Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Daytona 500

Michael McDowell Confetti Daytona (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Michael McDowell won the 63rd annual Daytona 500 on Sunday (Feb. 14) after a fiery last-lap wreck for his first career victory in his 358th start. Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top-five finishers. THIS IS HIS MOMENT! Retweet to congratulate @Mc_Driver on winning The Great American …

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Up to Speed: Can Denny Hamlin Finally Win a Championship in 2021?

Denny Hamlin car on track (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Denny Hamlin set out to do something nobody else has done before: win three consecutive Daytona 500s. Despite leading six times for a race-high 98 laps, the three-peat was denied with a fifth-place finish. But the story of Hamlin’s 2021 season goes far beyond the Great American Race. He will get to experience the highs …

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Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Fails Pre-Race Inspection Twice Before Daytona 500

Bubba Wallace takes a few practice laps at the 2021 Daytona 500.

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

One of several teams in the garage making their NASCAR Cup Series debut, 23XI Racing didn’t start off Sunday’s 2021 Daytona 500 (Feb. 14) the way they planned. The No. 23 Toyota Camry, driven by Bubba Wallace, failed inspection twice prior to the race before passing on their third attempt. According to Jeff Gluck on …

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Bubba Wallace Leads Toyota Brigade in Daytona 500 Practice

Bubba Wallace

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Bubba Wallace held the fastest lap in the first NASCAR Cup Series practice of the 2021 season at Daytona International Speedway. His No. 23 car of 23XI Racing went 199.747 mph, leading a chain of Toyotas across the speed chart for much of the session. The Joe Gibbs Racing squad of Martin Truex Jr., Denny …

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NASCAR Mailbox: What are Realistic Expectations for New Organizations This Year?

Bubba Wallace

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With seven road course events set to take place this season (including three new venues to the NASCAR Cup Series), “into the unknown” is a cliché, but true, moniker. World-class facilities await the field in Road America, Circuit of the Americas and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. But with stock cars taking to the …

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2021 NASCAR Preseason Power Rankings, No. 19: Bubba Wallace

Bubba Wallace

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Bubba Wallace became a well-known athlete and figure to the world in 2020. In 2021, he steps into the spotlight once again. This time, it is not for his fight for justice against racial inequality in the United States, but via his day job, driving racecars for the newly formed 23XI Racing with team owners …

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23XI Reveals Multiple Sponsors for Bubba Wallace

Bubba Wallace

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Several partners have joined 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, the team announced Monday (Dec. 14). DoorDash, McDonald’s, Columbia Sportswear, Dr. Pepper and Root Insurance will all sponsor the No. 23 Toyota next year. Root Insurance partnered with Wallace, while DoorDash, McDonald’s and Columbia Sportswear sponsored Wallace and the …

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2020 NASCAR Team Reviews: Richard Petty Motorsports

2020 Review Rpm

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Richard Petty Motorsports entered 2020 understanding its resources were limited but managed to capitalize nonetheless. The No. 43 team, piloted by Bubba Wallace, enjoyed its most successful season since Wallace joined the team in 2018 with one top five, five top-10 finishes and a 22nd-place finish in points. In his third full-time season in the …

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2020 Top NASCAR Storylines: Bubba Wallace Finds His Voice

2020atlantancsdarrellwallacejrprotestnascarmedia

(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

Bubba Wallace enjoyed his best statistical season in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020; the previous two seasons, Wallace finished 28th in the final standings, but he made gains to finish 22nd this year. If those gains seem modest, it is because they are.  Wallace may have improved slightly but the real notice for the …

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NASCAR Hosts 2020 Awards Ceremony, The Winners Are…

Chase Elliott holds 2020 Bill France trophy Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Despite COVID-19 canceling the traditional NASCAR awards banquet, the series was still able to put on a ceremony recognizing champions, drivers and influential industry members from the 2020 season. The 2020 NASCAR Awards Ceremony was televised on NBCSN on Wednesday, Nov. 18, with country music singer Chris Stapleton starting the show with a performance from …

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The Underdog House: Bubba Wallace Goes Out on Top at Phoenix

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog Bubba Wallace stood atop the underdog pile when the final checkered flag waved on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. After a tumultuous season of ups and downs, Wallace put a period on his tenure in the Petty No. 43 with a 15th-place finish. He ran as high as seventh, and at the end of …

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Bubba Wallace Named 2020 Comcast Community Champion of the Year

Bubba Wallace

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

During the 2020 NASCAR season, Bubba Wallace took a stand to fight for social injustice. Now his Live to Be Different Foundation is getting recognized for those efforts, as he was named the 2020 Comcast Community Champion of the Year today, Nov. 6. “This is a tremendous honor for the Live To Be Different Foundation …

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