Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Stat Sheet: Truex Back on the Radar After Richmond Win

Martin Truex Jr. is often a NASCAR DraftKings pick on road courses, seen here at Circuit of the Americas. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Much of the championship talk has centered around Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, the most dominant duo in the Cup Series this season. Larson has been a winning machine and Hamlin mind-bogglingly consistent. But while those two are at the forefront of most minds as they pursue their first Cup crown, a former champion reminded …

Read more

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Federated Auto Parts 400

#19: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops Red White Blue celebrates winning the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond. NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Federated Auto Parts 400? Joe Gibbs Racing as a whole demolished its competition on Saturday (Sept. 11), leading 326 laps as a team and running 1-2-3 at the finish. Martin Truex Jr. claimed the victory, his third in the last five Richmond Raceway events, and the …

Read more

Up to Speed: The Hendrick Motorsports Playoff Battle Begins Early

Hendrick Motorsports battles for position at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Earlier in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports looked like the team to beat as all four of its drivers had won a race by Memorial Day.  Kyle Larson was particularly impressive, winning three races in a row plus the non-points All-Star race.  But William Byron, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott all had their …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond

Martin Truex Jr at Richmond Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

What happened? Martin Truex Jr. won the Federated Auto Parts Salute to First Responders 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night (Sept. 11) after leading the final 51 laps. Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @MartinTruex_Jr on his WIN at @RichmondRaceway! His fourth win …

Read more

Frontstretch 2-Minute Drill: Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond

2019 NASCAR Cup starting grid

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Cup Series heads north to Richmond Raceway on Saturday (Sept. 11) for the second race of the first round of the playoffs. Brad Keselowski is the defending winner of September’s annual Federated Auto Parts 400 in the Commonwealth, but Alex Bowman came out of nowhere in the spring this year to become the …

Read more

Contenders? Pretenders? Too Early to Tell in NASCAR Cup Playoffs

2021 Darlington II pack Jared C Tilton Getty

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

If you checked the storylines leaving Sunday’s (Sept. 5) Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, you likely saw a smattering of NASCAR Cup Series playoff storylines and subsequent questions.  Are Kyle Busch, William Byron and others in jeopardy of falling by the wayside early on after their expedited exits in the postseason opener? What about Denny …

Read more

5 Points to Ponder: Can NASCAR & Hollywood Mix in L.A.?

2021 Darlington II pack Jared C Tilton Getty

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

1. NASCAR Racing in L.A. Coliseum? A Hollywood affair? The NASCAR world was caught by surprise with Monday’s (Sept. 6) Labor Day bombshell in The Athletic about a potential 2022 exhibition race in Los Angeles. According to sources in the story, the Busch Clash would be moved from its traditional spot, Daytona International Speedway, to a short …

Read more

Couch Potato Tuesday: Darlington Brings a Somewhat Normal Cup Broadcast With Extras

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battle in the closing laps of the 2021 Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Darlington Raceway is always an interesting place to watch a NASCAR Cup Series race. Yes, the 2021 Cook Out Southern 500 took over four hours to run, but that’s OK. Sit down and grab some popcorn for the Cup broadcast; the racing here takes a while. It also didn’t seem like there were 11 cautions …

Read more

NASCAR Stat Sheet: Denny Hamlin Delivers Darlington Victory

Denny Hamlin celebrates his win in the 2021 Southern 500 at Darlington. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Darlington Raceway has always been unique. From its humble beginnings, way back in 1950, it had a unique length (1.366 miles) and egg-like shape all its own. Now, on a schedule peppered with wide tracks that allow full throttle cornering, its narrow surface and unforgiving walls are about as different as anything you’ll see in …

Read more

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Cook Out Southern 500

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battle in the closing laps of the 2021 Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the Cook Out Southern 500? With the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season winding down, many wondered if we would ever talk about a Denny Hamlin victory this year. At times during the summer, his postseason bid was in jeopardy despite leading the points for several months. In the …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington

Denny Hamlin celebrates his win in the 2021 Southern 500 at Darlington. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Denny Hamlin won the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington on Sunday night (Sept. 5) after narrowly holding off Kyle Larson in the final corner. Larson, Ross Chastain, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five finishers. RETWEET to congratulate @DennyHamlin on his #Southern500 win at @TooToughToTame! What a final corner …

Read more