Race Weekend Central

Turn Back the Clock: 2006 NASCAR Season, Part 1 of 7

2006 Homestead Cup Jimmie Johnson Champagne Nigel Kinrade

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Casey Mears was going to decide the 2006 Daytona 500, that much was clear. On the white flag lap of a green-white-checkered finish to the Great American Race, Mears was running third, behind leader Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman as the pack broke up to race each other behind the front three. In front of …

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The Frontstretch 5: Underrated Drivers in NASCAR Right Now

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

When people talk about the best drivers in NASCAR, some names immediately come to mind: Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano … the list goes on and on. But who are the drivers that aren’t the first ones people think of? Certainly, some of them are worth of a second …

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The Frontstretch 5: Bad Decisions in Sports & How They Were Handled

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson screwed up — big time, and there are really no excuses. But amidst what has undoubtedly been the worst week, at least professionally, of the young driver’s life, there is hope for a future in racing. Larson isn’t necessarily done: NASCAR will likely reinstate him quickly once he completes whatever program they lay …

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Kyle Larson Suspended Without Pay by Chip Ganassi Racing, NASCAR Following Racial Incident on iRacing

2019 Charlotte Cup Kyle Larson Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Update (5 p.m. ET): NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Kyle Larson. “NASCAR has made diversity and inclusion a priority and will not tolerate the type of language used by Kyle Larson during Sundays iRacing event,” a NASCAR statement read. “Our member conduct guidelines are clear in this regard, and we will enforce these guidelines to maintain …

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The Frontstretch 5: Most Deserving of Inclusion in the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Town Fair Tire 100

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The NASCAR Hall of Fame announced its list of nominees on Tuesday (April 7), and as usual, there was quite a list. This year’s group is headlined, perhaps, by Dale Earnhardt Jr., but who’s really most worthy of induction this time around? With new rules for election in place, two people from the modern era ballot …

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The Frontstretch 5: Good Reasons to Give eRacing a 2nd Look

2020texasiracingtimmyhillracingnascar

(Photo: NASCAR)

With racing of all kinds temporarily suspended, race fans find themselves with limited options. There are plenty of old races online, but the outcome is already a known entity. And then there’s eRacing. NASCAR has sanctioned multiple series since last year, and they already had a healthy audience. But the sport has enjoyed a bump …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Change the 2020 Playoff Format?

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With several races now postponed, how should NASCAR go about squeezing them into the rest of the year? Adam Cheek: Weekday races, doubleheaders and an extension of the season are the best routes. If they do intend to squeeze in all races for each series (36 for cup, seven of which will be missed with the …

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The Frontstretch 5: Things to Do Until Racing Comes Back

2019 Chicagoland Ngots Restart Sunset Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Thanks to the fast-spreading COVID-19 virus, racing is on hold for a while. The fast cars will be back, but it’s a difficult and strange time for fans, trying to navigate a new world of grocery shortages and job uncertainty to go along with the health scare. The best thing we can all do right …

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The Frontstretch 5: Longest-Tenured NASCAR Cup Series Drivers

2019 Daytona I Cup Kurt Busch Smiling Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s hard to survive in NASCAR’s top series. It’s success that usually breeds longevity, and the NASCAR Cup Series is rife with successful veteran drivers. Who’s been around the longest? Here are the five full-time Cup drivers whose careers began the longest ago. Due to the structure of the rules for rookies at the time, …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2020 Fan Shield 500

2020phoenixncsjoeyloganoburnoutrlp

(Photo: Randy Lanning)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Joey Logano’s heart probably sank lower with each late restart. He had the best car in the late going, but he had Phoenix master Kevin Harvick to contend with on the final restarts, and Harvick’s car was fast on short runs. Logano is one of the …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: NASCAR’s P-Word

2019 pack racing Cup NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Parity. Is it a dirty word, or isn’t it? You certainly hear it a lot, tossed around in conversation, sometimes like a shining example of what racing should strive for, but sometimes more like a bug to be squashed before it gets too big. The truth is probably, as it so often really is, somewhere …

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The Frontstretch 5: Drivers Poised to Grab Their First Wins in 2020

2019 Atlanta Cup William Byron Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. William Byron Byron has shown speed since he came into the NASCAR Cup Series, but what he has yet to do is put it all together for a win. Look for that to change this year, as Byron has a few factors in his corner for 2020. The new Camaro body has already given …

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