Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice?: NASCAR Fans Claiming a Race Was Fixed for Bubba Wallace?

2021 Talladega Ii Cup Bubba Wallace Denny Hamlin Chris Graythen Getty

(Photo: NASCAR Media via Chris Graythen of Getty Images)

Did You Notice? … The reactions in the wake of Bubba Wallace‘s first ever NASCAR Cup Series win at Talladega Superspeedway? It’s the first time since December 1963 a Black driver has visited victory lane, 10 months into Wallace’s first season running with the most famous minority owner in NASCAR history, Michael Jordan. That’s a landmark …

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Did You Notice?: Winless NASCAR Drivers Seeking Talladega Breakthrough

David Ragan celebrates his victory at Talladega Superspeedway with Front Row Motorsports in 2013. (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Autostock)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Autostock

Did You Notice? … Talladega Superspeedway has always been labeled the best track for winless NASCAR drivers to pull an upset? The 2.66-mile oval has a history of pulling off one-hit wonders, from Richard Brickhouse winning his first and only NASCAR Cup Series race there in 1969 to Ron Bouchard pulling off this three-wide thriller in …

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Did You Notice?: Where the Line Is on NASCAR Privacy? What Should Go Public?

Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott at Bristl

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Did You Notice? … The raging debate on NASCAR privacy left over from Bristol Motor Speedway? The post-race altercation between Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick turned sour when they discovered a quiet place in the garage area was hard to come by. No one disagrees the first part of their argument should have been covered from …

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Did You Notice?: Have NASCAR Playoffs Changed Perception 17 Years In?

Alex Bowman pack racing at Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice?… The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have flipped the script on two of its biggest teams? Stewart-Haas Racing has struggled through the worst year of its existence. SHR has just one win, a darkness-shortened New Hampshire Motor Speedway upset by Aric Almirola. Marquee driver Kevin Harvick sits winless a year after setting a …

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Did You Notice?: Major U.S. Markets Without a NASCAR Cup Race

Brett Moffitt celebrates his win at Iowa Speedway in 2018. (Photo: NKP)

Brett Moffitt celebrating his Iowa win (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … How many major markets don’t have a NASCAR Cup Series race within reasonable driving distance? The recent focus on a potential exhibition race at the L.A. Coliseum has people buzzing about potential changes to the 2022 schedule and beyond. The sport has been more flexible than ever to adjust both locations and …

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5 Points to Ponder: Can NASCAR & Hollywood Mix in L.A.?

2021 Darlington Ii Pack Jared C Tilton Getty

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

1. NASCAR Racing in L.A. Coliseum? A Hollywood affair? The NASCAR world was caught by surprise with Monday’s (Sept. 6) Labor Day bombshell in The Athletic about a potential 2022 exhibition race in Los Angeles. According to sources in the story, the Busch Clash would be moved from its traditional spot, Daytona International Speedway, to a short …

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Did You Notice?: For Ryan Preece, Matt DiBenedetto the Only NASCAR Way Up Is Down

2021 Nashville Trucks Ryan Preece happy NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … For Ryan Preece and Matt DiBenedetto, NASCAR Cup Series employment options are shrinking? Both men are likely free agents after JTG Daugherty Racing revealed they’re downsizing to a one-car team in 2022. Matty D has been auditioning for weeks after Harrison Burton announced he’ll be a Cup rookie full-time next season driving …

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Did You Notice?: Matt Kaulig Forming Blueprint For Fresh NASCAR Ownership

Kaulig Racing expanded to a three-car organization in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021. (Photo: NKP)

#10: Jeb Burton, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet Camaro, #11: Justin Haley, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet Camaro LeafFilter Gutter Protection

Did You Notice? … Matt Kaulig has had one of the most successful beginnings of any team without a NASCAR Cup Series charter? His No. 16 Chevrolet became the first open car to win a Cup race since the current franchise-based system was created in 2016. Throughout the year, Kaulig has laid a solid foundation for …

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Curb Your Enthusiasm For NASCAR at Indianapolis

A pack of NASCAR Xfinity cars race in the turns at the Indianapolis road course in 2020, Jamie Squire/Getty Images

(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

As a wide-eyed kid in love with NASCAR, I still remember the excitement, the hype surrounding the first ever Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994. For the first time in 83 years, stock cars were running on the shrine of open-wheel racing and 350,000 screaming fans were there in person to see it. …

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Did You Notice?: Winless NASCAR Cup Contenders on Road Courses

2021 Dover Cup Brad Keselowski NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Not every NASCAR Cup Series title contender is like Chase Elliott? Elliott is seeking his third straight road course win this weekend at Watkins Glen International. He’s won two of the four road course races in Cup this year, both with “America” in their track name (Circuit of the Americas in Texas …

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5 Points to Ponder: The Rest of the 2021 NASCAR Season

Nascar Cup Series

#5: Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro HendrickCars.com

ONE: Which Hendrick Motorsports is for real? Hendrick Motorsports caught fire this summer, its best performance in the NASCAR Cup Series since Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were on the roster in 2014. From Dover International Speedway in May to the first Pocono Raceway event the end of June, HMS won six straight races and …

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Did You Notice?: Brad Keselowski Perfect Fit to Become Jack Roush 2.0

Brad Keselowski on pit road at the Daytona International Speedway road course 2021. (Photo: NKP)

#2: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Discount Tire

Did You Notice? … Brad Keselowski is the right person at the right time to buy into Roush Fenway Racing? Some 33 years after Jack Roush started his NASCAR program, a succession plan has been put into place in the form of the 2012 Cup Series champion. Keselowski laid out his reasoning Tuesday (July 20) in …

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