Race Weekend Central

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, …

Read more

5 Points to Ponder: NASCAR’s Early Stages Turning Into Snoozers, Plus… Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell won at the Daytona Road Course in 2021 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Christopher Bell’s Big Step Up The worst-kept secret in the NASCAR Cup Series was made official Monday (Aug. 10): Christopher Bell is getting promoted to Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20. The move was considered a mere formality after NASCAR owner Bob Leavine announced the sale of the No. 95 Toyota team Bell currently drives …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: NASCAR Michigan Doubleheader Weekend

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kevin Harvick swept the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Saturday (Aug. 8) and the Consumers Energy 400 on Sunday (Aug. 9) at Michigan International Speedway. He’s now won four out of the last six NASCAR Cup Series races held at the two-mile oval. Harvick was the dominant car in both events, leading the most …

Read more

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2020 Consumers Energy 400

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Kevin Harvick entered the weekend tied with three other drivers for wins among active competitors.  He leaves with two more victories and tied with Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace for 10th all-time. That’s a statement weekend for Harvick in a year where he’s already made plenty …

Read more

Power Rankings: Dedication to Bob Bahre Edition

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Despite a ho-hum finish, NASCAR’s Cup division put on a great race at the Magic Mile to properly honor the late great Bob Bahre. The selective painting of the traction compound seemed to do the job, allowing drivers to run all over the racetrack. Let’s take a look at the Power Rankings after the 301-lap …

Read more

Alex Labbe Fined After Daytona Test, Clint Bowyer’s Crew Chief Suspended for 1 Race After New Hampshire

NASCAR Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR dished out a number of penalties in the wake of a Cup Series-only weekend. Six Cup teams were penalized after the Foxwoods Resorts 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while two additional punishments were given to participants of a test at Daytona International Speedway. The six Cup teams hit with penalties included race winner …

Read more

NASCAR Stat Sheet: Jimmie Johnson Stumbling To The Finish Line Of Cup Career

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race (Aug. 2) at New Hampshire Motor Speedway won by Brad Keselowski was surprisingly… badass. Let’s not forget, NHMS gets a lot of flack for how difficult it can be to pass there. Jimmie Johnson found out the hard way (more on that later). New Hampshire’s rough history, though, was thrown …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: When Should NASCAR Unveil the 2021 Schedule?

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With the COVID-19 situation constantly evolving, when would it make sense for NASCAR to unveil the 2021 schedule? Mark Kristl: There isn’t a right time.  Nevertheless, NASCAR must announce it at some point, even though there are uncertainties.  If the schedule is set by the Southern 500, why not announce it that weekend to add …

Read more

Power Rankings: Racing Gods Have Spoken Edition

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Racing Gods sure have a wicked sense of timing. Last week, the racing community lost a great racing promoter in Bob Bahre. This week, NASCAR heads to the track that he was responsible for making happen. Mr. Bahre was so important to New England racing in general and to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in …

Read more

Did You Notice?: 2020 NASCAR Midseason Awards

2020BristolNCSRyanBlaneyFaceNASCARMedia

(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

When I was a NASCAR reporter for SI.com, I used to do a midseason segment called “The Bowlesy Awards” that evaluated the NASCAR Cup Series from time to time. We’re bringing them back here in 2020, with a little refresh, as NASCAR midseason awards while taking a closer look at where the sport stands five …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headlines: It was the first All-Star race since 1986 that was run outside of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won at Atlanta that afternoon, and on Wednesday (July 15) it was his son Chase Elliott taking home the checkered flag at Bristol and winning $1 million in the 2020 event. Elliott won the final …

Read more

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2020 All-Star Race

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who…should you be talking about after the race? Chase Elliott said after the race he and his team had to hit the reset button after a couple of difficult weeks. If that’s the case, they need to hit it before every race, because it worked. Elliott did everything right, his team did everything right and …

Read more