Race Weekend Central

By Stephen Stumpf

Stephen Stumpf is the NASCAR Content Director for Frontstretch, and his weekly columns include “Stat Sheet” and “4 Burning Questions.” Stephen also writes commentary, contributes weekly to the “Bringing the Heat” podcast and is frequently at the track for on-site coverage. A native of Texas, Stephen began following NASCAR at age 9 after attending his first race at Texas Motor Speedway. Follow on Twitter @stephen_stumpf.

Stat Sheet: The Ending of Bristol Dirt Was Nearly a Case of Deja Vu

Stephen Stumpf
NASCAR Cup Series

#20: Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, DEWALT POWERSTACK Toyota Camry and #45: Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, SiriusXM Radio Toyota Camry

On the final lap of the Bristol dirt race, the top two cars were nose to tail out of turn 2 – sound familiar?

The Big 6: Questions Answered After Christopher Bell Holds Serve for Bristol Dirt Win

Stephen Stumpf
Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and more in a pack race in the NASCAR Cup Series Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Christopher Bell led the final 100 laps and held off a charging Tyler Reddick to win the Food City Dirt Race.

Stat Sheet: Hendrick Dominating Richmond Is the Field’s Worst Nightmare

Stephen Stumpf
2023 Richmond 1 Cup Kyle Larson burnout NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Hendrick Motorsports entered Sunday with one win at Richmond since 2009; the team then proceeded to lead over half the race.

4 Burning Questions: COTA Cup Race Ending Was a Catastrophe That Cannot Happen Again

Stephen Stumpf
NASCAR Cup Series

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

COTA represented a prime opportunity for NASCAR to impress on an international stage – and it absolutely fumbled the opportunity.

Stat Sheet: Late Calamity Couldn’t Ruin Tyler Reddick’s Race

Stephen Stumpf
NASCAR Cup Series

Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography

With three overtime restarts at COTA, the odds were not in Tyler Reddick’s favor – but he held on to win anyway.