Race Weekend Central

Power Rankings: Here Come the Playoffs Edition

2020 Daytona Ncs Kevin Harvick Regular Season Champion Nascar Media

(Photo: NASCAR Media)

It’s amazing how much has changed in all the many years since I started following NASCAR as a kid back in the late 1960s and ’70s. Thankfully, the racing is much safer. Can I hear a “Hallelujah” that we get live races every week? But one curious development is that back in the day, finishing …

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Up to Speed: Kyle Busch Will Miss Having Playoff Points in 2020

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Busch experienced another frustrating finish to a promising race on Saturday night.  At Daytona International Speedway, in the last race of the regular season, Busch led for a total of 31 laps.  He was near the front of the pack late in the race and had a good shot at scoring a win.  But …

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NASCAR Mailbox: What Effect Does Jimmie Johnson’s Success Have on Rest of Hendrick Motorsports?

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Jimmie Johnson has been the core of Hendrick Motorsports for so many years, at least since Jeff Gordon’s departure. But even before that, he could be considered better than Gordon was. Throughout his struggles over the last few seasons, Hendrick Motorsports as a whole has not had a stellar run. But the last two weeks, …

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Power Rankings: Dover Double Take Edition

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(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Can anyone explain the logic of holding a doubleheader at the Monster Mile with the second race going head-to-head with the Greatest Spectacle in Auto Racing, the Indianapolis 500? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler? The good news is that NASCAR saw fit to give the NASCAR Cup Series guys more power and less downforce at Dover …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2020 Drydene 311s

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Cup Series heads up north to the Monster Mile for a full weekend of racing, giving you double the chances to win big bucks in your NASCAR DraftKings contests. Both Drydene 311 events at Dover International Speedway on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23, will air at at 4 p.m. ET on NBC Sports …

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Power Rankings: Double the Fun Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The week’s Power Rankings is almost guaranteed to get at least one “OK Boomer” comment, but I can’t help it that I have been around for so long. The Wrigley Chewing Gum company should sponsor Kevin Harvick, because he doubled his pleasure and doubled his fun last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. In the process, …

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5 Points to Ponder: NASCAR’s Early Stages Turning Into Snoozers, Plus… Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell won at the Daytona Road Course in 2021 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Christopher Bell’s Big Step Up The worst-kept secret in the NASCAR Cup Series was made official Monday (Aug. 10): Christopher Bell is getting promoted to Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20. The move was considered a mere formality after NASCAR owner Bob Leavine announced the sale of the No. 95 Toyota team Bell currently drives …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Silly Season Heating Up, Cole Custer Chats Successful Rookie Campaign

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(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss a fun NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that saw Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin duke it out for the victory. Meanwhile, Martin Truex Jr. had a solid day at the track, while his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch finished last. …

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Power Rankings: Dedication to Bob Bahre Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Despite a ho-hum finish, NASCAR’s Cup division put on a great race at the Magic Mile to properly honor the late great Bob Bahre. The selective painting of the traction compound seemed to do the job, allowing drivers to run all over the racetrack. Let’s take a look at the Power Rankings after the 301-lap …

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Up to Speed: What is William Byron’s NASCAR Ceiling?

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

William Byron is back in familiar territory.  One year ago, 20 races into the regular season, he was 12th in overall points and fighting to solidify a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.  Holding a 61-point advantage over the cutline leaving New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Byron continued his rebound from a rough start to …

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Power Rankings: Racing Gods Have Spoken Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Racing Gods sure have a wicked sense of timing. Last week, the racing community lost a great racing promoter in Bob Bahre. This week, NASCAR heads to the track that he was responsible for making happen. Mr. Bahre was so important to New England racing in general and to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in …

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Did You Notice?: 2020 NASCAR Midseason Awards

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(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

When I was a NASCAR reporter for SI.com, I used to do a midseason segment called “The Bowlesy Awards” that evaluated the NASCAR Cup Series from time to time. We’re bringing them back here in 2020, with a little refresh, as NASCAR midseason awards while taking a closer look at where the sport stands five …

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