Race Weekend Central

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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Friday Faceoff: Is Harvick This Year’s MTJ?

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Kevin Harvick Car Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP)

Kevin Harvick continued his dominance by spanking the field this past weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his second consecutive victory. And this weekend, the circuit heads to ISM Raceway, Harvick’s most successful track. Is it too early to say that Harvick is this year’s MTJ? Davey Segal: Folks, let’s look at the big …

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Friday Faceoff: To Repave Atlanta or Not to Repave?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Folds Of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga Usa Sunday 25 February 2018 Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Jimmy John's Ford Fusion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Ford Fusion, And Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Axalta Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

There has been talk regarding Atlanta Motor Speedway’s racing surface on whether to repave or not to repave. What do you think? Matt McLaughlin: I sure hope it won’t be repaved. The worn surface makes tire management crucial and introduces the chances to use contrary strategy to have a tortoise beat a hare. It’s a lot like …

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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: 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: 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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Friday Faceoff: Where Will Matt Kenseth Land?

2017 Las Vegas Cup Matt Kenseth Ruddell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Matt Kenseth is officially a free agent after the 2017 season.  Can Kenseth, age 45, still land a top-level ride?  Should he accept a mid-tier offer if the power teams don’t come calling? Bryan Gable:  Absolutely.  Just because Kenseth is not in his prime anymore does not mean he has no value to NASCAR’s best …

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Friday Faceoff: Are Kasey Kahne’s Cup Days Numbered?

2017 Kansas I Cup Kasey Kahne Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

After the Coca-Cola 600, should NASCAR consider adding an extra stage or otherwise giving more points for a few select races, such as the Daytona 500 and Southern 500, to make the sport’s most prestigious races its most important? Michael Massie: I would love stage racing to death if the breaks between stages were not …

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Friday Faceoff: Who’s in Kyle Busch’s Head?

2017 Las Vegas Cup Kyle Busch John Harrelson Nkp

(Photo: John Harrelson / NKP)

Richmond offered us one of the best short track races we have seen there in ages. So why were the stands half full? And is it fixable in the short-term? Mark Howell: Richmond was, indeed, one of the better short track races we’ve seen in recent memory. The low attendance issue is endemic of a …

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Friday Faceoff: Who’s Hall of Fame Worthy?

2017 Nascar Hall Of Fame Induction Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

For the first time, Goodyear will bring two different tires to the All-Star Race weekend, and teams can choose between two compounds: a  harder, more durable tire that will allow them to start with better track position, or a softer, faster tire which they would start behind those choosing the harder tire. What will this …

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Friday Faceoff: Will Pre-Race Fights Bring Fans to the Stands?

2015 Texas Motor Speedway Cup Nascar Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Kurt Busch started the year with the biggest win in his career. But ever since, he’s been struggling. What is going on with the No. 41 team? Vito Pugliese: Either a Daytona 500 hangover, or going headfirst into R&D mode having made a change from Chevrolet to Ford in the offseason. Having back to back …

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