Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Martinsville NASCAR Playoff Race

#48: Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Ally celebrates winning the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville.

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Alex Bowman won the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Sunday (Oct. 31) after bumping Denny Hamlin out of the way and surviving an overtime restart. Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr. and William Byron rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @Alex_Bowman on his WIN at @MartinsvilleSwy! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/qNd6DVbKpO — NASCAR on …

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Stock Car Scoop: Will Halloween Chaos at Martinsville Carry Into Phoenix?

Denny Hamlin is spun by Alex Bowman in turn 3 during Martinsville Speedway's Xfinity 500. (Photo: Getty Images)

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The NASCAR Cup Series’ penultimate race of the 2021 season at Martinsville Speedway concluded with Alex Bowman spinning Denny Hamlin to win his fourth race of the year. The Xfinity 500 saw four drivers eliminated on Sunday (Oct. 31) as the field was set for the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix Raceway. The Frontstretch podcast …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Xfinity 500

Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin talk on pit road before the 2021 Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images)

(Photo: Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Who … should you be talking about after the Xfinity 500? 2021 has been a breakout year for Alex Bowman. The 28-year-old posted three early wins and advanced to the Round of 12 in this year’s playoffs before stumbling a bit. At Martinsville Speedway, he put an exclamation point on the deal after a late-race …

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Up to Speed: Denny Hamlin Needs to Let it Go

Denny Hamlin scratches his head on pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin doesn’t have to be happy.  He doesn’t have to like getting spun by Alex Bowman in the closing laps at Martinsville Speedway.  He doesn’t have to celebrate missing out on a potential win during a 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season where he has enjoyed plenty of strong runs, but few victories. No, Hamlin …

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Alex Bowman Bumps Denny Hamlin From Lead at Martinsville, Claims 4th Win of 2021

#11: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry FedEx Ground confronts race winner #48: Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Ally after the checkered flag

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On Halloween afternoon at Martinsville Speedway, Alex Bowman bumped Denny Hamlin late in the race to set up an overtime restart and his fourth win of the season in the NASCAR Cup Series. Spooky vibes didn’t pervade the Xfinity 500 Sunday (Oct. 31) until late, when cautions started flying faster than the cars were running …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 NASCAR Charlotte ROVAL

Kyle Larson celebrates his victory in the 2021 bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kyle Larson won the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday (Oct. 10) despite early mechanical issues. Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @KyleLarsonRacin on his WIN at the @CLTMotorSpdwy ROVAL! "I did not see us winning. Way …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Bank of America ROVAL 400

Chris Buscher pilot the No. 17 Fastenal Ford in the 2021 Bank of America ROVAL 400. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the race? Is Kyle Larson the most talented driver in the NASCAR Cup Series? He has some stiff competition in that department, but the 2021 season has left little question that Larson is among today’s elite drivers. He learned to close races, and once he did, he …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

Bubba Wallace lead a pack cars in the 2021 Yellawood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Bubba Wallace won the weather-shortened YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday (Oct. 4) after rain halted the race, 117 laps into the 188-lap event. Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch and Christopher Bell rounded out the top five finishers. FIRST WIN for @BubbaWallace! Taking that hardware home from @Talladega! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/VbefdK4h5X — …

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Hendrick Teammates Alex Bowman, William Byron In Must-Win Situation After Talladega Crashes

Alex Bowman's damaged car is towed to the garage during the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, 10/4/2021 (Photo: Phil Allaway)

(Photo: Phil Allaway)

LINCOLN, Ala. – Talladega Superspeedway is a tricky place to race in general.  Add the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs to the equation and it just churns your stomach. For Hendrick Motorsports teammates Alex Bowman and William Byron, they’re feeling a little stomach sick this evening. Talladega effectively derailed their championship hopes going forward, barring a …

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Zach’s Turn: William Byron Faces Déjà Vu as Playoffs Bring More Trouble

William Byron

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

William Byron had to dig deep at Bristol Motor Speedway to pull himself above the playoff cut line and advance to the Round of 12. But another round has brought another points hole for Byron to crawl out of after a night of missteps that led him to an 18th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Round of 12 Brings Heavy Playoff Focus to Las Vegas

NASCAR racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, September 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Las Vegas Motor Speedway began the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and things got a little more serious since it is likely to be the least looney race of the round. Even with fewer intermediate tracks in the playoffs now, it’s still critical to put up a decent finish here since …

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