Race Weekend Central

Regan Smith Remains Aric Almirola’s Substitute for Dover

2017 Charlotte All Star Cup Regan Smith Car Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Regan Smith gets to enjoy another week in the King Richard Petty’s court. Richard Petty Motorsports announced in a press release on Wednesday (May 31) that Smith will continue to drive the organization’s No. 43 Ford in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway this weekend, as primary driver Aric Almirola …

Read more

NASCAR Mailbox: Why is RCR Winning More than JGR?

2017 Nascar Monster Energy Cup Series, Charlotte

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/ NKP)

Winning is everything. There is no trophy for second place in NASCAR. No silver medal. No celebratory champagne. Nothing. Just a runner-up finish on the stat sheet. For the second time this year, Kyle Busch came oh-so-close to Victory Lane, but finished second. This time, it was to Austin Dillon, who earned his first career …

Read more

Erik Jones Paces Monster Energy Open Practice

2017 Talladega I Nxs Erik Jones Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Furniture Row Racing certainly knows how to bring fast cars to Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was rookie Erik Jones who took full advantage Friday in the lone practice session before Saturday’s Monster Energy Open. The freshman headlined testing in the last chance race for drivers to transfer into the headlining All-Star Race later Saturday night. Jones …

Read more

4 Burning Questions: Will Regan Smith Make the All-Star Race?

2017 Daytona Trucks Zach Catanzareti Regan Smith

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Will Regan Smith Makes the All-Star Race in Almirola’s No. 43? Though Aric Almirola attended the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s Catwalk for Cause on Wednesday evening, looking sharp and healthy as can be, he will not be piloting his racecar this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In his place in the No. 43 Richard Petty …

Read more

Regan Smith to Sub for Aric Almirola in Monster Energy Open at Charlotte

2017 Daytona I Cwts Regan Smith Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Aric Almirola’s T5 compression fracture at Kansas Speedway Saturday night left a seat to be filled at Richard Petty Motorsports. At least for this weekend, that spot will be filled by Cup Series veteran Regan Smith. With limited time to find a substitute driver, the team announced Wednesday afternoon Smith will drive the No. 43 Ford. He’ll fill …

Read more

Did You Notice?: A Look Into Aric Almirola Sub Possibilities

Almirola Kansas

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Did You Notice? … Two big-name drivers have already turned down the No. 43 ride to replace an injured Aric Almirola? Carl Edwards, once highly coveted by Richard Petty Motorsports many years ago has said no, he can’t go back and run the car through Sonoma on June 25. It’s not the first time Edwards has said …

Read more

Regan Smith to Drive Part-Time for Ricky Benton Racing in 2017

2016 Pocono Cup Regan Smith Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Regan Smith has found a part-time Camping World Truck Series ride for the 2017 season, competing with Ricky Benton Racing in 12 events. The news comes less than one week after Smith stated, “I’m not done racing,” while co-hosting “The Morning Drive” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “I wasn’t done racing — don’t count me out …

Read more

Tommy Baldwin Discusses Decision to Walk Away from NASCAR Ownership

Cup 2016 Charlotte Regan Smith Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Tommy Baldwin is a racer, and no matter what, he says, he always will be. During his final race weekend as a team owner in NASCAR’s premier division at Homestead-Miami Speedway earlier this month, he sat in the midst of the Sprint Cup Series garage by his race team’s hauler with driver Regan Smith. The …

Read more

The Underdog House: Putting A Wrap On 2016

2016 Charlotte All Star Showdown Cup Michael Mcdowell Casey Mears Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Think Small It’s hard to believe the 2016 season is over—it seems like just yesterday that it began, full of promise and hope.  For some of the teams on this page, it’s been, by all counts, a good season—one of accomplishment and improvement.  For others it’s been a struggle, financial or performance, often both as …

Read more

The Underdog House: Are Small-Time NASCAR Drivers Damaged Goods?

Cup Martinsville Martinsville Speedway Aj Allmendinger

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Think Small It’s an easy mistake to make: falling into the trap of thinking most of the drivers racing for NASCAR’s smaller teams are damaged goods.  Sadly, it’s one that even team owners often fall into.  How often have young, talented drivers taken rides in this group hoping for some exposure only to be overlooked?  …

Read more

The Underdog House: NASCAR’s House of Cards Falling Down?

Think Small The news that’s trickled in through the last week should be making everyone in the sport take pause and think about the health of several of its teams.  The snowball got rolling last week when it was reported that Tommy Baldwin Racing was in the process of selling its charter to Leavine Family …

Read more

NASCAR Mailbox: Tommy Baldwin Racing Rumors Surface

2016 Pocono Cup Regan Smith Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The charter system in NASCAR’s premier division is forcing owners to examine the way they operate. With the charters in place, several owners are re-evaluating their programs for 2017. Obviously owners take a long look at their teams at this point every year, but charters have changed the significance. Given only 36 teams can have a …

Read more