The NASCAR playoffs get underway and 16 drivers are whittled down to 12 in episode two of the Netflix docuseries, NASCAR: Full Speed. The second episode focuses on Denny Hamlin again while also giving a look at Bubba Wallace and Joey Logano. The series goes a long way in contrasting experience with youth and how two drivers can be so much alike while still being completely different.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Two – Joey Logano, Reigning Champion

Joey Logano received the in-depth treatment that Hamlin and William Byron received in the first episode. Logano won the 2022 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Championship. The episode gives a detailed look at his time as a child prodigy racer who thought he would take NASCAR by storm. Logano flopped at the beginning of his career leading to him being let go by Joe Gibbs Racing. He landed a ride with Roger Penske where he’s been making history ever since.

Logano is one of 17 drivers in NASCAR history to win multiple championships. However, he made the wrong kind of history in 2023. Logano became the first reigning champion eliminated in the first cutoff round the next season. It was tough to watch as Logano had to sit in the garage during the final race of round one hoping for some points help that never came. Still, Logano earned his place in the playoffs and as a highlight of this episode.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Two – Bubba Wallace, Barely Advancing

After barely making the playoffs by the skin of his teeth, Bubba Wallace cements his place as the cardiac kid of the 2023 NASCAR season. The episode follows Bubba’s struggles in the first playoff race, putting him behind the eight ball. Wallace finds his way into the next round of the playoffs by the final race of round one thanks to Logano’s struggles.

Bubba Wallace has been a controversial figure in NASCAR for years, but this episode doesn’t focus much on his controversies. As the episode focuses on the first round of the playoffs, it’s only his performance under the microscope. He performed well enough to make round two.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Two – Denny Hamlin, Winning His Way In

Denny Hamlin is recognized by many as the greatest current driver to not win a championship, and this series does a great job of conveying his conflict as driver and car owner. He wants to win a championship as both a driver and an owner. The ownership window lasts longer than the driver window, so he is pushing to win now. His dejection following his struggles in the first race made for compelling television.

Hamlin won the final race of round one securing a spot in round two. He remained his unapologetic self in the post-race interview. Crowds booed his win leading to Hamlin telling them “I just beat your favorite driver.” It was arrogant but accurate. It’s why his boss, Joe Gibbs, and his partner, Michael Jordan, both love him.

NASCAR: Full Speed Episode Two – Rating

This episode connected with me better than the first. I appreciate the family aspect but prefer the racing aspect. I cared more about Denny Hamlin’s struggles and victory than I did anything else. I also enjoyed Bubba Wallace squeaking by while Logano made unwanted history. I’m eager to see what happens in episode three.

Rating: 4 stars

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