Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Go Back to Cali More Than Once?

2017 Atlanta Cup Jimmie Johnson Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

After another good show for both the NASCAR XFINITY and Cup series, Auto Club Speedway, a track that’s hosted some of the best races on intermediate tracks in recent years, generated a lot of positive talk.  Does the track deserve another shot at a second race? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: Whoa there, buckaroo. Yes, the last …

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Friday Faceoff: Crime and Punishment, Chapters 2, 3 & 4

2017 Phoenix I Cup Brad Keselowski Car Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

1. NASCAR announced heavy penalties for Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 teams this week, including a 35-point deduction and a three-week suspension for crew chief Paul Wolfe,  after the car failed post-race weights and measures at Phoenix International Raceway. The No. 4 team of Kevin Harvick also got hit with a one-race suspension for crew …

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Friday Faceoff: Do NASCAR’s New Rules Go Too Far?

2016 Xfinity Homestead Miami Speedway Zach Catanzareti Kyle Larson

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

NASCAR implemented some new penalties for 2017, including immediate consequences for some infractions. Kyle Larson was parked during the Advance Auto Parts Clash for having too many men over the wall making repairs to his car, one of the new provisions.  Are the new, stiffer penalties a good deterrent to breaking the rules, or do …

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2016 NASCAR Rewind: Chase Elliott

2016 Cup Talladega Alan Gustafson Chase Elliott Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Poor Chase Elliott. It’s difficult enough to be the son of a legendary Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer, but to begin your Cup career behind the wheel of a legendary car that was built and maintained by a legendary team and formerly driven by a legendary driver who redefined the entire sport, definitely …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s on NASCAR’s Horizon?

Nascar Champions Portraits

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

NASCAR announced Monster Energy as the new entitlement sponsor in its premier series, replacing Sprint.  Will Monster be a good fit for the series moving forward? Mark Howell, Senior Writer: Based on Monster’s (pardon the pun) track record in motorsports, the affiliation with NASCAR’s premier series will be a successful one. Based on sight of …

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Friday Faceoff: Enough of a Sendoff for Smoke?

2016 Kentucky Cup Tony Stewart Helmet Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell Labounty/NKP)

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is now a year into the caution clock rule.  Did it work as advertised, and should NASCAR consider it in the XFINITY and Cup series? Jeff Wolfe, Senior Writer: I’m not sure if it’s the best idea for the XFINITY or Cup series, but I have liked the way …

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Friday Faceoff: Are Jimmie Johnson’s Titles Equal to Earnhardt’s and Petty’s?

2016 Indianapolis Cup Jimmie Johnson Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

After his win at Martinsville Speedway, Jimmie Johnson will have the chance at a record-tying seventh title, but if he wins, will fans view seven Chase-era titles as equal to those of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty?  Should they? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I don’t think fans will view Jimmie Johnson’s titles on the same …

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Friday Faceoff: The Spirit of the Rules

2016 Kansas Ii Cup Matt Kenseth Kyle Busch Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

The lingering storyline from Talladega turned out to be a trio of Joe Gibbs Racing teammates whose strategy was to run far off the pace all day, including at the finish. NASCAR says the three didn’t violate the spirit of the 100 percent rule. What say you? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: Hanging back at the …

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Friday Faceoff: On the Right Track for 2017?

2016 Talladega I Cup Pack Racing Mathew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

NASCAR released it 2017 Sprint Cup rules package late last week.  What are your initial thoughts on the changes, which include a smaller spoiler and different rear-end rules as well as safety and testing policies? Mark Howell, Senior Writer: The 2017 Cup rules will only make what’s going well get even better. The biometric data …

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Friday Faceoff: Does NASCAR Need a Shakeup at the Top?

2016 Kentucky Cup Ty Dillon Helmet Logan Whitton Nkp

(Photo: Logan Whitton/NKP)

Austin Wayne Self is the second driver to feature Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on his truck. Should NASCAR make a rule about drivers using sponsorless entries to support a political campaign? If so, would it violate freedom of speech? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: It isn’t a First Amendment violation.  NASCAR isn’t a government entity, …

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Friday Faceoff: How Should NASCAR Reward the Regular Season?

2106 Sonoma Cup Tony Stewart Helmet Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

NASCAR said Tuesday it is open to rewarding the driver who has the point lead after the 26-race regular season. How should that driver in each series be recognized, if at all? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: My first reaction was that it’s about time NASCAR rewards the best driver for the majority of the season.  Unfortunately, my second was …

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