FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 03: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Spectrum Chevrolet waives to fans during driver introductions before the Wurth 400 in the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX. Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 03 NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260503024
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 03: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Spectrum Chevrolet waives to fans during driver introductions before the Wurth 400 in the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX. Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 03 NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260503024
NASCAR has phased out several traditions over the years, and one of them was the Tandem racing. However, Cup Series drivers Connor Zilisch and Todd Gilliland have now backed the idea of bringing the feature back.
Back during the early 2010s, NASCAR drivers used to communicate mid-race with their rivals via the Citizen Band radio. It was mostly used on Speedways like Daytona and Talladega to strategize and help them pair up to help each other out.
During their recent appearance on the "Actions Detrimental" podcast, Zilisch and Gilliland were questioned about who would be their tandem partner if NASCAR went back to the tandem package.
"Unpopular opinion, but I think the tandem racing would be sick to bring back," Todd Gilliland replied."I mean, it can't be any harder to pass than what we got."
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 02: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Spectrum Chevrolet smiles after securing the pole position in qualifying for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Wurth 400 on May 02, 2026, at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX. Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 02 NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260502003
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 02: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Spectrum Chevrolet smiles after securing the pole position in qualifying for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Wurth 400 on May 02, 2026, at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX. Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 02 NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260502003
Connor Zilisch quickly chimed in as he picked his Trackhouse teammate to be his tandem partner. He said:
"I feel like Me and Shane would be some good tandem partners."
Todd Gilliland further voiced his support to bring back tandem racing, explaining how it would help the drivers coordinate more effectively.
"Also, we need to bring back the radio with the big dial of like everyone's car numbers. Just tune in. 'Yo, Connor, you want to work with me? No, man. I already got Shane.' That would be cool. If we could do that at practice for the 500, that would be perfect."
The discussion also turned on how the tandem communication can help drivers resolve on track dispute. Travis Rockhold, co-host of the podcast referred to the recent incident involving Carson Hocevar and Corey Heim. To which both Zilisch and Gilliland replied,
"Oh yeah, we don't need Hocevar to have that, dude. He'd be rage-baiting everyone."
With NASCAR making several changes after considering driver feedback, it remains to be seen if the sanctioning body will consider this conversation.
When Denny Hamlin gave NASCAR a suggestion
After the race at Talladega, the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver had suggested NASCAR help improve racing at Speedways like Talladega and Daytona.
During an episode of "Actions Detrimental" uploaded on April 28, he said,
"I hope next time they try something different. My first recommendation is please cut the spoiler off this car, please. Do whatever it takes. If we got to run 210 (mph), we’ll run 210. Please get some drag out of this car."
The spoiler, which is a core part of the Next Gen car and keeps the cars in a pack. However, according to Hamlin, cutting the spoiler shorter will aid in door-to-door racing.
On July 16 NASCAR announced changes to the speedway package where they reduced the spoiler and the horsepower to improve the racing product at Daytona.
In recent weeks, NASCAR has shown willingness to consider feedback from its drivers. Whether the changes improve the on-track racing at Daytona remains to be seen.
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco