Mid-Season Superlatives, And Is SMT Data A Good Thing For NASCAR?

The Dale Jr. Download

Carla Gebhart is joined by The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi to break down a NASCAR hot topic: SMT data. Why do you keep hearing about it? What is it? Should SMT data be available to drivers and teams during a race? How does that impact competition? Randall Burnett, crew chief of the No. 8 car at Richard Childress Racing, joins to offer his perspective on SMT data sharing and whether it helps or hurts in providing the best racing.

Plus, it's time to announce our mid-season superlatives! Carla and Jordan give their selections, and we highlight the fan picks for each category. And, finally, the crew discusses which upsets you should look out for in Round 2 of the Denny Hamlin Bracket Challenge as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Sonoma.