Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Can Martinsville Surprise?

2016 Las Vegas Cup Clint Bowyer Jamie Mcmurray Racing John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. came out this week saying that he is going to donate his brain after he dies for scientists to study it. What implications could this have on the future of safety in racing if they were to find anything different in his brain?  Mark Howell, Senior Writer: CTE has been too long …

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Friday Faceoff: Good Races or Good Finishes?

2016 Phoenix I Cup Kasey Kahne Ryan Blaney Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

After Martin Truex, Jr. said that his team would communicate with suspended crew chief Cole Pearn via FaceTime at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR announced it’s looking for way to limit communication with suspended crew members.  Is this something that needs to be done, or is remote communication enough of a hindrance on its own? Mark Howell, …

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Pace Laps: Young and Hungry Rookies, Mikhail Aleshin Impresses & K&N Pro Series Action

2016 Phoenix I Nxs Erik Jones Daniel Suarez Kyle Busch Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Sprint Cup: Young & Hungry – We are starting to witness a pattern in the Sprint Cup Series: The young drivers are here to race. The three men in particular are Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney as each of them scored a top-10 result Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. If Sunday was your first …

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2016 Frontstretch Cup: Staff Predictions for the Good Sam 500

2016 Las Vegas Cup Michael Mcdowell Pack Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Welcome to our ninth year of staff predictions! Each week, our experts attempt to tell you who the winner of each Cup race will be. Take a look to see who your favorite writers think will win it all (or at least score some points) this week! Think you can out-prognosticate our staff?  Leave your …

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Pace Laps: Rookies Impress at Las Vegas, Daniel Suarez’s Hot Start and Trans-Am Getting into Gear

2016 Las Vegas Cup Ryan Blaney Pack Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Sprint Cup Series: NASCAR’s Top Rookies Continue Promising 2016 Start – If Atlanta was the coming out party for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie class, then Las Vegas showed their staying power. Both Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott looked like legitimate contenders throughout a wild Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Elliott rose …

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Pace Laps: Johnson’s Major Win, NHRA Girl Power and Late Model Season Underway

Sprint Cup: Delightful Dale – You would think the most happy and ecstatic driver in the state of Georgia would be Atlanta winner Jimmie Johnson. No sir, as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was delighted after the 2016 debut of the low-downforce package – a race he finished second to his Hendrick Motorsports teammate. “I loved it,” …

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Friday Faceoff: How Important Is Track Position?

A quick exam of the last few seasons shows that only the best restrictor plate drivers – Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski – have been able to get to victory lane. Is it still fair to say anyone can win at Daytona or Talladega, or has NASCAR finally put fate in …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: Are NASCAR Dynasties a Thing of the Past?

There have been a lot of incredible things in NASCAR’s nearly 70-year history: close finishes, wild crashes, big tracks, small tracks (and a round one), pretty cars, ugly cars, pretty drivers, not-so-pretty drivers.  There have been hundreds of drivers running in hundreds of races over the years.  Most have their moments, though not every race …

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Pace Laps: Hamlin’s Big Step, GMS Steps Up And ‘Off’ Weekends

Sprint Cup: Hamlin, Team Toyota Packs A Punch – The final laps of Daytona reminded me of the closing moments of a Great American Race here 19 years ago. In that one, Bill Elliott held the lead on the final restart only for the selflessness of three Hendrick Motorsports teammates to bond together and blow on by …

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Pace Laps: Chase Elliott Chasing NASCAR History While NHRA Debuts

Nhra 2015 Alexis Dejoria Pink Car Burnout Credit Gary Nastase

(Photo: Gary Nastase)

Sprint Cup Series: Could Chase Elliott Be the Spark NASCAR Needs? – For the fourth year in a row, the best possible story came together for NASCAR on Daytona 500 Qualifying Day. 20-year old Chase Elliott grabbed the pole Sunday afternoon for the Great American Race, and in doing so became the youngest pole winner in …

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Friday Faceoff: Did NASCAR Add Too Many Gimmicks?

2015 Martinsville I Cup Tony Stewart Racingcredit Amy Henderson

(Photo: Amy Henderson)

NASCAR announced several changes last week, including a caution clock in the Truck Series. Is this going to change anything in terms of what fans see on track and/or for race teams? Clayton Caldwell, Contributor: The caution clock was a gut shot to me when I first heard it. I don’t mind the Chase in …

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