Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2020 BlueGreen Vacations Duels at Daytona

2020 Daytona Ncs William Byron Wins Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headline(s): While the battles for the final spots in the Daytona 500 field proved underwhelming, the racing throughout the pack was hot and heavy. Winning races that were highly contested and featured no Big Ones, Joey Logano and William Byron scored well-earned victories Thursday night (Feb. 13). Both Daniel Suarez and JJ Yeley suffered …

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David Ragan Relaxed Ahead of His (Potentially) Last Daytona 500

2020 Daytona Ncs David Ragan Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

David Ragan is taking what may be his last Daytona 500 start seriously, but he wasted no time acknowledging that this one feels different. “[I] feel a little bit more relaxed, a little bit more laid back, I didn’t even shave for a few days when I first got down here” Ragan told Frontstretch. “You …

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New Faces Prepare to Tackle 2020 Daytona 500, Cup Racing

2020 Daytona Ncs Quin Houff Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Further towards the back of the Cup Series garage, there’s plenty of new to go around. New faces, new team members, and new experiences on stock car racing’s biggest stage. Take Brennan Poole. A former ARCA Racing Series standout that saw a supposed full-time Xfinity Series deal with Chip Ganassi Racing go up in the …

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Kevin Harvick on Recent Contract Extension: A Career Move Long in the Making

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Having won the 2007 Daytona 500 as well as three Busch Clash races, Kevin Harvick knows his way around the Daytona International Speedway. It had to be disappointing to admit that his No. 4 team felt behind the 8-ball after a qualifying effort Sunday that saw his team 12th on the speed charts. But those …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2020 Busch Clash at Daytona

2020 Daytona Ncs Erik Jones Victory Celebration

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headline(s): A crash-filled Busch Clash had six cars competing for the win Sunday (Feb. 9) by the end of several green-white-checkered finishes. The one that stuck saw Erik Jones score the victory in a junked Toyota Camry, his first-ever win in this 75-lap NASCAR exhibition. Jones rode a steam-engine push from teammate Denny Hamlin …

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Chris Buescher Buying Into His Return to Roush Fenway Racing

2020 Daytona Ncs Chris Buescher Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The introduction of Ryan Newman to the Roush Fenway Racing stable in 2019 resulted in a major step forward for the organization. Bringing 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Chris Buescher back to Roush is the next step in that climb, and he’s embracing a return into the fold. Buescher spoke to Frontstretch on Sunday (Feb. …

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Toyota Teams Rocket Fast in Daytona Draft; Hendrick Motorsports Show Single-Car Strength

2020 Daytona Ncs Denny Hamlin Draft Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Though the speed charts will show the Chevrolets of Ty Dillon and Bubba Wallace atop the two Daytona 500 practice sessions Saturday, the storylines were elsewhere in the Cup garage. Taking a page from the aggressive display of drafting put on by the Ford camp in Busch Clash qualifying, all six Toyota teams took to …

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The V Keeps Flying: Michael Self Wins Lucas Oil 200 Pole in Daytona

2019 Kansas Arca Michael Self Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For the fourth year in a row, Venturini Motorsports has won the pole for the season-opener at Daytona. This Saturday, it was Michael Self topping the field as the lead car in qualifying group 1, driving what he called “the best car I’ve ever had at Daytona.” ? @GeneralTire POLE WINNER ?@michaelself’s lap of 49.434 …

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Erik Jones Leads Joe Gibbs Racing Sweep in Busch Clash Practice

2020 Daytona Ncs Erik Jones Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Picking up right where they left off in Speedweeks a year ago, the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas posted the top four speeds of the lone practice for Sunday’s Busch Clash. Erik Jones, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch were joined by Ryan Blaney in the top five. All four JGR Toyotas broke 199.5 …

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More for Ford: Connor Hall Crowns ARCA Happy Hour Speed Charts as Fusions Lead Both Daytona Sessions

2019 Arca Connor Hall Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kindrade Photography)

After Hailie Deegan topped the first practice session of the season for the ARCA Menards Series, it was Connor Hall in a Chad Bryant Racing Ford that again led the speed charts in a Fusion, this time in happy hour. Hall was followed by Dave Mader III, Dominique van Wieringen, Willie Mullins and Sean Corr …

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Hello, Hailie: Deegan Tops Charts in First Daytona ARCA Practice

2019 Bristol Arca Hailie Deegan Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It took until the final 10 minutes of practice to see a true drafting pack develop in Lucas Oil 200 practice at Daytona, and though Hailie Deegan wasn’t at the front, she proved the fastest. Deegan and her No. 4 DGR-Crosley Ford topped the charts in the first ARCA practice Friday. Drew Dollar, Tanner Gray, …

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