Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Is There Such a Thing As Home Track Advantage?

Clint Bowyer sits in the garage area at Kentucky Speedway in 2018. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Stewart-Haas Racing has put all four of its cars in Victory Lane this season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Prior to this year, what was the best overall season by a multi-car team? How does that team compare to the 2018 stats put up by SHR?  Michael Massie:  Even with SHR’s dominance, …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s the Best Strategy to Survive Talladega?

2018 Joey Logano Talladega Cup

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. With the final plate race at Talladega Superspeedway looming, what is the best strategy for the playoff contenders?  Zach Gillispie:  The plate races are always chaotic and full of unknowns. In the previous format (before stage racing), we saw several playoff drivers ride in the back and have favorable results. But this was back …

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Friday Faceoff: Past Lucky Winners

2018 Cup Charlotte Roval Zach Catanzareti Ryan Blaney

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

1. This week, NASCAR announced a new rules package for 2019. What do you expect from it as a whole and do you feel like it was a step forward or backward? Amy Henderson: I’m 100% willing to save judgment until we actually see how this package performs on track under race conditions. If the …

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Friday Faceoff: Who’s In & Who’s Out After the ROVAL?

2018 Charlotte Cup Test Chase Elliott Bob Leverone / Getty Images

(Photo: Bob Leverone/Getty Images)

Kyle Busch’s victory on Saturday at Richmond was his 50th career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win. Realistically, with how many wins can Busch end his Cup career? Christian Koelle: 85-95 victories are possible for Kyle Busch. He could get to roughly right under David Pearson, and who knows, he could pass Pearson and be right …

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Friday Faceoff: Who’s in Playoff Danger?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski’s third Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win in a row on Sunday from Las Vegas Motor Speedway gives him an automatic bid to the Round of 12. Has his hot streak put him in the conversation as somebody that can truly challenge for the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway? Mark Howell: There’s no better time …

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Friday Faceoff: Should Kasey Kahne Hang It Up Early?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Kasey Kahne John K Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John K. Harrelson / NKP)

Kasey Kahne will miss the next three races due to severe dehydration issues suffered at Darlington Raceway. Will his final stretch of races end with him behind the wheel, or should he sit it out? Clayton Caldwell: It would be a great benefit for Leavine Family Racing to have Kasey Kahne behind the wheel as soon …

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Friday Faceoff: Has the Southern 500 Surpassed the Daytona 500?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski called his Southern 500 win the biggest of his career. Has the Labor Day throwback weekend become the second biggest race of the year? Bryan Gable: Yes.  The Southern 500 has always been a big deal to the drivers.  In addition to Keselowski, we have seen veteran racers like Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Carl …

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Friday Faceoff: What Throwback Rules Would You Like to See in NASCAR?

#24: Justin Haley, Gms Racing, Chevrolet Silverado Fraternal Order Of Eagles, Winner Nascar Camping World Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Last weekend, the NASCAR XFINITY Series raced at Road America and the Camping World Truck Series raced at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. When the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule gets revamped in 2021, should either of these tracks be added to the schedule? Zach Gillispie: Canadian Tire should be at the top of the …

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Friday Faceoff: Too Much Access for Fans?

2017 Cup Pocono Fan Fest Zach Catanzareti Dale Earnhardt Jr. Fans Autographs

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Kurt Busch‘s win at Bristol was his first in over a year and a half, but he has been consistently running well this season. Is he a realistic contender to fill in as the fourth driver to accompany the “Big Three?” John Haverlin: Kurt Busch is a contender to join the “Big Four.” Stewart-Haas Racing has …

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Friday Faceoff: Silly Season Kicking Into High Gear

2018 Cup Bristol Zach Catanzareti Kurt Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Kurt Busch has been rumored to be leaving Stewart-Haas Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing, replacing Jamie McMurray. What’s next for Busch’s career? Michael Finley: It;s really up to Kurt Busch at this point. His legacy is secured; not too many people have won both a championship and a Daytona 500. He’s running pretty well, and …

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Friday Faceoff: Should Watkins Glen Get a Second Date?

2018 Watkins Glen Cup Zach Catanzareti Daniel Suarez

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Now that Chase Elliott is off the schneid following his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win, who will the next first-time winner be? Clayton Caldwell: Alex Bowman. He’s been much more consistent this year than Dale Earnhardt Jr. was a year ago in that car and just recently signed a multi-year extension with …

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Friday Faceoff: Stiffer Penalties for Failing Inspection?

2018 Cup Pocono Zach Catanzareti Kyle Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch were two of the 13 drivers that failed post-qualifying inspection and were forced to start in the rear of the field. However, it didn’t take long for them to work their way up through the field. Should the penalty for failing post-qualifying inspection be increased? Matt McLaughlin: Well clearly the …

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