Race Weekend Central

Eyes on Xfinity: Series Provides NASCAR Gateway for F1 & IndyCar Drivers

Santino Ferrucci NASCAR IndyCar

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On the same day that Ty Gibbs won his fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series race of the season at Kansas Speedway last Saturday (Oct. 23), a connection between two very different racing series was being made in Austin, Texas. The Circuit of the Americas in Austin hosted the United States Grand Prix weekend in front of …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Non-Playoff Drivers Spicing Up Postseason

John Hunter Nemechek Xfinity Series Texas Win

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The beginning of the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs told us a lot about the drivers in this series and their will to win. And it has nothing to do with the drivers racing for a championship. It has everything to do with those that are not. During a week in which an actual topic of …

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Eyes On Xfinity: Ty Gibbs vs. Sam Mayer is the Next Great Rivalry

Ty Gibbs smiling at 2021 Michigan NASCAR Xfinity race, holding a Monster drink, Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Rivalries. They’re what puts the ‘fan’ in fanatic. Two drivers who absolutely check the box of NASCAR’s next great rivalry? None other than Ty Gibbs and Sam Mayer, a pair of drivers who have followed a very similar career path over the past five or six years. Rivalries are fierce for the NASCAR fan base. …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Brandon Brown’s Celebration Tainted By Fans’ Shameful Chant

Brandon Brown at Talladega

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

It does not matter how long it takes to earn it or how it’s gained. You can never ever forget your first win in any racing series. It does not matter if you lead the most laps or just one. It’s the first win, and nobody can ever take that away. The emotion is hard …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Is NASCAR’s Portland Experiment Worth the Risk?

NASCAR Xfinity Series

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 25: Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/BRCC Chevrolet, Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Interstate Batteries Toyota, and Daniel Hemric, driver of the #18 Poppy Bank Toyota, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 25, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

One of the things that NASCAR should be commended for greatly these days is not doing the same thing season after season. For the longest time, you usually knew what the schedule would be from year to year. The schedule was mostly the same with the same venues. From time to time, a venue would …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Why Every Playoff Driver Can & Can’t Win the Title

2021 Xfinity Daytona II Finish Kaulig Racing 1-2-4, L-R Justin Haley, No. 11 Chevrolet, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet, and Jeb Burton, No. 10 Chevrolet (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

The time has arrived for the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs. This weekend in Las Vegas, the postseason gets underway. Even if there was no title at stake, racing purists of a certain type would be drawn in for one reason, that in the postseason, the field is void of any current NASCAR Cup Series drivers. …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Josh Williams in Spotlight Thanks to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Josh Williams in Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If you’re a casual follower of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Josh Williams probably did not resonate strongly around this time a week ago. In a series marked by NASCAR Cup Series interlopers and well-funded operations, there’s the other half of the garage where drivers like Williams reside. Whereas some drivers may define success as a …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Chances of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Victory Are Actually High

Dale Earnhardt Jr. smiling

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Don’t get this return of a soon-to-be NASCAR Hall of Famer twisted, Dale Earnhardt Jr. chose his annual one-off NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Richmond International Raceway for a reason. It’s because he wants to win. The son of Dale Earnhardt is no slouch when it comes to the ¾-mile short track that is Richmond, …

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Eyes On Xfinity: Noah Gragson a Dark Horse for the Title?

#9: Noah Gragson, JR Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Bass Pros Shops/TrueTimber/BRCC

(Photo: NKP)

Unlike NASCAR’s other two national series, the playoffs won’t be underway this weekend in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. That won’t start for another three weekends from now at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, after events at Darlington Raceway, Richmond Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway. Even if most of the field is set for the postseason in …

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Eyes On Xfinity: AJ Allmendinger Making Series His Fun Factory

AJ Allmendinger Michigan NASCAR Xfinity Series

(Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Routine can at times be a bad thing. The more you get used to something, the more common it can be. The novelty wears off.  The initial newfound excitement can fade. Drivers aren’t immune to this. If you get used to winning, some competitors come to expect it and the emotion becomes nearly robotic at …

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Eyes On Xfinity: Josh Berry’s Opportunity Now Bigger Than Ever

Josh Berry, No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, Celebrates (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

Over time, lack of experience, even if not on purpose, has marked many drivers that have contended for and won championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In recent years, guys like Austin Cindric, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon have hoisted the series’ championship trophy. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Move Over, Everyone. This Is Ty Gibbs’ World

Ty Gibbs Watkins Glen 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photogrpahy)

When the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity season meets its conclusion at Phoenix Raceway, there will be no shortage of pomp and circumstance with the crowning of a new series champion. Regardless if it’s a repeat title by Austin Cindric or someone else hoisting the championship trophy, this much is true: This year’s champion won’t be the …

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