Race Weekend Central

Power Rankings: Here Come the Playoffs Edition

2020 Daytona Ncs Kevin Harvick Regular Season Champion Nascar Media

(Photo: NASCAR Media)

It’s amazing how much has changed in all the many years since I started following NASCAR as a kid back in the late 1960s and ’70s. Thankfully, the racing is much safer. Can I hear a “Hallelujah” that we get live races every week? But one curious development is that back in the day, finishing …

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4 Burning Questions: Would NASCAR Teams Boycott This Weekend’s Races?

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Could NASCAR teams refuse to race this week? Over the past two days, all four major American professional sport organizations have been effected by largely player-led boycotts. The strikes come off the heels of a Black man, Jacob Blake, being shot seven times in the back by police officers on Monday in Wisconsin. A combination …

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The Frontstretch 5: Current NASCAR Cup Bubble Drivers & Their Playoff Chances

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR’s regular season ends this Saturday night, Aug. 29, and while Kevin Harvick has already locked down the trophy — and 15 playoff points — for leading the points at that juncture, there’s still plenty on the line. And this year, instead of a tame intermediate track or even the racy Richmond Raceway, the race …

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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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Up to Speed: An Actual NASCAR Playoff Bubble Battle? Yes, Indeed

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The completion of this weekend’s doubleheader races at Dover International Speedway was an important milestone for NASCAR.  The Cup Series is now caught up with its original 2020 schedule.  All of the races with revised dates due to COVID-19 are finished, leaving one race remaining in the regular season before the ten-race NASCAR playoff begins. …

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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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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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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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