Race Weekend Central

Fire on Fridays: NASCAR Tires ‘Cutting’ Fantastic Finishes Short

2021 Bristol Ii Cup Aric Almirola Crash Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The big topic coming out of NASCAR’s weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway was the feud between NASCAR Cup Series championship contenders Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott. But whether Harvick was in the wrong or Elliott was in the wrong doesn’t really matter. Because neither driver was the true culprit of the incident. No, the true …

Read more

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the Bristol Night Race

Kyle Larson leads the pack in the 2021 Bristol Bass Pro Shops Night Race. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson took the lead away from Kevin Harvick in the closing laps and held on to win at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday (Sept. 18). Lapped traffic was a factor all night, allowing cars in second place to close in on the leader. Such was the case near the end of the race; Larson went to the bottom and then back up the track, squeezing Harvick a bit. The No. 5 of Hendrick Motorsports then slid up in front of Harvick, preventing the No. 4 from getting another run on Larson.

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol

Kyle Larson Bristol 2021 NASCAR

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kyle Larson won the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol on Saturday night (Sept. 18) after a wildly chaotic final few laps, both for the win and the final playoff spot. Kevin Harvick, William Byron, Ryan Blaney and Alex Bowman rounded out the top-five finishers. A burnout for the books. ?@KyleLarsonRacin | …

Read more

Bristol Elimination Race Sends 4 Playoff Drivers Packing

2021 Bristol Ii Cup Aric Almirola Crash Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson’s Saturday (Sept. 18) night consisted of burning his tires down on the frontstretch at Bristol Motor Speedway. For 11 of his fellow competitors, it was time to move on to the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. For Aric Almirola, Kurt Busch, Michael McDowell and Tyler Reddick, it was time to …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Candy Eggs, Easter Bunnies & NASCAR Racing?

Alex Bowman at 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Michigan race

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kurt Busch and Alex Bowman are tied for the final playoff position above the cutoff heading to Bristol Motor Speedway. Who has the better odds of claiming the 12th slot? Luken Glover: Kurt Busch has a whopping six wins in Thunder Valley, including five top 10s in the last seven races at Bristol. In 10 starts …

Read more

Frontstretch 5: Best Clutch Performances in NASCAR Playoff History

Martinsville Jeff Gordon Team Victory 2015 Cup Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Four unlucky drivers’ fates will be sealed after this coming Saturday’s (Sept. 18) Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, as the NASCAR Cup Series playoff field will be reduced from 16 to 12 competitors. Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick, William Byron and Michael McDowell all enter Bristol underneath the cutoff line, and …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Richmond Brings Self-Reflection to NBCSN

2021 Richmond II Cup Martin Truex Jr. pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Richmond races for the Cup Series have not necessarily been the most competitive in recent years. Honestly, they’ve been Joe Gibbs Racing benefits. Saturday night’s race was no different, despite 21 lead changes. Naturally, given that Saturday was Sept. 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks was front and center. Countdown to Green had a …

Read more

Up to Speed: The Hendrick Motorsports Playoff Battle Begins Early

Hendrick Motorsports battles for position at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Earlier in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports looked like the team to beat as all four of its drivers had won a race by Memorial Day.  Kyle Larson was particularly impressive, winning three races in a row plus the non-points All-Star race.  But William Byron, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott all had their …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond

Martin Truex Jr at Richmond Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

What happened? Martin Truex Jr. won the Federated Auto Parts Salute to First Responders 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night (Sept. 11) after leading the final 51 laps. Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @MartinTruex_Jr on his WIN at @RichmondRaceway! His fourth win …

Read more

Kurt Busch Loses 4 Pit Crew Members for Richmond Due to COVID Protocols

Kurt Busch at 2021 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Gearwrench car NASCAR Cup NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR Cup playoff driver Kurt Busch will be without all but one of his regular pit crew members Saturday night (Sept. 11) at Richmond Raceway due to COVID-19 contact tracing protocols. Busch’s No. 1 team will be without front tire changer Cory Baldwin, tire carrier Jeremy Kimbrough, rear tire changer Steve Price and jackman Josh …

Read more

4 Burning Questions: What’s Up With CGR & Spire?

2021 Darlington II Cup Corey LaJoie Ross Chastain racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened at Darlington Raceway? Last weekend, the NASCAR playoffs began with a bang at Darlington Raceway, where… Oh, forget that nonsense! It’s time for some hard-nosed, no-frills, godforsaken FOOTBALL. Football on Thursday! Football on Friday! Football on Saturday! Football on Sunday! Football on Monday! Football in high school! Football in college! Football between all …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington

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

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Denny Hamlin won the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington on Sunday night (Sept. 5) after narrowly holding off Kyle Larson in the final corner. Larson, Ross Chastain, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @DennyHamlin on his #Southern500 win at @TooToughToTame! What a final corner …

Read more