If there’s one thing television’s greatest sitcoms have taught us, it’s that the best stories are built on unforgettable characters, unexpected twists and a little chaos. Fortunately, the NASCAR Cup Series Chase has all three.
With the final three races of the season airing on NBC, NASCAR Communications had a question worth investigating: Which NBC sitcom characters would some of the NASCAR Cup Series Chase drivers be? After all, what better way to prepare for a race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio than to compare championship contenders to the likes of Michael Scott, Jerry Seinfeld and the rest of television’s finest personalities?
Kyle Larson - Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld) Jerry Seinfeld is P1 on the list of NBC's iconic TV stars, so it's only natural that the NASCAR points leader is likened to the lead on the Show About Nothing. And if that's the case, Phoenix Raceway is definitely Newman. After a tire failure at Phoenix shrunk his championship lead to five points, Larson heads to Talladega. He hopes the story on Monday isn’t, “The green flag flew, yada yada yada, and now Christopher Bell is the points leader.”
Christopher Bell - Woody Boyd (Cheers) Woody and C-Bell both exude a small town charm, an earnest, likable presence and a humor than sneaks up on you … all of which make both easy to underestimate. That would be unfortunate. Woody shined when he replaced the beloved Coach behind the Boston bar, and with the points deficit now microscopic, Bell may very well replace the beloved Larson atop the NASCAR Cup Series standings.
Chase Briscoe - Dwight Schrute (The Office) The fiercely competitive rule enforcer who takes everything seriously and always believes he has the winning strategy. Add a little rivalry and this casting practically writes itself. Like Dwight, Briscoe is always looking for an edge, and Dwight’s approach to strategy is simple: “Before I do anything, I ask myself, ‘Would an idiot do that?’ And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing.” Heading to Talladega, it’s honestly not the worst question to ask before making a move.
Denny Hamlin - Sophia Petrillo (The Golden Girls) Old, sassy and never afraid to tell you exactly how she feels, Sophia Petrillo has never been one to hold her tongue. After all these years in the Cup Series, Denny Hamlin – the senior citizen of the Cup field who’s still firing fastballs – has certainly earned a reputation for speaking his mind, too. Like Sophia, he’s never short on an opinion or afraid to share it.
Ryan Blaney - Jake Peralta (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) Blaney is laid-back, has a mischievous sense of humor, thrives on friendly competition and knows how to keep things entertaining. Both are naturally charismatic, quick with a joke and always ready to turn an ordinary moment into a competition. But underneath the humor is a serious competitor who knows how to get the job done when it matters. And just as Jake traded some of his childish antics for family-man responsibilities, Blaney has entered a new chapter of life becoming a husband, a father, and now potentially a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. A win at Talladega would be cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, no doubt, no doubt.
Joey Logano - Michael Scott (The Office) The ultimate entertainer. Confident, quotable and always ready to make himself the center of attention. Joey Logano would absolutely deliver a motivational speech before a race and think everyone loved it. Like Michael Scott, Logano’s never met a spotlight he didn’t like or a situation that couldn’t use a little extra confidence. After sweeping both stages at Phoenix before finishing sixth, Joey could probably relate to Michael’s famous words: “I am Beyoncé, always.” The question, though, is Logano superstitious, or just a little stitious.
'Dega on NBC Always Leaves Me Smiling and Satisfied … That’s What She Said'