Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice?: Have NASCAR Playoffs Changed Perception 17 Years In?

Alex Bowman pack racing at Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice?… The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have flipped the script on two of its biggest teams? Stewart-Haas Racing has struggled through the worst year of its existence. SHR has just one win, a darkness-shortened New Hampshire Motor Speedway upset by Aric Almirola. Marquee driver Kevin Harvick sits winless a year after setting a …

Read more

5 Points to Ponder: Has JGR Surpassed Hendrick in These Playoffs?

2021 Richmond Ii Cup Chase Elliott William Byron Jared C Tilton Getty

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

1. Joe Gibbs Racing hitting its stride, Hendrick faltering? At one point, Joe Gibbs Racing ran 1-2-3-4 on Saturday night at Richmond. Hendrick Motorsports, while close behind, didn’t seem poised to challenge the Toyotas up front. Sure, Chase Elliott led some laps and Kyle Larson came from the rear to the top five in no …

Read more

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Federated Auto Parts 400

#19: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops Red White Blue celebrates winning the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond. NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Federated Auto Parts 400? Joe Gibbs Racing as a whole demolished its competition on Saturday (Sept. 11), leading 326 laps as a team and running 1-2-3 at the finish. Martin Truex Jr. claimed the victory, his third in the last five Richmond Raceway events, and the …

Read more

Up to Speed: The Hendrick Motorsports Playoff Battle Begins Early

Hendrick Motorsports battles for position at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Earlier in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports looked like the team to beat as all four of its drivers had won a race by Memorial Day.  Kyle Larson was particularly impressive, winning three races in a row plus the non-points All-Star race.  But William Byron, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott all had their …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond

Martin Truex Jr at Richmond Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

What happened? Martin Truex Jr. won the Federated Auto Parts Salute to First Responders 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night (Sept. 11) after leading the final 51 laps. Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @MartinTruex_Jr on his WIN at @RichmondRaceway! His fourth win …

Read more

5 Points to Ponder: Can NASCAR & Hollywood Mix in L.A.?

2021 Darlington Ii Pack Jared C Tilton Getty

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

1. NASCAR Racing in L.A. Coliseum? A Hollywood affair? The NASCAR world was caught by surprise with Monday’s (Sept. 6) Labor Day bombshell in The Athletic about a potential 2022 exhibition race in Los Angeles. According to sources in the story, the Busch Clash would be moved from its traditional spot, Daytona International Speedway, to a short …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington

Denny Hamlin celebrates his win in the 2021 Southern 500 at Darlington. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Denny Hamlin won the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington on Sunday night (Sept. 5) after narrowly holding off Kyle Larson in the final corner. Larson, Ross Chastain, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @DennyHamlin on his #Southern500 win at @TooToughToTame! What a final corner …

Read more

Hendrick Motorsports Battered & Beaten at Darlington

Hendrick Motorsports Darlington Southern 500

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series regular season was dominated by Hendrick Motorsports, providing plenty of momentum heading into Sunday night’s (Sept. 5) playoff opener at Darlington Raceway.

But whatever momentum they carried into the postseason was largely wiped away over the course of 500 miles at The Lady in Black — at least for three of the organization’s four drivers.

NASCAR Nuggets: Cup Drivers Talk Playoffs, New Packages & New Teams

Kyle busch smiling at NASCAR Cup Michigan race, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Hours before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 28, 20 drivers of the NASCAR Cup Series stopped by the media bullpen to answer a few questions. One by one, Cup drivers stopped by the gates and spoke about the past, present and future of their careers. There were plenty …

Read more

4 Burning Questions: Who’ll Be Eliminated in Each Cup Playoff Round?

2021 regular season Cup champion Kyle Larson with trophy

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who will be eliminated in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs’ Round of 16? Michael McDowell has been disappointing in the second half of the regular season. He had a strong start to the season in addition to his Daytona 500 win, but he’s 28th in total points in the past 10 races among all Cup …

Read more

Up to Speed: Mistakes Plague Chase Elliott, No. 9 Team at Watkins Glen

2021 Watkins Glen Cup Chase Elliott Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

While no race in the NASCAR Cup Series guarantees a good finish for any driver, Chase Elliott had to feel confident about his chances at Watkins Glen International.  Elliott had won the last two races at The Glen, both during seasons in which Hendrick Motorsports was experiencing a bit of a slump.  Since his last …

Read more

5 Points to Ponder: The Rest of the 2021 NASCAR Season

Nascar Cup Series

#5: Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro HendrickCars.com

ONE: Which Hendrick Motorsports is for real? Hendrick Motorsports caught fire this summer, its best performance in the NASCAR Cup Series since Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were on the roster in 2014. From Dover International Speedway in May to the first Pocono Raceway event the end of June, HMS won six straight races and …

Read more