Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Late Slip Overshadows Eye-Opening Day for Daniel Suarez

Daniel Suarez before the 2021 Daytona 500 Cup NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog Following last week’s race at Phoenix Raceway, Trackhouse Racing received the news that teams dread to hear. During post-race inspection, Daniel Suarez’s No. 99 Chevrolet was found with two loose lug nuts. That resulted in a one-race suspension for crew chief Travis Mack, along with a $20,000 fine. In his place, the team …

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The Underdog House: Big Day for Bubba Wallace Slips Away at Phoenix

Bubba Wallace talks to Denny Hamlin at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog On paper, the results of the Instacart 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 14 did not manufacture eye-popping runs from the NASCAR Cup Series underdogs. However, that was not the occurrence for most of the race. While a few hungry hounds had brushes in the top 10 today it was Bubba Wallace …

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Did You Notice?: NASCAR Stage Points Keeping Big Names Afloat In 2021

Did You Notice?… The weird start to the 2021 NASCAR season, made even weirder by stage points? Let me explain. We’ve talked to death about four surprise winners in the first four races, only one of whom earned a victory in 2020. Michael McDowell is the sport’s Cinderella story, capturing the Daytona 500 while names like …

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Up to Speed: A New Attitude of NASCAR Equality at Hendrick Motorsports

2019 Talladega Mencs William Byron Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Just four races into the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports has already won twice.  Last week at Homestead-Miami Speedway, William Byron drove off to a convincing win, the second of his Cup Series career.  This past Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it was Kyle Larson’s turn to capture the checkered flag.  Larson, …

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Did You Notice?: Hendrick Motorsports is the New Face of NASCAR Youth Movement

Alex Bowman talks with Rick Hendrick before 2021 NASCAR Cup Race at Homestead Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice?… NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon retired in November 2015 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a shot at the Cup Series championship. He was 44 years old. Just five years later, William Byron trounced the field at that same track Sunday (Feb. 28) to take Gordon’s former No. 24 car to victory lane at …

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Usual Suspects Likely to Win in NASCAR’s Trip to Las Vegas

2019 Las Vegas I Cup Ryan Blaney Joey Logano Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Whenever Las Vegas is pictured in movies, photos, print or a backdrop for the latest TikTok, there’s one consistent theme: Excess.  Everyone flocks to Sin City with at least a small hope of getting lucky, hitting big on a slot machine or roulette table and enjoying their spoils with a night on the town. Veteran …

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Chris Buescher ‘Most Relaxed I’ve Been in a Racecar in a Really Long Time’

Chris Buescher

Credit: James Gilbert/Getty Images

Remember Chris Buescher? If the 2015 Xfinity Series champion drifted from your mind over the last five years, he surely got your attention Sunday (Feb. 28) in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 28-year-old driver started 12th and took the lead from Brad Keselowski on lap 53. Buescher wound up winning stage …

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Dropping the Hammer: If 2021 Isn’t NASCAR’s ‘Best Season Ever,’ It Could Be Weirdest

Michael McDowell prepares to race in the 2021 Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Putting labels on something — especially ahead of time — can be dangerous. Sometimes, it comes back to haunt you. Other times? It’s unintentionally brilliant. In NASCAR, the most successful example of giving an event a label, or an awesome name, in advance was 1992’s Cup Series All-Star Race. You may also know it as …

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5 Points to Ponder: Myatt Snider’s NASCAR Moment

Myatt Snider celebrates winning at Homestead Miami Speedway February 2021 (Credit: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: It Gets Late Early Out Here The great Hall of Fame Yankee catcher and 13-time World Series Champion Yogi Berra once quipped “it gets late early out here,” and it’s a Yogi-ism (as his many impromptu lines were known) that fits well with the current playoff picture. It would be fair to say there …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Trackhouse Racing Taking NASCAR by Storm

William Byron and the No. 24 team celebrate winning at Homestead-Miami Speedway, February 2021 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Any interesting story isn’t complete without a good surprise or two. The NASCAR Cup Series has been racing in Florida for better than three weeks, and I don’t think it’s possible for the three trophies to be going back to North Carolina with a more unexpected trio of drivers. But the statistics would support the …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? William Byron won the Dixie Vodka 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday (Feb. 28) after leading a race-high (and career-high) 102 laps. Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five finishers. An impressive drive in so many ways! Retweet to congratulate @WilliamByron on tonight's win …

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The Underdog House: Michael McDowell Makes NASCAR Career History… Again

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog Only two drivers currently have finished in the top 10 in the first three races of 2021. One was likely expected in 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick. The other continues to carry on the momentum after a Cinderella story moment at the Daytona 500. Michael McDowell has now finished first, eighth, …

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