Race Weekend Central

AJ Allmendinger Wins Xfinity Race at Michigan

AJ Allmendinger and Kaulig Racing worked together to dominate the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona on Aug. 28, 2021 (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

AJ Allmendinger followed his surprise NASCAR Cup Series win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with a victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Michigan International Speedway Aug. 21. Allmendinger held off Brandon Jones, who finished runner-up after multiple overtimes due to cautions toward the end of the event. “The outside was the place …

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Dropping the Hammer: Michael McDowell Uncertain of 2022 Plans Despite Daytona Win

Michael McDowell and Bubba Wallace (Credit: NKP)

Michael McDowell raced with Bubba Wallace in 2021. Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

It’s mid-August and Michael McDowell doesn’t yet know his plans for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. But that’s typical for McDowell. Every season he’s competed in the Cup Series, including his time with Front Row Motorsports which began in 2018,  McDowell has been on a year-to-year deal. But in previous years, McDowell wasn’t the …

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NASCAR Mailbox: What Should NASCAR Do With Indianapolis?

Verizon 200 Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course winner AJ Allmendinger celebrates in victory lane. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Indy Road Course ratings were down from the Brickyard 400, and the ending wasn’t a great look for NASCAR. What does the future look like at that venue for the series? – Griffin P., Indianapolis, Ind. Talk about a loaded question … but one that’s topical. Per Adam Stern, last year’s Brickyard 400 on …

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Did You Notice?: Matt Kaulig Forming Blueprint For Fresh NASCAR Ownership

Kaulig Racing expanded to a three-car organization in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021. (Photo: NKP)

#10: Jeb Burton, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet Camaro, #11: Justin Haley, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet Camaro LeafFilter Gutter Protection

Did You Notice? … Matt Kaulig has had one of the most successful beginnings of any team without a NASCAR Cup Series charter? His No. 16 Chevrolet became the first open car to win a Cup race since the current franchise-based system was created in 2016. Throughout the year, Kaulig has laid a solid foundation for …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: AJ Allmendinger Ahead of the Curb In Indy Win

AJ Allmendinger celebrates his win in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kirade Photography)

AJ Allmendinger may be competing for the championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series but he still occasionally finds time to dabble in the sport’s top level. After Sunday’s (Aug. 15) NASCAR Cup Series race on the Indianapolis road course, he’s quite glad to have participated in that one. Allmendinger picked up his second career win, …

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5 Points to Ponder: The Turn 6 Curb Was Not Appealing

Kyle Larson during the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 8/15/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. The Turn 6 curb was not appealing If you have seen the highlights, you know one of the premier storylines from this historic 2021 August edition of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Turn 6 was problematic all race weekend, from the second either a NASCAR or IndyCar turned onto the asphalt. Scott McLaughlin and …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: The Curbs Ruin NBC’s Day In Indianapolis

Kyle Busch races in the NASCAR Cup Sereies at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In recent years, races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been a mixed affair. The Indianapolis 500 has generally been very competitive in recent years.  I’ve enjoyed the races, recent television coverage from NBC and I think most race fans would agree. For NASCAR, it’s been a downward trajectory since the repave in 2008. The 2008 …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

AJ Allmendinger kisses the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after his Verizon 200 win. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Verizon 200: What happened? AJ Allmendinger won the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on Sunday (Aug. 15) after a chaotic conclusion to the first NASCAR Cup Series race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Matt DiBenedetto rounded out the top-five finishers.  "LET'S GOOOOOO!" @AJDinger and @KauligRacing are …

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Stock Car Scoop: Did Chase Briscoe Intentionally Dump Denny Hamlin?

Chase Briscoe smiling at 2021 Homestead Cup race. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series was back turning left and right Sunday (Aug. 15) as it made its inaugural trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. And boy, it will be hard to forget their stock car racing debut in a race that turned into a Demolition Derby-style ending down the stretch. AJ Allmendinger …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

Verizon 200 Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course winner AJ Allmendinger celebrates in victory lane. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Verizon 200? Is there any question about AJ Allmendinger‘s ability on a road course? Through all the carnage, crashes, penalties, bumps and dumps, Allmendinger was there to part the Red Sea and sail his way to a second career NASCAR Cup Series win in Sunday’s (Aug. …

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Up to Speed: NASCAR Has Lost Its Way in Indianapolis

2021 Cup Indianapolis RC Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford, Jump Curb (Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images via NASCAR Media

NASCAR’s Cup Series season has included a stop at Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year since 1994.  Traditionally a 400-mile race on IMS’ famed oval, that event was created to become a crown jewel of the sport.  Instead, for decades, it’s fallen under fire from critics, claiming it was often a four-hour parade that failed to …

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