Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice?: Joe Gibbs Racing Could Set NASCAR Records

2019 Mencs Sonoma Joe Gibbs

(Photo: Danny Peters)

Did You Notice? … Joe Gibbs Racing has a shot to send three of its four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers into the 2019 Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway? It’s a feat that’s never been accomplished by any organization since the current format came into play in 2014. JGR currently holds the record as the …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Hollywood Casino 400 Edition

2019 Dover Mencs Denny Hamlin Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin may be having his best year yet. After picking up another victory last weekend at Kansas Speedway, Hamlin has the second-most wins of any driver this season and currently sits third on the playoff grid. Often regarded as the best active driver to not win a championship, can Hamlin finally erase his “bridesmaid” …

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Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer Top Cup Series Practice Charts at Talladega

2019 Talladega Denny Hamlin Racing Christian Koelle

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer led the two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice sessions on Friday (October 11) afternoon for the 1000Bulbs.com 500. Hamlin was fastest in the first 50-minute practice at 204.904 mph. Kevin Harvick was second with a speed of 203.688, and Kyle Busch, who had mechanical issues early in practice, was …

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5 Points to Ponder: Chevrolet Making a Late Push After Dismal 2019

2019 Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Playoffs Chevrolet Drivers Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Don’t Look Now, But Here Comes Chevrolet Chase Elliott’s comeback wasn’t the only big moment for the Bowtie Brigade Sunday (Sept. 29) at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Two of its bubble drivers, William Byron and Alex Bowman, made it through after rollercoaster first-round performances. In Bowman’s case, …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: The ROVAL Struck

2019 Roval Mencs Chase Elliott Victory Lane Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Charlotte ROVAL did its best to resemble The Lady in Black during the race weekend. Ten caution flags flew during the Bank of America ROVAL 400. But when the checkered flag flew, Chase Elliott was victorious and four drivers saw their championship hopes end as the Round of 16 concluded. Bubba Wallace and Alex …

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Up to Speed: The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL Delivers, Again

2019 Roval Mencs Start Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two years ago, when Charlotte Motor Speedway announced that its fall race would be held on something called a “ROVAL,” the decision was met with a fair amount of skepticism.  Would big, bulky stock cars put on a good show at an infield road course?  And was it really a good idea to have such …

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Chase Elliott Wrecks, Then Wins in Wild One at Charlotte Roval

2019 Roval Mencs Chase Elliott Victory Celebration Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Elliott bounced back from a mistake at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL to take home the victory and lock himself into the next round of the playoffs. The elimination race for the first round of the postseason had its share of game-changing moments, among them race leader Elliott locking the brakes and sliding into …

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4 Burning Questions: Is Corey LaJoie About to Get His Big Break?

2017 Kansas Ii Cup Corey Lajoie Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

Is the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL the wildest of cards in a playoff format that also includes races at Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway? Yes. No, but really. Until about two or three years from now, the ROVAL will be the greatest unknown. Anything can happen, and the only thing we know for absolute certain …

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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 …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR Feels Later Is Better When It Comes To Scheduling

2019 NASCAR Cup starting grid

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Not a single Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race in 2020 will start earlier than 2 p.m. ET? The idea of a 1 p.m. ET start appears to have gone the way of the dodo bird. The last race originally scheduled for that early in the day was a playoff race at …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Federated Auto Parts 400 Edition

2019 NASCAR Cup starting grid

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In a throwback to the 1985 Indianapolis 500, Martin Truex Jr. did his best impression of Danny Sullivan’s “spin and win” as the New Jersian took the top step of the podium at Richmond Raceway for his second consecutive victory. Can Truex make it three-for-three in the first round of the playoffs this weekend at …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Playoffs Underway

2019 Richmond Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Burnout Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

All three major NASCAR national touring series’ playoffs are underway with at least one playoff race completed. The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series already has finished its Round of 8 and its opening Round of 6 race at Talladega Superspeedway isn’t until October 12. The Monster Energy Monster Energy Cup Series and Xfinity Series raced …

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