Race Weekend Central

Xfinity Breakdown: Christopher Bell Becomes “Mr. Magic” With a Hat Trick Win at New Hampshire

2021 Loudon NXS Christopher Bell woohoo Jared C Tilton Getty

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

The NASCAR Xfinity Series did not race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2020 as the race was realigned to its Speedway Motorsports sister-track, Kentucky Speedway, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift meant that Christopher Bell would retain his Magic Mile crown for another year and when the green flag dropped in Saturday’s Ambetter …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Take a Summer Vacation Every Year?

Tyler Reddick stands next to his car at 2021 spring Kansas Cup race NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Should NASCAR continue to schedule back-to-back off-weekends in the late summer even when no Summer Olympics are being held? Trenton Worsham: Not back to back, but it’d be nice for it to have two or three more weeks off scattered out throughout the year as bye weeks. Josh Roller: I like the idea of a late …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Going Out On Top; Kyle Busch Wins No. 102 at Atlanta

2021 Atlanta NXS Kyle Busch checkered flag NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

His NASCAR Xfinity Series career began on May 24, 2003, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His first victory was at Richmond Raceway on May 14, 2004. But was Kyle Busch’s 102nd victory in his 362nd career start the final time the 2009 Xfinity Series champion competes in NASCAR’s second-tier division? According to Busch, that very well …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Fresh Tires Boost Kyle Busch to Surprise Henry 180 Victory at Road America

#54: Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Supra M&M's Ice Cream celebrates his win at 2021 NASCAR Xfinity race at Road America, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Tires were the topic of conversation for much of Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Road America. Some teams planned to save enough fuel to go the entire distance of the Henry 180 on two stops to save a fresh set of tires for a late-race caution. Others wanted to pit to keep the freshest …

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Friday Faceoff: Who Will Be Next to Lead NASCAR’s Biggest Teams?

Joe Gibbs looks on wearing sunglasses at 2021 NASCAR Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Coca-Cola 600. Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

During one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ two races at Pocono Raceway last weekend, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was penalized for laying back on a restart, but race winner Kyle Busch purposely pitted to fall back and get momentum built up. Is there a difference between the two and should NASCAR implement a penalty for such …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Austin Cindric Snags Pocono Win; Safety Highlighted in Scary Crash

Austin Cindric celebrates in victory lane at Pocono Raceway June 2021 (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Leading a race-high 26 laps, Austin Cindric held off a hard-charging Ty Gibbs to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway held on June 27, 2021.

Friday Faceoff: Are CBD Sponsorships Good for NASCAR?

2021 Nashville Cup Kyle Larson William Byron pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR said it allows CBD sponsorships as long as the product contains less than .3% THC. Should such partnerships be permitted, or is it better if these companies follow big tobacco out the door? Josh Roller: If any product can legally be consumed, it should be allowed to sponsor in NASCAR and any sport. Until an …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Kyle Busch Joins 100 Win Club in Nashville

2021 Nashville NXS Kyle Busch guitar victory lane NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In 99 previous NASCAR Xfinity Series victories, it could have been said that Kyle Busch walked to victory on more than a few occasions. To claim victory number 100 in Saturday’s (June 19) Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway, Busch had to outduel Justin Allgaier during several restarts in the final 50 laps. Busch was …

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Friday Faceoff: How Many Cup Venues Should 1 City Get?

Brad Keselowski No. 2 car in 2010 Nashville Superspeedway NASCAR race Nigel Kinrade

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/Autostock)

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway continues to campaign for a NASCAR weekend even though Nashville Superspeedway is back on the schedule and sits barely 30 minutes away. Does it matter if two venues are that geographically close? Luken Glover: There are certain areas where this would not work, but Nashville is one of the biggest opportunities to pounce …

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Friday Faceoff: What Is the Ideal All-Star Race?

All Star Race Photo

(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

Both Ryan Preece and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are in the final year of their contracts with JTG Daugherty Racing. Should either pursue other opportunities, or are they better off to stay put? Josh Roller: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has settled in nicely, and if JTG Daugherty Racing is excited by his results, Stenhouse shouldn’t leave. On …

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Xfinity Breakdown: ‘Three-Wide for the Lead,’ Allmendinger Digs Out a Win at Mid-Ohio

2021 Mid Ohio NXS AJ Allmendinger trophy NKP

AJ Allmendinger Celebrating at Mid-Ohio (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If anyone could have raced their way back up from 30th to first in 20 laps in the B&L Transport 170 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, it would be AJ Allmendinger. Between Allmendinger and championship rival Austin Cindric, they had the best two cars in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at the Lexington, Ohio road …

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Friday Faceoff: Has Ryan Newman Had a Hall-of-Fame Career?

Ryan Newman at 2021 spring Phoenix Cup race NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 in the NASCAR Cup Series has just two top-five finishes since Kyle Larson’s tenure ended more than a year ago. What’s wrong at CGR, and what should be done? Josh Roller: The No. 42 with Ross Chastain behind the wheel is heading in the right direction in 2021, despite only …

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