Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: NASCAR Gladiator Erik Jones Scores Bristol Top 10

2021 Texas Cup All-Star Race Erik Jones NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Sept. 18 displayed various storylines throughout the night. Heavyweight drivers battled all night, desperate playoff drivers wrung out every last drop of effort to make the Round of 12, and a confrontation between Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick took center stage on a captivating evening at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bristol Elimination Race Sends 4 Playoff Drivers Packing

2021 Bristol II Cup Aric Almirola crash NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson’s Saturday (Sept. 18) night consisted of burning his tires down on the frontstretch at Bristol Motor Speedway. For 11 of his fellow competitors, it was time to move on to the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. For Aric Almirola, Kurt Busch, Michael McDowell and Tyler Reddick, it was time to …

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Holding A Pretty Wheel: NASCAR’s Storybook Scenario Wouldn’t Be a Happy Ending

2021 Loudon Cup Aric Almirola victory lane NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Saturday night’s (Sept. 18) race at Bristol Motor Speedway marks the final race in the first round of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and four drivers will be ending their title bids when the checkers fall. Barring a true Hail Mary win, one of those drivers will be Michael McDowell, perhaps the underdog story …

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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 …

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The Underdog House: Daniel Suarez Endures at Richmond on 9/11

Daniel Suarez stands on pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Daniel Suarez Daniel Suarez had a consistent night at Richmond Raceway, posting a 17th-place finish in the Sept. 11 Federated Auto Parts 400. It was his third straight NASCAR Cup Series top 20, finding his footing again with the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Team after a dismal summer. But on a rough Saturday, …

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Friday Faceoff: Whose Darlington Disaster Will Be Hardest to Overcome?

Alex Bowman purple No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports car at Darlington with damage on left rear, fall NASCAR Cup playoff race, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Plenty of NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers ran into trouble at Darlington Raceway. Who has the least to worry about, and who has one foot out the door? Luken Glover: Any chance at a Cinderella story was likely demolished as soon as it started for Michael McDowell. Unless he pulls off a Daytona International Speedway-like …

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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 …

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Darlington Crash Ends Michael McDowell’s 1st Playoff Race

NASCAR Darlington Cup Michael McDowell racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It didn’t take long for the “Lady in Black,” Darlington Raceway, to claim her first NASCAR Cup Series playoff victim. Just 31 laps into the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday (Sept. 5), Michael McDowell‘s No. 34 got out of shape in turn 2, smacked the outside wall and hurtled toward the inside barrier. A …

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4 Burning Questions: Who’ll Be Eliminated in Each Cup Playoff Round?

2021 regular season Cup champion Kyle Larson with trophy

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who will be eliminated in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs’ Round of 16? Michael McDowell has been disappointing in the second half of the regular season. He had a strong start to the season in addition to his Daytona 500 win, but he’s 28th in total points in the past 10 races among all Cup …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Ryan Preece at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 2019. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the Coke Zero Sugar 400? For the second week in a row, Ryan Blaney didn’t dominate a race. He merely placed himself in the right spot to pounce on a late restart.  Then, when carnage erupted behind him, the Team Penske driver capitalized with a win. Blaney’s third …

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The Underdog House: Bubba Wallace Nets Daytona Runner-Up in Game of Survival

2021 Pocono I Cup Bubba Wallace Steve Phelps laugh James Gilbert Getty

(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Top Dog: Bubba Wallace With the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway (Aug. 28) playing host to the regular season finale, everyone knew that anything could happen. Look no further than Michael McDowell opening the year for the underdogs in a strong way by winning the prestigious Daytona 500. With 15 drivers eligible …

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Dropping the Hammer: Michael McDowell Uncertain of 2022 Plans Despite Daytona Win

Michael McDowell and Bubba Wallace (Credit: NKP)

Michael McDowell raced with Bubba Wallace in 2021. Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

It’s mid-August and Michael McDowell doesn’t yet know his plans for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. But that’s typical for McDowell. Every season he’s competed in the Cup Series, including his time with Front Row Motorsports which began in 2018,  McDowell has been on a year-to-year deal. But in previous years, McDowell wasn’t the …

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