From the seasons beginning in mid-February until now, NASCAR competitors have been drivin’ fast and flirtin’ with disaster to secure their spot in the top 16 in points to compete for the Cup Series ultimate prize, the Bill France Cup, at Phoenix Raceway on November 10th. The 26-race road to the playoffs is long and uncertain, determined by wins and valuable points accumulated throughout the season. With the round of 16 set to begin in Atlanta on September 8th, the 10-race playoff schedule ups the intensity and competition for each event.

When I first began watching NASCAR, I had no idea it was a team sport but quickly learned that it most definitely is. The success of a driver is largely dependent on his pit crew. The crew’s main task is to improve their cars performance throughout the race based on driver feedback. There are a handful of members that make up the pit crew, each with their own specific role to ensure their car and driver are in condition and position to take the checkered flag. Through vigorous training and conditioning, the over-the-wall crew members service their race cars with sub-10-second pit stops. Four tires and fuel in a flash. If you ever get the chance to watch a race from the pits, I highly encourage it. It’s incredible to witness these athletes get the job done. Their talent is unmatched.

Ryan “Skip” Flores, front tire changer for the no. 12 Team Penske machine (piloted by reigning Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney) and co-host of NASCAR’s Stacking Pennies podcast, alongside host Corey Lajoie, graciously gave me a bit of his time to answer some questions about how his team is gearing up for the playoffs this year as they seek to secure back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series championships.

The 12 team punched their ticket to defend the title with a breakthrough win at Iowa Speedway. How does the anticipation of the 2024 NASCAR Playoffs compare to this time last season?

• I feel like we are stronger as a team and more prepared for the playoffs this year. We are excited to punch our ticket in. We do a great job as a team focusing on the next race in front of us and do not get too caught up in the lore of the playoffs, which can be a distraction if you let it.

With an already decorated career at the Cup level, what would it mean for you to hoist the Bill France Cup at Phoenix in back-to-back seasons?

• To win back-to-back would be an amazing feat, especially in this playoff format. It takes so much to make it to the Final Four; then to outperform the other three teams once you get to Phoenix is a huge task. To be able to win in those circumstances back-to-back would show the true strength of our team.

The field has never been closer in the history of the sport, meaning the margin for error is slimmer than ever. What’s the most vital aspect of your training to remain on top of your game during a tense 10-week Championship chase?

• With the introduction of the NexGen car, it has been so hard to gain any competitive edge on your competition, so you simply have to outperform. The teams and drivers at the Cup level are so good, it makes a playoff run very stressful. You have to make sure you are always studying your approach and finding any way to improve on your craft.

Of the 10 tracks featured in the playoffs, which do you have circled on the calendar as the greatest challenge from a pit perspective?

• The one that I always circle as a pit crew guy is Homestead (Homestead-Miami Speedway). It’s an awesome track that takes every aspect of a team to win. You can’t have any weak links. With the tire wear, you will do no less than eight pit stops, and every time the caution comes out, the competition on pit road will be intense.

Win on Sunday, Podcast on Monday. Is there a future in media/analysis for a retired Ryan Flores?

• I hope so. I really enjoy talking about race cars and giving the fans a view of the sport as an active competitor. Any way that I can add depth to the fan’s viewing experience is a win.

Flores arguably has the best (and cutest!) fan club in his wife and two children as they are undoubtedly cheering him and the rest of the 12 team on every step of the way. Who will take home the Bill France Cup this year? We’ll have to wait and see. I sure wouldn’t hate to see the 12 team do it again, though! In the meantime, make sure you’re tuning in to watch every weekend on NBC and USA from now until Championship Sunday on November 10th.

Full Throttle,

Clair