In case your binoculars are foggy or you've lived under a headset for the past month, Door Bumper Clear is on a roll.
The podcast hosted by NASCAR spotters T.J. Majors, Brett Griffin and Freddie Kraft has found its groove with NASCAR playoff tension, on-track escalations and silly season news. (Even the occasional internal clashing of differences never hurt anybody, right?) Not to mention the past four episodes have featured a heavy-hitting lineup of dynamic guests, including arguably the biggest country music artist of our time (Episode 189 with Blake Shelton), a former NFL athlete turned racing fanatic (Episode 190 with Bernard Pollard Jr.), a current driver on the doorstep of a historic announcement (Episode 191 with Bubba Wallace) and an extremely popular sports journalist who also hosts his own weekly national radio and TV show (Episode 192 with Ryan McGee).
If the star power is impressive, you'll be warmed to know it's not even its best feature. No, it’s DBC's transparency and candor that has been its secret sauce, particularly with guests. Take Shelton in episode 189, for instance. In a display of concern and compassion for his good friend Clint Bowyer, Shelton wondered aloud about Bowyer’s future and in doing so put Griffin on the spot:
“I never ask Clint these questions because I don’t want to be that guy,” Shelton said. “But let me ask you something. It’s a contract year with Stewart-Haas. If Stewart-Haas moves on and puts somebody else in that car, would Clint pursue going to another team, or would he say ‘You know what, I’m not going to beat my head against the wall and knock on doors.’ Do you think Clint would walk away?
Griffin didn’t mince words in his response. (Does he ever?) At that moment it was obvious this was no interview with Shelton. It was a campfire chat over beers with friends.
In episode 190, the always-inquisitive Bernard Pollard Jr. was captivated -- if not dumbfounded -- by NASCAR’s silly season, particularly how a driver can compete for his/her current team knowing he/she has either signed with another team for 2021 or already been told they will be replaced at season’s end. It’s a practice that happens frequently enough in NASCAR that hardened race fans may be unmoved by the peculiarity, but for a lifelong footballer who is brand new to the sport of racing, well, it’s unfathomable. (Imagine if Tom Brady had played his final eight games in 2019 with New England having already announced he’s going to Tampa Bay for 2020.)
In episode 191, Bubba Wallace joined DBC to discuss a wide range of topics about his past, present and future. However, nothing was more compelling than his sharing of intimate details about how, when and where he told Richard Petty – the legend, the icon, the King – of his decision to leave Richard Petty Motorsports and pursue other teams for 2021.
In the newest episode this week, Ryan McGee shared first-person recollections of Benny Parsons and amazing insights into his time with Usain Bolt. He stayed for a debate on Kyle Busch’s comments about Joey Logano. What's more, he contributed thoughtful perspective to one listener's question about the current sports media landscape.
Here are some things to look forward to in upcoming DBC episodes, which drop each Monday evening on all major podcast platforms: Kraft's driver, Bubba Wallace, announced his 2021 plans Monday night. He will drive for a new Toyota team owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. Meanwhile, Majors' driver, Joey Logano, and Griffin's driver, Clint Bowyer, prepare for the second round of NASCAR's elimination-style playoffs -- a tumultuous three-race stretch that features stops at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Sept. 27), Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 4) and the Charlotte Roval (Oct. 11).
Door Bumper Clear is presented by Offerpad, the easiest way to sell your home. It is also supported by Xfinity, provider of the fastest and most reliable internet, live TV, and on-demand services.
-- Dirty Mo --
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