Race Weekend Central

The Frontstretch 5: Top Cup Drivers at ISM Raceway

2019 Daytona I Cup Kevin Harvick Face Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

NASCAR heads to the desert in Phoenix and ISM Raceway this weekend, and with several drivers needing a win to stay alive in the playoffs and others looking to deny them, it’s sure to be an exciting event. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series has raced at ISM since 1988, and in that time, a …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 AAA Texas 500

Tms2 Mencs Harvick Winners Sticker 110319

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? A week ago, Kevin Harvick wasn’t a big factor in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship conversation. He was below the cutline after Martinsville and hadn’t shown the strength of a year ago very often in the 2019 playoffs. But that all changed Sunday at …

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The Frontstretch 5: Ranking the Cup Title Favorites

2019 Martinsville Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For maybe the first time in 2019, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title picture is beginning to come into focus. Several drivers had hot streaks throughout the season, but with just three races remaining, the best have slowly but surely emerged. Of the eight drivers left, who’s the most likely to win the title? …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 First Data 500

2019 Martinsville Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Burnout Cck

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? It became crystal clear early on that Martin Truex Jr. had the car to beat Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. He took the lead on pit road early, but from there, nobody could touch him. The No. 19 was strongest off the turns, powering away from anyone who …

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The Frontstretch 5: Facts to Know About Martinsville Speedway

NASCAR lights at Martinsville

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti, Frontstretch)

1. It’s got some impressive superlatives to its name Martinsville is NASCAR’s oldest track. It’s been in NASCAR as long as the sport has been around, hosting its first sanctioned race in 1948. The track actually predates the sanctioning body by a year. But the Martinsville Speedway we know and love today as a (mostly) …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 1000Bulbs.com 500

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the race? Ryan Blaney led three different times at Talladega Superspeedway for a total of 35 laps, but the third time was the charm as he took the checkered flag inches ahead of Ryan Newman thanks to a timely shove from superspeedway specialist Aric Almirola on the …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: Will NASCAR’s Next Gen Car Be Enough?

Darlington Raceway sunset in 2018, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR appears to be in the final stages of development in the Next Gen racecar for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. A test session at Richmond Raceway was the first time on track for the new car; while NASCAR has said the new bodies will be a work in progress, it was the first …

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The Frontstretch 5: Playoff Storylines to Watch in the Round of 12

2019 Loudon Mencs Martin Truex, Jr Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Is Martin Truex Jr. the title favorite? Under the current playoff system, it’s hard to pick a favorite, because one mistake by any driver at Homestead-Miami Speedway can end it for even the most dominant championship contender. But as of this minute, it’s hard to say the road to the title doesn’t go through …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Bank of America ROVAL 400

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? A lot of the talk going into this Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL was about road course aces Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch. It’s a duo who, with four wins apiece on road courses, certainly have earned their reputation. …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Drive for the Cure 250

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Can you say spoiler? The NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs might have been front and center Saturday (Sept. 28) going into the Drive for the Cure 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL. But it was part-time driver AJ Allmendinger stealing the show and the win, a perfect way to cap off his limited schedule with Kaulig …

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The Frontstretch 5: Must-Know Driver Road Course Statistics

2018 Cup Charlotte Roval Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Charlotte’s ROVAL this weekend for the second time. It’s the last race in the Round of 16 in the playoffs with a lot on the line. It’s also a bit of a wild card race because there are some unknowns with this track, mainly a reconfigured section …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Federated Auto Parts 400

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? For the second week in a row, it’s Martin Truex Jr. stealing the headlines.  The driver of the No. 19 Toyota showed his strength early, winning stage one handily and finishing second in stage two at Richmond Raceway. All in all, Truex led three times for …

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