When Ross Chastain kicks off the show, you just know it’s going to be a good one. We’re diving into episode three of “NASCAR: Full Speed” today, cheekily named “One Last Push”. This episode throws us right into the thick of it, with the Round of 12 keeping drivers like Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick on their toes. And while the spotlight’s mainly on these guys, we do catch a glimpse of others like William Byron and Denny Hamlin as the story unfolds.

So, what’s the buzz about this episode? Ross Chastain stands out from the pack in his very unique way. Then there’s Bubba Wallace, who snagged pole position at Texas but couldn’t clinch the win, sharing some heartfelt moments with his crew chief, Bootie Barker. We’ve also got William Byron celebrating Hendrick Motorsports‘ 300th victory, a feat that brought the house down. Ryan Blaney, the dark horse, pulls off a thrilling win at Talladega, leaving us on the edge of our seats. And amidst all the drama, the Charlotte elimination race sees Bubba Wallace bowing out, among other twists and turns.

Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, and Ryan Blaney share their share of hurdles in the Round of 12

The episode was a straight shot from start to finish, kicking off with Ross Chastain’s bold “Hail Melon” play from last year, painting him as the guy next door who’s got a knack for connecting with folks better than anyone else on track. But it was Bubba Wallace who stole the show this time around.

Wallace and his right-hand man, the crew chief, played their cards right to carve a path into the round of 12. Snagging the pole at Texas and then landing in third place spun a tale all its own. Then, we swung over to Ryan Blaney‘s story, where he cast himself as the dark horse, lurking in Joey Logano‘s championship shadow. But Blaney turned the tables at Talladega, zooming past Kevin Harvick and shaking up the game.

The episode got a bit more interesting when Denny Hamlin got chatty on his podcast, speculating about who’d miss the cut for the round of 8. He dropped Ross Chastain’s name, stirring the pot. Chastain clapped back, hinting that Hamlin was just echoing the old-timers’ chatter. He said, “Just because he has that longevity, he has the ability to create a podcast to talk about everything. It’s like he just copy and pasted what the older guys said about him.” Despite softening his words later, the sparks from their Martinsville clash, fueled by Chastain’s audacious move, were still flying.

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The climax hit at the Charlotte elimination race. Bubba Wallace was out of the running, but Tyler Reddick punched his ticket to the round of 8, leaving the 23XI Racing team riding a rollercoaster of emotions.

NASCAR nails the direction, sound, and visual appeal, but misses out on one thing

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Diving into the nuts and bolts, the episode’s direction really hits the mark. It did a bang-on job of weaving the Round of 12 story, cranking up the tension as it raced towards the finish line. On the visual front, the cinematography was a feast for the eyes, splashing the screen with a kaleidoscope of colors but still was easy on the eyes. That said, the episode’s tempo could’ve used a bit of tweaking – it was almost there but not quite. And the soundtrack? Spot-on, syncing perfectly with what you’d hope for, setting the mood just right.

How would NASCAR fans like it?

Reflecting on this episode, it’s worth the time, especially for folks facing uphill battles in their fields. Ryan Blaney’s words really resonate, pointing out how those rare wins in NASCAR feel extra sweet. What seemed to be missing, though, was that tug at the heartstrings. With all the chatter from drivers about their cars, rivals, and the racing world, the emotional undercurrent got a bit lost in the shuffle. And not to forget, the drama around Kevin Harvick’s disqualification post-Talladega could have spiced things up, adding some more match-ups.

The real edge-of-your-seat moment? Ryan Blaney’s nail-biter of a victory against Kevin Harvick at Talladega. That was something to remember. For anyone who’s followed the Round of 12 or even those new to the playoff rounds, the series is a goldmine. It peels back the coatings, offering a glimpse into the minds and strategies of the drivers, broadening its charm beyond just the die-hard fans. And let’s not overlook Denny Hamlin’s role in this episode, which certainly saved the day from veering into yawn territory during the later part of it. It truly gave this episode its one last push.

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Caught the series? Drop your thoughts in the comments. We are keen to hear if it revved up your engines or left you idling.