Race Weekend Central

NASCAR’s Youth Finally Break Through in the Irish Hills

2016 Nscs Kyle Larson Chase Elliott Restart Michigan Photo Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/ NKP)

For much of 2016 — and 2015, 2014 and 2013 for some drivers — fans, teams and critics alike have waited for one of NASCAR’s upcoming stars to soar above the field for a breakthrough win. While we were all treated to one with Chris Buescher’s weather-shortened win at Pocono Raceway, the wait continued for one …

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4 Burning Questions: New Rules, New Faces and Potential Upset Victors

2016 Bristol Ii Cup Ryan Blaney Pack Racing Rainier Ehrhardt Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: Ranier Ehrhardt / NASCAR via Getty Images)

How will the new rules package affect the racing this weekend at Michigan? NASCAR has ruled that all teams will be running with the 2017 rules package this weekend at Michigan. It is not the first race for the new, even lower downforce package however; the tiny spoiler has been used in the All-Star race, in …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Colosseum Marathon Edition

2016 Bristol Ii Cup Kevin Harvick Tony Stewart Celebration Rey Del Rio Getty Images

(Photo: Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

If you were paying attention to the final weekend of the Olympics in Rio, you might have noticed that the men’s marathon took place on Sunday morning. But for NASCAR fans, and especially for those in attendance at Bristol Saturday and Sunday, the NASCAR marathon took place this weekend as well. It wasn’t quite 26.2 …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kevin Harvick Wins 24 Hours of Bristol

2016 Nscs Kevin Harvick Woohoo Bristol Night Race Photo John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Who’s in the headline – A funny thing happened on the way to crowning one of the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers (or affiliate team) the 2016 Sprint Cup champion: the 2014 winner issued a statement at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick has had some strong cars this season, but the runs were derailed through a …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered after the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race

2016 Nascar Bristol

(Photo: Logan Whitton / NKP)

Who… gets my shoutout of the race? Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. didn’t have the relaxing week off that many other drivers and their families had, instead spending the final off-week of the season saying goodbye to one of his best friends, racer Bryan Clauson, who passed away last weekend from injuries sustained in a racing accident. …

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Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Ends Emotional Tribute to Bryan Clauson with Second-Place Run

2016 Nscs Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Bristol Night Race Photo John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson / NKP)

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.‘s quest to “park it” for the late Bryan Clauson may have fallen short, but the fourth-year driver left proud of his effort after an emotional second-place result. Coming just two weeks after Clauson succumbed to injuries sustained in the USAC Belleville Midget Nationals, Stenhouse and sponsor Fastenal elected to honor the former …

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Daily NASCAR Fantasy: Drafting Your Bristol Lineup

2016 Bristol I Cup Carl Edwards Leads Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew Thacker / NKP)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Bristol Motor Speedway on August 20th for the Bass Pro Shops, NRA Night Race. “The Last Great Colosseum” is home to some of the best short-track racing on the schedule, and the excitement should continue this Saturday night under the lights. Here are a few suggestions to keep …

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Pace Laps: The Motorsports World Remembers Bryan Clauson

2016 Nxs Joey Logano Watkins Glen 2016 Photo Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Sprint Cup: Drivers Honor Bryan Clauson: Though this weekend has seen more fish caught than laps turned for the Sprint Cup Series – who wrapped up their final off-weekend of 2016 – a few drivers spent some special time at one of the premier dirt tracks in the United States. Just three days following the …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not: NASCAR’s Right-Turn, Left-Turn Edition

2016 Loudon I Cup Tony Stewart Nigelkinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

There was a time when the two road races on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule were like sideshows, separate from the main event and not exactly fan favorites.  Drivers who had limited road course experience simply struggled to survive. But after the last few seasons of weaker competition on ovals, better driver preparation and a …

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AJ Allmendinger Tops Final Practice

2016 Watkins Glen Cup Aj Allmendinger Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

After struggling in the opening practice session, AJ Allmendinger found himself on top of the leaderboard for the final practice at Watkins Glen International, with a speed of 127.551 mph, .038 mph faster than Martin Truex, Jr. (127.481 mph) who paced the first practice. Final practice wasn’t all fine and dandy for the No. 47 …

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Greg Biffle Records Best Finish of 2016 at New Hampshire

2016 Nascar New Hampshire

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

Early on in the New Hampshire 301, it looked like it was going to be another day at the office for Roush Fenway Racing, until a rash of cautions turned the team’s luck around. During a long green flag run, spanning 112 laps, Greg Biffle went a lap down, as did his two RFR teammates. …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Matt Kenseth New Hampshire Win Tainted By Failed Inspection?

2016 Loudon I Cup Mattkneseth Woohoo Matthew T Thacker Nkp

Who’s in the headline: The old adage of only having to lead one lap seems to be the way Matt Kenseth does business. It rang true again this weekend as Kenseth started 18th and took over 250 laps to get to the point. Once there, he endured three restarts over the final 31 circuits and strolled to victory in a …

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