Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Small Teams Thriving and Surviving in Daytona

2017 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Gase Bk Racing Corey Lajoie

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Think Small Well, Daytona is in the rearview mirror. Depending on who you ask, that’s either a real bummer or can’t come too soon, depending on how the race went. The thing about plate tracks is that they’re such an opportunity for teams to compete—if they’re lucky and avoid trouble.  They can also become exercises …

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Friday Faceoff: Do NASCAR’s New Rules Go Too Far?

2016 Xfinity Homestead Miami Speedway Zach Catanzareti Kyle Larson

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

NASCAR implemented some new penalties for 2017, including immediate consequences for some infractions. Kyle Larson was parked during the Advance Auto Parts Clash for having too many men over the wall making repairs to his car, one of the new provisions.  Are the new, stiffer penalties a good deterrent to breaking the rules, or do …

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Frontstretch 5: That First-Time 500 Feeling

2006 Daytona I Cup Jimmie Johnson Chaeckered Flag Nigel Kinrade

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The Great American Race: the Daytona 500.  It’s the one every driver wants to win, but in 56 tries, just 37 drivers can actually claim a victory in NASCAR’s biggest event.  We all remember seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt’s emotional win in 1998 after 20 years of heartbreak, but did you know that since that memorable …

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Friday Faceoff: Crunched Cars Crunched for Time

2016 Charlotte All Star Cup Tony Stewart Crash Damage Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

NASCAR announced Wednesday that teams that suffer crash damage during a race will have five minutes to fix it on pit road, and if they can’t get the car back on track, they must park for the day.  Good move? John Douglas, Contributor: I am actually a fan of this rule. It’s a complex variation …

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Friday Faceoff: How About All These Changes?

2016 Chicago Cup Carl Edwards Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

NASCAR issued several changes to race formats Monday. What was your instant reaction to the changes? Clayton Caldwell, Contributor: I really like the new points format. I like how bonus points carry throughout the Chase — whoops, I mean playoffs — and that you actually get something for running well in the first two stages of …

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The Frontstretch 5: 2017 NASCAR Developing Storylines

2016 Nascar Indy Brickyard

(Photo: Matthew Thacker / NKP)

There’s a lot to take in If NASCAR’s announcement of numerous changes to race formats and points in its three national touring series didn’t give fans a lot to think about, nothing will.  Beyond that, though, there will be some changes to the cars to reduce downforce in both NASCAR’s Cup and XFINITY series.  Charters changed …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: NASCAR’s Game-Changer That Doesn’t Change the Game

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

Raise your hand if NASCAR’s announcement on Monday left you a little shocked and confused. Oh, good, so it’s not just me. Segmented races? Championship points?  Playoff points?  It’s enough to make you wring your hands in despair. It’s certainly going to take some time to digest and learn who gets points for what and …

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Friday Faceoff: Who’s the Top NASCAR Rookie For 2017?

2016 Xfinity Iowa

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Carl Edwards pulled off a move that shocked the racing community, announcing he’ll step away from NASCAR competition full-time.  If Edwards has really hung ’em up for good, what is his legacy in the sport?  Is he a future Hall of Famer? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I think he goes down as one of the …

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2016 NASCAR Rewind: Jimmie Johnson

2016 Nascar Charlotte

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Jimmie Johnson entered 2016 chasing NASCAR immortality.  A six-time Cup champion, Johnson had spent the previous two seasons attempting to tie Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt at seven, the series record. After winning twice in the first five races (Atlanta and Fontana), Johnson looked to be among the title favorites, but the rest of the …

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2016 NASCAR Rewind: Casey Mears

2016 Kansas I Cup Casey Mears Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

In NASCAR, there are no guarantees, and as such it’s possible for a team to check all the boxes and still struggle to perform.  That was the fate of Casey Mears and Germain Racing in 2016 after coming off the team’s best-ever season at NASCAR’s top level in 2015. A fueling issue in the Daytona …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s on NASCAR’s Horizon?

Nascar Champions Portraits

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

NASCAR announced Monster Energy as the new entitlement sponsor in its premier series, replacing Sprint.  Will Monster be a good fit for the series moving forward? Mark Howell, Senior Writer: Based on Monster’s (pardon the pun) track record in motorsports, the affiliation with NASCAR’s premier series will be a successful one. Based on sight of …

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