Thinkin' Out Loud Archives

Thinkin’ Out Loud: Amid Safety Concerns, a Tame Talladega Race was Refreshing

October 3, 2022October 3, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography

Chase Elliott took the high line to get around Ryan Blaney on the last lap to win his fifth NASCAR Cup Series race of the season on Sunday.

Thinkin’ Out Loud: A Texas NASCAR Race Was Finally Interesting for All the Wrong Reasons

September 26, 2022September 26, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Tyler Reddick leads the pack at Texas Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

#8: Tyler Reddick, Richard Childress Racing, Lenovo/ThinkEdge Chevrolet Camaro, #22: Joey Logano, Team Penske, AAA Insurance Ford Mustang

With a record 36 lead changes, Sunday was the best Texas Motor Speedway race in NASCAR history. In terms of everything else, it was probably the worst.

Thinkin’ Out Loud at Bristol: ‘Crappy Parts’ Have Affected NASCAR’s Playoff Outcome

September 18, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Kyle Busch blown engine at Bristol Motor Speedway, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chris Buescher won the NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Night Race but it “crappy parts” failures for a large portion of the field stole the headlines.

Thinkin’ Out Loud at Kansas: Bubba Wallace’s NASCAR Career Takes Big Step Forward

September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Bubba Wallace celebrating his win in Kansas victory lane.

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Bubba Wallace led 58 of the final 68 lap green-flag run to score his second career Cup win at Kansas Speedway.

Thinkin’ Out Loud at Darlington: Chaos Leaves No One Safe In Championship Chase

September 5, 2022September 5, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Chase Elliott races at Darlington in the Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

#9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, NAPA/Children's Chevrolet Camaro

Multiple NASCAR championship contenders ran into problems as Erik Jones held off Denny Hamlin to win the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Thinkin’ Out Loud at Daytona: Rain Wrecks in the Playoff Cut Race Are Unacceptable

August 29, 2022August 29, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

#99: Daniel Suarez, TrackHouse Racing, Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro, #11: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx Cares Toyota Camry #31: Justin Haley, Kaulig Racing, LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet Camaro and #47: Ricky Stenhouse Jr, JTG Daugherty Racing, Kroger/ NOS Chevrolet Camaro wreck

For some reason, rain-related crashes on ovals weren’t much of an incident before recently. What changed?

Thinkin’ Out Loud at Watkins Glen: There’s Trouble in Hendrick Paradise

August 22, 2022August 21, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports holds the checkered flag after winning at Watkins Glen International. (Photo: NKP)

#5: Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro

On a late restart, Kyle Larson moved Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott to earn his second NASCAR Cup Series win of 2022 at Watkins Glen International.

Thinkin’ Out Loud at Richmond: The Last NASCAR Playoff Spot Belongs to… Everyone?

August 15, 2022August 14, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Joey Logano leads a pack of NASCAR drivers racing at Richmond in August 2022. (Photo: NKP)

#38: Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports, The Pete Store Ford Mustang, #45: Ty Gibbs, 23XI Racing, Jordan Brand Toyota Camry, #22: Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang and #20: Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Rheem Toyota Camry

Kevin Harvick held off a hard-charging Christopher Bell and Chris Buescher in the closing laps of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway to earn his second consecutive victory in 2022.

Thinkin’ Out Loud at Michigan: Kevin Harvick, Sorry for Doubting You

August 8, 2022August 7, 2022 By Dalton Hopkins

Kevin Harvick celebrates after his win at Michigan International Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kevin Harvick snapped a 65-race winless streak at Michigan, earning the win in the 2022 Firekeepers 400 while polesitter Bubba Wallace ended up second.