Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: Mike Wheeler On Cross Country Car Swaps, Aerodynamics and Pit Guns

2017 Kansas I Cup Mike Wheeler Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

A new addition to the Tech Talk lineup for 2018 is Mike Wheeler, the crew chief for Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team. This week, he looks back at his team’s weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, before talking about his preparations for Phoenix (ISM Speedway). The race in Vegas was shaping up to …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Harvicking into Phoenix

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Pennzoil 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nv Usa Sunday 4 March 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Jimmy John's, Celebrates After Winning In Las Vegas. World Copyright: John K Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John K. Harrelson/NKP)

In the latest episode of the 2018 Frontstretch Podcast, we review the Kevin Harvick beatdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and Phil Allaway while also previewing the weekend ahead at ISM Speedway in Phoenix, AZ. The trio gives an in-depth look at how Harvick became the first driver not named Martin Truex Jr. to …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Rakes in All of the Chips in Vegas

2018 Daytona Cup Bruce Nuttleman Kevin Harvick

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Who’s in the headline As Martin Truex Jr. did last year en route to his first championship, Kevin Harvick has a firm grip on what it takes to go fast at mile-and-a-half tracks and is letting the rest of the garage know he has no intention of letting them come play in his sandbox. Harvick …

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Friday Faceoff: To Repave Atlanta or Not to Repave?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Folds Of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga Usa Sunday 25 February 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Ford Fusion, And Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Axalta Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

There has been talk regarding Atlanta Motor Speedway’s racing surface on whether to repave or not to repave. What do you think? Matt McLaughlin: I sure hope it won’t be repaved. The worn surface makes tire management crucial and introduces the chances to use contrary strategy to have a tortoise beat a hare. It’s a lot like …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Beats the Field into Submission at Atlanta

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Folds Of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga Usa Sunday 25 February 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion Wins World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Who’s in the headline? While Mother Nature tried hard, she failed to win on Sunday. The race started late, but once it got rolling, it went the distance. Shocking absolutely no one, Kevin Harvick took the lead early in the race and dominated the first stage. Harvick rebounded from a pit lane malfunction to lead …

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Tech Talk: Daytona 500-Winning Crew Chief Justin Alexander Discusses 2018 Rule Changes

Justin Alexander Cup 2017 Charlotte Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

For the second year in a row, the crew chief in the Daytona 500 edition of Tech Talk went on to win the race, as Justin Alexander followed in the footsteps of Tony Gibson to score the victory in the first race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season with driver Austin Dillon. Before his …

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Friday Faceoff: Butt Tattoos, Anyone?

Austin Dillon Burnout 2018 Daytona 500 Bruce Nuttleman Fs

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Austin Dillon’s Daytona 500 triumph was his second in his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, but some people have said he hasn’t won a real race, as his 2017 Coca-Cola 600 win was on fuel mileage and this past weekend was a restrictor plate event. Does he have to win a so-called normal Cup race …

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Frontstretch Podcast: What’s New is Old

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

In the latest episode of the 2018 Frontstretch Podcast, we do a full Daytona 500 review with Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and Zach Catanzareti, while also previewing the weekend ahead at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The trio gives an in-depth look at how Austin Dillon claimed the Great American Race, while also discussing the significance of Darrell Wallace Jr. running well …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2018 Daytona 500

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

Who’s in the headline The clash on Sunday last week had the world abuzz with how uneventful the racing would be at Daytona for the 500. Apparently, someone forgot to tell the drivers. 24 lead changes, seven caution flags for on-track incidents, 14 leaders and the three winningest car numbers in the sport on the …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Daytona 500 Pre-Race Rundown

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl Usa Sunday 11 February 2018 Danica Patrick, Premium Motorsports, Godaddy Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade Nkp

Bon Voyage, Danica (Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

In the latest episode of the 2018 Frontstretch Podcast, we do a full Daytona 500 preview with Dustin Albino, Tom Bowles, Joseph Wolkin, Michael Massie, Mike Neff and Zach Catanzareti. We give you a full rundown of Daytona Speedweeks to this point. Topics range from the new, slower pit stops to Danica Patrick‘s NASCAR finale. How will she …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2018 Can-Am Duels at Daytona

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Barry Cantrell / NKP)

Who’s in the headline –   The Can-Am Duels at Daytona didn’t have the frenetic activity and tension as the laps wound down but there was still plenty of drama as the races unfolded. When it was all said and done, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott took the checkered flags first in the Duels and they …

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