The Teams:

• Leesl’s Lone Star Racin’ – These boots are meant for racing!
• Andy’s Windy City Racin’ – From second city to first place!

Andy: The playoff race is getting seriously competitive and the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway did not disappoint. Your driver William Byron won Stage 1, and my driver Kyle Larson took Stage 2. But it was Denny Hamlin making the late charge, taking the lead with just four laps to go, holding off Larson for this huge win securing his spot in the Championship 4 finale! I know you are thrilled, Leesl because it also put you back squarely in the lead by 69 points in our competition.

Leesl: I was extremely excited for this win for my Lone Star Racin’ team, but the victory meant so much more than points. Let’s take a step back for just a minute and recognize how emotional that win really was for Denny Hamlin, visibly tearful and choked up dedicating the win to his father who is ill.

Our Dads are both gone. In countless discussions you and I have had over the years, we have agreed that for so many, a father’s love is expressed through actions rather than words. As we mature and achieve our goals, we gained a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices they made. Denny was able to publicly express at a career-defining moment that he was in the winner’s circle because of the foundation and unwavering support and the values they instilled.

Andy: That is spot on! Achievements through the years were bittersweet because we both had the desire to say, “thank you.”

Now, back to business. This Sunday, it is the YellaWood 500 in Talladega Superspeedway. At 2.66 miles, it is the longest oval on the Nascar circuit, and it is fast! Races here are always exciting, many times drivers racing 3- and 4- wide – close racing and close finishes!! And you head into Dega Nation with a huge win & lead.

Leesl: But, Andy, as you know with the playoffs, Talladega means there is no time to celebrate. The slightest mistake or bump can trigger the “Big One,” and I have no doubt the volatile nature of this track will shuffle the running order. With four of our eight total drivers still battling below the cut line, Sunday won’t just be a race; it will be a massive, unpredictable filter that could determine who has a legitimate shot at the title… and who suffers a crushing, season-ending setback!

Our Playoff Flight:

Here are our 8 drivers still in the battle for the Championship 4, with Denny Hamlin already locked in!

Lone Star Racin’	Windy City Racin’
Denny Hamlin	Kyle Larson
Chase Briscoe	Christopher Bell
William Byron	Ryan Blaney
Joey Logano	Chase Elliott

With a championship bid on the line, winning a race becomes the most direct path to the season finale in Phoenix. This isn’t just about NASCAR; it’s Leesl vs. Andy, and this is our Championship Round. See you Sunday in Dega Nation! 🏁 🏎️