Race Weekend Central

Justin Allgaier Rides Summer Hot Streak to Runner-Up Finish at Loudon

2021 Loudon NXS Justin Allgaier smile NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As summer enters the dog days, JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier is riding a wave that’s seen his No. 7 Chevrolet finish in the top three in four of the last six races, capped off by a runner-up finish to NASCAR Cup Series regular Christopher Bell in the Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 at New Hampshire …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: Perception, Reality & NASCAR’s Million-Dollar Problem

Nascar Cup Series

#10: Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Smithfield

There was once a young driver with a reputation for winning. He built a name for himself at the local bullrings, racing — and sometimes winning — against drivers twice his age and who had been racing before he was born. He scraped together what sponsorship he could, and put more than he could probably …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Quaker State 400

Tyler Reddick waits for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas to begin, May 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Quaker State 400? Kurt Busch has had moments this season where he looked stout but hadn’t been able to put a winning run together.  That ended Sunday (July 11) at Atlanta Motor Speedway where Busch was dominant in the Quaker State 400. He led three times …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Jockey Made in America 250

Christopher Bell smiles with folded arms at 2021 NASCAR Cup race at Road America, SiriusXM sponsor, NKP

Christopher Bell (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the race? He might have started 34th, but Chase Elliott was in front when it counted, taking the checkered flag for the second time in 2021. The win moves Elliott to third all-time in road-course wins (of course, there are more road courses on the schedule now) …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: Goodbye to Hollywood, NASCAR

2021 Cup Charlotte Pack Racing - Erik Jones, No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet (Credit: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Do you remember when everything NASCAR touched turned to gold? Those halcyon summers when the sport was booming? Everything was right in its world and it was magic. But nothing stays the same. Summer romances fade in the winter cold, and so too has our love affair with NASCAR. It’s easy to say it’s only …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Toyota/Save Mart 350

Kyle Larson in victory lane at Sonoma's Toyota/Save Mart 350 (June 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Toyota/Save Mart 350? Is Kyle Larson finally living up to his potential? He’s always had the talent to win but has struggled to close. For the second week in a row, Larson left no doubt whether he could finish out races, dominating the Toyota/Save Mart 350 …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Echopark Texas Grand Prix

Chase Briscoe smiling at 2021 Homestead Cup race. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Echopark Texas Grand Prix? More than a few people were surprised the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion went this deep into the year without a win. But no one was shocked that Chase Elliott picked up that first victory of 2021 Sunday (May 23) at Circuit …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Drydene 400

Daniel Suarez at the 2021 Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway, May 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after Drydene 400? Raise your hand if you picked Alex Bowman to be just the second NASCAR Cup Series driver to score multiple wins in 2021. Yeah, me either. Bowman has become a steady wheelman, one who’s there to challenge at the end more often. That late-race strength paid …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: Too Early to Engrave the NASCAR Cup Series Trophy

#19: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro celebrates his win with grandfather clock

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Martin Truex Jr. certainly put on a show at Darlington last Sunday, leading 248 of 292 laps on the way to his 30th career victory and third of 2021. He’s the only driver with more than one win through 12 races this season. So, with the halfway point of NASCAR’s regular season this weekend at …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Goodyear 400

Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher race at Darlington Raceway, Goodyear 400, May 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the Goodyear 400? Martin Truex Jr. dominated Sunday (May 9), leading 248 of 293 laps at Darlington Raceway on the way to his 30th career victory. Truex becomes the 28th driver in NASCAR history to win 30 or more races and sits sixth among active drivers in career wins. Truex …

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2-Headed Monster: Is Ryan Newman Hall of Fame Worthy?

Ryan Newman in the garage at Chicagoland Speedway, September 2017. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

As we await the next round of NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees, it’s natural to look to the current active drivers who are nearing retirement age (for drivers not named Harry Gant or Mark Martin) and wonder who might be eligible for future nomination. Having made 700 career starts this past Sunday at Kansas Speedway, …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 GEICO 500

A pack of NASCAR race cars running the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, April 2021. Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the race? Brad Keselowski led exactly one of 191 laps on Sunday (April 25), but it was the only one that mattered. Keselowski passed Matt DiBenedetto as the white flag flew, leading the field to the checkers for his sixth Talladega Superspeedway victory, tying Jeff Gordon and …

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