Race Weekend Central

Couch Potato Tuesday: Darlington Brings a Somewhat Normal Cup Broadcast With Extras

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battle in the closing laps of the 2021 Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Darlington Raceway is always an interesting place to watch a NASCAR Cup Series race. Yes, the 2021 Cook Out Southern 500 took over four hours to run, but that’s OK. Sit down and grab some popcorn for the Cup broadcast; the racing here takes a while. It also didn’t seem like there were 11 cautions …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Denny Hamlin Delivers Darlington Victory

Denny Hamlin celebrates his win in the 2021 Southern 500 at Darlington. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Darlington Raceway has always been unique. From its humble beginnings, way back in 1950, it had a unique length (1.366 miles) and egg-like shape all its own. Now, on a schedule peppered with wide tracks that allow full throttle cornering, its narrow surface and unforgiving walls are about as different as anything you’ll see in …

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The Underdog House: Ryan Preece Begins 2022 Audition at the Lady in Black

Ryan Preece produced an impressive 12th-place finish in the 2021 Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Ryan Preece What’s the best medicine when you find out you will be job searching for 2022? Most drivers would tell you that getting back on track is their preference. For Ryan Preece, that was likely the case at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (Sept. 5). Days after learning his …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Ryan Blaney Is the Hero of the Coke Zero 400

Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney at Road America, July 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Races at Daytona and Talladega are always about surviving first and making a move for the win second. A driver can’t win without dodging the inevitable late race carnage. Ryan Blaney did both in textbook fashion on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway, and it resulted in his second consecutive win. It’s a new position …

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Up to Speed: Why This Year’s Cup Series Playoffs Will Be Different for Ryan Blaney

Ryan Blaney walks around Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Tex. (Photo: NKP)

#12: Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Ford Mustang BodyArmor

Has anybody in NASCAR had a better two weeks than Ryan Blaney?  For the first time in his career, Blaney has won back-to-back Cup Series races.  The first win came at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 22.  Then, he and the No. 12 team followed up that victory with a win at Daytona International Speedway …

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The Underdog House: Bubba Wallace Nets Daytona Runner-Up in Game of Survival

2021 Pocono I Cup Bubba Wallace Steve Phelps laugh James Gilbert Getty

(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Top Dog: Bubba Wallace With the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway (Aug. 28) playing host to the regular season finale, everyone knew that anything could happen. Look no further than Michael McDowell opening the year for the underdogs in a strong way by winning the prestigious Daytona 500. With 15 drivers eligible …

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Fire on Fridays: Who’s Actually Got a Shot at the Cup Playoffs?

Matt DiBenedetto Tyler Reddick talk Watkins Glen

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s somewhat fitting that this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway has an elimination factor. After all, that’s usually the case at the season-opening Daytona 500, when the pre-race Duels set the lineup and a certain number of cars (four in 2021) are left on the sidelines come the big race on …

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Corey LaJoie Out at Michigan Due to COVID-19 Protocols, Josh Berry Subbing

2021 Charlotte Cup Corey LaJoie car NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Corey LaJoie will not compete in this week’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway due to COVID-19 protocols, Spire Motorsports announced Thursday, Aug. 19. Josh Berry will substitute for LaJoie in the No. 7 Chevrolet on Sunday. Berry is also driving for Michael Annett in Saturday’s Xfinity Series event while Annett recovers from …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin racing each other during the Go Bowling at the Glen at Watkins Glen International, 8/8/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR Cup Series drivers hope to kiss the bricks this weekend but this time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings rosters ready for Sunday’s (Aug. 14) Verizon 200 at the Brickyard! It’s the Cup Series’ second consecutive road course event after Kyle Larson earned his fifth win …

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The Underdog House: Michael McDowell Leads Sluggish NASCAR Underdog Return After Olympic Break

2019 Talladega MENCS Michael McDowell Face NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Setting For a brief moment, I was wondering if it was either August or February when NASCAR returned to the track. After a two-week layoff for the Olympics, drivers and teams returned to Watkins Glen International in New York as the grind for the season’s remainder commenced. Watching the Olympics made me entertain the …

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The Underdog House: Erik Jones Finds His Groove at the Magic Mile

2021 Loudon Cup Erik Jones NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Setting After the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday (July 18) at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, only four races remain in the regular season. The Magic Mile presented a fairly comparable evaluation for title-contending teams to gauge their championship setup at Phoenix Raceway. For underdogs, it was another opportunity to go out and prove their …

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The Underdog House: Bubba Wallace Top Dog of the Ring in Atlanta

2021-Cup-Atlanta-II-Bubba-Wallace-NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Setting Atlanta Motor Speedway has become iconic in its own way. No, it doesn’t hold the prestige of a Daytona 500. It doesn’t test the same amount of endurance as the Coca-Cola 600 does. Kissing the bricks is not seen there. And it doesn’t serve hot dogs as good as Martinsville Speedway’s. The place …

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