Race Weekend Central

Friday Faceoff: Should Drivers Go Toe To Toe On Social Media?

Brad Keselowski Phone

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

For the second time in less than a year, Jimmie Johnson will have a new crew chief. Was the move necessary and will it help their results? Mark Kristl: The move felt like a Hail Mary from Hendrick Motorsports. In his first year with Ally as his sponsor, Johnson has underperformed. Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Alex Bowman Discusses 2019 Season, Previews Playoffs, Dogs

2019 Pocono Mencs Alex Bowman Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss an interesting weekend of racing at Pocono Raceway, which saw Denny Hamlin record his third victory of the season. What’s led to the recent hot streak of the No. 11 team? With three consecutive top-three finishes, is Erik Jones fighting for his ride? Did the …

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NASCAR 101: Longest Cup Streaks Without a Pole

2019 Loudon Mencs Brad Keselowski Pole Award Getty Images Nascar Media

(Photo: Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Entering the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, Brad Keselowski had 14 poles to his credit — by no means a deplorable number. However, it came with a caveat. In 2018, Keselowski won no poles, and his last one before then came at the second Michigan International Speedway race of the season in 2017. …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Matt DiBenedetto Opens Up on Top-5 Finish at New Hampshire

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss a wild weekend of racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway that saw a last lap battle between Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin for the win. The No. 4 team wound up on top, recording Stewart-Haas Racing’s first victory this season. We go in-depth on what …

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The Frontstretch 5: Largest NASCAR Cup Victory Margins of 2019 To Date

2019 Loudon Mencs Martin Truex, Jr Face Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What makes a good race? That question was posed last week in this column, and one thing our staff agreed on was that a close finish is one thing that makes a race memorable. Everyone remembers the 2003 Southern 500 because the finish was the closest in the Cup Series to date. And as we …

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5 Points to Ponder: NASCAR’s Rookie Driver Disappearing Act and Cleaning Up the Playoff Bubble

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Can Kevin Harvick’s Win Kickstart Stewart-Haas Racing? There’s no doubt Kevin Harvick’s Sunday victory (July 21) at New Hampshire Motor Speedway lifts a monkey off the back of Stewart-Haas Racing. After eight Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victories in 2018, a career high, it took Harvick 20 races to win his first. If nothing …

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Up to Speed: Erik Jones Survives Chaotic New Hampshire Race

2019 Loudon Mencs Erik Jones Car Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Erik Jones ran one of his best races of the season on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  The final results will show that Jones started fourth, placed second in the first stage and came home third, equaling his best finish of 2019. But really, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Jones had to …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Foxwoods Resort Casino 301

2019 Loudon Mencs Matt Dibenedetto Car Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who…should you be talking about after the race? Kevin Harvick won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway a year ago, making it his sixth victory of 2018.  He’d go on to win twice more, at Michigan and Texas. But he hadn’t seen the winner’s circle since. That changed on Sunday, when he repeated last year’s feat, outdueling …

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NASCAR New Hampshire Notebook: Kyle Larson, Erik Jones Quell Silly Season Rumors

2019 Loudon Mencs Kyle Larson Car Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With 2019 NASCAR Silly Season in full effect, rumors heated up along with hot temperatures entering the weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. But for now, all Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series off-track news revolved around drivers insisting they’re sticking with their current teams for 2020. Instead, by the end of Saturday (July 20), it …

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Beside the Rising Tide: Feels Like the First Time 

Justin Haley poses with his trophy after winning the summer NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona, July 2019. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Rather unexpectedly, NASCAR’s top three touring divisions have welcomed some first-time winning drivers and teams lately.  On Thursday night (July 11) at Kentucky Speedway, Tyler Ankrum drove his David Gilliland-owned Toyota to victory, a first for both the rookie driver and the team. It was only Ankrum’s 12th start in the Truck Series, as he …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400

2019 Daytona I Cup Erik Jones Nkp

(Photo: NKP)

Fireworks are sure to be on display in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway Saturday night (July 6). This may be the second trip to the track this year, but the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams will use a different package than at the season opener. This rules package, used at …

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Massie’s Minute: Did Winning Save Alex Bowman’s Career?

2019 Chicagoland Mencs Alex Bowman Victory Celebration Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Winning at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday night (June 30) was huge for Alex Bowman in that it gave him his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win, qualified him for next year’s All-Star Race and locked him into the 2019 playoffs. But the win might’ve had long-term implications as well. Having a long career in …

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