On this week’s episode of Frontstretch Happy Hour, hosts Bryan Nolen, Michael Massie and Dalton Hopkins are joined by NASCAR self-proclaimed ‘Driver of Things’ Ryan Vargas to discuss the 25-year-old’s recent campaign in the Canadian NASCAR Pinty’s Series and the NASCAR Euro Series.
Afterward, the four discuss Shane van Gisbergen‘s first career NASCAR Cup Series top 10 on an oval circuit coming at Kansas Speedway. Is he going to be the spoiler that knocks out must-win playoff drivers at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL?
Next, the group debate on if Denny Hamlin‘s last lap move on 23XI Racing employee Bubba Wallace at Kansas was fair. Did Hamlin go too far? Or was it fair racing for the win?
Finally, the discussion turns to NASCAR’s recently declining ratings. How did we get here? What needs to be done to fix it?
Watch the whole show or listen to the audio version wherever you get your podcasts.
Dalton Hopkins began writing for Frontstretch in April 2021. Currently, he is the lead writer for the weekly Thinkin' Out Loud column, co-host of the Frontstretch Happy Hour podcast, and one of our lead reporters. Beforehand, he wrote for IMSA shortly after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019. Simultaneously, he also serves as a Captain in the US Army.
Follow Dalton on Twitter @PitLaneCPT
Bryan Nolen is the Operations Manager and Multimedia Director for Frontstretch.com. He also hosts the Bringing the Heat with Bryan Nolen Podcast and occasionally makes appearances on The Happy Hour Podcast. He has a Sportscasting degree from the Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting. He resides in Boise, Idaho, with his wife, his French Bulldog Archer and two rabbits.
Follow him on Twitter @TheBryanNolen
Michael Massie joined Frontstretch in 2017 and has served as the Content Director since 2020.
Massie, a Richmond, Va., native, has covered NASCAR, IndyCar, SRX and the CARS Tour. Outside of motorsports, the Virginia Tech grad and Green Bay Packers minority owner can be seen cheering on his beloved Hokies and Packers.