Tonight, on Trackside, we celebrate Gordon Johncock’s birthday, and preview the remainder of the IndyCar season, as well as some Olympics talk, including Cole Hocker’s gold medal run in the 1500. Hocker is from Indianapolis. They talk about the streaming power of Peacock, and how viewing numbers have been. They also briefly talk about the IMSA race last weekend. Kevin gives his insight on the Juncos Hollinger seat that has opened with Augustin Canapino departing from the team, and how Conor Daly drove his car at the test at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Later, Kevin and Curt talk about a conversation Tony Stewart had with Jake Query, and his opinion that the Brickyard 400 should be run at night under the lights. The two debate about whether that would be good for in-person attendance, and if IMS would ever install lights.
To round out the first hour, Kevin talks about baseball playing at Bristol Motor Speedway, and how something like that could happen at Indianapolis.
In the second hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about some of the best NASCAR races, and how NASCAR succeeded through mainstream television. Kevin brings up the question as to why IndyCar teams don’t have reserve drivers, and if we will see that change soon. They go over the history of reserve drivers in Indy, and when they were used most recently. They talk about the pricing of Venu Sports, and alternatives to paying for it, like buying an antenna.
Later in the second hour, Kevin goes to the X Box to ask some listener questions. They answer a question about backup cars, and how most teams just opt to repair their primary car since backups do not have engines. They also answer a question about the Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt Trophies for the best oval and road course drivers, and why they went away. They bring up the possibility of racing at Richmond, and how fans have to show up for those races for them to return to the schedule.
Kevin ends the show with what we missed. He brings up how Rossi has improved health wise after his surgery, and Kevin updates us on Jackson Lee’s ride at IMS for the Michelin Pilot Challenge.