Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: NASCAR’s Small Teams Make It Work At Indy

2017 Indianapolis Cup Matt Dibenedetto Car Matthew T Thacker

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Think Small Indianapolis Motor Speedway isn’t exactly a track known for being kind to underfunded teams.  It’s a track where aerodynamics and horsepower rule, and enough of both of those to win races usually comes at a price too steep for most of the small teams, because it begins on shaker rigs and in the …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Less Really More in NASCAR?

2017 Cup New Hampshire Zach Catanzareti Austin Dillon Paul Menard

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Richard Childress Racing is considering dropping to a two-car organization next year if Menards moves sponsorship to another team. Roush Fenway downsized this season, and with sponsorship struggles, it’s possible other organizations could follow suit.  Cutting back seems like a sound plan, but is it best for the long term? Michael Massie: If RCR downsizes, …

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The Frontstretch 5: Drivers Who Need a Win to Make the Playoffs & Can Actually Get One

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Monster Energy Nascar All Star Race Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, Nc Usa Friday 19 May 2017 Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing, Motorcraft/quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Fusion And Clint Bowyer, Stewart Haas Racing, Haas Automation Ford Fusion World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

There are just seven races left for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers to earn a spot in the season playoffs, and with 11 in on race wins, the competition for the five remaining spots is hot and heavy. A few drivers—Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott and Jamie McMurray—look like they’ll make it in on …

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The Underdog House: How Small Teams Play a Role In Silly Season

2017 Las Vegas Cup Matt Dibenedetto Landon Cassill Racing John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Think Small Silly Season is heating up, and it could be a big one, with lots of drivers changing teams.  Among the small teams, the biggest name in the rumor mill is Ryan Blaney, who could make the jump to Team Penske next year if the team can secure sponsorship for a third car.  But …

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Friday Faceoff: Where Will Matt Kenseth Land?

2017 Las Vegas Cup Matt Kenseth Ruddell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Matt Kenseth is officially a free agent after the 2017 season.  Can Kenseth, age 45, still land a top-level ride?  Should he accept a mid-tier offer if the power teams don’t come calling? Bryan Gable:  Absolutely.  Just because Kenseth is not in his prime anymore does not mean he has no value to NASCAR’s best …

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The Frontstretch 5: Motorsports Memories & Moments That Blew Our Minds

2017 Charlotte All Star Cup Denny Hamlin Tire Rub Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Racing is made of moments; bits and pieces of our consciousness. We don’t remember every lap of every race, but rather the snippets of the sport that make us sit up and take notice. It might be a few minutes from a race weekend, a video clip, a number that catches our eye and grabs …

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The Underdog House: Talented But Opportunity Hard to Come By

Kentucky Underdogs

(Photo: Logan Whitton/ NKP)

Think Small I’ve written before about the small-team drivers and how they’re often overlooked, to their detriment.  They’re virtually ignored on broadcasts unless they’re doing something wrong, and seem to be considered damaged goods in the free-agent market, though their racing efforts are often hampered more by budgets and equipment than any lack of ability. …

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Holding a Pretty Wheel: When Were the Good Ol’ Days of NASCAR?

1995 Brickyard 400 Dale Earnhardt Nascar 1a

(Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

“Back in the good ol’ days…” is a phrase heard all the time in NASCAR. Back in the good ol’ days, the racing was great and every finish was exciting. Back in the good ol’ days, the drivers were real racers. Back in the good ol’ days, NASCAR wouldn’t have stood for this. Waxing nostalgic …

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Friday Faceoff: Mid-Term Cup Report Card

2017 Martinsville Cup Zach Catanzareti Brad Keselowski Kyle Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

This weekend’s race at Kentucky Speedway marks the halfway point of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. What are your thoughts on 2017 and the racing so far?  Amy Henderson: I’m impressed with the number of different winners we’ve seen, even without a win from Joe Gibbs Racing, and the crop of youngsters across …

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The Frontstretch 5: Things to Watch This Summer

2017 Daytona Ii Cup Sunset Blur Nigelkinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Nine to go Seventeen races later, there are suddenly just nine chances for drivers to earn a playoff berth. So far 11 drivers have the wins that should guarantee a spot. Note the “should,” because there’s still an outside chance that six other drivers could snatch a win in the next nine weeks and make …

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The Underdog House: Daytona Featured Was The Best & Worst of Times For Small Teams

2017 Daytona Ii Nxs Landon Cassill Pack Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP

Think Small Daytona and Talladega have a certain appeal because when the cars are equalized by restrictor plates, it brings driver skill into the spotlight, and as this week’s top 10 shows, there’s a lot of skill throughout the field.  It’s a bonus when all the drivers have a chance to show it. It’s a …

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Friday Faceoff: Can An Underfunded Team Be a Contender?

2017 Daytona I Cwts John Hunter Nemechek Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

Martin Truex, Jr. has had a hot start to 2017, with a total of 11 stage wins and two race wins, but he’s also had some missed opportunities due to things outside the driver’s control.  Is the No. 78 team ready to win a title this year, or will the little things add up? Dustin …

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