Race Weekend Central

The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings First Data 500 Edition

2019 Martinsville Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Victory Lane Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Martin Truex Jr. sure knows how to dominate a race. At Martinsville Speedway, Truex led 464 out of 500 contested laps to earn his seventh victory of the season and a spot in the Championship Four. With a one out of four shot at claiming his second championship, is Truex the title favorite? Denny Hamlin …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Hollywood Casino 400 Edition

2019 Dover Mencs Denny Hamlin Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin may be having his best year yet. After picking up another victory last weekend at Kansas Speedway, Hamlin has the second-most wins of any driver this season and currently sits third on the playoff grid. Often regarded as the best active driver to not win a championship, can Hamlin finally erase his “bridesmaid” …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings 1000Bulbs.com 500 Edition

2019 Talladega Mencs Restart Cck

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Kyle Larson was one of the first casualties of the carnage Monday (Oct. 14) at Talladega Superspeedway. Although his car stayed on the ground this time, Larson made heavy contact with an out-of-control Alex Bowman. Via his win at Dover International Speedway, Larson didn’t have to use a mulligan. Although he is in the next …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Drydene 400 Edition

2019 Dover Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For the first time in 75 events, Kyle Larson took home a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series checkered flag last weekend at Dover International Raceway. As the only MENCS competitor locked into the next round of the playoffs, Larson won’t have to worry about the impending chaos of Talladega Superspeedway. However, he did end up …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings, Bank of America ROVAL 400 Edition

2019 Roval Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

So, you stuff it in the wall and your day is over. Well, that is not quite how the script read for Georgia’s favorite son. Daunted by an embarassing mistake that put the No. 9 behind the eight ball, Chase Elliott rallied to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ Bank of America ROVAL 400 …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Federated Auto Parts 400 Edition

2019 NASCAR Cup starting grid

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In a throwback to the 1985 Indianapolis 500, Martin Truex Jr. did his best impression of Danny Sullivan’s “spin and win” as the New Jersian took the top step of the podium at Richmond Raceway for his second consecutive victory. Can Truex make it three-for-three in the first round of the playoffs this weekend at …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings South Point 400 Edition

2019 Las Vegas Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The popularity of roller coasters is often attributed to the thrills, exhilaration, speed, and sharp and often sudden inclines and declines. While theme park enthusiasts love the twists and turns that these towering hunks of steel give them, Martin Truex Jr. wasn’t so keen on those twists and turns at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Edition

2019 Indianapolis Mencs Kevin Harvick Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

To simply put it, no one could catch Kevin Harvick last Sunday at the Brickyard. The No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford was out front for 118 of the 160 circuits around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Will such a dominating performance continue this weekend in Las Vegas? A rare engine failure for Kyle Busch on lap …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Bojangles Southern 500 Edition

2019 Darlington Mencs Kyle Busch Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It was an all-nighter for the top stars of NASCAR at Darlington Raceway this past weekend. In the wee hours of the morning, Kyle Busch clinched the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular-season championship despite having multiple forays with the Lady in Black’s enticing wall. Can he go two-for-two and claim his second overall …

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The 12: NASCAR’s Top Up-and-Coming Drivers

2019 Texas Gots Tyler Ankrum Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series took a back seat to enjoy the off week, all focus turned to stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series as they navigated the twists and turns of Road America and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. With the added attention, many competitors in …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Edition

2019 Michigan Mencs Denny Hamlin Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Much to the exasperation of many fans packed into Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend, Denny Hamlin overcame several problems to claim his fourth victory of the season. Is Hamlin potentially the hottest driver going into the playoffs? Chase Elliott has been relatively quiet since his big win at Watkins Glen. Another quiet top five at …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Consumers Energy 400 Edition

2019 Michigan Mencs Kyle Busch Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kevin Harvick outlasted the competition on fuel mileage to claim the victory in the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Is Harvick all of a sudden heating up charged for another championship run? On paper, Brad Keselowski may have had the best car at Michigan to grab a much-needed victory. Since Keselowski has not …

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