Live: NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta pre-race show | NASCAR

[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] 202 NASCAR cies playoffs ready to goig the game yours baby this is my time you this is my time pressure continues to build welcome in live to Atlanta Motor Speedway down here on Pit Road and the chase for the championship begins right now it's the opening race for the Nascar Cup series playoffs thanks so much for joining us here on your Sunday I am Alex Weaver and this place is buzzing with excitement fans are starting to isin and it's 400 miles at the Wild Card race of Atlanta Motor Speedway now this is not your grandmother's Atlanta this place races different it races like a super speedway now and we see the arrow package in the drafting but it also has the charm and the characteristics still of a mile and a half we're going to get you fired up for the drop of the green flag with several of our playoff drivers now the green flag will be taking place at 3 p.m. Eastern on USA so you're going to want to make sure that you're tuning into that but 16 drivers want to be crowned a champion in 2024 let's take a look at the playoff standings entering today's race we see Kyle Larson at top the playoff board now 35 points above the elimination line but if you look right there at that elimination line it is so close in points between Alex Bowman Chase Brisco and the rest of the drivers there on the bubble and talking to those drivers this weekend they say the key to Atlanta is surviving this place you don't want to go into Watkins Glenn and Bristol for the next two races in a huge points deficit but one of our players play off driver Denny Hamlin had some issues in qualifying on his qualifying lap the driver heard a loud pop he was battling some engine issues and took it to the garage and diagnosed it he'll start at the rear of today's field but a non-playoff driver Michael McDow showed his speed and flex those muscles on a super speedway once again here's your bush typ poll sitter his fourth consecutive Super Speedway poll the first driver to do it since Bill Elliott in 1985 and 1986 let's take a look at our top 10 starting grid we mentioned Michael McDow there on the poll it'll be the reigning champ Ryan blay joining him on the front row and the top 10 is stacked with playoff drivers and non-playoff drivers so that'll be how it looks for the drop of the green but now let's welcome in a driver who's rolling off 12th for today's race making his 100th career start in the Nascar Cup Series first time ever in the Nascar Cup series playoffs Harrison Burton you got the win at Daytona but welcome to the playoffs yeah it's very fun I didn't you know I've been told I was getting a 100 start this week and I'm like oh my gosh am I that old I'm starting to get gray hairs and everything but uh no it's just been a really fun opportunity to get the win in Daytona move into the playoffs now with kind of new Purpose with our team from um you know kind of getting cleansed of our sins of the past of this season getting that win winning CES all in this sport so uh getting that win and getting in this playoff race you look at the bubble we're right there so um just have to go execute these next three races and you never know we can uh keep playing spoiler and move on and on and you never know what'll happen well we spoke to you in Victory Lane at Daytona and you told me that it hadn't really set in yet that you had won so now two three weeks removed has it set in that you're a Nascar Cup Series winner and at Daytona yeah I think uh that first lap at Darlington you know the week after in practice when everything kind of else Fades away and you get back in the car I think that's when it set in finally right like no one cares about last week anymore now we're uh you know we're we're moving on to this week and uh obviously I've been tagged in all these videos of me screaming look like looking like an idiot so it's just a such a fun time with me and my team and and happy to experience those memories and then um you know moving on to the Future trying to make more well lucky for you we're back at a Super Speedway and your best finish here at Atlanta has been 10th back in 2022 how do you improve that coming off of knowing that you guys can get it done at a place like Daytona and coming to the super Speedways how do you improve and make it to Victory Lane yeah I mean obviously we've had fast uh forward Mustangs at you know Daytona Talladega we've had lead laps we've Leed laps here uh it's just about execution and understanding the differ es between Atlanta and Daytona right where handling matters a little bit more what you do in the pack how you handle kind of different Arrow situations is kind of the big uh you know deciding factor of of how you're going to come out of this race so really doing the homework before we showed up I think you know I feel really confident about what I have to do just now it's all about just going out and doing it finally do you feel like an underdog yeah absolutely and I should and and there's power in that though too uh they make movies about underdogs so hopefully we'll have a story that good all right that's Harrison Burton he will roll off 12th for today's race we're now going to make the transition and we're going to welcome in he's starting on the front row he's your raining 2023 Nascar Cup Series champion I know he's trying to go back toback this year it starts now in Atlanta Ryan blay welcome back to Atlanta hi happy to be here staying in the same spot Harrison Burton stood in it's dream come true uh nice to be out here a lot of people here today uh so be a good day here at Atlanta when you guys move into these playoffs how much of last year is still a top your brain um I mean it's a new year right I mean you can't just reminisce on the past but I I feel like you know hey what are the things that we did really good last year in the playoffs and let's apply those and then what can we do better um I feel like that's always kind of a constant so super happy with kind of like our mental toughness last year it's a gauntlet you know for nine weeks trying to get to Phoenix and and how do you and your team kind of stay locked in for those weeks and every single weekend and and understand that the long term is in effect but you have to deal with One race at a time and how can you maximize your effort this day so feel like that confidence level is still there um but you can't rely on it like I said so we're ready to go for a New Year great way to kick it off um hopefully we can start off on the right foot well you mentioned that right foot I think you guys found the right speed in the spring here at Atlanta you were so close to that win it was one of the most talked about wins we've seen in the Nascar Cup Series 0.3 I don't want to bring up bad memories for you but you were oh so close so if you don't mind let's walk through through and what you remember from the spring race in Atlanta yeah yeah that was exciting finish obviously with three y with me and Kyle and Daniel and you know the both lanes were kind of coming there on the backstretch and you know I had a I had a shot of kind of blocking the eight in the middle but I really thought if I would have done that it was a high percentage of me getting wrecked so I just kind of picked the bottom and I knew we were going to be three wide and then just drag race it out and from my point of view you know I I can see a little bit to my right I knew I got the eight but I couldn't see the 99 so I was like I don't know if we got them or not or and then they told me we lost by you know a few thousands of a second which I really couldn't be too upset I've won them by almost that much too uh so just an exciting finish hopefully we see that kind of excitement today and hopefully we can be on the other end uh of that finish we hear drivers and other or athletes and other sports like football players and baseball players they'll have their background on their phone is like motivation do you have that Atlanta that photo finish somewhere just for motivation today no I have something else I have something else I change over to uh in the season that kind of motivates me but no I don't want that that would just like bring up not heartache but like ah dang we missed it I don't want that daily reminder so I need like a motivation for me uh on the background of my phone that when I look at it every morning so um no it's something a little little Muhammad Ali I got little something from him that uh I had the same thing last year actually and then the winter I change it over to like my nephews or Gian and then when the season starts I kind of change my lock screen back to like all right this is this is my mindset through the year but uh yeah there's little things I think everyone kind of does that get you going well you guys took to qualifying yesterday you were Oho close to being on the poll here again and I know that you said that you lost a little bit of speed on your qualifying lap what more could you have found to start on the poll today yeah I I really don't know that we like could have found anything we just didn't really we just slowed down a little bit from round one to round two and the 34 picked up a little bit of pace so you know whatever that was I'm not sure um the speedway stuff is finicky like it's not like oh I can drive in deeper or I can do this it's just all right hey do you pick up or not um but I thought my car drove really well um nice to start on the front row um hopefully we can keep that track position and and understand through the day you'll kind of be shuffled back and forth you know but it's nice to have early nice to have a good pit stall and looking forward to the the Dent Wizard number 12 for Mustang hopefully like I said can at least battle for the win at the end that's that's all you can ask for and uh you just hope you make the right decisions finally your fifth in points on the playoff standings entering today's race and I know it is so close all throughout those 16 drivers with you guys you're 13 above the elimination line what's the goal for today cuz Watkins Glenn and Bristol are looming there in the distance yeah yeah you know I mean I think the first races first three of this round are pretty tough you know very different tracks you have a Speedway here the Glenn with a brand new tire and then Bristol we saw how that was in the spring uh with all the tire issues so um I don't know I I think just go try to have a solid day I've always approached these Speedways as just how can I do my best to control the race try to get as many points stages as you can because you never know where you're going to finish you can get caught up in someone else's mess so um yeah I don't know try to maximize your day obviously winning is like the main goal and so you don't have to worry about it but try to be realistic of like just just have a good day do your job to the best of your ability me Pit Road pit crew and then whatever else happens happens so just uh have a solid day execution wise and see where it ends us well we appreciate your time today go have some fun thanks appreciate it that is Ryan blay who finished top 10 in the last four races here at Atlanta so a lot of success in this new style of racing here at Atlanta we're going to welcomeing the driver now of the number 48 Alex Bowman welcome to Atlanta all four cars of Hendrick Motorsports are locked into the playoffs so let's start with that how are you guys able to click on all cylinders this season yeah for sure we I mean I feel like as a whole we've been pretty good as the 48 team we've been a little bit streaky like had uh streaks of running really well and the last month or so has been pretty miserable so um I feel like we're in a good spot though uh you know we've we've worked really hard at uh being super prepared and super focused on these last 10 races and um qualified a little better than I thought we would and hopefully have a lot of handling dialed in it's going to be hot and slick but should be pretty good today well if you guys don't know Alex Bowman he's pretty chill and even kill he is you you show up every day and you're pretty much the same the most excited I've ever seen you is at Chicago you obviously win the Chicago street race such an incredible win for the organization for you and your crew chief Blake Carris what do you remember from Chicago now that we're months removed yeah I mean I I think for me just as a human to overcome you know the the injuries that led up to that and and to get back in Victory Lane kind of after all the hardships uh meant a lot to me so um super thankful for all the support that I've I've had from Hendrick Motorsports and um and everybody that made that possible because you know you you get hurt a couple times and and you start to to second guess things sometimes so um certainly being able to to get back in Victory Lane meant a lot to me um it was a really good time for sure and um definitely an enjoyable day we also have some news from this weekend I know some folks of the media have asked you about your future and what 2025 and G will look like for you I heard you made some phone calls uh to Hendrick Motorsports just to make sure that she still had a seat what's going on oh yeah I mean certainly um rumors kind of just flying everywhere but um you know I I get it there's really high expectations at hendrik Motorsports and and we've certainly uh been a little bit off but um yeah I mean as far as all that goes I'm I'm I'm good and um you know excited for for what the future holds here driving this 48 car so it's been uh been a lot of fun um certainly glad to have media week over with and just go and perform for the next 10 weeks I think that's the most important thing when we come to a place like here that is racing like a super speedway I know it's not Daytona and I know it's not Talladega but Atlanta is very different than what we're used to seeing now balancing there's you and 15 other Playoff drivers but also a slew of drivers who don't really care if they're taking a playoff driver out or not how do you balance the aggression level here today at Atlanta yeah I mean I made one lap in the spring so um got to be better than that right but definitely um you know trying to make it to the end and have a shot at it at the end but also stage points are going to be incredibly important uh throughout this playoff run this round this first round is pretty stressful so um just trying to be on the right side of things I feel like you know not having that that learning experience in the spring is definitely a little bit of a setback but um studied pretty hard and and I feel like you know we we've really focused on handling and hopefully that shows up today so um yeah hopefully we're on the right side of all that there's definitely I mean there's going to be crashes and it's uh it's it's always easy to get caught up in somebody else's mess here at Atlanta so just focused on what we can what we ourselves can control well you mentioned controlling things you'll roll off 11th but you're 12th in points and I know you drivers don't like to look at some of these things but it's tied at the elimination line it is so close in points what are the goals for today yeah I mean just have a a good solid day get stage points and run top 10 obviously we want to go win that that's the number one goal but um realistically stage points in a top 10 and I feel like we're in a a good spot so um just got to keep plugging away at it and just execute at a high level do my job um correctly and and do the best I I can and um I know everybody at hendrik Motorsports will give me a good piece and we'll go from there well we appreciate you stopping by the 48 of Alex Bowman he'll roll off 11th for today's race and we're going to be joined by another one of our Powerhouse organization drivers we mentioned all four Hendrick Motorsports cars in the playoffs but all three team Pinsky cars are also going after a championship the driver of the number two Austin syri welcome back to Atlanta you excited to be at a super speedway is today yeah it's definitely kind of its own beast but certainly excited uh this uh Discount Tire Menard's Ford Mustang is uh pretty fast uh obviously qualifying in the top five feel pretty good about it got quick State on the hood for the quick State 400 first race of the playoffs um yeah pretty excited you're starting fifth today what did you feel inside of that blue oal Ford yesterday in qualifying well I think you saw yesterday in the Xin race handling will be important I think that's the first box we got to check is is make sure the car drives well to where I can be aggressive in the pack and um obviously it's going to be a day race most of these races have ended at night I think that keeps the pack close so I think being able to being able to make moves comes comes down to how it handles but uh I I thought our stuff drove pretty well for qualifying trim yesterday you know you try and trim the thing out it drives pretty bad so honestly I was pretty pretty satisfied with what we got with what we're starting with but that's only two laps and we got a lot more to do today well we're obviously opening the playoffs here in Atlanta and you got the win when you locked in at Gateway knowing that you're team was able to go out there and capitalize and to find Victory Lane what does that say about this two crew for this season well I think it shows us where our ceiling is right I mean you you could say oh I put it together on the best day and that only gets you 10th or fifth whereas you know we're able to put it together and have a great day and that equals a win so I think that's proven as an example for us of of what we're capable of is just doing it on a more consistent basis and um but I I really do think in the first couple rounds here uh it's really about not making mistakes not having the big blowups being able to execute and um something I know we're we're capable of and U other otherwise you know we got the speed we got the team obviously got great teammates to to work with today so um I I think we have good just as good shot as anybody when we come to a place like Atlanta that we now see this Arrow package we see the drafting with you guys how different is Atlanta from Daytona and Talladega well I think it's purely because it's smaller I mean the handling matters more because the corners are Tighter and the runs are bigger because it's it's hard to stay close so the separation creates those huge runs and some of are hard to defend sometimes it's you know how do you how do you as a leader decide what's the what's the best place for you to fall um because you're not going to hold on to it you don't see guys holding the lead for an entire stin unless it's single file so uh I think that's going to be consistent today we normally see these wrecks happen in the middle of the pack so for you drivers and I'm asking you this because we've seen you be aggressive on some of these final laps especially at Super Speedways do you want to be up front do you want to be riding around in the back playing it safe where would you like to be say like stage two of this race leading leading yeah I mean you said all the wrecks happen in the middle of the pack and leading is at the front of the pack not the middle so uh having a fast car helps with a lot of that uh otherwise um yeah I'd rather wreck out being up front than wreck out doing nothing spoken like a true race car driver uh finally we talked to Harrison Burton right now who is sitting where he is in points but you're obviously 10th you're two above the elimination line and the elimination line is so close with points right now how do you feel about you and your team underdogs we're good on points where's the mindset with you I mean I'm I'm not really in a position to decide what I am versus everybody else I just know who I am and what we're capable of and past that I think there's 10 guys that are all really similar in points so I think there's everything to play for i' I'd rather be above than below but past that um yeah like I said before I think we've got a good shot as anybody all right well that's awestin cnri he is going to try and go after it here at Atlanta good luck today we are going to look at our top 10 starting right now for the way that it's going to shake out at the drop of the green flag for this race Austin cnri obviously in the playoffs he'll Roll Off Fifth for today but you see it's Michael McDow Ryan blay on the front row but then you have drivers Todd Gillan and Josh Barry they're not playoff drivers they're just going after nothing but a win here today so we know that the aggression level will be high where those drivers are concerned and it'll be Chase Brisco who will roll off on the 10th Place position we're going to talk to him a little bit here in a second and get his thoughts on being the latest winner in the Nascar Cup Series as well as heading to Atlanta and shocking the world to even make the playoffs but let's take a look back at one of the photo finishes of the Nascar Cup Series it's still talked about we're talking about it definitely this weekend the spring finish from Atlanta take a look boys this the marathon a completely different Super Speedway racing experience let's make it happen green flags in the air trouble along the front stretch these guys are pedal at hard couple de freshman we got this here comes bling on the outside for the lead crossover move Kyle Bush up high here they come to the flag the're three wide for the lead photo finish finish is under R scoring has the margin at 0.0 second race the 99 how awesome was that he was so damn close man I can think everyone off we wrecked lap two they got did an amazing job fixing this car wo let's go [Applause] well that is how Daniel Suarez locked into the playoffs but a new thing for NASCAR this playoff season be sure and check out NASCAR inside the playoffs Thursday on TR TV and Max host Shannon spake Steve lar Mamba Smith and this week Kyle Bush react discuss and debate the world of NASCAR catch it at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday night as the cast will have plenty to talk about I'm sure after this great Atlanta race this afternoon don't be on the outside be on the inside NASCAR inside the playoffs 700 p.m. Eastern Thursday on True TV and streaming on Max now we are closing in less than an hour and a half away from the drop of the green here at Atlanta Motor Speedway and if you can't see the atmosphere behind me let me describe it for you we have the driver intro stage there are tons of fans filing in we have fans taking photos here in Victory Lane our drivers are starting to to make sure that they're at their driver appearances they're signing autographs already and keeping their schedule on lock here but it's an exciting day it's a hot day here at Atlanta as you can imagine and our drivers have 400 miles in the Quaker State 400 here at Atlanta Motor Speedway the easiest way to lock in the next round of the playoffs is to win here at Atlanta but you have some hungry hungry drivers that are not in the playoffs that also want to find Victory Lane here it's a chance for them to show that their season is still a success and that they can still win inside of their fast race cars so Atlanta Motor Speedway definitely in store for a good one here today but last week we saw the regular season finale at the track that was just too tough to tame it was Darlington Raceway and we're going to take a look back at last Sunday night it was the 14 to chase Brisco that shocked the world can't say enough about Chase he promised us last week that he was going to bring everything he had all night tonight great start by the 14th matched by the start of the eight loss of positions in one set of corner fris Bush Racing for the win and a shot in the playoffs plent time to make it Happ here and he's within a calling Southern 500 win is going to go to Chase Brisco as he holds off Kyle bu oh my God great job D close to come in here for a last ditch effort and have a shot I wanted it last week I wanted it this week I wanted in Atlanta I wanted it in Vegas maybe I a washed up old dog but um hopefully I can find a few more trophies [Music] Kyle Bush and the eight crew on the outside looking in for the playoffs he wanted that win so bad at Darlington but it wasn't the first time that chase Brisco and Kyle Busch were battling at Darlington obviously we've seen some epic finishes between those two but Chase Brisco will remember last week's win for a very long time we're going to have him joining us here to close out our show shortly he is making his way to us but now let's take a look again at the top 10 starting grou for today's race here at Atlanta Motor Speedway I mentioned Chase Brisco he will be joining us he's rolling off 10th for today's race and then let's just walk through these 10 drivers that you see here at the starting grid because there was really some speed found by our non-playoff drivers here in qualifying on Saturday but you have William Byron who will roll off ninth and then Austin Dylan who is also one of those RCR cars that unfortunately did not make the playoffs this season he'll roll off eighth and then it is our 2022 Champion Joey Lano who rolls off seventh for today's race our points leader right there in the number five for Hendrick Motorsports Kyle lson will roll off sixth we spoke to Austin cnri earlier who you heard it I said it at the top of the show as well it's surviving and advancing for Atlanta you just want to make sure that you keep those race cars safe he'll Roll Off Fifth and then we have two non-playoff drivers that are sitting in third and fourth with Todd Gillan and Josh Barry and then the front row will be the two super fast forwards of Ryan blay and Michael Mcdowell let's take a a look now from our top 10 starting grid to our 16 playoff driver standings this is entering today's race at Atlanta so we have Atlanta Motor Speedway and then for this round you'll see Watkins Glenn which is a road course very different than Atlanta and then you'll see the short track action of Bristol Motor Speedway Under The Lights there which always brings out the emotions and the tempers but a lot of drivers have said that this is a round not to be underestimated that this round to open up the Nascar Cup Series playoff is difficult and challenging so right now you'll see below the elimination line entering Atlanta is Martin Truex Jr in the 196 at the 16th position then you have Tai Gibbs those two drivers are tied one below the elimination line Harrison Burton in the Wood Brothers number 21 is sitting in the 14th position he and Chase Brisco are tied right now right below the elimination line but then you have Alex Bowman in the 48 your Chicago street race course winner who is only tied with Chase Brisco right there at the start of the elimination line and then Daniel Suarez your reigning winner from Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this spring the 99 team is one point above the elimination line Austin cnri Joey Lano I mean all the points are so close you can literally divide them up by about three or four of a difference there between eighth and 16th position Brad kazlowski obviously sits in eighth but Kyle Larson Christopher Bell Tyler reck and William Byron are your top four drivers right now and the points that separate those guys are less than 20 points so I know all of those drivers we have had a chance to talk to today we've spoken to all the playoff drivers between yesterday and today and it is really about not making mistakes here at Atlanta you have to find that speed work with your manufacturing teammates because this race is like a super speedway it's drafting it's working together not only with your organization teammates but also with your Chevrolet with your Toyota and with your teammates this place races differently and we're going to see the pack racing we're also going to see the end of stage three I have a feeling will be pretty wild just speaking from the aggression level of our playoff drivers and our non-playoff drivers alike going after this win here at Atlanta wood is building it is very exciting here the fans are starting to crowd around me they're starting to notice that drivers are making their way out here on to Pit Road to take some photos sign some autographs and the energy here is building in Atlanta for sure we have going to have a packed grand stand out if you see behind us that's also our playoffs right there is our driver intro stage so next up for our drivers they basically will come and do all of their media availabilities and all of their pre-race obligations then they head to driver meeting where they watch a safety video meet with VIPs and dignitaries for today's race then they hit that stage right behind us for driver intros they'll be introduced to all the fans here at Atlanta Motor Speedway and then last but not least it's the anthem it's the fly over it's everything that makes a NASCAR race so great and they take inside of their race cars for 400 miles here at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Quaker State 400 now here at Atlanta the next race up is Watkins Glenn we've also talked to some drivers and pit crew members about those as well because it's a challenging Pit Road you're pitting backwards at Watkins Glenn so Atlanta right now is the chance to make sure that you're getting those stage points that you're going into Watkins Glenn just in case you have a mistake in that middle race and then Bristol Motor Speedway is so exciting so action-packed and you never know who's going to have a little bent fenders and a little hurt feelings when you leave Bristol Motor Speedway it's the best part about Bristol so now we're going to take a look because every Tuesday you can find Cory Le joy in the gang at stacking pennies let's take a look at last week's episode hey race fans Cory The Joy here join Ryan Flores and myself for stacking pennies each week I'll break down my race and explain what happened right out of my windshield plus we award the dogs of the week for the best pit cruise and go in depth on all the money stuff Pit Road mistakes and penalties and we've got a ton of gufts we have SVG stopping by we had Ricky Sten house after he punched Kyle Bush in the face we've had Bubba we've had all sorts of guys in here in the nonsense garage so you do not want to miss it check us out on sirusxm channel 90 YouTube or wherever you find your podcast each and every week stack of pennies what's up that is stacking pennies with Cory lejy and Ryan Flores who is one of the crew guys on the number 12 for Ryan blay he's a ranian champion crew guy and I had the opportunity to talk with him yesterday about Watkins Glenn who also brought up the challenges that it presents for pit Crews over the next couple of weeks especially here at Atlanta It's Hot they have a challenge down there on Pit Road with those athletes at well so let's take a look now at our top 10 starting grid as we continue to wait on Chase Brisco to join us here on the show the top 10 for Atlanta Motor Speedway today this is how they'll roll off Michael McDow won the bushl poll he told me on Saturday after his qualifying session that it was he finished eth here earlier in the spring and that they had the car to beat that race all he needed to do was to make sure that he didn't make mistakes like he made in the spring and that they he thought they had the winning race car so keep your eye out because the 34 thinks he has speed obviously shown in in his qualifying lap and then is the reigning champ of Ryan blay the number 12 crew will go to work and try and redeem his photo finish .3 Ryan blay lost that race to Daniel Suarez earlier in the spring and then you have the two non-playoff drivers of Todd Gillan and Josh Barry we spoke with Austin syri he'll Roll Off Fifth the points leader right now for the Nascar Cup series playoffs Kyle Larson then it's Joey Lano Austin Dylan William Byron and Chase Brisco we are still waiting on Chase to join us here he's running a little bit of late uh he had an appearance earlier so he's making our way to us we are going to talk to the latest winner of the NASCAR cup series but let's take a look now because Chase shocked the world and got into the playoffs but here's how the playoff standings look we just want to keep reminding you because these points are so close and they're going to change so much today so if you have time take a screenshot and let's compare between the start of this race and what this playoff grid will look like at the end of 400 miles in Atlanta Martin shx Jr and Ty Gibbs sit right now in 16th and 15th position they are minus one below the elimination line then it's Harrison Burton Chase Brisco Alex Bowman they're all tied right there around the bubble Daniel Suarez your reigning winner at Atlanta Motor Speedway from earlier this spring sits one point above the elimination line it's the team Pinsky teammates of Austin syri and Joey Lano that are tied at two above the elimination line Brad kazlowski Chase Elliott Denny Hamlin Ryan blay and then rounding up your top four are William Byron Tyler reick your regular season Champion Christopher Bell and then Kyle Larson since above the elimination line at 35 points he's the points leader right now in Atlanta he's looking to have just a solid day and really survive this race he tells me that he's a little nervous when it comes to Super Speedways he just wants to finish these races and make sure he's there at the end and not creating chaos for his team for the next two weeks let's take a look back though we were here earlier this year it's how Daniel Suarez locked into the playoffs let's take a look back at the spring finish from Atlanta so Ryan blay Kyle bus and Daniel Suarez are coming off of turn two and three right there neck and neck for the lead it's three wide all the way back from the leaders they come in close to the start finish bumping just a little bit but kept it pretty clean and you see the photo finish that we've all seen from Atlanta in the spring it was one of the best finishes I've ever witnessed in person it was Kyle Bush in the middle Daniel Suarez there on the inside and Ryan blay on the outside it was Daniel Suarez who squeaked out the win he beat Ryan Blan to the line by 0.3 it's a photo finish for the NASCAR CB series and that's how Daniel Suarez in the 99 crew locked into the playoffs so we're in store for more of that action here at Atlanta we want to make sure that you are aware that you have time you get some snacks get some drinks find your spot wherever you're going to watch the race because it's 300 p.m. Eastern on USA you're not going to want to miss it because this opens the Nascar Cup series playoffs and it's going to be a ton of action unfortunately Chase Brisco was unable to get here today but hopefully we're going to hear from that driver at some point during today's race uh Chase Brisco will be the latest winner in the Nascar Cup Series and I think we're getting worded is he walking this way I think Chase is walking this way so we're going to hold on for Chase just one minute to make sure that he's talking to us and we get the latest winner in the Nascar Cup Series so Atlanta Motor Speedway Chase right now sits below the elimination line he shocked the world with that playoff win at Darlington and I know that he's hoping to capitalize but going back to back here in the Nascar Cup series is a challenge it's tough and he's going from a place like Darlington that runs so different than Atlanta Motor Speedway but he has a lot of blue over fors that have a ton of speed here to help him out today we're going to have Chase Brisco joining us here I'm not going to give you a hard time but you're running a bit late I had to feel a lot for you welcome Chase Brisco the latest winner welcome to Atlanta yeah thanks for having me so M it's been a crazy day we have been wide open so uh yeah thanks for having me though that's what happens when you win and you shock the world yeah I guess so yeah it's uh it's definitely been a busy week it's been a good week obviously but yeah certainly uh feel like it's been the busiest week of my entire cup career just with everything that we got going on with the playoffs and celebrating the win doing stuff at the shop and then trying to to figure out the twin situation so yeah it's been a busy week well you weren't the only one that was celebrating your win you have a lot of 14 fans and a really special one that I know you retweeted was a fan of yours named Connor who was celebrating your win at Darlington we took that from social media but what does this mean when you see this yeah it's super cool you know the fact that you know we have people that are that excited for us to win it's pretty cool you know like my family is that excited but it's cool for me to see fans that are you know just genuinely that happy that we win the race so it's been a long two years for Chase Brisco fans so I'm uh I'm glad they were able to celebrate it yeah it's cool you know reach out on social media and uh that's what social media is good for right is you get to connect with people that you would probably never get to meet so they are are fellow hoers like myself which is cool and yeah so they wanted to come to the race this weekend so it's cool to have Connor and his fiance here they're actually getting married in two weeks uh so it's kind like a early honeymoon I guess well you retweeted it and asked Connor what his closest racetrack was and you just mentioned he's from Indiana Connor come on over you're a Georgia boy today he comes to the race right after you win with your favorite driver everybody Welcome Connor Connor we saw the video how did you become a Chase Brisco fan well I always grew up loving the 14 car with Tony Stewart and uh I've just grown to love love watching Chase race a couple years and uh finally see what he deserved to get uh in in that win last week so it was really cool to see him win so I know Chase said that you're getting married in two weeks but he also said that you're from Indiana did you fly here specifically for this guy right here uh no we drove uh yeah we decided to drove we were going to go to Talladega but uh I want this month to be the best month of my life so plus he had a he had a rocket here in the spring so hopefully we can have the same luck and get to Victory Lane again my final question for you Connor I know it's special to come out here and to hang out with your favorite driver but who do you think wins at Atlanta today uh I think I'm have to go with Chase Chase on that one I think he's a little biased all right Chase so obviously you have some fans rooting for you how do you get it done here in Atlanta yeah it's going to take just total execution I mean honestly the kind of the same thing as Darlington right you got to be able to execute from start to finish and our car was really really good here in the spring like Connor mentioned and I didn't do a very good job of putting it all together so hopefully uh you know today things will go our way kind of like I did last week and we just have a clean solid day you know with the playoffs you just can't have a bad day in a in a three- R stretch so for us we obviously want to win the race but we need to just keep the big picture in mind so hopefully uh you know we're still running at the end if you're still running at the end you're probably going to have a good day here so hopefully uh you know we can have a good day all right Connor and his fiance are here Chase I know you'll be busy but does he get an invite to the wedding at least just an obligatory invite he absolutely is invited to the wedding man yeah I'm the best man yeah Chase Brisco is now the best man of Conor and his fiance's wedding all right you guys go enjoy it thanks so much for joining us chase have some fun today let's look at the top 10 starting grid for today's race Chase Brisco will be racing from the 10th Place starting position here's your lineup this is what it looks like Michael McDow Ryan blay obviously on the front row and that's it that's Chase Brisco he's our latest winner in the Nascar Cup Series right now he has to go to drivers meeting driver intros as well as the rest of our field and that's their Race Day 400 miles at Atlanta Motor Speedway you're not going to want to miss it it's going to be exciting we have some drafting we have some ARA package but you're also going to see a little mile and a half racing it's electric here at Atlanta make sure and tune in to USA 3 p.m. Eastern thanks so much for joining us and happy race day south of Atlanta Georgia Atlanta Motor Speedway it is a mustsee race miles a lot of crazy things going to happen here there is a sense of urgency some of those guys are racing super hard that's probably why we stay it all day feels like playoff energy down here maximize get our points we can every time we have the racing here it is intense let's be smooth let's be fast and let's Flex on them [Music] [Music]