Ready to listen to some super scoop from NASCAR? The Checkered Flag Podcast is back on WRALSportsFan.com and most major podcast providers!
99.9 The Fan Producer/Board Operator Michael Shelton hosts the weekly auto racing podcast for Capitol Broadcasting. Shelton previews the weekend’s upcoming races in major racing series including NASCAR, INDYCAR, Formula 1, NHRA and World of Outlaws sprint car racing.
“In addition, I also have the chance to interview and/or pose questions on Zoom sessions to some of the biggest names in racing, be they drivers, broadcasters or team owners,” said Shelton.
Some of his previous interviews have included Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mario Andretti, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and 2-time Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud.
Shelton originally started the podcast in February 2019. Because he is a racing fan and 620 The Ticket was airing NASCAR races at the time, as well as NASCAR airing on WRAZ FOX 50 and WRAL-TV and INDYCAR airing on WRAL-TV, a manager approached him with the idea.
The last episode on WRALSportsFan was released on November 2019. The podcast was not renewed for the following year as 620 The Ticket ceased airing the races. But Shelton kept the podcast going on his own, publishing the episodes through Buzzsprout.
“Then last month, CBC Vice President of Radio Brian Maloney and WRAL-FM Brand/Content Manager Sammy Simpson approached me about bringing the podcast back to WRALSportsFan.com,” Shelton explained, “and I gladly obliged.”
The first episode back on WRALSportsFan was on Friday, August 6, 2021.
“…I interviewed 2-time INDYCAR Series Champion Josef Newgarden prior to racing in his hometown in the Music City Grand Prix,” said Shelton of the episode, “and I was also able to pose a question about mental health to 7-time NASCAR Cup Champion and INDYCAR rookie Jimmie Johnson.”
Several of the remaining NASCAR Cup races this season will be broadcast on WRAL-TV, including the Aug. 15 race at Indianapolis, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 from Daytona on Aug. 28, the Bank of America Roval 400 from Charlotte on Oct. 10, and the championship race from Phoenix on Nov. 7.
In addition, WRAL TV-5 will broadcast INDYCAR races from Portland on Sept. 12 and Monterrey, California on Sept. 19.
During the first half of the NASCAR season, FOX Sports aired the NASCAR Cup races with some races airing in on WRAZ FOX 50.
Tune in to The Checkered Flag podcast each week to hear Shelton break down upcoming races and interview key players from the track and the infield.
“I’m thankful that the podcast is back on the Capitol Broadcasting Podcast Network,” said Shelton, “and I hope to continue to provide listeners with quality interviews with top racing personalities and update them with the latest information to get them ready for the weekend in racing.”
The Checkered Flag Podcast is your go-to destination for all things NASCAR, including interviews featuring NASCAR Monster Energy & Xfinity Series superstars and their crew chiefs as well as legendary car owners, Hall of Famers and top NASCAR media personalities.
