Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Which Track Will Go Down As Jimmie Johnson’s Best?

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(Photo: Randy Lanning)

The Next Gen car in the NASCAR Cup Series will feature a single lug nut to be removed during pit stops. Is this a positive move, and what impact will it have? Adam Cheek: I’m very in the middle. It’s positive in that there’s less of a chance for loose wheels to be an issue, since …

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Friday Faceoff: Is the Bounty on Kyle Busch a Good Thing?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway is the only finish better than 15th for Toyota after two races. Is it too early to hit the panic button? Adam Cheek: Yes, way too early. A couple races in — one a superspeedway race with a few massive crashes and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, …

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Friday Faceoff: Is Denny Hamlin One of the All-Time Greats?

2019 Michigan Mencs Denny Hamlin Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Given the situation, who is the right choice to fill in the No. 6 car in the NASCAR Cup Series while Ryan Newman is recovering? Amy Henderson: I like the driver RFR went with, Ross Chastain. He’s shown that with good equipment, he can be racy and he can finish well for the team this weekend. …

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Friday Faceoff: Who Needs to Win the Daytona 500 the Most?

2020 Daytona 500 Media Day Ncs Brad Keselowski Nkp

#2: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Discount Tire

The NASCAR Cup Series’ Busch Clash ended with more cars sitting damaged in the garage than racing on the track. Is there a need to change anything about the event? Amy Henderson: I’m not sure the event is necessary at all, but if the teams want to keep it, that’s OK. At least most of the …

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Friday Faceoff: Did Kyle Busch Have a Championship-Caliber Season?

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Did Kyle Busch have a championship-caliber Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season? Matt McLaughlin: Yes; his second title was more legitimate than the first one. I’m still a fan of a champion being crowned for a full season’s worth of points, but that’s not how the rulebook reads anymore. Kyle Busch‘s second half of the season …

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Friday Faceoff: Is ISM Raceway a Better Finale Venue Than Homestead?

Phoenix

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Is moving the NASCAR championship races from Homestead-Miami Speedway to ISM Raceway beginning in 2020 an improvement, downgrade or lateral move? Adam Cheek: Lateral move. I preferred the championship being at a track the series only visits once per year, but I enjoy ISM and think it’s a decent venue for the season finale. There are …

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Friday Faceoff: Should NASCAR Penalize Drivers for Causing Yellow Flags?

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Kyle Larson was adamant that Bubba Wallace’s spin in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway was intentional. How prevalent do you think such occurrences are, and what, if anything, needs to be done? Adam Cheek: They aren’t massively common, but something should be done when it’s pretty clearly intentional. Maybe a …

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Friday Faceoff: What Do You Make of Todd Gilliland’s Post-Race Outburst?

2019 Martinsville Mencs Martin Truex, Jr. Burnout Cck

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

The Martinsville Speedway races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this year were completely dominated in a manner never seen before. What, if anything, should NASCAR do to alleviate the dominance? Brian Keith: NASCAR’s intent was sound in keeping packages as uniform as possible, given that the Gen-6 car is on its way out the …

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Friday Faceoff: What Will the Race Team Alliance Do With Speed51.com?

2018 Phoenix Ism Zach Catanzareti Chip Ganassi

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The Race Team Alliance purchased media outlet Speed51.com last week. What do you think will come from this acquisition, and will it help the sport? Frank Velat: Initially, this looks like a great way to connect the grassroots level of racing with top level NASCAR. If that is one of the outcomes, great for the RTA …

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Friday Faceoff: Should Manufacturers Dictate How Their Teams Race?

2019 Daytona Mencs Ford Kevin Harvick Joey Logano Kurt Busch Brad Keselowski Car Christian Koelle

(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Should manufacturers be getting involved to make their teams cooperate at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway? Christian Koelle: Instead of manufacturers, it should be teams working together — but understand when we get to ISM Raceway, all of this goes away; it’s every man for himself. Josh Roller: I don’t have an issue with manufacturers …

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Friday Faceoff: Has Eliminating Restrictor Plates Changed Superspeedway Racing?

2019 Talladega Cup Mencs Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano all had trouble at Dover International Speedway in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Which driver’s playoff chances are trouble? Wesley Coburn: Short term, Chase Elliott needs to win to keep his playoff hopes alive this season. Longer term, Ryan Blaney needs to have a great playoffs, since he’s …

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Friday Faceoff: Is It Ok For Drivers To Quit When They Have Nothing To Gain?

2019 Roval Mencs Kyle Busch Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Busch parked his car last week after trouble early left him with nothing to gain. Do you have an issue with a driver calling it quits? Adam Cheek: Honestly, in that situation, no. If it’s early in the race and they’re just not running well, yes, but Kyle had a crappy day, stuff on his …

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