Race Weekend Central

Phoenix Semifinal Lives Up to the Hype to Set Up a Dramatic Championship 4

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Fans upset by an apparent lack of drama through the opening eight races of the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup need to look no further than Phoenix International Raceway to get their fill of chaos and emotion. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entered the year’s penultimate race amid a relatively quiet Chase, at least …

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Cool Down: Drama, Intensity Set to Rise After Carl Edwards’ Rain-Shortened Texas Triumph

2016 Nascar Texas

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

After a relatively quiet opening six races, you could finally feel it in the air at Texas Motor Speedway. No, I’m not talking about moisture. Drama. Intensity. Desperation. All were present in NASCAR’s return to No Limits, Texas, even in a race that was ran a full six hours later than intended. The drama began …

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2-Headed Monster: Are 2017’s Minor League Eligibility Rules a Good Move for NASCAR?

2016 Fontana Nxs Aric Almirola Austin Dillon Brendan Gaughan Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

NASCAR fans complaining about Sprint Cup Series regulars dipping down and dominating the XFINITY and Camping World Truck series finales got the news they wanted, or at least a step toward it. For the first time in the sport’s history, Cup drivers will be limited, if not stopped, from competing in NASCAR’s minor leagues. A press release from …

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The 10: Hard Knocks & Grandfather Clocks

2016 Nascar Martinsville

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

It was a quiet summer for Jimmie Johnson. At one point, he even fell out of The 10. However, with the Chase winding down, and the Sprint Cup Series heading to some of his best tracks, Johnson’s returned to form and surged up the rankings. With his Championship 4 bid signed, sealed and delivered, Johnson was …

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History in Sight: Jimmie Johnson Eyes Championship No. 7

Jimmie Johnson Burnout Martinsville Cup 2016 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

For Hendrick Motorsports, Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 couldn’t have been much more poetic. After 500 grueling laps, Jeff Gordon climbed out from the cockpit of the No. 88 Chevrolet, celebrating a season-best sixth-place result while coming to terms with what appears to have been his final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. As Gordon caught …

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The 10: Plot Twist at Talladega Superspeedway

2016 Nascar Talladega

(Photo: Barry Cantrell / NKP)

Sunday’s Hellmann’s 500 proved to be one of the Chase’s biggest wild cards, much like fans and critics expected. However, the way it became a wild card was much different than anticipated. The Big One? Nope. Chasers crashing out? Not a one. Instead, it was two blown motors and a spirited battle among competitors that told the …

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Bearden: Talladega Will Be Missed As a Chase Round Cutoff

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Talladega

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Sunday’s Hellman’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway didn’t need “The Big One” or Dale Earnhardt, Jr., in the field to put on its third-straight thrilling finale for the Chase’s Round of 12. Yet sadly, it’ll be the last time the race will get that distinction after a planned one-week date swap with Kansas Speedway beginning in …

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Cool Down: Who Can Burst the Bubble?

2016 Pocono I Cup Austin Dillon Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

With the first two races of the Round of 12 complete, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field is gearing up for the Chase’s wild-card track: Talladega Superspeedway. In typical Chase fashion, some drivers are more desperate than others. Two of the 12 playoff contenders can rest easy. Jimmie Johnson’s triumphant return to form at Charlotte …

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Sebastien Bourdais Confirmed at Dale Coyne Racing for 2017

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While Coletti has struggled, teammate Sebastien Bourdais is in the midst of his best IndyCar season to date. (Photo: Joe Skibinski)

Sebastien Bourdais‘ rumored return to Dale Coyne Racing was officially announced on Wednesday, giving the organization their first confirmed driver for 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series ahead of a Thursday test. A four-time Champ Car champion, Bourdais first drove for DCR in 2011 after a brief stint in F1 and sports car racing. Now, after two …

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