Start Your Engines

Milton, Ga., police released this 911 call Delicia Cordon made from LeSean McCoy's home. Pauses and some questions have been removed, per the police.

NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is the special guest on this week's episode. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck talks with Earnhardt about the popularity of podcasts, his upcoming nuptials with Amy Reimann and the rigors of wedding planning. Earnhardt also talks about the value of his fan base and what they mean to him as he plans his return to the car next year after sitting out half of the 2016 season while recovering from a concussion.

After Jimmie Johnson's shocking run to a seventh title unfolded in the closing laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway, USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James are left to wonder how many more championships are in the star's future. Plus, a closer look at Carl Edwards' act of sportsmanship at one of the lowest points of his career. And why Tony Stewart's last race fulfilled the three-time champion's wishes.

Jeff Gluck welcomes Dustin Long of NBC Sports in this week's edition. We chat with race winner Joey Logano from victory lane at Phoenix, where he proclaims he will win his first Sprint Cup title. Plus, how he lost his wedding ring for a second time. Gluck and Long break down how the final laps unfolded, sending Matt Kenseth home early and giving Kyle Busch a chance to go back-to-back. They also offer their insights into who has the edge at Homestead - Logano, Busch, Jimmie Johnson or Carl Edwards.

Brant James welcomes special guest Holly Cain from NASCAR.com on this week's edition of Start Your Engines. They discuss Carl Edwards' timely strategy in the rain at Texas and how feisty drivers may get at Phoenix this weekend as just two slots remain in the championship race. Will reigning titlist Kyle Busch make it? And what of Kevin Harvick, who has proven unbeatable at Phoenix recently?

NBC Sports' Nate Ryan joins USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck in this week's episode that features an analysis of why Jimmie Johnson's win at Martinsville means much more than a run at title No. 7. Also, a look at the chances for Joe Gibbs Racing and defending champion Kyle Busch to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup final. The Toyotas looked strong as the Chase opened, but now the team is showing cracks. And what should fans make of the extended scoring snafu? Why NASCAR should have thrown a red flag.

Talladega Superspeedway didn't offer 'The Big One' this time around, but there were surprises nonetheless. From engine woes that struck two of the heavy favorites for the championship to the drivers that advanced to the Round of 8 in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James give their take now that the smoke has cleared.

USA TODAY Sports' Brant James welcomes special guest Nick Bromberg of Yahoo Sports in this week's edition. Also, James chats with Kansas winner Kevin Harvick and crew chief Rodney Childers from victory lane and asks how much longer this team can keep pulling out victories in must-win situations. Plus, why didn't Brad Keselowski follow his own advice?

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James break down an exciting day at Charlotte, which saw Jimmie Johnson clinch a berth in the third round of the Chase after breaking a 24-race winless streak with a victory in the Bank of America 500. But the first race of the second round was not so kind to many other title hopefuls including Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin.

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James welcome Dover race winner Martin Truex Jr. from victory lane, dissect the first round of Chase for the Sprint Cup eliminations and look ahead to what the next round might bring.

Is a second Sprint Cup title in the cards for Kevin Harvick? It seems it could be after his performance Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and guest Matt Weaver share insights on why Harvick seems to excel in these pressure-packed moments. Plus, who will miss the 12-driver cut at Dover? And why are teams worried about post-race inspection more than ever?

The USA TODAY Sports team of Brant James, Heather Tucker and Chris Jenkins summarize the dominant victory by Simon Pagenaud at Sonoma Raceway to clinch the IndyCar championship for the Frenchman. Brant, Heather and Chris talk about Pagenaud wrapping up the title, Will Power's uphill battle, Team Penske as the king of the mountain and memories from the 2016 season. They also discuss the state of IndyCar after another year and their front-runners for 2017. In a sitdown with Brant, Pagenaud candidly talks about bringing his A game to every race and driving under pressure. And, of course, his dog Norman. Subscribe, rate and review the podcast on iTunes. Follow us on Twitter @brantjames, @HeatherR_Tucker and @ByChrisJenkins.

Martin Truex Jr. won the opening race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup but shortly afterwards, the Furniture Row racer failed post-race inspection. And he wasn't the only one. Six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson led a race-high 118 laps before he was penalized for speeding on pit road and later failed inspection. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and special guest Jordan Bianchi of SB Nation break down all the action from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 and where the drivers stand heading into the second race of the Chase.

USA TODAY Sports’ Brant James is joined by Chris Jenkins and The Indianapolis Star‘s Curt Cavin for a breakdown of the IndyCar season finale at Sonoma Raceway. It will be a two-car race for the finish, with Team Penske teammates Simon Pagenaud and Will Power vying for this year’s Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Brant, Chris and Curt weigh in on that and more. Subscribe to and rate us on iTunes. Follow us on Twitter @brantjames, @ByChrisJenkins and @curtcavin.

The Sprint Cup season has reached the home stretch - a 10-race run to the title that in the past has proven exciting, volatile and unpredictable. If the regular-season finale was any indication, this season's playoff promises more of the same. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck and Brant James explore the rekindling of feuds, the shocking Ryan Newman rant against former boss and teammate Tony Stewart, and give their picks to make the four-driver finale. Will anyone have the horsepower to beat Toyota, which has dominated so far?

Brant James talks to reigning IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, who had a dominating run at Watkins Glen to score his second victory of the season. Then James, Curt Cavin and Chris Jenkins break down the championship implications after Will Power, who is second in points, crashed and was determined to have a concussion. If Power is healthy, he can still catch points leader and Team Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud for the crown. Either way, owner Roger Penske has locked up the title in his 50th year in racing. Subscribe to and rate us on iTunes. Follow us on Twitter @brantjames, @curtcavin and @ByChrisJenkins.

NBC Sports' Nate Ryan joins USA TODAY Sports' Mike Hembree in this week's NASCAR podcast. The focus is Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sport's most popular driver, and whether he will - or should - return to the race car after a sobering news conference in which his doctors stressed their 'goal is to see him become a human being again.' The duo also lends clarity to the Chase for the Sprint Cup picture heading into Richmond and Martin Truex Jr.'s win in the Southern 500.

Chris Jenkins is joined by IndyCar team owner Bryan Herta to discuss this weekend's race at Watkins Glen International: the IndyCar Grand Prix at The Glen. The two discuss the track and its surroundings, and the landscape this time of year. They also talk about Alexander Rossi, Michael Andretti and being a race car owner versus being a race car driver. Subscribe to and rate us on iTunes.

Graham Rahal makes his debut on the podcast after scoring his first victory of the season, edging James Hinchcliffe in the closest IndyCar finish in Texas Motor Speedway history. Brant James interviews Rahal and joins Curt Cavin and Chris Jenkins to break down the thrilling closing laps, the close calls, the long delay and what to expect in the final two races of the season. Subscribe to and rate us on iTunes. Follow us on Twitter @brantjames, @curtcavin and @ByChrisJenkins.

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Gluck welcomes Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press in this week's Start Your Engines podcast. The duo examines the emotional win by Kyle Larson at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday and Chase Elliott's phenomenal rookie year. How far can Larson go in his first Chase for the Sprint Cup? And who will make the finale and win the title?