Race Weekend Central

The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Charlotte

2017 Nascar Monster Energy Cup Series, Charlotte

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/ NKP)

The stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returned to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the annual 600 mile marathon. Historically, the Coca-Cola 600 seems to generate first time winners a bit more often than most other events. From Jeff Gordon to Matt Kenseth, from Bobby Labonte to Casey Mears, more than a few drivers …

Read more

Kyle Larson Fastest in Final Charlotte Cup Practice

2017 Texas I Cup Kyle Larson Logan Whitton Nkp

(Photo: Logan Whitton/NKP)

Kyle Larson led the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ final practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway late Saturday morning (May 27) heading into Sunday’s Coca Cola 600. The driver of the No. 42 was able to get around the North Carolina circuit in 28.970 seconds and ran an average speed of 186.400 mph. Larson was trailed by …

Read more

Daily Fantasy NASCAR Hot Starts: Coca-Cola 600

2017 Kansas I Cup Kyle Larson Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to points competition Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the longest race on the schedule, the Coca-Cola 600. There were two cars unable to pass through pre-qualifying inspection in time to lay down a qualifying lap. Series points leader Kyle Larson will be starting at the back …

Read more

Did You Notice?: NASCAR Listening To Its Fans? With One Exception

2016 Charlotte I Cup Martin Truex Jr Jimmie Johnson Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Did You Notice? … The 2018 NASCAR Cup Series schedule features real change? The sport keeps saying they’re actively listening to fan feedback. Well, this time they’ve finally backed up those words with real action. I see some great long-term positives here that are hard to criticize after several years of nothing but the status quo. By switching around the …

Read more

The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After The All Star Race

2017 Charlotte All Star Cup Kyle Busch Burnout Rusty Jarrrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP)

The stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series headed home (for most of them) to Charlotte for the first of two consecutive weeks. First up: the All Star Race. Kyle Busch finally brought home a long sought-after Cup win at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Whether it was an exciting race is certainly open for interpretation. …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kyle Busch Snares Huge Victory to Shed Charlotte Monkey

2017 Charlotte All Star Cup Kyle Busch Celebrates John K Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson / NKP)

Who’s in the headline: Kyle Busch had won 15 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in national touring series but never once visited Victory Lane in a Cup car. That changed Saturday night when Busch made an aggressive move on the restart to begin the final segment and took the lead, holding on for the final 10 laps …

Read more

2017 Frontstretch Cup: Monster Energy All-Star Race Predictions

2016 Charlotte All Star Showdown Cup Green Flag Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Welcome to our tenth year of staff predictions! Each week, our experts attempt to tell you who the winner of each Cup race will be. Take a look to see who your favorite writers think will win it all (or at least score some points) this week! Think you can out-prognosticate our staff?  Leave your …

Read more

Kyle Larson Claims Pole Position For Monster Energy All-Star Race

2016 Pocono I Cup Kyle Larson Chad Johnston Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Kyle Larson said he almost changed out of his driver suit once he thought he no longer had a shot in qualifying Friday for the Monster Energy All-Star Race. Good thing he didn’t. Larson wound up not just advancing but thriving. He earned the pole position after qualifying concluded for Saturday night’s main NASCAR Cup Series …

Read more

Kyle Larson Spins, Still Tops All-Star Practice; Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch Have Problems

2017 Kansas I Cup Kyle Larson Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

NASCAR introduced a different tire compound this season for its Monster Energy All-Star Race. It quickly became clear in Friday’s lone All-Star practice session that the so-called “option” tire is lightning fast. Kyle Larson, who went for a spin early on, rebounded to set the pace in the session with a lap speed of 189.274 …

Read more

The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Kansas

2017 Kansas I Cup Martin Turex Jr Burnout Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series invaded the heartland this weekend to run the Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway. For Martin Truex Jr., the visit finally gave him the win that had so mercilessly eluded the driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota team the prior two years. Truex tore through the …

Read more

2017 Frontstretch Cup: Go Bowling 400 Predictions

2016 Kansas Ii Cup Matt Kenseth Kyle Busch Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Welcome to our 10th year of our NASCAR Frontstretch Cup staff predictions! Each week, our experts attempt to tell you who the winner of each Cup race will be. Take a look to see who your favorite writers think will win it all (or at least score some points) this week! Think you can out-prognosticate …

Read more

The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Talladega

2017 Talladega I Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr Pack Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

The high banks of Talladega Superspeedway were the site of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event this past weekend. The GEICO 500 brought much of what we’ve come to expect from the 2.66 mile tri-oval in Alabama. Close action. Different faces at the front of the field. Airborne cars. Enough bent sheet metal to …

Read more