Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice?: Communication Between NASCAR Drivers, Executives at Crossroads

2021 Pocono I Cup Bubba Wallace Steve Phelps laugh James Gilbert Getty

(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Did You Notice? … NASCAR drama between drivers and executives has been building at a breakneck pace? It all started with last week’s Atlanta Motor Speedway repave announcement from Speedway Motorsports, Inc. President Marcus Smith. After 24 years under the current configuration, the track will be getting a facelift with both fresh asphalt and an altered …

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Did You Notice?: 6 NASCAR Storylines to Follow With 6 Regular Season Races Left

Kyle Larson races teammate William Byron in the 2021 Pennzoil 400 Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … There’s six races left in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season? After some incredible parity, with 10 different winners in the first 11 races, the 2021 playoff battle has mostly sorted itself out. We’ve had just one new winner in the last nine races as Cinderellas have been replaced by the typical …

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5 Points to Ponder: Impending Atlanta Repave May Cause Longing for Current Surface

Chase Elliott featured racing ahead of the pack at spring Atlanta Cup race 2021 NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Will we long for this Atlanta surface when it’s gone? At some point, father time and the elements of nature will force the inevitable repave of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s aged surface. If you’ve not been able to see a race at AMS in person in recent years, you’ve missed a real treat. Much like …

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Chase Elliott Drives From Back, Wins Cup Series’ Return to Road America

2021 Road America Cup Chase Elliott win checkered flag NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Elliott drove from the back of the field to the front at Road America, outlasting Kyle Busch and winning the Jockey Made in America 250 in the NASCAR Cup Series’ return to Elkhart Lake, Wis. on Sunday, July 4. Elliott’s second victory of 2021 was also his second at a road course, after his …

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Did You Notice?: Team Penske Instability On the Rise with Brad Keselowski’s Departure

Roger Penske at Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2020 (Photo: IndyCar Media)

Roger Penske (Photo by: Joe Skibinski, courtesy of IndyCar Media)

Did You Notice?… Team Penske has gone from 2021 championship contender to a team that’s struggling to keep up? A slow unraveling at Ford’s top organization this season has taken place since news broke Brad Keselowski would be leaving the team in 2022 to become an owner/driver at Roush Fenway Racing. When that story broke, on …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 Pocono Doubleheader

2021 Pocono II Bubba Wallace car DraftKings

(Photo: DraftKings)

This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series heads north to Pocono Raceway for a doubleheader, which means twice as many chances to win money in fantasy. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings rosters set for Saturday’s and Sunday’s (June 26-27) races! It’s the second year in a row the Tricky Triangle hosts two Cup events …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Ally 400 at Nashville

Kyle Larson holds up the Ally 400 trophy at Nashville Superspeedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kyle Larson won the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday (June 20) after another incredible performance for his third consecutive points-race win (fourth counting the All-Star Race).  Ross Chastain, William Byron, Aric Almirola and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five finishers. Charlotte: Kyle LarsonSonoma: Kyle Larson All-Star Race: Kyle Larson@NashvilleSuperS: Kyle Larson@KyleLarsonRacin …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas

2021 Texas all Star Race Kyle Larson Burnout NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Kyle Larson won the NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas on Sunday (June 13) after a bold pass for the lead in the final round. Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top-five finishers. YUNG MONEY LARSON.@KyleLarsonRacin wins for the third week in a row, winning the #AllStarRace for …

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Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto Advance to All-Star Race

Ross Chastain in the garage at Circuit of the Americas, 5/22/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two hours prior to the NASCAR Cup Series’ 2021 All-Star Race, four drivers locked in their spots to race for $1 million late Sunday (June 13) evening. Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick and Aric Almirola won the first, second and final rounds, respectively, of the All-Star Open to qualify for the main event. Matt DiBenedetto, who …

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Frontstretch 2-Minute Drill: All-Star Open & All-Star Race at Texas

2020 Texas Cup Michael Mcdowell Kevin Harvick Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Texas may have lost one of its points-paying dates, but it gained one of NASCAR’s landmark events for 2021 in the form of the June 13 All-Star festivities. Eligibility for the annual race, long held at Charlotte Motor Speedway before moving to Bristol Motor Speedway in 2020 and then to the Lone Star State, is …

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Wood Brothers Racing Parts Ways With Crew Chief Greg Erwin

Matt DiBenedetto at 2021 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte NASCAR Cup race NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Starting with this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Texas, Wood Brothers Racing has decided to make some personnel changes on top of the pit box of the No. 21 Ford Mustang, driven by Matt DiBenedetto. Greg Erwin, the team’s crew chief for the last three years, has been let go. His replacement will …

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Fire on Fridays: Here’s Who Should Replace Brad Keselowski in the No. 2

Brad Keselowski stands by his No. 2 Team Penske Ford at Kansas Speedway (May 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski‘s foray into NASCAR Cup Series ownership seems to be a done deal, depending on who you ask. And aside from the question of where Keselowski would fit in at Roush Fenway Racing — new car? Replacing an existing driver? — there’s also the case of his current ride, Team Penske’s No. 2. Which …

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