Race Weekend Central

Up to Speed: Reviewing NASCAR Playoff Points of the Past

Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex, Jr. two common NASCAR playoff contenders chat at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Mobil 1 , #19: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops Red White Blue

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs may be approaching quickly, but there are still plenty of playoff points up for grabs.  Each of the four remaining regular season races offer seven NASCAR playoff points – five for the race win plus one for each of two stage wins.  Taken together, there are still 28 playoff points …

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Zach’s Turn: Team Penske in Midst of Massive Upheaval

Team Penske Joey Logano Brad Keselowski New Hampshire 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Team Penske has been the beacon of stability in NASCAR for the past eight years. That cohesion was officially upended one week ago when Roger Penske confirmed Brad Keselowski’s departure from Team Penske by announcing Austin Cindric will transition into the No. 2 Ford for the 2022 season. Change is extraordinarily rare at Team Penske, …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Almirola Is the Unlikely Hero for SHR in New Hampshire

2021-Cup-Loudon-Aric-Almirola-NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Last year was a memorable one for Stewart Haas Racing, with Kevin Harvick providing most of the highlights for the team throughout 2020. Nine wins and a boatload of laps led will do that for just about any driver and team. It’s been well documented that 2021 has been far less kind to the SHR …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Foxwoods Resort Casino 301

Martin Truex Jr. races in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, July 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301? It was going to take a Hail Mary for Aric Almirola to make the 2021 playoffs. The No. 10 team has struggled for any kind of a foothold this year, earning just two top-10 finishes coming into Sunday’s (July 18) race at …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire

2021 Loudon Cup Aric Almirola lobster Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301? Aric Almirola won the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday (July 18) to steal an unlikely playoff spot in what’s been a dismal season. Christopher Bell, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top-five finishers. How about that? ? …

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Up to Speed: Will Christopher Bell be Ready for the Playoffs?

Christopher Bell smiles outside his car at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Christopher Bell’s 2021 NASCAR season got off to a great start.  In the Daytona 500, his first Cup Series race with Joe Gibbs Racing, he led 32 laps and looked like a potential winner before getting collected in a crash. The following weekend’s race at the Daytona International Speedway road course had a much better …

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Aric Almirola Scores Maiden 2021 Victory at New Hampshire

2021 Loudon Cup Aric Almirola woohoo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

A relatively tame race followed the complete and utter mayhem that started the afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series took to the Granite State oval on Sunday (July 18) and was almost immediately besieged by rain, which sent several cars spinning and brought out a red flag that lasted more than …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 Foxwoods Resort Casino 301

2021 Richmond I Cup Denny Hamlin Martin Truex Jr racing Logano NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Cup Series makes the trip to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings lineups set for Sunday’s (July 18) race, airing at 3 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Teams have traveled to Loudon, a 1.058-mile racetrack, once a year since 2018, so …

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Did You Notice?: Communication Between NASCAR Drivers, Executives at Crossroads

2021 Pocono I Cup Bubba Wallace Steve Phelps laugh James Gilbert Getty

(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Did You Notice? … NASCAR drama between drivers and executives has been building at a breakneck pace? It all started with last week’s Atlanta Motor Speedway repave announcement from Speedway Motorsports, Inc. President Marcus Smith. After 24 years under the current configuration, the track will be getting a facelift with both fresh asphalt and an altered …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Does NASCAR Have a Communication Problem?

2021-Cup-Atlanta-II-Joe Gibbs Racing-NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Drivers seemed pissed off more than normal this weekend. Repave/reconfiguration at Atlanta, Next Gen safety concerns. Why the sudden anger? – Rick P., Salem, Ore. I’ve never seen Cool Hand Luke, but I know the quote from that movie that holds water and will for years and years to come in human society is this …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Quaker State 400 at Atlanta

Kurt Busch celebrates in victory lane at Atlanta Motor Speedway after the Quaker State 400. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kurt Busch won the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday (July 11) after holding off his little brother during an intense final run to the checkered flag. Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top-five finishers. "HELL YEAH WE BEAT KYLE" — @KurtBusch pic.twitter.com/apaHrHgfO6 …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: Jockey Made in America 250 at Road America

2021 COTA Cup Chase Elliott trophy NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What better way to celebrate America’s birthday this weekend than to go to a track with America in its name? The NASCAR Cup Series goes to Road America to race for the first time in about 65 years. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings lineups prepped for Sunday’s (July 4) race! The Cup Series …

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