Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: Trent Owens Speaks to Vertical Loads & Brakes for Bristol

Trent Owens Cup Charlotte 2017 Fall Mike Neff

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to the high-banked, concrete half-mile in the Smoky Mountains that is Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. Teams are faced with many different challenges getting the cars ready for the race — and completely different circumstances once the race begins. One thing is for sure: it is never boring …

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Frontstretch Podcast: The Kevin and Kyle Show & Silly Season Anticipation

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Light / Mobil 1 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The latest episode of the 2018 Frontstretch Podcast features the Frontstretch duo of Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discussing the positives and negatives of a crucial week in NASCAR this season. Kevin Harvick won his series-high seventh victory at Michigan International Speedway, though it was Austin Dillon that shined — recording his first top-five finish since winning the Daytona 500. The …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Sweeps Lucky Number 7

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Light / Mobil 1 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Kevin Harvick has done it again. For the third time in his seven victories this year, he swept all three stages of the race. Harvick led 108 laps, won every stage and beat the competition into submission. He became the second driver in 20 years to have seven wins through 23 …

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Tech Talk: Tire Spring Rates, Five Minute Clocks and Engine Temperatures with Justin Alexander for Michigan

Martinsville Cup Justin Alexander Spring 2018 Mike Neff (156)

Heading to the Irish Hills of Michigan will test the reflexes of everyone with the fastest racetrack NASCAR competes at during the season. The teams have quite a few different challenges facing them, with the track that is still holding onto the newness of the repave that happened several years ago. In this week’s edition …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Highs and Lows of Pivotal Week in NASCAR

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GoBowling at The Glen

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The latest episode of the 2018 Frontstretch Podcast is a roundtable of FS colleagues, as  Dustin Albino, Mike Neff, Tom Bowles and Zach Catanzareti discuss the positives and negatives of a crucial week in NASCAR this season. Chase Elliott finally got the job done at Watkins Glen International, but his win was overshadowed on Monday (Aug. 6) by the arrest of NASCAR CEO Brian …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Chase Elliott Cranks Up the Siren Again

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GoBowling at The Glen

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline After almost three years of trying, and eight near misses, Chase Elliott has finally scored his maiden win in the Cup series. Elliott won the second stage and the race while Martin Truex Jr. grabbed the win in the first stage. William Byron crossed the finish line in eighth to claim …

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Tech Talk: Mike Wheeler on Brakes, Pit Stops & Technical Inspection

2017 Kansas I CUP MIke Wheeler Russell LaBounty NKP

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

The challenges of road course racing are many and diverse. From pit strategy to suspension pliability and brake cooling, there are more options on the road courses than any other tracks that the series visits. This week, heading to Watkins Glen, the teams are looking at a track that is faster and less technical than …

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Friday Faceoff: Stiffer Penalties for Failing Inspection?

2018 cup pocono zach catanzareti kyle busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch were two of the 13 drivers that failed post-qualifying inspection and were forced to start in the rear of the field. However, it didn’t take long for them to work their way up through the field. Should the penalty for failing post-qualifying inspection be increased? Matt McLaughlin: Well clearly the …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Ross Chastain Breaks Down 4th Place in Iowa & Pocono’s Brake Problems

2018 xfinity richmond zach catanzareti ross chastain

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

In the latest episode of the 2018 Frontstretch Podcast, we review a busy weekend of racing at Pocono Raceway and Iowa Speedway with Dustin Albino, Mike Neff, Zach Catanzareti and Ross Chastain, the driver of the No. 15 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the No. 4 JD Motorsports machine in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. Chastain …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kyle Busch Takes Another Gander at Victory Lane in Pocono

#18: Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry M&M's Caramel Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Kyle Busch ran 25 races at Pocono Raceway and never finished above second before last July. After Sunday he has two wins in the last three races. Busch took advantage of trouble for Kevin Harvick on pit road and then held off teammate Daniel Suarez on late-race restarts to claim his …

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Tech Talk: Speed Down the Straights of Pocono

Justin Alexander Cup 2017 Charlotte Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men are blown up by the slightest mistake. That happened last weekend to the No. 3 of Austin Dillon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, when a late-race loose wheel upended its strong run. Crew chief Justin Alexander hopes to have his ducks in a row this weekend, as …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Ryan Blaney Discusses New Hampshire, Tommy Joe Martins Rants Everything NASCAR

Podcast only

(Photos: Zach Catanzareti)

In the latest episode of the 2018 Frontstretch Podcast, Ryan Blaney joins the show to discuss his New Hampshire weekend with Dustin Albino. After a quick stint with the driver of the No. 12 car, Tommy Joe Martins calls in to discuss everything NASCAR with Albino, Mike Neff and Zach Catanzareti. Kevin Harvick used a bump-and-run to get …

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