Race Weekend Central

NASCAR Mailbox: What Could be the Biggest Reason for Jimmie Johnson’s Struggles?

2019 Pocono Mencs Jimmie Johnson Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Jimmie Johnson has had his fair share of struggles in the 2019 season. Even though he opened the year with a win in The Clash, it has not been easy ever since. After having Chad Knaus as a longtime crew chief his entire career prior to 2019, he is now working with his second crew …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Are Short Tracks or Road Courses Better at the Cup Level?

2019 Bristol Zach Catanzareti Chris Buescher

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Road courses and short tracks are two of the best track layouts in NASCAR. The handful of races on the schedule that make up these track types are fan favorites, producing some of the best on-track action we will see. Which track layout is better, short tracks or road courses? Which provide us the best …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Who Could Sneak into the Truck Series Playoffs With 2 Races Left?

2019 Pocono Ngots Harrison Burton Truck Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

So far in 2019, there has been a debate as to whether the current NASCAR season has been a good one, leading to a more existential question of what exactly makes for a good race. Does a good race need constant side-by-side action? Does strategy and a good finish do enough for people to classify …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Can NASCAR Consider 2019 Successful So Far?

2019 Kentucky Mencs Chase Elliott Driver Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

This 2019 NASCAR season has been a very crucial year for the sport regarding several aspects including rules, attendance, ratings and leadership. We have seen a little bit of everything as we close in on the month of August and the race to the playoffs in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series. With that …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Who is the Biggest Championship Sleeper?

2019 Kentucky Mencs Kurt Busch Crossing Line Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As we near the playoffs for the 2019 season, it is time to begin determining championship favorites and championship sleepers. One sleeper after his win at Kentucky would definitely be Kurt Busch. Busch has been a championship contender nearly his entire career with the exception of a few seasons. Can Busch win a title in …

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NASCAR Mailbox: What’s Been the Highlight of the Season So Far?

#11: Justin Haley, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Leaffilter Gutter Protection

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Sunday’s rain-shortened race at Daytona International Speedway in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series proved to be one many people will never forget for several reasons. The racing was great but the winner surprised nearly everybody watching. Justin Haley is now a Cup winner in only his third career start while running the full Xfinity …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Who’s On the Hot Seat Right Now?

2019 Atlanta Cup Erik Jones Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Last week, NASCAR President Steve Phelps announced that 2021 would not feature any major shakeups in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule like many were anticipating. It is also the same season that the Gen-7 Cup car will roll out and debut, which makes me question why they would not shake up the schedule. …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Which Race is Most Crucial in the Summer Stretch?

2019 Las Vegas I Gots Kyle Busch Harrison Burton Todd Gilliland Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The summer stretch of the 2019 season is upon us in NASCAR and there have been many controversial topics and great races. As we near the playoffs in September, this is one of the most important portions of the schedule for all of these teams. Which race will be most crucial coming up? Daytona as …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Will Sonoma Match the Same Intensity Seen On The “Roval”?

2019 Iowa I Gots Austin Hill Pack Racing Nkp

This weekend not only marks the first road course event of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season but the first since the ROVAL back in September. Road course racing always brings out the best drivers, testing their skill and patience. Last season, the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL put on arguably the craziest race …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Should “Retired” Drivers Be Allowed To Race in Lower Series?

Nascar Gander Outdoors Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After this past weekend’s Gander Outdoors Truck Series event at the Texas Motor Speedway, there has been a lot of talk about Greg Biffle’s big win. Biffle returned to NASCAR competition for the first time since 2016, and for his first Truck Series race since 2004. To say that it was impressive for a driver …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Is 2019 Cole Custer’s Best Chance at an Xfinity Championship?

2019 Las Vegas I Nxs Cole Custer Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Cole Custer is now in his third full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This is the first year, though, that he has scored multiple wins, and we are only in June. Custer had only two career wins before this season, coming at Homestead in 2017 and Texas in November 2018. He has solidified himself …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Can Martin Truex Jr. Duplicate his 2017 Championship Season?

2019 Charlotte Cup Martin Truex Jr. Checkered Flag Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series package has been a topic of conversation every single week this season, and now that we are 13 races into the year, it is time to make an assessment on the kind of racing it has produced. Has it lived up to the expectations that were set at …

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