Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: Jason Ratcliff on the New Lug Nut Rule

Jason Ratcliff Daytona 500 Cup 2.15 Mike Neff-147

(Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

The season has been a challenge for Jason Ratcliff and Matt Kenseth‘s No. 20 team: Part failures, officiating calls and plain bad luck have resulted in many races ending with finishes worse than that of which the team was capable. While that might have some questioning where their team is headed and what needs to …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Carl Edwards Lays Down a Colossal Beat Down at Bristol

2016-Bristol-I-CUP-CArl-Edwards-woohoo-John-Harrelson-NKP

Who’s in the headline – It was pointed out last week, and it was reinforced this weekend, that Joe Gibbs Racing is right at the top of the board in the Cup series. It was Carl Edwards turn this weekend as he dominated the race. Edwards led 276 laps en route to capturing his first …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kyle Busch’s Late Push Snatches Victory in Texas

Who’s in the headline – The early leader in 2016 Cup season is Joe Gibbs Racing. The organization started the season with Denny Hamlin‘s win at Daytona and now has back-to-back wins with Kyle Busch. Busch’s recent success, coupled with his impressive consistency over the first seven races (six finishes of fourth or better) has him …

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Tech Talk: Talking Rebound & Multi-Zone Camber with Matt McCall

Matt McCall Martinsville Cup 2016 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Six races into the season, and the teams are getting their hands around the new aerodynamic package. Sunday will be the first time it is tested at night. The aged track surface at Texas Motor Speedway, along with multi-zone tires that will wear out quickly, are going to be a stiff challenge for the teams …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kyle Busch Returns to Championship Form, Conquers Martinsville

Kyle Busch Victory Lane Trophy and Confetti Martinsville 2016 Cup Mike Neff

Who’s in the headline – Kyle Busch went from winless at Martinsville to a two-time winner in one weekend. He dominated the race, leading 352 of the race’s 500 laps. It was the most by a race winner at the short track since Bobby Hamilton won the event in 1998. Busch chose the inside line for …

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Tech Talk: Trent Owens On Martinsville Handling, Truck Arms & Tire Wear

The No. 43 and Martinsville Speedway are synonymous with each other. Richard Petty took the car to victory lane 15 times in his career. North Wilkesboro was the only other track where The King took as many checkered flags first. Prior to Aric Almirola’s win at Daytona in 2014 the last win by the legendary …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kevin Harvick Beats His Way to Eighth Career Phoenix Victory

2016 Phoenix I CUP Kevin Harvick team celebration Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – There are two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. Closely behind that is Kevin Harvick winning at Phoenix International Raceway. For the eighth time in his career and the sixth time in the last eight races, Harvick was the first car under the checkered flag. What happened – …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Brad Keselowski Cashes in With Late-Race Pass to Win at Las Vegas

2016 Las Vegas CUP Brad Keselowski burnout Matthew T Thacker NKP

(Photo: Matthew T Thacker / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – It had been 33 races since Brad Keselowski visited Victory Lane. Keselowski took the checkered flag first in Fontana last year in the fifth race of the season. On Sunday, he led the race three times but only led a total of 24 laps. The win put a third different manufacturer in …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Jimmie Johnson Wins Folds of Honor 500 at Atlanta

Who’s in the headline – After the debut of the 2016 low downforce package it is Jimmie Johnson standing in victory lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Johnson’s crew chief made a call to pit when the final fuel window opened. His driver stretched out an advantage over Kevin Harvick, the dominant car of the day, …

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