Race Weekend Central

Happiness Is: Economics, Harvick & Melbourne

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series TicketGuardian 500 ISM Raceway, Phoenix, AZ USA Saturday 10 March 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Jimmy John's World Copyright: Barry Cantrell NKP

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

One of the things that has been peculiar to cover the past half-decade was NASCAR and the perceptions of doom that surround the sport.  This column has addressed before the societal condition of being in a constant crisis mode and how it manifests itself through media portrayal and peopleʻs reactions.  The announcement that Loweʻs would …

Read more

Happiness Is: Happy, Rings & The Ex

2018 daytona cup zach catanzareti jimmie johnson

Jimmie Johnson knows what Kevin Harvick is going through (Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

No need for any attempts of witty whatever to open the column this week.  Letʻs just jump into some happiness. Happiness Is…Happy.  Usually when a driver beats down the field as Kevin Harvick has done the past two races, this column would extol how awesome he is.  And heʻs been magnificent, no doubt. There have …

Read more

Happiness Is: No. 8 – Birdwatching

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA USA Sunday 25 February 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion celebrates World Copyright: Barry Cantrell NKP

Kevin Harvick celebrating his beatdown at Atlanta (Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

Weʻre back with another installment of bringing joy to the NASCAR world.  Or maybe itʻs regarding the joy that NASCAR brings.  Or perhaps NASCAR fans are just joyful people.  It doesnʻt really matter as long as thereʻs a recognition that joy is supposed to be strewn throughout this column.   We tried to get a …

Read more

Happiness Is: Acknowledgement

DA1Q6314

Bye Bye, Daytona. On to Atlanta

So thatʻs that.  Austin Dillon won the Daytona 500 and joins a rather peculiar list of drivers who enjoyed rather undistinguished careers but still hoisted that monstrous trophy.  Derrick Cope, Ward Burton, Trevor Bayne and Jeff Gordon can revel in their newfound company.   Kidding aside, Jeffie, Dillonʻs win brought a polemic of reactions that …

Read more

Happiness Is: Joy

DA1Q6727

Brad Keselowski is ready for the start of the season - are you?

Itʻs time.  Time to start imagining the prospect of winterʻs chill receding in the rear-view mirror.  Time to enjoy the jet dryer of time blowing away old memories to start the season anew.  Time to allow a bit of childish joy to creep into your life if youʻre a motorsport fan as all three of …

Read more

NASCAR Top 10 Storylines 2017: Tumbling NASCAR TV Ratings

2017 NASCAR Monster Cup Series, Homestead

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

One of the NASCAR stories that attracted a lot of attention in 2017, which seems kind of ironic, is NASCAR TV ratings and viewership numbers. In particular, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series declined sharply this season. Some races dropped by as much as 20 percent while just a handful of events posted an increase. …

Read more

Happiness Is: Matt Kenseth, Tears & Championships

2017 Kansas II CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr John K Harrelson NKP

(Photo: John K. Harrelson/NKP)

There are a number of storylines that emerged from the Cup race at Phoenix – pardon me, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix.  The one that seemed to garner the most attention, rather than Matt Kenseth’s win, looked to be the on-track equivalent of a slap-fight between Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin. …

Read more

F1 Slipstream Saturday: Are Changes Foreshadowing Trends?

pierre gasly_toro rosso

Pierre Gasly turning laps in his Toro Rosso at Interlagos ahead of the Brazilian GP (photo: Getty Images)

The final two races of the 2017 Formula 1 season is an interesting time.  With the championships settled, the racing this weekend comes with a different sense of drama in the fact that it’s just pure racing.  The points do not matter as they usually do – though the teams are still looking to gather …

Read more

Happiness Is: Phoenix & Brazil

2017 cup new hampshire zach catanzareti ryan blaney jimmie johnson

Jimmie Johson and Ryan Blaney (Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

This past weekend brought all three NASCAR series to life at the same track, which seemed like a rare event.  The summer months often bring a scattershot sense to the sport as the series can go their own ways, notably at tracks like Iowa, Kentucky, and Canadian Tire Park.  Now, as the season races to …

Read more

Happiness Is: Controversy, Rosberg & Texas

Cup Action Kyle Busch Leading Way

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Once again a short track on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cups Series schedule provided some of the best action.  Such a scenario is nothing new, as tracks like Martinsville, Richmond, and Bristol have made for wonderful arenas to see both skilled driving play out amongst the chaos of fender rubbing. That Martinsville Speedway installed lights …

Read more

F1 Slipstream Saturday: Bienvenidos, Mexican Grand Prix & More

Lewis Hamilton Wins 2017 Japanese Grand Prix

Is it about to become five title for Lewis Hamilton?(Photo: Getty Images)

The story of the race is, no surprise, Lewis Hamilton.  Should Hamilton finish fifth or better, the driver’s championship is over, regardless of where Sebastian Vettel takes the checkered flag.  Such a scenario really means the the title is a fait accompli, meaning that Hamilton, in essence, has already won the title.  For Vettel to …

Read more