Race Weekend Central

5 Points to Ponder: 2019 NASCAR Playoffs All Chalk

#19: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops, #14: Clint Bowyer, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Haas Automation And #11: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Fedex Ground

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: NASCAR Playoffs All Chalk Martinsville Speedway marked the start of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8. Just two more races remaining until we have our Championship 4 lineup for Homestead-Miami Speedway. So far, Cinderella has yet to find a glass slipper. The theory going into the playoffs this season is …

Read more

Daniel Hemric Scores First Career Cup Series Pole at Kansas Speedway

2019 Kansas 2 Mencs Daniel Hemric Pole Award Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Daniel Hemric won his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole at Kansas Speedway. The rookie driver of the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet will lead the field to the green flag in the 2019 Hollywood Casino 400. NBC Sports broadcaster Jeff Burton told Hemric he had pole-winning speed, and Hemric proved him …

Read more

Brad Keselowski, Daniel Hemric Turn Fastest Laps in Cup Series Practice at Kansas

2019 Kansas 2 Mencs Brad Keselowski Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski and Daniel Hemric led the two practice sessions for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series on Friday (Oct. 18) at Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400. All 40 Cup Series cars turned a lap in the first practice, and Keselowski laid down the fastest lap in the final minutes with a speed …

Read more

Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: A Delaware Drive

2019 Dover Mencs Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

At this point of the NASCAR season, there aren’t really any surprises. The majority of the top-tier rides that are changing hands have been announced, and most of the action can be pretty accurately determined beforehand. The same group of drivers will be up front, while no one can pass anyone else on the track. …

Read more

Up to Speed: Richard Childress Racing Starting Over

2019 Mencs Bristol Austin Dillon Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Richard Childress Racing is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019.  Starting out as an owner/driver, Childress built his organization into one of the mightiest teams in NASCAR history.  His achievements with Dale Earnhardt at the wheel of the No. 3 Chevrolet are the stuff of legend. But as great as RCR has been over most …

Read more

Did You Notice?: Bubba Wallace Putting NASCAR in a Tough Spot

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Bubba Wallace has a history of confrontations in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series? We’ll start with the now, what everyone’s still talking about three days after the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. Sunday’s incident (Sept. 29) with Alex Bowman was easily his most serious to date. The two drivers made contact multiple …

Read more

Friday Faceoff: Where Will Daniel Hemric Be Racing in 2020?

2019 Talladega Cup Daniel Hemric Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Erik Jones faces a must-win situation this weekend to advance to the next round of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. What is the biggest hurdle between him and a win on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL? Adam Cheek: To put it simply, chaos and unpredictability. Erik Jones finished in the top 10 five out …

Read more

Frontstretch Podcast: William Byron Hopes to Make It Past Opening Round of Playoffs

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 weekend of playoff racing at Richmond Raceway that saw Martin Truex Jr. score his second consecutive victory. While Truex won, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Erik Jones was disqualified for failing post-race tech inspection for a rear toe issue. Instead of entering the Charlotte …

Read more

4 Burning Questions: Is Daniel Hemric About to Replace Chris Buescher?

2019 Talladega Cup Daniel Hemric Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What’s the latest Silly Season development? More Silly Season dominoes fell into place this week, with Richard Childress Racing announcing the departure of Daniel Hemric from the team. NEWS pic.twitter.com/t8qkuqrZl2 — RCR (@RCRracing) September 17, 2019 It has been a fairly rough Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie season for Hemric. The 28-year-old from Kannapolis, …

Read more

2-Headed Monster: Is Richard Childress Racing Wrong to Dismiss Daniel Hemric?

2019 Mencs Sonoma Daniel Hemric

Photo: Danny Peters

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series silly season has been pretty steady over the last couple of weeks. Last week, it was announced that Matt DiBenedetto will drive the No. 21 Ford in 2020, and this week it was announced that Daniel Hemric will not return to the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet next …

Read more

Did You Notice?: Daniel Hemric Never Won? Plus… Contact Leaves NASCAR In Critical Condition

2019 Talladega Cup Daniel Hemric Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? …. Daniel Hemric never won a NASCAR race? That’s the tough answer for critics crying foul over Richard Childress Racing’s decision Tuesday (Sept. 17) to release Hemric from his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ride at the end of the season. That’s a hard pill to swallow for a personable, energetic 28-year-old driver …

Read more

Richard Childress Racing, Daniel Hemric Parting Ways After 2019

2019 Mencs Bristol Daniel Hemric Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Richard Childress Racing announced it will release Daniel Hemric at the end of 2019, per a team statement. 2019 is Hemric’s first full-time season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. He has scored one top five, two top 10s and a best finish of third at Chicagoland Speedway. The team stated it exercised its …

Read more