Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Denny Hamlin Sweeps Darlington Weekend With Late-Race Charge

Denny Hamlin Darlington

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline – Denny Hamlin was thrust into an alternate pit strategy when Martin Truex Jr. short pitted on his penultimate pit stop and then made his final stop with just over 50 laps to go. When the No. 11 driver attempted to hit pit road on lap 314, he missed the entrance …

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Holding A Pretty Wheel: The Lady In Black Adds to Jimmie Johnson’s Summer Woes

2017 Michigan Ii Cup Jimmie Johnson Helmet Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

It’s hard to ignore the grey in the beard or the lines around the eyes these days.  No longer a kid, but several years older and seven times wiser, Jimmie Johnson looks through the eyes of a champion. But these days, the worry lines are a bit deeper, the eyes not laughing like they sometimes …

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Up to Speed: Keep Throwing it Back at Darlington

Darlington Cup 2017 Aric Almirola 2 Throwback Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Sunday marked the third edition of Darlington Raceway’s Bojangles Southern 500 since the fabled race returned to its traditional Labor Day weekend date.  The race weekend is also in the third year of its throwback theme.  Familiar paint schemes from years gone by adorn most of the cars.  NBC Sports used  some old-school graphics, while Ken …

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Austin Dillon ‘Hitting Stride’ En Route to Playoffs

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington, Sc Usa Sunday 3 September 2017 Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, American Ethanol Chevrolet Ss Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Fusion World Copyright: Matthew T. Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

The struggle of Austin Dillon’s No. 3 team has been an afterthought following a Coca-Cola 600 triumph at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He’s in the playoffs, no biggie. However, for Richard Childress Racing, the last three months has been a fight, with Dillon recording only one top-10 finish in of 12 races. That slump of a streak, in a …

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Martin Truex Jr. Clinches Regular-Season Title Despite Darlington Loss

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington, Sc Usa Sunday 3 September 2017 Martin Truex Jr, Furniture Row Racing, Bass Pro Shops/tracker Boats 40th Anniversary Toyota Camry World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett Nkp

Martin Truex Jr. (Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Climbing out of the hot, steaming No. 78 Toyota following 500 rough miles, Martin Truex Jr. was, himself, hot and steaming. And it was expected after cutting a tire while leading Sunday’s Southern 500 with two laps to go, giving the race win to Denny Hamlin. Leading 76 laps on the night, a second straight …

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Fortune Brings Victory for Denny Hamlin at Darlington

2017 Darlington Cup Zach Catanzareti Denny Hamlin

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

When Martin Truex Jr. built more than four seconds over Denny Hamlin in the closing laps of Sunday’s Southern 500, it looked like a done deal. However, once Hamlin closed to the rear bumper of Truex with two laps to go, Hamlin quickly found himself leading when Truex blew a right-front tire and hit the …

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Fifth Third Bank Signs Extension with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Quaker State 400 Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, Ky Usa Friday 7 July 2017 Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Roush Fenway, Fifth Third Bank Ford Fusion World Copyright: Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Fifth Third Bank has renewed their sponsorship with Roush Fenway Racing and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., extending to a multi-year deal in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. “I’m so appreciative to continue racing with them,” Stenhouse said. “It’s great to have partners who believe in this sport.” For Stenhouse, Fifth Third Bank has spelt …

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2017 Frontstretch Cup: Bojangles’ Southern 500 Predictions

Darlington Cup 2017 Matt Dibenedetto Throwback Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Welcome to our 10th 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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Daily Fantasy NASCAR Hot-Starts: Bojangles’ Southern 500

Darlington Cup 2017 Denny Hamlin Throwback Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

DraftKings’ daily fantasy NASCAR contest is back after a week off. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Darlington Raceway for throwback weekend. The green flag flies for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at 6 p.m. ET Sunday on NBCSN. The DraftKings strategy for intermediate tracks is all about finding dominators for your roster. A …

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Kevin Harvick Wins 3rd Pole for Southern 500

Darlington Cup 2017 Kevin Harvick Throwback Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Kevin Harvick won the pole for Sunday’s Southern 500 from Darlington Raceway. His lap speed of 177.730 mph gave Harvick his fourth pole for 2017 and 21st of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career. “I thought I gave some up the second round,” Harvick said. “I knew if I could not get it in …

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Kyle Busch Fastest in Final Darlington Practice Despite Early Spin

Darlington Cup 2017 Kyle Busch Throwback Mike Neff

(Photo: Mike Neff)

Despite spinning earlier in the session, Kyle Busch found his No. 18 M&M Caramel Toyota Camry on top of the speed charts, turning a lap at 173.320 mph at the end of final practice at Darlington Raceway Friday afternoon. During the session, Busch spun to avoid trouble, seeming to avoid adding another scrape to the …

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Kyle Larson Fastest in Opening Bojangles’ Southern 500 Practice

2017 Michigan Ii Cup Kyle Larson Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Kyle Larson was fastest in the first practice of “Fast Friday” at Darlington Raceway. Larson turned a lap of 28.415 seconds (173.064 mph) around the Darlington Raceway, just .069 seconds faster than second-place Denny Hamlin. Ford had a strong first practice with its drivers bringing home the third through fifth quickest times. Brad Keselowski had the fastest …

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