Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: How Far Is Too Far?

2016 Kentucky Cup Tony Stewart Helmet Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell Labounty/NKP)

After last weekend’s race at Richmond International Raceway, one thing on everyone’s mind was the on-track spat between Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman that continued in verbal sparring afterward.  Did either driver go too far with their actions or words? Clayton Caldwell, Contributor: I respect the passion from both drivers and I understand why Ryan Newman …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBCSN Charges Into Chase Coverage

If you’ve read Couch Potato Tuesday in recent years, then you know that I’m not exactly a fan of this time of year when it comes to race broadcasts.  The Chase focus drives me up the wall.  The Chase completely takes precedence over the race.  Everything is couched in the Chase.  This year, its worse …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2016 Federated Auto Parts 400

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Richmond

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who… gets my shoutout of the race? While Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyle Larson was getting plenty of airtime for some bold moves late in the race and a recent hot streak, Jamie McMurray was quietly getting a top-10 finish of his own (he wound up seventh) and in doing so, made them one of three multi-car organizations …

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Denny Hamlin Out-Runs Chaos to Win Richmond

2106 Sonoma Cup Denny Hamlin Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

When cars are crashing around the checkered flag, you know it’s been a wild night of racing. For Denny Hamlin, most of the chaos in Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway happened in his mirror, as the pole-sitter drove to victory at his home track. Leading 189 laps, Hamlin held off …

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4 Burning Questions: Will a Must-Winner Steal the Spotlight in Richmond?

2016 Richmond I Cup Kasey Kahne Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

Matthew T Thacker NKP

What Must-Win Driver Will Win on Saturday Night? While there are 13 NASCAR drivers who are locked into the Chase and can let it ride Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway, there are even more who enter with their seasons on the line. These men and women cannot count on points and have no mathematical chance of Chase …

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5 Points To Ponder: Was Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek Aggression Too Much?

2016 Atlanta Cwts Cole Custer Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

ONE: A Look At Those Locked In With Darlington in the books, the Chase field for the Sprint Cup Series has gotten substantially clearer. Of the 16 Chase spots, 12 have been tentatively filled by race winners who have clinched finishing the regular season in the top 30. These 12 drivers include, by order of …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBC NASCAR Throwback Weekend Brings Smiles, Questions

3 4 September, 2016, Darlington, South Carolina Usa Chase Elliott And Kyle Busch, Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry © 2016, Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Labor Day weekend is always an interesting one in the world of motorsports.  Darlington has re-claimed the weekend for Sprint Cup and the XFINITY Series, making it stand out in the process.  The trucks spent the weekend in Canada at a venue known for good action and questionable finishes.  It did not disappoint in either aspect. …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Martin Truex Jr. Claims Second NASCAR Crown Jewel of 2016

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Darlington

(Courtesy: NKP / Nigel Kinrade)

Who’s in the headline: For the first time in his career, Martin Truex, Jr. has won multiple races in a single season. Kevin Harvick was the dominant car for the vast majority of Sunday night’s Southern 500, but pit road miscues put him behind in the final laps and he was unable to overcome the handicap. Truex, now …

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Daily NASCAR Fantasy: Drafting Your Darlington Lineup

2016 Darlington Cup Jeffrey Earnhardt Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Darlington Raceway on September 4th for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. It’s another throwback weekend at the track “Too Tough to Tame” and nearly every team will be gunning to get its retro scheme into victory lane. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when constructing your …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kyle Larson Comes Away with First Sprint Cup Win at Michigan

2016 Michigan Ii Cup Kyle Larson Woohoo Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Shouldering the label of best not to do something can be a heavy burden. For 98 Cup races, Kyle Larson took the green flag but was not the first one to see the checkered. After eight top 5s and 17 top 10s as a rookie, it seemed inevitable that Larson …

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Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin Among Teams Warned After Bristol Violations

2016 Pocono Cup Kyle Busch Zach Catanzareti

Photo: Zach Catanzareti

With the recent laser inspection issues the past few weeks, NASCAR has yet again handed down multiple infractions to teams across the Sprint Cup and XFINITY series. Wednesday’s penalty listing for the Sprint Cup Series included a first warning issued to Denny Hamlin‘s Joe Gibbs Racing team, along with teammate Kyle Busch‘s fourth written warning …

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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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