Race Weekend Central

NASCAR 101: Why Dover Is the House of Hendrick

#9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro NAPA Auto Parts, celebrates after winning in Dover.

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If there is a track in the NASCAR Cup Series schedule that belongs to any team, look no further than Hendrick Motorsports at Dover International Speedway. By all means, Hendrick has a stellar record at the Monster Mile. The juggernaut stock car organization has won 19.4% of the 103 races at Dover. Moreover, when considering …

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NASCAR 101: The 5 Best — & 5 Worst — Throwback Paint Schemes

2020 Darlington III fall Reed Sorensen throwback car NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway. The concept seems to be starting to wear out just a bit. In fact, the vast majority of Cup throwbacks this year are either bad or just average. All of the truly great NASCAR schemes have been done to death, and very few sponsors want to actually throwback to …

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NASCAR 101: The Wacky & Wild Side of NASCAR Race Sponsorships

Casey Mears races the Squidward Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway, May 2015. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

If you are a sponsor who really wants to get some exposure, NASCAR provides the perfect stage to elicit some creativity. From celebrity advertisements to Hollywood glitz and even the luscious locks of Corey LaJoie, marketing dollars have certainly used in some pretty innovative ways throughout the sport. This weekend’s Buschy McBusch Race 400 is …

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NASCAR 101: 5 Drivers Who, Like Harrison Burton, Could Also Make Their Cup Debut in 2021

2021 Xfinity Homestead Noah Gragson (Credit: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In case you did not notice, there is someone new on the NASCAR Cup Series entry list this week — and no, it’s not Jennifer Jo Cobb, at least not anymore. It’s actually second-generation driver Harrison Burton. The four-time Xfinity Series winner will become the next member of the Burton racing clan (he’s Jeff’s son) …

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NASCAR 101: Drivers With the Most Martinsville Wins

2019 Dover MENCS Jimmie Johnson Car NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The lone active track to predate the sport, Martinsville Speedway has become a relic of NASCAR nostalgia. From hot dogs to grandfather clocks, this paperclip-shaped, half-mile track has stood the test of time. Because it has been on the schedule every year since NASCAR’s founding, Martinsville has hosted the most NASCAR Cup Series races of …

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NASCAR 101: 2020 Playoff Drivers on the Outside Looking In

Aric Almirola Pit Boss car at 2021 spring Phoenix Cup race Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Although we are just seven races into the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, the playoffs are already coming into focus. By winning a race, seven drivers have already locked themselves into the postseason if there are no more than 16 winners in the regular season of course. Three of those seven did not make the …

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NASCAR 101: Meet the Dirt Ringers Racing at Bristol

2019 Eldora NGOTS Stewart Friesen Truck NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Anytime something unique appears on the NASCAR schedule, it always tends to bring out some fresh faces to the track. There are superspeedway aces and road course specialists, but this weekend, there is a new breed of NASCAR drivers: the dirt ringers. The NASCAR Cup Series’ return to dirt has certainly turned plenty of heads. …

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NASCAR 101: Drivers Who Are Getting Dirt Experience Before the Bristol Cup Race

2021 - Bristol Dirt - Late Model - Corey LaJoie

Photo Credit: Corey LaJoie Racing

Even though we are still over a week away, the anticipation for the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (March 28) is palpable. However, for some drivers, NASCAR’s return to dirt for the first time since 1970 is proving to be filled with uncertainty and wariness instead of exhilaration and confidence. While current …

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NASCAR 101: Euro Series Drivers Who Have Raced in America

Myatt Snider stands by his car before Homestead Xfinity race 2021 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In the late 2000s, NASCAR was seeking a new international audience for its world-class racing product. The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series was formed to give the open wheel-saturated European continent some stock car flavor. Since 2009, the Euro Series has crisscrossed the continent showcasing dazzling driving talent and a brand new style of racing on …

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NASCAR 101: Former Toyota Development Drivers in Other Rides

2020 Daytona NCS Joey Logano Face NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Hendrick Motorsports may have finally found the final piece to the puzzle that returns the NASCAR Cup Series organization to its past dominance. With William Byron‘s statement win in last Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400, some have begun to sing team owner Rick Hendrick’s praises for scooping up such an anticipated generational talent. Byron’s journey to …

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NASCAR 101: States That Have Never Produced a Cup Winner

Christopher Bell poses with trophy after winning 2021 Daytona road Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After conquering the Daytona International Speedway road course last weekend, Christopher Bell became the first driver from Oklahoma to win a NASCAR Cup Series race. Now, 35 U.S. states can boast that they have produced a Cup winner, a far cry from NASCAR’s early years when nearly every driver hailed from the Southeast. NASCAR has …

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