Race Weekend Central

Matheus Leist: ‘Phoenix Will be one of the Hardest Races’

Leist

(Photo: Joe Skibinski / IndyCar)

Matheus Leist has never raced on an oval or at night in an Indy car. He’ll do both at ISM Raceway on Saturday evening. Leist, 19, is a rookie in the Verizon IndyCar Series who competed in last year’s Indy Lights championship, finishing fourth in the standings. The Brazilian made his first IndyCar start at St. …

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Friday Faceoff: With NASCAR Sponsors Leaving, Time to Panic?

2018 Daytona Cup Bruce Nuttleman Jimmie Johnson

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Could this be the beginning of another dominant season for the No. 78 team? Mark Howell: After the kind of 2017 Martin Truex Jr. enjoyed, anything is most certainly possible. One win does not mean dominance, but the No. 78 bunch is leaning in that direction. More wins will come as we enter the summer months, …

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Friday Faceoff: Can Harvick Four-Peat?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Kevin Harvick Burnout Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / NKP)

Kevin Harvick has now won three races in a row, becoming the third driver over 40 years old to accomplish the feat. He’s going for four in a row this upcoming weekend in Fontana. Can he do it? Mark Howell: Harvick has won at Auto Club Speedway before (in 2011), so we know he’s capable of …

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Robert Wickens Tremendous in Debut, But Sebastien Bourdais Repeats at St. Petersburg

Jgs 2018 St Petersburg 37540 1

(Photo: Joe Skibinski/IndyCar Media)

It was a heartbreaking finish to Robert Wickens’ fabulous IndyCar Series debut. Wickens, 28, made his first start with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports from the pole at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and led 69 laps, but contact from Alexander Rossi following a restart on Lap 109 cost the Canadian rookie a chance at victory. …

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Pace Laps: Kevin Harvick’s Power Over the Youth Movement & IndyCar’s Opening Weekend

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Ticketguardian 500 Ism Raceway, Phoenix, Az Usa Saturday 10 March 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Jimmy John's World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Happy Harvick Makes 42 The New 21 – Kevin Harvick is making this young gun ad campaign for NASCAR look like a waste of time. Harvick laid waste to the field at Phoenix, besting Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing a second straight week. The competition was stiffer this time, but …

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Conor Daly Joining Thom Burns Racing-Dale Coyne Racing for 102nd Indianapolis 500

2017 Indycar Pocono Zach Catanzareti Conor Daly

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Through an uncertain offseason and a fourth-place finish in the popular reality series The Amazing Race, Conor Daly has secured a ride for the 102nd Indianapolis 500. Daly, 26, will drive the No. 17 Honda with sponsorship from the U.S. Air Force. The paint scheme is resemblant of a Thunderbird fighter jet. The car is …

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Friday Faceoff: Butt Tattoos, Anyone?

Austin Dillon Burnout 2018 Daytona 500 Bruce Nuttleman Fs

(Photo: Bruce Nuttleman)

Austin Dillon’s Daytona 500 triumph was his second in his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, but some people have said he hasn’t won a real race, as his 2017 Coca-Cola 600 win was on fuel mileage and this past weekend was a restrictor plate event. Does he have to win a so-called normal Cup race …

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Friday Faceoff: What’s The Deal With NASCAR Ride Height Rules?

2016 Kansas Ii Cup Alex Bowman Pack Racing Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Alex Bowman kicked off his tenure as the full-time driver of the No. 88 by putting his hot rod on the pole. But even with that, people are still referring to him as “Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s replacement.” What will Bowman need to do to get out of Earnhardt Jr.’s shadow? Davey Segal: Alex Bowman is …

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Danica Patrick Joining Ed Carpenter Racing for Final Indianapolis 500

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl Usa Sunday 11 February 2018 Danica Patrick, Premium Motorsports, Godaddy Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Nigel Kinrade Nkp

Bon Voyage, Danica (Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

As the only woman to lead laps in both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500, Danica Patrick has done a lot in her racing career. But on Wednesday, she admitted to doing something new, saying, “I’ve never done that in my career.” What was it? Patrick accidentally revealed that her last race would be …

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This Week in INDYCAR: Windscreens, Testing & College Basketball?

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(Photo: Shawn Gritzmacher / INDYCAR)

The 2018 IndyCar Series season doesn’t officially start for another month, but teams are already preparing to race. The series is in Phoenix this week for its annual Prix View test sessions at ISM Raceway and is also promoting the sport to a broader audience. Pagenaud, Kanaan go to College While Alexander Rossi and Conor …

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Thoughts on the Chip Ganassi Racing-PNC Bank Partnership

Dixon Pnc

(Photo: AJ Mast / AP Images)

On Tuesday (Feb. 6), Chip Ganassi Racing and PNC Bank announced a partnership that will see the financial corporation on Scott Dixon’s No. 9 Honda for the 2018 IndyCar Series season. Last year, Dixon’s team struggled to secure sponsorship. For preseason testing in Phoenix, Dixon piloted a blank white car and donned an unsponsored firesuit. …

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Michael Shank Racing Unveils Jack Harvey’s Indy 500 Entry

Harvey Shank

(Photo: Michael Shank Racing)

Michael Shank Racing’s Indy car was unveiled at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Thursday. The No. 60 Honda will be driven by Jack Harvey in six IndyCar Series races this year, including the 102nd Indianapolis 500. MSR and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports entered an alliance that will allow them to share resources. The announcement of …

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