Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Can Harvick Four-Peat?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Kevin Harvick Burnout Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Kevin Harvick has now won three races in a row, becoming the third driver over 40 years old to accomplish the feat. He’s going for four in a row this upcoming weekend in Fontana. Can he do it? Mark Howell: Harvick has won at Auto Club Speedway before (in 2011), so we know he’s capable of …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Harvick This Year’s MTJ?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Kevin Harvick Car Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP)

Kevin Harvick continued his dominance by spanking the field this past weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his second consecutive victory. And this weekend, the circuit heads to ISM Raceway, Harvick’s most successful track. Is it too early to say that Harvick is this year’s MTJ? Davey Segal: Folks, let’s look at the big …

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Making Sense of Fuzzy Math, Rigged Roofs, and the 48’s Folly

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/ NKP)

Making Sense of Series Stats With Kevin Harvick’s win Sunday in Las Vegas, his career total of NASCAR wins reached a milestone mark of 100 wins. As a result, the graphs touting the win total along with Kyle Busch at 184, compared to Richard Petty’s 200 Cup Series wins and David Pearson’s 105 wins started …

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Friday Faceoff: To Repave Atlanta or Not to Repave?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Folds Of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga Usa Sunday 25 February 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Ford Fusion, And Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Axalta Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

There has been talk regarding Atlanta Motor Speedway’s racing surface on whether to repave or not to repave. What do you think? Matt McLaughlin: I sure hope it won’t be repaved. The worn surface makes tire management crucial and introduces the chances to use contrary strategy to have a tortoise beat a hare. It’s a lot like …

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NASCAR Top 10 Storylines 2017: Darrell Wallace Jr. Finally Snags a Full-Time Ride with RPM

2017 Texas Darrell Wallace Jr. Richard Petty Motorsports Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The 2017 NASCAR season was the end of an era, on a number of different levels. Actually, the season began with one of its most familiar faces calling it quits before the green flag even fell over Speedweeks. The year finished in a similar vein, as the driving careers of two drivers who rose to …

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Friday Faceoff: Who Gets It Done at Homestead?

2016 Kansas I Cup Martin Truex Jr Dale Earnhardt Jr Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

After the dust cleared at Phoenix, it will be Martin Truex, Jr., Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski duking it out for the championship at Homestead.  Who takes home the trophy? Amy Henderson: Truex is ready to close it out and has the car to do it.  And if anyone else does win it, …

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Friday Faceoff: Where’s the Line in NASCAR?

Nascar Camping World Truck Series Bar Harbor 200 Dover International Speedway, Dover, De Usa Friday 2 June 2017 Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Fedex Express Toyota Camry Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Napa Chevrolet Ss World Copyright: Matthew T. Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway featured a lot of action, including Denny Hamlin spinning Chase Elliott for the lead, Kyle Busch moving Hamlin out of the way for the win and Elliott waiting for Hamlin after the race and running into the No. 11.  Were these moves all simply part …

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Friday Faceoff: Did NASCAR Go Too Far with Penalties?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Ks Usa Saturday 21 October 2017 Matt Kenseth, Joe Gibbs Racing, Dewalt Flexvolt Toyota Camry World Copyright: Matthew T. Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Last weekend’s race featured the second cut in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and among those out is veteran Matt Kenseth, who was parked by NASCAR for having too many crew members working on his car under the damaged vehicle policy.  Is the consequence for that particular infraction too harsh, or is this …

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Voice Of Vito: Can Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dominate One Last Time At ‘Dega?

2017 Atlanta Cup Dale Earnhardt Jr Car Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Consistency or Conspiracy with NASCAR No-Call? Heading into Talladega this weekend, there are three big storylines: the last ride for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at his most successful track, can Ricky Stenhouse Jr. sweep Talladega and make it into the next round of the playoffs, and is there an underdog who can come from relative obscurity …

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Friday Faceoff: When’s That First Win Coming for Chase Elliott?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Apache Warrior 400 Dover International Speedway, Dover, De Usa Sunday 1 October 2017 Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Mountain Dew Chevrolet Ss World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade Nkp

Chase Elliott in the No. 24 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

 NASCAR released the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rules changes this week, and they were minimal in comparison to recent years.  Was it the right call to stay consistent, or should more tweaks have been made? Amy Henderson: No matter what NASCAR did, fans would complain. Keeping the package similar was the right move. …

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Friday Faceoff: How Will Kasey Kahne Fare in 2018?

2017 Nascar Monster Energy Cup Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl Usa Sunday 26 February 2017 Michael Mcdowell, Leavine Family Racing And Kasey Kahne World Copyright: Russell Labounty/nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Kasey Kahne will drive the No. 95 for Leavine Family Racing in 2018, replacing Michael McDowell.  Will Kahne be able to take the team to the next level, and what will McDowell do? Amy Henderson: If Kasey Kahne brings a big-time sponsor, then it will help from an equipment standpoint.  But take a close look …

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Voice of Vito: Reflections on Richmond, Sponsor Drama & Danica Patrick’s Future

Darlington Cup 2017 Martin Truex Jr Throwback Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

If you were looking for some late-season NASCAR drama, you got it dumped over your head in bucketfuls this week. From ambulances gone awry to calling out the sanctioning body for the timing of caution flags to CEOs spouting off about the icon of icons in motorsports, it was the type of perpetuating storyline that …

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