The Backstretch is a motorsports podcast that will give viewers to hear the top drivers in the sport talk about the top stories in NASCAR.It is hosted by WCYB Sports Anchor Heather Williams with NASCAR Crew Chief Chris Carrier providing analysis.
The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 38: Austin Cindric
Chase Briscoe is on fire, but Kyle Larson isn't giving up his championship lead!
Briscoe wins his second consecutive race in a thrilling finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, holding off Christopher Bell as tire trouble nearly costs him the victory. Meanwhile, Larson continues his remarkable consistency, finishing sixth or better in every Chase race so far.
With just four races remaining, is the championship Larson's to lose?
In Season 5, Episode 38 of The Backstretch Podcast, News 5's Heather Williams and Henderson Motorsports crew chief Chris Carrier break down the championship battle, a potential new manufacturer in NASCAR and some heated post-race tempers.
🏁 What Matters / What Doesn't
Dodge is reportedly nearing a return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027! With a potential partnership involving Kaulig Racing and ECR Engines, could Dodge make an immediate impact against Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota?
Kyle Larson's incredible Chase consistency has him leading the championship standings. After last year's controversial finish to the title fight, does Larson's performance this season prove the value of NASCAR's return to a consistency-based championship format?
🎤 Turn 5 – Austin Cindric
This week's Turn 5 is a little different! After a scheduled guest had to cancel, Heather joins NASCAR's weekly media availability with Austin Cindric.
The Team Penske driver discusses the final four races of the season, his team's improved performance, Phoenix Raceway, brake concerns, tricky pit stalls and the challenge of racing at the front of the Cup Series field.
📻 Say What? – Radio Chatter
Michael McDowell vs. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.! Tempers flare after the checkered flag at Charlotte, leaving damaged race cars and frustrated teams. Chris explains why post-race retaliation is especially aggravating from a crew chief's perspective and whether NASCAR should step in.
Briscoe vs. Bell in a Charlotte thriller! We listen to the dramatic radio communications as Briscoe battles tire trouble in the closing laps and Bell nearly steals the victory. Chris breaks down the emotions on both pit boxes during one of the closest finishes in Charlotte Motor Speedway history.
🛠 Pit Notes – Phoenix Raceway
For the first time in seven seasons, Phoenix won't host the NASCAR Cup Series championship finale.
Chris Carrier explains how moving Phoenix earlier in the Chase could change race strategy, driver aggression and the championship battle. With Larson holding a commanding lead, could Phoenix be the last real opportunity for drivers like Ryan Blaney and Chase Briscoe to make up significant ground?
Four races remain. Larson leads the way. Briscoe is charging. And Talladega is still waiting.
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#NASCAR #AustinCindric #ChaseBriscoe #KyleLarson #ChristopherBell #Dodge #PhoenixRaceway #MichaelMcDowell #RickyStenhouseJr #NASCARChase #BackstretchPodcast
11 Oct 2026
The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 37: Ryan Blaney
Chase Briscoe puts on a show at Las Vegas, dominating the competition as NASCAR reaches the halfway point of the Chase!
With five races down and five to go, the championship picture is starting to take shape. But what have we really learned, and who has the best chance to take home the Cup Series title?
In Season 5, Episode 37 of The Backstretch Podcast, News 5's Heather Williams and Henderson Motorsports crew chief Chris Carrier break down Briscoe's impressive performance, reflect on an emotional weekend for the NASCAR community and look ahead to the next stop in the championship battle.
🏁 What Matters / What Doesn't
The NASCAR community gathered in Charlotte for a celebration of life honoring Kyle Busch, a little more than three months after his tragic passing. We share a special video from the event as Chris reflects on Busch's legacy, the impact of his loss and why publicly celebrating his life matters so much to the racing community.
NASCAR announces another rules package change for Talladega. With the superspeedway race approaching, will the adjustments make a meaningful difference in the racing, or are we expecting too much?
🎤 Turn 5 – Five Minutes with Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney joins the show as the Chase reaches its halfway point. We discuss the championship battle, the pressure of the postseason and what it takes to remain in contention as the schedule winds down.
📻 Say What? – Radio Chatter
Denny Hamlin goes for a spin at Las Vegas, but NASCAR keeps the race green. Was that the right call, or should officials have thrown the caution? Heather and Chris debate where NASCAR should draw the line.
Christopher Bell battles a power steering failure during the race. Just how difficult is it to control a Cup car without power steering? Chris explains what happens behind the wheel and whether teams can do anything to prevent or manage the problem once it begins.
🛠 Pit Notes – Charlotte Motor Speedway
For the third consecutive week, NASCAR heads to a mile-and-a-half track, this time at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Chris Carrier breaks down the keys to success at Charlotte, including tire management, changing track conditions, pit strategy and finding the speed needed to compete for a victory as the championship battle intensifies.
Five races down. Five to go. The Chase is heating up, and every point matters.
Subscribe for weekly NASCAR analysis, exclusive driver interviews, the best radio chatter and insight from the pit box.
#NASCAR #RyanBlaney #ChaseBriscoe #KyleBusch #LasVegasMotorSpeedway #CharlotteMotorSpeedway #DennyHamlin #ChristopherBell #NASCARChase #BackstretchPodcast
4 Oct 2026
The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 36: Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson is the man of the hour in NASCAR.
Larson wins at Kansas, stretches his lead in the Chase standings and puts himself in position to accomplish something NASCAR hasn't seen since Jimmie Johnson — win back-to-back Cup Series championships.
In Season 5, Episode 36 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Larson's championship run and the biggest stories from Kansas as NASCAR heads deeper into the Chase.
🏁 What Matters / What Doesn't
Brad Keselowski is leaving the No. 6 car at the end of the season and giving up his ownership stake in RFK Racing. It's a massive change for an organization he helped reshape — but what does it mean for Keselowski and RFK moving forward?
Erik Jones re-signs with Legacy Motor Club, completing the team's driver lineup, while Jeremy Bullins joins the organization to help complete its crew chief lineup. Is Legacy quietly putting together the pieces it needs to take another step forward?
🎤 Turn 5 – Five Minutes with Bubba WallaceBubba Wallace joins the show to talk about his season, the intensity of the Chase and what it takes to stay in the championship fight as NASCAR enters the heart of the postseason.
📻 Say What? – Radio Chatter
Brad Keselowski and Carson Hocevar make contact at Kansas after Keselowski previously warned that payback was coming. Was this simply a racing incident — or did Brad finally collect on what happened at Darlington?
Austin Hill has had enough of Shane van Gisbergen. As emotions boil over on the radio, Chris explains the crucial roles spotters and crew chiefs play in calming a driver down, keeping them focused and preventing frustration from turning into an even bigger problem.
🛠 Pit Notes – Las VegasNext stop: Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Chris Carrier breaks down the keys to winning in Vegas, from finding speed on the mile-and-a-half oval to tire management, changing track conditions and executing when the Chase pressure is at its highest.
Larson has the points lead. Keselowski is making a major career change. Rivalries are boiling over. And the championship fight is only getting tighter.
Subscribe for weekly NASCAR analysis, exclusive driver interviews, radio chatter breakdowns and pit box perspective from inside the sport.
#NASCAR #BubbaWallace #KyleLarson #BradKeselowski #CarsonHocevar #AustinHill #SVG #LasVegasMotorSpeedway #NASCARChase #BackstretchPodcast
Who has been a guest on The Backstretch
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Justin Haley
Erik Jones
Donnie Allison
Ty Gibbs
Daniel Suarez
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
59
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about The Backstretch
Who hosts The Backstretch?
Heather DeBeaux and Chris and Chris Wright and Heather host the show. Published by Heather Williams.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does The Backstretch take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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