Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Martin Truex, Jr. Dominates at Dover

Who’s In The Headline Martin Truex, Jr. is on fire to start this Chase. Round 1 has been a showcase for he and the No. 78 team, who won the first race at Chicagoland, then came close in the second at New Hampshire before late restarts shuffled them back. At Dover, they had the second-fastest …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Nets Loudon Victory With Late Restart Pass

2016 Nascar New Hampshire

23-25 September, 2016, Loudon, New Hampshire USA Kevin Harvick celebrates in victory lane ©2016, Logan Whitton/NKP

Who’s in the headline – While Joe Gibbs Racing cars dominated the event, it was Kevin Harvick who parked it in Victory Lane on Sunday afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The JGR crew and affiliate led 280 of the 300 laps. Harvick took advantage of a late race, front row restart to wrest the …

Read more

Tech Talk: G-Forces, Sway Bars & Inspection Failures with Jason Ratcliff

Jason Ratcliff Bank Of America 500 2015 Cup Charlotte Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Being in the Chase adds a whole new level of pressure for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. Not only can a bad race back a team into a corner, but the scrutiny of the sanctioning body to make sure everyone is on a level playing field also puts teams under a huge microscope. This isn’t …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Martin Truex, Jr. Overcomes Adversity With Late Charge to Win at Chicagoland

2016 Chicago Cup Martin Truex Jr Woohoo Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

  Who’s in the headline – Martin Truex, Jr. overcame a tire issue under green flag conditions to put himself in position to make a run at the race win. A late-race caution and a strong pit stop resulted in Truex restarting outside the second row. An aggressive move to the outside allowed him to …

Read more

Tech Talk: Chris Heroy Talks Fuel Mileage, Pit Stalls & Getting Better

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Las Vegas

4-6 March 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada USA Brian Scott and Chris Heroy © 2016, Nigel Kinrade NKP

Richard Petty Motorsports has made some recent changes in its organization. While the No. 43 team was changed on top of the pit box, the No. 44 stayed the same. As a result they’re making a change in its lineup and having Chris Heroy pick up where Trent Owens left off. There have been a …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud – Denny Hamlin Takes Home Win at Richmond While Jamie McMurray Grabs Final Chase Berth

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Richmond

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

  Who’s in the headline – Denny Hamlin started the regular season with a win at Daytona. He ended it with a win at Richmond. Martin Truex Jr. managed to be penalized on pit road again and potentially kill a winning effort. Kyle Larson got out of pit sequence but almost got back to the …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Martin Truex Jr. Claims Second NASCAR Crown Jewel of 2016

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Darlington

(Courtesy: NKP / Nigel Kinrade)

Who’s in the headline: For the first time in his career, Martin Truex, Jr. has won multiple races in a single season. Kevin Harvick was the dominant car for the vast majority of Sunday night’s Southern 500, but pit road miscues put him behind in the final laps and he was unable to overcome the handicap. Truex, now …

Read more

Tech Talk: Matt McCall Talks Spring Rates, Pit Selection and Sway Bars

Matt Mccall Martinsville Cup 2016 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

While Matt McCall’s team didn’t win the race in Michigan last weekend the win did come within the organization, and that has to be a boost of confidence for his No. 1 team. McCall’s group, and their driver Jamie McMurray crossed the line in eighth place and gained some points in their effort to qualify for …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kyle Larson Comes Away with First Sprint Cup Win at Michigan

2016 Michigan Ii Cup Kyle Larson Woohoo Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Shouldering the label of best not to do something can be a heavy burden. For 98 Cup races, Kyle Larson took the green flag but was not the first one to see the checkered. After eight top 5s and 17 top 10s as a rookie, it seemed inevitable that Larson …

Read more

Tech Talk: Tires, Aero, Firewalls and Fuel with Jason Ratcliff

Jason Ratcliff Indianapolis 2016 Cup Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Bristol Motor Speedway presented NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams with a myriad of challenges last weekend, from rosin on the bottom groove to rain delays. Heading into the Irish Hills of Michigan, teams will have a few more options. The wide racing surface at Michigan International Speedway always offers a vast number of racing options …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kevin Harvick Wins 24 Hours of Bristol

2016 Nscs Kevin Harvick Woohoo Bristol Night Race Photo John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Who’s in the headline – A funny thing happened on the way to crowning one of the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers (or affiliate team) the 2016 Sprint Cup champion: the 2014 winner issued a statement at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick has had some strong cars this season, but the runs were derailed through a …

Read more