Zilly Season

We react to Conor Zilisch landing the future Hendrick 48 ride and what it means for Trackhouse, Alex Bowman, and the long game at HMS — including whether Zilisch should keep the No. 88 or step into Jimmie Johnson's shoes. From there: is it finally Joey time, or is Logano's late surge a mirage? We break down Richmond — was it actually a good race, does NASCAR's short-track package still need fixing, and did being at the track beat watching on TV? Plus truck race frustration and distorted driver development, a playoff bubble check, Hocevar's bizarre money shift vs. Larson's dirt obsession, a Lights Too Bright rant on parking and event-day logistics, Bubba Wallace's fading speed, a defense of IndyCar's latest race, and closing DC race skepticism with schedule complaints and predictions.