Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick & Kyle Busch Best So Far in 2018

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Light / Mobil 1 Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline The 2018 season has been the story of the haves and have-nots. Stewart-Haas Racing has been the strongest organization all season long and its number one driver has been Kevin Harvick. Harvick is the series leader in victories, stage wins and has accumulated the most playoff points. The other driver who …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Just Like Old Times, Kurt Busch Wins Bristol

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Kurt Busch owned Bristol at one point in time. He won five races there from 2002 through 2006, including three straight in 2003 and 2004. Since his fifth win in 2006, he didn’t have a single runner-up finish. Busch ran in the top 10 the majority of the night and made …

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Tech Talk: Trent Owens Speaks to Vertical Loads & Brakes for Bristol

Trent Owens Cup Charlotte 2017 Fall Mike Neff

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to the high-banked, concrete half-mile in the Smoky Mountains that is Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. Teams are faced with many different challenges getting the cars ready for the race — and completely different circumstances once the race begins. One thing is for sure: it is never boring …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kevin Harvick Sweeps Lucky Number 7

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Light / Mobil 1 Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Kevin Harvick has done it again. For the third time in his seven victories this year, he swept all three stages of the race. Harvick led 108 laps, won every stage and beat the competition into submission. He became the second driver in 20 years to have seven wins through 23 …

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Tech Talk: Tire Spring Rates, Five Minute Clocks and Engine Temperatures with Justin Alexander for Michigan

Martinsville Cup Justin Alexander Spring 2018 Mike Neff (156)

Heading to the Irish Hills of Michigan will test the reflexes of everyone with the fastest racetrack NASCAR competes at during the season. The teams have quite a few different challenges facing them, with the track that is still holding onto the newness of the repave that happened several years ago. In this week’s edition …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Chase Elliott Cranks Up the Siren Again

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Gobowling At The Glen

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline After almost three years of trying, and eight near misses, Chase Elliott has finally scored his maiden win in the Cup series. Elliott won the second stage and the race while Martin Truex Jr. grabbed the win in the first stage. William Byron crossed the finish line in eighth to claim …

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Tech Talk: Mike Wheeler on Brakes, Pit Stops & Technical Inspection

2017 Kansas I Cup Mike Wheeler Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

The challenges of road course racing are many and diverse. From pit strategy to suspension pliability and brake cooling, there are more options on the road courses than any other tracks that the series visits. This week, heading to Watkins Glen, the teams are looking at a track that is faster and less technical than …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Kyle Busch Takes Another Gander at Victory Lane in Pocono

#18: Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry M&m's Caramel Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Kyle Busch ran 25 races at Pocono Raceway and never finished above second before last July. After Sunday he has two wins in the last three races. Busch took advantage of trouble for Kevin Harvick on pit road and then held off teammate Daniel Suarez on late-race restarts to claim his …

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Tech Talk: Speed Down the Straights of Pocono

Justin Alexander Cup 2017 Charlotte Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men are blown up by the slightest mistake. That happened last weekend to the No. 3 of Austin Dillon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, when a late-race loose wheel upended its strong run. Crew chief Justin Alexander hopes to have his ducks in a row this weekend, as …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: The Magic Mile Puts on a Show as Kevin Harvick Scores 6th Win

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Beer Celebrates After Winning Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Momma, there is that man again. For the sixth time this season, Kevin Harvick made the right moves down the stretch to garner him the track position that he needed. He capitalized on that good fortune to make a late race bump and run to move from deep in the field …

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