Race Weekend Central

2019 NASCAR Driver Reviews: Kurt Busch

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

#1: Kurt Busch, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Monster Energy

While Kurt Busch‘s decision to leave Stewart-Haas Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019 wasn’t exactly stunning, it did seem a little like his return to Chevrolet would be a downgrade. But after the checkered flag flew at Homestead-Miami Speedway to close out the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series year, that turned out not to be …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR FanDuel Forecast: Ford EcoBoost 400

2019 Loudon Mencs Kurt Busch Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sunday (Nov. 17) will mark the final race of the NASCAR season, the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Four drivers will via for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship when the race begins live on NBC at 3 p.m. ET. When it comes to mile-and-a-half racetracks, the best one in the country …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Bluegreen Vacations 500 Edition

2019 Phoenix Mencs Denny Hamlin Walk Off Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It was do-or-die for Denny Hamlin at ISM Raceway last Sunday (Nov. 10), but the 38-year-old survived to claim a coveted spot in the Championship 4. Nearly a decade after his promising 2010 championship run and subsequent postseason collapse, can Hamlin finally find the keys to the championship trophy? Can Martin Truex Jr claim his …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Ross Chastain Focused on Present, Excited for Future, Texas 2-Step

Nascar Gander Outdoors Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss an interesting race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, which saw many drivers lose control of their cars in the traction compound as well as a dominating performance by Kevin Harvick. Denny Hamlin entered Texas 24 points above the cutline, but was one of the drivers to …

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5 Points to Ponder: Penske’s Power Move

2016 Daytona Ii Cup Roger Penske Champagne Logan Whitton Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Penske’s Power Move I think it’s fair to say that no-one — outside those directly involved — had any sense that we were going to have such a seismic announcement on the future of open wheel racing in the United States yesterday. The news, in case you missed it, was that after 74 years …

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Kurt Busch to Return to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020

2019 Roval Mencs Kurt Busch Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kurt Busch will return as the driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020, announced at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday (Nov. 2). Primary sponsor and outgoing NASCAR Cup Series title sponsor Monster Energy will also remain the primary sponsor. Both Busch and Monster Energy announced it is a multi-year extension. …

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Oscar Mayer Extends with Roush Fenway, Ryan Newman

2019 Las Vegas Mencs Ryan Newman Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Oscar Mayer has renewed its sponsorship with Roush Fenway Racing and Ryan Newman‘s No. 6 team, the team announced Wednesday, Oct. 30. The deal will run through the 2021 season for what’s being described as “multiple races” each season, beginning with the TicketGuardian 500k spring race at ISM Raceway on March 8, 2020. Oscar  Mayer …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Please Staple, Don’t Paper Clip

2019martinsvillemencsmartintruexjrcarcck

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Martinsville Speedway is the oldest track on the NASCAR circuit, but lately the tracks uniqueness has been entirely flattened by awful racing throughout the pack, marked by an inability to pass and one driver pulverizing the rest of the field. In this case, a snoozer of a race resulted in a Joe Gibbs Racing driver …

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NASCAR 101: Related Drivers in NASCAR

2016 Fontana Nxs Ty Dillon Austin Dillon Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

This column was all set. Perfect, even — the idea, that is. It was timely, fitting, whatever. Then Carson Ware dropped off the Gander Outdoors Truck Series entry list for this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. But you know what? Screw it. Doing it anyway. In the event that Ware returns to the entry list (until …

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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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Frontstretch Podcast: Chaos in Talladega, Austin Cindric Previews Round of 8

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss a chaotic weekend of racing at Talladega Superspeedway that saw Ryan Blaney clinch his spot into the Round of 8. Much like the Gander Outdoors Truck Series race on Saturday (Oct. 12), when Johnny Sauter got penalized for forcing Riley Herbst below the yellow line …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2019 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega

2019talladegamencspackcck

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headline(s): Having survived three big ones on Monday afternoon (Oct. 14) after an uneventful first stage Sunday, Ryan Blaney bested Ryan Newman by less than a foot coming to the line to score a season-saving victory that locked the No. 12 team into the Round of 8. It wasn’t without controversy, however, as Blaney …

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