@nascarcasm: The 10 best moments from ‘Race for the Championship’

We enjoyed “Race For The Championship” on the USA Network so much that we wanted to pick 10 moments from the series that stand out as our personal favorites. By the way – all episodes are now available to stream on Peacock – it’s perfect for binging during the offseason.

The house that Ryan Blaney shares with his girlfriend (you heard that right – sorry cougars) looks rustic and charming. But this tire left us wondering. It’s either a deliberate way to incorporate your trade into the landscaping, or just a loose tire from a race that finally stopped rolling right there. Regardless, it really holds the lawn together. (Episode 8)

The entire series was especially revealing for Kyle Busch. It documented the adversity he faced in 2022, from on-track performance to an increasing uncertainty about his future. Such a year really has to be exhausting. And when you’re exhausted, that’s when you break the fourth wall and reach for your Rowdy Energy Drink. Kyle is many things, but bad at product placement is not among them. (Episode 4)

Chase Elliott enjoys living in the familiar peace of his hometown – Dawsonville, Georgia. This means he flies himself to races. That’s right – Chase is a certified pilot. We’ve only seen him behind the wheel of a race car, which is why it was intriguing to see him behind the wheel of a plane. Or yoke. Or joystick. Whatever you steer with. I don’t know how planes work. (Episode 2)

We appreciate that “Race for the Championship” showcased some wonderful family moments, but it was an especially big star-making turn for Kyle Larson’s daughter, Audrey. Total scene-stealer. Here, she taunts her dad as they fly to one of his mid-week dirt races. The most adorable Karen ever.

We know he comes from a long line of watermelon farmers, but seeing Ross Chastain and his family actually working on their farm in Florida brought a level of heartwarming authenticity to the practice that we’d never seen. Everyone is in jeans, boots and a plaid, short-sleeve shirt likely purchased at a Haggar outlet store. They bucket-brigade the melons from the field to the truck. They’re the real deal. (Episode 5)

It's not often you get to See JTG Daugherty co-owner Brad Daugherty and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the same shot. It happens very quick, but it gives us a long-awaited height comparison. One of these two individuals used to play in the NBA, but we’re not telling you which one. (Episode 4)

Daneil Suarez regales us with stories of his early days in the United States, including living by himself and eating Cookie Crisp for three meals a day. Think about that. He used to eat Cookie Crisp for three meals a day. Focus on the “Used to … ” part. That suggests you shouldn’t do that. Now you tell me. (Episode 1)

In a very relatable moment, Chase Elliott grabs a handful of Victory Lane confetti after his playoff win at Talladega Superspeedway and shoves it in his pocket. It’s common for fans to do that, but it’s cool that drivers do it also. He’ll take it home and put it in a place of honor to commemorate his win. Or he’ll forget it’s in there and ruin an entire load of laundry. It’s a cliffhanger. (Episode 9)

We are perpetually amazed by race-car drivers and their ability to catch a quick snooze in practically any situation. In the car. On pit wall. Or in Corey LaJoie’s case, atop his pit-box during track-drying at Nashville Superspeedway. There’s like 20 trucks blowing 600-decibel heaters at the track and Corey’s counting sheep. Amazing. Personally I would have drawn on his face with a Sharpie were it not already 80-percent covered with thick beard. (Episode 6)

On track or on the show, Joey Logano was collecting POINTS. The contact info he has entered on his phone for his wife, Brittany, suggests Joey is smooth, but in sort of the same way McLovin was smooth. We’re still left wondering what Brittany has in her contacts for Joey. Maybe “My Squinty-Ass Husband.” (Episode 1)