Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: Aero, Crash Damage & Experience Heading to Talladega with Jason Ratcliff

Jason Ratcliff Cup Martinsville 2016 Mike Neff

Coming off a disappointing result at Richmond International Raceway, finishing 23rd after winning the pole and leading the most laps, Jason Ratcliff and his No. 20 team driven by Matt Kenseth head to Talladega Superspeedway with a renewed confidence that they’ll have a shot at a victory. Ratcliff believes his team was competitive at Daytona …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Logano Pulls Richmond Robbery From Keselowski, Kenseth

2017 Richmond I Cup Joey Logano Confetti Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP)

Who’s In The Headline It took pit strategy to get Joey Logano up front at Richmond International Raceway, but no one on the No. 22 team is complaining this Monday morning. Not when you have a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series trophy on your mantle. After a late caution, while restarting behind cars that stayed on …

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Tech Talk: Trent Owens on Truck Arms, Tire Circumference & Compounds

2017 Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Camping World 500 Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Az Usa Friday 17 March 2017 Chris Buescher And Trent Owens World Copyright: (nigel Kinrade/nkp)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Spending an extra day at Bristol Motor Speedway was a forgone conclusion based on the weather forecast before last weekend. Unfortunately for Trent Owens and his No. 37 team driven by Chris Buescher, the race on Monday ended prematurely thanks to a racing deal near lap 50. Owens still had the opportunity to experience VHT …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Bristol Pit Road Penalties Played Into Jimmie Johnson’s Hands

2017 Bristol I Cup Jimmie Johnson Woohoo Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Slow and steady may win some races but it was hammer down at Bristol on this special Monday of racing. Jimmie Johnson started the race in the 11th spot and didn’t sneak out front until lap 394. From there until lap 500, he was at the point for 81 circuits, saving …

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Tech Talk: Aerodynamics & Vertical Loads with Tony Gibson

2017 Fontana Auto Club Tony Gibson Cup Rusty Jarrett/nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Teams do a lot of different things during an off-week. Tony Gibson, crew chief for Kurt Busch in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, went to the mountains of Tennessee and ran around for most of the week in side-by-sides. He was able to do that peacefully because his team is prepared for the next …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Aerodynamics, Multiple Winners, Potential New Tires and More in the First Off Week

2017 Atlanta Cup Brad Keselowski Paul Wolfe Trophy Nigel Kinrade Nkp

Who’s in the headline – The season started with Kurt Busch in Victory Lane for the first time in his career at Daytona, along with his Daytona native crew chief Tony Gibson. Brad Keselowski is the only two-time winner in the series, while Kyle Larson has finished in the top two in all but two …

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Tech Talk: Tires, Shocks & Unknowns with Jason Ratcliff

Nascar 2017 Cup Jason Ratcliff Matt Kenseth Nascar (photo: Nigel Kinrade / Nkp)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Coming off a challenging weekend at Martinsville Speedway, where qualifying was canceled and teams had to start on points, Jason Ratcliff and his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team for Matt Kenseth had to battle hard but managed to overcome that initial deficit to come home in ninth. The outside groove came in and made …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Brad Keselowski Survives Beating, Banging and Trading Paint to Win Martinsville

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Who’s in the headline – Rusty Wallace won at Martinsville Speedway six times drivng for Roger Penske. He last won a grandfather clock for Penske in 2004. Since then, it had been an agonizing drought for Team Penske. Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski have both come very close in Southern Virginia, but failed to seal …

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Tech Talk: Sideskirts, Tires, Brake Heat & Drive Off with Trent Owens

Trent Owens Daytona Cup 2017 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

After the West Coast swing, the Cup series prepares to head to the one track left that was on the original schedule, Martinsville Speedway. Chris Buescher’s crew chief Trent Owens, with his connection to Richard Petty, has a special affinity for the half-mile track in southern Virginia. As the team pulls into Martinsville, there are many …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kyle Larson Takes Final Step to Second Career Victory at Fontana

Kyle Larson Win

2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA USA Sunday 26 March 2017 Kyle Larson celebrates his win in Victory Lane World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade/NKP

Who’s in the headline – Kyle Larson had been knocking on the door of a second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win all season with three consecutive second-place finishes. He took the final step Sunday after winning the pole on Friday. Larson won the first stage, finished second in the second stage, led the most …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Ryan Newman Stretches Tires to Douse Winless Drought in Phoenix

Who’s in the headline – Ryan Newman won the 2013 Brickyard 400 before he was released by Stewart-Haas Racing. He has managed several third-place finishes, but only one runner-up since. In typical Newman fashion, he stayed out on a late-race caution with old tires and managed to hold off Kyle Larson to steal the victory. …

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