Grip Strip Podcast Episode 194 - Blue Ovals In The Desert

Phil and Josh return for E194 of the GSP to recap a busy NASCAR Championship weekend at Phoenix, which saw Ford sweep the titles in Trucks, XFinity and Cup.  Ryan Blaney used the momentum he built during the playoffs and a great car to overtake Kyle Larson late to become a Cup Series champion.  Larson finished 3rd, Byron 4th and Chris Bell fell out early with brake failure.  Blaney and Ross Chastain raced each other hard and a possible rivalry may be brewing with the champ and the Watermelon man who won the race.  Kevin Harvick ended his full-time career with a strong seventh place finish.

After two runner-up finishes at Homestead, Cole Custer broke through to win at Phoenix and get his first XFinity title to salvage a brutal year for Stewart-Haas Racing.  Custer won in overtime over Sheldon Creed and championship contender Justin Allgaier.  Sam Mayer finished fifth while John Hunter Nemechek's great season ended with a brutal 28th place finish. 

Ben Rhodes was the last man standing after a chaotic and frankly pathetic Truck Series finale at Phoenix to become a two-time series champion.  Carson Hocevar dumped Corey Heim and the Tricon driver came back to clean Hocevar out.  That incident brought out a yellow which likely cost Grant Enfinger the championship in the final race for GMS Racing.  Kyle Busch Motorsports also ran their last Truck race after years of success.  The guys give their thoughts on what transpired and the viability of the series in general. 

The Brazilian Grand Prix saw Fish Lips dominate and pass his BFF Lando Norris early.  Aston Martin came back from hibernation while Mercedes possibly had their worst race in the last 10 years at Sao Paulo on the heels of winning the pole and race last year.  On the NFL beat, both Phil and Josh's teams are on bye but plenty took place with the injury bug rearing its ugly head.  Fantasy teams are definitely being affected by said injuries.  The guys preview the Jaguars/49ers match-up and Chase Young's debut in the burgundy and gold. 

A brief GSP Roundup covers the WEC finale at Bahrain along with the post-season test along with previews of MotoGP/Moto2 at Malaysia and NHRA season finale at Pomona before Josh's Sim Segment and Show Close.