Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Embracing Change on Doorstep of New Era

Chase Elliott car kicks up some dust in practice at Bristol Dirt Cup practice NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s a unique time to be a NASCAR fan. Gone are the folkways of the past, replaced by change in nearly every aspect of the sport. The last decade of racing in the Cup Series and beyond has seen significant shifts from the so-called “peak” era of yesteryear. Without the same massive audience the sport …

Read more

Usual Suspects Likely to Win in NASCAR’s Trip to Las Vegas

2019 Las Vegas I CUP Ryan Blaney Joey Logano racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Whenever Las Vegas is pictured in movies, photos, print or a backdrop for the latest TikTok, there’s one consistent theme: Excess.  Everyone flocks to Sin City with at least a small hope of getting lucky, hitting big on a slot machine or roulette table and enjoying their spoils with a night on the town. Veteran …

Read more

Denny Hamlin’s Fourth Chance: Will This One End Differently?

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

We’ve seen this story before. But could this edition have a happier ending?  While most have struggled through this difficult 2020, Denny Hamlin has enjoyed what might be the best season of his NASCAR Cup Series career. The Virginian has matched his career-best 9.5 average finish from last year, sits one win away from matching …

Read more

A Fair Compromise

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The realm of sports is often home to feel-good stories, but they frequently prove fleeting in nature.  Given the industry’s sponsorship-focused business model and frequent need for immediate return, that’s arguably more true in motorsports than any other industry.  It’s because of that truth that deals like Thursday’s (Oct. 8) second opportunity for Matt DiBenedetto …

Read more

Bubba Wallace’s Difficult Decision Was the Right One

2019 Cup Bristol Bubba Wallace NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Bubba Wallace’s decision to leave Richard Petty Motorsports ahead of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series was surely a difficult one, an emotional call months in the making.  But look beyond emotions and it’s clearly the right decision to make.  Once a driver struggling to find sponsorship, Wallace has gone on a sponsor shopping frenzy this …

Read more

The Good, the Meh & the Ugly: Reviewing All-Star Race Changes

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

So… they really threw the kitchen sink at that one, huh? NASCAR’s annual Cup Series All-Star Race has become as much of a testing ground for the sport as a genuine race in recent years. While the race itself has often struggled to deliver consistently, NASCAR has gotten value out of the event by trialing …

Read more

NASCAR’s Brief Return to Slight Normalcy at the Coca-Cola 600

2019 Charlotte Cup Martin Truex Jr. Checkered Flag Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Greatest Day in Motorsport will be a shell of its traditional self.  But thanks to NASCAR, it won’t be entirely empty, either. With the NASCAR Cup Series done with a flexible shift to Darlington Raceway to restart the 2020 season, the tour is now preparing for its Memorial Day weekend classic, the Coca-Cola 600. …

Read more

Pondering the Postseason Field: Who Secures the Final Spots?

2019 Atlanta CUP Daniel Suarez NKP

(Photo: NKP)

It’s taken a few years and 25 races to get here, but there’s playoff drama to be found heading into this weekend’s Cup Series regular season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  After years where the playoff field was largely decided in the weeks prior to the finale, a quartet of drivers have proven unable to …

Read more

Testing Spring Takeaways With Fall Drawing Near

2019 Pocono MENCS Kyle Busch Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Five months, 1,000 podcasts and one qualifying format change ago, I came to write this monthly column and found my mind wandering to multiple different things. NASCAR’s 2019 rules package was fresh on everyone’s mind, a few standout teams were dominating the series and others were quietly establishing themselves as contenders. I commemorated the occasion …

Read more