Race Weekend Central

Chase Briscoe

Up to Speed: Brad Keselowski & Austin Cindric Battle at Daytona

Bryan Gable
#6: Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing, Ford Mustang Castrol Violet Defense

(Photo: NKP)

One year ago, Brad Keselowski’s frustration was visible.

As the final laps of the Daytona 500 ticked away, Keselowski made a bold move to set himself up for a last-lap pass for the lead on his Team Penske teammate Joey Logano. But when Logano blocked Keselowski’s path forward, Keselowski got hit from behind by Michael McDowell, triggering a frightening crash that knocked out both Penske cars. McDowell went on to win the race, leaving Keselowski without a Harley J. Earl Trophy for at least one more year.

Aric Almirola: ‘I’ll Want This One Back For Sure’

Zach Sturniolo
Aric Almirola smiles in the garage area at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: NKP)

Aric Almirola knew this Daytona 500 was going to be different.

The 64th annual Great American Race may be his last, the three-time Cup Series race winner having announced his retirement from full-time NASCAR racing after what will be 11 complete seasons. Pre-race, he was soaking in every moment with family members, close sponsor representatives and others.

Post-race, he was wishing he had one more shot.

What They Said: Daytona 500 Media Day Quotes

Davey Segal
Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald's Toyota, Kurt Busch, driver of the #45 Monster Energy Toyota, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Check out what the Daytona 500 competitors had to say Wednesday, Feb. 16, during media day for the 64th annual Great American Race.

Did You Notice?: 2022 NASCAR Storylines Besides the Next Gen

Tom Bowles
Kyle Busch smiles while standing on pit road at the Clash at the Coliseum (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is finally upon us.

2022 NASCAR Preseason Power Rankings: Nos. 30-21

Frontstretch Staff
2021 Talladega Ii Cup Bubba Wallace Matt Dibenedetto Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s February, which means the NASCAR Cup Series takes to the track to start the 2022 season this month at Daytona International Speedway. With a wide array of driver and team changes from Silly Season alongside more minor personnel tweaks — or even a few lineups that stayed exactly the same — there’s a lot …

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Chase Briscoe Adds Mahindra Sponsorship

Kevin Rutherford
Chase Briscoe at Charlotte, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Mahindra will sponsor Chase Briscoe‘s No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing team in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, SHR announced Dec. 10. The Mahindra scheme will debut at the Busch Light Clash before returning for the season-opening Daytona 500. “The NASCAR Cup Series is the toughest racing I’ve ever been a part of. It’s so competitive,” …

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2021 NASCAR Rookie Roundup: How’d the New Guys (& Gal) Do?

Stephen Stumpf
Ty Gibbs celebrates in victory lane after winning 2021 NASCAR Xfinity race at Kansas, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2021 season has come to a close, and with it ends the rookie seasons for the newcomers to the sport. All three NASCAR national series saw at least two Rookie of the Year contenders, and in the case of the Xfinity and Camping World Truck series, there were four apiece. With over a dozen …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix

Joy Tomlinson
Popular NASCAR DraftKings pick Chase Elliott poses by his race car at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It all comes down to this. Four NASCAR Cup Series drivers will race for the 2021 championship at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 7. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings lineups set for the final time in 2021. Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr., Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin are the playoff drivers eligible to …

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Up to Speed: Denny Hamlin Needs to Let it Go

Bryan Gable
Denny Hamlin scratches his head on pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin doesn’t have to be happy.  He doesn’t have to like getting spun by Alex Bowman in the closing laps at Martinsville Speedway.  He doesn’t have to celebrate missing out on a potential win during a 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season where he has enjoyed plenty of strong runs, but few victories. No, Hamlin …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 Xfinity 500

Joy Tomlinson
2021 Martinsville I Cup Chase Elliott Martin Truex Jr NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Just two NASCAR Cup Series races are left in the 2021 season, starting with this Sunday (Oct. 31) at Martinsville Speedway. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings rosters ready for the Xfinity 500. Seven drivers will fight for three spots this weekend, as Kyle Larson won the last three races and secured his position …

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Did You Notice?: What’s Next for Ford’s NASCAR Future After Rocky 2021 Playoffs?

Tom Bowles
Ford drivers Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric chat on pit road at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

#12: Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Menards/Moen and #33: Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Ford Mustang MoneyLion

Did You Notice? … The way Ford has struggled during the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs? As I first pointed out at CBS Sports, they’ve gone 0-for-8 and sit outside Championship 4 position for the first time in the history of the format, implemented in 2014. That could change this weekend at Martinsville Speedway if any …

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