Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Who is the Best Restrictor Plate Driver in the Field?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/ NKP)

Kyle Busch’s win this past weekend at Richmond Raceway made it three in a row for him and the No. 18 team. This comes on the heels of Kevin Harvick’s three wins in a row. Will we see one of these drivers, or somebody else, win three in a row this season? Wesley Coburn: If anyone, …

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Friday Faceoff: Is the Old Bristol Back?

2018 Cup Bristol Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

After early dominant driver Ryan Blaney was knocked out in a crash Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson led a race-high 200 laps only to be disappointed by a late-race pass for the win by Kyle Busch. What effect will the defeat have on Larson and whether he can win a different race later …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s Up With the Officiating?

2018 Ryan Blaney Pit Road Pit Stop Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Busch has finished second, second, third, second and first in his last five races and currently leads the points standings. Is he the best driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the moment? Davey Segal: I’d call this one a push. Kevin Harvick has the edge on wins over Kyle Busch, but …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s Been the Biggest Surprise of 2018?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Aric Almirola John K Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John K. Harrelson / NKP)

Clint Bowyer’s win at Martinsville Speedway snapped a 190-race winless streak. Who is most likely to be the next driver who has already won in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series to snap his long winless drought? Christian Koelle: Paul Menard is really impressing me over at Wood Brothers Racing. That car has some speed, and …

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4 Burning Questions: Did Stewart-Haas Racing Steal Jimmie Johnson’s Golden Horseshoe?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Jimmie Johnson Helmet Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

So just who really is No. 1? FOX Sports unveiled its list of the top 50 drivers in NASCAR history this week, and to say it drew some attention would be quite the understatement. Fans and industry insiders alike were aghast at the positioning of several legendary drivers, not to mention the presence of a …

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Friday Faceoff: Did NASCAR Handle Its Snow-Out Correctly?

Clint Bowyer Martinsville Cup Mike Neff 2018

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Snow postponed the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway from Sunday to Monday for the first time since 1993. How do you think NASCAR handled the situation? Matt McLaughlin: They were in a difficult position, but in the end, postponement was the only valid option. I’d have liked to see them bite the bullet and announce the …

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Friday Faceoff: With NASCAR Sponsors Leaving, Time to Panic?

2018 Daytona Cup Bruce Nuttleman Jimmie Johnson

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Could this be the beginning of another dominant season for the No. 78 team? Mark Howell: After the kind of 2017 Martin Truex Jr. enjoyed, anything is most certainly possible. One win does not mean dominance, but the No. 78 bunch is leaning in that direction. More wins will come as we enter the summer months, …

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Friday Faceoff: Can Harvick Four-Peat?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Kevin Harvick Burnout Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Kevin Harvick has now won three races in a row, becoming the third driver over 40 years old to accomplish the feat. He’s going for four in a row this upcoming weekend in Fontana. Can he do it? Mark Howell: Harvick has won at Auto Club Speedway before (in 2011), so we know he’s capable of …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Harvick This Year’s MTJ?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Kevin Harvick Car Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP)

Kevin Harvick continued his dominance by spanking the field this past weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his second consecutive victory. And this weekend, the circuit heads to ISM Raceway, Harvick’s most successful track. Is it too early to say that Harvick is this year’s MTJ? Davey Segal: Folks, let’s look at the big …

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Friday Faceoff: To Repave Atlanta or Not to Repave?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Folds Of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga Usa Sunday 25 February 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Ford Fusion, And Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Axalta Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

There has been talk regarding Atlanta Motor Speedway’s racing surface on whether to repave or not to repave. What do you think? Matt McLaughlin: I sure hope it won’t be repaved. The worn surface makes tire management crucial and introduces the chances to use contrary strategy to have a tortoise beat a hare. It’s a lot like …

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Friday Faceoff: Butt Tattoos, Anyone?

Austin Dillon Burnout 2018 Daytona 500 Bruce Nuttleman Fs

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Austin Dillon’s Daytona 500 triumph was his second in his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, but some people have said he hasn’t won a real race, as his 2017 Coca-Cola 600 win was on fuel mileage and this past weekend was a restrictor plate event. Does he have to win a so-called normal Cup race …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s The Deal With NASCAR Ride Height Rules?

2016 Kansas Ii Cup Alex Bowman Pack Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Alex Bowman kicked off his tenure as the full-time driver of the No. 88 by putting his hot rod on the pole. But even with that, people are still referring to him as “Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s replacement.” What will Bowman need to do to get out of Earnhardt Jr.’s shadow? Davey Segal: Alex Bowman is …

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