Race Weekend Central

Reel Racing: The Best (& Worst) Movie Paint Schemes of the 2010s, Pt. 1

Martinsville Cup 2019 Mike Neff Aric Almirola

In June, I undertook a project to dig up every single movie-themed paint scheme that ever ran across NASCAR’s three touring series and, eventually, rank them. The weeks-long search yielded that exactly 100 films have been represented on stock cars throughout the years, ranging from The Wizard of Oz to Shazam. Unfortunately, 2020 became the …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Sheldon Creed Relives Winning Truck Championship

Nascar Gander Rv & Outdoors Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss NASCAR’s championship weekend at Phoenix Raceway, which saw the youth movement takeover the sport. Chase Elliott became the third youngest Cup Series champion, dominating the race after starting in the back. The duo discusses what this means for Elliott’s confidence level, as he’s proven he …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR 2020 Tidbits And Loose Ends… It’s Not Just About The Championship 4

2020michiganncskevinharvicktrophynascarmedia

(Photo: NASCAR Media)

Did You Notice? … NASCAR wasn’t just about the Championship 4 and Chase Elliott‘s first NASCAR title at the ripe old age of 24? Certainly, Elliott’s back-to-back wins to finish the year were impressive; he’s the third-youngest champion in NASCAR history. Elliott’s surging popularity should serve the sport well heading into a time of transition next …

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Power Rankings: Chase Went to Chase Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Oftentimes, NASCAR gets the short end of the deal — faces a lot of criticism, but they deserve a tip of the old Frontstretch hat for managing to get a full season in during trying times. No other major American sport was able to accomplish this feat. There is no hiding the fact that I’m …

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2-Headed Monster: Does Jimmie Johnson’s Career Impact NASCAR like Petty, Earnhardt, or Gordon?

Jimmie Johnson 2018 Ford Ecoboost 400

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

One of the greatest career performances in motorsports drew to a close this past week at Phoenix Raceway as Jimmie Johnson exited from full-time NASCAR competition. Not wanting to apply the retirement tag, as that has proved to be a bit premature in a few instances over the last few years, Johnson will be competing …

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Beside the Rising Tide: The Best of Everything

Nascar Cup Series

#48: Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Ally

Welcome loyal readers to the last regularly scheduled 2020 function for Club 61; to whit, my last weekly column for 2020. In honor of the momentousness of the occasion, I have decided not to submit this week’s effort in crayon. Club 61 isn’t a place. It’s a statistical anomaly that a bunch of my longest …

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5 Points to Ponder: A Champions Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

A Worthy Champion Huge congratulations to Chase Elliott on his first Cup championship, matching a feat his father Bill achieved all the way back in 1988. Chase’s dominant, nerveless, winning performances at both Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway these past two weeks, all with the incessant pressure of the playoff format, showed he is a …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: There Is No Way the Championship 4 Doesn’t Hurt the Sport As a Whole

Nascar Cup Series

#9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro NAPA Auto Parts, celebrates after winning the 2020 Nascar Cup Series Championship

It seems so weird to actually be home for the final race weekend of the NASCAR season. For me, this was the first time since 2014 that I’d actually been home for it. The last five season finales were spent in Homestead, dodging rain showers, hiding under souvenir trailers and sweating. We also got interesting …

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Up to Speed: The Future Is Bright For Hendrick Motorsports

Nascar Cup Series Season Finale 500

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

It wasn’t long ago that Hendrick Motorsports had one of the oldest driver lineups in NASCAR.  Five years ago, at the time of Jeff Gordon’s final race in his famed No. 24 car, the organization’s youngest driver was Kasey Kahne at 35 years old.  With Gordon’s career wrapping up amid a bourgeoning youth movement in …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2020 Season Finale 500 at Phoenix

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Chase Elliott won the 2020 Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday (Nov. 8) after leading a race-high 153 laps. More importantly, he won his first NASCAR Cup Series title in his first Championship 4 appearance. Other title contenders Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin finished second through fourth. Jimmie Johnson …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2020 Season Finale 500

Chase Elliott holds 2020 Bill France trophy Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the 2020 Season Finale 500? At age 24, Chase Elliott joins an elite group as the 34th driver to take the title of NASCAR Cup Series champion. He had to start from the rear of the field at Phoenix Raceway after the No. 9 Chevrolet failed pre-race inspection …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: A Look Back At Jimmie Johnson’s NASCAR Career

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

We made it! The 2020 NASCAR season is complete. Sure, there was a 10-week stoppage after the first month of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus limited fans in attendance for most racetracks and created a dent in NASCAR revenue. The playoff itself also had a weird twist; a nine-race winner and …

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