Race Weekend Central

Cole Custer Gaining Momentum Heading Into Playoffs

2017 Richmond I Nxs Cole Custer Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

The box score will show Cole Custer finishing in eighth place when the checkered flag flew in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Chicagoland Speedway, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Custer led a career-high 41 laps in Saturday’s TheHouse.com 300 from Chicagoland and had the quickest racecar he’s had since joining Stewart-Haas Racing’s newly formed …

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Dakoda Armstrong On Missing XFINITY Playoffs: ‘It Just Didn’t Quite Happen’

2017 Dover I Nxs Dakoda Armstrong Car Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Dakoda Armstrong came into Saturday’s TheHouse.com 300 at Chicagoland Speedway knowing he needed a miracle to get into the 2017 XFINITY Series playoffs. Unfortunately, it never came. Armstrong brought the No. 28 WinField United Camry home in 16th place, right behind both Brendan Gaughan and Michael Annett, who he was battling for the 12th and final …

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Tracking the Trucks: One Final Look At The Playoff Squeeze

2017 Dover I Cwts Ben Rhodes Truck Nigel Kinrade Nkp

In a Nutshell: Johnny Sauter was the fastest truck on Friday evening, and he was rewarded for it. He led 28 laps on the evening in his No. 21 Chevrolet Silverado en route to his second victory of the 2017 season in the TheHouse.com 225 from Chicagoland Speedway. Ben Rhodes clinched the eighth and final …

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Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski Rivalry Heats Up Ahead of NASCAR Playoff Opener

NASCAR Brad Keselowski Kyle Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

For a sport seeking some needed momentum, the internet became a wonderful place for NASCAR Friday. Ahead of the playoff-opening race from Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, two of the sport’s biggest names (and bitter rivals) sparked the latest Twitter war in stock car racing. Yes, of course I’m talking about Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. Who …

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Kyle Busch Earns Chicagoland Pole For NASCAR MENCS Playoff Opener

2017 Las Vegas Nxs Kyle Busch Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Kyle Busch is starting in a familiar place to open the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: first place. Busch turned a fast lap of 187.963 mph (28.729 seconds) at Chicagoland Speedway in his No. 18 Skittles Sweet Heat Toyota Camry. That was enough to earn his series-leading seventh pole of 2017 and 26th of …

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Ryan Truex Wins First Truck Series Pole at Chicagoland

2017 Eldora Cwts Ryan Truex Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell Labounty/NKP)

For the first time in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career, Ryan Truex will lead the field to the green flag. Truex won the pole for tonight’s The House 225 from Chicagoland Speedway with a lap of 175.982 mph (30.685 seconds) around the 1.5-mile tri-oval in his No. 16 Hattori Racing Toyota. The pole is …

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Erik Jones Paces Chicagoland XFINITY Final Practice

2017 Talladega I Nxs Erik Jones Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Erik Jones was quickest in final practice for tomorrow afternoon’s The House 300 from Chicagoland Speedway in his No. 20 NBA 2K18/GameStop Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Jones’ quick lap of 173.310 mph (31.158 seconds) was just ahead of Spencer Gallagher. The XFINITY Series rookie, who has struggled for much of the season ran a quick …

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Kyle Busch, Toyota Pace 1st Cup Practice from Chicagoland

2017 Bristol Ii Nxs Kyle Busch Celebrates Lesley Ann Miller Nkp

(Photo: Lesley Ann Miller / NKP)

Kyle Busch led the field in the first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice on Friday afternoon (Sept. 15) from Chicagoland Speedway ahead of the first race of the 2017 playoffs. Busch’s fastest lap of 184.143 mph (29.325 seconds), which came on his seventh and final lap, just bested his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Daniel Suarez (183.418 mph), …

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2-Headed Monster: Is the End Coming for Richard Petty Motorsports?

2017 Atlanta Cup Richard Petty Ty Dillon Matthew T Thacker Nkp

Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP

Tuesday was a busy day in the NASCAR world, especially for Richard Petty Motorsports. In the morning, Smithfield Foods announced it would be taking its sponsorship to Stewart-Haas Racing and leaving RPM after six seasons. In the afternoon, it was announced that Aric Almirola would not return to the team in 2018. And at night, RPM and Smithfield …

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