Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: What Were the Biggest Surprises & Disappointments of 2021?

Hamlin, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Another year, another near miss for Denny Hamlin. Will he ever win a NASCAR Cup Series title? Luken Glover: Denny Hamlin absolutely has the talent to get the job done. So, can he do it? Definitely a yes. Will he do it? I’m leaning towards no. We may be seeing the equivalent of Mark Martin, who …

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The Underdog House: Ryan Preece Caps 2021 by Leading NASCAR Underdogs

2021 Nashville Trucks Ryan Preece happy NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Ryan Preece While the large majority of attention was justifiably on Championship 4 contenders, the underdogs of the NASCAR Cup Series sought to finish off their 2021 seasons strong at Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 7). The action matched the desert heat throughout the field, unfortunately scorching a few underdogs in catastrophic ways. Several of …

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Friday Faceoff: Is This Hendrick Lineup Its Best Ever?

Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman Racing at Martinsville fall 2021, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Is this the most competitive Hendrick Motorsports has ever been? Luken Glover: One can certainly make that argument. It isn’t a head-and-shoulders advantage, but this NASCAR Cup Series season is right there as one of the best. If a HMS car wins this week, it will tie its 2007 record for the most single-season wins …

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NASCAR Requiring Kyle Busch to Complete Sensitivity Training

Kyle Busch stands by his car

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR will require two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch to complete sensitivity training before the 2022 season. The penalty was a result of Busch calling Brad Keselowski a slur in a post-race interview. Busch and Keselowski were racing hard at the end to try and make the final spot for the Championship 4, with both coming …

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Entry List: 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race

JR Motorsports teammates Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson races at 2021 Phoenix Xfinity spring Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The moment has arrived. Four NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will compete for the ultimate goal of a championship at Phoenix Raceway. Defending champion Austin Cindric will compete for his second consecutive title, while AJ Allmendinger, Daniel Hemric, and Noah Gragson are seeking their maiden championship. With practice and qualifying returning for the season finale, 42 …

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Andy Lally Running Part Time for Alpha Prime in 2022

#78: Andy Lally, Live Fast Motorsports, Ford Mustang Blacktop Mojo

(Photo: NKP)

Andy Lally is set to join Alpha Prime Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022, the team confirmed to TobyChristie.com Nov. 1. APR, formerly Martins Motorsports, plans to field Lally in all six road course races in 2022. “I can’t wait to get started,” Lally told TobyChristie.com. “Caesar (Bacarella, co-owner and fellow driver) has …

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The Underdog House: Erik Jones’ Tricks Lead to Treat of Martinsville Top 10

Erik Jones racing at Martinsville Speedway, October, 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Erik Jones Do you want a scary combination? Try mixing Halloween with a 500-lap race at Martinsville Speedway. Oh, and did I mention that the race was an elimination event for playoff drivers? Yikes! The Xfinity 500 Sunday (Oct. 31) featured the grit and gruel of NASCAR’s shortest track. Battles throughout the field …

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Friday Faceoff: Are Tracks Dropping the Ball When Marketing Their Events?

Kyle Larson leads a pack cars at Texas Motor Speedway, October 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Former drivers Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Clint Bowyer tested the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen car at Bowman Gray Stadium Oct. 26. Should NASCAR race there? Luken Glover: Absolutely! Tracks like Rockingham Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville have topped my list, but if Bowman Gray is a realistic possibility, it immediately …

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Entry List: 2021 Dead On Tools 250

2021 Xfinity Martinsville Josh Berry, No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, Leading (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

The NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs dominated by non-playoff drivers shifts to the historic Martinsville Speedway. Xfinity playoff drivers head into the half-mile track with one last shot to punch their ticket to the Championship 4. Forty-one cars are entered for 40 spots. As a result of lack of points, the No. 13 MBM Motorsports entry …

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