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F1 Miami Predictions & Talladega Recap- SPECIAL GUEST · The Apex

• The Apex F1 Podcast: Hello everybody and welcome back to another episode of the Apex Podcast. I am Meredith and I will be steering the ship today. I have my usual co-host with me today, Paul. How are you today? Paul: doing great. NASCAR race was phenomenal. I can't wait to talk about it. I hope everybody is having a great weekend. Happy Sunday, everybody. The Apex F1 Podcast: More importantly than Paul, even though we love Paul and we're so happy he's here, we have very special guest this week. We have Alex on track joining us this week. So Alex, how are you today? AlexOnTracl: I'm doing freaking phenomenal. Happy Sunday everybody. Sunday fun day, so we're doing it big. NASCAR race was phenomenal. I hope everybody enjoyed it. So cheers to y'all. The Apex F1 Podcast: We are doing it, dude. Cheers. Cheers to an incredible Talladega weekend. Like, a way to send off our Sunday into an incredible work week. I'm just above, ⁓ over the moon right now. ⁓ Paul: Red Bull. Alex, Meredith and I have discussed that we have to go to Talladega one day. We have to rent an RV and we need to go to Talladega and just live it up. The Apex F1 Podcast: I want one of those motorized coolers. I want to do a full custom motorized cooler. And if I don't pass some people rolling around on my cooler that I'm like, hey, you want a shotgun? And they're like, yeah. Then I don't feel like I got Aladega. Paul: Thank AlexOnTracl: just holler nets of people off the cooler. Look, there's a lot of races on the NASCAR calendar, but Talladega is one of two that I think that people just have to experience. If you haven't experienced Talladega, you haven't experienced racing live. The other one has to be Daytona in my opinion. What do you guys think? Paul: What's the other one? 100%. 100%. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, we're big Daytona fans. Big Daytona fans. Paul: I would agree. The Apex F1 Podcast: I mean, I'm basically willing to attend them all. not discriminating at this point. I will attend any and every NASCAR race. I'm to go to the Poconos, you know? Let's see what's up. Like, you never know. AlexOnTracl: Yeah. I will do for the exception of Bristol. Don't take me to Bristol. I don't want to go to Bristol. Paul: Why? The Apex F1 Podcast: Really? Because Rizwan was like at the top for me. AlexOnTracl: Mm-hmm, know and most short tracks just aren't I feel like short tracks just aren't a spot and then like the traffic Like, you know, if I want to see traffic, I'm gonna go downtown, you know what saying? I'm not trying to go to a NASCAR race to see traffic, you know, so Don't take me to short tracks super speedways and everything else all day. Let's go The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay. All day. All day. Okay. Well, we respect those opinions and we're here for it. I'd love to hear more. Just like do your little intro. Tell us about how you got into motorsports, how you got into creating content, your YouTube series. Like we would just love to hear about the origin of Alex on Track. Paul: Okay, I get that. AlexOnTracl: Ha! Okay, so as you guys know, my name is Alex on track. I've been creating motorsports content for about a year. that's phenomenal And way it all occurred was easy one one Saturday night. I was at home a little bit bored it was of ⁓ late at and ⁓ there was on TV and I was flipping the channels and somehow I across F1 and It was Australian Grand Prix last year And I ended up down watching that and next thing, you know, here we are a year later and I've been creating content ever since. I just fell love at first sight, you know? Paul: Now, fruit. The Apex F1 Podcast: That's awesome. What made you feel like, I don't just want to watch this. Like I want to engage with this in a different way and like connect with other people about it. Like it something particular about that race or you were just like, I gotta talk about this. AlexOnTracl: I think it was like a combination of things like number one, like hearing some of the stories for what was happening with some of the drivers that I knew nothing about. So it was that, and then it was seeing good racing. was race, it was raining at that race and had your crass like in the first lap. The Apex F1 Podcast: It's like trauma flashbacks. AlexOnTracl: Yeah. And the rest of it, phenomenal race. So I don't know, something about it just grew equity within me. And I was like, we have to just start talking about this. And then I think it was a lot of it too, like no one in my friend group at that time was into motorsports. So it just started turning into the thing where I was talking a lot about it to them. So I was like, Hey, if there's this amount of people that don't know about it, like maybe I can get it out to other people as well. And we've been doing it ever since. Paul: You know, it's interesting because you're relatively within the same age group as the rest of us are. you just started a year ago with all of us. was drive to survive is really what got us into it. COVID was really what got us into it. And we were stuck home. And you, was like a year ago is what got you into it. So it's just interesting to see someone else's perspective that just got into it. So, so recent. AlexOnTracl: you The Apex F1 Podcast: also love that you're debunking the myth that you have to be a lifelong fan to like be worthy of being in this space. I think there are so many people in the motorsport space that are like, well, if you're not a lifer, then you're not a real fan. And I think that like all of us here prove that you can get into motorsport at any given time and jump right into loving it and be a huge fan and be knowledgeable about it. And like you deserve to be in the space. think that's, I think that's like something I come up against all the time. They're like, well, how long have you been following? AlexOnTracl: What Haha The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ I've watched my entire life and I'm like, a couple of years and I love it. And I have people who just got into it a month ago, a year ago and love it just as much. And that doesn't make them any less of a fan. And in fact, it like makes me feel even more connected when they're like newer fan like we all. Those lungs are getting you man. You go that. Paul: He is struggling with it today. No, no, do your thing. And I think gatekeepers really need to shut up because you can be a fan, you know, watching today's NASCAR race and falling into it and just want to talk about it and record yourself doing it. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ yeah, I was gonna say, let me go get a cough drop because I'm acting up. So I'm sorry. Let me go get one. The Apex F1 Podcast: Right. Imagine if Talladega 2026 was the first race you ever watched. I'd be like, I'm sold on NASCAR. And in fact, like, I feel like this is a pivotal moment and how I get other people into NASCAR because so many people just like have a bias about NASCAR because they think it's a lower grade series or whatever is compared to those that like Formula One. And I feel like today's race at Talladega is a really great example to show like how competitive it is, how anything can change in an instant and how I mean, like you and I talked about it, like had things not happened the way they did, Carson Hosevar might not have gotten his first win. So it's kind of like, you know, it's this, this is what they should watch. Paul: And, and that. And I was that guy that, NASCAR is stupid. It's just 30 cars going around in a circle. There's no, there's nothing behind it. It's not, it's not fun. But when you like really watch it, when you sit down, the strategy behind it, the figuring out when to pit, the getting the fuel, the throttle, I mean, there's so much behind it that just keeps you. keeps you engaged and keeps you wanting to keep watching. And I really like that they've broken it up into stages. So it's a little more digestible of a watch because it can get, it does get really long. It's a three hour, it's a three hour marathon to sit there for hours. And yeah, so, but it is digestible. And if you can just break it up into small pieces and focus on one thing, really does make things easier. The Apex F1 Podcast: I love the stages. I agree. And I think that, you know, because I am a newer fan of NASCAR and like this is just what I know, like I love it. I love the stage format. I love having the competition to win stage points, how close it gets right there at the end. You know, it's like you almost get three pushes for a race within one race. So I feel like the value for what I get in my time spent watching the race is worth so much with a NASCAR race. And then like even following the other series in the NASCAR series, whether it's Xfinity, Arca, Truck Series, like There's just some other really cool racing going on within NASCAR that I've really grown to love and appreciate and doesn't diminish my love for F1 or IndyCar or WEC at all, but I just feel like there's something in me that just really, really loves and enjoys NASCAR. Paul: And I think for me too, personalities behind it really, gravitate you to it because Carson Hocevar is very outspoken and he's very much like, I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to drive. And I'm trying say F1 doesn't quite have that, but all those F1 drivers are very polished in the way they talk. The Apex F1 Podcast: They're very buttoned up. Paul: Yeah, as to where NASCAR is just unhinged, you'll see them throwing hands on pit land and that's, it's so cool to watch that. The Apex F1 Podcast: I think that's what I appreciate though. Like it's just real. Like NASCAR is real, raw, unpolished, unedited, true motorsport. And I love it. And I love that the commentators today brought up the comment that that other guy made that motorsports drivers aren't real athletes this week. I was like. Paul: It's raw. Hey, Stephen A Smith, right here buddy. Stephen A Smith, here you go bud. But Alex, the big thing that I want to ask, so you've been watching this for, we say a calendar year? ⁓ AlexOnTracl: Hahaha The Apex F1 Podcast: Respectfully. Respectfully. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, at least maybe maybe like a year and a couple months. Yeah. So what's up? What you got? Paul: Okay. Have you have favorite team favorite driver and F1? AlexOnTracl: ⁓ yeah, yeah. As you can tell by my background, I'm very heavily influenced by Red Bull. And that's across several mortar series. So for super cars, same thing. I love the Red Bull cars from NASCAR team track house obviously for F1 Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Like how do you not just love Verstappen, right? know, Paul, you might even agree with this part. So ⁓ Paul: That's a dumb answer. God, I hate this. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ no! Fall open a can of worms! AlexOnTracl: I feel like Max has made a career out of being a heel and being a bad guy. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yes, I literally said that last week, Alex. I agree. AlexOnTracl: Yeah. And for some reason, everybody's seeing his struggles last, last, you know, ⁓ season, you know, seeing what the team went through, seeing what Max went through, being down over a hundred points, know, Kimmy crashing Mount early in the season and then him trying to make this miraculous comeback. just, love a Cinderella story and it's hard to say that when you have four world titles. However, ⁓ I it, you know, the story was just kind of going there and you know, people always say America loves drama. I think the world loves drama. Mm-hmm. The Apex F1 Podcast: I also think that part of what aided his comeback story last year was also that everybody getting to see the real human tangible side of him. Like he has been a father figure to Penelope for all these years, but then for him to have a baby right before Miami last year, like literally a year ago this weekend, was getting ready to have his own first child. ⁓ I think people getting to see that side of him other than the villain edit, villain era that he played. narrative that he played into. think that really put the humanization to him and I think it allowed people to see him as like he is a real person too. ⁓ he is more than just an incredible driver, he's an incredible person too. ⁓ then all of a sudden it's like all the narratives change from like used to be everybody like, ⁓ really hate Max except Danny, blah, blah, blah. And now all of a sudden it's like, no. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: You The Apex F1 Podcast: Max has always been the one that's taken all the rookies under his wings. He checks on them. He makes sure they're okay. You look at every one of the F1 drivers, the events, he's always making sure the rookies are taken care of. He's very close friends with all of them. So I think it was more than just the driving behavior last year that got people to buy back into Max Verstappen. It was the whole life too that just completely evolved for AlexOnTracl: could not agree more with you. think it just painted a more wholesome picture. People had this idea of him just being this rough around the edges guy that just happens to people off in the middle of the apex, right? And it turns out that that's always the case, you know? The Apex F1 Podcast: I've been many years. well i'm now eating my words because i- i felt that way about liam lawson too i felt like i- like i called him dennis the menace and now i'm like eating my words because i met somebody and their son met him and said he was the kindest nicest guy on the planet and i'm like well FUCK COME ON i really wanna pay him Paul: Especially because we're such huge fans of Checo there's been bad blood between the both of them. So it's like you had to... ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: You are a huge fan of Checo. I respect Checo. There is a firm difference. You are a huge fan of Checo. I respect Checo. I've been able to distinguish and discern that my dislike of Checo was actually really about me just missing Danny and Max being together. I've been able, it's taken time, it's taken reflection. I have grown, but it was never about Checo. It was just about me missing Danny and Max being together. Paul: So Alex, know Formula One and NASCAR. Do you follow IndyCar and other series? ⁓ AlexOnTracl: Followed supercars not not Indy car as much supercars. I feel like the racing is just friggin phenomenal So I watch a lot of supercars and that's the old Australian V8 supercar series you guys familiar. ⁓ My goodness you guys are missing out so it's pretty much just Mustangs Camaros and Supras They're just big V8s that race really fast and some of the some of the tracks over in Australia New Zealand are ridiculous like there's this one called Paul: What's... Freak... ⁓ no. The Apex F1 Podcast: No. AlexOnTracl: And I might murder the name here, it's called Barth, Bartworth. think it's it's I might be messing up how to explain. Yeah. But they're racing up and down the mountain. I mean, you know, it's phenomenal racing and all the big names are in there as far as like sponsors, you know, Monster, Red Bull. I mean, they're all there and they produce talent. like SVG from NASCAR came over from super cars. The Apex F1 Podcast: Feels right. Feels right to me. didn't realize that. That's awesome. I'm a huge SVG fan here. Road course king. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, I'm a big SVG guy myself. mean, being drama. The Apex F1 Podcast: If Paul's ever here Googling supercar racing, he's like, I've got to start with all your spare time, with all your spare time, Paul: percent. AlexOnTracl: You Paul: with all Maxmo time. AlexOnTracl: Yeah. The Apex F1 Podcast: always joke, you know, like my mom was like trying to get me to watch NHRA drag and she's super into drag racing and I'm like, mom, I have such limited time that I can't take on a whole nother motorsport right now. I can't, I can't do it. ⁓ then I hear about racing series, like supercar racing and it's like, I just love consuming every ounce of it. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: Hmm. Ho! The Apex F1 Podcast: I was just reading a magazine during stage two of the NASCAR race and I literally saw a statistic that said those that have hobbies they invest in and spend time like procuring knowledge, participating in, being a fan of whatever, live on average four to seven years longer. So I like to think that all this love of motorsport we have is just really counterbalancing the drinking and extending our life, okay? ⁓ Paul: We're gonna live forever. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, with the amount of laughing and the amount of motorsport stuff that we do, % will live forever. I mean, you know, it's science. It's science. Paul: Unless you're a Ferrari fan and then it's taking years off your life. The Apex F1 Podcast: I feel like I should really start wearing my Apple watch when I watch races, go to races, stuff like that. I'm sure my heart rate would make it look like I'm doing an F45 class or something. I was just pounding the island screaming, like the last lap of the NASCAR race. I'm jumping up and down in my kitchen, losing it. So we could call it fitness. We could collectively, as a group, decide that our motorsport investment and excitement is fitness. Paul: Ed Mike? AlexOnTracl: Right, right. Plus, feel like Ferrari fans kind of know what they're getting themselves into because we always talk about red flags in people, Well, Ferrari's color's red, right? I mean, if there's not a bigger red flag, you know, I don't know what to tell you. The only thing that I know is that everybody that I know that's a Ferrari fan happens to be amazing people, Paul: Absolutely. The Apex F1 Podcast: You're not going do anything with me, are you? Yeah, good save there. Good save there, Alex. AlexOnTracl: Unlike McLaren fans, so don't get me started on those. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ well, tough titties because I'm Ferrari and McLaren. I'm your worst nightmare. like, I am your worst nightmare. am diehard McLaren and Ferrari. ⁓ Paul: It is. AlexOnTracl: No, I'm just joking. I'm pretty sure I came across one of your videos where you were decked out of McLaren gear, so I'm just joking. And I think you might have been in the video where Leo showed me where she told Zach Brown, have a good day. The Apex F1 Podcast: literally like she was so cool, calm and collected and I'm like, you know, there's flight, flight fighter freeze. Well, I found out I am freeze because in those moments I'm all ⁓ like he, he walked by me and I was like, Leah's videoing and I'm like, Hey, you know, I'm like, I couldn't do anything and she's all have a good day and I'm all Paul: was. Yeah, why didn't you ask for a picture? That would have been a perfect time to be like, hey, can we get a picture? The Apex F1 Podcast: Again, went to the back of the brain, my reptilian brain said, freeze, stay put, you are not cool, and collected like you think you are. So it was not time. Plus remember, McLaren was running late to the grid. That's my excuse, I'll die on. AlexOnTracl: Well look, either way, at least you got to be in front of him for a little bit and kind of tell him to have a good day. I think if given the opportunity to tell him anything, I would have been like, yo, tell me about these papaya rules. What are they exactly? Break it down for The Apex F1 Podcast: yeah, I would love to have a wherewithal to have that conversation. just, I just learned it's not me. I'm not that girl. I'm a content creator on like back of the house side of stuff. Like I could, like when I watch these content creators that go do like race days and stuff like that and interact with drivers, I'm sure maybe you like eventually just like toughen up your skin and level up to it. It's not me. the, the weekend I decided I wanted to start creating content was I went to WEC at CODA. Paul: He doesn't even know what they are. The Apex F1 Podcast: And it was the Lone Star Le Mans I thought it was ready for it. It was cool, calm and collected. My friend Gary went with me because my husband was out of town. I walked down to do the driver meet and greet stuff because we bought the spirit club, which is like the paddock pass of Weck. And walked down, I turned and I'm talking to Gary telling him all the people I want to go see and meet and the autographs I want to get. And the first person I see, 10 feet from me, is Nick DeVries. We make direct contact. I panic, I freeze, I yell howdy and go like this. AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! The Apex F1 Podcast: I and I literally have a video of me going howdy and like this and Nick is just looking at me like And I like I have an image of him being like and I'm like, nope turn this ship around We're not gonna turn it around. We're gonna try this in a minute. Did I go back by that table? Absolutely not we turned around came back down restarted skip that table real quick. So it's not me AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! ⁓ So that was it for you then. Paul: You're so embarrassing. So embarrassing. The Apex F1 Podcast: That's it. Yeah, just like, I'm not cool. I know it. I'm okay with it. Paul: Yeah, that's a nice thing about IndyCar too. I went to my first one last year in Nashville. All the drivers were super approachable. It's super nice. Like I up to numerous of them and asked for pictures and none of them gave me a hard time about it it was super cool. Even had a little chit chat with Pato. It was super cool. The Apex F1 Podcast: didn't give them a share. AlexOnTracl: I think that's one of the things that would get me into it is just accessibility to the paddock and the drivers. Paul: Yes, for I will tell you, I will tell you, got into I got into IndyCar a few years ago and I had the opportunity to go to Nashville last year with my brother. For the price and the access that IndyCar gives you. The Apex F1 Podcast: Mind blowing. Mind Paul: was astonishing. mean, I can send you pictures. I was within an arm's length of the vehicles. I was within arm's length of the garages. You can go up to the mechanics and ask questions. made you feel, ⁓ long as you were within the lines and you didn't overstep your boundaries, nobody made you feel dumb or anything. was super, just the access that you get was really made me a much bigger fan because we to F1 in Austin. and you don't get quite near the access that you do in IndyCar. that's just why I love IndyCar a lot more. AlexOnTracl: No. Right, right. But I feel like, you know, across the sports, you know, you go to an MLB game and then you go to, you know, your local AAA affiliate. I mean, it's night and day, right? You know, it's completely different. And that's kind of the same thing with IndyCar, except that, you know, IndyCar probably doesn't appreciate being called a AAA affiliate, right? Because they're their own, they're their own brand and their own thing. So, know, shout out to IndyCar, you know, you guys are not AAA affiliates. But I'm just saying that, you know, there's a, there's a, there's a big gap there, right? So, but way. Some of the racing that I saw for IndyCar that I've seen this year, because this is my first year watching IndyCar, been freaking great. And I love the windshields. I'm a fan of the windshields. The Apex F1 Podcast: I think it makes a huge difference too. I also just feel like there's something about the way that the cars are designed that makes me feel like it's safer than an F1 car. Like, don't know. I like I've seen a lot of F1 crashes and I've seen some insanely horrific Indy car crashes that if that was an F1 car, that driver would not have survived. Like the one that comes to mind is the Colton Herder crash from last season. Paul, know which one I'm talking about where he just flipped and flipped and flipped. And I was like, if that was an F1 car, that driver would not have survived. Like at all, no bones about it. I mean, I just think that there are so many things that IndyCar does from a safety perspective. And we talked about it a lot last season. The IndyCar safety response team and the way they handle crashes and that kind of stuff is just level bar none. And I think it makes drivers feel more secure. The way the car is developed and designed is ⁓ safety in mind. Not that F1 is not, but I just think there is a particular focus on it with IndyCar that makes the drivers feel a lot more secure. AlexOnTracl: Thank Paul: So Alex, what's the first F1 track that you want to attend to? AlexOnTracl: that I'm in Corpus, I think it has to be coda it has to be coda ⁓ I was in Vegas a few years ago whenever they had the first The Vegas grumpy the first one I happen to be there for an MMA Event one of the UFC events was there and I was covering UFC as a media member then was credentialed be remember for the UFC So I remember just walking around everybody Paul: ahead. AlexOnTracl: They weren't talking UFC. Everybody was talking F1. That was a big thing then. know, the amount of pop-ups then wasn't the amount of pop-ups they have now. even, I mean, the whole town was buzzing. I mean, it such a huge difference. I should have probably gotten into it then, but also my mind was so preoccupied that I didn't think about it. But yeah, I think I have to pick which one I would do first, it has to be Kota. mean, ha. Has to. Paul: It has to be. I will say. The Apex F1 Podcast: Let's remove feasibility from it. Being a Texas girl, love COTA, go every year, every race I can at COTA I go to. Let's remove accessibility, feasibility. If was no issue, travel schedules, none of that was an issue, what would be your dream track to go to? AlexOnTracl: You Monaco all day. that from racing perspective, people are gonna be like, well, it's not the most action packed. Well, for sure, there's no overtakes. For sure it's no overtakes. But how do you deny experiencing Monaco? I mean, they've been doing F1 there for so long. All the drivers live there. I mean, what an experience it is. I just hope I can get on Conor McGregor's yacht and party with him for a little bit. ⁓ Paul: I can't hear anything. The Apex F1 Podcast: Right, that'd be amazing. My husband and I, we went last year, my sister got married in Italy and we went to Monaco after. So we went and stayed in the south of France. We stayed over in Nice and we took the train over. We met, was this like little local winery, called Le Truc, dive bar, dive wine bar. This guy has dive wine bar called Le Truc. If you're ever in Nice, go to Le Truc, naming it now. ⁓ He awesome. He gave us all these recommendations and we were telling him we wanted to go over to Monaco for the day. And he was like, ⁓ AlexOnTracl: Yeah. The Apex F1 Podcast: Absolutely go do and see it. This is the time of year to go do and see he said but don't go today or tomorrow He said you need to go the next day because it's the annual yacht show right now So it's gonna be so busy. So we were like, okay, so we waited two days took the train over We get there all the yachts are still in the port They're breaking down all like the VIP tents and stuff. The f1 drivers were all on a break that weekend so they were all at the event and stuff but getting to see Monaco and like AlexOnTracl: ⁓ my god. The Apex F1 Podcast: We walked the whole track, saw the whole town. It was amazing. I'm so glad we did it because Monaco was awesome. Expensive as hell. Not as expensive as Switzerland though. So people need a bath. Monaco costing a ton because Switzerland's way more. I'm so glad we did it because we got to see the track, walk the track. We did the automobile museum, the princess car collection, which was so dope. Get to see all those cars. But actually, after going and seeing Monaco and seeing how tiny it is, that AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! The Apex F1 Podcast: is actually what made me realize I would not want to spend my money to go to a Monaco race weekend. It's fun to see Monaco. When you are there, you realize how small it actually is. There ain't nowhere to go. It's that. It's that. So if you go and do decide ever, I'll give you a place to stay in Nice and then you can just take the train over with everybody else. But Monaco is beautiful. AlexOnTracl: Paul, what about you? Paul: If money was no option, it's two for me, Japan and Mexico. The Apex F1 Podcast: both on my top three list right now. We're trying to get this in the next. AlexOnTracl: think Japan would be and you Mexico will forever have a special place in my heart but I saw a few of the videos of how they do their like general admission tickets and how they do like where you sit it at and I guess there's like four different sections and whatever section you're in you to stay in that section there's no wandering around and going places. The Apex F1 Podcast: So that's a race where you gotta do a grandstand instead of a general admission. AlexOnTracl: Right, right, right. You would have to do a ⁓ fairly decent ticket if you want to have a good experience because the GA, there is no GA. It's like a sectional GA, if you will. Paul: Yeah. Yeah, but. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, I still I still want to do it I actually feel like I would really like to do Mexico City for the Formula E race because Getting to see the track getting to see the cars on track I feel like a lot of the Formula E driving mechanisms is maybe where Formula One potentially could be headed in terms of driver control over the Mechanisms that they can enable and when they do I would like to see Formula E in Mexico City like that's on my bucket list I don't know about Formula One because I feel like that'd too crazy and I love Mexico City so I feel like I've only had Mexico City on a chill weekend and I feel like I need to recreate another chill weekend and add in a motorsport, so feel like Formula is my choice. Or NASCAR. AlexOnTracl: you So you mentioned Mexico City, right? So number one, me just say this. And is going to be super stereotypical. But my last name is Juarez. So take it for what it is, right? But number one... Yeah. Number one, best street you can get anywhere on planet. That's... No, I'll on that hill all day. Best street food you can get there. So having said that, you talked a little bit about Formula E. Have you seen the new Formula E cars that they dropped a few days ago? Do you guys see that? Paul: Let's do it. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ I didn't realize that. That's awesome. couldn't compare anywhere else. Paul: 27. The Apex F1 Podcast: The fourth edition car is fucking sick. ⁓ Fucking sick. AlexOnTracl: Yeah. Paul: Bad ass motherfuckers. AlexOnTracl: Why didn't they do this like two generations ago? That's the only thing they were lacking was like a decent looking car. The Apex F1 Podcast: Thanks. I'm aggressively in that car and it needing to be great. Sorry guys, my dogs are barking. Someone just rang the doorbell. The danger is real. ⁓ Who the doorbell? Paul: That's all right. Yeah. But, note, I'll be in Mexico City in two weeks and I cannot wait. I'm going, I'm going the f- ⁓ yeah. AlexOnTracl: on a Sunday at 730. ⁓ my God, Go get your cholesterol tracked already, you know? Get a base marker for it now and then go, you know? The Apex F1 Podcast: Win! What two weeks of work? What are you going for, Paul? Paul: I have, my family lives in Mexico City, so I'm visiting family. I'm going the 14th through the 18th. The Apex F1 Podcast: Wait, I thought, I don't know why I thought y'all were doing a resort. I thought y'all were going, I thought y'all were doing like a resort. Paul: We usually do a resort once a year, but they wanted to switch it up and my parents wanted to go visit family. So we're going to Mexico City, like actual Mexico City, and I cannot wait. The Apex F1 Podcast: I'm so jealous! ⁓ I love it. ⁓ I'm so jealous. AlexOnTracl: I have to jump on. I'm jealous as well, dude. I... The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, we're packing our bags, we're joining. AlexOnTracl: I've been been there since I was like 15. And my memories of Mexico City was just like the food, know, it's just phenomenal food. didn't matter what I ate. was mind blowing. Paul: Listen. Listen, family knows that I have a podcast and they're like, if you ever want to come watch a race, you have a place to stay. We'll drive you around. You're Just show up. Done. Yeah. The Apex F1 Podcast: We're about to tap into that. Why have you not made this connection for us before, Paul? AlexOnTracl: Stop it. Paul: No, because we haven't really talked about taking a trip anywhere. But yeah, we ever want to go to Mexico City as a whole. The Apex F1 Podcast: We haven't talked about taking a trip anywhere. That's all they ever talk about, Paul. That's all they ever do is plan travel. Paul: We find Meredith Alex. We can take a trip to Mexico City to watch. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: He's got fun anti-life. Where's she going next? AlexOnTracl: The michelazia over there are much better. The Apex F1 Podcast: They absolutely are. Paul: ⁓ 100%. So Alex, let's get into the meat and potatoes of what I really want to ask you. And I know we talked about pre show that we were going to talk NASCAR first in that Formula One, but fuck it. We have ADHD here. We forget what we were talking. AlexOnTracl: Dude, I had a cough fit earlier, yeah, dude, mean, shout out to Regolas, if it wasn't for that, you know, I'd be in shambles. yeah, let's fucking do it. So yeah, let's get into whatever you want. Shout out to Regolas. The Apex F1 Podcast: Please allow- Paul: Today's episode brought to you by Ricola. So. New regulations. Thoughts. Take it away. AlexOnTracl: Man, new regulations are difficult to talk about because I feel like they're all over the place. So let me kind of say my piece first. There's a lot of purists out there that are gonna go, well, the new regulations, they're just a lot about batteries and you gotta regenerate batteries. And I feel that, I feel that the 50-50 split is not working in my opinion. I feel like something has to be done about that to make them. a little bit and I know 50-50 is balance but what I mean by balance is make it just more like pure racing having to recharge in a corner, right? That being said, the amount of overtakes we've seen this year have been phenomenal. I know some of them are yo-yo overtakes, you know, and I know that they may not be perfect, but the amount of overtakes is still there and for it. So I don't want to see a race where no one's doing anything the way that they qualify, the way they finish. I want to see some overtakes. So I guess to sum up what my opinions are these new regulations is, I'm out to judge. I don't know. I'm not sold. I'm also ain't buying. ⁓ I'm somewhere the middle. sitting on the fence, if you will. What about you guys? ⁓ Paul: Meredith? The Apex F1 Podcast: almost feel the exact same. Like I love competitive on track racing we've had this season. This season has been my most fun that I've had since I started watching six years ago. And I don't want to change any bit of that except for the safety aspect of it. When there are mechanisms outside of the driver's control in their car, that creates an unsafe environment. And I think when drivers are realizing I have to floor it as fast as I can, down the straight and then I have to slam on the brakes really hard because if I slam on the brakes really hard and if I come in super fast, it's going to recharge my battery faster and then I'm going to be able to come out of that turn with more energy. That's not safe. So I feel like there has to be a happy medium. feel like we are moving in the right direction. Paul I talked a little bit about it last week that I think that, you know, step changes in the regulations, like this is a massive step change. The first one was And then, you know, they're going to make some accommodations. They're probably going to make some more throughout the season. But I feel like a year from now, we're going to be in a completely different place of cars where they're really safe. Drivers are used to the regulations and we have really, really, really competitive on track racing. So I know we're going to get there. So I'm kind of just like. I've been more thrilled with the quality of racing in the last four months than I have been in the last six years. So that's my thoughts. Paul, what about you? Paul: have to agree with the both of you. I like that we're getting more overtakes. It's what we've been yelling for for the last few years because it seemed like the most exciting part of a few years ago was qualifying. The way you qualified is the way you finished. And now these days it's kind of switching things up a bit, ⁓ now it seems, ⁓ like Meredith said, we talked about it last episode, it just seems artificial to me. It seems like I don't. ⁓ Last week they came out with the new rules that they changed and it seems like I need an engineering degree to understand what's going on. And I don't like that. the fuck's a KUGHWXYZ? I don't know. And I don't understand it. And they can put it in English and I still have no clue what's going on. I know, but I ⁓ ⁓ Yes, is a lot more analytical than I am. But the average the average fan that Jeff Toonsens on Sundays will have ⁓ no fucking what's going on. AlexOnTracl: you The Apex F1 Podcast: That's what we have Josh for, Paul: And makes it hard to kind of understand. Look NASCAR. It's horsepower, it's tires, it's fuel. Same thing with IndyCar. I mean, yes, IndyCar has that hybrid battery, but it's super easy to understand. You push a button to go a little faster for 89 seconds or however long they give you. And for F1, it just seems way too artificial. But I also am enjoying the action. So I hope they can figure it out. And I don't know. I'm hopeful, but also somewhat skeptical at the same time. AlexOnTracl: Have you guys ever seen that meme of Snoop Dogg where he goes, you know, this mother effort don't miss you ever seen that that meme? Okay, well, you need to look it up. It's a phenomenal meme. The Apex F1 Podcast: I am not. I've a lot of Snoop meetings, just not that one. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, it's a phenomenal meme, but I ask you guys that because references people that don't miss. Well, I feel like when you're an innovator and you're the pinnacle of motorsports, sometimes you're gonna miss. You're not always gonna hit, you're always in a bad 100, if you will. So there's a lot of stuff that they innovate that makes it down to production vehicles, things like the paddle shifters, hybrids, all that stuff. So I feel like that trickles down into production vehicles. And this might have been one of those things where they were trying to... you know, figure something out, maybe like a plug-in 5050 hybrid or do something, you know, Snoop Dogg would not say that they don't miss because I feel like they missed on that one, right? But again, The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, feel like too aggressive of a step change because they're trying to be, you know, carbon neutral by 2030. So I feel like this was their opportunity to take a giant leap, get teams on board and know that they're going to have to make some accommodations before there's another step change up to be able to, or sorry, not carbon neutral, net zero. For them to be net zero by 2030 was an aggressive, bold ambition. And I feel like they knew they had to take a massive step change with this first one. And then they're going to have to AlexOnTracl: Yeah. The Apex F1 Podcast: do some like what they're doing now for Miami throughout this season. feel like I'm right there with you Alex. miss, they're gonna peel it back a little and then little by little they're gonna get there over the next two years. Hi buddy. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ Yeah, and let me just say this, like, I love the Dolphins as much as anybody, right? So shout out to Gero, that's you, big dog, right? But I feel like it's one of those things that, why is F1 trying to be carbon neutral by 2030? Like, in what sense? Like, I feel like if they really cared and they really wanted to do good in the world and save the Dolphins and save the Turtles and all that, there's so many surrounding things that they could do with all the manufacturing that they're doing that would help alleviate some of that versus impacting the racing that we get on the track. they're an entertainment company and by putting out a bad product they're hurting themselves a little bit, right? And again, I'm not sure if it's a bad product quite yet. We're four races in, you know, but it's looking like it's a bad product. We'll see. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, what four races in have already missed 50 % of the seasonal races. AlexOnTracl: Gah. The Apex F1 Podcast: at that is low to keep with the baseball theme. AlexOnTracl: Right, right, right, to keep batting at 100, right? To keep it there, yeah. I mean, it is bad. It is bad. The Apex F1 Podcast: I do think it gives us a really big opportunity though to continue seeing how it goes the rest of the season. You we had our little F1 spring break, we're gonna have an F1 summer break. So I think we're gonna continue to see the drivers give feedback, be very vocal, and I think we'll see it get there. think with being six years into being a fan and this being the most exciting racing I've seen, it's not bad, right? So I know they'll get there. It's just gonna take a lot of feedback and communication. ⁓ I'm really glad, really, really, really glad that we have Carlos Sines and George doing the Grand Prix Drivers Association to really provide an avenue to give structured feedback in an aligned, formatic way, where before last year, just didn't really exist. You know, it was, let us all give you your feedback. Well, now I think more than ever, the GPDA is gonna have an opportunity to give aligned feedback in a structured way that ⁓ it will be heard. And I feel like maybe the amount of voices that were raised early on in the season is the reason we got these changes for Miami. So I'm hopeful, cautiously optimistic. Paul: Listen, if we know anything, we know that Karen George is going to make his opinion heard. That's what we've labeled George Russell, Karen George. The Apex F1 Podcast: But Karen will parent when they need to Karen, you know? AlexOnTracl: I I'm with everybody online. I call him a diva because he is a diva, right? But he's super posh. Paul: He makes it so hard to him. I don't understand. Why he have to be such a whiny little baby all the time? AlexOnTracl: It's an acquired taste. That's just who he is, you know, like. Paul: And I guess you could say the same about Max four years ago. It made it hard to like him, but I don't know. AlexOnTracl: You could say the same about almost everybody. Like I was watching some stuff about, because obviously we have the Miami Grand Prix this time next week. So I was watching some stuff from last year's race and just doing my homework, right? Just trying to kind of absorb as much as I can. And I was seeing some of the stuff about Yuki. And I mean, dude, you want to talk about him ⁓ or that are cry babies and stuff. mean, Yuki needed pebble to go wrong in his way for him and just go off on the race engineers. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: You watch out. You better watch out. I'll fight you over Yuki. AlexOnTracl: For no reason he was just crashing out. Well, hey, don't get me wrong. I love Yuki. I got his car right here. I love Yuki. So, bye. The Apex F1 Podcast: Who has a cat named Yuki? Paul: I have a cat named Yuki. I mean, it's my brother's cat, but hey, his name Yuki. AlexOnTracl: Well, mean, you know, did the cat lose his place at your brother's house? That's why you have him now? Is that what happened? He got demoted. Paul: No. The Apex F1 Podcast: My dog wants so badly to be seen right now, so everybody say hi to Bear. He's literally just like this 13 year old man just like sitting here begging for attention. I'm like, dude, you're 13, go lay down. AlexOnTracl: Hi, Bobby! Paul: Hey buddy! AlexOnTracl: As you want to recall, I'll throw one his way. The Apex F1 Podcast: He might want to recall I mean I don't disagree about Yuki and to me like we talked about this last season Yuki was making such aggressive moves in an attempt to save his career and like they were not smart moves and they didn't pay off and Yuki was not at the level of driving to be able to make those moves ⁓ then we saw the seat change happen, know, we saw everything happen and then Liam was then doing what Yuki was doing before and I'm like can you two not learn like Yuki could have had the world and I hope he still has an opportunity. have a lot of firm beliefs about Yuki's relationship with Honda and the potential for Yuki with Aston Martin in the future. I'm saying it, I firmly in it, ⁓ but I Just like the way he was driving last season was driving scared for a seat and he knew it. And that's, it's a bummer. AlexOnTracl: I agree with you. Like he definitely was trying, but I don't know if he was trying in the right way. and all I mean by that, like as a perfect example if you watch the last race of the year, Lando's a few seconds behind. There's like, I want to say it's like 15 laps left and they're like, Yuki, we expect Lando to catch you in about a lap. So just, you know, FYI, be ready and pull a check on us, right? Defend ⁓ as as you can and go from there. The Apex F1 Podcast: No, definitely not going in the right way. Paul: I know where this is going. Yeah, we remember that one. AlexOnTracl: And he goes, he goes, I know what to do. Leave it to me. You know, I know what to do. Leave it to me. So Yuki was the aggressive driver that we're saying he is, he would have done something. it like, it was like, you know, ⁓ every Lando was like, you know, just from what? Hey, happened? You know, that was it, you know? Yeah. And we're just left like, that was what you meant by leave it to me. I got this, you know. The Apex F1 Podcast: No! Paul: Well, he almost tried to run him off the track, if you remember, Lando did have to go in the grass a smidge. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ my god. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, and he was penalized five seconds for a double a double move, right? So but but again, you know, like I know that you was on older tires. I know Lando was on fresher tires. Lando had a rocket ship. Yuki had the second Red Bull car. So I understand all that. But all I'm trying to say, like, dude, you had at least a lapse notice like you should have been closer to that corner before Lando cut up to you. Or at least had an idea that, hey, this guy's driving a freaking rocket ship, you know, I don't know how I'm to defend, but you figure something out like I don't know. it was me and my teammate could have won, mean, dude, I'm pulling an F1 movie and just crashing into that guy. You know what I'm saying? I'm just taking him out, you know? The Apex F1 Podcast: woo! You know? Especially when the world championship is on the line like ⁓ AlexOnTracl: That's what I'm saying! Paul: Could you imagine the media storm that would hail on Yuki if he would have done that? AlexOnTracl: 100%. But I mean, you know, it's on brand. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ If he would have taken one for the team things might have been different AlexOnTracl: He would have had a contract this year. That's all I know. That's all I know. He would have had a contract this year. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ And that's on Yuki. AlexOnTracl: Shout out to Yuki the cat. I see you over there, big dog. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay. Paul: the Modelo's kicked in. This dude is off the hinges. I love it. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: I love it. Okay, well, since we're on F1, let's just keep rolling. Let's keep rolling. We can end this with Talladega, which will be a phenomenal end. But let's keep talking F1. Are there any other races that stand out for you from last season that you're like, this was an iconic one for me, something that really stood out for me? Because Vegas, for me, changed the game. AlexOnTracl: Hey, what you see is what you get, brother. This is it right here. Whoa. The Apex F1 Podcast: Had McLaren not double DNF because of that plank? wouldn't even be talking about that final race of the season. So were there any other moments from last season that stood out to you that were like, this is a call up moment for me that made me super excited or super invested? AlexOnTracl: Yeah, I'll tell him ahead. don't know I mean, you know as a fan like like someone who just you know, if we're talking like outsiders looking in I Think you have to mention Brazil As we know, you know max always just phenomenal Brazil. So we have to mention Brazil Baku I feel like was phenomenal because it was just you know, pure cinema like, you know lap one turn three Paul: Always. The Apex F1 Podcast: Duh! We love Brazil. AlexOnTracl: and just goes straight into the middle of a corner. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: And then just sits there. And then just sits there. The rest of the race just gets behind it, props his feet up, and just watches the race. Cinema. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, like Baku for sure has to be one of them. And then Koda, know, Max just master class that that picture ⁓ the the RB 21 or RB 22 coming over the corner and the Texas flag in the background, right? So being, you know, a Texan, you know, that that holds a special place in my heart. So I think all of those. The Apex F1 Podcast: I can't wait to show you that place on track, Alex. I can't wait to show you that place on track. Paul: Dude, somebody that was there for the first time last year, that is iconic. That is a ⁓ flag and you don't appreciate it on TV until you're watching it in person and you're like, dude, that thing is ginormous. The Apex F1 Podcast: done. Let me pull up the archives. I have a picture of us with that in the background. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, let me see that. Paul: Yeah, that's The Apex F1 Podcast: One more. October. here we go. Some of these don't even need to see the light of day. Paul. Yeah, some of these. AlexOnTracl: The ones that you think don't need to see a lot of the videos are the best ones. Paul: Those need to see the light of day. The Apex F1 Podcast: So it looks like it's right behind us. We're a couple of hundred yards away. Like it's, the thing is massive. That flag, the scale of that giant flag, it's hard to describe. But here it is with us standing right there in the main grandstands. Here is that flag all the way over there. And that's how big that flag is. Yeah. AlexOnTracl: How phenomenal. The Apex F1 Podcast: I mean, it's just a time. Paul: Dude, if you get a chance this year, you should go. It's iconic. The Apex F1 Podcast: Come, join us. AlexOnTracl: Well, I almost made it to last year, so I'm gonna make it to this year for sure. I mean, bar none, I have to. The Apex F1 Podcast: I will forewarn you. I will forewarn you, I'm gonna make you shotgun. And not one, but many. AlexOnTracl: Let's do it. Let's do it. I'm super down. The Apex F1 Podcast: Excellent. All right. He's passed the test. can continue this episode, Because Paul's not coming to CODA this year. He's been non-committal about CODA. I was like, all right. AlexOnTracl: Hahaha I'll come, I'll come, what's going on? Paul: I got some plans in the works, some big life decisions that are coming my way. So ⁓ never moving to Texas. can't never, no. ⁓ bro, I do the heat, man. Y'all's heat down there is another, it's ⁓ special. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: got big things in the works. He's got big things in the works, so I bet it. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: You move to Texas or what? The Apex F1 Podcast: You ain't cut out for this, Alex. AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! Yeah, yeah, yeah, the heat over here is crazy. The Apex F1 Podcast: Well. Paul: If I'm going to leave Tennessee, I need to go back up north where I get four seasons. AlexOnTracl: How far up north? The Apex F1 Podcast: Which gosh, we're doing four seasons, we may just only get like one day of the four seasons. Go Badgers! Paul: So originally I'm from Wisconsin, but I don't know if I would ever go back to Wisconsin, but I... The Apex F1 Podcast: Go Badgers! He didn't go to the University of Wisconsin, but he got a University of Wisconsin tattoo. Paul: So Alex, when do you want to start this new podcast? Because my co-host is fucking awful. Because I can't stand this white girl. AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! Whenever you want brother, I'm gay whenever you want Hahaha! ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: Shut up. You love it, Paul. I want you to remember you reached out to me, Paul, and this is actually our one year anniversary of me joining the Apex. So you're welcome. You're welcome. So F1 races, I will tell you in terms of like experiences of going to an F1 race, Koda is, I mean, obviously I have a loyalty being from Texas, but I've been to a lot of F1 races now. Like this is what I spend all my spare money and time on and Koda is Paul: you ⁓ Cheers to that. AlexOnTracl: Cheers to that. The Apex F1 Podcast: of the top like I love it. It's incredible. So Absolutely good one. I will say though last year we went to Miami for the first time I had ⁓ such expectations. I wanted to hate it so much. wanted to hate Miami so much We didn't stay Miami. We stayed in a little suburb of Miami, which I I love I'm not I'm not a Miami girl So I thought it was fantastic the way we did it. We rented an Airbnb that had pool was like 15 minutes from the track. bought a parking pass. loved the way we did Miami because we were able to go and opt into the stuff at the track, but not have to do like the Miami nightlife stuff. Like I'm not a nightclub girl anymore. I I do not. AlexOnTracl: You're in Miami a weekend freed up and you don't do any Miami Night Live on an F1 weekend? My goodness. Do you guys end up in a library the next day? mean, what... ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: zero and it was pure ⁓ gold. was at home in my pool. the best thing was that like transportation, no matter whether you had the parking pass or you did the ride share or you the buses or the Brightline like 20 minutes and you're back at your place. And I was like, this is the best. like I'm a suburb. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: Right. We're right. But I want you to realize something. You may not like bars and there's nothing wrong with that. I don't like bars. You may not like clubs, right? There's nothing wrong with that. It's not for everybody. But this is your opportunity to see Lando out in the wild just getting his white girl dance on out there rubbing on dudes. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ I love bars. I love bars. Okay, but no, let's clarify. Paul: Thank The Apex F1 Podcast: clarify, they're not doing that the weekend up. They're doing that after. And let's also clarify that the race last year was on May 4th, which meant Monday was Cinco de Mayo. So we stayed Monday and then flew out Tuesday. So Monday, my husband and I, we... started our morning off lovely. We got up early, drove out with my dad and stepmom, who my dad's the one who got me into F1. And we go to a lot of races with them. We got up, we drove out to the Keys. We had breakfast in the Keys. ⁓ saw the beaches, it was so beautiful. We drive back and find out that my uncle and my aunt Mindy, my uncle Russ and my aunt Mindy had just come back from a cruise and are on South Beach. So we drop off my parents at the Airbnb. They were like, we're just gonna chill here. I was like, cool, we're gonna go to South Beach. So my husband and I go meet them on South Beach and hang out with them on South Beach for a few hours on Cinco de Mayo. And that was an absolute blast. I am a dartier. Give me a day party all day. I'll dart you all day. I'm just not a night. I to be at home in bed by 10 or 11 and I'm okay with that. And if it means not running in Orlando, I'm cool with that because I've already learned this about myself. I'm not good when I see them. I'm all. AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! The Apex F1 Podcast: I don't even need to in... I don't even need to $28 vodka soda in the hand with a... You know? It's not for me. Paul: No, no, no, you're you're howdy AlexOnTracl: Like this? Hey, the fact that that was your reflexo means that somewhere along the line of your life, this worked out for you in one way or another, because that's the reason why it's a reflex, yeah. The Apex F1 Podcast: Maybe, maybe it's also the, like I went to A ⁓ and it's the most aggy thing I've ever done is saying howdy. I've never used howdy in my everyday vernacular ever. I'm gonna text in and I was like, why? AlexOnTracl: Oh, I use it all the time. I use it all the time. But you know, because we're proper Longhorns over here. We don't do none of that Gig'em stuff, you know? The Apex F1 Podcast: And that's how I know you didn't go to UT. Paul: Can we get back to, all right, let's get back to Miami. The Apex F1 Podcast: Because you're a diehard longhorn. AlexOnTracl: I went to McCombs. So can you call that YouTube? Perhaps. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, you did. Well, we get that. We get that. Okay, so Miami. Incredible, incredible. ⁓ still would put Miami in my top race vibe ⁓ of the tracks I've been to. And so just to like knock some tracks down, just so Alex for frame of reference, it's not a bragging list. This is catching you up to speed. did Austin our very first one and we did that for a couple of years. Zandvoort, Amsterdam, ⁓ Monza. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: Wow. The Apex F1 Podcast: Silverstone, Barcelona, Austria, Vegas. I would put Miami at the smoothest, most well race experience of ⁓ anything of all those. Everything top to bottom, the logistics in and out, food and beverage vendors, you were not waiting in copious amounts of lines anywhere you went. AlexOnTracl: Wow. The Apex F1 Podcast: Everything was thought of top to bottom, no matter where you went on track. And on Sunday, my husband and I, every day we sat, we did the grandstand pass where we did a campus pass, had three different grandstands the different days. Every day we went and explored. But like the fact that they have the Hard Rock Stadium right in the middle, it has air conditioning, you can go in any ticket. You can go into that stadium at any point in time. And the paddocks are right there in the middle. Air conditioning, they've got little bars all around, TDs all around, but then all the stuff out at the track, all the little pop-up. Every part of that street circuit, they have really thought of everything. So for me, in terms of bang for your buck, Miami is an absolute winner because even like I think our campus passes were like $600 a ticket, which sounds like a lot for a ticket and it is don't get me wrong, but grandstands at Cota are three grand plus. So, you know, there's just a lot there, a lot of value. The campus pass was the way to do it because you got to see different parts of the track. And now I know which ones I would actually do again. I would do Marina grandstands again. No in my mind. ⁓ I do the final turn. We did that on Friday. I would do that again. I would not do Maine grandstand again. We did that on Saturday. All you can see is the start. So we got to see the sprint race and we got to see the crash and then you see nothing. So I wouldn't do Maine grandstands at all if I was at Miami again. ⁓ So I think it has an incredible atmosphere. I think the drivers really, really loved it. We got to see the Lego parade, which was absolutely incredible. Huge fan of that. But I just think like Miami has a lot to offer fans in terms of entertainment, terms of, especially because most people are traveling to it. You're gonna have something to do in the city. You're gonna have stuff to do with the track. Everything is well coordinated. So it's a bang up job for me. Any initial thoughts on Miami before I get into a little chat GBT track talk? any initial like, this, I hate this, it's not for me that you have. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, I got something. The Apex F1 Podcast: Bring it. Bring it, big dog. Paul: me, I mean, this is for me real quick before Alex gets into it. This is the first track ⁓ this is the first race of the year where really all teams bring big upgrade packages. So it's exciting to see what's going to happen. Ferrari keeps talking about they're going to bring a big package. So, you know, I'm that. The Apex F1 Podcast: Don't. So for our example, bring a big package ball. AlexOnTracl: Wode air. no, no ditty, no ditty. Paul: this podcast is getting banned by every social media platform and ever. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: They're gonna love it. AlexOnTracl: Speaking Diddy, Diddy would have loved a good LEGO set. You mentioned LEGOs. We brought up LEGOs earlier. How much do you guys think we need another LEGOs race this year at Miami? Paul: Well, but here's my thing is how do they top it from last year? It was such an iconic thing and was so much fun. Like we're still seeing videos to this day. It's like, how do you top that? ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: y'all I can't even begin to describe it because we didn't even know what was happening yet because we were out. Joe, my husband, sweet, sweet man, he went out and I met up with two other content creators. I met up with a bunch of other content creators on Saturday just to like meet people. was like, I've never done this. Let me come meet some people. And then met a couple of girls, ended up like really connecting with them. We met up again on Sunday and Joe was like, okay, I'm going to go scout. I'm to go look at places for, for y'all to film videos. And I was like, ⁓ my God, content king, look at you go. Well, we are standing there and all of a sudden Joe's like, holy shit, turn around. And then all the drivers are coming by four feet behind us in the Lego parade. was absolute mayhem. And we were like, oh my God, I was going to try to find the video. Yeah. Paul: But Alex, what are your thoughts on? are you looking forward to, Miami? AlexOnTracl: Well, look, I could not agree more. Oh, that looks phenomenal. But I could not agree more with your take on how do you top it off, right? Or how do you top that, right? How do you go above and beyond? Well, I don't think you can. But I don't think we need them to. I don't think we need them to because that was so good last year. So they don't need to top it off. They need to do the same thing. So this is what I would say. Give me another LEGO car race. Make the LEGO cars look like this year's version of the cars. The Apex F1 Podcast: It was insane. boat. So you're going to drive boats this year. AlexOnTracl: and them have at it. anything, I would just add a little bit more juice to those batteries, right? So against the new regulations, right? Give them some more juice and then let them go and televise it. Put it all... Make sure... I want to see all of it. I want you to give me main narrator for the F1 races. I forget my man's name, but he does a phenomenal job. But put him on and let us watch it because it was pure cinema and I think we need that again. And I think the world needs... The Apex F1 Podcast: And they had so much fun doing it too. Like what a way to tee up race day to have the drivers have so much fun. Paul: The world needs this. need just unity with LEGOs. And who doesn't love LEGOs? Everyone can track their childhood to a good LEGO set. The world needs this. The Apex F1 Podcast: You know that. and we'll move on. AlexOnTracl: could not agree more with you. Yeah, the world needs... Go ahead. Paul: So, but on track what are you looking forward to? What you think is gonna happen? Let's get your predictions ⁓ on Miami Grand Prix and try not to die in the process. Yeah, let's send it. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ we're going straight into predictions? Okay, let's send it. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ So let's get into the meat and potatoes of this. I love it. So last year was Lando. year before that was Oscar. maybe it was backwards. Maybe the last year... Okay, there you go. So McLaren is notoriously fast. Before that, it was Max twice in a row. So that it's been a McLaren and Red Bull show, and given the 50 % upgrades that Ferrari's bringing, I don't want to go out on a limb. The Apex F1 Podcast: Last year was Oscar, year before that was Lando, yeah. AlexOnTracl: any one of those a little bigger position than what they deserve ⁓ that we have such a small sample size on these new regulations So in no particular order, let me give you guys in horse racing The Apex F1 Podcast: Agreed. Wait, no, let's get to the regular order. So how we usually do our prediction is podium. So we do a one, two, three, and a shocker. So you can get some general, but I'd love to hear your podium and your shocker. AlexOnTracl: Okay. Okay, so horse racing, there's a thing that's called to place and it just means that they're gonna be top three. So I think Ferrari is gonna podium. I think probably Leclerc versus Hamilton. I think it'll be Leclerc. I think McLaren bringing upgrades is gonna podium. And think it's very hard to argue against Mercedes having those rocket ships. And if someone's gonna win, it's gonna be the most informed driver this year. So give me Kimi. Give me Kimi to win it all and give me a Ferrari McLaren podium. Give me that all day. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay. Paul: No, give us drivers. Who's two and three? The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, so we got Kimmy. So Alex has Kimmy winning. AlexOnTracl: Kimmy winning, give me a Claire at two and give me Oscar at three. Paul: So Kimmy, Charles, and who's the third one? Oscar. All right, now give us a shocker prediction. do you, just a shocker, off the hinges. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ Oscar. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, give us a shocker. What's crazy? What's crazy? AlexOnTracl: If I had one shocker, let me think. Man, something that would really sit good in my gut would be Carlos Sainz getting another victory. I think I would love a Carlos Sainz victory. He's still the last driver to have won since the last Ferrari winner. So give me a Carlos Sainz win. I'll take that. Paul: A vict- A victory or- The Apex F1 Podcast: You're counteracting your podium here. AlexOnTracl: I know, I know, but you guys wanted a shocker, so there's my shocker, you know? The Apex F1 Podcast: love it. do. love that so much. would, I I can't, I can't wait. Paul, what do you got? Give me, Paul, give me yours. Paul: you do that can we update our our six fans that we have the point structure that we have who how many what are the points The Apex F1 Podcast: We have more than six fans, Paul, you be nice. Only fans here. it. There's fans joke. Paul: Seven. AlexOnTracl: You got to Paul: Thanks, Abed. AlexOnTracl: Six seven. ⁓ Meredith, you're the only one that didn't do six seven. Paul: you. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, ⁓ sorry, I'm not juggling balls on air recording. Thank you. ⁓ the record. Okay, after Japan, after Japan, Josh has four and Paul and I have two points. Okay. Paul: Peace. AlexOnTracl: I like how you made the distinction of on air. So thank you for that. Okay. Paul: This is the most unhinged podcast we've ever done. AlexOnTracl: You're welcome. You're welcome. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay Okay, so since Josh is in the lead I will I will share Josh's prediction Josh also has Kimmy winning Alex so he's in alignment with you and he has George in second and Charles in third and then his chocolate prediction is that a McLaren will be in the top five Paul what do you have? Paul: All right, I have Oscar in first, Lewis in second, and Kimmy in third. AlexOnTracl: that's very similar to mine, just some moved around. Paul: Yeah, and then I have Vcar Williams and Alpine, but all three are going to finish in the points. We just need one car in the points, but all those three are going to finish. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, and then what? God, you're living on a prayer. I love this for you, Paul: I mean, living on a prayer, look at that guy. He's picked Carlos Sainz to win it all. The Apex F1 Podcast: You know, that's his shocker prediction. Okay. AlexOnTracl: I don't think that's that far-fetched. The guy is beyond talented. It just sucks that he's got a terrible vehicle, race after race. Yeah. Paul: He's got a dud of a car. Listen. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ my God, in his 2025 car. Paul: And here's a question that has to be asked, how much of a leash does James Fowles get? Because for the last handful of years it was, I don't care about 23, I don't care about 24, I don't care about 25, all the money and all the effort is going to 26 car. And they come out with an overweight dud. And it's just like, what? The Apex F1 Podcast: I just want you to know, will kill you. AlexOnTracl: I think you got to look at the bigger picture though because two years ago they were ninth, last year they were fifth. Did I get that right in the constructors? Well, they're only four races deep so it's a little early. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Paul: And what are they this year? Okay, I get it, I get it. The Apex F1 Podcast: Paul, we're gonna go buy an Etsy witch on you if you speak ill of James Bowles, okay? Paul: Call me up right now, put her on speakerphone. I don't care. The Apex F1 Podcast: No, I and an Etsy which yeah ⁓ a thousand percent. Yeah thousand percent AlexOnTracl: Wait, was that an Etsy witch? Is that what you said? You can get witches on Etsy. Wow. Okay. Drop the link down below 10 % off Etsy witches. You guys heard it here first. The Apex F1 Podcast: 10 % off using code APEX Podcast. AlexOnTracl: discount code ApexF1Podcast. Get your witch on. Paul: Thank you. The Apex F1 Podcast: your witch on! ⁓ Paul: Meredith, what are your predictions? The Apex F1 Podcast: My predictions coming off the break. think George is going to be hungry. So I think George is going to win. Oscar loves his track and he's super familiar with it. So I think Oscar is going to get second and I have Charles in third. I think VCarb is going double points here. I think their car is incredible all season. think that the only like there the four races they've raced in there's only been one race that they were AlexOnTracl: OOOOH The Apex F1 Podcast: barely outside the points at 11 and 13. Other than that, they've been double points in it. So I'm like, okay, well, let's go. Let's go VCarb. I'm here for it. Liam and Arvid just seem like such a good lineup because I feel like they really push each other in a positive way. Whereas I felt like when Yuki was there, Yuki was like, you know, old school. Yuki was like old school Red Bull driving academy, right? And I feel like both of them are new, new school. trying to earn their seats, really wanna stay. Liam just wants to stay in the goddamn sport. is the future of the sport and he's been driving incredibly well. So I'm going to be carved double points. I think they've got it. think the car's been dialed in and I think they can do it. I will say though, my podium was challenging to predict because this the first time I have not had Lando on any bingo card of ours in so long and I hate that, being a Lando fan. I just feel like Oscar it this season in since I mean the first two races obviously but I like Oscar has the it factor. I can't put my finger on it, but Oscar has the it factor I'm a Lando fan love Lando, but Oscar has the it factor for me this season. So I it I'm paying to not put Lando in there. That's my podium Paul: I can't wait. We've been without F1 for so long. It needs to come back. The Apex F1 Podcast: I am. I'm so excited for my brother-in-law and his partner to come in next weekend. I'm so excited to see them. And I'm also so grateful for them booking an early flight home on Sunday morning so that I get to do all the effort. if look on Saturday night and there are cheap tickets and a cheap flight, my ass might be going to Miami on Sunday. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: Hahaha Paul: Enjoy. done. The FX podcast is going to send Meredith correspondent to the Miami Grand Prix. AlexOnTracl: It's the tax write-off. The Apex F1 Podcast: I that's how much I that's how much I liked Miami I would literally fly my ass there Sunday and fly my ass there but fly my ass back Sunday night I that's how much I love it we are you know a white-up fidget spinner looks like a you know yeah yes yes Paul: Absolutely. Little fidget spinner. Throwing star? Hey, I'm a dangerous man. All right, anything else on F1? AlexOnTracl: Ninja star. The Apex F1 Podcast: Now let's get to Talladega for the love of God! Bring the people what they want! Paul: Let's get to Talladega. Alex. Alex Taradega, take it away. AlexOnTracl: What's up? Man, how lucky are we with this year's NASCAR race or NASCAR... lucky are we with this year's NASCAR season? I feel like it's been freaking phenomenal. Everyone in here thinking the Tyloretic and the Toyotas are going to put on another show. And much to everybody's surprise is the Chevy's were doing phenomenal at this race. ⁓ Barring the big one, as the announcers like to call it, right? Barring the big one, we had a ton of phenomenal racing going on. A ton of it. The Apex F1 Podcast: Chevy's killed it. AlexOnTracl: I'm a team track house guy and seeing Chastain and seeing SVG doing somewhat well through the second stage was very, very decent for me. had high hopes. I had very high hopes. was like, we might do well here, right? you know, the big one knocked out Zilich. Shout out to Zilich, right? And, ⁓ then SVG had his issues with that, you know, crash right before the ending of the race. But that being said, The Apex F1 Podcast: Whoa, nice and zillage. AlexOnTracl: Hercule Hosselbar. He was due for his... He's 23 years old. He was due for his first NASCAR win. He put on a freaking show celebrating in way that only he can do it. you know, when we're done filming this, I'm going to Chili's to celebrate along with him. I'm gonna get me a Triple Dipper and a Marg. ⁓ Paul: We literally just talked about that. We literally... The Apex F1 Podcast: literally, I was not leaving at five in the morning tomorrow, I like the race was finishing. I actually have it on video, where I was like asking my husband I was like, I was videoing my celebration because it was like the last and already cooking. making guacamole salsa is on the stove. It's like I'm making taco night here. And I'm like, fuck it. Do we need to go to Chili's? ⁓ And Joe leans up from the recline and he goes, Chili's and I was like, AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! The Apex F1 Podcast: I didn't have a 5am flight, I would. AlexOnTracl: Well, I feel, I- Paul: Dude, I literally texted my buddy after Rafe finished and I said, dude, let's go to Chili's for dinner tonight. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ Yeah, might be meeting up with a few buddies other than sit at the bar and get a triple dip or some drinks. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: get a triple dipper in a President's Day, but what is on your triple dipper? AlexOnTracl: I'm gonna have to go with the chicken crispers. I'm gonna have to go with the sliders and I think I'd finish with the cheese sticks. The Apex F1 Podcast: Fucking no Southwestern Everils, get out of here, you're grounded, go back. AlexOnTracl: Nah, if I want egg rolls, I'm going to the mall. I'm getting the Chinese place from there. There might be turtle meat in them, but mean, good is good. What do I know, you know? The Apex F1 Podcast: No, no, the Southwest Ebro! With that melted black, blue, torn Monterey Jack love it! Ooh, I love it! AlexOnTracl: doing the cheese sticks, the spicy ones. Paul: This is completely going over my head because I have not set foot in the Chili's in close to a decade. The Apex F1 Podcast: He needs to go I'm telling him that you're in and Leah and Joe and Joe ⁓ AlexOnTracl: No way. Closer decade? Wait, and you're telling me that the deciding factor was today's NASCAR race? Tell me marketing doesn't work. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, exactly. Literally, Joe goes, is that the Chili's man? And I'm like, yup, the Michelin man has become the Chili's man. Paul: marketing work, marketing work. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, I'm going to the front of the house, whatever 6-year-old girl is in front of there. And I'm telling her, Carson Hosevar brought me here. And then when she looks at me like, what the hell are you talking about? I'm gonna be like, yes. Yeah, I know. She's gonna be like, what the hell are you talking about? The Apex F1 Podcast: She's doing like, she's doing like, wheeze! Paul: So listen, Alex. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, I'd like 77 % off for Carson Hosobar. That's using hashtag Carson Hosobar, 77 % off. AlexOnTracl: And I might show up in a Sabrina Carpenter shirt. The Apex F1 Podcast: do it. This Sabrina Carpenter shirt he wore for interviews the other day was so fucking incredible. I'm like, I love you so much. Like, he wants to do is race and be a badass and have fun. And like, he genuinely seems like he's having so much fun doing it. And it genuinely seems like it's pissing the other drivers off so much how much fun he's having. He's ⁓ AlexOnTracl: I love that, I love that. Paul: So this is my first year of watching NASCAR. was my goal this year to get into NASCAR and learn about it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've decided 2311 is my team. Also, I really love Danny Hamlin. Danny Hamlin. So the Toyota, I'm big Toyota guy. What's that? I said Danny, I'm sorry. Danny, I apologize. So I've thoroughly it. year's been. The Apex F1 Podcast: I'm so glad to commit on it. you say Bane first? Did you say Danny first? with you. You're already Texas. Danny Hamlin. Paul: yes, today's raise was a lot of fun. That wreck, man, whoo! ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: 26 cars involved in a wreck like 26 cars get in a wreck 12 cars don't come out of it insane ⁓ AlexOnTracl: But also like a replica of Daytona where Reddick does ⁓ passes and the last lap of Daytona has a track of flags going on. Everybody behind him just in amalgamation of a giant crash. was just vehicles everywhere. I'm pretty sure it was either Logano or Larsson. I forget who he was. But one of those guys finished backwards. He was going backwards across the finish line. The Apex F1 Podcast: It's history. There was Daniel Suarez coming into the pit, I was like, fuck yeah, Daniel Suarez, get it! AlexOnTracl: So the fact that you chose this season to start your season and watch NASCAR is phenomenal because it's probably the best racing we've had in NASCAR in quite some time. The Apex F1 Podcast: Agree. Paul: Yeah, I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been a lot of fun. The Apex F1 Podcast: Agreed. When you went to go find your Ricola, that's what I was telling Paul was like, they're monumental races that just like every person remembers. person will remember Carson Hosobar's first NASCAR win at Talladega. Everyone will remember this win. And that crash created the opportunity for him to have this win. But I'm like, I told Paul, I feel like I've been going on this like campaign to try to get more people into NASCAR and trying to convince them that it's not a lesser motorsport, that it's absolutely fucking insane and it's so exciting and it's like four hours of me being on the edge of my seat, but also being able to be like, let me go do some chores and come back. And it's like a totally different race. I feel like today's race is now a benchmark for me with NASCAR that I needed to be able to tell other fans like, Hey, go watch Talladega 2026 and tell me you don't like NASCAR. If you really like motorsport, if you really like F1 the way you say you like F1, if you really like IndyCar the way you say you like IndyCar, go watch Talladega 2026 and tell me you don't. AlexOnTracl: Right. You're right. And I feel like this is on the back of needing a new superstar, right? Everyone can remember moments with certain drivers, certain teams, certain liberally... Or I can't say liberally, right? NASCAR fans don't like that. So my apologies. Certain paint scheme. Yeah. Or a wrap. Certain paint schemes are wrapped. So I feel like Carson is coming just at the right time with having his best of the season or best race. The Apex F1 Podcast: A wrap, paint scheme or a wrap. AlexOnTracl: in his cup series, right? But this is a guy that won on, you know, and earlier in the season at Atlanta when he was racing the trucks. I think it was Atlanta. So if I'm wrong, you guys let me know in the comments down below. there was a race earlier in the season. And he did was he was asking Kyle Busch if he wanted to shake and bake because he didn't have somebody to help him out out front. And they were both winning. Kyle Busch up winning the race with Hostelbar's help. The Apex F1 Podcast: Couldn't agree more. Yeah. AlexOnTracl: But this is a guy who was asking. He's like, well, he told his race engineer, hey, will you ask Bush if he wants to shake and bake? And the announcers took a second to explain to the listeners, ⁓ that's Othala Deacon Knight's reference. It's like, yeah, because we've never seen a Will Ferrow movie before. Thank you. ⁓ So I just couldn't be happier with him. And again, know, team track house guys, right? But I mean... The Apex F1 Podcast: Love that. Nobody, nobody could have predicted your team track house with your bush-lined apple shirt. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: I wish I had a freaking bush light apple right now, but. The Apex F1 Podcast: A little what? You mean bush latte? A little bush latte? AlexOnTracl: And know what? Sometimes I change my voice. I go and I get a chorus, I'll intentionally go, yeah, can I get a Coors lot? ⁓ just got to change it up a little bit. And if it's a Bush, it's the same thing. Let me get a Bush lot. The Apex F1 Podcast: Cheers. Good luck. Yeah, Paul, this is very Texas. So just so you know, when you're in Texas, there's there are ways to say beers. I need a curse. I need a curse. I need a curse lie. I need a Miller. It's almost you almost add why so I need a Miller or I need a boo. Paul: Impostor Syndrome. on edge. uneducated. AlexOnTracl: Hey, and if you really drink Korslite like that or Korslite if you really drink them, you ask for a yellow belly. So hey, let me get a yellow belly. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah. Yummy at a yellow belly. Yeah, a banquet here. Yeah. What? so delicious! What are you talking about? Paul: No, of course banquet. Isn't that, that's course banquet. No, God, then you feel bloated. AlexOnTracl: What are you talking about right now? Paul: I give, give me the silver bullet. Give me just a regular course light. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ you want your mountains blue, Paul? Paul: Yes. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, well, that does fit. Paul: I hate this so much. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ Hey, you know what, dude? The Apex F1 Podcast: No, okay, so good question, not at all. Paul: But honestly, think NASCAR really needs Carson Hosefar and I think hopefully they run away with it because in the last few years, it's been a lull with NASCAR. The ratings have dipped and a new NASCAR fan, I've really tried to catch up on some stuff. It's the NASCAR of the ⁓ 90s the early ⁓ 2000s Jeff Gordon and all those guys that really brought it to a pinnacle where it was. I'm hoping that can run away with this kid and really bring it to where it belongs in the American motorsports ranking system. AlexOnTracl: Well, I feel like you can tell a lot by the sponsors that are in the sport. So Tyler Reddick having won five out of the first 10 races today a new sponsor in Rockstar Energy Drink, right? So ⁓ Paul: That was a pretty sweet. The Apex F1 Podcast: And they were media like a motherfucker. AlexOnTracl: Heavy as hell. Heavy as hell. But look, if doing so well that Rockstar wants to jump back in, considering ⁓ their with Monster and Red Bull and Celsius and mean, the energy drink is super hyper competitive. And if Rockstar is trying to jump in because they're trying to capitalize on the Tyloretic train, the sport's doing well. The Apex F1 Podcast: No Great. Well, and I think like, you you mentioned you mentioned the paint schemes and like today when I think I mean, since I started watching NASCAR, I'm only a couple of seasons into to getting into NASCAR. I feel like when I think about stand out paint schemes, like the ones that come to mind for me are Ryan Blaney Menards, neon yellow every time. Like that one, the Chumba Casino. Done. Love the Chumba Casino. Paul: Thank AlexOnTracl: Haha, yeah. The Apex F1 Podcast: Like the Red Bull team for like Red Bull with track house like whether it's SVG Connor zillich like those stand out to me Everything else and Ross Chastain. I love Ross's when he does the bush light one. Love that I love it when it's in the blue I love it when it's the camo like excellent the best pro shops Like those are those paint schemes that jump out at me. So I feel like monster has AlexOnTracl: Yup. The Apex F1 Podcast: has had kind of like the corner of the market for motorsport lately because of Lando. And then for a while he was with like he's been with Ty Gibbs. then like I just feel like this is the perfect time for Rockstar to be jumping back in. And now they have Tyler Reddick who is on a heater, arguably the best start to the season. Like I just this is insane. I was hoping for a good 2311 outcome with Bubba being in fourth and Tyler Reddick in first starting off today. But It is what it is, know, that wreck happened. Watching, watching that big crash start to what do y'all think was the cause? Because I think it's really easy to say a bubble wall has got a little loose. Paul: It was all that pumping, because you... It wasn't it wasn't that it was all that bumping that was behind him that made him go loose, right? But also I'm a new fan. like me for not really understanding. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: That's I asked. What's your take on it? AlexOnTracl: Well, and trying to catch a from the guy in front of you and ⁓ to a good run is big, big, big, big, big on these fast tracks. I mean, it's humongous. It's big. And if you, for whatever reason... It's the longest track in the NASCAR schedule. if you are... Well, circular track, I Because I think Koda and ⁓ Watkins Glen might long. But don't call me on that. The Apex F1 Podcast: And this is a long track. It's like 2.6 miles, this track. Yeah, Watkins Glen is a really, I think Watkins Glen is like two blocks. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ so it's a little bit shorter? The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, slightly. know Watkins is going to slightly shorter mentality. AlexOnTracl: Which by the way, can't wait. Zilich is doing three races on that weekend. But it's going to be phenomenal. But yeah, I just think it was a case of the car being a little tight. I think him stepping out a little bit outside of the stream, getting loose and not being able to handle it right off the bat. I mean, hats off to him. He's done a phenomenal job all year. But I'm not surprised and I'm not super taken back at the fact that... The Apex F1 Podcast: I just feel insane. Are going? AlexOnTracl: how tight the field was and how much Bubba tried to keep it where he could. But ultimately it was always gonna be, it was always gonna end up with that result. So the fact that there was a big one at this Haleidega, I mean, it is what it is. It made for good watching, but I feel bad for 23-11 because yeah, Bubba had the opportunity to win this one. The Apex F1 Podcast: Thank you. me too. and I Bubba Wallace so much. I'm ugh, it just like... Paul: He's really had a bad start to the year because he's had a couple of DNFs. He's been close right there. I really thought going into this weekend that this was going to be the weekend where everything was going to turn around for him. I really thought 2311 was going to back him 100 % and give it all to him to win it. AlexOnTracl: Well... The Apex F1 Podcast: I'm worried for him. I need him. thought so too but I think you know I think Bubba has had a couple of unfortunate series of events I mean like there's this other girl that she and I message on Instagram and we're like both Bubba Wallace fans and it's like you it's like everything every like the second anything happens we're messaging each other we're like no you know it's like it's one of those things that it's like it makes me crazy because so there are many factors out of their control you know When we get a big pile up with situations like this, but then like this one, this was one where it was like, yes, he got bumps, but he was also, I think he also was already a little loose up there. And if he had been driving solid and was tight, a bump behind him wouldn't have mattered because the other guy was getting bumped too. You know, like it's just one of those unfortunate series of events. And I think Bubba Wallace has to have some race wins this season. I think he has to have some stage wins because otherwise I do think maybe potentially his seat is in contention. And I hate that because I really love Bubba Wallace. So I'm like, I just need him to get back on track. Wherever it is, whatever weekend, I was hoping it was this weekend. I need him to get back on track. Paul: Yeah, it was an amazing weekend ⁓ amazing for ⁓ for ⁓ I a great time and can't wait for Texas next weekend. The Apex F1 Podcast: I can't believe you haven't mentioned Cleetus McFarland, AlexOnTracl: That was my exact thought right now. The Apex F1 Podcast: Like, I'm like, how are we also not talking about Cleetus AlexOnTracl: He almost won his... What it? Was it his first arc race or his second arc? I don't remember. The Apex F1 Podcast: His first work. Paul: No, this is his second, maybe second ARCA race for sure. He is such a personality and I think, I know I've seen the backlash. No, no. But ⁓ know that there's been some backlash about him with like, let's call him gatekeepers because a lot of people think he didn't deserve that spot in ARCA just, and they only gave it to him based on the personality. But as a whole. The Apex F1 Podcast: You watch his YouTube series? ⁓ you should. You absolutely should. AlexOnTracl: You need to watch it. It's so good. The Apex F1 Podcast: But look at what he did! Paul: No, no, no, but as a whole, this is what NASCAR needs. They need this personality to draw the eyes of the casual user because that interview last year that he did was legendary. I was a sword eagle or whatever he said. That was legendary and that's what made him a household name. And it had to have been a no brainer to give him a seat in ARCA. And now... AlexOnTracl: Mm-hmm. Right. Paul: Who would have watched Arca last year? Can anybody tell me who another driver is in the Arca series? I can't, but I can tell you one name. The Apex F1 Podcast: can go down and grab my NASCAR magazine and tell you, but other than that, no. Paul: But honestly, we know now Cleetus McFarland is a badass he's got the skills to back it up. He might not be at the top of lineup, but he is solid driver and a personality to back it. Even while he's driving, you hear him talking on the radio and it's still him. That's what NASCAR needs. AlexOnTracl: Well, look, dude, I completely agree with you, right? we'll find points where I don't agree with you like we did with Bristol earlier and both of y'all were like, ⁓ my god, Bristol. But anyways, all to say, let me break it down to you guys like this. I was having a few garage beers with somebody the other night and we were talking just about this, right? And I that the gatekeepers are so upset and they're like, well, he's a YouTuber and he just got fast-tracked, right? And they're allowing him to do stuff that a normal person would have to earn their way in, right? you got to remember earning your way in is a two-way street, right? If they give you this opportunity and you don't deserve the opportunity, it's real clear for you to show that you're out of your element and you don't deserve to be there. So just as quickly as it was given to you would be taken away from you. And Cleetus has gone the opposite way of that. So not only has he shown and proven that he belongs there, right? He's starting to excel, right? And I think it's a big jump to ask for somebody. The Apex F1 Podcast: agreed. AlexOnTracl: who was just a YouTuber, who wasn't doing this last year, to ask them to come into NASCAR sanctioned admittance and say, hey, know these are your first five races or first six races in the NASCAR series. I you to do well or you don't belong. It's like, wait, hold on, my guy. There's guys there like Hostobar right now, who's season three, who's just getting his first win right now. Imagine if you had held him to that standard, right? What would have happened? So it's like... The Apex F1 Podcast: It's an unattainable standard and it's not fair that that's the standard of entry because 90 % of the grid didn't have that standard of entry and it's bullshit. AlexOnTracl: That's exactly right. That's exactly right. But now, that we're seeing him kind of turn the page, and I don't know if I would have said this last week, but now that we're seeing him kind of turn the page now, and I know it's only Arcade series, I know it wasn't the Trucks series, I know it wasn't the Rileys, I know it wasn't anything. I still think you give him his props and you go, you weren't doing this last year, you're doing it now, and you almost freaking won. You you almost won. So yeah, I'm curious to see where the rest of his career goes and I'm hoping the best for him. The Apex F1 Podcast: And you know what? It's the most fun he's ever had with his clothes on. Paul: Absolutely. AlexOnTracl: love that. I love that. When he said that I died laughing, I was like, and that's going to get clipped. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: I love it so much. I love it so much. like him and Northam Lynch driving around the coolers, I'm like, I love this guy. He's so good. I also feel like This may be controversial, may not be, I don't know. I think Kyle Larson thought he was going to be that personality for NASCAR. I think he came on, he talked a big game and you know, I'm better than Max Verstappen, I'm better than a F1 driver. I feel like Kyle Larson was trying to play that role these last few years, but at end of the day, he's just a good dude. He's just a good dude with a family and Kyle, you're not that guy. Like you're a great driver, but you're not that guy. And I feel like we've needed these personas to make NASCAR relevant again to a certain mainstream media. And I feel like we're getting that. And the other drivers are all of a sudden like, wait, fuck what? Look at the sponsors he's getting, you know? Like, and I love it because I think when any drivers compare a new young driver to the likes of a legend, You have to take note. Paul: just think ⁓ a difference between NASCAR forcing somebody down your throat and somebody just naturally coming to their own and being that face. And I think that's who Carson Hosobari is. He naturally that That's how Cleetus McFarlane is. And you either to run with The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah. Agree. It sounds like a made-up NASCAR name. Talladega Knights could redo a movie with a character, I think his name would be Cleetus McFarland. Paul: Absolutely. And I think that's just, it's just natural. And I think people get drawn to that, that this is who he is and it's not, you know, it's not posh. It's not made by the, it's not made by the structure and forced on your throat. And that's what people are attracted to. The Apex F1 Podcast: Agreed. think are attracted to NASCAR because it is real, is authentic, people want to be themselves. And I think the more they tried to manufacture NASCAR media into other the more it became something that people were like, meh, this isn't for me. ⁓ Paul: It's polished. It's not posh. If you want that, you go watch F1. And ⁓ a big F1 fan, as you can tell, wearing the stuff. Nothing with that. But that's not why I tune into NASCAR. What's wrong with the shirt? The Apex F1 Podcast: And that's funny. I'm going to ask questions about that, but we'll save that. AlexOnTracl: Hahaha! ⁓ Dude, if that was ever a year for you to wear that, it's this year, so, you know. The Apex F1 Podcast: You are gay? You hate Mercedes, you hate Karen George. Was it on sale? Okay. Paul: It was. I also have it. I also have an alpine sweater and a Red Bull sweater like I'm just all over the place. I am confused. And I'm. AlexOnTracl: Hey, you know what? Go ahead, go ahead. The Apex F1 Podcast: And we're okay with that. We accept all fans here. I do love the hat though. I saw the rope style hat. You know I collect that the second we got. AlexOnTracl: I'm not confused. Paul: Yeah. And it, and it, I can't, you can't see it, but it's, I got autographs on it. AlexOnTracl: But I. Well... The Apex F1 Podcast: Did you give them our sticker poll? Paul: I did not give him our sticker. AlexOnTracl: Dan, you guys have stickers? You guys are ahead of me. Paul: But we have stickers, have koozies, we have hoodies. AlexOnTracl: Dang, I need to get on the program. The Apex F1 Podcast: with it. We love merch. Look, like literally all we wear is motorsport merch. When I am forced AlexOnTracl: I mean, all I wear is Motorsport Mortar as well. And I also have some random Alpine and some random Williams and some random V-Carve. I have all the teams. Hey! That's awesome. Was that the first flash on the Apex F1 podcast? The Apex F1 Podcast: Are you showing us your O'Ward titties? Censor! showing us your O'Ward titties! Paul: Yeah. It was. And not the last. AlexOnTracl: And not the last, but that's the first flash you guys gotta hear first. Like and sub, like and sub. Paul: Alex made me do it. Alex made me do it. Hey, listen. AlexOnTracl: Like and sub for more flashes. That's right, that's right. The Apex F1 Podcast: Alan's gone drag more like Alan's ta-tas Paul: Hey, listen, this goes without saying, but we are recording an episode next Sunday after the Miami race. If you're free, Alex, feel free to tag on landmine. AlexOnTracl: Not only will I be free, but also be less sick. So, well, hold on. Let me rephrase that. I've always been called a little bit of a sick puppy. So I'll keep that, but I'll be healthier if you will. Huh? The Apex F1 Podcast: Why are you a sick puppy? Why are you a sick puppy? AlexOnTracl: been down to the bone since I remember, you know? The Apex F1 Podcast: I fell right into that. I fell right into that. AlexOnTracl: You fell right into that, Meredith. I'm sorry. Paul: Meredith, just wrap it up for the day. This one's going off the rails. AlexOnTracl: I love it. I'm having a blast. The Apex F1 Podcast: And on that note, how do we top that? Alex, it has been an absolute treat to have you on. You are so fun. incredible to collab with you. What a fun episode. I'm actually so glad that we did NASCAR last because it's something we're also fired up about right now. So I feel like it was the perfect way to end. ⁓ there any other closing thoughts that you have, Alex? Any other closing things that are like, I must say this? AlexOnTracl: Ha! Yeah, I just want to say my piece about Connor Zilisch. So let me say this to all the Team Trackhouse haters and all the Connor Zil haters. Let me say this. the O'Reilly series last week, Connor Zilisch was given a capable car. And because of that, he ended up trading paint with Kyle Larson and beat him in the O'Reilly series. He then went on to race in NASCAR. He was not given a capable car and he finished in the 20s. all I want to say is if Team Trackhouse gives Connor Zilisch a capable car... The Apex F1 Podcast: Say it! AlexOnTracl: He will trade paint with the likes of Kyle Larson and everybody in the front. But because he hasn't been given a capable car, we're seeing what we're seeing. And I think outside of Chastain finishing in 7th today, I think we've seen Trackhouse kind of put out stinkers the whole year. So that being said, Team Trackhouse, help me out. I'm a big fan. Let's put out capable vehicles for all the drivers, please. The Apex F1 Podcast: Agreed! Team Trackhouse, if you are listening, agree, we second this. Give Zilisch what the man deserves. He may be fresh in cup series, but he is not novice. Give this man what he deserves. AlexOnTracl: Yup, yup. And he put our video earlier this week where his favorite snack was the Takis. So as a fellow spicy snack... The purple bag. Yup, yup. The fellow spicy snack connoisseur. I'm there with the Takis. So let's do it. By the way, how far away are we from a Takis paint scheme? Because I feel like we need one. We're due for one. The Apex F1 Podcast: A purple bag? Purple bag or blue bag? Paul: And if anybody gets it... The Apex F1 Podcast: Well, if crack house would give him the car he deserves and a sponsorship opportunity, Zilisch and Takis right now. Paul: Or can we give it to Daniel Suarez? I think we need more Mexican just to the top. Give it to him. The Apex F1 Podcast: I'm down for that too. I'm down for that too. But I will be honest, as a former educator, I was absolutely fueled by sugar-free Red Bull and Takis. That's it. literally what I lived on. Literally what I lived on as a teacher. I knew wasn't going to have time for lunch, but I knew I could pick up some sugar-free Red Bulls and I knew all my kids were going to have Takis. And I would trade them Takis for oranges and stuff like that. Like, hey, give me the pickle from your lunch tray. Paul: All right. Next Sunday, the three of us, since we're all going to record next Sunday, we're eating takis while we record. The Apex F1 Podcast: copies. AlexOnTracl: Let's do it. Let's do it. I'm super down. AMS to Marthat, motherfucker. The Apex F1 Podcast: done. I am so ready for this stomach ache, but I need y'all know I'm bringing loaded Takis. I'm not bringing fresh open bag. Paul: We'll see you. AlexOnTracl: Hey, I'm actually going to do this thing where they grab these, I think they're called Dorilocos and they grab these Doritos and they put like and cheese on them and crema and all sorts of stuff and my goodness, stuff looks good. Paul: Okay. Yes. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, I will show you my motorbike. Paul: Alex, gonna have to get your number and I'm gonna just bombard you with all the food I eat in a couple weeks. AlexOnTracl: Yes, please. Send them all to me. Paul: Done. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yes, please. In a nice, cursed light. AlexOnTracl: Yeah, a Kers lot and a yellow bell, please. Let me get a Kers lot. The Apex F1 Podcast: Hey, everybody show up next week with some talkies, a nice curbs light, and a little yellow belly, okay? AlexOnTracl: Hey Meredith, I'm very impressed you're in natural with that. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah, thank you very much. I'm from West Texas. can yell a belly. AlexOnTracl: Well, part of what sex is, I used to live in Pecos. The Apex F1 Podcast: Oh my god, Will, it's not real Will Pecos, it's Lubbock, I'm from Lubbock. We just saved it. This is how it's better. We're panhandle. You know, panhandle. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ you're way, you're way over there. You're way over there. Paul: on Wisconsin. The Apex F1 Podcast: Badgers, I don't have a Texas Tech tattoo though, unlike you Paul, because I went to England. Paul: You don't have any tattoo. AlexOnTracl: I feel like I need to get a college tattoo now too. The Apex F1 Podcast: If you don't, I promise you you don't. AlexOnTracl: I have a ton of them, just not that. The Apex F1 Podcast: Don't do it. I would recommend don't get A ⁓ Corpus Christi right there. Like it's not for you. AlexOnTracl: If there is a tattoo I would get, it would be the Apex F1 podcast tattoo. I'd get that all day. The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ my God, yeah, us too, us too. Paul: You, you, I, okay, listen, if we ever, okay, I'm telling you this right now, and I'm a man of my word. If we ever meet in person, I will personally pay for it if you get it on you. The Apex F1 Podcast: Paul just got a heart on! AlexOnTracl: ⁓ Well, there's more to that. Okay, so number one, you pay for it. You pay for it. I'm game. If you pay for it, I'm game. But the criteria to that is this episode has to get 10,000 likes. Let's get 10,000 likes. You pay for it. I'll get the tattoo. Let's do it. The Apex F1 Podcast: Roboto is pretty dope though. Paul: If we get 10,000 likes on this episode, not only will I pay for it, I will get one myself. The Apex F1 Podcast: Same. AlexOnTracl: Let's do it. Paul: The three of us will do it. The three of us will do it. I'll pay for it if we can get 10,000 likes on this. The Apex F1 Podcast: Done. AlexOnTracl: Let's do it, I'm down. The Apex F1 Podcast: Sky's the limit. Paul: I already have an Indy car on my forearm. We'll just add to it. The Apex F1 Podcast: He sure does. He sure does. AlexOnTracl: I feel like I need to get an F1 tattoo now. Everybody has motorsports tattoos except me. Paul: Hey, listen. The Apex F1 Podcast: I know what want and I'm very particular about it. I want a fine line tattoo of... It's a Ferrari SF23. I want an SF23 fine line tattoo right on the AlexOnTracl: What do you want? Paul: I am getting, hang on, I am getting. AlexOnTracl: What that is. Paul, what about you? Paul: What about me? AlexOnTracl: I don't know, you said you were gonna get something? Paul: I am getting a motorsports themed tattoo in Mexico City. an appointment. I've put the deposit down. I'm not telling you guys. No, no. I am not. I am not telling you guys what it is. I have the appointment. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: What are you getting, Paul? This is new to me. This is hot boss. AlexOnTracl: Whoa! The Apex F1 Podcast: ⁓ my god is it George? ⁓ my god you're getting George's doll line tattooed handsome squid AlexOnTracl: I would love it if it was a Zac Brown quote and it said, is this the world champion hotline? You should get that 100%. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, but I do, unashamedly have a sick fucking t-shirt design that I want to do with that quote. And I think I have to do it. Paul: I'm getting the silhouette of George on my chest just right here. You know like Danny, you AlexOnTracl: Just him doing the arms wide open The Apex F1 Podcast: Well, put it right here and call it your George muscle. Just like flex on him. I'm flexing my George on him. Paul: You know like Danny, you know how Danny Trejo has that girl tattooed on his chest? I'm gonna have George tattooed on my chest. But no, seriously. AlexOnTracl: Dude, I- The Apex F1 Podcast: I love you, you are not at the level of Danny Trejo in terms of legend. just wanted Danny Trejo is like. AlexOnTracl: Dude, I want to get the Total Wolf smirk after... was it? P3 out of the first race? Yeah, that little... Yeah, yup, yup. You know what I'm talking about. Let me get the Total Wolf smirk after he revealed the world that he had built absolute freaking rockets this year. The Apex F1 Podcast: Honestly, I don't even need his face. I just want the hairline and the headband. just want the hairline with the microphone and the headband pushed back, you know? AlexOnTracl: I was watching it live when he's like this and he just... I was like, my... And sure enough, I saw on Twitter one guy said, that man knows he built a rocket ship. I was like, Yeah. ⁓ The Apex F1 Podcast: Have we confirmed whether not Suzie is pregnant after that? I haven't seen her much, you know? It's worth asking. She could give me her trimester. That was magic. AlexOnTracl: I don't know. Yeah, it is worth asking. Yeah, I mean, if there's ever a moment that he was gonna get her super preggers, it's gonna be then, so. Paul: But yes. But yes. But yes, I am getting a motorsports theme right here on my arm. I'm not telling you guys. I'm not, no, it's gonna be. AlexOnTracl: What is it? The Apex F1 Podcast: What? AlexOnTracl: Look, how about you don't tell us, but give us a few clues and let the viewers and the listeners comment down below. Whoever gets it right gets a special prize. The Apex F1 Podcast: Yeah. Paul: I am getting something inspired by the driver that got me into motorsports. AlexOnTracl: OOOOH The Apex F1 Podcast: Enjoy your Chico flag tattoo. Paul: Okay, it was not Checo, stupid. But yes, I'm not. AlexOnTracl: ⁓ Is there another clue that we can get? The Apex F1 Podcast: Three clues, okay, that was one, give two, and then three, micro clues. Paul: No. No, but if I give more clues, I'm going to give it away. AlexOnTracl: Blue's Clues The Apex F1 Podcast: I'm Steve with Manoan. Paul: I just, I just, theme is gonna be, I'm gonna do a motorsports themed tattoo on my arm. And it is inspired by the driver that got me into motorsports in 2021. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: handy dandy notebook. Daniel Ricardo butterfly quote. The Apex F1 Podcast: Thank God, Paul: is real sweat, I'm a high performance athlete. The Apex F1 Podcast: I'm not gonna lie, I did think about getting a butterfly tattoo. Paul: yes, stay tuned for that. The is in. I'm getting it on Saturday, May 16th at 10 in the morning. As soon as they open, I'm sitting down and getting it. ⁓ AlexOnTracl: ⁓ man. The Apex F1 Podcast: Aww, I'll wait for my birthday! Thank you! It's of me! Thank you! AlexOnTracl: look at that. That being said, if I was getting ⁓ quote tattoo, I would also get a Daniel Ricciardo quote, but I'd get probably... Nico Ilkenberg. would get that. Or Pierre Gasly or however you... I can't do the Gasly ones too. It requires too much. But I can do the ⁓ Ilkenberg. Paul: there. So stay tuned for that. The Apex F1 Podcast: You can learn! YEEEE ⁓ AlexOnTracl: There it is. There it is. We missed Andy Ricardo. Paul: Yo, just wrap this up. Yeah AlexOnTracl: We miss Danny Ricardo. miss you. The Apex F1 Podcast: Miss you, Danny Rick. Gone but not forgotten. Paul: Never. The Apex F1 Podcast: Okay, well on that note, I think we should put a wrap on it. Everybody enjoy the butterflies. Carson, host of our Enjoy Your Chili's Triple Dipper. We know we will. Alex, thank you so much for joining us tonight. We cannot wait to have you on next week for Miami. Feel free to record. Paul, I know there's a big week ahead of you this week. We're gonna have an awesome week and stay tuned everybody. We will post soon and... always like, subscribe, engage with us. Follow Alex on track on all his socials, Instagram, tik tok. He's both Alex on track on Instagram, Alex on track 35. Follow him on YouTube as well. He is one of the best in the biz and we are so lucky to have him on today. So we will see you all soon. Thank you again. Bye everybody.