Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice?: If Kyle Larson Is in Chase Elliott’s Head?

2021 Kansas Ii Cup Kyle Larson Chase Elliott Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Chase Elliott‘s frustration with Kyle Larson boiling over at Auto Club Speedway this past weekend? Elliott was upset with Larson pinching him on the outside while fighting for the lead three-wide in the Wise Power 400, contact that damaged the No. 9 Chevrolet and inevitably led to a spin that took …

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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.