Race Weekend Central

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Ryan Preece at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 2019. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the Coke Zero Sugar 400? For the second week in a row, Ryan Blaney didn’t dominate a race. He merely placed himself in the right spot to pounce on a late restart.  Then, when carnage erupted behind him, the Team Penske driver capitalized with a win. Blaney’s third …

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Frontstretch 2-Minute Drill: Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona

Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup 2021 pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Daytona International Speedway looms large in the windshields of NASCAR Cup Series drivers on Saturday night (Aug. 28). The track will host the 26th and final race of the regular season. 2021 marks the second time the superspeedway has held the cutoff race for the playoff field, and the final spot is down to the …

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Stock Car Scoop: Can Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Win His Way Into the Playoffs at Daytona?

2020 Daytona NCS Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Face NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s crunch time for the NASCAR Cup Series, as the field heads to Daytona International Speedway for the conclusion of the 2021 regular season. Tyler Reddick currently holds the final playoff berth, but could a past superspeedway winner like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. pull off a clutch win? Will the race be tame or will chaos …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Require COVID-19 Vaccines for Garage Access?

2019 New Hampshire NXS BJ McLeod Motorsports Garage NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With the FDA approving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, should NASCAR require vaccinations for garage access? Luken Glover: No, it is not needed. Some drivers have voiced that a negative test should be all that is needed, and I agree with that. While I want the virus to be eradicated as much as the next person, it …

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2-Headed Monster: Is 2021 a Career-Defining Year for Ryan Blaney?

2021 Michigan Cup Ryan Blaney woohoo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

At Michigan International Speedway on Sunday (Aug. 22), it was a Ford vs. Chevrolet duel to the finish, as you would expect it to be an hour outside of The Motor City. Perhaps more telling, it was perhaps a glimpse into the future of what rivalries will look like in the sport, with Ryan Blaney …

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Kyle Larson Starts on Cup Pole at Daytona

Kyle Larson during the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, 8/22/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Cup Series’ regular season finale is this weekend and Kyle Larson will lead the field to green at Daytona International Speedway. The points leader placed third at Michigan International Speedway last Sunday, helping him secure the pole position for Saturday night’s (Aug. 25) race. His Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron will start alongside …

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5 Points to Ponder: RCR Drivers Cold, All Series’ Title Races Heat Up

AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric lead NASCAR Xfinity field at Michigan NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Richard Childress Racing didn’t capitalize on NASCAR Cup Series playoff opportunity RCR didn’t come out of Michigan International Speedway very well. Austin Dillon had arguably the best car he’s had all season and looked to be a contender for the win if he stayed on track. Unfortunately, his day ended right after taking the …

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Stock Car Scoop: Is Ryan Blaney Becoming a Title Contender?

Ryan Blaney

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series finally returned to oval racing this week, with 40 cars taking to the track at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday (Aug. 22) afternoon and it was Ryan Blaney who held off the field for his second win of the season. Does this win put him in position to be a …

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Up to Speed: How Badly Does Denny Hamlin Need a Win?

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If Denny Hamlin can take any solace from his last two races, it’s that he has been close to victory lane.  During the closing laps of last weekend’s race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Hamlin had the checkered flag in sight.  The same was true for Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway.  But …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Firekeepers Casino 400

Kurt Busch looks on at 2021 Cup Circuit of the Americas. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the race? When Ryan Blaney shot to the lead on the final restart, it was easy to think it wouldn’t stick. The final eight laps were the only ones he’d led all day, and he had the dominant Hendrick cars of William Byron and Kyle Larson behind …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

2021 Michigan Cup Ryan Blaney trophy Sean Gardner Getty

(Photo: NASCAR via Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

What happened? Ryan Blaney won the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan on Sunday (Aug. 22) after leading the final eight laps, holding off William Byron in the closest finish ever at Michigan. Byron, Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-five finishers.  Winning is fun. Ryan @Blaney soaked it all in after …

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Ryan Blaney Scores 1st Multi-Win Cup Season With Michigan Win

Ryan Blaney celebrating after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, 8/22/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Ryan Blaney used a late charge on a restart after rain, crashes and more to score the win in Sunday’s (Aug. 22) FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, his second victory of 2021 and first since Atlanta Motor Speedway in June. Blaney fended off a charge from Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron and Kyle …

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