Four more NASCAR drivers are eliminated from the playoffs in episode three of the Netflix docuseries, NASCAR: Full Speed. The third episode puts a hyper focus on four of NASCAR’s young guns: William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick. Three of these four manage to advance from the Round of 12 to the Round of 8. The other finds his time in the NASCAR playoffs coming to an end.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Three – Hendrick’s 300th Win

The Round of 12 opened at the Texas Motor Speedway. While much of the focus was put on Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace during that race, the ending made a major impact on the playoffs. Larson crashed while Byron passed Bubba late in the race. Byron recorded his sixth win of the season to secure himself in the Round of 8. It was also the 300th win for Hendrick Motorsports, the first team to reach that threshold.

Much of the post race focus was on the celebration of the milestone. It featured Byron celebrating being the driver who won the race. There was a lot of focus on Hendrick as a whole with appearances by Chad Knaus and Jeff Gordon. Byron celebrated his big win and then looked ahead to the next race at Talladega.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Three – The Wild Card Track

In the week between Texas and Talladega, the series takes a closer look at the personal lives of the drivers, most notably Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick. Chastain presents himself as a man of the people as he meets with fans who praise his past as a watermelon farmer. Blaney introduces the world to his girlfriend and how his sister’s relationship with William Byron affects both Blaney and Byron. Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick discusses his fitness routine and how he and his son are so much alike in their love for Super Mario Brothers.

On race day, all the drivers involved make some big moves, some pay off while others don’t. Ross Chastain continues his aggressive driving that got him a second place finish in the 2022 NASCAR standings. Unfortunately, that aggression costs him at Talladega as he crashes and finishes in the 30s. Reddick plays his cards right and has a good enough finish to help his chances in the points standings. Meanwhile, Byron and Blaney work well together as Byron pushes Blaney to victory. Blaney joins Byron in the Round of 8.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Three – The Roval

The final third of the episode tackles the final race of the Round of 12. Several drivers including Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin looking to race their win on a style of track where none really excel. Following the short tracks, 1.5-mile tracks and super speedways, road courses are tough and roval is even tougher, as its part oval, part road course. The Charlotte Roval plays as much of a wild card as Talladega.

Road course ringer A.J. Allmendinger won the race meaning no one automatically advances. However, Hamlin crashed early but still managed to finish high enough to advance on points. The real question came for Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain. Both had bad finishes at Talladega that put them behind the eight ball. Neither finished high enough to advance. While Bubba can claim his best ever points finish, it was a disappointing end to Chastain’s championship run.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Three – Rating

Each episode of this series is connecting more than the previous one. I enjoyed the family aspects of this episode more than the first two episodes. The relationship between Blaney and Byron is really carrying this series, especially since those two will be battling for the championship. This episode also gave us a look at former Most Popular Driver, NASCAR broadcaster and Full Speed Executive Producer, Dale Earnhardt Jr. It’s an intriguing look and I can’t wait to see more.

Rating 4.5 stars

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