Race Weekend Central

Kyle Busch Sneaks by Martin Truex, Jr. for Texas Sweep

Get out the broom because Kyle Busch has done it again. Following a late-race pass on Martin Truex, Jr. on the final restart, Kyle Busch won the Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway after leading just 34 laps. Busch wins for the second straight week in the Sprint Cup Series and fourth straight race …

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Martin Truex Jr. Fastest in Opening Practice at Texas

Martin Truex Jr Martinsville Cup 2016 Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

With just over a minute to go in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series opening practice of the weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, Martin Truex, Jr. posted a lap at 192.892 mph boosting him to the top of the scoring pylon. The No. 78 car was the only Toyota in the top 10 on the speed charts …

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Up To Speed: 2015 Winners Who Are Still Looking for First Win of 2016

2016 Fontana Cup Matt Kenseth Car Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist / NKP)

With this now the third year of the elimination Chase-style format, it’s easy to forget how early we still are in the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Four winners in five races (Jimmie Johnson has managed to notch two victories) means that there are four drivers who are all but locked into the Chase once …

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Up To Speed: Tempers Flare and Insults Fly Following Action-Packed Auto Club 400

2016 Phoenix I Cup Joey Logano Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

I’ve said before that it’s rare that fans and competitors alike agree on anything, let alone nearly unanimous on the quality of a product. However, this is becoming more the case week in and week out. With few exceptions, the drivers are happy with the new package, the fans enjoy the racing it produces, and …

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Friday Faceoff: Good Races or Good Finishes?

2016 Phoenix I Cup Kasey Kahne Ryan Blaney Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

After Martin Truex, Jr. said that his team would communicate with suspended crew chief Cole Pearn via FaceTime at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR announced it’s looking for way to limit communication with suspended crew members.  Is this something that needs to be done, or is remote communication enough of a hindrance on its own? Mark Howell, …

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Erik Jones Highlights Phoenix Penalty Report

2016 Phoenix I Nxs Erik Jones Car Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

NASCAR penalized one team and warned four others on Wednesday for infractions occurring during the Phoenix race weekend. Erik Jones’ No. 20 XFINITY Series team was levied a P2 penalty for failing post-race inspection. His car was found to be out of alignment in the rear end. Jones’ crew chief Chris Gabehart was fined $5,000 …

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The 10: The Great Tie of Arizona

2016 Phoenix I Cup Denny Hamlin Pack Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Well, this is a first. Sunday’s Good Sam 500(k) marked the second photo finish in four races to start 2016, with Kevin Harvick just edging out Carl Edwards to stay atop the throne as the king of Phoenix International Raceway. Not one to be outdone, our list of Power Rankings voters somehow managed an even …

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Four Burning Questions: What Kind of Phoenix Weather Can We Expect on Sunday?

2015 Phoenix International Raceway Nscs Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kevin Harvick Pit Road Rain Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

WILL A ONE-OFF CREW CHIEF SWAP IMPACT RACE DAY FOR MARTIN TRUEX, JR.? Following a sly appealing move by the Furniture Row Racing team this past week – appealing the roof flap penalty from NASCAR that would have otherwise suspended crew chief Cole Pearn for the Las Vegas weekend – the penalty will now be …

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Martin Truex, Jr. Receives Another Warning from NASCAR

2016 Las Vegas Cup Martin Truex Jr Cole Pearn Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Third time’s the charm didn’t hold true for Martin Truex, Jr. and Furniture Row Racing. NASCAR penalized three teams and suspended one crew member on Wednesday for infractions that occurred during last weekend’s Sprint Cup and XFINITY events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The No. 19 and 78 teams of Carl Edwards and Truex were …

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Did You Notice? … The Band’s Back Together

Did You Notice? … That the old band’s back together again? That’s the hidden story surrounding Cole Pearn’s suspension this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Pearn, crew chief for Martin Truex, Jr.’s No. 78 Toyota for Furniture Row Racing, was issued the suspension after the team was given notice pre-race for roof-flap issues in back-to-back …

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The 10: Power Rankings Leaders Find Luck, Dust in Vegas

2016 Las Vegas Cup Kurt Busch Pack Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

Typically, the phrase “eat my dust” is a joke when it comes to racing. However, on a wild Sunday in Las Vegas, the phrase was all too real. After 400 miles of rainy, dusty, windy madness at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Brad Keselowski and the Blue Deuce rolled back in to Victory Lane for the first …

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Furniture Row Racing Drops Appeal, Cole Pearn Suspended for Phoenix

2016 Las Vegas Cup Martin Truex Jr Cole Pearn Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

After appealing NASCAR’s penalty following a second roof flap violation in Atlanta, Furniture Row Racing announced today it has dropped the appeal. Crew chief Cole Pearn will serve his one-race suspension this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Pearn was placed on probation following the initial roof flap violation during Daytona 500 qualifying, but NASCAR dropped the …

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