It’s the biggest episode of the year! Historic Hot Laps breaks down NASCAR’s championship weekend in Phoenix — from Corey Heim’s Truck dominance to Jesse Love’s Xfinity title and Kyle Larson’s dramatic Cup championship — plus the gut-punch heartbreak for Denny Hamlin after leading nearly the entire race.
Then, in our Opinion Lap, we take on the most divisive topic in motorsport: NASCAR’s playoff format. Is the winner-take-all finale great for ratings or bad for crowning the true champion? And what’s changing in 2026? We’ve got the full breakdown.
In the news pit, we cover:
🏁 Kyle Kirkwood’s contract extension with Andretti Global
🚛 Kaulig Racing’s bold new RAM Truck program and driver lineup for 2026
🏆 Rookie of the Year winners across all three NASCAR national series
Finally, we close out with a trip through racing history — a feature on Jennifer Jo Cobb, one of NASCAR’s toughest independent drivers and a pioneer for women in stock car racing.
Next week, get ready for dirt, drama, and global speed: we’ll recap the World of Outlaws finale, Formula 1 in Brazil, and whatever news breaks between now and then.
🔥 Topics covered:
NASCAR Truck, Xfinity, and Cup finale recaps
Denny Hamlin’s heartbreaking finish
NASCAR playoff format — the good, the bad, and the ugly
Kyle Kirkwood’s future with Andretti
Kaulig Racing & RAM’s 2026 truck program
Jennifer Jo Cobb: the independent racer’s racer
🎧 Listen now for the stories, emotion, and energy that make racing history roar to life — only on Historic Hot Laps!