NASCAR Roundtable publisher Tyler Jones, The Racing Experts founder Dominic Aragon, and ARCA Menards Series driver Matt Kemp rev up for the Daytona 500 and 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Season
The Racing Roundtable podcast launched its exciting new era this week with a compelling debut episode, marking a fresh chapter for what was previously known as Let’s Go Racing after five successful seasons. Hosted by a powerhouse trio—NASCAR Roundtable publisher Tyler Jones, The Racing Experts founder Dominic Aragon, and ARCA Menards Series driver Matt Kemp—the show promises weekly deep dives into NASCAR's biggest stories, delivered with insider insights, bold opinions, and passionate analysis from some of the sport's most knowledgeable voices.
In this inaugural 2026 episode, the focus naturally turns to the crown jewel of the NASCAR season: Sunday's Daytona 500. Two-time defending winner William Byron enters as a strong favorite on paper, but the panel unanimously agreed that the superspeedway's unpredictable nature and the depth of talent across the field make a three-peat highly improbable. Drivers from top teams are evenly matched, and drafting dynamics could shuffle the order dramatically in the closing laps.
Dominic Aragon leaned toward experience prevailing, predicting that a veteran still chasing that elusive Daytona 500 win could steal the show. He highlighted Kyle Busch, who starts from the pole and will lead the field to the green flag, and Brad Keselowski as prime candidates. Both have the savvy and plate-racing prowess to navigate the chaos and finally claim the sport's most prestigious trophy.
Matt Kemp offered a broader reflection on Speedweeks as a whole, noting that the annual preseason festivities seem to be losing some of their traditional shine and excitement. He called for a return of The Clash to Daytona International Speedway, criticizing its recent edition at Bowman Gray Stadium as underwhelming. The Clash hasn't run on Daytona's iconic oval since 2020 (with a road course stint in 2021), and Kemp argued that bringing it back to its roots would reinvigorate fan interest and better showcase the cars ahead of the 500.
Shifting to the bigger picture for the 2026 season, Tyler Jones expressed strong confidence in Christopher Bell as a serious contender for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. With the return of The Chase postseason format—which emphasizes consistency over raw speed—Jones believes Bell's smooth, reliable style will pay dividends when the pressure mounts in the playoffs.
The episode didn't shy away from key offseason developments shaping the year ahead. The panel dissected the recent settlement between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR, exploring its implications for team charters, competition, and the sport's future governance.
They also weighed in on the revamped schedule, spotlighting the innovative addition of the San Diego Street Race at Naval Base Coronado—a groundbreaking event set to bring high-speed action to a military base backdrop later in the season. Discussions covered the new points system and how these changes could influence strategy and driver performance throughout the campaign.
Adding a poignant note, the hosts took time to honor the memory of the late Greg Biffle, a beloved NASCAR veteran and former Cup Series champion who tragically lost his life, along with his wife Cristina, children Ryder and Emma, and others, in a devastating plane crash in December 2025. Biffle had been a frequent and cherished guest on the show's previous incarnation, Let’s Go Racing, where his insights, humor, and passion for racing always resonated with listeners. The tribute underscored his lasting impact on the sport and the void left in the NASCAR community.
Packed with expert breakdowns, forward-looking predictions, and heartfelt reflections, this debut episode sets a high bar for what's to come. The Racing Roundtable is now available for streaming on major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get your podcasts.
If you enjoyed the discussion, be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes and drop a five-star review to help spread the word. NASCAR's 2026 season is underway—don't miss out on the conversation!