Race Weekend Central

Couch Potato Tuesday: Texas Just Doesn’t Bring the Action for NBC

A pack NASCAR race cars at Texas Motor Speedway, October 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

We’re now in the Round of 8, where things kick it up a notch. Starting Saturday, drivers in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series each had the chance to lock into the Championship 4. Kyle Larson was able to do so in Sunday’s AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500, while no one did Saturday. Before we get …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Schumacher Provides Context but Not Necessarily the Content You Want

F1 Gp Monza

Tifosi Ferrari Fans Monza Formula 1 GP Monza. Foto Imago/Insidefoto

Last weekend was an exciting weekend of action at Talladega Superspeedway. I know. I was there. An astute viewer may have even seen me at the Infield Care Center in the rain Monday (Oct. 4), trying to get quotes from William Byron, Matt DiBenedetto and Ryan Preece. There is plenty to write about in regards …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Round of 12 Brings Heavy Playoff Focus to Las Vegas

NASCAR racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, September 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Las Vegas Motor Speedway began the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and things got a little more serious since it is likely to be the least looney race of the round. Even with fewer intermediate tracks in the playoffs now, it’s still critical to put up a decent finish here since …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: NBCSN Gets Excellent Racing and an Argument at Bristol

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson make contact in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, September 2021 televised on NBCSN. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Bristol Motor Speedway is an interesting place. Hard racing, wrecking, loud noises and shenanigans showcased this weekend on NBCSN come to mind every time it’s mentioned. I have no doubt that you can think of more. Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race was something else. Fans of The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck have voted …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Richmond Brings Self-Reflection to NBCSN

2021 Richmond II Cup Martin Truex Jr. pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Richmond races for the Cup Series have not necessarily been the most competitive in recent years. Honestly, they’ve been Joe Gibbs Racing benefits. Saturday night’s race was no different, despite 21 lead changes. Naturally, given that Saturday was Sept. 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks was front and center. Countdown to Green had a …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Darlington Brings a Somewhat Normal Cup Broadcast With Extras

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battle in the closing laps of the 2021 Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Darlington Raceway is always an interesting place to watch a NASCAR Cup Series race. Yes, the 2021 Cook Out Southern 500 took over four hours to run, but that’s OK. Sit down and grab some popcorn for the Cup broadcast; the racing here takes a while. It also didn’t seem like there were 11 cautions …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Daytona Brings Fierce Racing on NBC, but Not for All

NASCAR race cars drafting at Daytona International Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Last weekend was the end of the regular season for the NASCAR Cup Series. The next 10 weeks will likely be interesting. But before we can get there, we have 400 miles and change in Daytona to get through. Saturday night was a big night for NBC. You got fast and furious action at a …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Gateway a Nightmare for FS1, Michigan Skewed by Finish

Pack racing in the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

This past weekend was the final split race weekend of the season. The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series teams were at Michigan International Speedway. Meanwhile, the Camping World Truck Series shared a bill at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway with the NTT IndyCar Series. The two venues brought in completely different races. FireKeepers Casino …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: The Curbs Ruin NBC’s Day In Indianapolis

Kyle Busch races in the NASCAR Cup Sereies at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In recent years, races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been a mixed affair. The Indianapolis 500 has generally been very competitive in recent years.  I’ve enjoyed the races, recent television coverage from NBC and I think most race fans would agree. For NASCAR, it’s been a downward trajectory since the repave in 2008. The 2008 …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: A Look at Bob Jenkins’ Legacy

2017 Richmond Ii Nxs Pack Racing Sunset Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The original plan for this week’s column was to talk about NBCSN’s broadcast of Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen, and reflect on how the MVP coverage worked. I would have talked about how Mike Bagley integrated himself into the telecast from his post in the Esses. Maybe I would have touched upon yesterday’s INDYCAR …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: MAVTV Provides Lackluster Iowa Broadcast

2021 ARCA Iowa Pack Racing Sammy Smith, No. 81 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

The Olympic Break continues. With the majority of the biggest series being off last weekend, it almost feels like the offseason in many ways. Driver behavior is not really dissimilar. Just look at anything Kyle Busch has posted in the last week once he got over the shenanigans at Loudon. That said, not everyone spent …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: NBC Breaks Out the Racing Team Broadcast for Moist New Hampshire

The NASCAR Cup Series, one of the top spectator sports, roars through the turns at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been panned for what seems like the majority of the time that the NASCAR Cup Series has raced there. It’s a place that’s naturally hard to pass at since the groove isn’t very wide. In recent years, the track’s staff has made a bunch of moves to try …

Read more