Race Weekend Central

Xfinity Breakdown: Allmendinger’s Loose Wheel & Spin Aids Hemric’s Championship

2021 Xfinity Phoenix AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

With just over 20 laps to go in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway Saturday night (Nov. 6), Austin Cindric boasted a two-second lead. While the margin between him and second place shrunk a bit while navigating lapped traffic, the championship looked to be his to lose. Well, there’s an old saying: …

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Daniel Hemric Wins 1st Race & Xfinity Series Championship

2021 Xfinity Phoenix Daniel Hemric pre-race (Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images via NASCAR Media

Daniel Hemric tied a NASCAR record by finishing runner-up 10 times in his Xfinity Series career. With two turns left and a championship on the line, he wouldn’t settle for No. 11. Hemric nudged fellow title contender Austin Cindric out of the way, then won a drag race to the line to earn the 2021 …

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Daniel Hemric’s Championship Bid Alive After Run-in With Dead Deer

Daniel Hemric at Phoenix Raceway

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for NASCAR Media)

Daniel Hemric got a call from crew chief Dave Rogers around 9 a.m. Friday (Nov. 5) in Phoenix.

“Hey, I’m sure you’ve heard already,” Rogers said.

Hemric, who had been off his phone and “off the radar” during the buildup to the Xfinity Series’ championship race on Saturday (Nov. 6), hadn’t heard anything.

4 Burning Questions: Who’s Saying Goodbye After 2021?

2021 Kansas I Cup Ross Chastain Kurt Busch racing NKP

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

Who will win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship? John Hunter Nemechek enters Phoenix Raceway with the most wins on the season but as the fourth seed after just barely getting to this round after a late crash at Martinsville Speedway. Nemechek is probably the most aggressive driver of these four and will do …

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Friday Faceoff: Is This Hendrick Lineup Its Best Ever?

Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman Racing at Martinsville fall 2021, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Is this the most competitive Hendrick Motorsports has ever been? Luken Glover: One can certainly make that argument. It isn’t a head-and-shoulders advantage, but this NASCAR Cup Series season is right there as one of the best. If a HMS car wins this week, it will tie its 2007 record for the most single-season wins …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Is It Really All About Winning?

Daniel Hemric at 2021 NASCAR Xfinity race at Atlanta Motor Speedway NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

You hear it all the time. NASCAR’s current post-season format is designed around winning. It’s why TV commentators each week go on and on about the importance of stage points, finding ways to remind viewers that winning races, even for a driver with multiple race wins, matters a lot. The emphasis is all well and …

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Daniel Hemric Advances to Championship 4 But Falls Short at Martinsville: ‘I’m So Disappointed’

Daniel Hemric Martinsville 2021 Xfinity pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Everybody was thinking it. What would happen this time in the closing laps to prevent Daniel Hemric from winning his first NASCAR national series race? Besides a caution from future teammate Justin Haley, it was a joint decision from the No. 18 team that prevented him from challenging full bore for the win at Martinsville. “It’s …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Daniel Hemric Advances, But Late Caution Thwarts Another Victory

Daniel Hemric Martinsville 2021 Xfinity pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Austin Cindric and AJ Allmendinger each entered Saturday’s (Oct. 30) NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway 47 points above the cutline. Race smart and complete all the laps meant they were likely racing for a championship next weekend. After stage two, both received the notification they were locked in the Championship 4 race at …

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Noah Gragson Wins Martinsville, Clinches Championship 4 Berth

2021 Martinsville Ii Nxs Noah Gragson Woohoo Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Noah Gragson had to win to advance to the Championship 4 Saturday night (Oct. 30) at Martinsville Speedway, and was willing to do anything to win the Dead On Tools 250. After driving and willing his way to the lead, he faced challenges from Daniel Hemric passing him late and battled to retake the lead …

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Best Seat at the Track: Daniel McFadin Joins From Kansas Speedway

Danielmcfadinbsatt

Graphic: Jared Haas

Jared Haas is joined by Frontstretch senior editor Daniel McFadin from Kansas Speedway to discuss the weekend’s racing action. With Kyle Larson securing his Championship 4 spot last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the pair debate whether Larson will take it easy over the next two races or put the pedal to the metal. McFadin …

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