Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: Mike Wheeler On Cross Country Car Swaps, Aerodynamics and Pit Guns

2017 Kansas I Cup Mike Wheeler Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

A new addition to the Tech Talk lineup for 2018 is Mike Wheeler, the crew chief for Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team. This week, he looks back at his team’s weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, before talking about his preparations for Phoenix (ISM Speedway). The race in Vegas was shaping up to …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Rakes in All of the Chips in Vegas

2018 Daytona Cup Bruce Nuttleman Kevin Harvick

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Who’s in the headline As Martin Truex Jr. did last year en route to his first championship, Kevin Harvick has a firm grip on what it takes to go fast at mile-and-a-half tracks and is letting the rest of the garage know he has no intention of letting them come play in his sandbox. Harvick …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Beats the Field into Submission at Atlanta

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 Wins World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Who’s in the headline? While Mother Nature tried hard, she failed to win on Sunday. The race started late, but once it got rolling, it went the distance. Shocking absolutely no one, Kevin Harvick took the lead early in the race and dominated the first stage. Harvick rebounded from a pit lane malfunction to lead …

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Tech Talk: Daytona 500-Winning Crew Chief Justin Alexander Discusses 2018 Rule Changes

Justin Alexander Cup 2017 Charlotte Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

For the second year in a row, the crew chief in the Daytona 500 edition of Tech Talk went on to win the race, as Justin Alexander followed in the footsteps of Tony Gibson to score the victory in the first race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season with driver Austin Dillon. Before his …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2018 Daytona 500

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

Who’s in the headline The clash on Sunday last week had the world abuzz with how uneventful the racing would be at Daytona for the 500. Apparently, someone forgot to tell the drivers. 24 lead changes, seven caution flags for on-track incidents, 14 leaders and the three winningest car numbers in the sport on the …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2018 Can-Am Duels at Daytona

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Barry Cantrell / NKP)

Who’s in the headline –   The Can-Am Duels at Daytona didn’t have the frenetic activity and tension as the laps wound down but there was still plenty of drama as the races unfolded. When it was all said and done, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott took the checkered flags first in the Duels and they …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2018 Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona

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(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Who’s in the headline It was double the pleasure, double the fun Sunday at Daytona. The Advance Auto Parts Clash and Daytona 500 qualifying both took place, jumpstarting the 2018 NASCAR season. When the dust settled, Hendrick Motorsports claimed its fourth Daytona 500 pole in a row. Alex Bowman put the No. 88 on top of …

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2017 NASCAR Cup Team Review: Roush Fenway Racing

2016 Chicago Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr Trevor Bayne Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Different verse, almost the same as the last. 2017 was another year of disappointment for Roush Fenway Racing for the vast majority of the year. Were it not for the first two wins of his career for Ricky Stenhouse Jr., it would have been a third winless season for the once-dominant team. The long-in-the-tooth organization …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2017 – The Year of Martin Truex Jr. and Toyota

Martin Truex Jr Checkered Flag Homestead

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Martin Truex Jr. capped off his dream season with a championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In a year when the points were overhauled to reward people with a successful regular season, Truex dominated the first 26 races and then rode the benefits of those playoff points to Homestead after winning his …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Martin Truex Jr. Caps Impressive 2017 With First Cup Series Title

Martin Truex Jr Checkered Flag Homestead

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

Who’s in the headline The best team and driver in 2017 was Martin Truex Jr. When the checkered flag flew at the end of the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it was his No. 78 team that hoisted the big trophy on the championship stage. Kyle Busch was the runner-up, with Kevin Harvick ending …

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Tech Talk: Jason Ratcliff on Optimum Air Pressures, Short-Run Speed & Late-Race Adjustments

Jason Ratcliff Charlotte Cup 2017 Mike Neff

Victory always tastes sweet but it is exceptionally sweet when it arrives in the final races of a driver’s career with an organization. Jason Ratcliff guided the No. 20 team and driver Matt Kenseth to the win at Phoenix. A fast car all weekend, combined with some excellent adjustments for the long run made his …

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