Daytona 500: Steve Letarte analyzes Michael McDowell's stunning victory

02/15/21 • 35 min

NASCAR on NBC analyst Steve Letarte breaks down the Daytona 500, analyzing the breathtaking final lap and what he saw between Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano (1:00); Are we learning you shouldn’t block while leading on the last lap of the Daytona 500? (3:30); How does Roger Penske handle the aftermath? (4:30); on Michael McDowell’s underdog story (7:00); how the race's turning point was all about pit strategy (11:00); why Daytona turned out to be a numbers game that Toyota and Denny Hamlin couldn’t win (13:00); was Hamlin right to be confused why the Chevrolets waited until the last lap to make a move? (14:15); the missed opportunity of breaking manufacturer ranks (16:00); why the Toyotas still shouldn’t kick themselves too much (18:00); on whether the six-hour rain delay (and big crash before the red flag) impacted the rhythm and flow of the race (20:00); the ability to control a race like Dale Jr. and Denny Hamlin can (22:00); Stevie’s Speedweek in Daytona and how it felt weird (23:30); how does McDowell’s victory shake up the playoff picture (26:00); the increasingly wild-card nature of the regular season (28:30).

Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

Previous Episode

Ep. 216: Laura Wontrop Klauser, Chevrolet sports car program manager for Corvette Racing, Cadillac Racing

Next Episode

undefined - Daytona Road Course: Did NASCAR make the right call on the rain yellow flag? And analyzing breakthrough victories for Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs

Daytona Road Course: Did NASCAR make the right call on the rain yellow flag? And analyzing breakthrough victories for Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs

NASCAR on NBC analyst Steve Letarte breaks down the NASCAR weekend at the Daytona Road Course, analyzing how Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs are making the future seem bright at Joe Gibbs Racing (1:00); why are so many inexperienced drivers getting their first NASCAR national series victories at road courses? (3:00); some insight on what Letarte knows about Bell and Gibbs before their breakthroughs (5:30); appreciating the rarity of consecutive first-time winners (7:30); the turning point of the race, starting with NASCAR’s officiating decisions (10:30); appreciating the tire wire and strategy from having options (13:00); the discussions NASCAR needs to have on officiating road courses (15:00); looking at local yellows and talking to the drivers before COTA (17:00); some other considerations before making policy changes (19:00); what the CBell victory meant for his crew chief after Adam Stevens had a bit of a contentious split with Kyle Busch (21:30); making the case for the “team of rivals” approach (24:00); the impact of two first-time winners on the playoff picture (27:00).

Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.