Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: What to Do About Next Gen Wheels?

Next Gen tires at Charlotte test, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Also: is Austin Cindric a championship contender? And what about the Jeremy Clements vs. Drew Dollar spat?

Friday Faceoff: What Were the Biggest Surprises & Disappointments of 2021?

Hamlin, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Another year, another near miss for Denny Hamlin. Will he ever win a NASCAR Cup Series title? Luken Glover: Denny Hamlin absolutely has the talent to get the job done. So, can he do it? Definitely a yes. Will he do it? I’m leaning towards no. We may be seeing the equivalent of Mark Martin, who …

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Friday Faceoff: Is This Hendrick Lineup Its Best Ever?

Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman Racing at Martinsville fall 2021, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Is this the most competitive Hendrick Motorsports has ever been? Luken Glover: One can certainly make that argument. It isn’t a head-and-shoulders advantage, but this NASCAR Cup Series season is right there as one of the best. If a HMS car wins this week, it will tie its 2007 record for the most single-season wins …

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Friday Faceoff: Are Tracks Dropping the Ball When Marketing Their Events?

Kyle Larson leads a pack cars at Texas Motor Speedway, October 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Former drivers Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Clint Bowyer tested the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen car at Bowman Gray Stadium Oct. 26. Should NASCAR race there? Luken Glover: Absolutely! Tracks like Rockingham Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville have topped my list, but if Bowman Gray is a realistic possibility, it immediately …

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Friday Faceoff: Does an Underperforming Team Deserve to Lose Its Charter?

Cody Ware No. 51 Rick Ware Racing car at Texas Motor Speedway NASCAR All-Star Open, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With Kyle Larson locked into the Championship 4, should the No. 5 car help to get teammate and defending champion Chase Elliott in? Stephen Stumpf: Absolutely not. The two may be teammates, but Kyle Larson is having one of the most dominant seasons in the 21st century and should have his eyes focused on his first …

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