Race Weekend Central

Tech Talk: G-Forces, Sway Bars & Inspection Failures with Jason Ratcliff

Jason Ratcliff Bank Of America 500 2015 Cup Charlotte Mike Neff

Photo Credit : Mike Neff

Being in the Chase adds a whole new level of pressure for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. Not only can a bad race back a team into a corner, but the scrutiny of the sanctioning body to make sure everyone is on a level playing field also puts teams under a huge microscope. This isn’t …

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NASCAR 101: Kentucky Perhaps the End of the 2016 Season for Some

2016 Iowa Speedway Nxs Sam Hornish Jr. Burnout Photo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

There’s a very real possibility that this weekend will be the last time we’ll see a few familiar drivers in NASCAR this season. Again, key word: possibility. With eight weeks left in the season following this weekend’s events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway, there’s still plenty of time for schedules to change, …

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Friday Faceoff: Will We See Any Chase Surprises?

2016 Chicago Nxs Brendan Gaughan Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

Despite a difficult ending for some Chasers, Chicagoland Speedway still saw no playoff contender finish lower than 28th. Did take anything from that race which makes you concerned about any of the main title contenders? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: No.  The only thing I saw that was a bit unexpected was Jimmie Johnson’s dominance for …

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2-Headed Monster: Which Inaugural Chase Will Be More Intriguing, Trucks or XFINITY?

2016 Chicago Cwts 2016 Chase Drivers Russell Labounty Nkp

When NASCAR announced it was expanding its Chase playoff system to the XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series earlier this year, fans weren’t sure how to react. On one hand, the Chase awards a championship based on the performance of seven races, and many wonder whether that cheapens the championship. On the other hand, …

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Happiness Is…New Hampshire, Ratings & Big Money

2016 Nscs Jimmie Johnson Chicagoland Photo Russel Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Well that was fast.  For a racing series, speed is usually a good thing.  In this case, well, maybe the speed that NASCAR showed this week is maybe not such a good thing.  The matter here is NASCAR’s decision to change how it adjudicates penalties for the laser inspections and lug nuts.  This move is …

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Truckin’ Thursdays: Gearing Up for the Inaugural Chase for the Champsionship

2016 Ncwts Chase Grid Chicagoland Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

This weekend, the Camping World Truck Series takes to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first race in the Round of 8 ahead of crowning the winner of the inaugural Chase. While many dreaded the announcement of the truck series chase NASCAR back in January, the reality is that we’re just seven races away from …

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NASCAR Mailbox: The Future of Hendrick Motorsports Continues to be Uncertain

2016 Loudon I Cup Alex Bowman Greg Ives Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Jimmie Johnson soared to the lead at Chicagoland Speedway this past Sunday, showcasing speed that hasn’t been present with the No. 48 car in nearly a year. While some speculate that Johnson has lost his magic touch with the new Chase format, he was bringing his Hendrick Motorsports car to the front of the pack …

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The 10: Chasing in Chicagoland

2016 Nscs Cup Field Chicagoland Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist / NKP)

 The first round of the Chase has come and gone, and much like last year it’s Toyota that’s taken the early advantage. The Hendrick Motorsports duo of Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott emerged as legitimate contenders in the first round of NASCAR’s playoff, but in the end it was Furniture Row Racing‘s Martin Truex, Jr., …

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Beyond the Cockpit: Mike Bugarewicz Guiding Tony Stewart in Final Chase Run

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Kansas

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Mike Bugarewicz’s career as a crew chief in NASCAR’s premier division was one that got off to a distinctive start. The longtime engineer was named three-time Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart’s crew chief for his final full-time season heading into 2016. However, after Stewart was injured over the off-season in an off-road vehicle accident, …

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