Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Is the Old Bristol Back?

2018 Cup Bristol Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

After early dominant driver Ryan Blaney was knocked out in a crash Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson led a race-high 200 laps only to be disappointed by a late-race pass for the win by Kyle Busch. What effect will the defeat have on Larson and whether he can win a different race later …

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The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Bristol

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Ticketguardian 500 Ism Raceway, Phoenix, Az Usa Friday 9 March 2018 Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Skittles Sweet Heat World Copyright: Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series made its first stop in “Thunder Valley” for the Food City 500 on Sunday. The race began as the threat of rain continued to loom, and precipitation interfered with the race three times on Sunday, creating what looked like a long day at the Bristol Motor Speedway. After a …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s Been the Biggest Surprise of 2018?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Aric Almirola John K Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John K. Harrelson / NKP)

Clint Bowyer’s win at Martinsville Speedway snapped a 190-race winless streak. Who is most likely to be the next driver who has already won in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series to snap his long winless drought? Christian Koelle: Paul Menard is really impressing me over at Wood Brothers Racing. That car has some speed, and …

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The 10: 10 Ways to Fix the Cup Series Schedule

2018 Auto Club Justin Allgaier, Jr Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Hellmann's And Joey Logano, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Discount Tire

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

This past week, the teams competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series enjoyed their first off weekend of the 2018 season. The Easter holiday gave teams the opportunity to take a breather and enjoy time with family while celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The schedule has been a popular discussion lately in the NASCAR …

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Friday Faceoff: Did NASCAR Handle Its Snow-Out Correctly?

Clint Bowyer Martinsville Cup Mike Neff 2018

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Snow postponed the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway from Sunday to Monday for the first time since 1993. How do you think NASCAR handled the situation? Matt McLaughlin: They were in a difficult position, but in the end, postponement was the only valid option. I’d have liked to see them bite the bullet and announce the …

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The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Martinsville

2018 Cup Martinsville Zach Catanzareti Denny Hamlin

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series went short track racing at Martinsville Speedway Monday. The original plan was to run on Sunday, but for the first time in 25 years, a Cup Series race was postponed due to snow. The Blizzard of ’93 postponed the Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway for an …

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Justin Haley, Matt Crafton, Grant Enfinger Lead Martinsville Truck Practices

2017 Eldora Cwts Grant Enfinger Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Following three practices for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway on Friday (March 23), three different drivers led the way in advance of Saturday’s (March 24) Alpha Energy Solutions 250. Justin Haley and Matt Crafton led the way in first and second practice, while Grant Enfinger paced final practice. Haley was fastest …

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Axalta Extends Relationship With Hendrick Motorsports Through 2022

2018 Atlanta Zach Catanzareti Cup Alex Bowman

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Axalta has reached an agreement to remain a primary sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports cars through 2022. The leading global supplier of liquid and powder coating has been a sponsor of the organization with both the Axalta brand and the Dupont brand. Axalta will be featured as a primary sponsorship through 2022 on Chevrolet ZL1’s fielded …

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Friday Faceoff: With NASCAR Sponsors Leaving, Time to Panic?

2018 Daytona Cup Bruce Nuttleman Jimmie Johnson

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Could this be the beginning of another dominant season for the No. 78 team? Mark Howell: After the kind of 2017 Martin Truex Jr. enjoyed, anything is most certainly possible. One win does not mean dominance, but the No. 78 bunch is leaning in that direction. More wins will come as we enter the summer months, …

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Brad Keselowski on Team Penske: ‘We Haven’t Really Competed for a Win Anywhere’

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Aaa Texas 500 Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Tx Usa Friday 3 November 2017 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing Rodney, Mobil 1 Ford Fusion And Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Wurth Ford Fusion World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano both rebounded from disappointing finishes last weekend at ISM Raceway, earning a pair of top-five results Sunday afternoon at Auto Club Speedway. The duo sits inside the top four in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points five races into the 2018 season. However, the lack of speed could be concerning for …

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Martin Truex Jr. Secures First Victory of 2018 at Auto Club Speedway

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Martin Truex Jr Cole Pearn Nigelkinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Kevin Harvick snatched the title of intermediate track king from Martin Truex Jr. to start the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. But it was Truex, not Harvick, who put on a clinic at Auto Club Speedway Sunday afternoon (March 18). Leading 125 laps, Truex put a lock on his first victory of 2018 in Sunday’s …

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Martin Truex Jr. Wins Auto Club 400 Pole

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Pennzoil 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nv Usa Friday 2 March 2018 Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops/5 Hour Energy World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Martin Truex Jr. secured his second straight pole on Friday (March 9) for Sunday’s Auto Club 400. Truex also earned the first Busch Pole Award in 2018 following the announcement of Busch sponsoring the award earlier this week. He also won the pole last weekend at ISM Raceway, where he finished the race in fifth. …

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