Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Which Eliminated Playoff Driver Will Bounce Back Best in 2022?

William Byron’s No. 24 AXALTA rainbow colored Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet racing with Tyler Reddick’s No. 8 Richard Childress Chevy at 2021 Kansas NASCAR Cup race

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR VP Scott Miller said the sanctioning body will “do what we think is necessary” to put a stop to the feud between Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick. Is it time for NASCAR to step in? Josh Roller: I’m neutral on this, because on one hand, the feud is creating a talking point and excitement for …

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Friday Faceoff: Has Time Run Out for NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy?

#5: Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Cincinnati on pit road at Talladega fall NASCAR Cup playoff race 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson wound up crashing during a feverish attempt to record a fast enough lap to avoid being parked by the NASCAR damaged vehicle policy in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Does the current rule need any tweaking? Josh Roller: I’ve noticed when crews are repairing a car while under the clock, they …

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Friday Faceoff: Does NASCAR Have An Electric Future?

NASCAR Next Gen car

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Ford announced it will be investing billions into further development and production of electric cars. Does NASCAR have a future with electric racecars? Luken Glover: It’s been rumored that NASCAR was at least once exploring a potential series that was all electric. The possibility of an all-electric series in the near future is very feasible. It …

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Friday Faceoff: Would a Move to Streaming Benefit NASCAR?

Martin Truex Jr leads a pack of NASCAR Cup cars at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Streaming could play a larger role in the next NASCAR TV deal. Would the sport benefit from such a move? Dalton Hopkins: Streaming live races could create a cause and effect that gets rid of NASCAR’s controversial stage racing format. It’s a steep slope, but hear me out. With streaming, there’s the benefit of having no …

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Friday Faceoff: Candy Eggs, Easter Bunnies & NASCAR Racing?

Alex Bowman at 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Michigan race

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kurt Busch and Alex Bowman are tied for the final playoff position above the cutoff heading to Bristol Motor Speedway. Who has the better odds of claiming the 12th slot? Luken Glover: Kurt Busch has a whopping six wins in Thunder Valley, including five top 10s in the last seven races at Bristol. In 10 starts …

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Friday Faceoff: Whose Darlington Disaster Will Be Hardest to Overcome?

Alex Bowman purple No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports car at Darlington with damage on left rear, fall NASCAR Cup playoff race, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Plenty of NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers ran into trouble at Darlington Raceway. Who has the least to worry about, and who has one foot out the door? Luken Glover: Any chance at a Cinderella story was likely demolished as soon as it started for Michael McDowell. Unless he pulls off a Daytona International Speedway-like …

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Friday Faceoff: Can Kurt Busch Win With 23XI?

Kurt Busch walking at road america

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chris Buescher was disqualified from his second-place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway for a post-race infraction due to an unapproved track bar mount. Does the punishment fit the crime? Josh Roller: Not enough information was shared by NASCAR to determine whether or not a disqualification was appropriate or not. What made …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Require COVID-19 Vaccines for Garage Access?

2019 New Hampshire Nxs Bj Mcleod Motorsports Garage Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With the FDA approving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, should NASCAR require vaccinations for garage access? Luken Glover: No, it is not needed. Some drivers have voiced that a negative test should be all that is needed, and I agree with that. While I want the virus to be eradicated as much as the next person, it …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Allow Testing At New or Reconfigured Speedways?

2021 nascar Cup COTA pack racing, photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. hinted that JR Motorsports could expand to five NASCAR Xfinity Series cars next year. What is the ideal driver lineup for JRM in 2022?  Josh Roller: If JR Motorsports expands to a five-car team next season, I don’t mind keeping the current driver lineup. Keep Michael Annett in the No. 1. He is …

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Friday Faceoff: Indy Road Course or Oval — What’s a More Prestigious Win?

Chase Briscoe leads NASCAR Xfinity cars pack racing in the esses at the 2020 Indianapolis road course, Jamie Squire/Getty Images

(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

The Watkins Glen International NASCAR Cup Series event was run in just under two hours and 11 minutes, to the delight of some who say races are too long. What’s the shortest (or longest) you think a Cup race should run? Should a time limit be considered? Luken Glover: It really varies on how long and …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Dominance Detrimental to ARCA?

Ty Gibbs wins back to back races at Iowa Speedway

(Photo: Mark Kristl)

Two drivers have combined to win all but one ARCA Menards Series race this season. Does this diminish the relevance of the series?  Mark Kristl: It diminishes the spotlight on other drivers, especially the other two who are full time. However, it does not diminish the series. ARCA is the NASCAR equivalent of Single A, and …

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Friday Faceoff: Should Auto Racing Be An Olympic Sport?

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Las Vegas Carl Edwards backflip Nigel Kinrade Autostock

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/Autostock)

Harrison Burton is the latest driver to come up through the Toyota development ranks only to wind up in NASCAR Cup Series racing for a different manufacturer. Should Toyota Racing Development be making more of an effort to keep prospects? Luken Glover: Toyota has followed a motto of quality over quantity several times in the past …

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