Race Weekend Central

Four Burning Questions: Who Will Extend 2016 Top-10 Streaks in Las Vegas?

Kobalt 400

(Photo: Getty Images)

HOW WILL RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING FARE IN VEGAS? Whether we were heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend or not, Richard Childress Racing was always bound to have a solid run. Following the first two races of the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season at Daytona and Atlanta, Austin Dillon has a ninth and 11th while …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: “Just” a Safety Violation?

While there have been rumblings in the past that NASCAR probation is not a hefty enough punishment for some of the infractions for which it’s been assigned, it might not be a good idea to test whether it has teeth with a second violation a week later. Furniture Row Racing, I’m looking at you. FRR …

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Martin Truex, Jr. Penalized for 2nd Roof Flap Violation, Crew Chief Cole Pearn Suspended

One roof flap violation? Probation. A second one just a week later? Time to drop the hammer. NASCAR announced Wednesday it’s suspended Cole Pearn, crew chief for Martin Truex, Jr.’s No. 78 Toyota, for a race after a violation found during pre-race inspection during the Atlanta race weekend. NASCAR officials found an issue with the roof flap, …

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Up To Speed: Despite Long Green-Flag Runs, Lower Downforce Still Largely Positive

Though only the second race of the season, Atlanta Motor Speedway was thought to be the initial race where we would see what the new (or at least new for 2016) low-downforce package would mean for the racing this season. After rave reviews from competitors and fans alike at Kentucky Speedway and Darlington Raceway with …

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Jimmie Johnson Slides to Atlanta Win, Ties Dale Earnhardt with 76 wins

The Lowe’s Chevrolet was, like everyone else on Sunday, low on downforce in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson used the new package – as well as some crafty pit strategy – to grab the lead from Kevin Harvick to win for the first time in 2016 and fifth time …

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Martin Truex, Jr., Ben Rhodes Hit with Daytona Penalties

Fourteen teams from across the three NASCAR national series were either penalized or warned by NASCAR on Wednesday, including Daytona 500 second-place finisher Martin Truex Jr. Truex’s No. 78 team was given a P2 penalty for a violation regarding the roof flaps during pre-qualifying inspection. The flaps did not lay flush with the roof following …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2016 Daytona 500

Who’s in the headline – Denny Hamlin put a stamp on his Daytona Speedweeks with his second triumph in three races Sunday. Hamlin beat Martin Truex Jr. to the line with a scintillating run that resulted in the closest finish in the history of the Daytona 500. Hamlin was the dominant car for much of …

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Up To Speed: Denny Hamlin Credits Teammates for Daytona 500 Win

“It was a total team effort.” Generally, when the winning driver makes such a statement in Victory Lane, they are referring to their own team. It’s their crew chief, pit crew, over-the-wall members who made the difference in getting them over the hump. Yes, there is gratitude expressed to the organization as a whole, but really …

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Denny Hamlin Wins in Closest Finish in Daytona 500 History

Daytona International Speedway has never been higher. And during Sunday’s 58th Daytona 500, it’s never been closer as Denny Hamlin gave a last-lap bump to Matt Kenseth in turn 4 before edging Martin Truex, Jr. to the line to win his first Daytona 500. “It’s the pinnacle of my career, for sure,” Hamlin said. “Toyota, it’s …

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Kyle Busch Wins Can-Am Duel No. 2, Multiple Cars Crash on Last Lap

It was a Joe Gibbs Racing takeover as Kyle Busch grabbed the victory in the Can-Am Duel No. 2 at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, Feb. 18. He and JGR teammates of Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards ran 1-2-3 for a majority of the opening 35 laps. “Myself, Matt [Kenseth] and Carl [Edwards] , we …

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tops First 500 Practice

Dale Earnhardt Jr Bank Of America 500 2015 Charlotte Cup Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Some things never change: An Earnhardt led Daytona practice. Dale Earnhardt Jr. paced the first Sprint Cup practice for the Daytona 500 on Saturday morning with a fast lap of 194.116 mph. Joining Earnhardt in the top 5 were defending 500 champion Joey Logano (193.853), 2009 and 2012 race winner Matt Kenseth (193.782), rookie Chase …

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2016 NASCAR Media Week: A Look Back at What Went Down

It was quite a week for the drivers, teams and media of NASCAR. For three days, they all gathered together inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., for the annual NASCAR Media Tour. Once the curtain fell on Thursday, the 2016 NASCAR season quickly appeared more clear as many announcements were made on …

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