Netflix has been on a roll with sports docuseries lately. They’ve given sports enthusiasts gems like “Formula One: Drive to Survive,” the NFL-focused “Quarterback,” and the golf-centered “Full Swing.” They even brought the six-part series “Race: Bubba Wallace“ in 2022. And now, the platform is hitting the gas on another motorsport adventure, spotlighting the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

On Wednesday, Netflix, NASCAR Studios, and Words + Pictures announced the launch date for the latest addition to their sports lineup, “NASCAR: Full Speed.” The streaming giant also dropped the first teaser for the eagerly-awaited documentary series. As it zoomed onto social media, Bubba Wallace quickly spotted something about his teammate’s appearance in the teaser and couldn’t resist tossing a light-hearted remark into the mix.

Fire that intern: Bubba Wallace on teaser’s opening scene

The trailer for Netflix’s latest sports docuseries kicks off with ESPN journalist Marty Smith setting the tone: “When you’re at the racetrack, the overall sensory experience, the way it sounds, is intoxicating. If you’re a race car driver, you have the opportunity to get hurt or killed — but you do it anyway. Think about what a bada** that is.”

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But what really caught Bubba Wallace’s eye was his teammate, Tyler Reddick, stealing the spotlight in the first frame. Wallace, after catching the trailer on Instagram, couldn’t resist a cheeky comment: “Just had to put him in the opening scene🤬 fire that intern.” It looked like a playful poke, showing a bit of a faux-jealousy on social media.

Set to premiere on January 30, the show will unfold over five 45-minute episodes. It’s all about the journey to Ryan Blaney’s first championship through the 10-race playoffs. Expect to see a lineup of stars including Blaney, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, and Ross Chastain.

The heart of the series is the playoff races, but it’s more than just track action. “NASCAR: Full Speed” promises an insider’s peek into the lives of the drivers, their families, and the behind-the-scenes hustle each week of the season. NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the big names behind the scenes, serving as an executive producer alongside NASCAR Studios’ Ben Kennedy, Tim Clark, Matt Summers, and Tally Hair. They’re teamed up with Words + Pictures’ Connor Schell, Libby Geist, and Aaron Cohen.

Dale Earnhardt Jr himself pointed out, ”The intensity of the elimination format in the NASCAR playoffs is unlike anything else in motorsports.” Meanwhile, Connor Schell, CEO of Words + Pictures, highlighted, “Playoffs provide the perfect dramatic backdrop to tell a story filled with tons of tension and unforgettable characters. After months of shadowing these drivers, he’s eager to usher both die-hard and casual fans into the exhilarating racing world.

As for Bubba Wallace, already the focus of his own series that won Emmy awards, he might have half-expected or playfully hoped to be the teaser’s main attraction.

#23’s Netflix series scored a Sports Emmy Award

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“Race: Bubba Wallace”, the gripping Netflix series that delved into NASCAR’s own Bubba Wallace, raced to the finish line with a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary Series (Serialized). This six-episode journey dives deep into Wallace’s life as the sole Black driver in the high-octane world of NASCAR’s Cup Series. It captured his bold stand to ban the Confederate flag from racing events, resonating with the wider calls for social justice sweeping the nation, and tracks his quest for his first big win in NASCAR’s elite league.

Throughout the series, Wallace was seen opening up about his roots and the hurdles he’s faced as a Black driver in a sport traditionally dominated by white athletes. The series doesn’t shy away from tough topics, putting a spotlight on Wallace’s mental health battles. He’s been candid about his fight with depression, confessing to reporters in 2019 how the pressure of competition only intensified his struggles.

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But it’s not all uphill. The series also celebrates his milestones with 23XI Racing, marking his triumph as the second Black driver to clinch a win in the NASCAR Cup Series. It’s a historic moment, echoing Wendell Scott’s achievement back in 1963, as Wallace became the first Black driver to win in NASCAR’s top series since then.