Grip Strip Podcast Episode 165 - Kyle’s Wild - a podcast by Philip G. Mathew

Phil and Josh return for E165 of the GSP to recap IndyCar at Long Beach and NASCAR at Martinsville.  Kyle Kirkwood dominated from pole to win his first IndyCar race, with Andretti Autosport taking three of the top four positions.  Pato O'Ward wore the black hat with two ill-advised moves going into Turn 9, with one eliminating Scott Dixon.  The guys go over the race, what it means for Kirkwood going forward and the points leading into Barber in two weeks. 

NASCAR Cup closed the triple-header weekend at Martinsville Speedway, with Kyle Larson taking his first win at the paperclip along with the grandfather clock.  Even with down-force, aero and engine power adjustments, the racing was just as bad or worse than last year.  Larson was nowhere but used strategy to get track position and eventually lead the last 30 laps to victory. 

Stewart-Haas Racing had four fast Ford Mustangs, but not much to show for that.  Chase Briscoe led the team with a fifth place finish and second most laps led, while pole-sitter Ryan Preece dominated the first stage only to speed on pit road and have to climb back to 15th.  Kevin Harvick ran up front for the majority of the day but issues on pit road and a cut tire relegated the soon to be retiree to 20th.  Aric Almirola had a roller-coaster day but salvaged a sixth.  Other key players are discussed and points are reviewed before the teams and drivers head to Talladega.

In the XFinity Series, Phil picked the driver to win in John Hunter Nemechek, and he paid that off by burning his Toyota Supra to the ground in celebration.  Basically nobody else had anything for him and he is now the points leader in the series over Austin Hill.  The Trucks saw the introduction of the damp weather oval tires, raced in the first stage prior to a stoppage for rain.  Corey Heim battled his former boss Kyle Busch for 124 laps before the race was called and the Tricon Garage driver earned his 3rd career victory.

A packed GSP Roundup covers Supercross, IMSA, MotoGP/Moto2, WEC at Portimao, NHRA at Las Vegas Four Wide (with someone named Anthony Wayne Stewart winning in Top Alcohol Dragster...he's won somewhere before), along with previews of Rally Croatia for WRC, Formula E in Berlin and WSBK in Assen. 

The Tate Fogleman Algorithm returns to the site where it got its name, since the Cup and XFinity teams will be at Talladega this weekend.  Phil and Josh preview and make picks for both races plus the wild card selection.  Josh provides details of his go-karting exploits and iRacing work on his Sim Segment prior to show close.

Further episodes of Grip Strip Podcast

Further podcasts by Philip G. Mathew

Website of Philip G. Mathew