Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Stat Sheet: Truex Back on the Radar After Richmond Win

Martin Truex Jr. is often a NASCAR DraftKings pick on road courses, seen here at Circuit of the Americas. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Much of the championship talk has centered around Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, the most dominant duo in the Cup Series this season. Larson has been a winning machine and Hamlin mind-bogglingly consistent. But while those two are at the forefront of most minds as they pursue their first Cup crown, a former champion reminded …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Denny Hamlin Delivers Darlington Victory

Denny Hamlin celebrates his win in the 2021 Southern 500 at Darlington. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Darlington Raceway has always been unique. From its humble beginnings, way back in 1950, it had a unique length (1.366 miles) and egg-like shape all its own. Now, on a schedule peppered with wide tracks that allow full throttle cornering, its narrow surface and unforgiving walls are about as different as anything you’ll see in …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Ryan Blaney Is the Hero of the Coke Zero 400

Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney at Road America, July 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Races at Daytona and Talladega are always about surviving first and making a move for the win second. A driver can’t win without dodging the inevitable late race carnage. Ryan Blaney did both in textbook fashion on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway, and it resulted in his second consecutive win. It’s a new position …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Ryan Blaney Carries Momentum to Michigan Win

Ryan Blaney wins the 2021 Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Ryan Blaney is in the midst of what may be the best year of his Cup Series career after winning Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. Blaney, whose father Dave made 473 Cup starts but never finished better than third, scored his second win of 2021. It’s the first time that the High Point, NC native …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: AJ Allmendinger Ahead of the Curb In Indy Win

AJ Allmendinger celebrates his win in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kirade Photography)

AJ Allmendinger may be competing for the championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series but he still occasionally finds time to dabble in the sport’s top level. After Sunday’s (Aug. 15) NASCAR Cup Series race on the Indianapolis road course, he’s quite glad to have participated in that one. Allmendinger picked up his second career win, …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Kyle Larson Dethrones the King of the Road

NASCAR Kyle Larson

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Elliott has been the talk of the garage every time the Cup Series heads for a track with any right-hand turns. Rightfully so, considering his winning percentage on such tracks is the best in NASCAR history. But his quest for a third straight triumph at Watkins Glen came up one position short this weekend, …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Almirola Is the Unlikely Hero for SHR in New Hampshire

2021-Cup-Loudon-Aric-Almirola-NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Last year was a memorable one for Stewart Haas Racing, with Kevin Harvick providing most of the highlights for the team throughout 2020. Nine wins and a boatload of laps led will do that for just about any driver and team. It’s been well documented that 2021 has been far less kind to the SHR …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: The Field Gets Busch Whacked in Atlanta

Kurt Busch holds the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, July 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography )

The term “Busch Whacker” first surfaced in NASCAR circles back in the late ’90s, used as a term to describe the Cup Series regulars who stole wins in what was then the Busch (now Xfinity) Series. On Sunday, the racing brothers from Las Vegas gave the term a whole new meaning. Kurt and Kyle Busch …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Killer Bs Unleashed in Pocono As Bowman & Busch Capture Wins

Draftkings

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and Alex Bowman and Kyle Busch both lucked into victory lane last weekend at Pocono Raceway. For Bowman, the monumental task of holding off Kyle Larson proved first impossible, then unnecessary. As a flat tire finally ended the reign of the only driver to win in the …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: New Track, Same Winner as Larson Does It Again

Kyle Larson crosses the finish line at Nashville Superspeedway in the Ally 400, June 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson is on the kind of run that doesn’t happen very often in NASCAR Cup Series racing. Dominance is frequent but it usually comes in the form of a driver winning many races in a year. The suffocating stranglehold of winning one race after another for weeks on end is a whole other level. …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Larson Shines on All-Star Sunday

Kyle Larson celebrates his win in the NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway, June 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson is good at winning. Okay, so that seems like an obvious statement, but it really holds a lot of truth. His prowess on dirt became nearly legendary last year during his NASCAR suspension, and he’s wheeled the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 into victory lane for three weeks in a row. One can’t help …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Larson-y in Sonoma As the No. 5 Team Steals Another Trophy

Kyle Larson celebrates his NASCAR Cup Series victory at Sonoma raceway, June 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson is one of the more naturally capable drivers in motorsports today. Since landing on one of the best teams in NASCAR prior to the start of the year, he’s made the most of his second chance. Along the way, Larson has been racking up the stats. Leading laps, winning stages, and finishing well …

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