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The Backstretch

by Heather Williams

The Backstretch is a motorsports podcast that will give viewers to hear the top drivers in the sport talk about the top stories in NASCAR.It is hosted by WCYB Sports Anchor Heather Williams with NASCAR Crew Chief Chris Carrier providing analysis.

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Episodes

  1. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 38: Austin Cindric

    Chase Briscoe is on fire, but Kyle Larson isn't giving up his championship lead! Briscoe wins his second consecutive race in a thrilling finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, holding off Christopher Bell as tire trouble nearly costs him the victory. Meanwhile, Larson continues his remarkable...

  2. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 37: Ryan Blaney

    Chase Briscoe puts on a show at Las Vegas, dominating the competition as NASCAR reaches the halfway point of the Chase! With five races down and five to go, the championship picture is starting to take shape. But what have we really learned, and who has the best chance to take home the Cup Series...

  3. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 36: Bubba Wallace

    Kyle Larson is the man of the hour in NASCAR. Larson wins at Kansas, stretches his lead in the Chase standings and puts himself in position to accomplish something NASCAR hasn't seen since Jimmie Johnson — win back-to-back Cup Series championships. In Season 5, Episode 36 of The Backstretch...

  4. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 35: Michael McDowell, Darnette Vickers

    ust when you thought the Chase couldn't get any crazier, Bristol said, "Hold my beer." Joey Logano continues one of the biggest turnarounds of the season, winning at Bristol for his third victory of the year. When the summer began, Logano looked like he might miss the Chase entirely. Now he's...

  5. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 34: Connor Zilisch

    The Chase is bringing out another gear in NASCAR's biggest teams. After a wild weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, Kyle Larson snaps his winless streak and gets back to Victory Lane. In Season 5, Episode 34 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down...

  6. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 33: Ryan Preece

    After seven runner-up finishes, Christopher Bell finally breaks through. Bell scores his first win of the season in the Southern 500 at Darlington, starting the Chase with a statement victory. In Season 5, Episode 33 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break...

  7. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 32: Bubba Wallace

    Ryan Preece delivers the ultimate walk-off win at Daytona. With the regular season on the line, Preece scores a dramatic victory to grab one of the final three spots in the Chase, joining Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric as the final drivers to make NASCAR's 16-driver postseason field. In Season…

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  8. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 32: Ross Chastain

    Ryan Blaney gets the win at New Hampshire, continuing Team Penske's dominance on NASCAR's short, flat tracks. But with that portion of the regular-season schedule behind us, can Penske keep rolling as the series heads to very different tracks before returning to Phoenix and Martinsville late in…

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  9. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 30: Chase Briscoe

    Joey Logano has completely changed the direction of his season. Logano scores his second win of the year at Richmond, continuing a remarkable summer turnaround. When the summer began, he was outside the Chase and hovering around 20th in points. Now he's inside the top 10 and suddenly looks like a...

  10. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 29: Ross Chastain

    Ty Gibbs is making a statement. Gibbs scores his second win of the season at Iowa and moves into second in the points standings. With the Chase approaching, is it time to consider Gibbs a legitimate Cup Series championship contender? In Season 5, Episode 29 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather...

  11. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 28: Josh Berry

    The break is over, and now the pressure is on. NASCAR returns from its off week with just four races remaining before the Chase begins. In Season 5, Episode 28 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier look at the biggest storylines to watch as drivers make their...

  12. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 27: Ty Gibbs

    Corey Heim is proving he belongs. The part-time driver earned his second Cup Series victory of the season, this time at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Just how impressive is what Heim is doing with limited opportunities? In Season 5, Episode 27 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather...

  13. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 26: Denny Hamlin

    Joey Logano is back in Victory Lane. Logano snapped a year-long winless streak at North Wilkesboro, becoming the first Ford driver not named Ryan Blaney to win this season. After back-to-back victories for Ford, has the manufacturer finally found something? In Season 5, Episode 26 of The...

  14. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 25: Christopher Bell and Noah Gragson

    Ryan Blaney survives a wild night at Atlanta to score a huge victory—and suddenly he's right in the middle of the regular season championship conversation. In Season 5, Episode 25 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down one of the most chaotic races of...

  15. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 24: Daniel Suárez

    Chase Briscoe is back in Victory Lane. After a slow start to the season, Briscoe and the No. 19 team have found their rhythm just in time for the summer stretch. But with another Toyota in Victory Lane, the bigger question is becoming impossible to ignore. In Season 5, Episode 24 of The…

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  16. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 23: Alex Bowman and Corey Heim

    Shane van Gisbergen does it again. With another road course victory at Sonoma, SVG is now just two wins behind Jeff Gordon for the most road course victories in NASCAR Cup Series history. Is he already the greatest road course racer the sport has ever seen? In Season 5, Episode 23 of The...

  17. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 22: William Byron and AJ Allmendinger

    Corey Heim pulls off a surprise victory on NASCAR's historic street course at Naval Base Coronado, adding another chapter to what's already been an unpredictable season. In Season 5, Episode 22 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Heim's…

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  18. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 21: Cole Custer and Greg, Aiden Price

    Denny Hamlin wins for the third straight week. At this point, what else can you say? One of NASCAR's all-time greats continues to add to his legacy while proving he can still compete with the sport's best week after week. In Season 5, Episode 21 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and…

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  19. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 20: Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Ron Capps

    Denny Hamlin wins for the second straight week and continues his march up the NASCAR record books. In Season 5, Episode 20 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Hamlin's latest victory and what it means as he ties Kyle Busch for ninth on NASCAR's...

  20. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 19: Carson Hocevar

    Denny Hamlin wins at Nashville and moves one step closer to NASCAR history. In Season 5, Episode 19 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Hamlin's 62nd career Cup Series victory, putting him just one win behind Kyle Busch for ninth on NASCAR's…

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  21. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 18: Doug Rice and Michael McDowell

    One week after the tragic and unexpected loss of Kyle Busch, the NASCAR community continues to reflect on the impact he had on the sport, the garage, and generations of racers. In Season 5, Episode 18 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier open the show by…

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  22. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 17: Remembering Rowdy

    Kyle Busch's career has been defined by speed, intensity, championships, rivalries, and unforgettable moments. In this special episode of The Backstretch Podcast, we take a look back at the life and legacy of one of NASCAR's most impactful drivers. From his early rise through the sport to his...

  23. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 16: Erik Jones and Noah Gragson

    Shane van Gisbergen wins again at Watkins Glen — and once again the question comes up: are we watching the greatest road course driver NASCAR has ever seen? In Season 5, Episode 16 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down SVG’s latest road course...

  24. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 15: Dystany Spurlock

    Chase Elliott gets the win at Texas — and reaches two victories earlier in the season than ever before. In Season 5, Episode 15 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down what Elliott’s fast start really means — and whether he’s now the biggest threat to...

  25. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 14: Chris Buescher

    Carson Hocevar gets his first career Cup Series win — and celebrates like it. In Season 5, Episode 14 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Hocevar’s breakthrough moment, what it means for Spire Motorsports, and why this win could be bigger than just...

  26. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 13: Riley Herbst

    Tyler Reddick keeps rolling — five wins in the first nine races, this time at Kansas. In Season 5, Episode 13 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Reddick’s dominant start and what it means for the rest of the field as the season takes shape. We’re...

  27. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 12: Cole Custer

    Ty Gibbs gets his first career Cup Series win — and he does it at Bristol Motor Speedway. In Season 5, Episode 12 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and crew chief Chris Carrier break down Gibbs’ breakthrough moment and what it means for his future — and the rest of the field. We also...

  28. The Backstretch Season 5 Episode 11: Erik Jones and Doug Rice

    In Season 5, Episode 11 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams is joined by crew chief Chris Carrier to break down the biggest storylines from the first third of the season — what’s real, what’s not, and what’s coming next. We also bring in two great guests this week: 🎤 Turn 5 – Five…

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  29. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 10: Chad Finchum

    Chase Elliott gets it done at Martinsville — and on a track where patience and precision matter most, that win could signal a major shift in the season. In Season 5, Episode 10 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Chris Carrier break down Elliott’s...

  30. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 9: Michael McDowell

    Tyler Reddick gets it done at Darlington — and once again proves he’s one of the most complete drivers in the field. In Season 5, Episode 9 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Chris Carrier break down Reddick’s win at one of the toughest tracks on...

  31. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 8: Brad Keselowski

    Denny Hamlin makes history at Las Vegas — and the NASCAR garage is heating up on and off the track. In Season 5, Episode 8 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and former Cup Series crew chief Chris Carrier break down Hamlin’s latest win as he moves into the Top 10 on the all-time wins…

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  32. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 7: Ty Dillon

    Ryan Blaney takes the win at Phoenix — and on a track where precision and discipline matter most, that victory could mean more than just another early-season trophy. In Season 5, Episode 7 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Chris Carrier break…

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  33. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 6: Joey Logano

    Tyler Reddick has done it again — three straight wins to start the season. In Season 5, Episode 6 of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and former Cup Series crew chief Chris Carrier break down what Reddick’s dominant start really means for the championship picture — and whether the rest…

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  34. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 5: Todd Gilliland

    Tyler Reddick is 2-for-2 to start the season — and the garage is officially on notice. In this episode of The Backstretch Podcast, Heather Williams and former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Chris Carrier break down what Reddick’s back-to-back wins really mean for the championship picture — and how...

  35. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 4: Michael McDowell and NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell

    On this episode of The Backstretch Podcast (Season 5, Episode 4) we break down a HUGE week in NASCAR: Henderson Motorsports runs inside the Top 10 with Corey LaJoie in the Truck race at Daytona… until disaster strikes. Chris explains what happened. What Matters, What Doesn't Tyler Reddick wins…

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  36. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 3: Chase Elliott and Frank Kelleher

    he Great American Race is here — and Episode 3 of The Backstretch Podcast dives headfirst into everything that makes Daytona unlike anywhere else. In Heather and Chris’ Opening Laps, they break down what truly makes Daytona special — from the history and intensity to the pressure that builds the...

  37. The Backstretch Season 5, Episode 2: Austin Dillon and Nate Bargatze

    Season 5 rolls on! In Episode 2 of The Backstretch Podcast, hosts Heather Williams and Chris Carrier break down all the biggest moments from the Clash. In What Matters | What Doesn’t, the crew debates a question every NASCAR fan is asking: Does it really matter to win the Clash, or is finishing...

  38. The Backstretch Podcast: Season 5, Episode 1: Erik Jones and Austin Cindric

    The Backstretch Podcast is back for Season 5! News 5’s Heather Williams and NASCAR Crew Chief Chris Carrier kick off the new season by breaking down the cold weather—and possible snow—heading into The Clash. They also recap the offseason, discuss which drivers they’re watching closely this year,...

  39. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 38: Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

    Heather and Chris breakdown the Cup Championship weekend in Phoenix, including why each driver can win and why they might lose. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. is our guest. Heather's final thought is on Denny Hamlin's father's illness and the loss of her own father.

  40. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 37: Daniel Suarez and Erik Jones

    There are two races to go in the regular season and one last chance for drivers to make the Championship Four. Heather and Chris talk about that, plus Daniel Suarez's move to Spire Motorsports and this weekend's race at Martinsville. Suarez and Erik Jones are this week's guest.

  41. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 36: Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe

    The playoff drivers have trouble in Las Vegas. Denny Hamlin writes his name in this history books. Spire Motorsports makes a change. Heather and Chris break it all down. Chase Briscoe and Chase Elliott both stop by to talk about their playoff runs.

  42. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 35: Christopher Bell and Zane Smith

    Heather and Chris talk about the Roval race, strategy vs manipulation, 750 hp coming NASCAR and a preview of Vegas. Christopher Bell and Zane Smith are the guest. Heather's final thought is the Roval.

  43. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 34: Austin Dillon

    Heather and Chris talk about the race at Kansas, more trouble for Carson Hocevar and preview the cutoff race at the Charlotte Roval. Austin Dillon is this week's guest, Heather's final thought is about the state of NASCAR.

  44. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 33: John Hunter Nemecheck

    Fords open round two of the playoffs strong. Heather and Chris talk about Penske's strong start to round two of the playoffs, the teammate scuffle between Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs and Preview Kansas. John Hunter Nemechek stops by and Heather's final thought is on the teammate troubles.

  45. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 32: PRN's Mark Garrow

    Heather and Chris recap the action from Bristol. PRN announcer Mark Garrow stops by to swap stories and talk about his retirement announcement

  46. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 31: Joey Logano

    Heather and Chris talk about Denny Hamlin's win at Gateway, the Playoffs and preview Bristol. Guest Joey Logano talks about Bristol, his love of cars and family life. Heather's final thought is about Bristol.

  47. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 30: Steve Swift

    Chase Briscoe put a beatdown on the field at Darlington. Heather and Chris talk about the race good and bad. Also what happened to Hendrick Motorsports at Darlington and who is excited for St. Louis. Speedway Motor Sports' Steve Swift stops by to talk about how he became the man who makes the…

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  48. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 29: Austin Dillon

    Heather and Chris preview the NASCAR Playoffs, talk about two of NASCAR's worst kept secrets (Kaulig to Dodge and Connor Zilisch to the Trackhouse Cup car) and they preview Darlington. Heather shares a snippet of her conversation with Austin Dillon and her final though is on the NASCAR Playoffs.

  49. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 28: William Byron

    The 2026 NASCAR schedule is released. Heather and Chris break it down and talk about it may or may not impact any changes to the playoffs. Regular season points champ William Byron is the guest. Heather's final thought is on Humpy Wheeler's impact in racing.

  50. The Backstretch Season 4, Episode 27: Noah Gragson

    Heather starts by talking about the report the All-Star Race may be moving to Dover. Chris joins Heather to talk about SVG's fourth win of the season, Connor Zilisch's scary fall and to preview Richmond. Heather's final thought is on Silly Season

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Backstretch is a motorsports podcast that will give viewers to hear the top drivers in the sport talk about the top stories in NASCAR.It is hosted by WCYB Sports Anchor Heather Williams with NASCAR Crew Chief Chris Carrier providing analysis.

HOSTED BY

Heather Williams

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Backstretch have?

The Backstretch currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Backstretch about?

The Backstretch is a motorsports podcast that will give viewers to hear the top drivers in the sport talk about the top stories in NASCAR.It is hosted by WCYB Sports Anchor Heather Williams with NASCAR Crew Chief Chris Carrier providing analysis.

How often does The Backstretch release new episodes?

The Backstretch has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Backstretch?

You can listen to The Backstretch on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Backstretch?

The Backstretch is created and hosted by Heather Williams.
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