NASCAR: Full Speed Episode 1 Review – World’s Most Competitive Motorsport Unveils Buildup to Historic Daytona Track’s Playoffs War

The much-awaited Netflix documentary series NASCAR: Full Speed is out now. Netflix built the hype around it through glimpses of the documentary with its teaser and official trailer, and it is safe to say the anticipation is deserved. Sure, NASCAR’s previous partnerships with content platforms have been insightful, but NASCAR: Full Speed might just have beaten them by a considerable distance.

The first episode of the series, ‘Playoffs or Bust,’ sheds the spotlight beautifully on the experiences of a NASCAR Cup Series driver. The episode encompasses the pressure of qualifying for the playoffs with the regular season finale at the Daytona International Speedway in the backdrop. Among drivers, the primary focus was on the daily lives of Denny Hamlin and William Byron, two of the best-performing drivers in 2023.

Netflix’s expert direction blends well with NASCAR’s heart-pounding races

If the trailer was anything to go by, people should have assumed that Netflix did its thing. Captivating frames and camera angles that add to the build-up of seriousness is one of the most notable aspects of Netflix’s productions. NASCAR: Full Speed is definitely a well-executed example of the same. The episode begins with Denny Hamlin and his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, engaged in a serious pep talk.

Gabehart says, “You only get so many shots. We only get so many shots. We will race respectful, but we will race hard.” Well, some people would disagree with Gabehart’s advice, considering how the fandom has perceived Hamlin as a driver. The frame then shifts towards an emotional moment involving William Byron and his parents by the trackside at Martinsville. These instances show Netflix’s intricate detailing of a driver’s emotional dynamics and relationship with their loved ones.

The camera shots create a satisfying contrast between the different aspects of racing in NASCAR. On one hand, it portrays the mental fortitude of a driver going into one of the biggest races of his career and on the other, it focuses on their excitement. With the bustling crowds and revving engines in the background, the unbridled action of NASCAR could not have been introduced any better.

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An excellent portrayal of the build-up to the playoff bubble battle at Daytona

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One of the talking points in the first episode of NASCAR: Full Speed is the excitement of the 2023 regular-season finale at the Daytona International Speedway. Arriving at the season’s final race, Bubba Wallace and Ty Gibbs were the two drivers who locked horns for a spot in the playoffs. With Bubba holding on to the final and 16th playoff spot, Ty Gibbs needed to produce something magical to cut the 32-point deficit.

Denny Hamlin is one of the drivers who ended up at a crossroads due to the bubble battle. Being the owner of Bubba’s #23 car and a teammate of the #54 driver, Ty Gibbs, Hamlin was forced to choose a side. When Hamlin revealed his allegiance on his podcast, Actions Detrimental, claiming that he’d push for Bubba’s qualification as a team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr sighed with a scoff, “Denny can’t tell a lie.”

As the episode progressed, Netflix displayed a combination of broadcast and dashcam angles to depict the scenarios in the season finale. With Ty Gibbs crashing early at Daytona, Bubba was the favorite to claim the last playoff spot. An unexpected winner could have dashed his dreams, but eventually, he held his fort to cross the line.

As the camera showed the post-race state of various teams in the garage, JGR team owner Joe Gibbs congratulated Bubba Wallace on his deserved qualification. Michael Jordan joined an incredible display of sportsmanship by Mr. Gibbs and emphasized the importance of looking forward to an optimistic future.

A deep dive into the unknown side of NASCAR’s heel, Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin has grown into one of NASCAR’s most hated personalities. Fans have booed him, drivers have shared bad blood with him, and all this while his eternal championship chase seems to be never ending. However, NASCAR: Full Speed talks about another side of Denny Hamlin that lies in the shadow.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is the first in the series’ spotlight. The kinder side of a father takes the front seat as NASCAR’s villain is left on the racetrack. As the frame moves to Hamlin’s house, he can be seen waking up early in the morning to take his daughters to school. Hamlin’s younger daughter, Molly, is a budding race car driver who is later seen taking control of the steering wheel in Denny Hamlin’s lap.

Speaking about the effect he wants to have on his daughter amid the undue criticism, Denny states that he wants his daughters to create their own identity. Despite being among the few drivers to have won 50 NASCAR races, he has had to struggle for it. In his words, “I fu**ing earned it.” These minute details about the persona of a driver are one aspect of the documentary that has stood out.

Speaking about personas, Hamlin firmly responds to his critics, saying, “That’s fine. That’s my persona.” Hamlin’s good friend and NASCAR Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt Jr, is one of the narrating voices in the backdrop of the episode. Applauding Hamlin’s role in growing the sport, he claims, “For our sport to have success, it has to have people like Denny Hamlin.”

Famous sports journalist Marty Smith then takes the stage. Denny Hamlin’s career could be summarized as a perennial championship drought. Despite coming close to claiming the championship, Hamlin has failed time and time again. While he clears the air around his perception of the big trophy missing from his cabinet, Smith states, “Denny wants that championship more than he wants oxygen.”

Considering how Denny Hamlin has strived toward the championship race year after year, Marty Smith’s comment is understandable. However, the path to the championship is filled with obstructions. The focus then shifts to one of the biggest thorns in Hamlin’s path, William Byron.

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Netflix unravels the sport’s next superstar, William Byron, with a touch of emotion

William Byron is the prodigal successor of the iconic #24 car. His dominance in the 2023 season was reminiscent of his predecessor and Hendrick Motorsports chairman, Jeff Gordon. However, the 26-year-old has had an unorthodox rise to prominence that took a lot of effort and determination. In one of the scenes, Byron reveals that he had been to his residence in North Carolina for only seven days in July.

Staying away from your loved ones for prolonged periods is one of the demerits of being a NASCAR driver. The hectic schedule can often take a toll on drivers. Byron’s fiancee and 2023 champion Ryan Blaney‘s sister, Erin Blaney, takes center stage shortly, revealing the early days of her relationship with Byron. Blaney has been a constant pillar of support for the youngster, and the four-year-long relationship will take a different shape soon.

FOX Sports host Shannon Spake speaks of William Byron’s incredible journey as she expressed disbelief at an iRacing simulation gamer growing to a championship contender in years. Byron’s love for iRacing is something not many fans would know about. He has used iRacing as a hobby since his childhood and, with age, turned into a skilled player at it.

Further, team owner Rick Hendrick reveals the story of his first interaction with Byron. The young aspiring NASCAR driver who had once promised to race for HMS had realized his potential and experienced the best season of his career in 2023. As Rick Hendrick says, “He was really worth working on.”

The multiple storylines with different challenges that lead to a single goal is well-depicted by Netflix. The series-opener is the perfect episode to get a non-NASCAR fan hooked to roaring engines and the raw pace of the sport. Have you wanted it yet?