Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona

Ryan Blaney Celebrating in victory lane after winning 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup race at Daytona, Jared C Tilton/Getty Images

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

Ryan Blaney won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Saturday night (Aug. 28) in overtime under caution after a last-lap wreck on the backstretch.

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Ryan Preece at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 2019. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the Coke Zero Sugar 400? For the second week in a row, Ryan Blaney didn’t dominate a race. He merely placed himself in the right spot to pounce on a late restart.  Then, when carnage erupted behind him, the Team Penske driver capitalized with a win. Blaney’s third …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon battle for position in 2021 Daytona 500 Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After 25 points-paying races and six months of competition, we’ve reached the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings lineups prepped for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The race will air on Saturday night (Aug. 28) at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, so be …

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Fire on Fridays: Who’s Actually Got a Shot at the Cup Playoffs?

Matt DiBenedetto Tyler Reddick talk Watkins Glen

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s somewhat fitting that this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway has an elimination factor. After all, that’s usually the case at the season-opening Daytona 500, when the pre-race Duels set the lineup and a certain number of cars (four in 2021) are left on the sidelines come the big race on …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Require COVID-19 Vaccines for Garage Access?

2019 New Hampshire NXS BJ McLeod Motorsports Garage NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With the FDA approving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, should NASCAR require vaccinations for garage access? Luken Glover: No, it is not needed. Some drivers have voiced that a negative test should be all that is needed, and I agree with that. While I want the virus to be eradicated as much as the next person, it …

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Frontstretch 5: Biggest Do-Or-Die Drivers for Daytona

2021 Watkins Glen Matt DiBenedetto Tyler Reddick NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

This is it. Crunch time. Just one more race remains until the playoff field is set for the NASCAR Cup Series. And what could be a more unpredictable place for it to happen than Daytona International Speedway? Last year, Daytona held the regular season finale for the first time. Several drivers’ playoff dreams were fulfilled …

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5 Points to Ponder: RCR Drivers Cold, All Series’ Title Races Heat Up

AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric lead NASCAR Xfinity field at Michigan NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Richard Childress Racing didn’t capitalize on NASCAR Cup Series playoff opportunity RCR didn’t come out of Michigan International Speedway very well. Austin Dillon had arguably the best car he’s had all season and looked to be a contender for the win if he stayed on track. Unfortunately, his day ended right after taking the …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Gateway a Nightmare for FS1, Michigan Skewed by Finish

Pack racing in the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

This past weekend was the final split race weekend of the season. The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series teams were at Michigan International Speedway. Meanwhile, the Camping World Truck Series shared a bill at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway with the NTT IndyCar Series. The two venues brought in completely different races. FireKeepers Casino …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Ryan Blaney Carries Momentum to Michigan Win

Ryan Blaney wins the 2021 Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Ryan Blaney is in the midst of what may be the best year of his Cup Series career after winning Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. Blaney, whose father Dave made 473 Cup starts but never finished better than third, scored his second win of 2021. It’s the first time that the High Point, NC native …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Firekeepers Casino 400

Kurt Busch looks on at 2021 Cup Circuit of the Americas. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the race? When Ryan Blaney shot to the lead on the final restart, it was easy to think it wouldn’t stick. The final eight laps were the only ones he’d led all day, and he had the dominant Hendrick cars of William Byron and Kyle Larson behind …

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