Race Weekend Central

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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Forget The Flu: Brad Keselowski Fights To Folds Of Honor 500 Victory

2019 Daytona I Nxs Brad Keselowski Helmet Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Friday night (Feb. 22), Brad Keselowski got sick, bedridden with the flu. Two days later, it was the rest of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field down for the count. The 2019 Folds of Honor 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway became an honorable drive for a champion who couldn’t even practice the day before. …

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Friday Faceoff: Should the Daytona 500 Remain the Season-Opening Race?

2019 Daytona Clash Cup Ryan Blaney Brad Keselowski Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

The Advance Auto Parts Clash has taken some criticism over how difficult it was for drivers to pull out of line and make a pass. How do you see this playing out over the remaining Speedweeks events? Isolated issue or recurring problem? Clayton Caldwell: It’s an issue we’ll see throughout Speedweeks. This package has been …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Which Rule Change this Season will Have the Biggest Impact on the State of NASCAR?

2019 Daytona Clash Cup Martin Truex Jr Car Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

As NASCAR waves the green flag for the start of the 2019 season this weekend, there are so many aspects that are different about the sport. So many of them have to do with rules, the aero package and some big-name drivers in new rides. Which of these factors though will affect the state of …

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The Frontstretch 5: Big Questions As NASCAR Enters 2019

2019 Daytona Clash Cup Paul Menard Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

1. What will the new aerodynamic package look like in real time? That’s the big question that everyone is asking, but don’t expect the answer to be immediate or definitive. The low horsepower, high downforce package will debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway in a week and a half, but don’t expect what you see there …

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Jimmie Johnson Wins Weather-Shortened Advance Auto Parts Clash After Wild Wreck

(photo: Zach Catanzareti)

2019 Advance Auto Parts Clash, Daytona International Speedway (Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Jimmie Johnson knew the rain was coming. He dove down alongside Paul Menard in an attempt to pass him and grab the lead in Sunday’s (Feb. 10) Advance Auto Parts Clash. Unfortunately, the two drivers made contact, triggering a wreck that collected over half the field. As NASCAR sent out its safety personnel and crews …

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Entry List: Daytona 500

2018 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Ryan Blaney

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The entry list for the 61st Daytona 500 has been released, and there’s a lot of changes for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. 42 cars are on the final version of the entry list. A maximum of 40 cars will take the green flag on race day. Old faces in new places …

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Entry List: Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona

The Advance Auto Parts Clash kicks off the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season on Feb. 10 for a 75-lap shootout at Daytona International Speedway. 20 cars are eligible for the event due to either winning a pole last season, previously winning a Daytona 500 pole, previously winning the Clash or making the playoffs …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Talking Offseason News, Plethora of Changes

2017 Kansas Ii Cup Kurt Busch Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

In a special offseason episode of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and Zach Catanzareti discuss all the news that’s transpired since Homestead. We start with the elephant in the room, that being Kurt Busch making the move to Chip Ganassi Racing, replacing Jamie McMurray who will take on an analyst role at Fox Sports. What do we think Busch can do …

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