Race Weekend Central

Quin Houff Crashes Out in StarCom’s Final NASCAR Race

Quin Houff Phoenix II 2021

(Photo: Zach Sturniolo)

PHOENIX — Quin Houff knew this weekend was going to be pretty emotional. But the worst-case scenario hit hard when his No. 00 Chevrolet was brought back to the garage on the hook. Houff, in StarCom Racing’s final start, suffered a flat left-front tire entering turn 3 on lap 122 and crashed hard into the …

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Austin Cindric Beaten by Inches for Xfinity Series Championship

2021 Xfinity Phoenix Austin Cindric, No. 22 Team Penske Ford (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

A second consecutive championship was on the line for Austin Cindric. He fell inches short.

A bump-and-run from perennial runner-up Daniel Hemric in the final set of corners left Cindric 0.03 seconds from the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series title at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday night (Nov. 6).

The contact came coming to the checkered flag on an overtime restart to define the season’s title bout. Cindric was “pissed” he was moved but said it was fair game.

Chase Elliott at Ease Pursuing 2nd Consecutive Championship

Chase Elliott Phoenix Championship Race

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Not often does a NASCAR driver win consecutive championships. In fact, no one has done it since Jimmie Johnson claimed his fifth title in 2010.

Chase Elliott can put his name in rarified air Sunday, Nov. 7, at Phoenix Raceway as he chases his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title.

In Thursday’s (Nov. 4) media day availability at the Phoenix Convention Center, the defending champion’s cool, calm, collected demeanor was on display yet again, cruising in from a morning first spent at the Arizona State Capitol.

Zane Smith & John Hunter Nemechek Fall Just Short in Championship Chase

Zane Smith NASCAR Truck Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Zane Smith had the championship spot in his hands with 10 laps to go. John Hunter Nemechek rallied from early contact that set him behind by two laps. Neither driver was able to leave Phoenix Raceway Friday night (Nov. 5) with a championship on their resumes. Smith was passed for the lead by Ben Rhodes …

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Zach’s Turn: Denny Hamlin’s Anger May Finally Fuel Championship Run

Denny Hamlin Alex Bowman 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin‘s hunt for a NASCAR Cup Series championship has been fruitless so far. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a more recent viewer, you know Hamlin hasn’t won the title because it becomes a storyline every November. Statistically, he never came closer than 2010 when he finished runner-up to Jimmie Johnson in a public …

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Zach’s Turn: Putting Myself in the Driver’s Seat for Once

Zach Sturniolo Zach’s Turn

(Photo: Zach Sturniolo)

As someone who writes about motorsports, my role is to observe. I watch drivers wheel their machines around racetracks, fight physics, search for grip and look for ways around their competitors while they manage business dealings out of the race car. I feel like my opinions are generally well informed because I’ve been fortunate enough …

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Zach’s Turn: Brad Keselowski Shining in Rare Underdog Role Through Playoffs

Brad Keselowski Texas NASCAR 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On Oct. 10 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, Brad Keselowski was on the brink of elimination. His competitors were doing him no favors. The No. 2 Ford was sent spinning multiple times around the part-oval, part-road-course. And with no significant playoff points to carry him through the postseason, there were multiple points were it …

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Zach’s Turn: Time to Start Holding Kevin Harvick Accountable

Chase Elliott with damage to the No. 9 car during the 2021 Bank of America ROVAL400. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kevin Harvick is one of an elite few at the top of his era in the NASCAR Cup Series, but nothing on Harvick’s resume absolves the 2014 champion of accountability. Why, then, are we so quick to dismiss his wrongdoings over the years? Sure, this column is inspired by the events that took place Sunday …

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Michael Annett Retiring From Full-Time Racing After 2021 Season

Michael Annett

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Michael Annett will retire from full-time competition at the end of the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, he announced Wednesday (Oct. 6). Annett has driven for JR Motorsports full-time since 2017, wheeling the No. 1 car to victory lane in the 2019 season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The 35-year-old has missed seven races this …

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Zach’s Turn: Anthony Alfredo Survives Talladega for First Top 10

Anthony Alfredo Talladega 2 2021

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Anthony Alfredo finally found the good run he’s long been looking for at Talladega Superspeedway. Lost in the shuffle of Bubba Wallace’s historic day, Alfredo kept his No. 38 Georgia Peanuts Ford clean and brought the car home 10th for his first career top 10 in the NASCAR Cup Series. “We’re really proud of that,” …

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Zach’s Turn: William Byron Faces Déjà Vu as Playoffs Bring More Trouble

William Byron

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

William Byron had to dig deep at Bristol Motor Speedway to pull himself above the playoff cut line and advance to the Round of 12. But another round has brought another points hole for Byron to crawl out of after a night of missteps that led him to an 18th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor …

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