Race Weekend Central

Global Poker to Sponsor Kurt Busch in 2019

2019 Daytona I Cup Kurt Busch Smiling Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Social poker company, Global Poker, will be a new primary sponsor for Kurt Busch in 2019, gracing the hood for Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 1 car. The announcement was made during a press conference prior to the Monster Energy Cup Series’ first practice on Friday, March 8 at ISM Raceway. Online poker site Global Poker …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Aric Almirola Talks New Aero Package, Group Qualifying, Chaotic Restarts

2019 Atlanta Cup Aric Almirola Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and Aric Almirola discuss the new aerodynamic package that was displayed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and how it led to wild restarts and a peculiar qualifying session last Friday (March 1). Almirola states the race was exciting, and that’s what he enjoys as a …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Pennzoil 400 Edition

2019 Las Vegas I Cup Ryan Blaney Joey Logano Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Defending champion Joey Logano held off his Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski to claim the win in the Pennzoil 400. Is the duo of Logano and Keselowski the ones to beat as NASCAR transitions to the new aero package era? After another spectacular weekend which included the capture of two checkered flags, is Kyle Busch …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR Pit Road Penalties Making An Impact Early In 2019

Pit Road, Pre Race, Sonoma 2018

PC: Danny Peters

Did You Notice? … How NASCAR officials have made a big impact thus far in 2019 with calling pit road violations? You could argue in the past two races speeding penalties have cost the two fastest cars in those events, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch, a trip to Victory Lane. A simple touch of the ground …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Las Vegas Edition

2019 Las Vegas I Cup Kurt Busch Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The full new Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rule package made its debut in the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Opinions on social media were decidedly mixed, but one thing was for sure: the cars are much slower. That, combined with the cookie-cutter racing of a 1.5-mile track (even though Las …

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Up to Speed: New Aero Package Produces Old Results

#20: Erik Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Sportclips, #19: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops, #18: Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry M&m's Chocolate Bar And #11: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Fedex Office Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is any indication, what is new is old again.  After an offseason of making plans, running tests and speculating what the future might hold, NASCAR used the full version of its new Cup Series aero package for the Pennzoil 400. The cars …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Pennzoil 400

2019 Atlanta Cup Joey Logano Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano made it two for two in intermediate track races for Team Penske this year. He followed up last week’s win by teammate Brad Keselowski, putting the No. 22 car in Victory Lane for the first time in 2019 …

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Kurt Busch Plays Strategy Right, Earns Top 5 at Las Vegas

#1: Kurt Busch, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Star Nursery Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 2019. (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Hometown cooking, a little bit of luck and a fast racecar was the recipe for Las Vegas native Kurt Busch to score his second consecutive top five finish to open up the 2019 season. The driver of the No. 1 Star Nursery/Monster Energy Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing stayed out to begin the third and …

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Frontstretch Podcast: David Ragan Discusses New Aero Package at Atlanta

2019 Atlanta Cup David Ragan Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In the latest edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and David Ragan discuss the partial new aerodynamic package that was displayed at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend, one which landed the No. 38 car of Ragan a 16th-place finish. Ragan states in the interview that the racing is closer together and restarts will be …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Kez Goes Jordan

2019 Cup Atlanta Brad Keselowski Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On June 11, 1997, the Chicago Bulls were in Salt Lake City facing the Karl Malone-John Stockton Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals, and Michael Jordan had the flu (or food poisoning). He couldn’t get out of bed until the bus left for the arena, but wound up scoring 38 points that night, sparking the …

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5 Points to Ponder: Rolling the Las Vegas Dice

Las Vegas 2017

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

A Crucial Race There is an argument to be made that this Sunday’s 400-miler at Las Vegas Motor Speedway might just be one of the most important races in NASCAR’s recent history. With the 2019 package due to made its “full debut,” the drivers, teams and fans will all be itching to see just what …

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Kurt Busch Shows His Muscle, Gets 1st Top 5 With Ganassi

2019 Atlanta Cup Zach Catanzareti Kurt Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

When Kurt Busch announced he was leaving Stewart-Haas Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing, it was seen by many as a step back. There was no denying Busch’s talent, but SHR was the most dominant team of 2018, winning 12 of the 36 races. CGR, meanwhile, went winless last year. But Busch proved in Sunday’s (Feb. …

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