NASCAR on NBC podcast

The IndyCar driver on how and why he became a popular star, why the IndyCar Series needs a villain, an expanded explanation on why the Indianapolis 500 shouldn't count toward the championship, what this week has been like after missing the race, why the pit stop competition was important to his team, what he will be doing Sunday during the race and why he might be going incognito Saturday night. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The Team Penske driver on his epic pranks with teammate Josef Newgarden, the following he has built through his lighter side on social media, his up-and-down 2018 season, how he think the Indianapolis 500 will unfold and the epic celebration he would have if he won it. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The managing director of competition and innovation on the nuts and bolts behind NASCAR's new high-tech Optical Scanning Station inspection system: How it was developed, how it was rolled out, how many teams have them and how teams helped with its construction. Also, Probst discusses his varied background in racing before NASCAR, a path that went through Formula One, Ford's ChampCar and NASCAR programs, Red Bull Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The 2016 Daytona 500 champion and the 2014 FedEx Cup champion compare notes on NASCAR and the PGA; and then Hamlin discusses his future business plans (including a hamburger joint), the 2018 season and those speeding penalties, the return of Matt Kenseth and what Denny would shoot from the pro tees at TPC Sawgrass. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The 19-year-old Xfinity Series driver on growing up in a racing family and around the Indianapolis 500, his varied and versatile background, his future goals, the controversy with Kaz Grala and how he took being called the most punchable face in NASCAR. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The NBC Sports analyst on some highlights from this year's six-day trip, which will take 225 riders from Portland, Maine, to Greensboro, North Carolina, and will make stops at Woodstock, the Martin Guitar factory, a Harley-Davidson factory, the Manheim Auto Action (the world's largest), the Petty Museum and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.Also, Kyle on his recent concerts and how he learned to play guitar. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The GoFas Racing driver on his season-best 16th at Richmond; his excellent relationship (and surprising backstory) with new crew chief Randy Cox; whether Ryan Preece's recent Xfinity success make him wish he could go back in time to his 2009-10 stint at Joe Gibbs Racing; his All-Star Race fan vote campaign and his chances at Talladega. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The former Cup crew chief and NASCAR America analyst on working on drag racing and other series in his new role, what it's been like working with Kyle Busch as an ally instead of competitor and his memories of being a crew chief and tire changer in the same race. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

On the competitive and economic challenges of being a midpack Cup team, how he went from owning a landscaping business to managing a NASCAR team and his best stories of The King and Sandra Bullock. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.

The Xfinity Series driver on his long road (and struggle) to gain a foothold in NASCAR, his outspokenness on social media and blogging and his ideas for making team ownership more financially sustainable. Visit www.nbcsports.com/nascar and www.nbcsports.com/motors for more NASCAR and motorsports coverage from NBC Sports.