Sky and Kevin are back to break down all the action from the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, IL — just across the river from St. Louis! 🏎️💨

This race had it all, but the spotlight was on Denny Hamlin who put on a dominating performance from the pole to Victory Lane, grabbing his 59th career win 🏆 and delivering the 200th victory for Toyota 🚗💪. With Hamlin now locked into the Round of 12, the playoff intensity is heating up. 🔥

As we gear up for Bristol under the lights this Saturday night 🌙✨, where four drivers will be eliminated from playoff contention, Sky and Kevin dive into all the key storylines, including:

• ⚡ Kyle Larson’s crash with Ryan Blaney — playoff drama intensifies
• 🛠️ Pit strategy that shifted the race
• 🏁 Why Toyota looks unstoppable right now
• 🏆 Can Hendrick Motorsports get back to their winning ways?
• 📈 Who’s hot, who’s not, and what to expect at Bristol

Plus ➡️ fantasy advice 🧠, bold race picks 🎯, and the kind of race-day analysis you can only get from Mash the Gas. 🎧

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in for the playoff madness, this episode has you covered from start to finish.

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The crew is back! 🏎️ Jeff, Sky, and Kevin return to break down all the action from the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. From Briscoe’s domination to off-track controversies, they’ve got you covered with expert analysis, playoff insights, fantasy tips, and plenty of hot takes.

• 🏁 Darlington Raceway Recap
  • “The Lady in Black” once again lived up to its nickname as the track too tough to tame.
  • The Cook Out Southern 500 delivered chaos, drama, and heartbreak for many playoff contenders.
• 🚗 Chase Briscoe’s Dominant Victory
  • Led a staggering 309 of 367 laps with complete control.
  • Wins his second straight Southern 500.
  • First driver locked into the Round of 12.
  • Near-perfect setup, pit execution, and consistency.
• 🔥 Tyler Reddick’s Late Charge
  • Closed the gap in the final stage with fresher tires.
  • Applied pressure but couldn’t find a way past Briscoe’s #19.
  • Leaves Darlington with solid playoff hopes intact.
• ⚠️ Playoff Driver Struggles
  • More playoff drivers faced issues than those who didn’t.
  • Mechanical failures, pit mistakes, and Darlington’s brutality took a toll.
  • We break down who’s in the danger zone moving forward.
• ⚖️ 23XI vs. NASCAR Lawsuit
  • What the legal dispute is really about.
  • How it may reshape team-owner relationships and sponsorships.
  • Potential ripple effect on the sport’s future.
• 🗣️ Denny Hamlin’s Voice in NASCAR
  • Why Hamlin is now seen as the sport’s unofficial spokesperson.
  • His bold takes on the lawsuit, driver safety, and playoff system.
  • Balancing roles as both driver and owner.
• 🏆 Playoff Format Debate
  • Does the current system crown the right champion?
  • Consistency vs. single-race wins — what matters most?
  • Possible tweaks to make the format fairer.
• 🔥 Tony Stewart’s NHRA Accomplishment
  • A salute to “Smoke” for another motorsports milestone.
  • Cementing his legacy across NASCAR, NHRA, and more.
• 📍 St. Louis Race Preview
  • Gateway track breakdown: what makes it unique.
  • Which drivers and teams may shine under pressure.
  • Key playoff battles to watch in the Round of 16.
  • 🎯 Fantasy tips — who to start, who to avoid, and sleeper picks.

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Kevin, Sky, and Jeff are back to break down all the drama from the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona—the regular season finale under the lights. Ryan Blaney punches his ticket to victory lane, while Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman sneak into the playoffs on points.

We dive into:

• The Big One in Stage 1 and the state of superspeedway racing
• Why Daytona as the season finale sparks debate
• Sky’s firsthand recap from covering the action all weekend in Daytona
• NASCAR’s 2026 schedule updates
• Connor Zilich officially moving up to the Cup Series next year
• Our Round of 16 playoff predictions—who advances and who falls short
• Fantasy tips + picks for the Cookout Southern 500 at Darlington
• The ongoing lawsuit between 23XI, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR—and what it could mean for 2026

All this and more on this week’s Mash the Gas!

🎙️ Mash the Gas Podcast

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