Race Weekend Central

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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The 10: Smoke Show in Sonoma

2106 Sonoma CUP TOny Stewart pack racing Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

How about that. He actually did it. Tony Stewart held off Martin Truex, Jr., and used a well-time body slam to get the best of Denny Hamlin, capturing a win for the third time in his 17-year career at Sonoma Raceway. Things got interesting behind Smoke, too. Hamlin, typically an afterthought on road courses, came …

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2016 Frontstretch Podcast – Episode 13: 2016 Toyota/Save-Mart 350

2106 Sonoma CUP Tony Stewart woohoo close John Harrelson NKP

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

On this week’s podcast, frequent guest Aaron Bearden joins Matt Stallknecht on the show to recap Tony Stewart’s electric win at Sonoma and much more, including… Analyzing the impact of Stewart’s win on the sport Discussing Stewart’s comeback and his potential for a Chase run Denny Hamlin’s strong run at Sonoma, and what it says about …

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How Tony Stewart Bested Petty, Waltrip, Wallace in One Fell Swoop

Tony Stewart Bank of America 500 2015 Charlotte Cup Mike Neff

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

The word retirement for athletes, uttered by Tony Stewart this season, often comes associated with two dreaded “R” words: regression and regret. Unlike the American dream, a job where you work 50 years toward a peak salary retirement for athletic superstars almost always occurs before age 50. The best peak at their profession, set seemingly unbeatable records and then watch inexplicably …

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Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in NASCAR: Daytona Edition

2106 Sonoma CUP pack racing Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

As has become the trend lately with road courses, last weekend’s race at Sonoma played more like a short track, complete with some last-lap bumping and banging. However, Sonoma wasn’t the only track that saw contact. The Truck Series was in Gateway over the weekend and had some contact of its own – though this …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: FOX Goes All-in for Stewart

2106 Sonoma CUP Denny Hamlin racing Matthew T Thacker NKP

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Last weekend saw NASCAR’s National Series put on two very different races.  Sonoma on Sunday was very clean, possibly the cleanest Cup race ever run at Sonoma Raceway.  Yes, there were four cautions, but they were for either stalled cars or debris.  No one spun out all day.  Don’t recall that ever happening.  Meanwhile, there …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Inside Tony Stewart’s Stunning Sonoma Victory

2106 Sonoma CUP Tony Stewart woohoo close John Harrelson NKP

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Who’s in the headline – Friday, Tony Stewart said, “driving a Sprint Cup car does not make me happy right now.” Wonder how he feels after a trip to Victory Lane? Based on that winning look on his face my guess is “ecstatic” after a last-lap, last-turn re-pass of Denny Hamlin earned Smoke his first victory since Dover in June 2013. …

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The Chase to the Chase: Smoke’s In. Who’s Out?

2016 Pocono I CUP Kasey Kahne Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Smoke has risen, this much we all know. Tony Stewart‘s electrifying drive to Victory Lane at Sonoma Raceway will likely clinch the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion into this year’s Chase. No, it isn’t certain – Stewart still sits 31st in points, nine points out of the top 30 – but assuming the 49-time …

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Up to Speed: Even Tony Stewart Gets Emotional Sometimes

2016 Sonoma Raceway Tony Stewart burnout NSCS photo credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

This NASCAR season has been full of popular victories. Martin Truex, Jr.’s emotional victory in the Coca-Cola 600 was perhaps the most popular in the Sprint Cup Series. Daniel Suarez became the first Mexican driver to win in NASCAR earlier this year in the XFINITY Series, and it too was well-received by fans. Sam Hornish, Jr. won …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2016 Toyota Save Mart 350

2106 Sonoma CUP DEnny Hamlin nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who…gets my shoutout of the race? He may have been visibly disappointed when the checkered flag flew, but the fact is that Denny Hamlin had a great day at Sonoma Raceway.  Hamlin’s second-place run was his best-ever result at the track and the first time since 2009 that he’s finished better than 18th there.  Hamlin …

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Pace Laps: The Buzz Behind NASCAR’s Weekend Fight

NHRA 2016 Ron Capps car courtesy NHRA media

(Photo: NHRA Media)

Sprint Cup Series: Tony Stewart’s Triumphant Return to Victory Lane – Coming off a solid race at Michigan International Speedway two weeks ago, Tony Stewart snapped an 84-race winless streak on Sunday, leading the final 22 laps in wine country at Sonoma Raceway. It was a caution on lap 86 that turned Stewart’s race around. The …

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Daily NASCAR Fantasy: Drafting Your Sonoma Lineup at the Toyota/Save Mart 350

2016 Dover I CUP AJ Allmendinger Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Sonoma Raceway June 26 for the Toyota / Save Mart 350. Sonoma is the first of two road-course circuits NASCAR will compete at this season. Sonoma, Calif., is home to one of the most unique race tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. When teams embark on …

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