Race Weekend Central

Trevor Bayne, Take II: Fresh Start in NASCAR After Rough Roush Fenway Ending

NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two years ago, Trevor Bayne‘s NASCAR career looked bleak, having been let go from Roush Fenway Racing prior to the 2019 season. Bayne, then-27 years old, competed in 21 of 36 races during the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, splitting the ride with 2003 series champion Matt Kenseth. But after spending the bulk of the …

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The Underdog House: Ty Dillon Best in Class as Underdogs Run Wild at Talladega

2020 Talladega II CUP Ty Dillon pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog As usual, a NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway resulted in a “Big One.” No, not just a big crash, though there were plenty of those. I’m referring to a big group of underdog teams scattered throughout the top half of the finishing order. Leading the line both literally and figuratively was …

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Did You Notice?: Talladega’s Modern-Day Myth That Anyone Can Win

2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Talladega

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Talladega Superspeedway is often referred to as the track “where anyone can win.” Pack racing keeps the entire field of 40 cars stuck together like superglue most of the event. Add in Russian Roulette-style wrecks that often eliminate 15, sometimes 20 cars at once and you get the perfect storm for underdogs …

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Truckin’ Thursdays: Returning to Richmond Raceway for the Final Regular Season Race

2005RichmondNCTSMikeSkinnerRacingNASCARMedia

(Photo: Ronda Greer/NASCAR Media)

For the second week in a row, the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series makes its return to a track it hasn’t visited in several years. In fact, Thursday night (Sept. 10) will mark the first time the Truck Series has run at Richmond Raceway since 2005. One of only four tracks remaining from the …

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4 Burning Questions: NASCAR Is Doing What In California?

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

They’re doing what to Fontana? This week, after The Athletic broke the news, NASCAR confirmed that they are pursuing plans to effectively turn the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California into a half-mile short track. The course looks to be a hybrid of all three of the current NASCAR Cup Series short tracks in …

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Ben Rhodes Breaks NASCAR Truck Series Drought, Wins Darlington

NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sunday’s (Sept. 6) NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series event at Darlington Raceway was decided on pit strategy. The closing laps saw a handful of trucks take a chance, staying on track during a late caution on old tires. It’s typically not the best decision when it comes to an abrasive oval known as …

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Stock Car Scoop: William Byron, Aric Almirola Sign Contract Extensions

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two NASCAR playoff drivers signed contract extensions with their current teams. Which two drivers are they? Find out in this edition of Stock Car Scoop. Frontstretch‘s newest podcast focused on the motorsports news of the week also has news on which race Kyle Busch will run for his final Xfinity race of the year, as …

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Friday Faceoff: What Does the Future Look Like for Justin Haley?

2019 Daytona I NXS Justin Haley NKP

(Photo: NKP)

Justin Haley joined Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and Trevor Bayne as modern-era drivers to win in their first three starts in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Which of those drivers’ career will Haley’s most likely resemble? Adam Cheek: Jamie McMurray. He has enough talent to not be a relative bust like Bayne, but he’s …

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5 Points to Ponder: Cousin Carl’s Return & Trevor Bayne’s Last Hurrah

2016-chicago-cup-carl-edwards-nigel-kinrade-nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

ONE: Two Into Six Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick have already booked their spots in the Championship 4 and will race for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title in two weeks. On the other end of the spectrum, Chase Elliott (-39 points) Aric Almirola (-57 pts) and Clint Bowyer (-72pts) have to win to …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Take 2 in Texas

Richard Childress and Austin Dillon together during a NASCAR Xfinity Series race in New Hampshire (Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

In what seemed inevitable since the season began, Kevin Harvick officially punched his ticket into the Championship 4 with an overtime victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ AAA Texas 500 on Sunday (Nov. 4) at Texas Motor Speedway. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Harvick joins Team Penske’s Joey Logano as drivers running for the title, ensuring …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Charlotte ROVAL Brings Chaos, Excitement

Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry M&M's Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Beer Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Coming into this ROVAL experiment at Charlotte Motor Speedway, I was hesitantly in favor of NASCAR adding more road course layouts to tedious ovals. After the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ Bank of America ROVAL 400 on Sunday, I’m a believer. (Sorry if the Monkees are now stuck in your head.) It was also the elimination race …

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