Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Who’s the Top NASCAR Rookie For 2017?

2016 Xfinity Iowa

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Carl Edwards pulled off a move that shocked the racing community, announcing he’ll step away from NASCAR competition full-time.  If Edwards has really hung ’em up for good, what is his legacy in the sport?  Is he a future Hall of Famer? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I think he goes down as one of the …

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2016 NASCAR Rewind: Michael McDowell

2016 Phoenix I Cup Michael Mcdowell Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

Michael McDowell gave NASCAR fans some of the year’s best underdog moments in not only the Sprint Cup Series but also the XFINITY Series. From his top-10 efforts in Cup to a maiden XFINITY win in the summer, 2016 was a season of progress, triumph and memories for the 31-year-old. At the 2016 Daytona 500, its …

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Michael McDowell Optimistic For 2017 After Strong Finish

2016 Cup Homestead Miami Speedway Zach Catanzareti Circle Sport Leavine Family Racing Ty Dillon Michael Mcdowell

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Prior to the final race weekend of 2016, Circle Sport Leavine Family Racing decided to put Ty Dillon in the team’s primary ride, moving Michael McDowell to the team’s second car, the No. 59 Chevrolet. It marked the second time in 2016 that McDowell would be piloting the No. 59 car. The last time he did, …

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Beyond the Cockpit: Michael McDowell Building Momentum for ‘Big Jump’ in 2017

2016 Darlington Cup Michael Mcdowell Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Start-and-parking, battling for sponsorship and fighting for recognition. Following years of struggle in the Sprint Cup Series, Michael McDowell has finally been able to say the word progress, as he and the No. 95 Circle Sport Leavine Family Racing team have topped their career-best numbers in the latter half of 2016. From McDowell’s highest average …

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The Underdog House: Putting A Wrap On 2016

2016 Charlotte All Star Showdown Cup Michael Mcdowell Casey Mears Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Think Small It’s hard to believe the 2016 season is over—it seems like just yesterday that it began, full of promise and hope.  For some of the teams on this page, it’s been, by all counts, a good season—one of accomplishment and improvement.  For others it’s been a struggle, financial or performance, often both as …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Sudden Shift Hands Johnson Record-Tying Title

Jimmie Johnson

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Who’s in the headline – The elite level of NASCAR has increased by 50%. There are many gauges to judge the greats but championships are a huge differentiator. Jimmie Johnson took advantage of circumstances that fell his way, led the final three laps, and notched his seventh career title. Johnson shares the headline with Tony …

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The Frontstretch 5: Underrated NASCAR Drivers

1. Landon Cassill, nice. Landon Cassill by far. The kid deserves a chance with a larger team. Time and time again, he impresses with his ability to not only compete in a clean fashion, but is able to get the most out of mediocre equipment. If his time with JD Motorsports in the XFINITY Series doesn’t …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Desert/Dessert Edition

Tony Stewart

Photo: Zach Catanzareti

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series made its final trip West for the 2016 season with a lot on the line. Six drivers sparred for just two remaining spots in Arizona to run for the championship this coming week at Homestead. Four of them were left feeling like they were stuck in the desert, where this Phoenix event just happened to be …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Joey Logano Steals Victory From the Jaws of Defeat at Phoenix

2016 Nascar Phoenix

(Photo: Matthew Thacker / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – In the final elimination race of the season, Joey Logano looked like he was about to slip out of contention for a transfer position. Fortunately for him, a caution flag flew, which bunched the field up and afforded him a final shot to reclaim a spot in the final four. …

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The Underdog House: A Texas Curveball

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Texas

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Think Small Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, with its shift from day to night after an hours-long rain delay, did do one thing well: it showed a clear disparity between the elite teams and those striving to reach that mark one day. The intermediate tracks are plentiful on the Cup schedule …

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Friday Faceoff: Are Jimmie Johnson’s Titles Equal to Earnhardt’s and Petty’s?

2016 Indianapolis Cup Jimmie Johnson Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

After his win at Martinsville Speedway, Jimmie Johnson will have the chance at a record-tying seventh title, but if he wins, will fans view seven Chase-era titles as equal to those of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty?  Should they? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I don’t think fans will view Jimmie Johnson’s titles on the same …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Trick or Treat Edition

Jimmie Johnson Sunlight Burnout Martinsville Cup 2016 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

The first race in the third round of the Chase was a bit of a treat for some drivers and teams and maybe a bit of trick for others trying to become one of the four drivers to compete for the title in Homestead later this month. And of course, one of those drivers is …

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