I’ve intently adopted each F1 and NASCAR for many of my life, so I used to be curious as to how inventory automobile racing’s reply to Drive to Survive would painting the game. I am certain comparisons can be made between the 2. Whereas it is not a carbon copy of DTS, is actually follows the same format in showcasing the lives of the drivers and their weekend battles out on observe. However will it have the identical impression?
What I hoped to see going into it
As an American, the uptick in US curiosity round Formulation 1 after Drive to Survive arrived on Netflix has been gorgeous to me. Folks in my life who by no means cared about motorsports now need to speak about F1. I’m sincerely hoping that the streaming service can do the identical for NASCAR, introducing inventory automobile racing in a method that appeals to a bigger viewers, whereas additionally shattering a few of the stereotypes which might be hooked up to it.
NASCAR stays king in viewership amongst US-based racing followers, however the youthful demographic is one the game is desperately chasing. A compelling on-track product will not be sufficient to draw most of them. They want stars. Even non-racing followers know who Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart are. The issue is, these are the celebrities of yesterday and are now not behind the wheel. What in regards to the stars of at the moment? Going into this docuseries, my essential hope was that it will do extra than simply showcase all of the drama that exists with the ten-race playoffs. It needed to take these drivers and present them in a method we have but to see, bringing their personalties to the foredeont and actually giving folks a cause root for — or maybe root towards them.
The motion, the drama, the politics and the personalities — it’s all proper there. NASCAR already has an excellent product, however they need assistance promoting it. With Netflix’s assist, will they lastly be capable of?
Episode 1
NASCAR Full Velocity opens in a shocking style, displaying us a little bit of pre-race scene for the penultimate race of the 12 months at Martinsville Speedway. It is then adopted by an introduction that portrays these drivers as they need to be — gladiators dealing with off in a high-speed area.
I notably favored Denny Hamlin’s feedback about racing versus stick and ball sports activities, explaining the way you may get fortunate and make a three-point shot that Michael Jordan would not make, however no athlete from that world can simply get right into a race automobile and run as quick as Hamlin does. I believed that set the tone completely.
Now for the uninitiated, Hamlin is NASCAR’s villain today, and it is a position he embraces totally. They wasted little time making that abundantly clear. He additionally felt a bit like the primary character throughout this docuseries as he was a relentless all through it, each in his position as a driver and proprietor.
His campaign to lastly develop into Cup Sequence champion is the centerpiece of his story, and hangs over him within the present because it does in his real-life profession. Hamlin is the winningest driver in NASCAR historical past with no Cup title.
The extra commentary from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marty Smith, Steve Letarte, and Shannon Spake was executed properly. It did not really feel jarring they usually all added attention-grabbing views to the tales they had been making an attempt to inform.
After Hamlin’s introduction, we meet William Byron. His sim to actuality story units him other than most Cup drivers, who’ve been racing on precise tracks from the age of 5 or 6. However whilst we adopted the soft-spoken Hendrick Motorsports driver via his every day life, Hamlin nonetheless managed to make an look.
There is a scene of Byron listening to Hamlin’s podcast, explaining how he wished to “hear the mindset of one other driver.” It could not be the final time Netflix cameras had been on as a rival driver reacted to Hamlin’s podcast.
We return to Hamlin, this time displaying the polarizing driver in his position as proprietor. With the hopes of pulling in a wider viewers, I feel it was vital to showcase the involvement of his good friend and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan. They completely didn’t miss the chance to just do that with the NBA legend displaying up a number of instances all through the docuseries.
Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Large 615/MoneyLion Toyota Camry, Michael Jordan
Not solely did we get a glimpse into the non-public lives of those drivers, but it surely shortly turned obvious that we had been going to be handled to loads of behind-the-scenes content material each on the crew retailers and race observe.
This episode covers the common season finale at Daytona Worldwide Speedway, and I puzzled how they might correctly convey what was on the road within the remaining race earlier than the playoffs. Most drivers in a must-win state of affairs had been ignored, with Netflix selecting as an alternative to give attention to a selected storyline.
This ended up being the fitting transfer, explaining the awkward place Hamlin discovered himself in. He drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, and Coach Gibbs’ grandson was the primary driver exterior the playoffs. The motive force he was chasing? Bubba Wallace, who drives for Hamlin. They spend a whole lot of time on Hamlin’s dilemma and his resolution to publicly admit that he would assist his driver over his boss’ grandson.
I used to be pleasantly shocked with how they selected to point out the opposite components of the race groups, together with the integral position of a crew chief. Though it touched on the technical facet of issues, I do want they spent extra time on that. Maybe that would not have performed properly with an informal viewers, but it surely’s one thing I hoped to see extra of.
One thing the present might have actually benefited from was going deeper into the prep of the vehicles, giving viewers a take a look at all the course of from the constructing, wrapping, transporting and so forth. It takes an incredible quantity of effort to get only one automobile from the store flooring to the observe on Sunday.
A criticism of Drive to Survive was how they left the viewer in suspense over Romain Grosjean’s horrific crash throughout the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. I puzzled if we would see one thing related with Ryan Preece’s rollover crash at Daytona, however this present selected not to attract it out. The truth is, NASCAR Full Velocity didn’t overdramatize a lot of something, which I discovered refreshing.
Episode 2
The formulation for the present turned clear, with every episode devoted to a three-race playoff spherical. We see extra of Bubba Wallace, who acquired a chuckle out of me along with his DTS point out, whereas additionally introducing us to defending champion Joey Logano.
The present continues to execute properly in explaining who these drivers are with out overwhelming new viewers with info. Logano is a prodigy, one hailed as the perfect factor since sliced bread, they usually be sure to know he doesn’t care about making associates.
I used to be anxious to see how they might clarify NASCAR’s moderately sophisticated playoff format, however they did not spend an excessive amount of time going into the little complexities of it. They provided a fundamental description, they usually moved on, which was most likely for the perfect.
Seeing all of the drivers need to undergo at Media Day wasn’t shocking to me, however needs to be eye-opening for brand new followers.
We get to see extra in regards to the pit crews this episode too, and the way important they’re to a profitable race weekend. We get a entrance row seat to pitstop apply with the No. 11 crew, which instantly precedes them derailing Hamlin’s Southern 500 efforts with a mid-race unfastened wheel. We then have to observe Hamlin interact with keen followers after the race, nonetheless reeling from the missed alternative.
A typical false impression exterior of the racing group is that NASCAR ovals are all basically the identical. Netflix dispels that notion, taking time to showcase the individuality and distinctive traits of Darlington Raceway.
Additionally, the story of Reddick having to win the 2019 Xfinity title to be able to get naming rights for his son was a hilarious inclusion.
Later within the spherical, we get our first look contained in the Taj Mahal of NASCAR race groups — Hendrick Motorsports, who’re on the cusp of a milestone three hundredth win. This features a bit about Byron’s exercise routine and the extraordinary coaching that goes into changing into a top-level Cup driver. My solely criticism is that I want we noticed extra of that.
Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty College Chevrolet Camaro wins.
We noticed Hamlin with the driving force’s hat and proprietor’s hat, and now we acquired to see him a tough hat as he inspects the continued building of 23XI Racing’s new constructing. His divided loyalties between JGR and 23XI is a continued theme all through this episode with Reddick beating the boss to the win at Kansas Speedway.
A spotlight for me was Hamlin and his kids, who inform him he is executed too many races whereas additionally saying he ought to have received extra of them.
When Logano’s playoffs got here to an abrupt finish within the Spherical of 16 elimination race at Kansas, it was nice to have the ability to watch him within the hauler afterwards. His solely hope of advancing was if one other playoff driver discovered bother, and cameras watch as he anxiously watches Martin Truex Jr. hit the wall.
And the episode’s conclusion was simply excellent. Hamlin, ever the villain, celebrating his Bristol win and taunting the booing crowd.
Episode 3
Right here we’re launched to Ross Chastain, the eighth-generation watermelon farmer who shocked the world along with his Martinsville wall-ride throughout the 2022 playoffs. He would not disguise the truth that his fellow drivers don’t get pleasure from his driving fashion, and the unflattering nicknames they’ve for him.
We see extra of Wallace as properly, who has been going via a whirlwind of feelings all through the playoffs. It looks as if we’re simply driving with him on this rollercoaster, and Texas Motor Speedway was a breaking level. He received the pole, was in competition to win, however misplaced out on the ultimate restart.
Byron captured that three hundredth win for HMS whereas Wallace and crew are left to surprise what might have been. And we get a really uncooked second with No. 23 crew chief Bootie Barker, who needs to get the mic off after which offers top-of-the-line traces in all the docuseries.
Producer: “You instructed me you aren’t getting too excessive and you aren’t getting too low.” Barker calmly replies: “I assume I lied to your ass.”
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, DoorDash Toyota Camry and Bootie Barker, 23XI Racing, Toyota Camry
Uncooked moments like Barker and Wallace after Texas is the place the present actually did shine.
Midway via the third episode, we correctly meet the person who would find yourself profitable the Invoice France Cup — Ryan Blaney.
His heritage as a third-generation racer is on full show, and we do get a humorous unscripted second as he fully botches a pool shot.
We see Hendrick Motorsports celebrating its three hundredth win and extra of Byron. He is a driver that appears very reserved on race weekends, so it was good to see extra of his persona. At Talladega, NASCAR’s unimaginable fan entry is showcased as Chastain hangs out with random followers within the infield.
And we acquired to see Reddick dressed up as Luigi from Tremendous Mario Brothers, which was simply nice content material. He even placed on the accent. At one level, he’s simply hanging out in-costume with different drivers and speaking about what animated reveals their kids get pleasure from.
A shock inclusion was going inside an NBC broadcast assembly with Dale Earnhardt Jr. The present was actually checking all of the bins in what they selected to showcase. A significant matter at Talladega was producer orders, with politics actually reshaping how drafting races are run. I imagine they might have executed greater than that, however I do admire that they talked about it.
Nonetheless, an actual missed alternative was when Chastain was watching Hamlin predicting the Trackhouse Racing driver’s imminent elimination from the playoffs. This was an ideal probability to showcase their multi-season feud, which culminated with Hamlin getting himself penalized after admitting to deliberately walling Chastain on his podcast.
The Spherical of 12 elimination race at Charlotte Roval did not really feel as dramatic when watching dwell from my recollection, however Netflix put within the work to make the viewer really feel the stakes of that day.
Photograph by: Netflix
Ross Chastain
Episode 4
I used to be ready for Christopher Bell to point out up and eventually, we meet him within the penultimate episode. Bell is a quiet driver, however one who at all times delivers. He’s the one driver to make the Championship 4 in each years of the Gen-7 period.
The present does an excellent job in conveying how underrated he’s, and nearly an afterthought regardless of his apparent expertise. He would not thoughts it although, and relishes in proving folks unsuitable. He’s additionally obsessed along with his yard, apparently.
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Rheem – DEWALT Toyota Camry
We get extra of Hamlin this episode, speaking to his father and the sacrifices that each of his mother and father made to get him into racing. After seeing his huge home and rich way of life, it was a great way to floor issues once more and present simply how far he is come.
That elusive title got here up once more, and his father confirmed off a cigar that was given to him by Jordan. Ought to Hamlin ever win the Cup, that cigar can be damaged out in celebration. They return to this in a later episode in what I felt was a really impactful second.
Additionally they go into Hamlin’s shoulder points, which simply provides one other component to this title struggle. Even many NASCAR followers had been unaware of the medical points that Hamlin was dealing with whereas competing on the highest stage of the game.
I haven’t got a lot to say in regards to the race protection themselves on this spherical, aside from they did it justice. My solely gripe is that there was no point out of Blaney’s disqualification after Vegas, which was later rescinded. I believed that was a really dramatic state of affairs, but it was not noted of his story for some cause. Blaney vs. Hamlin at Homestead was some implausible content material although.
Once they selected to inform a narrative, they did it properly. Blaney’s quick fuse contained in the race automobile was talked about a number of instances, with expletive-filled radio to drive the purpose house.
Photograph by: Netflix
Ryan Blaney
We see Byron performing some homework, watching the race afterwards and finding out telemetry. One other appreciated inclusion, displaying that these guys do not simply strap into the vehicles on Sunday and go.
We lastly attain Martinsville, and they don’t fail in making the viewer really feel the seriousness of this race. It is the final shot for the ultimate eight title hopefuls to safe a shot on the championship.
Hamlin battled via the ache, and ran properly at Martinsville, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to advance into the ultimate 4. The NASCAR Cup Sequence title eluded him as soon as once more. What follows is certainly one of my favourite components of the docuseries as Netflix dedicates a number of minutes simply displaying all of feelings after that race. It was these drivers of their most susceptible second. There was a lingering shot on the cigar, and Hamlin laments: “I am f****** cursed.”
Photograph by: Netflix
Denny Hamlin
Episode 5
Within the finale, Netflix appeared to let the race inform the story itself. A lot of the runtime was devoted to the Phoenix race weekend, whereas additionally giving us our first glimpse at Larson’s private life. He was the one former champion nonetheless within the 2024 title struggle.
We observe them of their many media duties, and talk about Erin Blaney’s break up loyalties. She is Ryan’s sister, however can be relationship Byron. Each second of the weekend feels dramatic.
Additionally liked the second on the grid when Hendrick executives had been gathered, excited to have two drivers within the remaining 4 but additionally lamenting the truth that they did not get all 4 in. Netflix did not miss a factor right here, specializing in each facet of the title-decider. The households, the house owners, the pit crews, and explaining how that is the most important prize in North American motorsports.
They even foreshadowed how Bell’s title hopes would finish as he discusses the necessity for brake followers along with his crew earlier than the race. When he finally crashes out with a blown brake rotor, we then get a really private second as he returns to the RV lot. He and spouse Morgan embrace, tears in her eyes. It actually drove house how vital that is for these drivers. The aim they’ve labored in direction of their total lives and it is sitting there, simply out of attain.
In the course of the race itself, they go away no stone unturned. Chastain, though eradicated two rounds earlier, turns into a central determine as he battles Blaney for the race lead. The Group Penske driver is completely furious. Netflix reveals him shedding it contained in the automobile, performs the radio and the pleas from his crew to consider the larger image. His rivals odor blood within the water and able to pounce because the perceived weak spot from the main championship combatant.
Blaney finally ends up shedding out throughout the remaining set of stops, however he places his head down, carves via the sector, and takes the place from Larson after a short battle. He wasn’t going to catch Chastain for the win, but it surely did not matter. The large prize was his. Blaney was a NASCAR Cup Sequence champion.
Last ideas
After which ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ begins taking part in. The outro of NASCAR Full Velocity is an ideal wrap-up to a present. We get emotional scenes with each of the Hendrick drivers who misplaced out, Blaney as he’s formally topped and is embraced by his father, in addition to remaining ideas from the opposite stars of the present.
The docuseries was exactly what I hoped it will be. My solely criticism is that I wished extra of every part. I feel the present might have benefited from extra episodes, as there have been so many different tales that they simply weren’t in a position to inform.
Truex, who received the common season title earlier than a completely disastrous playoffs, was not a featured driver. Neither was two-time champion Kyle Busch, who was embarking on his first season with a brand new crew after 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing. Veteran Kevin Harvick’s mission to win one final time earlier than retiring from driving at season’s finish was not noted as properly.
It actually wasn’t a Drive to Survive rip-off. It was a singular docuseries that stands by itself two ft, and does precisely what it got down to do. I imagine it succeeded in setting itself other than DTS whereas additionally taking inspiration from it. However will that result in elevated curiosity for NASCAR? Effectively, that is still to be seen, however what else might they’ve executed?
They took a handful of drivers, gave us an unprecedented look into their lives, and portrayed them as “peculiar males doing extraordinary issues,” as the nice Ken Squier as soon as stated. Now they want to return racing, and placed on a present.
The 2024 season begins on 18 February with the 66th operating of the Daytona 500. This weekend, there can be a pre-season exhibition race on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. FOX Sports activities can have protection.
