Race Weekend Central

NASCAR 101: Martin Truex Jr. Finally Won a Short Track Race — Who’s Next?

2019 Cup Richmond Zach Catanzareti Martin Truex Jr.

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Apparently all it took for Martin Truex Jr. to win on a short track was to switch teams. Last weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway saw Truex, in the midst of his first season for Joe Gibbs Racing in its No. 19, emerge victorious, snapping a losing streak at short tracks …

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Erik Jones on Growing Up, His Dog Oscar and Future with Joe Gibbs Racing

2019 Atlanta Cup Erik Jones Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Of the many young, up-and-coming drivers who have ascended through the ranks into the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Erik Jones may be one of the first that comes to mind. The driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota has won some of the most prestigious short track races in the country, then …

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8 Teams Fail Cup Series Pre-Race Inspection At Richmond

2019 Richmond Cup Zach Catanzareti Mencs Denny Hamlin

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The starting positions for Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway will differ significantly from after qualifying on Friday. Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, Jimmie Johnson, Erik Jones, Matt Tifft, and Joey Gase all failed Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pre-race qualifying at Richmond Raceway. These drivers will all forfeit their …

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Massie’s Minute: NASCAR Owners, Stop Giving Rides to 20-Year-Olds

2019 Atlanta Cup Erik Jones Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After Joe Gibbs affirmed that he has long term plans in place for both Christopher Bell and Erik Jones, there’s been widespread talk about which Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver at Joe Gibbs Racing Bell will replace. If it’s not going to be Jones on the way out, then who would it be? There’s …

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2-Headed Monster: Will Christopher Bell Be at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2020?

#20: Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Supra Rheem And #18: Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Supra Ik9 Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After winning 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series races over the past three years, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that Christopher Bell will be driving in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series next season. For this week’s 2-Headed Monster, Wesley Coburn and Clayton Caldwell debate whether Bell with be driving for Joe Gibbs Racing or elsewhere. Where …

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Did You Notice?: The 2019 NASCAR Playoffs Are Already Coming Into Focus?

2018 Homestead Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Logano

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Did You Notice? … The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture is taking shape? It’s hard to believe but we’re already eight races into 2019. If the regular season was just one big race, stage one would be wrapping up sometime during the middle of Saturday night’s showdown at Richmond Raceway. What do we know …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR FanDuel Forecast: 2019 Food City 500

2019 Atlanta Cup Erik Jones Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Downforce, high-banks, grip strips, etc… It’s not the old Bristol Motor Speedway, but nonetheless, Bristol provides 500 laps at the fastest half-mile and it will put on a show. You will be surprised by the names we have in this edition of DFS Fantasy Preview. Keep in mind as you fill out your DFS lineups, …

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Did You Notice?: 2019 NASCAR Parity Is Here… It’s Just Misplaced

#22: Joey Logano, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Pennzoil, #2: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Discount Tire And #12: Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Menards/pennzoil Ford Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 2019. (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice?… NASCAR’s parity problem? The new, low-horsepower handling package at intermediate tracks combined with several new 2019 rules have been designed to bring the field closer together. In many ways, the field is tighter than ever. But that parity has occurred within teams rather than the full 40-car field itself. Seven races in, just two organizations have won …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2019 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas

2019 Cup Texas Zach Catanzareti Erik Jones

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

The Headline(s): Denny Hamlin overcame a characteristic pair of pit road penalties and missing a pit road approach under green with a stellar late-race pit stop. That got him out front, where he beat Clint Bowyer by more than two seconds. Hamlin scored his second win of 2019 and the 52nd NASCAR national series win …

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Denny Hamlin Surges Ahead, Wins 2019 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 When Busch Breaks Loose

2019 Cup Texas Denny Hamlin Victory Lane Rick Lunkenheimer

(Photo: Rick Lunkenheimer)

Pit road speeding. Uncontrolled tire. Two pit road penalties couldn’t stop Denny Hamlin from ending Sunday with two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins after the 2019 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. Hamlin took control after the final pit stops at Texas Motor Speedway and cruised to a 2.7-second victory over Clint Bowyer. The No. 11 …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2019 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500

2019 Daytona I Cup Kevin Harvick Face Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races on to Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, March 31 at 3 p.m. ET. In the 2019 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, race cars will use the same low-horsepower package as Las Vegas and Fontana. Drafting will come into play due to the lower speeds and the aero ducts. Texas also …

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Jimmie Johnson Sweeps Rounds, Wins O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Pole

2019 Texas Cup Jimmie Johnson Cockpit Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

NASCAR’s new and improved group qualifying kicked off Friday (March 29) at Texas Motor Speedway. Despite the new rules, the waiting game was still key. Jimmie Johnson was able to win all three rounds to claim the pole for Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.  Johnson’s lap in the final round was the fastest overall at …

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