Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Will the Chase Picture Change at Dover?

2016 Loudon I Cup Pack Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

After Martin Truex, Jr. and Matt Kenseth combined to dominate at New Hampshire, it was Kevin Harvick walking away with the victory.  Is there a chink in the Joe Gibbs Racing/Furniture Row Racing armor, and was Harvick’s performance a preview of how the Chase battle could go as well? Mark Howell, Senior Writer: I didn’t …

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Friday Faceoff: Will We See Any Chase Surprises?

2016 Chicago Nxs Brendan Gaughan Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

Despite a difficult ending for some Chasers, Chicagoland Speedway still saw no playoff contender finish lower than 28th. Did take anything from that race which makes you concerned about any of the main title contenders? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: No.  The only thing I saw that was a bit unexpected was Jimmie Johnson’s dominance for …

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Friday Faceoff: How Far Is Too Far?

2016 Kentucky Cup Tony Stewart Helmet Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell Labounty/NKP)

After last weekend’s race at Richmond International Raceway, one thing on everyone’s mind was the on-track spat between Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman that continued in verbal sparring afterward.  Did either driver go too far with their actions or words? Clayton Caldwell, Contributor: I respect the passion from both drivers and I understand why Ryan Newman …

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The Frontstretch 5: Favorite Racing Moments

2016 Kentucky Cup Pack Racing Sunset Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

1. The finish in the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 is an easy pick for my favorite race, but not for the reasons most would think. The racing on track between Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch is etched into the mind of any race fan who witnessed it, but it’s what happened after the checkered …

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Friday Faceoff: Is the Jig Up for Ryan Newman?

Kevin Harvick’s pit crew failed him again after another botched stop at Darlington Speedway. Was crew chief Rodney Childers and Stewart-Haas Racing switching things up just before the Chase the way to go, or should they have or stuck with who they’ve got? John Douglas, Contributor: There’s no question that things needed to change at …

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Friday Faceoff: Is NASCAR’s New Downforce Package Ready For 2017?

Brad Keselowski And Kasey Kahne Darlington Cup Retro 2015 Mike Neff 136

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Last Sunday’s race at Michigan was the third and final in-race test of what will presumably be the 2017 Sprint Cup rules package. Is it enough to improve the racing to a satisfactory level for fans? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I think it will make for much better racing at the intermediates, but I’d like …

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Friday Faceoff: More NASCAR-IndyCar Crossovers in the Works?

2016 Bristol Motor Speedway Nscs Matt Kenseth Leads Pack Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Last week, we talked about the addition of a road course to the Chase, and next week, the series heads to a 2-mile oval, of which there are two on the schedule for three races — but none in the Chase, and there’s only one short track race as well. What would an ideal Chase …

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Friday Faceoff: Should the Chase Get a Road Course?

2015 Watkins Glen Cup Watkins Glen Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

1. Watkins Glen International sold out for a second-straight year. Does that prove that good racing will bring fans out to the track, or is this a unique circumstance? Mark Howell, Senior Writer: These two factors are directly connected; Watkins Glen is inherently good racing. Being from that part of the country, I can say that …

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Friday Faceoff: Where Does Kyle Busch Stack Up to Racing Royalty?

Kyle Busch Martinsville Cup Sweet Taste Of Victory 2016 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

NASCAR has run three different packages at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the last three years, and none of them has produced a memorable race.  Is there anything else that can be done to make Indy live up to the hype? Mark Howell, Senior Writer: I have two suggestions:  either 1) widen the racing surface so we can …

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Friday Faceoff: Is NASCAR at Indianapolis Motor Speedway In Trouble?

Kevin Harvick leads a pack of cars in the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The 100th edition of the Indianapolis 500 sold out, but the Brickyard 400 this Sunday might get 20 percent of the fan base. How low will attendance need to go for either Indianapolis Motor Speedway or NASCAR to ever consider pulling this race? Do you see stock cars racing at Indy in five years? Sean Fesko, …

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Friday Faceoff: Time for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to Panic?

2016 Martinsville I Cup Dale Earnhardt Jr Matthre T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T Thacker/NKP)

NASCAR announced a few changes to qualifying, including using owner points instead of practice speeds to determine the lineup if qualifying is rained out and giving a provisional spot to an open team during the Chase if that team makes the playoffs.  Was this the right move at midseason, or should NASCAR have waited until …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s the Year’s Most Memorable Storyline So Far?

2016 Michigan International Speedway Nscs Joey Logano Leads Martin Truex Jr. Photo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Fifteen races into the 2016 Sprint Cup season, what’s the most memorable storyline?  The biggest surprise? Vito Pugliese, Senior Writer: The most memorable story line thus far should have been Chase Elliott winning back-to-back races at Pocono Raceway and Michigan International Speedway, but rookie inexperience cost him two weeks in a row on the final …

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