Race Weekend Central

Fire on Fridays: Michael Annett? Not Half Bad

Michael Annett celebrates his win on the side of his car at 2019 Daytona NASCAR Xfinity race, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The conversation around pay drivers in NASCAR has not gone away in recent years. In fact, it’s probably gotten louder. And it’s mostly negative when brought up. While a driver like Josh Berry has found success in 2021 on driver talent alone thanks to JR Motorsports being able to piece together a partial season in …

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Michael Annett Retiring From Full-Time Racing After 2021 Season

Michael Annett

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Michael Annett will retire from full-time competition at the end of the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, he announced Wednesday (Oct. 6). Annett has driven for JR Motorsports full-time since 2017, wheeling the No. 1 car to victory lane in the 2019 season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The 35-year-old has missed seven races this …

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Entry List: Alsco Uniforms 302

#98: Riley Herbst, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang South Point

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs are set to kick off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 25 with the running of the Alsco Uniforms 302. Forty-one cars are entered for 40 spots. Due to owner points, Timmy Hill and the No. 13 MBM Motorsports Toyota won’t compete in the race. Among the notable drivers …

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Josh Berry Filling In Again for Michael Annett at Vegas

Josh Berry walks down pit road at Michigan International Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For the second consecutive week, Josh Berry will substitute for the injured Michael Annett in the No. 1 Pilot/Flying J Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, JR Motorsports announced Monday (Sept. 20). Annett suffered a fracture in his right femur earlier in the season, forcing him to miss five races while recovering from surgery and …

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Josh Berry to Replace Michael Annett in Xfinity Race at Bristol

Josh Berry

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Michael Annett will not race in the Food City 300 tonight at Bristol Motor Speedway. Josh Berry will substitute for him in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, JR Motorsports announced on Sept. 17. Annett, who has been in and out of the No. 1 car for the past few months while dealing with recurring leg …

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NASCAR Mailbox: For Most of the Cup Series, 2022 Starts Now

Nascar Cup Series

#3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road

When do non-playoff teams start preparing for next year now that they’re not eligible for the championship? Riley H. – Grand Rapids, Mich. About two days ago. Literally as soon as the car arrived back at the shop, most NASCAR Cup Series teams who missed the playoffs likely have focused any and all efforts on …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Kaulig Executes Plan; Justin Haley Wins & AJ Allmendinger Takes Points Lead

AJ Allmendinger and Kaulig Racing worked together to dominate the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona on Aug. 28, 2021 (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

When the NASCAR Xfinity Series resumed the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway Saturday afternoon (Aug. 28), following a postponement for rain on Friday night, Kaulig Racing remained the class of the field. AJ Allmendinger led 15 of the 19 laps completed on Friday night and 15 on Saturday for a race-high 30 laps led. …

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Josh Berry In for Michael Annett at Michigan

#8: Josh Berry, JR Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Tire Pros

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As Michael Annett continues to recover from his recent leg surgery, he will once again not compete at the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway, JR Motorsports announced Aug. 18. Josh Berry will replace him, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet this weekend. This will be the fourth race this season that Annett has …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Austin Cindric Delivers Penske Sweep; Turtle and Curb Misery

2021 Indy road Indianapolis NXS Austin Cindric kiss the bricks NKP

Austin Cindric kissing the bricks after winning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Saturday’s (Aug. 14) doubleheader began with the NTT IndyCar Series’ Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix, which Will Power, a Team Penske driver, won. Twenty-eight cars were in that race, and four of them were owned by Roger Penske. The Captain had a one-in-seven shot at winning. When the NASCAR Xfinity Series took its turn …

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Chase Elliott Subbing for Michael Annett at Indianapolis Road Course

Chase Elliott 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Elliott will drive the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, the team announced Saturday morning (Aug. 14). Elliott will replace Michael Annett, who continues to recover from surgery to address a stress fracture in his leg. Annett, the winner of the 2019 …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Ty Gibbs Shows Off Undeniable Talent at The Glen

Nascar Xfinity Series

#54: Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Supra Monster Energy (credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If you are part of the crowd that believes Ty Gibbs is driving a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Xfinity Series based purely on who his grandfather is, hopefully, his performance on Saturday at Watkins Glen International changed your mind. Gibbs led a race-high 43 laps and outdueled — cleanly — two of …

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Michael Annett Cleared to Race at Watkins Glen

2021 Phoenix I NXS Michael Annett NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Michael Annett is medically cleared to compete at Watkins Glen International after missing the last two NASCAR Xfinity Series events due to an injury, JR Motorsports announced Wednesday, Aug. 4. He had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his leg and missed Atlanta Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Austin Dillon and Josh …

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