September 25, 2025 • 10 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And right now we talk a little racing in some
football with Carla Metz of the seed W you've also
seen her on the sidelines for the Carolina Panthers. She's
back with us for her Thursday conversation. What's up, Carla Metts.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
How are you? I'm doing well? Ready to continue these playoffs?
Kfinity had a week off last week, which was pretty nice.
They are ready to get back to.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
It, I'd say so, all right, we were just talking
about this, so I'll jump in with you. As you
know the history. Back in two thousand and four, in
an effort to infuse more fan interest in the final
races of the season, NASCAR created the chase formats and
delivered us the playoff that we've been watching for quite
some time now. But recently the numbers have been declining
a little bit, and there's certainly been some complaints vocally
(00:40):
by drivers and others about this playoff system well, according
to a recent report from Jeff gluck Over at the Athletic,
in the most recent meeting last week, numerous influential committee
members spoke on behalf of scrapping the playoffs and returning
to the full season points format that NASCAR used up
until two thousand and three. What are your thoughts on
that report?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's really interesting. I think
on one hand, I give it to NASCAR. You know,
give credit to NASCAR for listening to some of the drivers,
and obviously a majority of the fans, especially fans that
have been around the sport for a really long time
that have remembered, you know, when it was kind of
full point season battle, and so I think, you know,
(01:23):
it could definitely bring I think some fans back to
their roots with NASCAR. Obviously, it makes it a little
easier to follow too. I think that's one of the
things you know about NASCAR is when you start to
explain the playoffs or or how it works to like
a new fan that isn't in motorsports all the time,
it can be really confusing. So I think that would
(01:43):
simplify it a little bit, which I think is also
good for new fans too. I would like to see
this right. I think, you know, the points battles, especially
at the end of the regular season, have been close
enough lately, especially with this next gen car. I mean
that's the reason that car was built, right so that
everybody could kind of be using the same parts and
(02:04):
to put it more on an even playing field. There's
still some parody within the sport, but I think because
everybody is on a more even playing field, the points
would be closer than maybe they were, you know, back
in the early two thousands and before that. So I
think it could be really good for the sport. I'm
a little shocked, I think, just because there's been so
(02:26):
much work to put the playoffs together and to put
this format together for them to completely scrap it, I
think things says a lot, but I would certainly be
interested to see that if that is what they end
up doing well.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
And one more thing on this because I thought it
was interesting that the reasons Jeff Gluck laid out. He
said if NASCAR did opt to return to the way
things used to be, the choice would be driven by
a variety of reasons, and he listed five of them,
the first of which was star power. And he says that,
you know, NASCAR lacks a Jeff Gordon or a Dale
Earnhardt junior who would be famous enough to host Saturday
(02:59):
Night Live or draw large numbers of viewers who just
want to watch them race. What do you think of
that argument that this that the current format doesn't elevate
greatness to the to the extent NASCAR needs it to.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well, I think it goes back to my point of
like simplifying it, right, and I think you look at
you know, the win and in format, right, you might
have one guy that wins once all season and he's
into the playoffs automatically as opposed to looking at where
they are with the points and somebody that's been more
consistent over the course of the season. It creates a
(03:32):
bigger talking point for their talent, right, Like it's not
about just one win where you could argue that luck
is a little bit of part of it. You know,
you go back to the old format and nobody can
really argue how many points you end up collecting throughout
the season. And if somebody runs away with it, well
then maybe that means that they are the best. Kind
of like the Jeff Cordon and and and you know
the ones before that, like that's the reason that you
(03:53):
did know their name. Now they did have a personality.
But I think you know, winning and having that dominance
where it's not always about winning, it's about you know,
consistent performance over the season could maybe elevate some of
these drivers to maybe open up a little bit more. So, Yeah,
I can certainly see that. You know. I don't know
if that would be maybe my my top thing that
(04:15):
I that I would focus on on the reason why
I would change it back to a full point format,
but I can certainly see the argument for that.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
All right, So I'll skip ahead. They're going to Kansas
this weekend, as you mentioned, the Exfinity Series back on.
Everybody's racing to Kansas this weekend. The Cup Series, of course,
last week Joey Logano was in the pole position, led
the most laps, but he couldn't hold off Ryan Blaney.
So Blaney's coming off a win. Everybody's headed to Kansas.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Just give us a.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Preview of the weekend and what you're expecting in both
the Infinity Series and the Cup Series.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Yeah, super excited about this, especially for the Xinity Series.
Like I said, after a break, they've only had one
race in the playoffs. This will be the second and
I think just having you know, them actually go to Kansas,
you know, for the first time this season is super
exciting just to because of the racing and we see
the same the same storyline with the Cup Series. This
(05:05):
will be some of the best racing. It will be
one of the races that everybody talks about even before
it's happened, because that's been the case, you know, the
last several years that there's been some really good battles
and they've been able to pass and and how well
this car does on a mile and a half track
for the Cup Series. So it will be some of
the best racing you see all season long. And and
(05:26):
it's gonna be a fun one to watch for the
Exfinity Series. Even though you know they have like an
older car and that's not the next gen car, the
racing is still really good at Brandon Jones the only
Exfinity Series driver that has a win that's you know
that's full time on the Infinity Series, and certainly he's
still in the playoffs. I think that could you know,
(05:47):
offer a big shake up if a guy like him
or to win again and add some pressure. I think
the biggest thing about Kansas long term in the playoffs
is that it is right before the Charlotte Roval, and
the Roval brings on a lot of emotion. A lot
of drivers do not like the Roval. It brings on
a lot of stress, and it's also a cutoff race
for both the Cup and the Xfinity Series drivers. So
(06:08):
look for good performers in Kansas this weekend and look
for the bad performers because after that, the pressure is
really going to be on for a lot of these
guys who are going to be trying to make it
a little bit further into the playoffs. So when certainly
would make a lot of drivers feel really good and secure.
If they can do that at Kansas this weekend, then
(06:28):
you don't have to worry about a wildcar race like
the Roval. But it sets itself well for the rest
of the playoffs because yeah, I mean, we've got what
six more races to go, and we'll be done with
the season.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Carla Metz with us here for a Thursday conversation. Let's
talk some football. Carla thirty to nothing over the Atlanta
Falcons on Sunday and the home opener.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
What'd you think, man, it was really great to see
and I felt like it was a little bit of
an out of body experience to see when that dominant
from this team, and you know, certainly spirits listed and
you know, again it's the Atlanta Falcons who also are
kind of having a little bit of an identity crisis too.
(07:09):
But anytime you can get a win over the NFC
stuth upon it, especially at Falcons, it's always good for
the Panthers. And I think maybe this will boost the
confidence going forward. Right, Like, if that's how the offense plays,
you feel pretty good about, you know, some of the
weapons that Bryce Young has, You feel good about the
decision making that Bryce had a lot on Sunday, and
(07:31):
you know, and I was really worried because of the
injuries on the offensive line, but that didn't necessarily seem
to be a problem. You think about cade May's, you know,
really working with Bryce at the end of last season
through a lot of those wins, and so maybe that
kind of help the comfort level of the whole offense too.
So it was it was really good to see and
I really hope that this is something they can build on.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Well. I mean, the Patriots hosting them on Sunday, they're
also one and two. That their only wins against the
bad Dolphins team. They looked a mess against the Steelers
the other day. I Mean, I got people telling me that,
you know, they're they're happy the Panthers beat the Falcons,
but they're you know, they're afraid they're going to get
brought back down to earth on the road at New England, Carla,
I'm less scared of the team itself than wondering, you know,
can the Panthers go into that environment and find a
(08:14):
way to get a win.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Absolutely, you go to Foxborough and it's just a different
type of atmosphere. I think that that says a lot.
And any time you're on the road, right, I mean,
it's it's hard to play in other people's venues, and
so I think, you know, really the NFL you mentioned
like the Patriots struggling. There's a lot of NFL teams
that are struggling right now and only a few that
(08:37):
are kind of, you know, really setting themselves apart early
in the season. But I think that's a good thing
for a team like the Panthers, who can try to
set themselves apart a little bit more at this point
the season, especially with the way that they started. So
I think you if you can go on the road
and beat a team like the Patriots, again, sometimes, like
you said, it's not about the talent of the other team,
(08:58):
but it's really about kind of the mind that going in.
I just think they're they're in a good position to
get another win because the Patriots don't really have, you know,
the bigger stars right now, or they haven't clicked yet
at this point in the season, which is, like I said,
what we're seeing with a lot of teams right now.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Carlo Metz with us on the hotline watcher All the
seed w This weekend in studio, the ced W Xfinity
Series and Cup Series headed to Kansas. What do you
do in Kansas? By the way, I know you work,
but like, is there anywhere like when you go to Kansas,
You're like, there's I can't wait to get to this place.
Do you have a favorite spot in Kansas?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
You know, I really don't. And that's weird because you know,
I used to live in like South Dakota, so it's
not like I'm unfamiliar with the Midwest. But yeah, I
guess people will be having a good time, you know,
tailgating before the race, and I know that this race
will have a lot of people. I think that's one
of the best, you know, venues that usually sells out
(09:52):
pretty pretty well, so expect to see a lot of crowds.
But yeah, as far as Kansas is concerned. I don't
know really what to pair that with. Yeah, I hear you.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
All right, we'll have fun, be safe. We'll talk to
you next week, all right, Thanks Kyle,
And right now we talk a little racing in some
football with Carla Metz of the seed W you've also
seen her on the sidelines for the Carolina Panthers. She's
back with us for her Thursday conversation. What's up, Carla Metts.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
How are you? I'm doing well? Ready to continue these playoffs?
Kfinity had a week off last week, which was pretty nice.
They are ready to get back to.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
It, I'd say so, all right, we were just talking
about this, so I'll jump in with you. As you
know the history. Back in two thousand and four, in
an effort to infuse more fan interest in the final
races of the season, NASCAR created the chase formats and
delivered us the playoff that we've been watching for quite
some time now. But recently the numbers have been declining
a little bit, and there's certainly been some complaints vocally
(00:40):
by drivers and others about this playoff system well, according
to a recent report from Jeff gluck Over at the Athletic,
in the most recent meeting last week, numerous influential committee
members spoke on behalf of scrapping the playoffs and returning
to the full season points format that NASCAR used up
until two thousand and three. What are your thoughts on
that report?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's really interesting. I think
on one hand, I give it to NASCAR. You know,
give credit to NASCAR for listening to some of the drivers,
and obviously a majority of the fans, especially fans that
have been around the sport for a really long time
that have remembered, you know, when it was kind of
full point season battle, and so I think, you know,
(01:23):
it could definitely bring I think some fans back to
their roots with NASCAR. Obviously, it makes it a little
easier to follow too. I think that's one of the
things you know about NASCAR is when you start to
explain the playoffs or or how it works to like
a new fan that isn't in motorsports all the time,
it can be really confusing. So I think that would
(01:43):
simplify it a little bit, which I think is also
good for new fans too. I would like to see
this right. I think, you know, the points battles, especially
at the end of the regular season, have been close
enough lately, especially with this next gen car. I mean
that's the reason that car was built, right so that
everybody could kind of be using the same parts and
(02:04):
to put it more on an even playing field. There's
still some parody within the sport, but I think because
everybody is on a more even playing field, the points
would be closer than maybe they were, you know, back
in the early two thousands and before that. So I
think it could be really good for the sport. I'm
a little shocked, I think, just because there's been so
(02:26):
much work to put the playoffs together and to put
this format together for them to completely scrap it, I
think things says a lot, but I would certainly be
interested to see that if that is what they end
up doing well.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
And one more thing on this because I thought it
was interesting that the reasons Jeff Gluck laid out. He
said if NASCAR did opt to return to the way
things used to be, the choice would be driven by
a variety of reasons, and he listed five of them,
the first of which was star power. And he says that,
you know, NASCAR lacks a Jeff Gordon or a Dale
Earnhardt junior who would be famous enough to host Saturday
(02:59):
Night Live or draw large numbers of viewers who just
want to watch them race. What do you think of
that argument that this that the current format doesn't elevate
greatness to the to the extent NASCAR needs it to.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well, I think it goes back to my point of
like simplifying it, right, and I think you look at
you know, the win and in format, right, you might
have one guy that wins once all season and he's
into the playoffs automatically as opposed to looking at where
they are with the points and somebody that's been more
consistent over the course of the season. It creates a
(03:32):
bigger talking point for their talent, right, Like it's not
about just one win where you could argue that luck
is a little bit of part of it. You know,
you go back to the old format and nobody can
really argue how many points you end up collecting throughout
the season. And if somebody runs away with it, well
then maybe that means that they are the best. Kind
of like the Jeff Cordon and and and you know
the ones before that, like that's the reason that you
(03:53):
did know their name. Now they did have a personality.
But I think you know, winning and having that dominance
where it's not always about winning, it's about you know,
consistent performance over the season could maybe elevate some of
these drivers to maybe open up a little bit more. So, Yeah,
I can certainly see that. You know. I don't know
if that would be maybe my my top thing that
(04:15):
I that I would focus on on the reason why
I would change it back to a full point format,
but I can certainly see the argument for that.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
All right, So I'll skip ahead. They're going to Kansas
this weekend, as you mentioned, the Exfinity Series back on.
Everybody's racing to Kansas this weekend. The Cup Series, of course,
last week Joey Logano was in the pole position, led
the most laps, but he couldn't hold off Ryan Blaney.
So Blaney's coming off a win. Everybody's headed to Kansas.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Just give us a.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Preview of the weekend and what you're expecting in both
the Infinity Series and the Cup Series.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Yeah, super excited about this, especially for the Xinity Series.
Like I said, after a break, they've only had one
race in the playoffs. This will be the second and
I think just having you know, them actually go to Kansas,
you know, for the first time this season is super
exciting just to because of the racing and we see
the same the same storyline with the Cup Series. This
(05:05):
will be some of the best racing. It will be
one of the races that everybody talks about even before
it's happened, because that's been the case, you know, the
last several years that there's been some really good battles
and they've been able to pass and and how well
this car does on a mile and a half track
for the Cup Series. So it will be some of
the best racing you see all season long. And and
(05:26):
it's gonna be a fun one to watch for the
Exfinity Series. Even though you know they have like an
older car and that's not the next gen car, the
racing is still really good at Brandon Jones the only
Exfinity Series driver that has a win that's you know
that's full time on the Infinity Series, and certainly he's
still in the playoffs. I think that could you know,
(05:47):
offer a big shake up if a guy like him
or to win again and add some pressure. I think
the biggest thing about Kansas long term in the playoffs
is that it is right before the Charlotte Roval, and
the Roval brings on a lot of emotion. A lot
of drivers do not like the Roval. It brings on
a lot of stress, and it's also a cutoff race
for both the Cup and the Xfinity Series drivers. So
(06:08):
look for good performers in Kansas this weekend and look
for the bad performers because after that, the pressure is
really going to be on for a lot of these
guys who are going to be trying to make it
a little bit further into the playoffs. So when certainly
would make a lot of drivers feel really good and secure.
If they can do that at Kansas this weekend, then
(06:28):
you don't have to worry about a wildcar race like
the Roval. But it sets itself well for the rest
of the playoffs because yeah, I mean, we've got what
six more races to go, and we'll be done with
the season.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Carla Metz with us here for a Thursday conversation. Let's
talk some football. Carla thirty to nothing over the Atlanta
Falcons on Sunday and the home opener.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
What'd you think, man, it was really great to see
and I felt like it was a little bit of
an out of body experience to see when that dominant
from this team, and you know, certainly spirits listed and
you know, again it's the Atlanta Falcons who also are
kind of having a little bit of an identity crisis too.
(07:09):
But anytime you can get a win over the NFC
stuth upon it, especially at Falcons, it's always good for
the Panthers. And I think maybe this will boost the
confidence going forward. Right, Like, if that's how the offense plays,
you feel pretty good about, you know, some of the
weapons that Bryce Young has, You feel good about the
decision making that Bryce had a lot on Sunday, and
(07:31):
you know, and I was really worried because of the
injuries on the offensive line, but that didn't necessarily seem
to be a problem. You think about cade May's, you know,
really working with Bryce at the end of last season
through a lot of those wins, and so maybe that
kind of help the comfort level of the whole offense too.
So it was it was really good to see and
I really hope that this is something they can build on.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Well. I mean, the Patriots hosting them on Sunday, they're
also one and two. That their only wins against the
bad Dolphins team. They looked a mess against the Steelers
the other day. I Mean, I got people telling me that,
you know, they're they're happy the Panthers beat the Falcons,
but they're you know, they're afraid they're going to get
brought back down to earth on the road at New England, Carla,
I'm less scared of the team itself than wondering, you know,
can the Panthers go into that environment and find a
(08:14):
way to get a win.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Absolutely, you go to Foxborough and it's just a different
type of atmosphere. I think that that says a lot.
And any time you're on the road, right, I mean,
it's it's hard to play in other people's venues, and
so I think, you know, really the NFL you mentioned
like the Patriots struggling. There's a lot of NFL teams
that are struggling right now and only a few that
(08:37):
are kind of, you know, really setting themselves apart early
in the season. But I think that's a good thing
for a team like the Panthers, who can try to
set themselves apart a little bit more at this point
the season, especially with the way that they started. So
I think you if you can go on the road
and beat a team like the Patriots, again, sometimes, like
you said, it's not about the talent of the other team,
(08:58):
but it's really about kind of the mind that going in.
I just think they're they're in a good position to
get another win because the Patriots don't really have, you know,
the bigger stars right now, or they haven't clicked yet
at this point in the season, which is, like I said,
what we're seeing with a lot of teams right now.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Carlo Metz with us on the hotline watcher All the
seed w This weekend in studio, the ced W Xfinity
Series and Cup Series headed to Kansas. What do you
do in Kansas? By the way, I know you work,
but like, is there anywhere like when you go to Kansas,
You're like, there's I can't wait to get to this place.
Do you have a favorite spot in Kansas?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
You know, I really don't. And that's weird because you know,
I used to live in like South Dakota, so it's
not like I'm unfamiliar with the Midwest. But yeah, I
guess people will be having a good time, you know,
tailgating before the race, and I know that this race
will have a lot of people. I think that's one
of the best, you know, venues that usually sells out
(09:52):
pretty pretty well, so expect to see a lot of crowds.
But yeah, as far as Kansas is concerned. I don't
know really what to pair that with. Yeah, I hear you.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
All right, we'll have fun, be safe. We'll talk to
you next week, all right, Thanks Kyle,
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