Dropping the Hammer with Daniel McFadin

Top Gun Summer Chase Elliott

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 04:45:25 GMT

After another conversation about the state of safety with the Next Gen car, Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette discuss:

Chase Elliott's NASCAR Cup win at Talladega
Chase Elliott's willingness to be critical of the safety of NASCAR's Next Gen car
The Jeff Gluck Good Race Poll vs Rotten Tomatoes
Christopher Nolan's post Dark Knight filmography.
The last decade of Disney Pixar movies

Episode photo cover via NASCAR Media

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NASA, Get On It

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 05:37:20 GMT

After a week off, Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette try to make sense of the NASCAR Cup playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway and what Speedway Motorsports needs to do with the track that first opened in 1997.

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The Best Thing Since Joey Logano

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:15:53 GMT

The NASCAR news gods gave us too much to talk about this week.

Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollete are joined by Phil Spain to break down Bubba Wallace's second career NASCAR Cup Series win, Kyle Busch joining RCR and North Wilkesboro returning to the NASCAR circuit for the first time since 1996.

Read Daniel's column on Wallace's Kansas win and his column on Kyle Busch moving to RCR.

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Southern 500 / Alan Cavanna: 'Jeremy Mayfield Changed My Life'

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 02:07:14 GMT

After an eventful and surprising Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Daniel McFadin is joined by long-time NASCAR TV reporter and personality Alan Cavanna to discuss the opening of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and Erik Jones' first win with Petty GMS Motorsports.

Then, Daniel interviews Alan about how he went from a being a NASCAR and Rusty Wallace fan in Connecticut, to having his professional career and life changed by a 30 second interview in Jeremy Mayfield's driveway.

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Toyota's David Wilson Holds Court

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 22:45:42 GMT

Here's a different kind of episode of Dropping the Hammer.

On Saturday Aug. 27, the night the NASCAR Cup Series' regular season finale was supposed to be run at Daytona, rain got in the way.

As we all waited for the race to be run or postponed, Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson arrived in the track's media center. For 30 minutes (divided into two different portions) Wilson held an impromptu media session and Daniel McFadin was there.

During that time, Wilson covered Toyota's hopes to keep Kyle Busch in the fold, Ty Gibbs' future, the safety of the Next Gen car, the status of Kurt Busch and much more.

Here's the audio of the session.

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Kyle Larson Did Nothing Wrong

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 16:57:41 GMT

Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette are back to recap an exciting NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen, the overdone controversy between teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, Kimi Räikkönen's Cup debut and preview what should be a crazy regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway.

Subscribe to the show's YouTube page and follow Daniel on Twitter and Jon on Twitter.

Cover photo via NASCAR Media

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Interview: NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Austin Hill

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:18:43 GMT

Daniel McFadin sits down and talks with Richard Childress Racing's Austin Hill. The 28-year-old driver is two weeks removed from making his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Michigan International Speedway, where he finished 18th.

Hill, who drives the No. 21 Chevy full-time for RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, also talks about his early days of racing, how his passion for racing conflicted with his middle school basketball team, winning at his home track of Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this year and he previews this weekend's Xfinity race at Watkins Glen International.

You can email Daniel at danielmcfadin@gmail.com, follow him on Twitter at @danielmcfadin and subscribe to his YouTube page.

Podcast cover photo: Daniel McFadin

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Harvicking

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:46:21 GMT

Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette break down NASCAR's second 2022 visit to Richmond Raceway, Kevin Harvick's legacy as one of the last NASCAR Winston Cup drivers and they preview race at Watkins Glen International.

Photo: Kevin Harvick meeting Dwayne Johnson at Texas Motor Speedway in 2004.

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What Would Kyle Petty Think?

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 02:52:17 GMT

After two weeks off, Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette return to discus the NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan and Indianapolis, Bubba Wallace's career-best run over the last four races and Kevin Harvick ending his 65-race winless streak.

Plus the latest edition of the Jeff Gluck Good Race Poll vs Rotten Tomatoes.

Read Daniel's story on Bubba Wallace' runner-up finish at Michigan: https://www.frontstretch.com/2022/08/07/bubba-wallace-tries-to-stay-positive-after-michigan-runner-up/

His story on Wallace's first career Cup pole: https://www.frontstretch.com/2022/08/06/holy-s-thats-fast-bubba-wallace-impressive-first-cup-pole/

And his story on Erik Jones and his first season with fellow Michigan native Dave Elenz as his crew chief: https://www.frontstretch.com/2022/08/05/michigan-men-erik-jones-dave-elenz-head-to-home-track/

Cover photo: Getty Images via NASCAR Media

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Maximum Chaos! : NASCAR at New Hampshire, Chicago Street Course

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 22:03:57 GMT

Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette are back in a jam packed episode.

They discuss the NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire, NASCAR announcing the Chicago Street Course race in 2023, Toyota executive David Wilson saying "we're in a real bad place" about the Kyle Busch contract situation, plus the latest round of the Jeff Gluck Good Race Poll vs Rotten Tomatoes.

Cover photo via Getty Images/NASCAR Media.

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Sage Karam interview: 'Coming to Terms' with Pocono Raceway

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 04:22:06 GMT

Almost 10 years after he last interviewed him, Daniel McFadin sat down with Sage Karam.

Karam was back in the motorsports headlines this month after his altercation with Noah Gragson at Road America where Gragson intentionally wrecked him, causing a 13-car crash.

Two weeks later, Daniel sat down with Karam to discuss his transition from IndyCar to NASCAR, his career hopes for stock racing and how his involvement in the IndyCar wreck at Pocono Raceway that killed Justin Wilson influenced his reaction to Gragson's actions at Road America.

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Reddick on my Mind

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 05:38:29 GMT

23XI Racing and Tyler Reddick delivered the most surprising news of NASCAR's 2022 season so far when they announced this week Reddick will be joining the team in 2024.

But that's not all! Daniel and Jon discuss Chase Elliott's win at Atlanta Motor Speedway and they conduct what could be the last edition of the Jeff Gluck "Good Race Poll" vs Rotten Tomatoes challenge.

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Road America is Family

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 03:11:09 GMT

After spending the weekend at Road America covering the NASCAR races, Daniel McFadin convenes with Jon LaFollette to recap the races, review the Kyle Busch documentary "Rowdy," debating what NASCAR should do with Noah Gragson and brain storming a Smokey and the Bandit reboot with NASCAR drivers.

Also, it's round 3 of the Jeff Gluck Good Race Poll vs Rotten Tomatoes. Daniel and Jon each picked a movie to compare to the Good Race poll result for Road America. Who wins?

Follow Daniel on Twitter and YouTube.

Follow Jon on Twitter.

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NASCAR Goes Nashville

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 19:41:41 GMT

Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette return to take a crack at whale all happened in the NASCAR Cup race at Nashville Superspeedway. What's going on with Bubba Wallace's pit crew? Is Nashville Superspeedway the long-term solution for NASCAR in the Music City?

Also, it's round 3 of the Jeff Gluck Good Race Poll vs Rotten Tomatoes. Daniel and Jon have each picked a movie to compare to the Good Race poll result for Nashville. Who wins?

Follow Daniel on Twitter and YouTube.

Follow Jon on Twitter.

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Interview: JR Motorsports' Sam Mayer

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 14:00:00 GMT

As NASCAR makes its annual trip to Road America in Wisconsin, Daniel McFadin goes one-on-one with Wisconsin native and JR Motorsports driver Sam Mayer.

The 19-year-old Xfinity Series driver discusses his motorsports origin story, switching his path from open wheel / sports cars to stock cars and his ongoing "purely business" rivalry with Joe Gibbs Racing's Ty Gibbs. Plus, Mayer shares the difficulties he had in acclimating to the Xfinity Series in 2021.

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Off-Week Special: The Erik (Jones) & Erik (Moses) Show

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 01:33:47 GMT

We’re coming off the only off-weekend of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

Coming off the only off-week of the 2022 NASCAR Cup schedule, we have a two-part interview episode to bring you, called the “Erik and Erik show.”

The first part includes Petty GMS Motorsports driver Erik Jones. Jones is in his second season driving the iconic No. 43 Chevrolet.

The former Joe Gibbs Racing driver and I discuss what it’s like when an improvement in your performance from one year to the next can lead to frustrations about results and the changes he’s experiencing with a larger team and a new car.

After that, I interview Erik Moses, the president of Nashville Superspeedway.

Moses, a former president of a XFL football team, is the first Black president of a NASCAR track.

Nashville hosts its second NASCAR Cup race this weekend and Moses shares the improvements the track has made since year one and I ask him if anything’s changed from his perspective since Dover Motorsports was bought out by Speedway Motorsports late last year.

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Win Numero Uno

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 21:49:24 GMT

It finally happened! After 195 career NASCAR Cup Series starts Daniel Suarez earned his first career win Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. In an emergency recording hours after the race, Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette react to the historic victory. But they do so with a special guest. Joining them live from his home in the Dominican Republic is NASCAR and Daniel Suarez fan Gabriel Johnson.

Johnson shares his perspective as a Latino/Hispanic NASCAR fan on what Suarez' win meant for him and what it has been like to be a NASCAR fan in the Dominican Republic for the last two decades.

Follow Gabriel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaboxRox15. and on YouTube.

Follow Daniel on Twitter and YouTube.

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Gateway to the Danger Zone

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 03:29:03 GMT

Daniel McFadin is joined by OG podcast friend Darryl Kincey Jr. to rehash the eventful inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Gateway outside St. Louis.

Darryl gets some frustrations about 23XI Racing's pit crew problems off his chest.

Also, Daniel quizzes Darryl on which was higher: the Jeff Gluck "Good Race" poll for Gateway or the Rotten Tomatoes score for the "Chip N Dale: Rescue Rangers" movie.

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Hot Boot: Josh Berry Returns

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 22:33:55 GMT

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry makes his return to Dropping the Hammer. Daniel McFadin talk with the JR Motorsports driver a few days after he dominated to win the Xfinity race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, earning his fourth career win.

Berry discusses his evolution as a NASCAR driver in the last year, making an ad that paid homage to Dale Earnhardt and how he's not comfortable with the label of being a NASCAR driver and just sees himself as a racer.

Follow Daniel McFadin at twitter.com/danielmcfadin and on YouTube at YouTube.com/danielmcfadin

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The All-Star Race Sucked / Hopefully the Indy 500 & Coke 600 Don't

Wed, 25 May 2022 05:07:43 GMT

Daniel McFadin and Jon La Follette spend way too much time talking about the NASCAR All-Star Race (after Daniel forgets to record the first 10 minutes of conversation). Then Jon shares his on-the-ground perspective of the Month of May build up for the Indianapolis 500. Of course, they talk about the Coca-Cola 600, the "crown jewel" NASCAR race that has suffered the most in the last decade.

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Shooting Your Shot: Trackhouse Racing photographer Daylon Barr

Wed, 11 May 2022 16:42:35 GMT

Daniel McFadin sits down with Daylon Barr, the team photographer for Trackhouse Racing. Daylon shares show he got into being a NASCAR photographer and his favorite tracks to work at and what it's like working for Justin Marks. Unfortunately, Daniel's lap top crapped out after an hour and the interview comes to an abrupt ending.

Following Daylon on Twitter: @barrvisuals and at his website: https://www.barrvisuals.com/index

Follow Daniel: @danielmcfadin

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NASCAR Hall of Fame reaction / Favorite Darlington Throwbacks

Thu, 05 May 2022 01:24:00 GMT

Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette return and give their takes on the NASCAR Hall of Fame's 2023 class, whether Davey Allison and A.J. Foyt deserve to be in it and what their favorite paint schemes for the throwback weekend at Darlington are.

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Interview: Hendrick Motorsports' Alex Bowman

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 03:55:29 GMT

Daniel talks with Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman.

They discuss his experience in the second NASCAR Cup race on dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway, why he was "banned" from the GM simulator, his lack of success on superspeedways and why he's so good at Dover Motor Speedway.

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Matt Weaver Strikes Back

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 04:19:03 GMT

Matt Weaver returns for his third appearance on Dropping The Hammer.

Daniel and Matt recap the first 1/3rd season of the NASCAR season, including the second attempt at Bristol Dirt, the revamped Atlanta Motor Speedway and so much more.

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Martinsville / Ty Gibbs & the Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:04:11 GMT

The NASCAR Cup Series night race at Martinsville sucked. So Daniel McFadin and Jon LaFollette talk about it for the minimum amount of time. Meanwhile they discuss the Ty Gibbs of it all after his fight with Sam Mayer following the Xfinity Series race. They also talk about Jimmie Johnson's impending arrival to the Indianapolis 500 and the politics that keep The Double from happening.

What Daniel wrote this week:

Speed Sport: What the Heck Happened at Martinsville: https://www.speedsport.com/nascar/nascar-cup-series/what-the-heck-happened-at-martinsville/

Frontstretch: "Dropping the Hammer: Ty Gibbs & the Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent": https://www.frontstretch.com/2022/04/12/dropping-the-hammer-ty-gibbs-the-unbearable-weight-of-massive-talent/

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Interview: Xfinity Series driver Sheldon Creed

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:27:16 GMT

Ahead of the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway on April 8, Daniel McFadin talked with Richard Childress Racing's Sheldon Creed about his rookie season so far, making the transition from the Truck Series, racing with glasses and the rodeo at his high school. Yes, a rodeo.

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NASCAR at Richmond / Fox Sports & the Attack of the Watermelon Seeds

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 01:50:24 GMT

Daniel McFadin is once again joined by Phil Spain to discuss the latest weekend of NASCAR racing. Phil was in attendance last week at Richmond Raceway, his first race since 2017. They talk about Denny Hamlin's win in Cup and what it's like keeping track of a strategy race from the grandstands at short track.

They then get down to serious matter and discuss Fox Sports' bizarre creative choice for its pre-race show (Clint Howard as a watermelon seed! Hall & Oates parodies!) and what we want from TV race coverage.

Follow Daniel on Twitter: twitter.com/danielmcfadin

Follow Phil: twitter.com/philenespanol

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COTA Reaction; BJ McLeod Interview

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 04:12:42 GMT

Daniel and Jon discuss Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing's win at Circuit of the Americas - which Daniel covered in person - plus what they would name their hypothetical NASCAR team (Jon is adamant it would be named after Katy Perry).

Daniel then interviews Live Fast Motorsports driver/co-owner BJ McLeod about what life for the small Cup Series team is like with the Next Gen car. McLeod tells the story of driving a semi at the age of 9.

Read Daniel's coverage from Ross Chastain's win at COTA:

https://www.frontstretch.com/2022/03/27/smashed-watermelon-ross-chastain-celebrates-1st-nascar-cup-win-cota/

https://www.frontstretch.com/2022/03/28/razors-edge-ross-chastain-and-his-moms-belief-in-him/

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New Atlanta, New Podcast

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 01:24:33 GMT

Welcome to the second season of Dropping The Hammer.

Daniel McFadin is joined by guest co-host Jon LaFollette to recap the surreal experience of a Superspeedway race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the first five races of the NASCAR Cup Season.

They also discuss the tracks they're anticipating seeing the Next Gen car perform at and.... Formula One?

Follow Daniel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/danielmcfadin

and Jon: https://twitter.com/JonLawFilet

Stuff Daniel wrote this week:

Frontstretch: Dropping the Hammer: Atlanta’s NASCAR Future Is Here. Survey Says…?

Speed Sport: Trackhouse Racing 'Breath of Fresh Air' for Ross Chastain

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S2#2 - Daniel Hemric | 2021 Xfinity Series Champ

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 12:00:36 GMT

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S2#1 - Ben Rhodes | 2021 Truck Series Champ

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:00:00 GMT

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Offseason: AJ Allmendinger

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 03:32:23 GMT

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Offseason: Ryan McGee talks his ESPN doc on Bubba Wallace

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 22:48:38 GMT

Dropping the Hammer with Daniel McFadin

Top Gun Summer Chase Elliott

NASA, Get On It

The Best Thing Since Joey Logano

Southern 500 / Alan Cavanna: 'Jeremy Mayfield Changed My Life'

Toyota's David Wilson Holds Court

Kyle Larson Did Nothing Wrong

Interview: NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Austin Hill

Harvicking

What Would Kyle Petty Think?

Maximum Chaos! : NASCAR at New Hampshire, Chicago Street Course

Sage Karam interview: 'Coming to Terms' with Pocono Raceway

Reddick on my Mind

Road America is Family

NASCAR Goes Nashville

Interview: JR Motorsports' Sam Mayer

Off-Week Special: The Erik (Jones) & Erik (Moses) Show

Win Numero Uno

Gateway to the Danger Zone

Hot Boot: Josh Berry Returns

The All-Star Race Sucked / Hopefully the Indy 500 & Coke 600 Don't

Shooting Your Shot: Trackhouse Racing photographer Daylon Barr

NASCAR Hall of Fame reaction / Favorite Darlington Throwbacks

Interview: Hendrick Motorsports' Alex Bowman

Matt Weaver Strikes Back

Martinsville / Ty Gibbs & the Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Interview: Xfinity Series driver Sheldon Creed

NASCAR at Richmond / Fox Sports & the Attack of the Watermelon Seeds

COTA Reaction; BJ McLeod Interview

New Atlanta, New Podcast

S2#2 - Daniel Hemric | 2021 Xfinity Series Champ

S2#1 - Ben Rhodes | 2021 Truck Series Champ

Offseason: AJ Allmendinger

Offseason: Ryan McGee talks his ESPN doc on Bubba Wallace

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#37 - The Martinsville Hacks

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#36 - Kansas Motor Snoozeway

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#35 - Ty Dillon on His ‘Wild’ Year, GMS Racing & Athlete Mental Health

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#34 - The Roval Rumble: Then There Were Eight

NASCAR Hashtag Bot

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#33 Part 2 - Bubba Wallace Win After Party

Part 2 of the Bubba Wallace first win party!

More Darryl Kinsey Jr:

More Phil Spain:

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#33 - Meeting of the Bubba Wallace Fan Club w/ Phil Spain and Darryl Kinsey Jr.

Part 1 of the Bubba Wallace first win party!

More Darryl Kinsey Jr:

More Phil Spain:

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#32 - Michael McDowell, Lyrical Gangster

McDowell Watch RETURNS!

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#31 - Our McDowell Watch Has Ended | Bristol

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

Contact:

#30 - Hope After Richmond

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

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#29 - FINALLY, DENNY - Darlington Doesn't Disappoint

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

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#28 - The Daytona Finale

Stuff Daniel Wrote:

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#27 - Hangin' out with the Fast Lap Pod Crew

"My Kid Rejected Erik Jones"

More Fast Lap: