Formula 1.

Windy conditions provided a challenge for NASCAR Cup Series drivers on Sunday. Hear from those who stood on the roof how windy it actually was and the impact it had on the cars throughout the race. As the championship approaches, aggressive driving is on the rise. The spotters describe what they noticed this weekend and why drivers are letting it all hang out.

Kyle Busch directed his seemingly weekly frustration on the radio towards Bubba Wallace this week. Wallace’s spotter Freddie fills us in on the battle the two Toyota teammates had for 10th and why he doesn’t agree with Busch calling out the No. 23 for how they raced each other.

Ryan Blaney blamed Austin Dillon for wiping him out late in Sunday’s race as Blaney maintained a comfortable playoff standings position. Find out whether the crew agrees with Blaney’s assessment of the accident and why playoff drivers feel entitled when racing around non-title contenders. Now heading to Martinsville Speedway for the Round of 8 elimination race, hear who the guys expect to earn the remaining three spots in the Championship 4 and just how close the battle will be.

The Cup race at Kansas and the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon. After much comparison between the two forms of motorsports over the weekend, listen for the table's take on whether or not the events should have run at the same time. Plus, hear their reaction to the culture F1 has created at its events and why it attracted a record-setting crowd.

JR Motorsports’ Sam Mayer took out playoff contenders Harrison Burton and Mayer’s teammate Noah Gragson in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race. Mayer, who is not in title contention, expressed remorse afterwards but the guys discuss his actions that ultimately may cost both playoff drivers an opportunity to make the championship race.

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch made comments regarding Cup Series race attendance ahead of Kansas, saying they would like track promoters to do a better job and that recent crowds have been unacceptable. The gang debates whether the drivers are right and what needs to happen to bring more people to the race track.

In Reaction Theatre, there’s an F1 invasion, a figure skating discussion, news of a spotter swap and why drivers can’t race nice anymore.

Then, Freddie shares insight after attending the Charlotte ROVAL Next Gen test. Plus, the guys talk if every team that currently owns a charter actually deserves it.

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Next Episode

237 – Phoenix II with Daniel Hemric & Ben Rhodes: Champions

On the 2021 season finale, T.J. Majors, Freddie Kraft and Brett Griffin are back from NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway with plenty to say. Along with co-host Hannah Newhouse, they discuss how each title race played out and chat with two new champions – Xfinity Series winner Daniel Hemric and the Truck Series’ Ben Rhodes.

Freddie’s season with Bubba Wallace faced an early end after a wreck on Lap 8 during Sunday’s race. Hear from Freddie about how the No. 23 ended up being collateral damage. Then, the gang starts with the Truck Series championship race and John Hunter Nemechek’s defeat. Hear about the No. 4 truck’s early mistake, questionable decision making later in the race and what this loss may teach Nemechek.

The Cup Series championship ultimately was decided by a late caution that brought all four title contenders down pit road. Should a caution have been called for the debris from David Starr’s car? How would have the race played out if it stayed green? What do the guys think about a pit stop ultimately determining the champion? They share their thoughts on how everything unfolded and provide insight on an industry secret concerning lug nuts. Plus, they discuss how Kyle Larson ultimately pulled off the biggest victory of his career.

Each series’ champion is decided by the season finale each season. Is that the best way to determine who the sport awards the title of champion? The guys debate the idea of a single race championship and propose alternate ideas on how to determine the top team after an entire season.

Tony Stewart called Kyle Larson the best race car driver he has ever seen after Larson’s dominant season. The guys discuss the impressive list of accomplishments Larson achieved this year to earn that kudos and what it means coming from Stewart.

Sunday marked the final race in the Gen 6 car era of the Cup Series. Find out what Denny Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart had to say about the artistry of the sport dying with this car and why it has the guys sad to see it go.

NASCAR President Steve Phelps said that fans who prefer a higher horsepower aero package are a “vocal minority” and that the data suggests “we have better racing right now than we’ve had arguably ever.” Does the crew agree with those bold statements? They dissect his comments and the direction NASCAR is headed in with its on-track product.

Ryan Newman raised safety concerns about the Next Gen car at Phoenix and it surfaces a broader concern for the group regarding driver representation in the sport. Hear why they think if the new car is any less safe than the current car, it’s unacceptable. Plus, they share why drivers need to have a seat at the table when NASCAR makes big decisions.

Next, Daniel Hemric joins the show to talk all about winning his first career NASCAR race and championship all on the same night. Hear about his celebrations from the past few days, his mindset making a Dale Earnhardt-esque move on Austin Cindric at the line, and the bet he helped Bubba Wallace win with Michael Jordan.

From one champion to the next, Truck Series’ title winner Ben Rhodes joins next. He shares about how he made the right moves to secure the title, what he remembers about his legendary alcohol-influenced post-race press conference, and how getting rid of T.J. as his spotter elevated his performance.

In Reaction Theatre, T.J. reveals his 2022 spotting plans, a Fireball challenge is proposed, Hamlin’s haters weigh in, and the highlights from one intoxicated press conference are played.

Lastly, a surprise to end the season as the inaugural DBC Year End Awards are presented by the boss, Mike Davis. Find out what critically acclaimed honors the gang earned in 2021 as they reflect back on some of the season’s best moments.

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