Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2019 Drydene 400

2019 Dover MENCS Kyle Larson Victory Celebration NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headline(s): Stop me if you’ve heard this before: you just can’t pass. Sure, Kyle Larson’s 75-race winless streak was snapped. Sure, he led over 150 laps, and another led over half the race. But once again, the prevailing sentiment from drivers leaving the Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway was the lack of ability to …

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Distraction-Free Alex Bowman Powers to 3rd at Dover

2019 Dover MENCS Alex Bowman Racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Alex Bowman was the center of attention in NASCAR for much of the past two weeks for incidents he has with Austin Dillon and Bubba Wallace. But he hasn’t been distracted at all and finished third at Dover International Speedway on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 6). The finish, combined with bad luck from playoff competitors Chase …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Tyler Reddick Chats Consistency at Richard Childress Racing

NASCAR Xfinity Series

(Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss a frantic weekend of playoff racing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, which saw Chase Elliott come back to win after driving into the tire barrier earlier in the race. Besides debating if Elliott is the best active road racer, the duo chats about Alex …

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2-Headed Monster: Did Bubba Wallace Cross The Line Going After Alex Bowman?

Following the Bank of American ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday (Sept. 29), Bubba Wallace confronted Alex Bowman regarding their lap 43 dust up that sent Wallace into the wall exiting the backstretch chicane. As Bowman was being treated by medical personnel due to illness and dehydration, Wallace threw Gatorade into the face …

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Did You Notice?: Bubba Wallace Putting NASCAR in a Tough Spot

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Bubba Wallace has a history of confrontations in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series? We’ll start with the now, what everyone’s still talking about three days after the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. Sunday’s incident (Sept. 29) with Alex Bowman was easily his most serious to date. The two drivers made contact multiple …

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5 Points to Ponder: Chevrolet Making a Late Push After Dismal 2019

2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Chevrolet Drivers NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Don’t Look Now, But Here Comes Chevrolet Chase Elliott’s comeback wasn’t the only big moment for the Bowtie Brigade Sunday (Sept. 29) at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Two of its bubble drivers, William Byron and Alex Bowman, made it through after rollercoaster first-round performances. In Bowman’s case, …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: The ROVAL Struck

2019 ROVAL MENCS Chase Elliott Victory Lane NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Charlotte ROVAL did its best to resemble The Lady in Black during the race weekend. Ten caution flags flew during the Bank of America ROVAL 400. But when the checkered flag flew, Chase Elliott was victorious and four drivers saw their championship hopes end as the Round of 16 concluded. Bubba Wallace and Alex …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: The ROVAL Drove Me Nuts With Playoff Implications

2019 ROVAL MENCS Restart NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL is an interesting proposition.  On paper, it doesn’t seem all that difficult.  In practice, it’s a bit of a wreckfest.  Sunday’s race was rather ridiculous at times.  That said, ridiculousness is perfectly fine here.  It’s how the ridiculousness is covered that is important. Bank of America ROVAL 400k Looking back, likely …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2019 Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte

2019 ROVAL MENCS Chase Elliott Victory Lane NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headline(s): Conquering the ugliest race Charlotte Motor Speedway has seen since the 2005 “Levigation 600,” Chase Elliott rebounded from a lap 65 wreck into the turn 1 barrier. He passed Kevin Harvick entering turn 1 of the CMS oval on lap 104 to score his third win of 2019. The race marked Elliott’s sixth …

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Up to Speed: The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL Delivers, Again

2019 ROVAL MENCS Start NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two years ago, when Charlotte Motor Speedway announced that its fall race would be held on something called a “ROVAL,” the decision was met with a fair amount of skepticism.  Would big, bulky stock cars put on a good show at an infield road course?  And was it really a good idea to have such …

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Alex Bowman Survives Wild Day at ROVAL, Advances in Playoffs

2019 ROVAL MENCS Alex Bowman Car NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Alex Bowman came in to the race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL with his eyes set on staying out of trouble and making it to the Round of 12. Well, one out of two isn’t bad. Bowman found trouble aplenty on Sunday (Sept. 29), but the Hendrick Motorsports driver bounced back from multiple issues …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Playoffs Underway

2019 Richmond MENCS Martin Truex, Jr. Burnout NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

All three major NASCAR national touring series’ playoffs are underway with at least one playoff race completed. The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series already has finished its Round of 8 and its opening Round of 6 race at Talladega Superspeedway isn’t until October 12. The Monster Energy Monster Energy Cup Series and Xfinity Series raced …

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