Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Require COVID-19 Vaccines for Garage Access?

2019 New Hampshire NXS BJ McLeod Motorsports Garage NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With the FDA approving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, should NASCAR require vaccinations for garage access? Luken Glover: No, it is not needed. Some drivers have voiced that a negative test should be all that is needed, and I agree with that. While I want the virus to be eradicated as much as the next person, it …

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5 Points to Ponder: RCR Drivers Cold, All Series’ Title Races Heat Up

AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric lead NASCAR Xfinity field at Michigan NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Richard Childress Racing didn’t capitalize on NASCAR Cup Series playoff opportunity RCR didn’t come out of Michigan International Speedway very well. Austin Dillon had arguably the best car he’s had all season and looked to be a contender for the win if he stayed on track. Unfortunately, his day ended right after taking the …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Gateway a Nightmare for FS1, Michigan Skewed by Finish

Pack racing in the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

This past weekend was the final split race weekend of the season. The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series teams were at Michigan International Speedway. Meanwhile, the Camping World Truck Series shared a bill at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway with the NTT IndyCar Series. The two venues brought in completely different races. FireKeepers Casino …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Firekeepers Casino 400

Kurt Busch looks on at 2021 Cup Circuit of the Americas. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the race? When Ryan Blaney shot to the lead on the final restart, it was easy to think it wouldn’t stick. The final eight laps were the only ones he’d led all day, and he had the dominant Hendrick cars of William Byron and Kyle Larson behind …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

2021 Michigan Cup Ryan Blaney trophy Sean Gardner Getty

(Photo: NASCAR via Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

What happened? Ryan Blaney won the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan on Sunday (Aug. 22) after leading the final eight laps, holding off William Byron in the closest finish ever at Michigan. Byron, Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-five finishers.  Winning is fun. Ryan @Blaney soaked it all in after …

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5 Points to Ponder: The Turn 6 Curb Was Not Appealing

Kyle Larson during the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 8/15/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. The Turn 6 curb was not appealing If you have seen the highlights, you know one of the premier storylines from this historic 2021 August edition of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Turn 6 was problematic all race weekend, from the second either a NASCAR or IndyCar turned onto the asphalt. Scott McLaughlin and …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

AJ Allmendinger kisses the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after his Verizon 200 win. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Verizon 200: What happened? AJ Allmendinger won the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on Sunday (Aug. 15) after a chaotic conclusion to the first NASCAR Cup Series race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Matt DiBenedetto rounded out the top-five finishers.  "LET'S GOOOOOO!" @AJDinger and @KauligRacing are …

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Zach’s Turn: Points Battle Between Tyler Reddick & Austin Dillon Heating Up

Tyler Reddick Watkins Glen 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With three races remaining in the regular season, Tyler Reddick and Austin Dillon know who they have to fight for the final playoff spot on points. In fact, they probably know their competition too well. That’s because the Richard Childress Racing teammates currently sit on opposite sides of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff cutline, with …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Kyle Larson Dethrones the King of the Road

NASCAR Kyle Larson

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Elliott has been the talk of the garage every time the Cup Series heads for a track with any right-hand turns. Rightfully so, considering his winning percentage on such tracks is the best in NASCAR history. But his quest for a third straight triumph at Watkins Glen came up one position short this weekend, …

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5 Points to Ponder: When Chase (Elliott) Does the Chasing

2021 Watkins Glen Cup Chase Elliott racing NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Chase Elliott nearly pulls off ridiculous comeback Everybody loves a good come-from-behind victory, but is it still entertaining when the heroic comeback doesn’t quite complete the job at the end of the day? Based on what we saw from Chase Elliott Sunday (Aug. 8), the answer is yes. Given that the defending NASCAR Cup …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire

2021 Loudon Cup Aric Almirola lobster Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301? Aric Almirola won the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday (July 18) to steal an unlikely playoff spot in what’s been a dismal season. Christopher Bell, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top-five finishers. How about that? ? …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Take a Summer Vacation Every Year?

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

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Should NASCAR continue to schedule back-to-back off-weekends in the late summer even when no Summer Olympics are being held? Trenton Worsham: Not back to back, but it’d be nice for it to have two or three more weeks off scattered out throughout the year as bye weeks. Josh Roller: I like the idea of a late …

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