Race Weekend Central

Frontstretch Podcast: Austin Cindric’s Title Defense Begins, McDowell’s 500 Upset

Austin Cindric wins at Daytona

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Fresh off his season-opening victory at Daytona International Speedway, reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric joins Davey Segal this week to chat about his title defense, some wacky (but cool) stats he holds at Daytona, making his first NASCAR Cup Series start in the Daytona 500, the jaw-dropping last-lap crash he was involved in …

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Waid’s World: Daytona 500 May Have Been Good Race, But Not Like Ones Many Remember

Waid's World Graphic

Graphic: Jared Haas

This year’s Daytona 500 had many of the elements found in several of the past season-opening races at Daytona International Speedway. Excitement? Surely. Drama? Undeniable. Unpredictable events that altered the course of the race? Yes. Like it or not, multicar wrecks are always a part of any 500. A riveting finish? Oh, certainly. And as …

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Did You Notice?: Daytona’s Last-Lap Disaster for Team Penske

Nascar Cup Series

#2: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Discount Tire

Did You Notice? … How quickly the last lap of the Daytona 500 fell apart for Team Penske? 2018 NASCAR Cup Series champ Joey Logano crossed the line leading. Brad Keselowski was second, in position to end an 0-for-11 streak at a race he so badly wants knocked off his bucket list. The organization was staring …

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NASCAR Mailbox: What Time Should the Daytona 500 Start?

Joey Logano leads over a group of cars including Ryan Preece in Daytona 500 Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It was a long time coming for Michael McDowell. From a rushed prospect, to starting and parking while driving Trevor Bayne‘s motorhome, to his home now at Front Row Motorsports, it all led him to where he is now: a Daytona 500 champion. His first victory came in his 358th career NASCAR Cup Series start, …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: The Daytona 500 Was Exhausting

NASCAR racing action in the 2021 Daytona 500 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Oh man. Nothing quite like 13.5 hours of coverage for one race. I will fully admit that I was really tired by the time Sunday’s Daytona 500 finally ended. Regardless, there is a lot to discuss about what we saw Sunday. With this broadcast, it’s hard to figure out where to start. I suppose the …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Breaking on Through to the Other Side (Finally)

Three-wide NASCAR racing action in the 2021 Daytona 500 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Last week, I discussed the biggest and most imposing winless streaks in the Daytona 500, past and present alike. Given what transpired in Sunday’s (and partially Monday morning’s) 2021 edition of the Great American Race, it seems somewhat fitting that a winless streak of a different variety was broken. Michael McDowell is the eighth man …

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5 Points to Ponder: Lady Luck Deals NASCAR Bad Hand in 2021 Debut

Austin Cindric crashes on the final lap of the 2021 Daytona 500.

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Lady Luck Big Player in Disjointed Daytona 500 There were a lot of Valentine’s Day dinners ruined Sunday night (Feb. 14) by the Daytona 500 turned 24 Hours of Daytona Lite. A six-hour rain delay felt entirely preventable, the fourth time in the last 10 NASCAR season openers there’s been a rain delay. At what point …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Daytona 500

Michael McDowell celebrates his 2021 Daytona 500 win Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? With duct tape on the hood and all hell breaking loose around him, Michael McDowell drove through a fiery last-lap crash and held off Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon just long enough for the caution flag to fly, winning his first career NASCAR Cup Series race on …

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Stock Car Scoop: Will Daytona 500 Start Time Be Moved Up?

Michael McDowell poses with his Daytona 500 trophy. Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

More than 10 hours after the 2021 Daytona 500 began, Michael McDowell outlasted a five-plus hour rain delay to score his first career victory. But would the delay have even happened with a start time at Daytona International Speedway of 1 p.m. ET instead of 2:30? Bryan Nolen is joined by Frontstretch reporter Adam Cheek to …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Daytona 500

Michael McDowell Confetti Daytona (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Michael McDowell won the 63rd annual Daytona 500 on Sunday (Feb. 14) after a fiery last-lap wreck for his first career victory in his 358th start. Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-five finishers. THIS IS HIS MOMENT! Retweet to congratulate @Mc_Driver on winning The Great American …

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Zach’s Turn: Did Drivers Take Too Long at Daytona to Make Their Move?

Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon battle for position in 2021 Daytona 500 Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For most of Sunday night’s (Feb. 14) Daytona 500, the pack rode single file in hopes of timing their runs right. Instead, last-minute moves left some drivers wadded up and others just short of victory in the 63rd annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. With the field thinned to just 16 cars on the …

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The Underdog House: Michael McDowell Proves Every Dog Has His Day

Michael McDowell wins 2021 Daytona 500, Chase Elliott close second, Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog 10 years after the unthinkable happened when Trevor Bayne won the 2011 Daytona 500, the unthinkable happened again. After 14 years and 358 starts driving for underfunded teams in the NASCAR Cup Series, 36-year-old Michael McDowell is a Daytona 500 champion with Front Row Motorsports. McDowell had been caught up in a 16-car …

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