Race Weekend Central

Fire on Fridays: Who Is Each NASCAR Cup Team’s Alpha Driver?

Ryan Blaney grits his teeth at LA Clash, Joey Logano smiles, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

A rundown of alpha drivers in each NASCAR Cup Series team.

Up to Speed: Kyle Larson & Chase Elliott Tangle at Fontana

2021 Phoenix Ii Cup Denny Hamlin Chase Elliott Kyle Larson Pit Road Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In their first year together as teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott mostly played nice.

Two races into the 2022 season? Not so much.

With 21 laps to go during Sunday’s race at Auto Club Speedway, both drivers had a shot at victory.

Kyle Larson Surges Late, Begins NASCAR Title Defense with Auto Club Win

Kyle Larson takes the checkered flag to win the WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway, 2/27/2022 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On Sunday (Feb. 27) at Auto Club Speedway, Kyle Larson’s No. 5 came to life late, and the defending champ held off all comers to win his first race of 2022 in the Wise Power 400 and open his title defense.

Up to Speed: Brad Keselowski & Austin Cindric Battle at Daytona

#6: Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing, Ford Mustang Castrol Violet Defense

(Photo: NKP)

One year ago, Brad Keselowski’s frustration was visible.

As the final laps of the Daytona 500 ticked away, Keselowski made a bold move to set himself up for a last-lap pass for the lead on his Team Penske teammate Joey Logano. But when Logano blocked Keselowski’s path forward, Keselowski got hit from behind by Michael McDowell, triggering a frightening crash that knocked out both Penske cars. McDowell went on to win the race, leaving Keselowski without a Harley J. Earl Trophy for at least one more year.

What They Said: Daytona 500 Media Day Quotes

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald's Toyota, Kurt Busch, driver of the #45 Monster Energy Toyota, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Check out what the Daytona 500 competitors had to say Wednesday, Feb. 16, during media day for the 64th annual Great American Race.