Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice? … In NASCAR, Timing Is Everything

Yellow Flag: Caution

(Photo: Frontstretch.com)

Did You Notice? … Timing is everything these days? In the past two weeks, we’ve seen when officials throw the yellow flag make a difference. There was the debris caution at Sonoma, thrown at a point where Tony Stewart was able to catch a lucky break on track position. Then, there was the final lap …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Predicting the Future

2106 Sonoma CUP Tony Stewart helmet Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

With a new aerodynamic package added to the mix in 2016, many things have remained the same. The same core of organizations are winning races, ultimately dominating the sport. Could there be a change in the near future? Familiar foes are near the Chase cutoff, and it’s something that those drivers and teams are accustomed to, …

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The Frontstretch 5: Winless Drivers Who Could Surprise at Daytona

2016 Phoenix I CUP Clint Bowyer Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

For the second week in a row, the Sprint Cup Series is visiting a track where the usual suspects aren’t the only options as the equality of the cars puts a large percentage of the race in the drivers’ hands. There’s a good chance the series could see its 11th different winner of 2016 and, while Dale …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Inside Tony Stewart’s Stunning Sonoma Victory

2106 Sonoma CUP Tony Stewart woohoo close John Harrelson NKP

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Friday, Tony Stewart said, “driving a Sprint Cup car does not make me happy right now.” Wonder how he feels after a trip to Victory Lane? Based on that winning look on his face my guess is “ecstatic” after a last-lap, last-turn re-pass of Denny Hamlin earned Smoke his first victory since Dover in June 2013. …

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Daily NASCAR Fantasy: Drafting Your Michigan Lineup (FireKeepers Casino 400)

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Pocono

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway on June 12th for the FireKeepers Casino 400. NASCAR has implemented a new low downforce package for this weekends’ race, which will test each and every driver’s skill around the fast two-mile track. Earlier in the week, the Sprint Cup Series saw its ninth different …

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Double Take: Michigan Success in June Doesn’t Lead to Cup Titles

Want to win the Sprint Cup championship this season? Don’t win this weekend at Michigan. That’s right – don’t win. Super counterintuitive, I know. Today’s NASCAR is all about winning. Win to make the Chase. Win to appease sponsors. Win to advance in the Chase. And win to take home the title. Winning is great, …

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5 Points to Ponder: Another Winless Streak Falls

kurt busch

[Photo: Zach Catanzareti]

ONE: The Outlaw Back in Victory Lane Kurt Busch took his 28th career victory Monday in the rain-delayed Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400, leading 32 laps before taking his third career victory at the Tricky Triangle. It was Busch’s first trophy earned there in nine years, a key moment in a season that had been quietly building …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Pocono Edition

2016-Charlotte-I-CUP-MArtin-Truex-Jr-confetti-Russell-LaBounty-NKP

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

The best day in auto racing gave us two differently distinct types of races, but the final results brought about similar feelings. There was awe in how a rookie could save so much fuel, snookering several top-notch IndyCar teams and competitors down the stretch. The awe we felt with Martin Truex, Jr. reaching Victory Lane was connected to dominance; …

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The Frontstretch 5: Drivers Who Need a Good Night In The Coca-Cola 600

2016 Fontana CUP KAsey Kahne Brett Moist NKP

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

Roush Fenway Racing (Plus 1) RFR has left little doubt they’re turning things around in 2016; why not continue that in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600?  Once one of NASCAR’s biggest power players, RFR has fallen from grace in recent years and the last couple of seasons have been defined by struggle.  It makes this team’s turnaround …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Joey Logano Makes Late-Race Pass to Claim First All-Star Victory

2016 Charlotte All Star CUP Joey Logano champagne John Harrelson NKP

Who’s in the headline – The No. 22 of Joey Logano was festooned with a myriad of pictures from the 50 years of Team Penske. On a full moon Saturday night, the collective spirits of all of the drivers who have piloted a car for “The Captain” rode along with Logano as he navigated the …

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Kasey Kahne, Others Penalized After Dover

2016 Dover I CUP Kasey Kahne racing Nigel Kinrade nKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Wednesday was a busy day for NASCAR penalties. The biggest penalty was levied to the No. 5 team of Kasey Kahne, who received a P3 penalty for illegal truck arms found following the race weekend at Dover. Crew chief Keith Rodden was fined $25,000 and the team lost both 15 drivers and owners points. Kahne …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: A Monstrous Matt Kenseth Comeback

2016 Dover I CUP Matt Kenseth Jason Ratcliff trophy Matthew T Thacker NKP

Who’s in the headline – The 2016 season has been anything but stellar for Matt Kenseth. After a near miss at Daytona he’s only managed one top 5 finish before Sunday, and that as a fourth last weekend at Kansas. Sunday Kenseth was in the mix but didn’t look like he’d be in contention for …

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