Race Weekend Central

Part-Time Pains: Kaz Grala Talks Racing Cup at Talladega, Future NASCAR Goals

#16: Kaz Grala, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Hyperice

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kaz Grala continues to run part-time in NASCAR this season, primarily in the Cup Series for Kaulig Racing. After a brake-line fire near his right-rear tire ended his night in the Daytona 500, Grala is back this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway (April 24-25) looking to complete his first 500-mile event. Grala also competed in the …

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Here Are the Changes to the Daytona Road Course Entry Lists

Pack Racing during the 2021 Busch Clash

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

In what will likely become a recurring segment at Frontstretch each week, we’ll run down the driver- and team-related changes to the NASCAR entry lists since they were initially posted, in this case last Saturday, Feb. 13. NASCAR Cup Series (Daytona International Speedway road course) –Garrett Smithley will make his season debut this weekend, driving the …

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Thursday End in Heartbreak as 4 Drivers Fail to Qualify for Daytona 500

Ty Dillon Misses Daytona 500 in Duel I in 2021 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It was a tale of two Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona International Speedway. Duel one was a calm, caution-free affair. Duel two featured two cautions and included three of the four open teams being involved in those cautions. It resulted in both drivers that were already locked into the field racing their way into the …

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Austin Dillon Nabs 2nd Daytona Duel Win, Kaz Grala Qualifies for 500

2021 Daytona I Duel Ii Dillon Winner 2 Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Austin Dillon won on a crossover move in NASCAR overtime to win the second Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona International Speedway to set the field for Sunday’s (Feb. 14) Daytona 500. He bested Bubba Wallace, who debuted a fast No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota. Dillon is seeking his second Daytona 500 victory. He will start …

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Kaz Grala Snags Hyperice Sponsorship for Daytona 500 Attempt

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kaz Grala will carry Hyperice sponsorship in the 2021 Daytona 500, Kaulig Racing announced Feb. 8. Grala, 22, will carry the technology company on the No. 16 while attempting to qualify for his first Daytona 500 and second career NASCAR Cup Series start. “I’ve been using Hyperice products for a couple years now to complement …

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The Underdog House: Potential 2021 Daytona 500 Cinderellas

2020 Kansas Ii Nxs Austin Cindric Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Dark Horse Field When the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway for the 2021 version of the Great American Race, 36 teams walk in breathing easy. The charter they own guarantees them an automatic spot in the Daytona 500 no matter how slow their car is or if they wreck in their …

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Stock Car Scoop: New Drivers Entering Daytona 500

2020 Daytona Ncs Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers recently announced they will be attempting to make their first Daytona 500 start. Who are these two drivers? Find out in the latest edition of Stock Car Scoop.  Frontstretch‘s podcast focused on the motorsports news of the week also will reveal which former Camping World Truck Series driver is coming …

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Kaz Grala Will Attempt Daytona 500 For Kaulig Racing

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kaz Grala will attempt to compete in the 2021 Daytona 500 in the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, the team announced on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Grala is also set to run in select road course and superspeedway races for Kaulig as they expand their Cup Series footprint this year. Grala subbed for Austin Dillon …

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What’s Left of the 2020-2021 Silly Season

Ty Dillon at Daytona in 2020

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Over the years, the term Silly Season has become a popular expression in the racing world. It’s the time of year where NASCAR drivers in a contract year try to figure out where they’ll land for the following season. For fans, it’s highly anticipated. For drivers, not so much. With the current economic landscape, many …

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Fire on Fridays: Must-Win Teams That Should Use Road Course Experts to Advance in NASCAR Playoffs

Austin Cindric, Kentucky

(Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and heading into an elimination race below the cutline means a team must pull out all the stops to try to advance. It’s Hail Mary time, and sometimes an unconventional approach, such as using a road-course racing expert rather than your regular driver, might just work. This weekend, the …

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Natalie Decker Out Again at Talladega, Kaz Grala to Sub

2019 Chicagoland Ngots Natalie Decker Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kaz Grala will replace Natalie Decker as the driver of the No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet for the upcoming NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, according to NASCAR’s entry list. Decker was not medically cleared by NASCAR to compete in the race, Niece Motorsports later stated in a press release. …

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Kaz Grala on His Impressive Debut, Getting the Call from Richard Childress and His Daytona Success

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Few have had more of a whirlwind week than Kaz Grala. From getting the call from Hall of Famer and team owner Richard Childress, to leading laps in the famed No. 3 car at Daytona International Speedway and everything in between, the 21-year-old became the first driver since Carl Edwards in 2004 to score a …

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