Race Weekend Central

Kevin Harvick Wins First Cup Pole in Texas

2017 Kevin Harvick Cup Russell Labounty/nkp Texas Nascar

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Sweeping all three rounds, it was a perfect qualifying day for Kevin Harvick. Especially the final session, where Harvick ripped around the 1.5-mile Texas track in 27.217 seconds [198.405 mph] to win the pole for Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. It is the 19th pole of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup career, first at Texas …

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The Underdog House: No Margin For Error With NASCAR’s Small Teams

2017 Las Vegas Cup Ryan Blaney Timmy Hill Racing John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

No Margin For Error Last week, we looked at the importance of improvement for small teams.  For those that realistically just can’t compete with their powerhouse rivals on a weekly basis, it’s a better measure than finishes alone. It’s also an important step for those teams a step ahead of the game, ones in position to one …

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The Underdog House: NASCAR’s Intermediate Track Blues

2017 Atlanta Cup Matt Dibenedetto Car

Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP

Think Small It can be said that the real NASCAR season starts at Atlanta. The Intermediate track season kicked off last weekend and the results were fairly predictable of the small teams this week.  In general at a 1.5 to 2-mile track, these teams struggle to keep up.  You might see a couple of teams …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not: NASCAR Wreck It Ralph (and Almost Everybody Else) Edition

2016 Daytona Ii Cup Kurt Busch John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

The season-opening Daytona 500 gave NASCAR fans a little bit everything. There was that last-lap pass for the lead, which is beginning to become a trademark for the Great American Race. There were plenty of battles for the lead and for positions throughout and a lot less riding around waiting for the end of the …

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The Underdog House: Small Teams Thriving and Surviving in Daytona

2017 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Gase Bk Racing Corey Lajoie

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Think Small Well, Daytona is in the rearview mirror. Depending on who you ask, that’s either a real bummer or can’t come too soon, depending on how the race went. The thing about plate tracks is that they’re such an opportunity for teams to compete—if they’re lucky and avoid trouble.  They can also become exercises …

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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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