Race Weekend Central

Cliff Daniels Finding His Role as Leader While Kyle Larson Finds Success

Cliff Daniels Kyle Larson Daytona 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Cliff Daniels has only been a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief for two drivers: Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Larson. Five races into his inaugural campaign with Larson, Daniels earned his first career victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7, and the new pairing has garnered four top-10 finishes in five races. Daniels worked …

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Zach’s Turn: Joe Gibbs Racing Poised for Success After Phoenix Victory

Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. racing in the Instacart 500k, 3/14/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Martin Truex Jr. finally claimed his first career Phoenix Raceway victory in the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s (March 14) Instacart 500. And while the performance felt like a statement win for Truex, who snapped a 29-race winless streak by leading 64 laps en route to victory lane, it also proved to be a strong …

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Zach’s Turn: Kyle Larson Earns Kudos from NASCAR, Bubba Wallace After 1st Hendrick Motorsports Win

2021 Cup Las Vegas I Larson Burnout Victory Nkp

(Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The past 10 months of Kyle Larson’s life have been a roller coaster, but the wild ride peaked on Sunday (March 7). Larson led 103 laps to dominate and win the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It’s his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Hendrick Motorsports and first since losing his job last …

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Quin Houff Reflects on Lessons Learned Entering 2nd Full-Time NASCAR Season

Quin Houff's Cup car at 2021 Homestead race Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Quin Houff is still finding his footing in the NASCAR Cup Series. After finishing his first full-time season 33rd in points, the driver of StarCom Racing’s No. 00 Chevrolet believes he’s poised to improve as he and his young team return to tracks together for a second and third time. That track time will be …

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Zach’s Turn: Rudy Fugle & William Byron Capitalize on Chemistry for 1st Win Together

William Byron with crew chief Rudy Fugle before 2021 Daytona Road course Cup event Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It took William Byron 62 races to win with legendary crew chief Chad Knaus atop the pit box. The connection with new crew chief Rudy Fugle came together much quicker. Byron led 102 of 267 laps on Sunday (Feb. 28) to win the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, claiming his first victory with Fugle …

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Alex Bowman on Building Drift Cars, Handling Internal Pressure & His Own Identity

Nascar Cup Series

#48: Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Ally

Alex Bowman is the new face behind the wheel of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet that Jimmie Johnson made famous. With two wins under his belt driving the No. 88 car for Hendrick Motorsports (Chicagoland Speedway 2019, Auto Club Speedway 2020) that formerly belonged to Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bowman moves into yet another prolific ride …

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Zach’s Turn: Christopher Bell Proves His Worth Early at Joe Gibbs Racing

2021 Daytona Rc Cup Bell Nkp

Photography: NKP

Christopher Bell showed Sunday (Feb. 21) at the Daytona International Speedway road course that he is worthy of his ride at Joe Gibbs Racing. A surprise win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 provided proof just two weeks into the job. After a rookie season in which he finished 20th in points for now-defunct Leavine Family …

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Zach’s Turn: Did Drivers Take Too Long at Daytona to Make Their Move?

Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon battle for position in 2021 Daytona 500 Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For most of Sunday night’s (Feb. 14) Daytona 500, the pack rode single file in hopes of timing their runs right. Instead, last-minute moves left some drivers wadded up and others just short of victory in the 63rd annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. With the field thinned to just 16 cars on the …

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Gray Gaulding Talks Return to Full-Time Xfinity Ride: ‘I’m Rejuvenated’

Nascar Xfinity Series Gray Gaulding Panini Jimmy Means Racing

(Photo: RaceArtist.com/Michael Miceli)

Gray Gaulding will pilot the No. 52 Chevrolet full time for Jimmy Means Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year, and on Feb. 9, the young driver discussed his move to a full-time ride in the series after a part-time schedule in 2020. Gaulding, who turns 23 on Feb. 10, will receive sponsorship from …

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Beyond the Cockpit: Part II — Chase Briscoe Discusses Improvement, Tragedy and Perception

#98: Chase Briscoe, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Highpoint.com

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As Chase Briscoe enters his rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series, plenty of “new” is on his horizon. Part of that includes racing stiffer competition than he’s ever faced.  But Briscoe also brings with him a different perspective on life following a miscarriage suffered by his wife, Marissa, ahead of his Darlington Xfinity Series …

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Zach’s Turn: Absence of Jimmie Johnson Signifies New Era in NASCAR

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As we sit upon the doorstep of the 2021 season, there are plenty of signs that “new” is in the air. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are suddenly co-owners of respective teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. The Cup schedule features seven road courses, including Circuit of the Americas, Road America and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway …

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Chase Briscoe on NASCAR Offseason, New Cup Team, Reddit & Daytona

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Briscoe made an enormous splash in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2020, an impact big enough to land him a promotion. After a nine-win season that launched him into the Championship 4, Briscoe’s stock rose as one of the sport’s bright young talents. The hard work paid off for 2021. At age 26, Briscoe …

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