Race Weekend Central

Fire on Fridays: Who Is Each NASCAR Cup Team’s Alpha Driver?

Ryan Blaney grits his teeth at LA Clash, Joey Logano smiles, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

A rundown of alpha drivers in each NASCAR Cup Series team.

Did You Notice?: If Kyle Larson Is in Chase Elliott’s Head?

2021 Kansas Ii Cup Kyle Larson Chase Elliott Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Chase Elliott‘s frustration with Kyle Larson boiling over at Auto Club Speedway this past weekend? Elliott was upset with Larson pinching him on the outside while fighting for the lead three-wide in the Wise Power 400, contact that damaged the No. 9 Chevrolet and inevitably led to a spin that took …

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Stat Sheet: Auto Club Speedway’s Comeback Weekend

Erik Jones leads the NASCAT Cup Series field at Auto Club Speedway, February 2022. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The month of February is all about the number two. It’s the second month of the year, Groundhog Day is celebrated on Feb. 2, plus this year marks the only time when we get the 2/22/22 date — and it happened on a Tuesday (Twosday?). And for NASCAR’s second week of racing at the 2-mile …

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Stock Car Scoop: Should NASCAR Still Convert Auto Club to a Short Track?

The NASCAR Cup Series field lines up for the start of the 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR put on a show in its return to Auto Club Speedway on Sunday (Feb. 27), with defending champion Kyle Larson coming to life late and claiming his first victory of 2022. After the Cup Series put on a show Sunday afternoon with a quality race, should NASCAR still convert the Fontana venue into a …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: NKP)

What happened? Reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson continued where he left off in 2021 by winning his first race of 2022 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 27. It is his second career NASCAR Cup Series win in the California-based circuit. Following close behind him was Austin Dillon, who held off Erik …

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Up to Speed: Kyle Larson & Chase Elliott Tangle at Fontana

2021 Phoenix Ii Cup Denny Hamlin Chase Elliott Kyle Larson Pit Road Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In their first year together as teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott mostly played nice.

Two races into the 2022 season? Not so much.

With 21 laps to go during Sunday’s race at Auto Club Speedway, both drivers had a shot at victory.

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway

The NASCAR Cup Series field lines up for the start of the 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Auto Club Speedway was the first intermediate track of the 2022 season and the first the NASCAR Cup Series has visited since Kansas Speedway last October. The result, though, wasn’t new at all.

Kyle Larson won the last intermediate track race of 2021 and he won the first of 2022 on Sunday (Feb. 27), taking the top spot in the WISE Power 400.

Kyle Larson Surges Late, Begins NASCAR Title Defense with Auto Club Win

Kyle Larson takes the checkered flag to win the WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway, 2/27/2022 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On Sunday (Feb. 27) at Auto Club Speedway, Kyle Larson’s No. 5 came to life late, and the defending champ held off all comers to win his first race of 2022 in the Wise Power 400 and open his title defense.