Race Weekend Central

Slipstream Saturday: Alonso’s Peculiar Start at Catalunya, & the Spanish GP

Alonso Fernando F1 Formula 1 3742744

Fernando Alonso in the garage at the Spanish grand Prix (photo:Getty Images)

One of the stories garnering a good deal of attention is anything involving Fernando Alonso.  His decision to skip the Monaco Grand Prix, the marquee event, to race the Indianapolis 500 brought all kinds of reactions from the fans, drivers, management and the press.  Rightly so.  Alonso is a double world champion and is still …

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Happiness Is: A Safe, Long, Enjoyable Weekend

2017 Atlanta Cup Danica Patrick Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

The NASCAR traveling circus is moving on from the carnival known as Talladega and parking itself in Kansas this weekend.  To some fans, that means a return to what may be considered more traditional racing.   To others? The weekend at Kansas Speedway will represent a return to boring 1.5-mile, cookie-cutter, follow-the-leader lameness that has brought …

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Happiness Is… Crossing Boundaries & Changes

2017 Fontana Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr Trevor Bayne Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

The races at Richmond International Raceway this past weekend featured some enjoyable competition.  It’s what many fans have clamored for over the past few years and serves as a reminder that the 1.5-mile and over tracks may bring fast cars but not always the best racing.  And now it’s on to Talladega, just about as …

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Pace Laps: Parity at Richmond, Justin Allgaier Comes Up Short & 4-Wide Nationals Take Over Charlotte

2017 Xfinity Richmond Zach Catanzareti Justin Allgaier

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Multiple Contenders Take over Richmond -Don’t you love the races where you don’t know who’ll win? Sunday’s Toyota Owners 400 had more than one driver who seemed to be unstoppable, and then they would ultimately be stopped. Leading the opening 164 laps, Matt Kenseth’s pole-winning car looked to be on rails …

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Slipstream Saturday: Ferrari Forging Their Way; Russian Grand Prix

Para Sebastian Vettel Nao Ha Duvida A Pista De Sochi Favorece A Mercedes

(Photo: Getty Images)

This weekend Formula 1 returns to Sochi, Russia for the Russian Grand Prix.  The lead story is how Ferrari has finally proved to be a capable challenger to Mercedes, having won two of the first three races this season.  Sebastian Vettel is holding the top spot in the driver’s standings in what should constitute an …

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Will Power Claims Pole for Grand Prix of Alabama

Photo by: Joe Skibinski - IndyCar

Will Power celebrates after earning the pole at the GP of Alabama (Photo by: Joe Skibinski - IndyCar)

Will Power sped to the pole position for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park. Power, with a time of 1:06:961, bested his teammate Helio Castroneves, 1:07:143  to earn the top spot to begin the race.  It is his fourth pole at the 2.3 mile, 17-turn track, and is 46th overall. …

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Happiness Is…Sponsorship, Technology & Barber

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Bristol

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

The news is light this week as NASCAR heads to Bristol Motor Speedway.  This event, once a jewel of the schedule, has now fallen alongside many of the other races on the schedule.  Though it may not hold the prestige it once did, it is still short-track racing, which means that it is sure to …

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Pace Laps: Rare Off Weekend for NASCAR, Sebastian Vettel Wins in Formula 1

2016 Bristol Motor Speedway Nscs Matt Kenseth Leads Pack Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series/Camping World Truck Series: NASCAR Talent Hits the Small Tracks – Finally, a weekend off so the drivers can spend their time… racing. Man, these guys don’t like to step out of the seats often. This Easter weekend featured a little new mixed with a little old for a few NASCAR …

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Slipstream Saturday: Alonso…and Some Bahrain GP

fernando-alonso-mclaren-honda-f1

Fernando Alonso will once again greet F1 crowds from the grid in 2021 (Credit: McLaren)

The announcement that Fernando Alonso would be skipping the Monaco Grand Prix to race the Indianapolis 500 has garnered almost all of the attention of the Formula 1 paddock.  While in some ways it is a dizzying announcement, brimming with angles to be examined, the overall sense is that the move is a good one …

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Happiness Is… Interesting Things

fernando alonso (credit: McLaren)

(Photo Credit: McLaren)

Order has been restored to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.  With Jimmie Johnson earning his 81st victory this past weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, all the pundits can breathe a sigh of relief in discovering that all of the words used to question or doubt Hendrick Motorsports have been for naught.  The empire has …

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Pace Laps: Ryan Blaney Lets One Get Away, Erik Jones Dominates in XFINITY Series

2017 Fontana Cup Ryan Blaney Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Monster Energy Cup Series: The Wood Brothers are Back – 1982. That was the last time a Wood Brothers Racing car led more than 100 laps in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 35-year streak ended Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway as the team’s second-year driver Ryan Blaney led the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 for 148 …

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