Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Curbing Spending Would Be Good For NASCAR

2017 Watkins Glen Cup Michael Mcdowell Aric Almirola Racing John K Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John K. Harrelson/NKP)

Think Small Dale Earnhardt Jr. was addressing the media at Watkins Glen last weekend when the subject turned to driver contracts and salaries.  The NASCAR economic climate, as everyone knows has changed drastically in recent years.  When the NASCAR fad was at its height almost 20 years ago, corporate interest and driver income skyrocketed. For a while, that …

Read more

The Underdog House: Sponsorship Changes on the Horizon?

2017 Richmond I Cup Michael Mcdowell Pack Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Think Small With Target pulling out of motorsports after this year, it leaves just two NASCAR teams on the circuit using a single primary sponsor for all 36 races. Jimmie Johnson‘s No. 48 has backing from Lowe’s (and Kobalt Tools, manufactured and sold by the store) while the No. 11 run by Denny Hamlin has FedEx.  That leaves …

Read more

NASCAR 101: 10 Longest Winless Streaks Among Full-Time Cup Drivers

2017 Dover Cup Zach Catanzareti Paul Menard

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Few things are more gratifying than breaking a negative streak. Bear that in mind if you wondered why Kasey Kahne‘s victory in the Brickyard 400 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series last weekend found the driver and his team so elated in Victory Lane. Sure, it’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so a victory at the …

Read more

Overton’s 301 Entry List

2016 Loudon I Cup Matt Kenseth Pack Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

This weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to New England and “The Magic Mile” for the Overton’s 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There are 39 cars on the preliminary entry list, meaning the field will not be at full capacity once again. There aren’t many changes for this week, but there are a …

Read more

David Ragan Comes Up Short in Quest of Second Victory at Daytona

David Ragan Dis

(Photo: John K Harrelson / NKP)

David Ragan is known for his restrictor plate abilities. In 2011, he picked up his first-career victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway. Two years later, he was victorious at Talladega Superspeedway. On Saturday night, Ragan was in position to come home with yet another victory, clinching a playoff position …

Read more

Daily Fantasy NASCAR Forecast Powered by DraftKings: Coke Zero 400 Preview

2017 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Dale Earnhardt Jr.

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The daily fantasy NASCAR train is heading down south to Daytona this week. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero 400 this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. Cars hit the track today at 3:00 p.m. for first practice while Coors Light Pole Qualifying takes place Friday …

Read more

The Underdog House: NASCAR About to Get Silly?

2017 Kansas I Cup Michael Mcdowell Car Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

Think Small Track surfaces aren’t the inly thing heating up as summertime hits full swing.  NASCAR’s Silly Season is coming, and while so far, it’s been confined to rumblings and rumors, there’s potential for things to blow up.  While most of the speculation concerns the bigger teams in the sport, including who will fill the …

Read more

The Underdog House: NASCAR’s Vicious Cycle

2017 Dover I Cup Aj Allmendinger Pack Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Think Small It’s hard for small teams to get noticed.  This is something that’s been discussed over and over  and continues to create a vicious cycle for these teams: Lack of money leads to lack of performance, and lack of performance makes sponsors shy away, leading to a lack of money…you see the problem here? …

Read more

The Frontstretch 5: First-Time Winners In One Season

2011 Watkins Glen Cup Marcos Ambrose Woohoo Tyler Barrick Autostock Usa Via Nkp

(Photo: Tyler Barrick Autostock USA via NKP)

Trevor Bayne, Daytona 500, Wood Brothers Racing Blaney is the second driver in the last six years to get his first win driving one of the most iconic cars in the history of the sport. The other was Trevor Bayne, who had just turned 20 years old when he capitalized on a late-race mistake by …

Read more

Entry List: 2017 Go Bowling 400

2016 Kansas I Cup Kevin Harvick Racing Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

On Tuesday morning, NASCAR released the entry list for Saturday night’s Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway.  40 cars are entered this week, so no one will go home. There are a couple of changes to note.  Reed Sorenson moves back into the No. 15 for Premium Motorsports, replacing Joey Gase.  Gase finished a season-best …

Read more

5 Points to Ponder: Worth the Wait

2016 Kansas Ii Cup Matt Kenseth Kyle Busch Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

ONE: Great Attendance That was quite the turnout at Talladega Superspeedway, wasn’t it? And for this reporter at least that was manna to the soul. Okay, it’s fair to say a good proportion of folks were in attendance for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s penultimate race on the treacherous high banks. But even with that boost it …

Read more

The Underdog House: Small Teams Impress at Talladega

2017 Talladega I Cup Cole Whitt Car John K Harrrelson Nkp

(Photo: John K. Harrelson/NKP)

Think Small This past weekend’s action at Talladega illustrated again what can happen when the racing is more in the hands of the drivers. There were several different names at the top eager to display their talent.  Aric Almirola nearly pulled off the weekend double, and David Ragan overcame crash damage to finish in the …

Read more