Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: Smooth Surface, Aero and Mechanical Grip All in Play with Trent Owens

Trent Owens Daytona Cup 2017 Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Trent Owens and his No. 37 JTG Daugherty Racing team had a long weekend at New Hampshire. They are now packed up and heading to Indianapolis for another flat race track, although this one presents a whole new set of challenges. The sticky stuff threw Owens a challenge at Loudon but brake issues spoiled the …

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4 Burning Questions: Will Restrictor Plates Work at Indianapolis?

Kyle Busch Donuts Indianapolis Xfinity 2016 Yvonne Leonard

(Photo: Yvonne Leonard)

Will restrictor plates work at Indianapolis? The XFINITY Series race at Indianapolis has been a sore point for the series for a few seasons now. Boring racing and bad crowds have made the race largely a dud since the controversial decision to move the race from Lucas Oil Raceway. Last year’s twist with making it …

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NASCAR 101: International Racers in 2017

2017 Fontana Cup Daniel Suarez Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

NASCAR is looking for some international flavor, and its diversity program is attempting to sway the sport in a direction similar to the Verizon IndyCar Series. International stock car drivers are rare, and ones with the funding to bring them to America to race in one of NASCAR’s top three series is a feat that’s …

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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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Tracking the Trucks: Matt Crafton Slays Dirt Racing at Eldora

2017 Daytona I Cwts Matt Crafton Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

In a Nutshell: Matt Crafton snapped a 27-race winless streak with a 1.960-second victory over Stewart Friesen in Wednesday night’s (July 19) Eldora Dirt Derby. Crafton took advantage of a late-race restart to pass a dominant Friesen for the lead and held on to the top spot for the remaining 17 circuits en route to …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR Forecast Powered By DraftKings: Brickyard 400 Preview

2016 Indianapolis Cup Kyle Busch Bricks Logan Whitton Nkp

(Photo: Logano Whitton / NKP)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Your latest daily fantasy NASCAR showdown sees cars hit the track on Saturday at 9 a.m. for first practice, and then at 6:15 p.m. for Coors Light Pole Qualifying. Here are …

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Happiness Is: Head Games, Shake Up & Advertising

2017 Cup New Hampshire Zach Catanzareti Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth (Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

This past Sunday, Denny Hamlin did his best to slay whatever dragons are wreaking havoc in the Joe Gibbs team complex.  His win, the first of the year for the team, locked him into the playoffs while also making him the 12th different driver to win this season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series …

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2-Headed Monster: Will Joey Logano Make the Playoffs?

2017 Dover Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Logano

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Joey Logano and the No. 22 team have one win this season at Richmond Raceway that is labeled as “encumbered” due to failing post-race inspection. This stipulation means that the team can not use the win as a ticket to the 2017 playoffs. With seven races remaining in the regular season, Logano sits 17th in …

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Eyes on XFINITY: Blake Koch, Kaulig Racing the Perfect Match

2017 Xfinity New Hampshire Zach Catanzareti Blake Koch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Matt Kaulig took a risk starting his own race team, Kaulig Racing, heading into the 2016 season. His choice of driver Blake Koch, who was at a crossroads in his career. Prior to taking the ride, Koch spent seven partial seasons in the XFINITY Series, running a full schedule only in 2015, and finishing 17th in …

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Did You Notice?: Drivers No Longer Dread the NASCAR DNF?

2017 Dover I Cup Brad Keselowski Kurt Busch Crash Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Did You Notice? … The sport’s DNF total has ticked up this season? In a year of transition for the sport on top of the point standings, there’s also been an increase in early trips to the garage. Just look at how the DNF totals have increased for the best drivers in the sport. Total DNFs – …

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Beyond the Cockpit: BJ McLeod Planning to Move Ownership to Cup in 3-5 Years

2017 Richmond I Nxs Bj Mcleod Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

Since 2011, BJ McLeod has made steady progression up the racing ladder. Starting in super late models and having won numerous races and championships, McLeod quickly found himself racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2010 to 2014 before jumping to the XFINITY Series in 2015. For 2016, the 33-year-old took to full-time competition in …

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