Race Weekend Central

Team Penske Taps Austin Cindric to Drive No. 2 Cup Car in 2022

Brad Keselowski during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5/30/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Defending Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric will drive Team Penske’s No. 2 Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, the organization announced Thursday, July 15. Cindric, 22, will take over the ride from Brad Keselowski, as Team Penske confirmed that the 2012 Cup champion will depart the team to “pursue other opportunities.” Keselowski has …

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Justin Marks: ‘I Don’t Want to Get Over My Skis’ After Chip Ganassi Acquisition

2021 Cup Charlotte Daniel Suarez, No. 99 TrackHouse Racing Chevrolet (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

It may be hard to believe, but Justin Marks believes the growth of Trackhouse Racing “needs to be managed.” The timing of his own statement Wednesday (June 30) wasn’t lost on Marks. It came roughly half an hour after his team announced it had purchased all of Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR assets, effective at the …

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Did You Notice?: Team Penske Instability On the Rise with Brad Keselowski’s Departure

Roger Penske at Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2020 (Photo: IndyCar Media)

Roger Penske (Photo by: Joe Skibinski, courtesy of IndyCar Media)

Did You Notice?… Team Penske has gone from 2021 championship contender to a team that’s struggling to keep up? A slow unraveling at Ford’s top organization this season has taken place since news broke Brad Keselowski would be leaving the team in 2022 to become an owner/driver at Roush Fenway Racing. When that story broke, on …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Pocono Proves That Shorter Races Are Better Races

Pocono Raceway 2021

(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

I can’t believe Pocono had 500-mile races at one point. Do you think shorter races are better, especially when it comes to Pocono? – Brett P., Philadelphia, Pa. If you’ve read this column all year long, you know by now that I’m all for shortening everything. Trim the race lengths, trim the entire schedule, do …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Killer Bs Unleashed in Pocono As Bowman & Busch Capture Wins

Draftkings

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and Alex Bowman and Kyle Busch both lucked into victory lane last weekend at Pocono Raceway. For Bowman, the monumental task of holding off Kyle Larson proved first impossible, then unnecessary. As a flat tire finally ended the reign of the only driver to win in the …

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Dropping the Hammer: Road America’s 65-Year Cup Series Drought Ends

NASCAR at Road America

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After decades of waiting, Road America’s time has arrived. The four-mile road course in Elkhart Lake, Wis., will finally be graced by the presence of the top racing circuit in North America: the NASCAR Cup Series. Sunday, July 4’s inaugural … Hold on. *touches ear* We’re just receiving some new information into the newsroom. Sunday …

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Kyle Busch Saves Just Enough Fuel, Wins Pocono Stuck in 4th Gear

2021 Pocono II Cup Kyle Busch win NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Halfway through the Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday (June 27), Kyle Busch‘s day took what seemed like a downward turn. Busch suffered transmission problems and his car wouldn’t go up through the gears properly, forcing driver and team to stick the car in fourth gear for the remainder of the …

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Brad Keselowski to Roush Fenway ”Done Deal,” Reports Say

Brad Keselowski stands by his No. 2 Team Penske Ford at Kansas Speedway (May 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski’s deal to become a part owner and driver of Roush Fenway Racing is finished, according to reports from Sports Business Journal and FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass. The report was first released in May from Motorsport.com and stated Keselowski was offered the opportunity to become co-owner and drive the No. 6 car for the …

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2-Headed Monster: Will Brad Keselowski’s Struggles Continue in 2021?

Brad Keselowski NASCAR Phoenix 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2021 season has been an interesting one. There have been 17 races in the NASCAR Cup Series and Kyle Larson appears to be the clear-cut favorite to win the championship. Also noticeable is the struggles from Brad Keselowski and his No. 2 Team Penske Ford. Keselowski sat second in the points five races into …

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Passing the Torch to Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports

Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The rumor/news came out a week or so ago that Jeff Gordon was mulling leaving his broadcast gig for a bigger roll at Hendrick Motorsports. The most successful driver in HMS history, at least from a victory standpoint, and the man most people consider the face of the organization, outside of its founder, certainly had …

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Frontstretch 5: Wackiest NASCAR Moments at Pocono Raceway

2016 NASCAR Pocono

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With a memorable weekend at Nashville Superspeedway behind us, the main three NASCAR series will travel to Pocono Raceway this coming weekend to conclude the month of June. Nestled within the serene Pocono mountains in Pennsylvania, the lush, green atmosphere of the facility has made it a popular choice among fans for years. Pocono Raceway …

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Frontstretch 2-Minute Drill: Ally 400 at Nashville

2021 Nashville Cup Aric Almirola car NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sunday (June 20) marks the third of five tracks that the NASCAR Cup Series will visit for the first time in 2021. Bristol Dirt and Circuit of the Americas have passed while Road America and the Indianapolis road course lie ahead, but this weekend features a trip to the Music City for a 400-mile race …

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