In which our heroes fill time during the rain delay of the Martinsville NASCAR race by discussing why the leader has such an advantage on this particular track, what Bubba Wallace's improvement means for him in 2021 and why 750-hp strength seems to translate from track to track. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Positive Regression: A Motorsports Analytics Podcast

Bonus Episode: Martinsville Rain Delay Conversation

In which one of our heroes is subjected to “Two Truths and a Lie,” a game designed to deliver you nuggets of NASCAR advanced stats wisdom. After that, they preview this weekend’s event in Martinsville and posit that a lack of qualifying could add sizzle to an otherwise straightforward race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 97: Two Truths and a Lie

In which our heroes are joined by Kristin Labonte, a three-time USA Masters cycling champion and NASCAR sponsorship marketer, to discuss the parallels between NASCAR and World Tour cycling. Then, they discuss whether elements of other sports like loans, tournaments, combines and timeouts could serve a purpose in auto racing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 96: The Intersection of NASCAR and Cycling

In which our heroes decipher the early-season riddles behind the prominent, albeit winless trio (07:36) of Kevin Harvick (09:17), Kyle Busch (21:16) and Chase Elliott (27:30). Afterwards, they offer their expectations of the upcoming Bristol dirt race (39:20).

Episode 95: Evaluating a Winless Trio

In which our heroes celebrate their favorite NASCAR paint scheme (00:52) before understanding the logic behind some of the year's most polarizing pit gambles (09:25) for Kyle Larson at Homestead (18:26), Kevin Harvick at Las Vegas (21:22) and Bubba Wallace at Phoenix (24:17), among others. Then, they provide a comprehensive preview of the Atlanta race, focusing on tire wear (32:45), the relevance of having the fastest car (34:31) and what to expect from reigning winner Harvick (37:07).

Episode 94: The Logic Behind Bad Pit Calls

In which our heroes give thought to John Hunter Nemechek's puzzling path back to the NASCAR Truck Series (6:54) and whether his bet might actually work. Then, they preview the weekend's Cup Series race in Phoenix (32:16).

Episode 93: What's a Proven Winner Proving by Winning More?

In which our heroes take to Venue for a live post-race show following the NASCAR Cup Series race in Las Vegas. They discuss the fickle restarts (04:19), Kyle Larson's evolution on 550-hp tracks (07:11) and whether he's a legitimate championship contender (10:42), Brad Keselowski's runner-up performance (14:35), the volatile fortunes of Kyle Busch (21:17) and a top-10 effort from potential free-agent market disruptor Erik Jones (26:04). Take part in the next Positive Regression live show by downloading Venue at GetVenue.app.

Bonus Episode: Las Vegas NASCAR Post-Race Analysis

In which our heroes make sense of Martin Truex's decision to change spotters in an effort to improve his restarts (05:23), discuss whether spotter talent can be quantified (17:12), detail Team Penske's puzzling pit strategy in Homestead (19:02), preview the NASCAR Cup Series race in Las Vegas (22:45) and tease a new interactive post-race project (39:10).

Episode 92: Make a Strength Stronger

In which our heroes preview the NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, detailing the correlation between speed and results (01:37), the impact of long green-flag runs on car setup at 550-hp tracks (04:46), Christopher Bell's prowess on intermediate tracks (09:10), the restart dynamic (12:37), their favorites for the win (14:50) and their choices for contrarian performers (17:41).

Bonus Episode: Homestead NASCAR Race Preview

In which our heroes are joined by Chris Mitchell of MotorsportsAnalytics.com to break down his list of NASCAR's top 50 prospects (07:55), including Sam Mayer (11:25), Derek Kraus (16:13), Sheldon Creed (19:01), Hailie Deegan (23:05) and Bret Holmes (27:07). Then, they offer a preview of this weekend's race on the Daytona road course (32:56) and chime in with favorites (41:47) and contrarian performers (44:29). For Chris Mitchell's prospects list, please visit https://motorsportsanalytics.net/analysis/5c9tt For Jimmy Tomlin's feature story on Jocko Flocko, please visit https://www.ourstate.com/jocko-flocko-nascar-monkey/

Episode 91: Prospectpalooza III

In which our heroes make predictions for the 2021 NASCAR season (04:55) that are on brand and off the beaten path, focused on fortunes for Kurt Busch (06:28), Joey Logano (10:45), Erik Jones (13:56), Chase Briscoe (17:44), Alex Bowman (21:21) and Matt DiBenedetto (25:54). Then, they submit a comprehensive preview of the Daytona 500 (29:24), discussing drafting-track speed (30:00), strategy (33:33), their picks to win (39:01) and contrarian performers (44:42).

Episode 90: Very Specific Predictions

In which our heroes assemble their crew chief rosters for the 2021 Cup Series season in a snake-style draft focused on green-flag pit cycles (05:09). Then, they evaluate Denny Hamlin's contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (32:18) and the early outlook on NASCAR free agency (40:11).

Episode 89: The Third Annual Crew Chief Draft

In which our heroes return for Season 3, conversing on the big-picture stories for the 2021 NASCAR season, including redemption for Kyle Busch (04:27), falloff for Kevin Harvick (13:36) and underachievement by Chase Elliott (24:45). They also identify the teams and drivers best positioned to take advantage of the expanded road course schedule (32:48). This episode is sponsored by the 2021 Athlon Sports NASCAR Preview Magazine, available now on newsstands or online at AthlonSports.com. To read David Smith's 2020 feature article on Dale Jarrett, please visit https://theathletic.com/1719557/2020/04/03/leap-year-dale-jarretts-1996-season-launched-an-unexpected-hall-of-fame-career/.

Episode 88: The Big Picture

In which our heroes detail the yearlong highlights and lowlights of Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano before unveiling the returns from Episode 48's Crew Chief Draft. This episode is sponsored by Extra Life, benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Join Extra Life for a 24-hour fundraising drive live on Nov. 20 at 7 pm ET on twitch.tv/roundaboutpro. Visit extra-life.org/team/RoundAboutPro for more details.

Episode 87: Requiems and Fixes for 2021, Pt. 5

In which our heroes replay their preview of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship race, originally streamed Nov. 8 on YouTube, with deep dives on all four championship contenders and questions from their viewers. This episode is sponsored by Extra Life, benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Join Extra Life for a 24-hour fundraising drive live on Nov. 20 at 7 pm ET on twitch.tv/roundaboutpro. Visit extra-life.org/team/RoundAboutPro for more details.

Bonus Episode: Replay of Championship Preview

Positive Regression is a NASCAR podcast for the thinking fan, hosted by David Smith (The Athletic) and Alan Cavanna (FOX Sports).

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Positive Regression: A Motorsports Analytics Podcast

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