Start Your Engines podcast

NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is the special guest on this week's episode. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck talks with Earnhardt about the popularity of podcasts, his upcoming nuptials with Amy Reimann and the rigors of wedding planning. Earnhardt also talks about the value of his fan base and what they mean to him as he plans h ...…

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Chase finale: Johnson's crazy run to the title28:48

2y ago28:48

28:48

After Jimmie Johnson's shocking run to a seventh title unfolded in the closing laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway, USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James are left to wonder how many more championships are in the star's future. Plus, a closer look at Carl Edwards' act of sportsmanship at one of the lowest points of his career. And why Tony S ...…

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Chase race 9: Logano's win, Kenseth's wreck and the final four is set26:59

2+ y ago26:59

26:59

Jeff Gluck welcomes Dustin Long of NBC Sports in this week's edition. We chat with race winner Joey Logano from victory lane at Phoenix, where he proclaims he will win his first Sprint Cup title. Plus, how he lost his wedding ring for a second time. Gluck and Long break down how the final laps unfolded, sending Matt Kenseth home early and givin ...…

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Chase race 8: Texas two-step sees Edwards win in rain13:25

2+ y ago13:25

13:25

Brant James welcomes special guest Holly Cain from NASCAR.com on this week's edition of Start Your Engines. They discuss Carl Edwards' timely strategy in the rain at Texas and how feisty drivers may get at Phoenix this weekend as just two slots remain in the championship race. Will reigning titlist Kyle Busch make it? And what of Kevin Harvick, ...…

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Chase race 7: Johnson dominates Martinsville31:32

2+ y ago31:32

31:32

NBC Sports' Nate Ryan joins USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck in this week's episode that features an analysis of why Jimmie Johnson's win at Martinsville means much more than a run at title No. 7. Also, a look at the chances for Joe Gibbs Racing and defending champion Kyle Busch to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup final. The Toyotas looked strong ...…

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Chase race 6: Talladega winnows the field28:15

2+ y ago28:15

28:15

Talladega Superspeedway didn't offer 'The Big One' this time around, but there were surprises nonetheless. From engine woes that struck two of the heavy favorites for the championship to the drivers that advanced to the Round of 8 in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James give their take now that the smoke ha ...…

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Chase race 5: Kevin Harvick closes out Kansas28:15

2+ y ago28:15

28:15

USA TODAY Sports' Brant James welcomes special guest Nick Bromberg of Yahoo Sports in this week's edition. Also, James chats with Kansas winner Kevin Harvick and crew chief Rodney Childers from victory lane and asks how much longer this team can keep pulling out victories in must-win situations. Plus, why didn't Brad Keselowski follow his own a ...…

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Chase race 4: Unexpected drama at Charlotte18:59

2+ y ago18:59

18:59

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James break down an exciting day at Charlotte, which saw Jimmie Johnson clinch a berth in the third round of the Chase after breaking a 24-race winless streak with a victory in the Bank of America 500. But the first race of the second round was not so kind to many other title hopefuls including Kevin Harvi ...…

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Chase race 3: Dover29:19

2+ y ago29:19

29:19

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James welcome Dover race winner Martin Truex Jr. from victory lane, dissect the first round of Chase for the Sprint Cup eliminations and look ahead to what the next round might bring.

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Chase race 2: New Hampshire23:32

2+ y ago23:32

23:32

Is a second Sprint Cup title in the cards for Kevin Harvick? It seems it could be after his performance Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and guest Matt Weaver share insights on why Harvick seems to excel in these pressure-packed moments. Plus, who will miss the 12-driver cut at Dover? And why are teams worrie ...…

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Simon Pagenaud wraps up IndyCar championship23:31

2+ y ago23:31

23:31

The USA TODAY Sports team of Brant James, Heather Tucker and Chris Jenkins summarize the dominant victory by Simon Pagenaud at Sonoma Raceway to clinch the IndyCar championship for the Frenchman.Brant, Heather and Chris talk about Pagenaud wrapping up the title, Will Power's uphill battle, Team Penske as the king of the mountain and memories fr ...…

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Penalties steal the headlines in Chase opener at Chicagoland26:03

2+ y ago26:03

26:03

Martin Truex Jr. won the opening race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup but shortly afterwards, the Furniture Row racer failed post-race inspection. And he wasn't the only one. Six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson led a race-high 118 laps before he was penalized for speeding on pit road and later failed inspection.USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gl ...…

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IndyCar: It all comes down to Sonoma23:05

2+ y ago23:05

23:05

USA TODAY Sports’ Brant James is joined by Chris Jenkins and The Indianapolis Star‘s Curt Cavin for a breakdown of the IndyCar season finale at Sonoma Raceway. It will be a two-car race for the finish, with Team Penske teammates Simon Pagenaud and Will Power vying for this year’s Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Brant, Chris and Curt weigh ...…

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Chase for the Sprint Cup preview: feisty drivers, Toyota dominance21:24

2+ y ago21:24

21:24

The Sprint Cup season has reached the home stretch - a 10-race run to the title that in the past has proven exciting, volatile and unpredictable. If the regular-season finale was any indication, this season's playoff promises more of the same. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James explore the rekindling of feuds, the shocking Ryan Newman ...…

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IndyCar: Breaking down all the action from Watkins Glen30:54

2+ y ago30:54

30:54

Brant James talks to reigning IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, who had a dominating run at Watkins Glen to score his second victory of the season. Then James, Curt Cavin and Chris Jenkins break down the championship implications after Will Power, who is second in points, crashed and was determined to have a concussion. If Power is healthy, he can ...…

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Darlington and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s concussion saga21:51

2+ y ago21:51

21:51

NBC Sports' Nate Ryan joins USA TODAY Sports' Mike Hembree in this week's NASCAR podcast. The focus is Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sport's most popular driver, and whether he will - or should - return to the race car after a sobering news conference in which his doctors stressed their 'goal is to see him become a human being again.' The duo also le ...…

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IndyCar Destinations: Watkins Glen with Bryan Herta10:44

2+ y ago10:44

10:44

Chris Jenkins is joined by IndyCar team owner Bryan Herta to discuss this weekend's race at Watkins Glen International: the IndyCar Grand Prix at The Glen.The two discuss the track and its surroundings, and the landscape this time of year. They also talk about Alexander Rossi, Michael Andretti and being a race car owner versus being a race car ...…

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IndyCar: Graham Rahal prevails in wild race at Texas34:27

2+ y ago34:27

34:27

Graham Rahal makes his debut on the podcast after scoring his first victory of the season, edging James Hinchcliffe in the closest IndyCar finish in Texas Motor Speedway history.Brant James interviews Rahal and joins Curt Cavin and Chris Jenkins to break down the thrilling closing laps, the close calls, the long delay and what to expect in the ...…

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Will Kyle Larson have big Chase run?19:19

2+ y ago19:19

19:19

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck welcomes Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press in this week's Start Your Engines podcast. The duo examines the emotional win by Kyle Larson at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday and Chase Elliott's phenomenal rookie year. How far can Larson go in his first Chase for the Sprint Cup? And who will make the fi ...…

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IndyCar: Will Power motors to another victory42:39

2+ y ago42:39

42:39

In what is starting to become a weekly Q&A, Will Power joins the show after his fourth IndyCar victory in six races.Prior to his conversation with Power, USA TODAY Sports' Brant James is joined by Chris Jenkins to break down Power's patience, precision and possibilities, along with Simon Pagenaud's quickly fading lead. Brant and Chris also look ...…

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Kevin Harvick gets back on track at Bristol22:30

2+ y ago22:30

22:30

Jeff Gluck and Mike Hembree delve into the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race -- which took place mostly in the daytime Sunday after being postponed.Jeff and Mike analyze a win for Kevin Harvick after the Kyle Busch show came to a crashing end. Could Harvick be steering his season back in the right direction?The duo also talk Chris Buescher and Rick ...…

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IndyCar destinations: Pocono9:40

2+ y ago9:40

9:40

USA TODAY Sports' Chris Jenkins talks to Pennsylvania native Marco Andretti about Pocono Raceway, growing up and moving back to Nazareth, Pa., and racing at the "Tricky Triangle." Andretti also gives tips on where to eat and what to do if you're headed to the area.Subscribe and rate us on iTunes.

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Ins and outs of Watkins Glen31:04

2+ y ago31:04

31:04

NASCAR stats man extraordinaire Mike Forde joins USA TODAY Sports' Brant James and nothing is off the table. From Denny Hamlin's first road course victory to Kyle Larson's disastrous points loss in the final 100 yards to who is on the Chase for the Sprint Cup bubble, Forde and James break it down. So leave your calculator at home and listen in ...…

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IndyCar Destinations: Rio11:44

2+ y ago11:44

11:44

Verizon IndyCar Series driver Tony Kanaan shares his insights on his native Brazil and Rio - host of the Summer Games, with USA TODAY Sports' Chris Jenkins. Kanaan still has family in Brazil and says the Olympics have put a spotlight on problems that the country has been suffering from for many years - including conditions and security. But he ...…

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IndyCar: Pagenaud battles nagging back, gets back on track27:17

2+ y ago27:17

27:17

Chris Jenkins and Curt Cavin of the USA TODAY NETWORK take a look at Simon Pagenaud's victory and Will Power's second-place finish in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Pagenaud also joins USA TODAY Sports reporter Brant James to discuss returning to victory lane despite having to push through intense pain in his back, and what to look forward to ...…

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IndyCar destinations: Mid-Ohio10:49

2+ y ago10:49

10:49

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal joins Chris Jenkins via phone to analyze Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Columbus.Rahal, a Columbus native who won last year's race at Mid-Ohio, describes the track as physical and demanding but also a great -- even family-friendly -- environment. Rahal gives tips of how best to attend the race, and what to do and wh ...…

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NASCAR: Scenes from the Brickyard 40025:14

2+ y ago25:14

25:14

Kyle Busch ran away with his second consecutive Brickyard 400 on Sunday in a lackluster race that saw few lead changes. As Busch put an exclamation mark on a dominant weekend that saw him win both pole positions and Xfinity and Sprint Cup races, other story lines were more captivating including Tony Stewart's farewell at his home track and the ...…

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IndyCar: Will Power rolls on23:31

2+ y ago23:31

23:31

Brant James, Curt Cavin and Chris Jenkins chat about IndyCar's trip north of the border. Plus, Brant talks with Will Power about superstitions, Team Penske's dominance and a potential IndyCar return to Australia. (Photo: Chris Young, The Canadian Press via AP)

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NASCAR at New Hampshire: Matt Kenseth picks up second win of the season9:39

2+ y ago9:39

9:39

USA TODAY Sports' Mike Hembree and ESPN's Bob Pockrass break down the New Hampshire 301, won by Matt Kenseth, who earned his second victory of the season. Kenseth held off a hard-charging Tony Stewart in the closing laps to earn his second consecutive win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in a race that was dominated until the end by Toyota drive ...…

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IndyCar destinations: Toronto9:59

2+ y ago9:59

9:59

Canadian IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe takes USA TODAY Sports' Chris Jenkins on a tour of Toronto with plenty of suggestions for great sightseeing, eats, craft beer and ax-throwing - yes, you read that right - if you are heading that way for this weekend's Honda Indy Toronto. Or just any time.…

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IndyCar: Josef Newgarden scorches the field at Iowa42:02

2+ y ago42:02

42:02

USA TODAY Sports' Brant James, Curt Cavin and Chris Jenkins break down Josef Newgarden's record-setting dominance in the Iowa Corn 300, and James talks to Newgarden about driving while injured, his rise in the standings and what IndyCar team he will be driving for next season.

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Takeaways from Kentucky18:02

2+ y ago18:02

18:02

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck welcomes special guest Kevin Goheen of the Cincinnati Enquirer in this week's Start Your Engines podcast. They discuss the implications of Brad Keselowski's fourth victory of the Sprint Cup season, the fuel strategies that played into the race's outcome in the closing laps, Martin Truex Jr.'s odd late-race penalty a ...…

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Brad Keselowski wins at Daytona21:50

2+ y ago21:50

21:50

Brad Keselowski already has a Sprint Cup championship and some eye-popping wins, but his first win at Daytona International Speedway puts him in a select group of drivers. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James break down the Coke Zero 400 and what Keselowski's win means. They also talk about Tony Stewart's final NASCAR race there, plus s ...…

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IndyCar: Will Power prevails at Road America30:29

2+ y ago30:29

30:29

Brant James, Curt Cavin and Chris Jenkins break down IndyCar's successful return to Road America after a nine-year absence from the road course in Elkhart Lake, Wis. The trio talk about the great atmosphere and the large crowd before delving into Will Power's drive to victory from the pole during an interview with Power, winner of the past two ...…

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NASCAR: Tony Stewart's surprise at Sonoma19:31

2+ y ago19:31

19:31

So Tony Stewart has recorded an unlikely victory in his final Sprint Cup season with a win Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Mike Hembree take a look at what this could mean in the three-time champion's final season, which was shaping up to have him exit NASCAR with a whimper. Now, he probably will make the Chase for th ...…

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IndyCar Destinations: Road America16:14

2+ y ago16:14

16:14

USA TODAY Sports' Chris Jenkins chats with David Hobbs, a former racer, current NBC Sports Network Formula One broadcaster and resident of Wisconsin, site of this weekend's Verizon IndyCar Series event at Road America. Hobbs shares his favorite spots to visit in America's Dairyland and points out what differences fans flocking to see IndyCar's ...…

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Chip Ganassi, Sebastien Bourdais reflect on Le Mans26:23

2+ y ago26:23

26:23

USA TODAY Sports' Brant James sits down separately with team owner Chip Ganassi and IndyCar driver Sebastien Bourdais to look back on the weekend's running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Both go into detail about Bourdais' win as part of the lineup with Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller for the Ford Ganassi Team USA Ford GT in GTE-Pro.Subscribe and rate ...…

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IndyCar drivers head to 24 Hours of Le Mans14:09

2+ y ago14:09

14:09

Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Scott Dixon and Sebastien Bourdais aren't resting during the off-week in the series. Instead, the stars will be in Le Mans, France to compete in one of the world's most famous races. USA TODAY Sports talks to both drivers about shifting gears from IndyCar to sports cars, preparing for a 24-hour endurance race, and ...…

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NASCAR at Michigan: Joey Logano dominates15:04

2+ y ago15:04

15:04

USA TODAY Sports' Brant James welcomes special guest Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press to discuss Joey Logano's long-awaited first win of the 2016 season, tweaks to the aero package that made for an exciting race at Michigan and where Kurt Busch is headed during NASCAR's summer off week.

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IndyCar destinations: Dallas/Fort Worth17:30

2+ y ago17:30

17:30

Chris Jenkins sits down with Eddie Gossage, president of Texas Motor Speedway, to discuss everything Dallas/Fort Worth ahead of this weekend's Firestone 600. Gossage talks about the finer points of the fourth-largest market in the country, giving auto racing fans a primer of what to do and where to eat if they travel to the region for the race.…

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NASCAR at Pocono: Kurt Busch wins; Brad Keselowski sounds off18:16

2+ y ago18:16

18:16

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and special guest Bob Pockrass evaluate Kurt Busch's fuel-mileage win at Pocono Raceway and the brouhaha between Brad Keselowski and TV analyst Jeff Gordon. The Team Penske driver took umbrage at comments from the former driver about his team's in-race penalty and what may have gone down in Las Vegas.…

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IndyCar: Celebrating two winners at Detroit34:05

2+ y ago34:05

34:05

This episode is sponsored by Verizon.Brant James and Chris Jenkins of USA TODAY Sports break down all of the racing at the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit. Brant also chats with both winners -- Will Power and Sebastien Bourdais -- about snapping their respective skids, what lies ahead in Texas and where Bourdais' body of work puts him on the all-time ...…

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Alexander Rossi wins the 100th running of Indy 50037:55

2+ y ago37:55

37:55

This episode of Start Your Engines is sponsored by Verizon.The USA TODAY Sports autos foursome of Brant James, Heather Tucker, Chris Jenkins and Jeff Olson look back on the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, won by rookie Alexander Rossi. Brant, Heather, Chris and Jeff break down all the action from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, not limited ...…

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Indy 500 memories with David Letterman43:46

2+ y ago43:46

43:46

In a special bonus edition, Brant James of USA TODAY Sports has the pleasure of chatting with former longtime late night talk show host and IndyCar team owner David Letterman.The Indiana native chats about everything from his earliest memories of the Indianapolis 500 in the 1950s to his expectations for his two-driver team of Rahal Letterman La ...…

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IndyCar: A conversation with official historian of IMS28:22

2+ y ago28:22

28:22

USA TODAY Sports auto racing reporter Brant James sits down with Donald Davidson, the official historian of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to discuss the track's legendary history and memorable moments from the first 99 Indianapolis 500s.

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Kenseth's close win caps a memorable race at Dover20:49

3y ago20:49

20:49

Jeff Gluck and Mike Hembree of USA TODAY Sports look back on an awesome race at Dover that exemplified what NASCAR had in mind with its rule changes and aerodynamic packages. They examine the close finish, more bad luck for Martin Truex Jr., and more from the AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway, while also looking ahead to ...…

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IndyCar: Grand Prix of Indianapolis26:21

3y ago26:21

26:21

Can anyone slow Team Penske? USA TODAY Sports' Brant James, Chris Jenkins and Jeff Olson recap the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, where Simon Pagenaud continued his domination with a third consecutive Verizon IndyCar Series victory. Also, James chats with Pagenaud about his run of success, his pre-race rituals - don't call him superstitious - and ...…

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IndyCar destinations: Indianapolis6:38

3y ago6:38

6:38

USA TODAY Sports' Chris Jenkins continues his tour of Verizon IndyCar Series cities. This week's guests are Ed Carpenter and his wife, Heather. They give suggestions for cool parks, museums and eateries if you are hitting up the Circle City for racing this month.

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Kyle Busch capitalizes at Kansas19:46

3y ago19:46

19:46

Mike Hembree of USA TODAY Sports is joined by Bob Pockrass of ESPN.com to go over the "bizarre" race at Kansas Speedway. Mike and Bob talk about the misfortunes of Martin Truex Jr., how Kyle Busch seized the opportunity to win at one of three tracks he's never won at before, Matt Kenseth's first top-five finish of the year and what's ahead next ...…

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