Race Weekend Central

Pace Laps: Bowman’s Big Day, Sadler’s Penalty and a Wet Brazilian Grand Prix

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Sprint Cup: Career Day for Alex Bowman in Phoenix – It seems like Alex Bowman has truly made the most of every opportunity he’s found in 2016. That statement hit the ceiling in Sunday’s Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, when Bowman became the fastest driver in the Sprint Cup Series, leading 194 of 324 …

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XFINITY Breakdown: Kyle Busch Wins at Phoenix as Championship 4 Decided

2016 Xfinity Phoenix

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Eight Chasers went into the Ticket Galaxy 200 at Phoenix International Raceway eyeing one of the four spots in next week’s Championship 4. After a night of miscues and misfortune for several of the Chasers, Daniel Suarez, Elliott Sadler, Erik Jones and Justin Allgaier emerged as the four championship contenders with just one race remaining. Kyle Busch, …

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Friday Faceoff: Does NASCAR Need a New Tire War?

2016 Phoenix I CUP Jimmie Johnson Chase Elliott pack racing Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The question of whether or not Chase races should be rain-shortened arose once again this week after rain cut the AAA Texas 500 41 laps short.  Is there anything NASCAR could have done differently to get the race in, or is the outcome acceptable as is? Jeff Wolfe, Senior Writer: I don’t think there is …

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Eyes on XFINITY: Could there be a Winless Champion?

2016-chicago-nxs-erik-jones-checkered-flag-brett-moist-nkp

There is no doubt that winning races is a big part of NASCAR’s elimination-style Chase format.  A win during the regular season practically locks a driver in to the postseason.  Furthermore, wins during the Chase allow drivers to advance automatically through the different rounds. However, the value of wins has not been on full display during …

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Pace Laps: Kevin Harvick Preparing for Must-Win & Blake Koch V. Justin Allgaier

2016 NASCAR Texas

(Photo: John Harrelson / NKP)

Sprint Cup: It’s Sure to Be a Desert Delight – Think about it… it couldn’t get much better with one race remaining before we set the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. We have Kevin Harvick, the greatest driver in the history of Phoenix International Raceway, in what could be a must-win situation [again] while four …

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XFINITY Breakdown: Kyle Larson Snares Victory in Late-Race Run

2016 Pocono I CUP Kyle Larson Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Kyle Larson spent most of Saturday’s XFINITY race at Texas Motor Speedway doing the same thing as everyone else: trying to chase down Brad Keselowski.  However, Larson seized the lead on a restart with 30 laps to go and never looked back. With Keselowski chasing him all the way to the checkers, Larson held on …

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Eyes on XFINITY: Roush Fenway Racing’s Winning Streak in Jeopardy

2015 Dover I NXS Ryan Reed car CIA

(CIA Stock Photography, 2015)

This weekend, all three of NASCAR’s national touring series will race at Texas Motor Speedway.  In its 20-year history, the mile-and-a-half track in Fort Worth has often been referred to as a House of Roush.  Indeed, the Roush Fenway Racing organization is no stranger to success at Texas.  Of the 31 Sprint Cup events at TMS, Roush’s …

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The Frontstretch 5: Memorable Championship Battles

2106 Sonoma CUP pack racing Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

1. NASCAR Sprint Cup (Winston Cup) Series, 1979 My favorite championship battle is 1979. If I could go back in time, I would go in a minute, and I would have it take me back to 1979. That was the year where a youngster named Darrell Waltrip and the King of NASCAR Richard Petty battled …

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Pace Laps: Martinsville Madness and XFINITY Point Battles

Cup Martinsville Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing  Martinsville Speedway

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Sprint Cup: Racing for every point, right? – With the Sprint Cup Series Chase now down to eight drivers, only half of them will move on to the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. You didn’t have to tell Denny Hamlin that as the No. 11 held off Joe Gibbs Racing teammates in the closing laps …

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Eyes on XFINITY: A Return to Martinsville Could Put Lights to Use

2016 Martinsville I CUP overhead view Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

NASCAR fans will be treated to some great short track racing this weekend.  The Chases in both the Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series continue at Martinsville Speedway, the half-mile paper clip-shaped track in the Southern Virginia hills.  The XFINITY Series, meanwhile, gets one more weekend off. It is a shame that NASCAR’s …

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Pace Laps: RPM’s Banner Day and Minor League Playoff Battles

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Talladega

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Sprint Cup: Banner day for Richard Petty Motorsports in Talladega – Talladega Superspeedway has always been open for opportunity for even the smallest of teams in the Sprint Cup Series. With the weekend starting off with an eyebrow-raising qualifying effort by Premium Motorsports driver Reed Sorenson, it ended with a double-top-10 day for Richard Petty …

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Eyes on XFINITY: Chasing Out the Sprint Cup Drivers?

2016-kansas-speedway-nxs-daniel-suarez-photo-credit-nascar-via-getty-images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Earlier this week, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O’Donnell made a comment about Sprint Cup drivers racing in the XFINITY and Camping World Truck series.  O’Donnell hinted that the sanctioning body could make an announcement soon regarding a plan to limit participation by Sprint Cup regulars in these lower divisions. …

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