Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice?: A Battle For NASCAR Control

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL USA Sunday 11 February 2018 Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing, Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Did You Notice? … NASCAR and its teams are facing a showdown over pre- and post-race inspection? There’s been a continual back-and-forth this season between inspectors and teams; time and again, we’ve seen cars forced to start at the rear of the field after failing to get cleared in time for qualifying. There’s also been issues …

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Did You Notice?: Breaking Down A NASCAR Sale That Won’t Come Cheap

#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Liberty University Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … The magnitude of a potential NASCAR sale? A confirmed report that the France family is exploring a deal for the company is sending shockwaves through the racing industry – and through sports. Unlike the franchise models of the NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB, NASCAR has been family-owned since its inception in 1948. …

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Did You Notice?: A Second Look At NASCAR Silly Season 10 Races In

2017 indianapolis cup alex bowman dale earnhardt jr. zach catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Did You Notice? … Sometimes, NASCAR Silly Season moves turn into mistakes? 10 races in, let’s take a look at some of the biggest driver decisions entering 2018 and see how they’re turning out. For now, we’ll give Darrell Wallace Jr. and William Byron a break; rookies typically need a little more seat time before …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR’s Sophomore Slump Affecting Youth Movement?

2018 cup richmond ty dillon zach catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Did You Notice? … The dreaded sophomore slump has reared its ugly head again? The top three rookies from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series last season are all underperforming nine races into 2018. Erik Jones is the best of the bunch, sitting 12th in points. But as the driver he replaced, Matt Kenseth, returns to …

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Did You Notice?: Ford’s Mustang Must Avoid Chevy’s Camaro NASCAR Mistakes

2018 auto club Cole Custer, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Haas Automation

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Ford’s decision to race its Mustang model in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series next season? The decision came four months earlier than Chevrolet’s choice last season to move to its Camaro. The lengthy lead time gives Ford teams a window for development and testing. It’s a long-term plan the manufacturer hopes …

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Did You Notice?: A Monster Move For NASCAR Sponsorship

2018 daytona cup zach catanzareti kurt busch monster energy

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Did You Notice? … Monster Energy could be the last title sponsor in NASCAR Cup Series history? Tuesday’s one-year extension, through 2019 was huge for a sport that has been hemorrhaging corporate sponsorship at the team level. Adding Monster for one more year after months of indecision finally gives them some financial news to boast about. …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR’s Blowout Problem

2018 cup auto club Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops/5-hour ENERGY celebrates his win with a burnout

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … NASCAR winners aren’t just squeaking into Victory Lane — they’re rolling over their competition. Three of five races in the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season have been won by 2.5 seconds or more. Martin Truex Jr. coasted to the win at Auto Club Speedway by nearly 12 seconds Sunday; only 10 …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR’s ‘Lowes’-t Point

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL USA Sunday 11 February 2018 Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro and Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, Lowe's for Pros Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Did You Notice? … One of NASCAR’s biggest sponsors over the last two decades is choosing to abandon a seven-time Cup Series champion? Lowe’s is leaving Jimmie Johnson after the 2018 season, making it the sport’s most recognizable driver/sponsor pairing headed toward divorce. For Lowe’s, the decision ends over 17 years of sponsorship of Johnson and the …

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Did You Notice? A Peek Into NASCAR Purses & A Monster Decision Ahead

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA USA Sunday 25 February 2018 Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing, Monster Energy/Haas Automation Ford Fusion and Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion World Copyright: Barry Cantrell NKP

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

Did You Notice? … The money flowing from BK Racing’s bankruptcy case gives us insight to NASCAR purses under the charter agreement? Per Bob Pockrass of ESPN.com, court documents show the team earned $450,000 for finishing 20th in this year’s Daytona 500. That’s a strong improvement from 2015, the last year purses were officially released by …

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Did You Notice?: The New Dale Earnhardt, Debunking NASCAR’s Decline

2018 daytona cup daytona 500 zach catanzareti austin dillon

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Did You Notice? … The way fans reacted to Austin Dillon’s last-lap punt of Aric Almirola to win the Daytona 500? I ran a poll after the race on Twitter and 67 percent of fans surveyed thought Dillon was over the line. It didn’t matter what Almirola said after the fact (he doesn’t blame Dillon at …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR’s Business Model in Focus

Did You Notice? … NASCAR’s business model is the center of Speedweeks conversation? The sport enters 2018 with only 40 entries competing for 40 spots in its Super Bowl, Sunday’s Daytona 500 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. It’ll be the first time since 1969 that every car that showed up to make the 500 …

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