Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Small Teams Impress at Talladega

2017 Talladega I Cup Cole Whitt Car John K Harrrelson Nkp

(Photo: John K. Harrelson/NKP)

Think Small This past weekend’s action at Talladega illustrated again what can happen when the racing is more in the hands of the drivers. There were several different names at the top eager to display their talent.  Aric Almirola nearly pulled off the weekend double, and David Ragan overcame crash damage to finish in the …

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Pace Laps: Stenhouse Jr. Cashes In, Aric Almirola Surprises And Thomas Curley Passes On

2017 Talladega I Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr Pole Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Career Weekend for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  It’s been a long time coming. There was a time it didn’t even look possible. But Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finally crossed the finish line first Sunday, capturing his first Cup victory in 158 career starts at Talladega Superspeedway. Stenhouse started the day out front, pacing …

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XFINITY Breakdown: Aric Almirola Continues Plate Racing Success with Talladega Victory

Nascar Xfinity Series Sparks Energy 300 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, Al Usa Saturday 6 May 2017 Aric Almirola, Fresh From Florida Ford Mustang World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett NKP)

As they wrecked down the backstretch of Talladega Superspeedway, it was a mirrored finish of last July’s XFINITY Series race at Daytona for Aric Almirola. Except this time, they raced back under green. For the second time on a plate track, it was Almirola who scored the victory for Biagi DenBeste Racing. Leading 13 laps, …

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XFINITY Breakdown: Justin Allgaier Loses in Heartbreak Fashion, Kyle Larson Capitalizes

2017 Xfinity Richmond Zach Catanzareti Kyle Larson

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Short track racing. The first 240 laps were relatively lame in Saturday’s Toyota Care 250 at Richmond International Raceway. But that all changed with a caution with 12 laps to go. Justin Allgaier had dominated the afternoon, leading a career-high 157 laps. In the final 10 laps it looked as though he was going to …

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NASCAR 101: Who Wants to Be a Dash 4 Cash Millionaire?

The XFINITY Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday kicks off the series’ Dash 4 Cash program, which consists of four races each season and awards the highest finishing XFINITY regular $100,000 for being the top finisher amongst regulars in that event. It marks the first time Phoenix is participating in the program. Any driver …

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The Underdog House: Small Teams Thriving and Surviving in Daytona

2017 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Gase Bk Racing Corey Lajoie

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Think Small Well, Daytona is in the rearview mirror. Depending on who you ask, that’s either a real bummer or can’t come too soon, depending on how the race went. The thing about plate tracks is that they’re such an opportunity for teams to compete—if they’re lucky and avoid trouble.  They can also become exercises …

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Elliott Sadler Determined to Compete for Win in Daytona 500 Return

2017 Cup Charlotte Media Tour Zach Catanzareti Elliott Sadler

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Elliott Sadler wants to make the most of his latest opportunity in NASCAR’s premier division. At this point, he never knows if it will come around again. The 41-year-old NASCAR veteran, once a Cup full-timer is quite familiar with the sport’s emotional roller coaster. He’s spent the last six years toiling in the XFINITY Series, fighting …

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XFINITY Breakdown: Ryan Reed Tames Wild Daytona Race

2017 Daytona Xfinity Zach Catanzareti Daytona International Speedway

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Ryan Reed lived up to what arguably is his strong suit inside of a racecar on Saturday, perform-well on restrictor plate tracks. The fifth-year driver picked up his second-career win at Daytona International Speedway, also winning at the World Center of Racing in 2015. However, this one was well-earned after being involved in the trio …

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Ryan Reed Victorious in XFINITY Daytona Thriller

2017 Daytona Xfinity Zach Catanzareti Ryan Reed

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

He did it again. For the second time in the last three years, Ryan Reed has won at Daytona International Speedway in the XFINITY Series. Holding off Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series talents Kasey Kahne and Austin Dillon, Reed earned his second career win after starting from the front row. “I tried to apply everything …

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NASCAR 101: Your Cheat Sheet to Cup Series’ Team & Driver Changes

Clint Bowyer 2017 Daytona

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Good lord, is it really that time of year again? Despite an offseason that frankly felt like a four-week break, it is indeed true: NASCAR racing is back, and even though you just now figured out who Kaulig Racing is and finally learned how to spell half the new Camping World Truck Series drivers’ names, too bad, …

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Eyes on XFINITY: 5 Things to Watch for in 2017

2016 Kansas Speedway Nxs Daniel Suarez Photo Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Coming off a season that saw the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship, year two of the format has a lot of hype behind it. Over the off-season, NASCAR announced enhancements that would be implemented throughout the top three touring divisions, not just the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The enhancements will reward teams …

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Elliott Sadler Thankful to Race for JR Motorsports Late in His Career

2016 Chicago Nxs Elliott Sadler Car Brett Moist Nkp

Normally, people forget who finishes second in any championship event: the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Finals included. Elliott Sadler, coming off a season in which he finished second in the XFINITY Series point standings is trying to forget what could have been. In Sadler’s first year with JR Motorsports, he arguably had the best performance of his 22-year …

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