Race Weekend Central

Chase Elliott Drives From Back, Wins Cup Series’ Return to Road America

2021 Road America Cup Chase Elliott win checkered flag NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Elliott drove from the back of the field to the front at Road America, outlasting Kyle Busch and winning the Jockey Made in America 250 in the NASCAR Cup Series’ return to Elkhart Lake, Wis. on Sunday, July 4. Elliott’s second victory of 2021 was also his second at a road course, after his …

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Did You Notice?: Team Penske Instability On the Rise with Brad Keselowski’s Departure

Roger Penske at Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2020 (Photo: IndyCar Media)

Roger Penske (Photo by: Joe Skibinski, courtesy of IndyCar Media)

Did You Notice?… Team Penske has gone from 2021 championship contender to a team that’s struggling to keep up? A slow unraveling at Ford’s top organization this season has taken place since news broke Brad Keselowski would be leaving the team in 2022 to become an owner/driver at Roush Fenway Racing. When that story broke, on …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 Pocono Doubleheader

2021 Pocono II Bubba Wallace car DraftKings

(Photo: DraftKings)

This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series heads north to Pocono Raceway for a doubleheader, which means twice as many chances to win money in fantasy. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings rosters set for Saturday’s and Sunday’s (June 26-27) races! It’s the second year in a row the Tricky Triangle hosts two Cup events …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Ally 400 at Nashville

Kyle Larson holds up the Ally 400 trophy at Nashville Superspeedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kyle Larson won the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday (June 20) after another incredible performance for his third consecutive points-race win (fourth counting the All-Star Race).  Ross Chastain, William Byron, Aric Almirola and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five finishers. Charlotte: Kyle LarsonSonoma: Kyle Larson All-Star Race: Kyle Larson@NashvilleSuperS: Kyle Larson@KyleLarsonRacin …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas

2021 Texas all Star Race Kyle Larson Burnout NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kyle Larson won the NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas on Sunday (June 13) after a bold pass for the lead in the final round. Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top-five finishers. YUNG MONEY LARSON.@KyleLarsonRacin wins for the third week in a row, winning the #AllStarRace for …

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Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto Advance to All-Star Race

Ross Chastain in the garage at Circuit of the Americas, 5/22/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two hours prior to the NASCAR Cup Series’ 2021 All-Star Race, four drivers locked in their spots to race for $1 million late Sunday (June 13) evening. Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick and Aric Almirola won the first, second and final rounds, respectively, of the All-Star Open to qualify for the main event. Matt DiBenedetto, who …

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Frontstretch 2-Minute Drill: All-Star Open & All-Star Race at Texas

2020 Texas Cup Michael McDowell Kevin Harvick pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Texas may have lost one of its points-paying dates, but it gained one of NASCAR’s landmark events for 2021 in the form of the June 13 All-Star festivities. Eligibility for the annual race, long held at Charlotte Motor Speedway before moving to Bristol Motor Speedway in 2020 and then to the Lone Star State, is …

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Wood Brothers Racing Parts Ways With Crew Chief Greg Erwin

Matt DiBenedetto at 2021 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte NASCAR Cup race NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Starting with this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Texas, Wood Brothers Racing has decided to make some personnel changes on top of the pit box of the No. 21 Ford Mustang, driven by Matt DiBenedetto. Greg Erwin, the team’s crew chief for the last three years, has been let go. His replacement will …

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Fire on Fridays: Here’s Who Should Replace Brad Keselowski in the No. 2

Brad Keselowski stands by his No. 2 Team Penske Ford at Kansas Speedway (May 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski‘s foray into NASCAR Cup Series ownership seems to be a done deal, depending on who you ask. And aside from the question of where Keselowski would fit in at Roush Fenway Racing — new car? Replacing an existing driver? — there’s also the case of his current ride, Team Penske’s No. 2. Which …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Echopark Texas Grand Prix at COTA

Chase Elliott races in the rain at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). May 2021 Cup (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Chase Elliott won the Echopark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday (May 23) after heavy rain and poor track conditions halted the COTA race early with 14 laps remaining.   Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain and AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top-five finishers. Let the celebration begin! @chaseelliott and …

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Did You Notice?: Winners & Losers If Brad Keselowski Buys Into Roush Fenway Racing

Brad Keselowski stands by his No. 2 Team Penske Ford at Kansas Speedway (May 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Brad Keselowski will reportedly purchase an interest in Roush Fenway Racing? First reported by Motorsport’s Jim Utter, the deal would make the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion part owner and driver of the No. 6 Ford in 2022. The rumor has been around for a few weeks but public support of the story has …

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5 Points to Ponder: 2021 NASCAR Manufacturer Parity Among Ford, Chevy & Toyota

All three NASCAR manufacturers (Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota) battle at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: NKP) Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, Chase Elliott

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1: NASCAR manufacturer parity … At the top 12 races into the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, it’s clear three organizations have separated from the rest of the pack. Joe Gibbs Racing (with Darlington Raceway winner Martin Truex Jr.), Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports are the sport’s new Big 3, sweeping 10 of the top …

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