SHOW #500 – Encore Interview: Aric Almirola, we reminisce on our 500th episode, our favorite interviews, shows, moments, fan interaction and more. Danica has 1/2 of her Daytona/Indy double ready, spiffy vinyl for Bubba, Kyle is not a fan of young drivers, Blaney takes exception, Brad wants France at every race, and yes, we just had to have, a Jimmie BONANZA! Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie. ooooh, also a couple of big announcements.

(Roughly 48:00 mins)

Continue reading “The Final Lap Weekly NASCAR Racing Radio Podcast The #500th Show”

By: Reid Spencer — NASCAR Wire Service

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Darrell “Bubba” Wallace has arrived—and he’s feeling it.

After years of starts and stops in a racing career that’s finally in gear, Wallace is set to compete in his first full-time season in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing.

What’s more, he’ll be driving the vaunted No. 43 fielded by Richard Petty Motorsports in partnership with Richard Childress Racing.

The significance is not lost on Wallace, who has finally taken the step that matters.
Continue reading “Darrell “Bubba” Wallace is Ready to Enjoy a Stint at the Top of the NASCAR World”

By: Toby Christie, Editor – Follow on Twitter @Toby_Christie

During his availability at Charlotte Media Tour on Tuesday, Kyle Busch let his disdain for NASCAR promoting the younger drivers like Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace in the sport over veteran drivers like himself be known.

Busch was quoted saying, “We’ve paid our dues, and our sponsors have and everything else, and all you’re doing is advertising all these younger guys for fans to figure out and pick up on and choose as their favorite driver. I think it’s stupid,” Busch said with frustration. “But I don’t know, I’m not the marketing genius that’s behind this deal. You know, I just do what I can do, and my part of it is what my part is.”

Wednesday, Blaney – who does a popular podcast for NASCAR — was questioned about Busch’s thoughts on the subject. He conceded that NASCAR indeed has given him a ton of opportunity to get his name and brand out to the masses.
Continue reading “Ryan Blaney Fires Back at Kyle Busch’s Attack on Younger Driver Promotions”

By: Reid Spencer – NASCAR Wire Service

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On February 18, in the 2018 Daytona 500, Danica Patrick will drive a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series car for the 191st time.

It will also be the last.

Last November at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a tearful Patrick announced she would end her driving career with the “Danica Double”—final appearances in both the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500.

Patrick confirmed on Monday she will drive the No. 7 GoDaddy Chevrolet fielded by Premium Motorsports in her stock car swan song. Both the car number and sponsor harken to her NASCAR debut.
Continue reading “Harvick Says Danica Started Stock Car Career at a Disadvantage”

By: Toby Christie, Editor — Follow on Twitter @Toby_Christie

Wine. Cheddar cheese. Cast iron skillets.

These are things that Jimmie Johnson is aiming to be more like in 2018. All three items get better as they age. Johnson, the seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, is coming off of the least successful season of his 16-year career.

Last season, Johnson set personal lows in top-fives (4), top-10s (11), laps led (217), average start (16.9) and average finish (16.8). However, the lackluster results weren’t for a lack of effort.
Continue reading “Enthusiastic With Offseason Changes, Jimmie Johnson Ready to Chase Eighth Title”