Race Weekend Central

Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Racing’s Hallowed Mausoleum

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the great cathedrals of auto racing, with over a century’s worth of events run there. One of the overlooked aspects of cathedrals, aside from their beauty, is that they are a little creepy at the same time. In the history of IMS, many racers have died while competing, making …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Blast From the Past

2019 Darlington throwback Cup weekend pack racing Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Tradition. That’s the theme of the Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway with the Bojangles Southern 500, and despite a start at 10 p.m. ET and not finishing until around 2 a.m., the full race distance was run before Hurricane Dorian could arrive. That commitment, whether in the stands or on the couch at home, deserves …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Bojangles Southern 500

2019 cup pack racing at Darlington sign cars blurry NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Erik Jones didn’t see the lead for the first time until there were under 100 laps to go, something that bodes well in a race where track conditions change. But to take the win, Jones had to battle Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson for the top …

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Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Pace Cup Practices at Darlington

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Monster Energy Cup Series drivers took to the track in a pair of practices preparing for Sunday’s (Sept. 1) Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Kurt Busch led opening practice with a fast single-lap speed of 171.261 mph, while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. topped the final session, going 168.845 mph. First Practice Busch was over …

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5 Points To Ponder: For the Last 12 NASCAR Cup Races of 2019

2019 Daytona Clash CUP Denny Hamlin Joey Logano racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Joe Gibbs, Roger Penske or “Other” In 2018, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series had the Big Three. But two-thirds of the way into 2019, it’s more like the Big Two. Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske have taken turns beating up on the competition this season. Right now, JGR has the upper hand, …

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Up to Speed: Has the Tide Turned in the Championship Battle?

2019 MENCS Sonoma Denny Hamlin Martin Truex Jr. Kyle Busch Ryan Blaney

(Photo: Danny Peters)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams got a rare break this weekend.  The sport’s premier division enjoyed its first off-weekend since mid-June.  At that time, the Cup Series ran 15 races of the 2019 season. The nine races following the June break have produced some exciting finishes, fresh story lines and new faces …

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The Frontstretch 5: Big Pieces to the Silly Season Puzzle

#38: David Ragan, Front Row Motorsports, Ford Mustang MDS Trucking

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The first big piece to the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series silly season puzzle was dislodged last week with the announcement that Matt DiBenedetto would not return to the No. 95 at Leavine Family Racing despite a career year for both driver and team. And while it’s likely that Christopher Bell will fall into …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Start the Dominoes

2019 MENCS Bristol Matt DiBenedetto Racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Silly Season has finally officially kicked into gear for 2020 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, as last week it was announced that Front Row Motorsports’ David Ragan would be stepping back from full-time racing at season’s end, leaving the No. 38 open, and that Matt DiBenedetto would be one-and-done in the No. 95. …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race

2019 Daytona I CUP Jimmie Johnson helmet NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Denny Hamlin won the race the right way by tracking down the leader with fewer than 15 laps to go and passing him cleanly to take the lead and eventually the win. After starting the weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway by winning the pole, Hamlin was in …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR FanDuel Forecast: Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race

2019 bristol zach catanzareti cup kurt busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

It’s short track racing under the lights, the way racing is meant to be, for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this weekend. The tour heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race on Saturday, Aug. 19. TV coverage will be provided by NBCSN. It wouldn’t be a race at …

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Beside the Rising Tide: August and Everything After

Kyle Busch, Erik Jones Battling for Lead Bristol

(Photo:: John K Harrelson / NKP)

I’ll spare you the sleigh bells, slurred toasts and hymns sung slightly out of tune, but for longtime, hardcore stock car racing fans, the argument can be made this is in fact the most wonderful time of the year. With Michigan out of the way, the magical mystery tour that is the 2019 Cup schedule …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2019 Consumers Energy 400

Rodney Childers and Kevin Harvick look on in 2019 Cup Michigan race. Photo: NKP

(Photo: NKP)

“Hello again, my old friend.” The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway Sunday, Aug. 11 for the Consumers Energy 400. As you may recall, the track is two miles long, but this time the PJ1 traction compound was applied to the outer lane closest to the wall. Cars will be equipped …

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