Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: NKP)

What happened? Reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson continued where he left off in 2021 by winning his first race of 2022 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 27. It is his second career NASCAR Cup Series win in the California-based circuit. Following close behind him was Austin Dillon, who held off Erik …

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Up to Speed: Kyle Larson & Chase Elliott Tangle at Fontana

2021 Phoenix II Cup Denny Hamlin chase Elliott kyle Larson pit road NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In their first year together as teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott mostly played nice.

Two races into the 2022 season? Not so much.

With 21 laps to go during Sunday’s race at Auto Club Speedway, both drivers had a shot at victory.

Flat Tire & William Byron Prevent Tyler Reddick From 1st NASCAR Cup Win

NASCAR Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Tyler Reddick had the car to beat at Auto Club Speedway, his hometown track on Sunday (Feb. 27). Instead, he finished 24th, one lap down, after watching a potential first win slip away. Reddick had led 90 of the race’s opening 151 laps, won the first two stages and was pulling away from the field …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway

The NASCAR Cup Series field lines up for the start of the 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Auto Club Speedway was the first intermediate track of the 2022 season and the first the NASCAR Cup Series has visited since Kansas Speedway last October. The result, though, wasn’t new at all.

Kyle Larson won the last intermediate track race of 2021 and he won the first of 2022 on Sunday (Feb. 27), taking the top spot in the WISE Power 400.

Kyle Larson Surges Late, Begins NASCAR Title Defense with Auto Club Win

Kyle Larson takes the checkered flag to win the WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway, 2/27/2022 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On Sunday (Feb. 27) at Auto Club Speedway, Kyle Larson’s No. 5 came to life late, and the defending champ held off all comers to win his first race of 2022 in the Wise Power 400 and open his title defense.

NASCAR 101: A Menagerie of Unknowns, Potential Surprises at Daytona

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald's Toyota, Kurt Busch, driver of the #45 Monster Energy Toyota, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Things couldn’t be more nebulous to begin the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

What They Said: Daytona 500 Media Day Quotes

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald's Toyota, Kurt Busch, driver of the #45 Monster Energy Toyota, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Check out what the Daytona 500 competitors had to say Wednesday, Feb. 16, during media day for the 64th annual Great American Race.

2022 NASCAR Preseason Power Rankings: Nos. 20-11

2021 Charlotte Road ROVAL Cup Chase Elliott pack racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, Frontstretch writers voted on their top 30 drivers as the 36 charted teams prep for Daytona International Speedway later this month. Today, we’ve got Nos. 20-11 on tap, with the top 10 hitting the website tomorrow, Feb. 4. Miss Nos. 30-21? Click here for a refresher. And here’s Nos. 10-1. …

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Tyler Reddick Adds 3Chi Sponsorship

Tyler Reddick stands next to his car at 2021 spring Kansas Cup race NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Tyler Reddick has picked up sponsorship from 3Chi for multiple races in 2022, Richard Childress Racing announced Jan. 11. The partnership aboard Reddick’s No. 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series will begin at the season-opening Daytona 500. 3Chi will be featured on the No. 8 for multiple years, per the announcement, though the exact length …

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2021 NASCAR Top Storylines: Goodbye Gen 6, Hello Next Gen

Brad Keselowski Joey Logano Next Gen Charlotte Test 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Finally, after two years of testing and a yearlong postponement of its official launch, the newest iteration of the NASCAR Cup Series has arrived. NASCAR’s Next Gen car is here, fresh with a newly announced rules package that features a baseline 670-horsepower, 4-inch rear spoiler, more symmetrical vehicles and more spec parts than a Cup …

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