Race Weekend Central

Up to Speed: It’s All About the Finish in Las Vegas

Brad Keselowski put it best after the conclusion of Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “That’s why you gotta watch to the end,” Keselowski said. Keselowski appeared to have sealed the envelope on his second consecutive win during the closing laps at Las Vegas.  Yet in the span of …

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The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Atlanta

2017 Atlanta Cup Joey Logano Pack Racing Barry Canrrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell / NKP)

Following a wild opening weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series moved to Atlanta Motor Speedway for round two. Daytona seemed to create more questions than it answered and many in the sport looked to Sunday’s race to restore order. The Folds Of Honor QuikTrip 500 did feature many of the usual favorites up front, …

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NASCAR 101: The 5 Drivers Who Won the First 2 Cup Races of the Season

2017 Cup Charlotte Media Tour Zach Catanzareti Kurt Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

When the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ventures to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, everyone will be chasing Kurt Busch, who leads the point standings after pulling into Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway in the season-opening Daytona 500. That’s not just because of early-season momentum the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing bunch undoubtedly has after …

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Kyle Busch Cut Tire Causes Melee in Daytona 500

Kyle Busch Erik Jones Matt Kenseth Daytona

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

The first half of the Daytona 500 avoided the big wreck. The second half? It took just four laps. On Lap 104 in the 59th Great American Race, Kyle Busch‘s right rear tire went down right in front of a crowd of racecars. Busch, winner of the first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series stage had no warning …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR: Daytona 500 Preview

The official start to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season (and daily fantasy NASCAR) is finally upon us. The Advance Auto Parts Clash and two Can-Am Duels were full of nail-biting action, a great preview of what’s to come during Sunday’s Daytona 500. When it comes to daily fantasy NASCAR on DraftKings, the strategy …

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Frontstretch 5: That First-Time 500 Feeling

2006 Daytona I Cup Jimmie Johnson Chaeckered Flag Nigel Kinrade

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The Great American Race: the Daytona 500.  It’s the one every driver wants to win, but in 56 tries, just 37 drivers can actually claim a victory in NASCAR’s biggest event.  We all remember seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt’s emotional win in 1998 after 20 years of heartbreak, but did you know that since that memorable …

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A Team Penske Clash Versus Joe Gibbs Racing

Keselowski V Hamlin Clash

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Though a new racing season has begun, the battles at the restrictor plate tracks continue to come down to the same competitors – Team Penske against Joe Gibbs Racing. The two teams combined to sweep all of the points-paying Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series plate races in 2016, with Gibbs’ Denny Hamlin also winning last season’s …

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2016 NASCAR Rewind: Matt Kenseth

2016 Chicago Cup Matt Kenseth Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The 2016 season for Matt Kenseth was serviceable, if a slight step back from his five-win 2015 campaign. But despite that solid effort, Kenseth’s lasting memories will be his collapses on the sport’s biggest stages. Entering his fourth season with Joe Gibbs Racing, Kenseth appeared poised to deliver Coach Joe Gibbs one of racing’s ultimate …

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The 10: Phoenix Pandemonium

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

With two laps to go, Matt Kenseth appeared due for the top spot in our power rankings. Amid a quiet but strong Chase, the 2003 champion had positioned himself to take an impressive victory at Phoenix International Raceway and surge into the Championship 4. Then, suddenly, the caution flag flew and everything changed. Minutes later, …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Desert/Dessert Edition

Tony Stewart

Photo: Zach Catanzareti

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series made its final trip West for the 2016 season with a lot on the line. Six drivers sparred for just two remaining spots in Arizona to run for the championship this coming week at Homestead. Four of them were left feeling like they were stuck in the desert, where this Phoenix event just happened to be …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Phoenix Brings Hits and Misses For NASCAR On NBC

2016 Phoenix International Raceway Nscs Joey Logano Checkered Flag Photo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Phoenix International Raceway was one of NASCAR’s last, best chances to impress during a year tough on television ratings and attendance. The West Coast track has been well attended lately, posting several sellouts in an era of empty seats and fresh pavement at the one-mile oval has started to age. Did the older asphalt and heightened …

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Phoenix Semifinal Lives Up to the Hype to Set Up a Dramatic Championship 4

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Fans upset by an apparent lack of drama through the opening eight races of the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup need to look no further than Phoenix International Raceway to get their fill of chaos and emotion. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entered the year’s penultimate race amid a relatively quiet Chase, at least …

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