Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Who Gets It Done at Homestead?

2016 Kansas I Cup Martin Truex Jr Dale Earnhardt Jr Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

After the dust cleared at Phoenix, it will be Martin Truex, Jr., Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski duking it out for the championship at Homestead.  Who takes home the trophy? Amy Henderson: Truex is ready to close it out and has the car to do it.  And if anyone else does win it, …

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Friday Faceoff: Is NASCAR Revenge a Thing of the Past?

11 13 March, 2016, Avondale, Arizona Usa Joey Logano And Matt Kenseth, Dollar General Toyota Camry ©2016, Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

With Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick locked into the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ Round of 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on wins and Martin Truex Jr. on points, just one spot is up for grabs at Phoenix International Raceway.  Brad Keselowski has a substantial 19-point cushion, but will he make the cut, or will Denny …

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Friday Faceoff: Where’s the Line in NASCAR?

Nascar Camping World Truck Series Bar Harbor 200 Dover International Speedway, Dover, De Usa Friday 2 June 2017 Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Fedex Express Toyota Camry Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Napa Chevrolet Ss World Copyright: Matthew T. Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway featured a lot of action, including Denny Hamlin spinning Chase Elliott for the lead, Kyle Busch moving Hamlin out of the way for the win and Elliott waiting for Hamlin after the race and running into the No. 11.  Were these moves all simply part …

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Friday Faceoff: Did NASCAR Go Too Far with Penalties?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Ks Usa Saturday 21 October 2017 Matt Kenseth, Joe Gibbs Racing, Dewalt Flexvolt Toyota Camry World Copyright: Matthew T. Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

Last weekend’s race featured the second cut in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, and among those out is veteran Matt Kenseth, who was parked by NASCAR for having too many crew members working on his car under the damaged vehicle policy.  Is the consequence for that particular infraction too harsh, or is this …

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Friday Faceoff: Does Talladega Belong in the Playoffs?

2017 Talladega Ii Cup Erik Jones Crash Damage Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T Thacker NKP)

Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, just two of the remaining 12 playoff drivers — winner Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin — and 14 of the 40-car field finished the race, with just four cars not listed as involved in an on-track incident.  Does this race belong in the playoffs? Amy Henderson: It doesn’t belong on the …

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Friday Faceoff: Is a NASCAR Upset Brewing at Talladega?

2017 Talladega I Cup Rricky Stenhouse Jr Checkered Flag Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

NASCAR made a controversial call Sunday by not penalizing Jimmie Johnson when his team secured a loose lugnut outside of Johnson’s pit box, citing previous incidents where they have allowed the same procedure.  Was it the right call, or did NASCAR blow it? Christian Koelle: NASCAR made the right call on their end. When it …

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Friday Faceoff: When’s That First Win Coming for Chase Elliott?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Apache Warrior 400 Dover International Speedway, Dover, De Usa Sunday 1 October 2017 Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Mountain Dew Chevrolet Ss World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade Nkp

Chase Elliott in the No. 24 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

 NASCAR released the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rules changes this week, and they were minimal in comparison to recent years.  Was it the right call to stay consistent, or should more tweaks have been made? Amy Henderson: No matter what NASCAR did, fans would complain. Keeping the package similar was the right move. …

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Friday Faceoff: Was Joey Logano’s Practice Penalty Cruel & Unusual?

2017 Las Vegas CUP Joey Logano Nigel Kinrade NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

This week’s race at Dover International Speedway is the first elimination day of the playoffs this year.  Heading in, Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne are sitting below the cut line.  Do they stay or do they go, and if they do stay, who else goes? Amy Henderson: Dover doesn’t produce the …

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Friday Faceoff: How Will Kasey Kahne Fare in 2018?

2017 Nascar Monster Energy Cup Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl Usa Sunday 26 February 2017 Michael Mcdowell, Leavine Family Racing And Kasey Kahne World Copyright: Russell Labounty/nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Kasey Kahne will drive the No. 95 for Leavine Family Racing in 2018, replacing Michael McDowell.  Will Kahne be able to take the team to the next level, and what will McDowell do? Amy Henderson: If Kasey Kahne brings a big-time sponsor, then it will help from an equipment standpoint.  But take a close look …

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Friday Faceoff: Who’s In, Who’s Out & Does It Matter?

2017 Richmond Ii Cup Jimmie Johnson Nigel Kinrade Kp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The big news this week were the departures of Danica Patrick from the No. 10 and Aric Almirola from the No. 43.  Who ends up in those rides? Michael Massie: It seems a given that Aric Almirola will get in the No. 10 and Darrell Wallace Jr. is the new No. 43 driver. I love …

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Friday Faceoff: Who’s Got the Best Championship Battle?

NASCAR Xfinity Series action at Pocono Raceway, 2017 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

Subway announced last weekend it’s dropping its backing of Joe Gibbs Racing and Daniel Suarez after Suarez did a television segment holding a box of Dunkin’ Donuts doughnuts.  Does the negative attention the company’s gotten outweigh the reasoning behind the change? Michael Massie: Subway’s deal was with Carl Edwards, but it would have been labeled as …

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Friday Faceoff: Who Will Be On the Outside Looking In?

2017 Fontana Cup Matt Kenseth Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

As 2017 winds down, a few surprising names are out of a ride in NASCAR.  With only a few seats still up in the air, which driver is most likely to be out in the cold without a ride next year? Michael Massie:  In NASCAR, drivers rarely have the option to go out on their …

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