AFP Podcasts

Denny Hamlin steals one in Richmond

Martin Truex Jr. led 288 laps, but a crash a half-lap from the white flag sent Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond into overtime, and Denny Hamlin and his team outmaneuvered the field to the win.

AFP’s NASCAR writer, Rod Mullins, joins the show to break down the day, the night, and the final two laps, plus the OT.

Mullins also previews this weekend’s race at Martinsville, where he will be on scene providing coverage of the Xfinity Series and Cup Series races.

Transfer portal updates for UVA, Virginia Tech, JMU

The transfer portal is open, though you wouldn’t know it, to look at how quiet it has been at Virginia.

Virginia Tech, though, and JMU could be losing pretty much everybody to the portal.

AFP editor Chris Graham reports on the latest portal news, updates the JMU coach search, and breaks down how coaching moves factored into UNC’s surprise Sweet 16 loss.

William Byron wins the first NASCAR Cup Series road race of 2024

William Byron, who took the checkered flag at the season-opening Daytona 500, added a win at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday, in the first NASCAR Cup Series road race of the 2024 season.

AFP’s resident NASCAR writer, Rod Mullins, breaks down Byron’s win, and previews the upcoming Cup Series races in Richmond and Martinsville.

Insider view of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway

Rod Mullins was in the media center for last weekend’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Being behind the scenes gives you a different perspective on a day of NASCAR Cup Series racing action.

Rod joins AFP editor Chris Graham to break down the race, won by Virginia native Denny Hamlin, and share what was being talked about in the pits.

Christopher Bell win in Phoenix caps emotional weekend for Joe Gibbs Racing

Christopher Bell was in the Championship 4 in Phoenix a few months ago, but engine issues ended his run at the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series title early that day.

Bell notched the win this weekend in his return, capping an emotional week at the track for Joe Gibbs Racing.

AFP’s NASCAR writer, Rod Mullins, breaks down the Phoenix race, and previews Bristol, where he will be on the scene beginning on Saturday.

Virginia faces must-win game in ACC regular-season finale

Virginia (21-9, 12-7 ACC) cannot afford a hiccup with Georgia Tech (14-16, 7-12 ACC) coming to town Saturday night.

AFP editor Chris Graham breaks down the matchup, and also looks across the ACC at the conference’s three NCAA Tournament bubble teams – UVA, Wake Forest and Pitt – and what each needs to do heading into next week’s ACC Tournament.

Stories mentioned in this podcast:

• Preview: Virginia faces absolute must-win this weekend with Georgia Tech in town
• Metrics: Where do the ACC bubble teams stand as we edge closer to Selection Sunday?

Kyle Larson takes the checkered flag in NASCAR Cup Series race in Vegas

Kyle Larson raced to victory in Las Vegas on Sunday. AFP NASCAR beat writer Rod Mullins joins the show to break down Larson’s win, and the rides of other top drivers in Sunday’s race.

Other topics:

• What happened to Chris Buescher’s tire, and why is NASCAR investigating?
• Amazon is making a splash in the NASCAR TV game.
• Honda appears to be ready to get involved in the NASCAR business.

Virginia faces Duke, Crazies in Cameron

For the first time in a decade, AFP editor Chris Graham will be attending a Virginia game without a credential hanging around his neck.

Chris will be in Cameron Indoor Stadium for Saturday’s ACC clash between Duke and Virginia.

It’s not a must-win for the ‘Hoos, but a W would be a nice add to the NCAA Tournament resume.

On the eve of the contest, Chris breaks down the matchup with an eye on how Virginia will try to game plan for what Duke will bring.

Story referenced in this podcast

• Virginia heads to Duke, where a Cavalier Court Storm could help NCAA resume

NASCAR basking in the glow of exciting finish in Atlanta

Daniel Suarez was just thismuch faster than the field in his photo-finish win in Atlanta on Sunday, at the end of one of the more thrilling NASCAR Cup Series races in recent memory.

AFP’s resident NASCAR beat writer, Rod Mullins, joins the podcast to break down the action – 48 lead changes, crashes involving 32 race teams, the three-wide finish.

We also look ahead to this Sunday’s race in Las Vegas.

Virginia set to face Boston College with its postseason fate on the line

Virginia (20-8, 11-6 ACC) needs a win at Boston College (15-12, 6-10 ACC) on Wednesday to keep on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

But are there bigger issues for this Virginia team, which has lost three of its last four, and hasn’t scored out of the 40s in two weeks?

AFP editor Chris Graham addresses the issues for the ‘Hoos, and the strategic tweaks that coach Tony Bennett could be putting in place to get things moving in the right direction.

Stories referenced in this podcast

• Preview: Virginia faces do-or-die game with Boston College on Wednesday
• Bennett has the blueprint for how to fix his offense: He just doesn’t want to use it
• Mailbag: Should Virginia try to speed the game up to try to get more offense?