NASCAR Cup Series drivers had varying reactions to Netflix’s new docuseries, “Full Speed,” that recently debuted on Jan. 30.
The five-part series covered the trajectory of last year’s playoffs and provided fans a behind-the-scenes perspective of what the experience is like from the driver’s seat.
Joey Logano, who has watched three episodes so far, called it “entertaining and interesting” to watch — except for one part.
“I didn’t like reliving getting knocked out of the playoffs. That part really sucked, but I get they have to do that,” said the No. 22 Team Penske driver, who was eliminated during the Round of 16 last season.
Though the docuseries heavily features Logano in episode two with coverage of his family and home life, he mentioned that he didn’t open doors as much as other drivers did for the production crew.
“I don’t know if I feel really comfortable doing that just from a privacy and safety standpoint,” Logano explained. “At the race track, everything was fine.”
Denny Hamlin was essentially the protagonist of “Full Speed,” as he allowed the filming crews more access than most of his competitors.
The docuseries included scenes at Hamlin’s home, in his car, his motorhome at the track and team meetings — primarily at 23XI Racing, the Cup Series operation Hamlin co-owns with Michael Jordan.
23XI drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick also received a fair bit of screen time.
After hearing some criticism that he was “overexposed” in the series, Hamlin clarified, “No one had editing rights except for Netflix, so they are ultimately the ones who put out the (stories) they thought were compelling.”
He continued, “Obviously, my quest for this Cup (Series championship) has been 18 years in the making, so they thought that was a compelling story.”
The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver also stated that, while there has been both negative and positive feedback, the majority has been in the latter category.
“I feel like it has been really positive for the sport and certainly, I hope we bring it to some new eyes and that is what it is all about,” Hamlin said.
Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron shared that he gained 1,000 followers within the first 24 hours of “Full Speed” debuting.
“I think they did a really good job capturing the intensity of the final few races and did a really good job in production, in general,” Byron said.
His quest to win his first Cup Series championship was covered closely, beginning in episode one when the series provides a glimpse into Byron’s daily life and recounts the story of his sim racing background.
On the other end of the spectrum, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell doesn’t plan to watch the docuseries.
“I can’t watch interviews of myself, so I can’t watch it,” Bell said.
Overall, the general consensus among drivers is that “Full Speed” is an accurate portrayal of the intensity of the Cup Series playoffs and showcased the sport in a much-needed way.
“I thought they did a good job of mixing the racing side with the personality side and showing what goes into it — the ups and the downs. It’s a lot of emotions positive and negative depending on how you’re doing in it, and I thought they did a good job with that,” said reigning champion Ryan Blaney.
The No. 12 Team Penske driver and his fiancé, Gianna Tulio, were understandably a key storyline the Netflix crew leaned into following Blaney’s win at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway during the Round of 12.
“It was good to give access to those folks and just show the personal side and then the racing side, whether it’s your diehard NASCAR fan or someone who doesn’t know anything about the sport,” Blaney said.
“I especially enjoyed the ending, so that part was good.”