Race Weekend Central

Holding A Pretty Wheel: Could A Step Back Move NASCAR Forward?

2019 Michigan I Cup Kyle Busch Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

NASCAR returns to my home track in New Hampshire this weekend. The stands won’t be packed full, sold out with a waiting list, but I remember when they were. NASCAR was swelling, and maybe even then riding for a fall. What happened in between is well-documented: the fad ended, and in an attempt to keep …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Age a Valid Reason to Get a Playoff Waiver?

2019 Kentucky Ngots Tyler Ankrum Victory Celebration Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kurt Busch openly admitted to some retirement consideration prior to his win last week. Who hangs it up first: Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick or Busch? Joy Tomlinson: My first thought is Jimmie Johnson since his last Cup Series win was over two years ago. He and his new crew chief seem to have started working together …

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2-Headed Monster: Does NASCAR Need To Eliminate Playoff Waivers?

2019 Kentucky Ngots Tyler Ankrum Victory Lane Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Tyler Ankrum won the 2019 Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway. For the 18-year-old from San Bernadino, Calif., this is his first career NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series victory and likely clinches him a playoff berth. Ankrum has not competed in all the Truck Series races this season — he missed the …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Quaker State 400

2019 Daytona I Cup Chris Buescher Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Kurt Busch flat outdrove his brother to take the win in the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Kyle Busch ran up on him to stop his momentum and gave the No. 1 a wicked tire rub, but the 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR …

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Friday Faceoff: What Does the Future Look Like for Justin Haley?

2019 Daytona I Nxs Justin Haley Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Justin Haley joined Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and Trevor Bayne as modern-era drivers to win in their first three starts in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Which of those drivers’ career will Haley’s most likely resemble? Adam Cheek: Jamie McMurray. He has enough talent to not be a relative bust like Bayne, but he’s …

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The Frontstretch 5: Improbable Cup Finishes

2016 Pocono Ii Cup Chris Buescher Champagne Logan Whitton Nkp

(Photo: Logan Whitton/NKP)

1. Chris Buescher, 2016 Pennsylvania 400 In August 2016, weather also played a role and forced an early ending. But the track wasn’t wet, and there wasn’t lightning in play. So what was? Fog. It looks like something out of a movie. Fog so heavy that drivers couldn’t see the track and spotters couldn’t see …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? NASCAR giveth and NASCAR taketh away.  A year ago, a questionable boundary line call cost Justin Haley his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win when he was disqualified at Daytona International Speedway. This time, the call went the other way, with Haley being declared the race winner …

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Friday Faceoff: Will the Summer Showdown At Daytona Be Mild or Wild?

Kenseth Leading Daytona

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL USA Saturday 1 July 2017 Matt Kenseth, Joe Gibbs Racing, DEWALT Flexvolt Toyota Camry World Copyright: Matthew T. Thacker NKP

The traditional-style plate races so far this year in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series have been varied from wild (Daytona International Speedway) to tame (Talladega Superspeedway). What scenario is more likely this week? Frank Velat: Talladega became notorious for having one crash-marred race after another to the point that drivers now seem to go …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Toyota/SaveMart 350

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(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Martin Truex Jr. certainly has Sonoma Raceway figured out. With his third win in the last seven races at the California road course, Truex is now the winningest active driver and — thanks to a change in track layout — the only current driver to win …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: Your Cheatin’ Heart

2017 Phoenix Ii Cup Pack Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

When NASCAR announced that teams who failed postrace inspection would face disqualification, forfeiting even a race win, it was well-received among race fans.  Many have called for years for stiffer penalties for bending the rules, and rightfully so.  Fans deserve to know that the winner of a race did so in a legal car. So, …

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The Frontstrech 5: Questions to Ask as NASCAR Summer Heats Up

2019 Michigan I Cup Kyle Busch Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

1. Can anyone break the Joe Gibbs Racing-Team Penske stranglehold on the Cup Series? Last year it was Stewart-Haas Racing, JGR and its satellite Furniture Row Racing stealing the show. Fast forward a year and it’s the same story, team as Penske has taken over the top of the Ford mountain from SHR for the …

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