Race Weekend Central

Pace Laps: Texas Tires, Penske Dominance & Newgarden Prevails in Phoenix

Goodyear Tires ready for NASCAR action. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Texas Tears Up Tires Kyle Busch may have edged Kevin Harvick to finally get that winless monkey off his back, but Sunday’s (April 8) race at Texas Motor Speedway for the MENCS was more notable for who wasn’t around at the finish. Kyle Larson. Martin Truex Jr. Ryan Newman. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. …

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The Frontstretch 5: NASCAR Teams Who Need a Turnaround in 2018

2018 cup martinsville zach catanzareti ricky stenhouse jr

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Hendrick Motorsports Just a few weeks ago, it was easy to explain the organization’s struggles: it was too early to tell; Chevrolet is behind the curve – which may still be the case; the team has two new drivers. And the thing is, all of that is completely true. But looking at the big picture, …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Vindicates Team With 3rd Consecutive Win of 2018 at Phoenix

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series TicketGuardian 500 ISM Raceway, Phoenix, AZ USA Sunday 11 March 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Jimmy John's wins World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett NKP

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Who’s in the headline Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Kevin Harvick wins at Phoenix. For the ninth time in his career, Harvick was the first to take the checkered flag. The Bakersfield, Ca. native wins for the third time in a row this season. The Busch brothers, Kyle and Kurt, took the stage wins …

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NASCAR 101: The West Coast Swing, Can it Predict the Future?

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA USA Sunday 25 February 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion wins World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett NKP

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

From TV to Twitter, everyone is talking about the “west coast swing.” It started in 2015, and is a three week period where the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series goes to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Fontana. This was made to give teams an option to stay out on the west coast instead of going back …

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Frontstretch Podcast: A Fresh Season to Come

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 2018 NASCAR Media Tour Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC USA Tuesday 23 January 2018 Kurt Busch World Copyright: Matthew T. Thacker NKP

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

In the first episode of the Frontstretch Podcast in 2018, we discuss all the changes — or lack of which — for the 2018 NASCAR season with Dustin Albino, Zach Catanzareti and Davey Segal. In the last two months and change, the sport has been on the sidelines as the drivers, teams and media “enjoy” …

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Beside the Rising Tide: All the Young Dudes

2016 Kentucky CUP Chase Elliott Logan Whitton NKP

(Photo: Logan Whitton/NKP)

The season hasn’t even gotten started yet and already, Kyle Busch is feeling aggrieved and voicing his displeasure (doesn’t he know doing so is the sole province of the media?) As usual, the NASCAR Media Tour itself was largely lost in an avalanche of words and predictions concerning the upcoming Super Bowl. Living here in the …

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Richard Childress Racing Shrinks to 2 Cup Cars in 2018

cup 2017 homestead zach catanzareti paul menard

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

With the departure of Paul Menard and the Menards sponsorship, Richard Childress Racing will field only two full-time entries in the upcoming Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, according to Austin Dillon. Menard drove RCR’s No. 27 Chevrolet for seven years and won the 2011 Brickyard 400. In 2018, he will compete in the famed …

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2017 NASCAR Cup Team Review: Richard Childress Racing

Cup 2016 Charlotte richard childress  Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Richard Childress Racing’s 2017 season was a triumph but yet simultaneously a struggle. Overall, however, it ended up being a disappointment. The venerable organization has been around since 1971, the oldest team in the sport outside of the Wood Brothers. For many years now, their mentality when it comes to racing has been that the …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR Forecast Powered by DraftKings: Can-Am 500 Preview

2017 Phoenix I CUP Brad Keselowski car NIgel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

DraftKings’ daily fantasy NASCAR heads to Phoenix Raceway this weekend for the Can-Am 500. This race marks the final event of the Round of 8 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The green flag flies Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Here are eight drivers to keep an eye on this …

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RCR, Ryan Newman Add Liberty National Sponsorship for 2018

2018 Cup Ryan Newman Car Richard Childress Racing

(Photo: Richard Childress Racing)

Ryan Newman will have new colors next season to go with his new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in 2018. Richard Childress Racing announced Wednesday morning that Liberty National Life Insurance will serve as a sponsor on the No. 31 Camaro in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2018. Liberty National Life Insurance Company, based in …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR Forecast Powered by DraftKings: Hollywood Casino 400 Preview

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC USA Thursday 25 May 2017 Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, M&M's Red, White & Blue Toyota Camry World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

DraftKings’ daily fantasy NASCAR heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the Hollywood Casino 400. This race marks the third and final event of the second round in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The green flag flies Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Cars will hit the track on Friday at …

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5 Points To Ponder: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Falls Just Short At Talladega

2017 Bristol II CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr Nigel Kinrad NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

ONE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Falls Just Short In the end, on a day dedicated in his honor and the 17th anniversary of his late father’s last win, it was not to be for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished seventh at the end of an insane race at Talladega. “I would have loved to have won …

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