Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Lights, Camera, Action (or a Lack Thereof) in Fontana

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Top Dog I’m not good at predicting the future. But last week, I wrote that I anticipated our underdogs faced a tough task if they wanted to steal the spotlight in southern California. Unfortunately, this time my outlook couldn’t have been more accurate. Sunday’s race at Auto Club Speedway was a disappointment for the underfunded …

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The Underdog House: Ty Dillon Leaves Vegas On a Heater

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Top Dog Ty Dillon has been on a roll of late. Granted, underdog teams don’t necessarily see the type of eyebrow-raising streaks that other teams with extensive resources put together in terms of wins and top-five finishes. But Dillon continues to be instrumental in helping the long-time backmarker wind up a little closer to the …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2020 Daytona 500

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(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

“Drivers, start your engines!” I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting to hear those words. There’s nothing like the 2020 Daytona 500 at The World Center of Racing. The roar of the crowd as the green flag waves; the thrill of close-knit pack racing. You may feel anguish if your favorite driver gets …

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2020 NASCAR Cup Series Preseason Power Rankings

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(Credit: Christian Koelle, Frontstretch)

For the first time here at Frontstretch, our staff banded together to vote on who it thinks will be the top drivers of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season in a preseason power rankings format. Each participating staff member sent a 30-driver ranking before the beginning of the season, taking into account not only 2019 successes …

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2019 NASCAR Driver Reviews: Michael McDowell

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(Photo: NKP)

The 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season marked Michael McDowell‘s second with Front Row Motorsports. The veteran driver has been plugging away, steadily improving in his effort to be known for more than a jarring demonstration of the safety improvements of the Car of Tomorrow more than a decade ago. The trials and tribulations of a …

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John Hunter Nemechek Joins Front Row Motorsports for 2020, Michael McDowell Returning

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(Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Front Row Motorsports will have a new driver for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season. John Hunter Nemechek will pilot FRM’s No. 38 Ford Mustang full-time in 2020, per a Dec. 12 team announcement. Nemechek will be joined by teammate Michael McDowell, who returns to the seat of his No. 34 Ford Mustang for a …

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Michael McDowell Expects to Return to Front Row Motorsports: ‘We’re Still Hammering Out the Details’

2019 Talladega Mencs Michael Mcdowell Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In a tumultuous year for Front Row Motorsports in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, at least one of its drivers should remain intact. Michael McDowell confirmed to Frontstretch Friday (Nov. 15) at Homestead-Miami Speedway that he expects to return to FRM in 2020. “We’re still hammering out the details, but I think I will …

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The Underdog House: Flipping the Script

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(Photo: Christian Koelle)

Top of the Class As is often the case for superspeedway races, the top of the finishing order from the 1000bulbs.com 500 was overrun with underfunded teams. It’s always interesting to see which meek teams survive the carnage to turn the tables on the mighty. It took a while, but Michael McDowell finally earned his …

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Michael McDowell Plans to Be Back at Front Row, Dishes on Health Scare & Next Gen Hopes

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(Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Despite starting the season with a top five in the Daytona 500, 2019 has not been what Michael McDowell expected. He sits 28th in points, two spots lower than he finished the past two seasons, and his average finish is the lowest it’s been since 2015 when he ran part-time for Leavine Family Racing. But …

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Jimmie Johnson Fastest in Caution-Plagued Opening Cup ROVAL Practice

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(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Jimmie Johnson led the first and only practice session on Friday (Sept. 27) in what was filled with a plethora of delays due to incidents. Johnson, who failed to make the playoffs for the first time ever in his career, ran 13 laps, with the final lap being the fastest at 103.182 mph. Kyle Larson, …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Racing’s Hallowed Mausoleum

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the great cathedrals of auto racing, with over a century’s worth of events run there. One of the overlooked aspects of cathedrals, aside from their beauty, is that they are a little creepy at the same time. In the history of IMS, many racers have died while competing, making …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Blast From the Past

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(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Tradition. That’s the theme of the Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway with the Bojangles Southern 500, and despite a start at 10 p.m. ET and not finishing until around 2 a.m., the full race distance was run before Hurricane Dorian could arrive. That commitment, whether in the stands or on the couch at home, deserves …

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