Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Tracking NASCAR’s Small Teams From Indy to Pocono

2016 Indianapolis CUP Patrick Carpentier car Logan Whitton NKP

(Photo: Logan Whitton/NKP)

Indianapolis represented a mixed bag for the small teams this week, with finishes ranging from 14th for rookie Chris Buescher to 40th for Matt DiBenedetto, thanks to an untimely engine expiration.  Indy is a tough track for teams that are a step or two behind the elite teams in both handling and horsepower, and next …

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Matt Kenseth Docked 15 Points Following Loudon Win

2016 Loudon I CUP MattKneseth woohoo Matthew T Thacker NKP

The race-winning team from Loudon was penalized following post-race inspection. Matt Kenseth’s No. 20 team was docked 15 points and crew chief Jason Ratcliff was fined $25,000 for failing laser inspection following the New Hampshire 301. Multiple teams were warned for failing pre-qualifying inspection. The No. 1 of Jamie McMurray, No. 3 of Austin Dillon, …

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The Underdog House: Tracking NASCAR’s Small Teams from Loudon to Indy

2016 Loudon I CUP Michael Annett Reed Sorenson racing Matthew T Thacker NKP

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

NASCAR has a few tracks that are fairly unique in layout.  Among those are both new Hampshire Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway-a flat one-mile oval with long straights and tight turns – think big Martinsville – and a huge, flat, rectangular behemoth with four separate corners and four straights to match.  These tracks are …

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Daily NASCAR Fantasy: Drafting Your New Hampshire 301 NASCAR Lineup

2016 Kentucky CUP Brad Keselowski woohoo Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday, July 17th for the New Hampshire 301. Maintaining track position and optimizing fuel mileage are just two of the many challenges behind finding success at the “Magic Mile”. The biggest story line going into the New Hampshire 301 this weekend is the surprising …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: New Hampshire Edition

2016 Kentucky CUP Brad Keselowski helmet Logan Whitton NKP

(Photo: Logan Whitton/NKP)

Admit it, you thought we were done with the Big One after leaving Daytona, but Kentucky Speedway provided us with another crash that took out a big chunk of the field. It also provided us with a true fuel strategy race that caused plenty of drama without the help of a late caution. You’ve got …

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The Underdog House: Tracking NASCAR’s Small Teams from Kentucky to New Hampshire

2016 Pocono I CUP Ty Dillon Car Anthony Lumbis Sr.

(Photo: Tony Lumbis Sr.)

So… what makes a small team? Yep, I addressed this last week, but again, we’ll give it one more time for those race fans who missed the last edition. I’m frequently asked how I categorize NASCAR’s teams, and I’m sure lots of people have a different definition, but I look at a couple of things …

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Brad Keselowski Beats Carl Edwards for Fuel-Mileage Kentucky Victory

2016 Martinsville I CUP Brad Keselowski Matthew T Thacker NKP

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Who would’ve thought Saturday night’s Quaker State 400 from Kentucky Speedway would end on fuel mileage? The newly reconfigured speedway brought havoc on many drivers in the early stages of the race. However, it ended with Brad Keselowski coasting to the checkered flag ahead of Carl Edwards following a 68-lap green-flag run. The victory for Keselowski is …

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Daily NASCAR Fantasy: Drafting Your Kentucky Lineup (Quaker State 400)

2016 Pocono I CUP Kyle Busch Russell LaBounty NKP

(Photo: Russell Labounty/NKP)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Kentucky Speedway Saturday, July 9th for the Quaker State 400. The speedway underwent an extensive face lift following the 2015 race last July, which includes a newly paved surface, steeper corners and added SAFER barrier. Kentucky Speedway was added to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule back in …

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Did You Notice? … In NASCAR, Timing Is Everything

Yellow Flag: Caution

(Photo: Frontstretch.com)

Did You Notice? … Timing is everything these days? In the past two weeks, we’ve seen when officials throw the yellow flag make a difference. There was the debris caution at Sonoma, thrown at a point where Tony Stewart was able to catch a lucky break on track position. Then, there was the final lap …

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The Underdog House: Tracking NASCAR’s Small Teams from Daytona to Kentucky

2016 Daytona II CUP Michael McDowell Michael annett racing Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

What makes a small team? I’m frequently asked how to categorize NASCAR’s teams. I look at a couple of things when I make the list each spring: budget and performance.  Small teams simply don’t have the budgets of the larger ones, even middle-tier organizations.  They may have alliances with bigger teams, but that doesn’t mean everything gets handed …

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Daily NASCAR Fantasy: Drafting Your Daytona Lineup (Coke Zero 400)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway Saturday, July 2nd for the Coke Zero 400. Daytona marks the first repeat track on the 2016 Sprint Cup Series schedule. Tony Stewart’s victory at Sonoma last week put more pressure on winless drivers looking to earn a Chase bid. Among the winless includes Dale …

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Did You Notice? … The Gambles Of Ryan Blaney… & NASCAR Debris Cautions?

2016 Kansas I CUP Ryan Blaney Brett Moist NKP

(Photo: Brett Moist / NKP)

Did You Notice? … Ryan Blaney could have failed to qualify for a Chase race? That’s certainly a loophole NASCAR was looking to shore up by its decision this week to ensure every team that qualifies for the Chase is guaranteed a spot over the final 10 events. Officials looped this adjustment in the rules …

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