Race Weekend Central

5 Points to Ponder: 2021 NASCAR Manufacturer Parity Among Ford, Chevy & Toyota

All three NASCAR manufacturers (Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota) battle at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: NKP) Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, Chase Elliott

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1: NASCAR manufacturer parity … At the top 12 races into the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, it’s clear three organizations have separated from the rest of the pack. Joe Gibbs Racing (with Darlington Raceway winner Martin Truex Jr.), Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports are the sport’s new Big 3, sweeping 10 of the top …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Goodyear 400 at Darlington

Martin Truex Jr. celebrates in victory lane with trophy after Goodyear 400 throwback Darlington weekend 2021 spring Cup Chris Graythen/Getty

(Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

What happened? Martin Truex Jr. won the Goodyear 400 at Darlington on Sunday (May 9) after leading 248 of 293 laps for his third win of the 2021 season. Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, William Byron and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-five finishers at NASCAR’s Throwback Weekend. One of the best burner-outers in the game …

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NASCAR Mailbox: The Tire Seen ‘Round the World (or Infield) at Kansas

2021 Kansas I Cup General View Of Field James Gilbert Getty

Does NASCAR legitimately think they did the right thing by throwing the yellow for that tire sitting on the edge of the infield? What a joke. — Louis K., Reno, Nevada Full disclosure: I was with you, Louis, as it was going down. I thought it was blatant race manipulation and so infuriating to let …

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3 Cup Teams Penalized After Kansas, Truck Engineer Reinstated

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Three teams received penalties following Sunday’s (May 2) NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, all for lug nut-related issues. Penalties were given to the Nos. 1, 17 and 22 teams of Kurt Busch, Chris Buescher and Joey Logano, respectively, after failing post-race inspection. As a result, crew chiefs Matt McCall, Luke Lambert and Paul …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Kyle Busch Takes the Cake on His Birthday

Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick get ready for the Buschy McBusch Race 400 at Kansas Speedway, May 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In 2009, Kyle Busch became the first driver since Cale Yarborough in 1977 to win a Cup race on his birthday. However, after winning this weekend at Kansas Speedway, Busch is the only driver in series history who is undefeated on his special day. Since Busch joined the Cup tour in 2005, a race has …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 GEICO 500 at Talladega

#2: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Mustang MoneyLion, #37: Ryan Preece, JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Kroger/Reese’s, #4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Busch Dog Brew, #10: Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Smithfield, #23: Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, Toyota Camry DoorDash

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Brad Keselowski won the GEICO 500 at Talladega on Sunday (April 25) after leading just one lap all day. William Byron, Michael McDowell, Kevin Harvick and Matt DiBenedetto rounded out the top-five finishers. No stopping @keselowski today! The No. 2 car is going back to Victory Lane at @TALLADEGA! pic.twitter.com/LlyRDphhNZ — NASCAR (@NASCAR) …

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3 Drivers Return to Nashville for 2nd Tire Test

2011 Nationwide Nashville

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kurt Busch, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe will head back to Nashville Superspeedway Tuesday and Wednesday, April 20-21, FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass tweeted April 19. They will perform a second tire test to confirm the tire that will be used when the NASCAR Cup Series runs at Nashville in June. The trio first tested Goodyear …

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NASCAR Mailbox: What’s Wrong With Ross Chastain?

Nascar Cup Series

#42: Ross Chastain, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Clover

What’s up with Ross Chastain? He spun out Brad Keselowski and Erik Jones this past week and doesn’t seem to be living up to expectations this year. — Rick G., Davie, Florida It’s a real shame Chastain hasn’t run better this year. An all-around nice guy who people seem to root for easily, he’s paid …

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Up to Speed: A Rare Bad Day at Martinsville for Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski Autotrader No. 2 Penske car at Martinsville spring Cup race

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As usual, Martinsville Speedway dished out a healthy dose of chaos for the NASCAR Cup Series.  A wet Saturday night delayed all but the opening laps of the race until Sunday afternoon.  But while the skies had cleared by Sunday, a storm brewed on the track. Fifteen cautions took their toll on the field, including …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville

2021 Martinsville I Cup Martin Truex Jr Celebrates In Victory Lane Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Martin Truex Jr. won the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville on Sunday (April 11) after a late pass for the win over a dominant Denny Hamlin. Chase Elliott, Hamlin, William Byron and Kyle Larson rounded out the top five finishers. 2️⃣9️⃣ ? for the 1️⃣9️⃣@MartinTruex_Jr | @JoeGibbsRacing pic.twitter.com/72DhiLHWWL — NASCAR (@NASCAR) …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR Team Orders Creeping Into 2021

2021 Trucks Atlanta Kyle Busch, No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota, Burnout (Credit: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … The way in which teammates helped each other out at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend (March 20-21)? The most obvious example came in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where Kyle Busch twice slowed down in the final laps of a stage to let John Hunter Nemechek pass by and win. In …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta

2021 Atlanta I Cup Ryan Blaney Victory Lane Nkp

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

What happened? Ryan Blaney won the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday (March 21) after passing Kyle Larson with eight laps to go for the victory. Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @Blaney on his first win of 2021! …

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