Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Which Track Is Best Suited to Host a NASCAR/ IndyCar Doubleheader?

Field Enters Turn Three After Final Restart of Iowa 250 pres. by Enogen

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Once again, three drivers have combined to win all but three races this season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Can they continue their dominance into the summer? Mark Kristl: While Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski are talented enough to continue their dominance, it won’t last. Stewart-Haas Racing is too good not …

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Up to Speed: When Richard Howard Saved Charlotte Motor Speedway

2017 Coca-Cola 600 wide view Nigel Kinrade/NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade /NKP)

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted the 60th running of its 600-mile race on Sunday. Whether you know it as the World 600 or the Coca-Cola 600, the event is one of NASCAR’s long-standing crown jewel races. More recently, CMS became the centerpiece of Bruton Smith’s track ownership corporation, Speedway Motorsports Inc. As NASCAR’s popularity spread across …

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Friday Faceoff: Team Bowyer or Team Newman?

2019 Atlanta Cup Ryan Newman Nkp

(Photo:Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Much has been made of the situation involving Ryan Newman and Clint Bowyer following the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ All-Star Race. Who was in the right? Mark Kristl: Both drivers were at fault. Ryan Newman was at fault for hitting Clint Bowyer‘s car after the race. Clint Bowyer was at fault for losing control, hitting …

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Up to Speed: The Monster Energy Open Steals the Show

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Monster Energy All-Star Race weekend should be about showcasing the best and brightest talents in the sport.  But in this year’s running, the best overall race was the preliminary event. The Monster Energy Open was a thrilling race from start to finish.  The three mini-races spread over a total of 62 laps had a …

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Up to Speed: A Lesson in Experience for Alex Bowman and Erik Jones

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After an intense night of racing at Kansas Speedway, Alex Bowman and Erik Jones will have to take the bad with the good.  Both drivers were impressive on Saturday night, especially in the late stages of the race.  However, neither was able to beat Brad Keselowski with a race win on the line. Keselowski’s victory …

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Up to Speed: A Steep Learning Curve for Cup Series Rookies

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For two Rookie of the Year Contenders in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, last week’s race at Talladega Superspeedway was a long-awaited bright spot.  Both Ryan Preece and Daniel Hemric walked away with top-five finishes. Preece’s third-place result is a career-best finish, improving on his eighth place earlier this year in the Daytona 500.  …

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Up to Speed: Missed Talladega Opportunities for Joey Logano

2019 Phoenix I Cup Joey Logano Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Late last season, nobody made the most of a few good opportunities better than Joey Logano. A victory at Martinsville Speedway carried him to the season finale as a championship contender. Three weeks later, Logano found himself with the best short-run car at Homestead-Miami Speedway. When presented with a short green flag run to the …

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Up to Speed: Kyle Busch, 2019 Versus Jeff Gordon, 1998

Gatorade Duel 150's

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Kyle Busch’s fast start to the 2019 NASCAR season has been well-documented.  Through the first nine races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, he has earned three wins, six top fives and nine top 10s.  He has also led 599 laps and posted an average finish of 3.9.  As great as Busch’s 2018 season …

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Up to Speed: Jimmie Johnson & Chad Knaus, Post-Breakup

#48: Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Ally And Kevin Meendering

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

During Friday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Richmond Raceway, Chad Knaus observed the action from a different vantage point.  Instead of being a crew chief, Knaus tried his hand at broadcasting.  It wasn’t the first time that he had helped to call a race from the booth, and he did a solid job explaining teams’ …

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Friday Faceoff: Is It Time For Bristol To Downsize Its Seating Capacity?

2016 Bristol Motor Speedway Nscs Matt Kenseth Leads Pack Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Kyle Larson had another miserable day while his teammate Kurt Busch finished second. What’s wrong in the No. 42 camp? Neff: Racing is cyclical. The No. 42 team is struggling right now. They will be fine and Larson will win at Michigan if not before. Gable: It was pretty surprising that Larson was a non-factor …

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Up to Speed: The Many Faces of Darrell Waltrip

2019 Bristol Zach Catanzareti Cup Darrell Waltrip

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Darrell Waltrip has never been one to shy away from attention.  But lately, the NASCAR Hall of Famer has been getting more attention than he bargained for. During last weekend’s races at Texas Motor Speedway, rumors began circulating that Waltrip was preparing to retire from broadcasting.  An Associated Press report added fuel to the fire, …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Hendrick Motorsports Finally On The Upswing?

2019 Phoenix I Cup Jimmie Johnson Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Is Hendrick Motorsports on their way back to the top tier, or was their showing at Texas a one-time thing? Bryan Gable: It is best not to read too much into one race.  Just a few weeks ago, we were talking about how Hendrick Motorsports had zero top fives through the first five races of …

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