Race Weekend Central

Pace Laps: Cup Playoff Grid is Set, Justin Allgaier Readies For Xfinity Title Hunt

2019 Indianapolis Nxs Kyle Busch Checkers Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Calamity Strikes, Playoff Grid is Set Regardless of the attendance size, the 2019 Big Machine Vodka 400 was full of action. 48 of the 160 laps were run under caution, but when the checkered flag flew at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the playoff grid was set. Nine drivers failed to finish …

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Friday Faceoff: Is It Time for NASCAR to Leave the Brickyard in the Past?

2017 Indianapolis Motor Speedway MENCS Matt Kenseth photo credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The Brickyard 400 has seen attendance dwindle while the Indianapolis 500 still draws a capacity crowd. Is it time for NASCAR to say goodbye to Indy? Vito Pugliese: Absolutely not. This is the most prominent venue in all of motorsports, and NASCAR needs to still be going there. I don’t recall anybody really having much of …

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Pace Laps: Monday Morning Mayhem at Darlington, Cole Custer Picks Up Surprise Win

2019 Darlington pack racing NKP Xfinity

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Erik Jones Performs Under Pressure Erik Jones spent 2016 as Toyota’s hottest NASCAR prospect in the sport’s lower levels. He moved up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017, winning Rookie of the Year while knocking 2003 series champion Matt Kenseth out of a ride. 2018 was looked …

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The Frontstretch 5: Ways NASCAR Should Really Throw it Back

Darlington Raceway sunset in 2018, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR’s throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway is one of the most popular races on the schedule thanks to the paint schemes that echo times past. Since being restored to its traditional Labor Day weekend date, the Southern 500 has given fans a reminder of what once was. But what if NASCAR was to return to …

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Pace Laps: Christopher Bell Dominates, Takuma Sato Stuns at Gateway

2019 Road America Nxs Christopher Bell Burnout Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Xfinity Series: Christopher Bell Gets it Done on a Road Course Throughout Christopher Bell‘s young NASCAR career, he’s mentioned how he believes one of his weaknesses is road course racing. After Saturday’s (Aug. 24) CTECH Manufacturing 180, he can’t say that anymore. During the two practice sessions on Friday (Aug. 23), Bell was the car …

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Friday Faceoff: Is an Elite Xfinity Ride a Better Opportunity Than a Mid-Level Cup Car for Matt DiBenedetto?

2019 Daytona I Cup Matt Dibenedetto Helmet Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

If you’re Matt DiBenedetto, would you rather have a mid-pack Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ride or a winning Xfinity Series car next season? Joy Tomlinson: Neither. I mean, there are no guarantees of winning anything in NASCAR, but if I want to win races I would go to Xfinity. At least some Cup drivers race …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Edition

2019 Michigan Mencs Denny Hamlin Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Much to the exasperation of many fans packed into Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend, Denny Hamlin overcame several problems to claim his fourth victory of the season. Is Hamlin potentially the hottest driver going into the playoffs? Chase Elliott has been relatively quiet since his big win at Watkins Glen. Another quiet top five at …

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Friday Faceoff: Who Would Be the Most Surprising Driver to Miss the Cup Playoffs?

2019 Pocono Mencs Jimmie Johnson Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win put Kevin Harvick only two Cup wins behind team owner Tony Stewart. Assuming Harvick eventually eclipses Stewart’s mark, who has the more impressive NASCAR resume? Michael Massie: I’d still say Stewart because of the two more championships and because he took a leap of faith to start his own …

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Pace Laps: Kevin Harvick Repeats at Michigan, Austin Cindric Doubles Up

2019 Mid Ohio Nxs Austin Cindric Victory Lane Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Kevin Harvick Bounces Back at Michigan Kevin Harvick didn’t let an early flat tire stop him from winning for the second straight year at Michigan International Speedway. The last two weeks have been near-mirror images of 2018: Chase Elliott held off Martin Truex Jr. to win at Watkins Glen International, …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Step In During Incidents of Retribution?

2019 Watkins Glen Mencs Darrell Wallace, Jr. Wreck Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Last week, there were several incidents of retribution among NASCAR’s top series, including Kyle Busch/Bubba Wallace, Jimmie Johnson/Ryan Blaney and Justin Allgaier/Ross Chastain. Is there a point where NASCAR should step in? Wesley Coburn: Kyle Busch and Bubba Wallace, probably not; Wallace was stupid, and he’ll be paid back sometime later in the season. Jimmie Johnson …

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Pace Laps: Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric Take Over Watkins Glen, Friesen Finally Wins

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Chase Elliott Wins As Playoff Race Heats Up Chase Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. We’ve seen them battle mano-e-mano in western New York before and the 2019 Go Bowling At The Glen was round two. This time, Elliott hung on with pure speed, putting on the most dominant performance of …

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Pace Laps: Denny Hamlin, Ross Chastain Pick Up Pocono Wins

2019 Pocono Ngots Ross Chastain Watermelon Getty Images Nascar Media

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Denny Hamlin Wins Strategy Filled Race Pocono Raceway is known for a variety of different strategies. That’s exactly what we saw in Sunday’s Gander RV 400, with Denny Hamlin stretching the fuel tank to earn his third victory of 2019. Hamlin didn’t have the best car but was a definite …

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