Race Weekend Central

5 Points to Ponder: A NASCAR Unknown (For Once)

2018 Las Vegas I Cup Denny Hamlin Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

ONE: The Roval Awaits Despite all the week to week drama inherent in NASCAR, the truth is not much really — and I mean, really — changes. But this weekend, we truly have a difference maker: a brand-new track, a first-time road course in the post season and as the final race of the first …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: What Did Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Return to Racing Do For NBCSN?

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400

(Photo: Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

Richmond Raceway is quite different these days as compared to 15 years ago.  The cars don’t seem quite as fast as they once did there and passing is more difficult.  Races tend to have long green-flag runs.  But, that doesn’t mean you can’t have good racing. Federated Auto Parts 400 Saturday night brought the Monster …

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Pace Laps: NASCAR’s Triple Threat, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Highlight Richmond’s Playoff Debut

2018 Cup Richmond Zach Catanzareti Kyle Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Big Three Back To The Front Earlier this week, I wrote about how playoff and stage bonuses make it difficult to topple NASCAR’s Big Three. But Richmond Raceway Saturday night (Sept. 22) reminded us of the most important reason; they’re simply just faster than everyone else. Kyle Busch led the …

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XFINITY Breakdown: Christopher Bell Sweeps the Season at Richmond, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Still has It

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl Usa Sunday 18 February 2018 Dale Earnhardt Jr On The Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Nationwide Chevrolet Camaro Pit Box World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

Christopher Bell may not have had the dominant car in Friday’s (Sept. 21) Go Bowling 250 at Richmond Raceway, but a late-race restart gave the No. 20 car the shot it needed to sweep the season at the short track. The night started off as good as it can get for Bell, who won the …

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NASCAR 101: Other Drivers Who’ve Come Out of Retirement to Race Again

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl Usa Sunday 18 February 2018 Dale Earnhardt Jr On The Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Nationwide Chevrolet Camaro Pit Box World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

One of the many things we’ve learned about NASCAR in 2018: take any — any! — retirement announcements with a grain of salt. Or, you know, at least really read the fine print. Throughout 2018, multiple drivers have announced their retirement from full-time competition, such as Elliott Sadler and Kasey Kahne. The key word there, …

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4 Burning Questions: Brent Dewar Out, Steve Phelps In — More Change Coming?

Nascar Xfinity Series

Last laps in Virginia for Elliott Sadler? (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What changes will NASCAR make in 2019? Some more NASCAR front office moves have happened this week, as NASCAR President Brent Dewar announced he is stepping down after this month. Current COO Steve Phelps will become the new president as Dewar moves on to an advisory role in the organization. With CEO and chairman Brian …

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Preps for What May Be His Final NASCAR Start

2016 Nascar Xfinity Series, Richmond

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

For the first time in NASCAR competition this season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will strap on a helmet, buckle up and pull those straps tight for what could be the final time. Earnhardt, 43, retired from full-time competition following the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season. Fast forward 44 weeks, …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Brad Keselowski Sets Benchmarks with 3rd Straight Win & Penske 500th

#2: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Autotrader Celebrates His Win Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Momentum is a beautiful thing when you’re running for a championship, and Brad Keselowski is riding a huge wave of it after winning his third consecutive race and locking himself into the second round of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Keselowski won the second stage and the race in a …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: The Magic Mile Puts on a Show as Kevin Harvick Scores 6th Win

#4: Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Busch Beer Celebrates After Winning Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Momma, there is that man again. For the sixth time this season, Kevin Harvick made the right moves down the stretch to garner him the track position that he needed. He capitalized on that good fortune to make a late race bump and run to move from deep in the field …

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2-Headed Monster: Will Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s XFINITY Conflict of Interest Be a Problem?

#7: Justin Allgaier, Jr Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Breyers 2in1 Nascar Xfinity Series

Justin Allgaier (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently traded his steering wheel for a microphone.  The retired two-time Daytona 500 champion joined NBC’s broadcast team for coverage of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series races. Any time a former driver steps into the booth, they will have prior relationships with some of the current competitors — …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NBC, Earnhardt Do Well With Daytona Coverage

#20: Erik Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Buyatoyota.com Celebrates His Win Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Daytona International Speedway is always intriguing, no matter what happens; it’s a crown jewel for TV broadcasters.  Typically, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 starts the NBC portion of their second-half coverage.  However, due to schedule changes, it is now the second NBC race and the first on broadcast television. The biggest story Saturday night was …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr. Comes to Play in Joliet

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fl Usa Sunday 18 February 2018 Dale Earnhardt Jr On The Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Nationwide Chevrolet Camaro Pit Box World Copyright: Barry Cantrell Nkp

(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series moved over to NBC Sports this past weekend for the rest of the 2018 season.  With that move comes some changes in production coverage, philosophy and talent. But the tweak everyone cares about, more than any other this decade is the addition of Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the booth …

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