Race Weekend Central

Fire on Fridays: Denny Hamlin Needs This Cup Title

2019 Michigan Mencs Denny Hamlin Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin is giving Mark Martin some competition: Which of the two drivers is the best to never win a NASCAR title? Martin, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, had 40 wins in his 30-year Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, while Hamlin currently has 36 in half the seasons. Hamlin, though, has only finished runner-up …

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Fire on Fridays: The 5 Best NASCAR Personalities to Follow on Twitter

2019 Phoenix I Cup Chase Elliott Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

These days, the news cycle never ends. People can drop an atomic bomb in the wee hours of the morning or oh so late in the evening. That’s when the world of Twitter comes into play. The social media outlet is perfect for NASCAR news, no matter the time of day. It’s incredibly easy to …

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Fire on Fridays: Next Gen Car Needs to Suit Fans Old & New

2018 Chicago Cup Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Next Gen (formerly known as Gen 7) NASCAR racecar finally took its first laps on a racetrack this week. Austin Dillon and his Richard Childress Racing squad were the lucky folks to be the first ones to test the car this week at Richmond Raceway, with little to no concrete expectations entering the test. …

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Fire on Fridays: Roush’s Rejuvenation

2019 Las Vegas I Cup Chris Buescher Flamingo Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Jack Roush has spoken. Unfortunately, that means the folks at Natty Light might be a bit upset. But bringing Chris Buescher back is the smartest move Roush Fenway Racing could make for its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. While it might be a surprise, considering that Buescher and Roush both claimed they officially split ways …

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Fire on Fridays: 2020 Is All or Nothing for Matt DiBenedetto

2019 Atlanta Cup Zach Catanzareti Matt Dibenedetto

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The NASCAR world was shocked when veteran racer Paul Menard announced he’s retiring from full-time racing at the end of the 2019 season. More people were pleasantly surprised to see Matt DiBenedetto would replace him at Wood Brothers Racing in 2020. While it’s a one-year deal only, Menard said his family’s company, Menard’s, wants to …

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Erik Jones Signs Extension with Joe Gibbs Racing

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Joe Gibbs Racing’s lineup has been solidified for the 2020 season. The four-car team announced on Friday (Sept. 6) Erik Jones will return to the No. 20 car in 2020 following months of speculation about his future with JGR. “I’m so happy to finally have my plans for 2020 confirmed and to talk about it,” …

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Fire on Fridays: Here’s Why Darlington’s NASCAR Throwback Works

2017 Darlington Cup Zach Catanzareti Danica Patrick

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

There is nothing in NASCAR like Darlington Speedway. The egg-shaped oval is one-of-a-kind, and the racing at the facility is phenomenal. It is one of the few tracks that still exists in a way to give fans nostalgia. And that’s why the NASCAR throwback campaign is perfect for Darlington. For the last five years, NASCAR …

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Fire on Fridays: David Ragan’s Retirement Marks End of Era

Auto Club 500 Practice

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

It’s fitting that David Ragan announced the end to his full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career at the site of his last Xfinity Series triumph. Way back when, in 2009, Ragan was attempting to prove he deserved to stay with Roush Fenway Racing. Two years prior, he was tapped as Mark Martin’s replacement in …

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Fire on Fridays: Christopher Bell Shouldn’t Replace Erik Jones or Matt DiBenedetto

2019 Chicagoland Nxs Christopher Bell Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Don’t let the lack of facial hair trick you. Christopher Bell is indeed one of the most versatile drivers in the history of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He’s not spoiled. He’s not mean. He’s certainly not someone who will make you look bad. Bell, 24, is dominating week in and week out, already winning five …

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Fire on Fridays: Kurt Busch Needs to Keep Racing

2019 Michigan I Cup Kurt Busch Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Only Kurt Busch could do the unthinkable. Time and time again, the 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion has lifted a struggling team to become triumphant. Chip Ganassi Racing is just the latest in Busch’s quest for another championship ring, and thus far, he’s on pace to potentially have his best season in NASCAR’s premier …

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Fire on Fridays: NASCAR Needs Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports to Succeed

2019 Bristol Zach Catanzareti Jimmie Johnson

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

NASCAR without a championship-caliber Hendrick Motorsports is like the New England Patriots failing to make it deep into the NFL playoffs. The four-car Chevrolet team has been among NASCAR’s best since its founding in 1984. Throughout the decades, the organization only became better, leading the sport in innovation, drama and, of course, incredible paint schemes. …

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Fire on Fridays: Show Respect to Darrell Waltrip

1997 Darlington Cup Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Untraditional. Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Unique. Darrell Waltrip is different. He’s exactly what NASCAR needed at a time of transition at the start of the 21st century. But come the end of this weekend, race fans will no longer hear the famous words that have made waves throughout the nation: “Boogity, boogity, boogity: let’s go racing boys!” …

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