Race Weekend Central

Frontstretch Podcast: Aric Almirola Talks New Aero Package, Group Qualifying, Chaotic Restarts

2019 Atlanta Cup Aric Almirola Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and Aric Almirola discuss the new aerodynamic package that was displayed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and how it led to wild restarts and a peculiar qualifying session last Friday (March 1). Almirola states the race was exciting, and that’s what he enjoys as a …

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Odds & Ends: TicketGuardian 500

Aric Almirola Rodney Childers Kevin Harvick Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The biggest debate among NASCAR fans and media was typical: Was Las Vegas a good race? Over the years, one thing is for sure, whenever that question arises, we are not likely to see the race we just saw featured on a NASCAR Classics presentation down the road. The Pennzoil 400 wasn’t a horrible race …

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Frontstretch Podcast: David Ragan Discusses New Aero Package at Atlanta

2019 Atlanta Cup David Ragan Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In the latest edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and David Ragan discuss the partial new aerodynamic package that was displayed at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend, one which landed the No. 38 car of Ragan a 16th-place finish. Ragan states in the interview that the racing is closer together and restarts will be …

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Aric Almirola Scores First Pole Since 2012 in Atlanta

2019 Daytona I Cup Aric Almirola Car Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Aric Almirola scored his first pole since 2012 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series on Friday evening at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for this weekend’s race.  He posted a lap speed of 181.473 mph and will start beside Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Almirola not only scored his first pole in seven years, but it is …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Previewing the Daytona 500

Joey Logano D500(practice1)(2)

(Photo: Christian Koelle

In a special edition of the Frontstretch Podcast,  Dustin Albino, Tom Bowles, Michael Massie and Mike Neff  break down the weekend of racing thus far at Daytona International Speedway. We discuss redemption stories in Austin Hill and Michael Annett grabbing their first-career victory in the Gander Outdoors Truck and Xfinity Series’. But the primary focus is on the …

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Aric Almirola Welcoming Pressure in Daytona 500 Redemption Pursuit

Aric Almirola Daytona500 Mediaday

Aric Almirola is looking for redemption from his Daytona 500 heartbreak last season, falling one mile short of victory. (Photo/Davey Segal)

One more mile and it all could have been so different. Aric Almirola‘s heartbreak in last year’s Daytona 500 will be played in highlight reels forever — on the wrong side of history, as they say. One would think a sour taste would still resonate almost 365 days later. But he’s over it. “I don’t …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Best of 2018

2018 Homestead Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Logano

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

In a special offseason episode of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino, Mike Neff and Zach Catanzareti discuss the best of 2018. The gang kicks it off by discussing their favorite paint scheme of the year, excluding the Darlington throwback paint schemes. Next, we talk about our favorite quotes and finishes of 2018, some of which go hand-in-hand (Chicagoland Speedway and Kyle …

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2018 Top NASCAR Storylines: Ford Shocks the NASCAR World

#14: Clint Bowyer, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Cummins/rush Truck Centers #41: Kurt Busch, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Monster Energy / Haas Automation #4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Jimmy John's #10: Aric Almirola, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Smithfield Bacon For Life

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The dominance of the Blue Oval is back in NASCAR. For the first time since 2002, Ford took home the manufacturer’s title, finally grabbing it back from Toyota and Chevrolet. In a year that saw struggles unlike any other season for the Bow Tie group, the Ford squad made sure to take advantage. With Roush …

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2018 NASCAR Driver Reviews: Aric Almirola

#10: Aric Almirola, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Smithfield Bacon For Life, Celebrates After Winning In Talladega.

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Swapping Danica Patrick for Aric Almirola was always going to be a step up for Stewart-Haas Racing, but few — including the team or even Almirola himself — could’ve anticipated something like this. In February, Almirola strapped into SHR’s No. 10, a car that had seen diminishing returns since its inception, with Patrick landing no …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2018 Ford EcoBoost 400

2018 Homestead Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Logano

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Who… gets my shoutout of the race? What a difference a year makes. An average finish of 18.8, 29th in driver points in a season marked by injury. That’s not very promising for a driver, especially one who’s a journeyman at best in his mid-30s. A year later, Aric Almirola finishes his season fifth in points, …

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2-Headed Monster: Should Kyle Busch Have Let Aric Almirola Win at Phoenix?

Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry M&m's Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Beer Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Busch won the race at ISM Raceway in Phoenix this past weekend to advance to the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But given that he was already set to advance on points, he faced a peculiar situation late in the race. Aric Almirola was trailing him and needed to win to advance. By winning, …

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Up to Speed: Kevin Harvick Must Look Forward

2018 Cup Phoenix Ism Zach Catanzareti Kevin Harvick

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

One week ago, Kevin Harvick looked like the odds-on favorite to win a second championship in NASCAR’s top division.  In fact, he rolled to a convincing victory at Texas Motor Speedway, winning both stages in the process.  Kyle Busch, likely Harvick’s biggest title threat, was a little bit off all day.  He finished an uninspiring …

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