Race Weekend Central

Martin Truex, Jr. Paces Opening Practice at Watkins Glen

2016 Pocono I Cup Martin Truex Jr. Anthony Lumbis Sr.

(Photo: Anthony Lumbis, Sr.)

In the opening practice of the second and final road course race of the season, Toyota led the way for the opening practice session of the weekend, like the manufacturer has plenty of times this season. At Watkins Glen International, Martin Truex, Jr. led the way at 126.883 mph during the first practice. The No. 78 car posted …

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Will Continue to be an Advocate for Concussion-Like Symptoms

2016 Watkins Glen Cup Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

On Friday, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. made his return to the race track at Watkins Glen International. Instead of making left and right hand turns, he was there to discuss his concussion-like symptoms. Earnhardt, 41, has credited his doctors for keeping him out of the racecar for the past four weeks, starting at New Hampshire in mid-July. …

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Kyle Busch Fastest in Second Practice, Sweeps XFINITY Series Sessions

2016 Fontana Nxs Kyle Busch Daniel Suarez Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Much like the first practice session of the day, Kyle Busch‘s name was a top the leader-board at Watkins Glen International. With a lap of 123.006 mph, the No. 18 car paced the second XFINITY Series session. Kyle Larson turned the second fastest lap in the later practice (122.994 mph), .007 seconds off the pace that …

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Martin Truex, Jr. Signs Contract Extension with Furniture Row Racing

2016 Pocono Ii Cup Martin Truex Jr Helmet Logan Whitton Nkp

(Photo: Logan Whitton / NKP)

Late Thursday evening, Furniture Row Racing announced that driver Martin Truex, Jr. has signed an extension to remain with the team through 2018. This season, Truex has led a series-high and career-high 1,005 laps through the first 21 laps, including the most dominant performance in NASCAR history, leading 592 miles during the Coca-Cola 600 Memorial Day …

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Aric Almirola Believes Alliance Would be Beneficial for Richard Petty Motorsports

2016 Loudon I Cup Aric Almirola Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

20 races through the 2016 Sprint Cup season, one thing is for certain: Richard Petty Motorsports has had a dismal season. With rookie driver Brian Scott added to the driver lineup, this season is crucial for the organization. Team leader, Aric Almirola currently sits 25th in the championship standings, 109 points below the Chase cutoff. Needing a win …

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Chris Buescher Confident Heading into Second Half of Rookie Season

Chris Buescher Indianapolis 2016 Cup Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

On the heels of a career-best 14th-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Chris Buescher sees light at the end of the tunnel. A season filled with many low spots, the No. 34 team is starting to its stride. Making six starts for Front Row Motorsports in 2015, primarily competing for the XFINITY Series championship with Roush …

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NASCAR to Implement Chassis Reinforcement at Restrictor Plate Tracks

2016 Daytona Ii Cup Pack Racing Ii Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

In a teleconference Thursday morning, Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR senior vice president of innovation and racing development, announced that teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY series will need to strengthen the chassis in 2017 at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Starting with the beginning of Speedweeks next year, teams will be required to …

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Michael Lira, Spencer Boyd Plan XFINITY Series Debuts

Michael Lira

(Photo Credit: Lira Motorsports)

This weekend will mark a new era for two up-and-coming drivers, trying to make it to NASCAR’s elite level, the Sprint Cup Series. Michael Lira and Spencer Boyd will both make their XFINITY Series debut during Saturday night’s U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway. Lira, 18, has competed part-time in the ARCA Racing Series for the …

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Beyond The Cockpit: Paul Menard Taking More Risks in Unknown Future

Paul Menard

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Known to the world as one of the quietest guys in NASCAR, Paul Menard sits in an interesting spot in his career. He is in the midst of his sixth full season with Richard Childress Racing, a team that has won 11 races since 2011, nine of which came with Kevin Harvick, who hasn’t raced …

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Greg Biffle Records Best Finish of 2016 at New Hampshire

2016 Nascar New Hampshire

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP)

Early on in the New Hampshire 301, it looked like it was going to be another day at the office for Roush Fenway Racing, until a rash of cautions turned the team’s luck around. During a long green flag run, spanning 112 laps, Greg Biffle went a lap down, as did his two RFR teammates. …

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Matt Kenseth Cashes in Late at New Hampshire

2016 Nascar New Hampshire

(Photo: Matthew Thacker / NKP)

Starting from 18th position, Matt Kenseth went forward from the drop of the green flag, racing his way into the top 10. It wasn’t until 44 laps to go that the No. 20 car took the lead, never looking back. There were a series of cautions toward the end of the 301-mile race, that juggled the running …

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