Race Weekend Central

Frontstretch Podcast: Cole Custer Opens Up on Darlington, Beer Bash & Buckshot

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway, which saw Erik Jones win his first race of the season. Is Jones’ No. 20 team a sneaky pick for Homestead-Miami Speedway? The playoff bubble intensified with a clash of battles between bubble drivers Clint Bowyer and Jimmie Johnson, as …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBCSN Stays Up Late at Darlington

2019 cup pack racing at Darlington sign cars blurry NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

I can only speak for myself, but this was one of the most tiring weekends in recent years that didn’t involve covering the Rolex 24 at Daytona. A Cup race that started nearly four hours late due to rain, combined with weekend edit responsibilities and a number of major sports car series we (read: I) …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Daniel Suarez Battling Teammate for Playoff Position

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss a fun weekend of short-track racing at Bristol Motor Speedway that saw Denny Hamlin edge out Matt DiBenedetto for the victory, though Matty D. won the hearts of many. With DiBenedetto announcing he won’t be returning to Leavine Family Racing in 2020, where are potential …

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NASCAR Mailbox: How Aggressive is Too Aggressive?

2019 Kentucky Ngots Ross Chastain Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If you think about it, the most exciting racing occurs as a result of driver aggression, with drivers dive-bombing their cars into corners, not sure if they will make it out the other end. If drivers get after it, and are constantly aggressive and making daring moves throughout the event, this always makes the race …

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The Frontstretch 5: Big Pieces to the Silly Season Puzzle

#38: David Ragan, Front Row Motorsports, Ford Mustang Mds Trucking

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The first big piece to the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series silly season puzzle was dislodged last week with the announcement that Matt DiBenedetto would not return to the No. 95 at Leavine Family Racing despite a career year for both driver and team. And while it’s likely that Christopher Bell will fall into …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Start the Dominoes

2019 Mencs Bristol Matt Dibenedetto Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Silly Season has finally officially kicked into gear for 2020 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, as last week it was announced that Front Row Motorsports’ David Ragan would be stepping back from full-time racing at season’s end, leaving the No. 38 open, and that Matt DiBenedetto would be one-and-done in the No. 95. …

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Clint Bowyer Has ‘Rebound Weekend’ at Bristol

2019 Mencs Bristol Clint Bowyer Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2019 season, prior to the Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, had not been kind to Clint Bowyer. Good fortune finally turned Bowyer’s way on Saturday night (Aug. 17), and he came away with seventh place. “All in all, it’s a good weekend for us,” Bowyer said. “It was kind of …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Landon Cassill Enjoying Time at StarCom, Open to Full-Time Xfinity Return

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss an entertaining weekend of racing at both Michigan International Speedway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Kevin Harvick picked up his second win of the season, both coming in the past four races. Meanwhile, it’s Denny Hamlin who’s the hottest driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Take Us Out to the Ballgame?

2019 Michigan Mencs Kevin Harvick Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On the sports calendar, August means the start of college football season, an excessive amount of golf on TV, and the hunt for baseball’s playoff positions winding down. NASCAR’s Gander Outdoors Truck Series solidified its playoff field with the regular season finale this weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Austin Cindric is looking like a possible …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2019 Consumers Energy 400

2019 Michigan Mencs Kevin Harvick Victory Celebration Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headline(s): Last week at Watkins Glen International, Chase Elliott repeated as the defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series winner at the road course. This week at Michigan International Speedway? Kevin Harvick, who won the 2018 edition of this race, scored his second 2019 win in four weeks in what turned into a fuel mileage …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Consumers Energy 400

2019 Phoenix I Cup Chris Buescher Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Once again, Kevin Harvick showed why he’s called The Closer, getting it done when it counted to win the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway for the second year in a row in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. This time, Harvick had enough speed …

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Up to Speed: Long Runs or Restarts?

Mencs Mis2 Start 081119

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

NASCAR competition at Michigan International Speedway revolves around two elements: long runs and restarts. Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race was no exception.  Long green-flag runs at the beginning and end of the race shuffled positions at a racetrack where passing has been notoriously difficult.  The middle offered a series of short runs broken …

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