Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: Tires, Drive Off & Turning Are On Jason Ratcliff’s Mind

Jason Ratcliff Charlotte Cup 2017 Mike Neff

Being in the final 16 of the playoffs in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series adds a lot of pressure to race teams for sure, and that was evident at Chicagoland Speedway last Sunday when people were speeding on pit road, leaving lug nuts loose and jumping over the wall early. The pressure will only …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Martin Truex Jr. Slimes His Way to First Win of the Playoffs

2017 Chicago CUP Martin truex jr slimed Logan Whitton NKP

(Photo: Logan Whitton / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – The best driver and team for the vast majority of 2017 has been Martin Truex Jr. and the No. 78. They made another statement in the first race of the playoffs with a dominating performance over the second half at Chicagoland Speedway. Truex already has the playoff points necessary to waltz …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kyle Larson Survives Smoke, Safety Vehicles & Overtime to Win Richmond

2017 Richmond II CUP Kyle Larson checkered flag Nigel Kinrade NKP

Who’s in the headline – It had to happen eventually. Kyle Larson is too good of a racecar driver to only win on two-mile racetracks. Richmond Raceway is a track that will highlight a drivers ability more than most any other one, so it would make sense that someone with Larson’s talent would shine there. In …

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Tech Talk: Tony Gibson Talks Tires, Brakes & Strategies for Richmond

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN USA Friday 18 August 2017 Tony Gibson, Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing, Monster Energy/Haas Automation Ford Fusion. World Copyright: John K Harrelson NKP

(Photo: John K Harrelson/NKP)

The No. 41 team had another strong run on Sunday to come home third at Darlington Raceway. The team is running strong over the last few races, just in time to make a run at a title. Strategy calls by crew chief Tony Gibson put the team in position to win in last week’s Southern …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Denny Hamlin Sweeps Darlington Weekend With Late-Race Charge

denny hamlin darlington

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline – Denny Hamlin was thrust into an alternate pit strategy when Martin Truex Jr. short pitted on his penultimate pit stop and then made his final stop with just over 50 laps to go. When the No. 11 driver attempted to hit pit road on lap 314, he missed the entrance …

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Tech Talk: Justin Alexander Discusses Tire Life, Soft Suspensions & Full Mustaches for Darlington Throwback

Justin Alexander Charlotte Cup 2017 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Some drivers went to Europe for their off-week, some folks got lost in the woods on four-wheelers, while others stayed home and did honey-do lists. The latter is where Justin Alexander found himself. The crew chief of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team driven by Austin Dillon rarely has a day at home, so …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch Look Best but Don’t Discount Jimmie Johnson

2017 Watkins Glen CUP Martin Truex Jr woohoo Rusty Jarrett NKP

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Martin Truex Jr. has been the class of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. He has won four races, which is the most of any driver. Truex also has dominated the new playoff point system with 35 points scored. He is also the king of stage racing with …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kyle Busch Busts Out Broom for Second National Tour Series Sweep at Bristol

2017 Bristol II NXS Kyle Busch celebrates LEsley Ann Miller NKP

(Photo: Lesley Ann Miller / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – There have been multiple two-race sweeps in NASCAR history, but there have only been a pair of three-race sweeps. Both of them were accomplished by Kyle Busch and the second was this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Busch won the first stage, led the second most laps, including 93 of …

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Tech Talk: Trent Owens On PJ1 & Heavy Vertical Loads at Bristol

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 301 New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH USA Friday 14 July 2017 Chris Buescher, JTG Daugherty Racing, Liberty Tax Service Chevrolet SS crew chief Trent Owens. World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett NKP

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

The No. 37 team, driven by Chris Buescher, and crew chief Trent Owens are coming off two strong finishes for its small organization. Watkins Glen International was an 11th-place run, and Michigan International Speedway was sixth, the best finish of 2017 for JTG Daugherty Racing. Strategy, fuel mileage, caution timing and a little luck all played …

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