Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Should There Be More Stringent Requirements to Race in Cup?

2019 Las Vegas I Cup Kurt Busch Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After the debacle last Friday when no one posted a speed in the final round of qualifying, should NASCAR change the format? If so, how? Bryan Gable: I’ve been okay with group qualifying up until now, but what we saw on Friday is not acceptable. Single car qualifying would be an easy fix. Otherwise, introduce a …

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The Underdog House: Going Back To Cali

2019 Phoenix I Cup Chris Buescher Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Top of The Class Chris Buescher reclaimed his spot as the top underdog yet again this week. Buescher’s 16th-place finish highlighted a rather uneventful Cup race for the have nots on Sunday (March 17) at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. For JTG Daugherty Racing and Buescher, the race mirrored their performance in many of …

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The Underdog House: Kicking Up A Little Dust

2019 Las Vegas I Cup Ty Dillon Tires Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top of The Class Ty Dillon finally unseats Chris Buescher as the top dog this week. Dillon bested the 2015 Xfinity champion by one spot, finishing 15th in the Ticket Guardian 500 at ISM Raceway. For Germain Racing and Dillon, the 2019 season has begun relatively well. Dillon has advanced to the second round of …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Group Qualifying the Best Option?

2019 Las Vegas I Cup Chris Buescher Ryan Preece Brad Keselowski Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With a few drivers blasting the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying format this weekend, what do you think would be the best qualifying method from a competition and fan entertainment standpoint? Wesley Coburn: I like group qualifying. Single-car qualifying stretches out millions of years, furthering the casual perception that NASCAR is boring. Group qualifying makes …

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The Underdog House: The Other Side of the Neon Garage

2019 Atlanta Cup Chris Buescher Racing Nkp

Top of The Class Once again, JTG Daugherty Racing’s Chris Buescher was the top underdog in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. While he wasn’t able to secure a top-10 finish, he did bring the No. 37 Chevrolet across the stripe in 18th place. There were plenty of unknowns going into the race …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Kyle Busch the Best Truck Series Driver Ever?

2019 Daytona I Cup William Byron Chad Knaus Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Hendrick Motorsports didn’t have a car finish in the top 10 at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the first time since 2010. Is HMS simply making gradual improvement, or is the team getting worse? Mark Kristl: Hendrick has been gradually improving. If this package provides better racing, the team will further improve. Jimmie Johnson showed obvious …

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The Underdog House: Marching On Atlanta

2019 Atlanta Cup Chris Buescher Racing Nkp

Top of The Class For the second time in 2019, JTG Daugherty Racing put a driver in the top 10 at the end of the weekend’s Cup event. This time, it was Chris Buescher carrying the torch for the organization at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as he brought the No. 37 Chevrolet across the stripe in …

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Tracking The Trucks: 2019 Ultimate Tailgating 200

2019 Atlanta Trucks Zach Catanzareti Kyle Busch

Atlanta Motor Speedway, February 2019. (Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

In a Nutshell: Kyle Busch reigned as the weather rained, as both seemed to be the only thing capable of ending the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race at Atlanta. The weather was likely inconsequential, as Busch had the dominant truck all race long and picked up his fifth win at the 1.5 mile track in …

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Friday Faceoff: Are the Daytona Winners Title Contenders?

2019 Daytona I Nxs Michael Annett Trophy Nkp

(Photo:NKP)

Kyle Busch seemed a bit miffed that he wasn’t able to challenge his teammate for the win in the Daytona 500. Do you think a driver should respect the need for a team car to win a race. or should they go for it, knowing that it could cost both drivers the win? Zach Gillispie: …

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The Underdog House: The Dog Days Of Daytona

2019 Daytona I Cup Michael Mcdowell Nkp

Top of The Class Michael McDowell had a less than memorable Speedweeks in 2019, but it certainly ended on a high note. The veteran driver steered his No. 34 Front Row Racing Ford through the late carnage at Daytona to score a fifth-place finish. McDowell’s 286th career start yielded just his second top five finish …

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5 Points to Ponder: The Daytona 500 Will Look Nothing Like the Clash

#21: Paul Menard, Wood Brothers Racing, Ford Mustang Motorcraft / Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center And #2: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Miller Lite

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

One: The Clash Is Not The 500 This one may seem a bit obvious, but before we storm the NASCAR Bastille, take a minute to consider what was at stake on Sunday (Feb. 10). Yes, the Clash may have been a bit anticlimactic, but it is an exhibition race after all. It doesn’t make or …

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The Underdog House: Open for Business

2019 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Matt Dibenedetto

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Every Underdog Has His Day With the thunder of NASCAR engines once again disturbing the peace along International Speedway Blvd in Daytona Beach, the 2019 season is officially underway. The underdogs are back in action and each seeking to taste a little success. What success really means is as varied as the independent teams themselves, …

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