Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Buescher Going Home Again

2019 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Chris Buescher

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Top of the Class When the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series turned its final lap of 2019 on Sunday, it was fitting that the highest underdog was Chris Buescher. One could have their pick of a multitude of reasons why it was appropriate that his 16th-place finish made him the top dog. First, no underdog …

Read more

The Underdog House: DiBenedetto of the Desert

Denny Hamlin and Matt DiBenedetto are solid picks for the 2021 Busch Clash Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top of the Class For the second week in a row, Matt DiBenedetto is the top underdog in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. This time, it was his 13th-place finish at ISM Raceway that earned him the highest spot on our underfunded pedestal. As the season winds down, it’s easy to forget just …

Read more

The Underdog House: Messin With Texas

2019 Texas Mencs Matt Dibenedetto Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top of the Class Matt DiBenedetto has shown flashes of brilliance this year, but it is the steady mid-pack results that really highlight how 2019 has been a year of improvement for the California native. The No. 95 Leavine Family Racing driver was again the top underdog at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday (Nov. 3) …

Read more

The Underdog House: David Ragan Going Out On A High Note

2019 Martinsville Mencs David Ragan Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top of the Class David Ragan announced earlier this year that he would be stepping away from the role of full-time NASCAR driver to focus on the role he plays within his family. He got a solid sendoff from Martinsville Speedway on Sunday (Oct. 27). Ragan, a two-time winner at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: What Will the Race Team Alliance Do With Speed51.com?

2018 Phoenix Ism Zach Catanzareti Chip Ganassi

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The Race Team Alliance purchased media outlet Speed51.com last week. What do you think will come from this acquisition, and will it help the sport? Frank Velat: Initially, this looks like a great way to connect the grassroots level of racing with top level NASCAR. If that is one of the outcomes, great for the RTA …

Read more

The Underdog House: When a Fire Becomes Fuel

2019 Dover Mencs Ryan Preece Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top of the Class Ryan Preece always seems to be in a good mood, and he had plenty of reason to be following the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday (Oct. 20). Preece was the top finishing underdog with his 12th-place finish, marking the third time he has been such in 2019. It …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Should Manufacturers Dictate How Their Teams Race?

2019 Daytona Mencs Ford Kevin Harvick Joey Logano Kurt Busch Brad Keselowski Car Christian Koelle

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Should manufacturers be getting involved to make their teams cooperate at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway? Christian Koelle: Instead of manufacturers, it should be teams working together — but understand when we get to ISM Raceway, all of this goes away; it’s every man for himself. Josh Roller: I don’t have an issue with manufacturers …

Read more

Truckin’ Thursdays: Race Officials Overstepped Their Bounds at Talladega

2019 Chicagoland Ngots Johnny Sauter Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

When Johnny Sauter crossed the finish line Saturday afternoon (Oct. 12) at Talladega Superspeedway, he was probably elated. Perhaps, he felt a level of vindication after his early exit from the postseason, maybe even a sense of relief. After all, he would be leaving the most treacherous, unpredictable race of the year with the trophy. …

Read more

The Underdog House: Flipping the Script

2019 Talladega Mencs Underdogs Cck

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Top of the Class As is often the case for superspeedway races, the top of the finishing order from the 1000bulbs.com 500 was overrun with underfunded teams. It’s always interesting to see which meek teams survive the carnage to turn the tables on the mighty. It took a while, but Michael McDowell finally earned his …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Has Eliminating Restrictor Plates Changed Superspeedway Racing?

2019 Talladega Cup Mencs Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano all had trouble at Dover International Speedway in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Which driver’s playoff chances are trouble? Wesley Coburn: Short term, Chase Elliott needs to win to keep his playoff hopes alive this season. Longer term, Ryan Blaney needs to have a great playoffs, since he’s …

Read more

The Underdog House: Another Monster of a Day

2019 Dover Mencs Matt Dibenedetto Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top of the Class Matt DiBenedetto is going to lose his underdog status next year when he moves to the Team Penske-supported No. 21 car for the Wood Brothers team. At this rate, we could probably pull his card now. The No. 95 Leavine Family Racing driver was again one of the frontrunners at Dover …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Is It Ok For Drivers To Quit When They Have Nothing To Gain?

2019 Roval Mencs Kyle Busch Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Busch parked his car last week after trouble early left him with nothing to gain. Do you have an issue with a driver calling it quits? Adam Cheek: Honestly, in that situation, no. If it’s early in the race and they’re just not running well, yes, but Kyle had a crappy day, stuff on his …

Read more