Race Weekend Central

Ty Dillon: ‘It’s Nice to Have My Own Identity’ with Germain Racing

2017 cup charlotte media tour zach catanzareti ty dillon

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Though Germain Racing has a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, the No. 13 team is still a single-car operation. Incoming rookie Ty Dillon replaces veteran Casey Mears in the GEICO Chevrolet for 2017 and will attack his first full-time season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Dillon, coming off three years of XFINITY Series …

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What Could’ve Been: Mark Martin and Rick Hendrick Almost Teamed Up in 1984

2009 Cup Mark Martin Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

For three men in the NASCAR world, the month of January has been among the best of their lives, as they were inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 20. Mark Martin and Rick Hendrick, who join Richard Childress, Raymond Parks and Benny Parsons in the Hall, are back together as inductees following …

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Valtteri Bottas Signs with Mercedes for 2017

valtteri bottas mercedes 2017 formula 1 mercedes

(Photo: Mercedes AMG)

More than a month removed from the surprise retirement of 2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG Petronas has found its new driver for 2017. Valtteri Bottas, with 77 grands prix to his record, including nine podiums, will drive for the sport’s most dominant team in 2017 following weeks of speculation. “I’m really proud …

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Brendan Gaughan to Attempt Daytona 500

2016 Atlanta NXS Brendan Gaughan Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

According to a report from Las Vegas Review-Journal, Brendan Gaughan will attempt the Daytona 500 for the first time since 2004. The two-time XFINITY Series winner said he will partner with team owner Mark Beard in an unknown-numbered Chevrolet to qualify for the Great American Race at Daytona International Speedway in February. “Jay Robinson, the …

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Circle Sport, The Motorsports Group Merge for 2017

Josh Wise Martinsville Cup 2016 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Two organizations will join forces when the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series takes the green at Daytona International Speedway in February. Joe Falk of Circle Sport and Curtis Key of The Motorsports Group [TMG], announced Friday (Jan. 6) that they will combine resources to field a full-time No. 33 Chevrolet entry in 2017. Though the …

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Daniel Suarez Dominates Homestead to Win XFINITY Championship

2016 xfinity homestead-miami speedway  zach catanzareti daniel suarez

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Pole, most laps led and a race victory. Daniel Suarez had it all Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway to win his first XFINITY Series championship in his second season. Steering clear of an off-the-pace Cole Whitt, whose TriStar Motorsports team decided not to pit under the final caution, Suarez held off Ty Dillon to win the …

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Kyle Larson Sweeps XFINITY Practices at Homestead

Cup 2016 Charlotte kyle larson Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Riding his patented high line at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kyle Larson posted the quick time in final practice for the XFINITY Series. Pushing his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet to 170.487 mph, Larson topped Chaser Daniel Suarez by 0.117 seconds. Close in their wake was the second-highest Chaser in Erik Jones, who finished third ahead …

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Joey Logano Grabs Thrilling Phoenix Victory Toward Championship 4 Berth

2016 Pocono II CUP Joey Logano John Harrelson NKP

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

When the No. 20 of Matt Kenseth left a wall of smoke in the first turn of Phoenix International Raceway, it was a now-or-never moment for Joey Logano. Sitting in a tie with Kyle Busch for the final position in the Championship 4, Logano took advantage of a late crash to grab the victory in …

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William Byron Earns 2nd Truck Series Pole at Phoenix

2016 Camping World Truck New Hampshire

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker NKP)

Though he’s a six-time winner in 2016, William Byron had only one pole in his Camping World Truck Series rookie season. That was until he ripped around Phoenix International Raceway Friday night at a speed of 138.254 mph, where he grabbed pole No. 2 in his No. 9 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota. “Feels great for …

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Brennan Poole Leads Final XFINITY Practice in Phoenix

2016-chicago-nxs-brennan-poole-nigel-kinrade-nkp

In preparation for the penultimate race of the 2016 season, the XFINITY Series wrapped up their practice sessions Friday at Phoenix International Speedway. While eight teams will decide the series’ Final 4 drivers next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it was a non-Chaser who led the way on the 1-mile track. Despite winning five of the …

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Carl Edwards Wins Rain-Shortened AAA Texas 500, Advances to Championship 4

2016 Indianapolis Cup Chase Elliott Carl Edwards Brett Moist NKP

(Photo: Brett Moist NKP)

The very thing that kept Carl Edwards out of the Championship 4 in 2015 had his back Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. That thing, of course, was rain. Following a five-hour weather delay to start the afternoon in Texas, the rain returned with 42 laps to go, giving race leader Carl Edwards the race victory. …

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David Ragan Carrying Momentum into Goody’s Fast Relief 500

cup 2016 NASCAR Kentucky david ragan NKP

(Photo: Russell LaBounty NKP)

For David Ragan, Martinsville Speedway would be an ideal place to have a season-best performance. Though it’s been a trying season for Ragan, who is in the closing stages of his first year with BK Racing, this weekend at Martinsville has been a breath of fresh air for more than one reason. Kicking off with …

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