Race Weekend Central

Reel Racing: NASCAR Schemes Go Hollywood

2012 Nascar Michigan

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In June, amid quarantine and with more time on my hands, I decided to undertake a project that just might be the magnum opus of this “Reel Racing” column series. Over the course of several weeks, I researched every single movie-themed NASCAR paint scheme that ever hit the track, regardless of if it actually raced …

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Power Rankings: Dover Double Take Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Can anyone explain the logic of holding a doubleheader at the Monster Mile with the second race going head-to-head with the Greatest Spectacle in Auto Racing, the Indianapolis 500? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler? The good news is that NASCAR saw fit to give the NASCAR Cup Series guys more power and less downforce at Dover …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: NASCAR Dover Doubleheader Weekend

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Denny Hamlin won the Drydene 311 at Dover on Saturday (Aug. 22) and Kevin Harvick won the Drydene 311 at Dover on Sunday (Aug. 23). Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. were the only drivers to finish in the top five in both races. ?????? RETWEET to congratulate @dennyhamlin on win No. 6 of …

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Fire on Fridays: The Unwritten Rules of Racing

2019 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Team Penske Ryan Blaney Joey Logano Brad Keselowski

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

This week, San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. swung on a 3-0 pitch while up seven runs and smashed a grand slam over the outfield wall. The game was out of hand, and there wasn’t really a need to add insult to injury. But he did. Tatis saw a pitch to hit and capitalized …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Go Bowling 235 at Daytona Road Course

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened Chase Elliott won the Go Bowling 235 on Sunday (Aug. 16) in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at the Daytona International Speedway road course. Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Chris Buescher rounded out the top-five finishers. Cue that si-reen! ? Retweet to congratulate @chaseelliott on a historic victory on …

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The Frontstretch 5: (Other) Drivers Who Could Make a Run At the 2020 NASCAR Cup Title

2020charlottencsbradkeselowskivictorylanenascarmedia(2)

(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

If you listen to the talk, most people are certain this year’s title will come down to either Kevin Harvick or Denny Hamlin. Frankly, it should come down to them, and it well might. Provided they both make the finale at Phoenix Raceway, they’re both strong there, and they’ve finished one-two more than once already …

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Power Rankings: Double the Fun Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The week’s Power Rankings is almost guaranteed to get at least one “OK Boomer” comment, but I can’t help it that I have been around for so long. The Wrigley Chewing Gum company should sponsor Kevin Harvick, because he doubled his pleasure and doubled his fun last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. In the process, …

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Up to Speed: Matt Kenseth, Erik Jones & the Cost of Driver Development

2017michiganncserikjonescarnkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Back in the summer of 2017, change was afoot at Joe Gibbs Racing.  During Kentucky Speedway’s race weekend, Matt Kenseth publicly announced that he would not be returning to the No. 20 Toyota in 2018.  Several days later, JGR confirmed that Erik Jones would move over from Furniture Row Racing to replace him. The impending …

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Seeing Red: Kevin Harvick Dominates For Michigan Sweep

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In the middle of the 1980s, drivers in NASCAR’s top division had a hard time stopping the red-colored Ford of Bill Elliott at Michigan International Speedway when he won six out of eight races.  History may as well be repeating itself these days. Kevin Harvick won Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400 at MIS to sweep both …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the FireKeepers Casino 400

2020michiganncskevinharvickcheckersnkp

(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

Who…should you be talking about after the race? Kevin Harvick had the strongest car all race long and shot around Brad Keselowski in overtime to win his third race out of the past four at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 8. After several restarts due to incidents, Harvick finally was passed late in the …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2020 FireKeepers Casino 400

2019 Michigan Mencs Kevin Harvick Checkers Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After clawing for lobsters up in New Hampshire, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Irish Hills of Michigan for a double dose of DraftKings contests. The FireKeepers Casino 400 airs Saturday, Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. ET, while the Consumers Energy 400 is the following day at 4:30 p.m. ET. Both will air on …

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Joey Logano Starting from Pole in 1st of 2 Michigan Cup Races

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Joey Logano has been named the pole-sitter for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. In 22 career starts at the 2-mile track in Brooklyn, Mich., Logano has three wins, six top fives and 15 top 10s. He won the first Cup race there last year. Starting second will be Denny Hamlin. Hamlin …

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