Race Weekend Central

5 Points to Ponder: Bristol is Back, Baby!

21 22 August, 2015, Bristol, Tennessee Usa Kyle Busch, Skittles Toyota Camry Denny Hamlin, Fedex Ground Toyota Camry ©2015, Matthew T. Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

ONE: Bristol is Back That’s right, I said it. Beginning with driver intros that were actually televised so fans could see the song choices and competitors had a rare opportunity to introduce themselves, the hype began. Obviously, some intros were more amusing than others as a handful of drivers brought their children along to do …

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Beside the Rising Tide: Just Walk Away, Renee

#95: Kasey Kahne, Leavine Family Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Procore Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kasey Kahne’s decision to retire Thursday (Aug. 16) from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing took me by complete surprise. It is perhaps overstating the moment to say it sent shockwaves through the sport. But at very least, it sent large ripples across a pool of eligible drivers trying to make or remain within NASCAR’s elusive …

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The Underdog House: Small NASCAR Teams Stand Their Ground in Bristol

#37: Chris Buescher, Jtg Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Bush's Beans And #17: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roush Fenway Racing, Ford Fusion Fastenal Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Think Small When you race at Bristol Motor Speedway, whether in Monster Energy Cup, XFINITY or Camping World Trucks, you learn quick how easily that place can take the best out of you. It can make you do things you wish you didn’t and can define or destroy weeks of momentum as the regular season …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Just Like Old Times, Kurt Busch Wins Bristol

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who’s in the headline Kurt Busch owned Bristol at one point in time. He won five races there from 2002 through 2006, including three straight in 2003 and 2004. Since his fifth win in 2006, he didn’t have a single runner-up finish. Busch ran in the top 10 the majority of the night and made …

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Kasey Kahne at Peace with Retirement Decision

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Since the 2004 Daytona 500, one thing has been consistent in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Kasey Kahne has competed in every race. When the checkered flag waves at Homestead in November, that will be no more. In a tweet sent out by Kahne on Thursday morning, he announced he’d be stepping away from …

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4 Burning Questions: Who Retired This Week?

2017 Texas Nxs Elliott Sadler Russell Labounty Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty/NKP)

Who will drive the No. 95 next season? On Thursday (Aug. 16), Kasey Kahne announced his retirement from competing full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at season’s end. pic.twitter.com/0V0keaggcL — Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) August 16, 2018 Kahne, who will turn 39 next April, is the latest big name driver to retire in the …

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Voice of Vito: Recent NASCAR Retirements Paving a Shortcut for Careers

2018 Pocono Cup Zach Catanzareti Matt Kenseth

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Kasey Kahne unexpectedly send out his Dear John letter to the racing world on Thursday (Aug. 16), announcing his retirement from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the end of 2018. After 15 seasons, one of the original young guns of the early-2000s NASCAR youth movement is calling it a career at the ripe …

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NASCAR 101: 5 Drivers Who Could Take Over for Kasey Kahne at Leavine Family Racing

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Folds Of Honor Quik Trip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga Usa Sunday 25 February 2018 Kasey Kahne, Leavine Family Racing, Procore Habitat For Humanity Chevrolet Camaro World Copyright: Rusty Jarrett Nkp

(Photo: Rusty Jarrett/NKP)

The latest Silly Season domino to fall occurred earlier today (Aug. 16), when Kasey Kahne announced he will step away from full-time NASCAR racing at the end of the 2018 season. Kahne, 38, tweeted that racing full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2019 and beyond “was just something that I couldn’t commit …

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Kasey Kahne Retiring From Full-Time NASCAR Competition

#95: Kasey Kahne, Leavine Family Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Procore Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kasey Kahne will retire from full-time NASCAR competition following the 2018 season. Kahne, 39, is in his 15th season as a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver. The Washington native has 18 career wins in 527 starts, with a best finish of fourth this year, his first with Leavine Family Racing. “I’ve thought about this …

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Beside the Rising Tide: NASCAR, How The Mighty Have Fallen

#9: Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Napa Auto Parts Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

BRIAN FRANCE NEWS Some of you will be surprised that I didn’t write an acerbic column this week discussing Brian France’s arrest for both a DWI and drug possession in Sag Harbor, N.Y. over the weekend. While my personal disdain for France remains high, frustration from what I’ve termed his “reign of terror” since taking …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: Chase Elliott Cranks Up the Siren Again

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Gobowling At The Glen

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Who’s in the headline After almost three years of trying, and eight near misses, Chase Elliott has finally scored his maiden win in the Cup series. Elliott won the second stage and the race while Martin Truex Jr. grabbed the win in the first stage. William Byron crossed the finish line in eighth to claim …

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Leavine Family Racing Working On Kasey Kahne’s Contract Extension, Likely Moving to Toyota

#95: Kasey Kahne, Leavine Family Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Procore Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The last few weeks, Kasey Kahne has picked up the pace in his first year with Leavine Family Racing. That speed looks like it’s about to be rewarded with a contract extension. Kahne, 38, told Frontstretch last weekend at Pocono Raceway he would like to return to the race team in 2019. Team owner, Bob Leavine, confirmed …

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