Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Ryan Preece Begins 2022 Audition at the Lady in Black

Ryan Preece produced an impressive 12th-place finish in the 2021 Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Ryan Preece What’s the best medicine when you find out you will be job searching for 2022? Most drivers would tell you that getting back on track is their preference. For Ryan Preece, that was likely the case at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (Sept. 5). Days after learning his …

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The Underdog House: Sweet Music for Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Underdogs in Nashville

Daniel Suarez Nashville Cup 2021 NASCAR race NKP (Tootsies sponsor)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Setting The excitement, energy and enthusiasm of the NASCAR Cup Series heading to Nashville Superspeedway was felt all week across NASCAR Nation. For the first time in 37 years, the Cup tour was stopping in Music City to race the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway on Father’s Day. (I’d like to wish all the Dads out …

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The Underdog House: Daniel Suarez Bounces Back From Coca-Cola 600 Adversity

Daniel Suarez races around the track at Homestead-Miami Speedway (March 2021) (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Daniel Suarez Before we jump into the house and talk about Suarez, I would like to thank all of our veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. military. To the families of those who have sacrificed their lives for our country, we owe a large debt of gratitude to your loved ones …

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The Underdog House: Daniel Suarez Cashes in With Dover Top 10

Daniel Suarez walks down pit road at Homestead-Miami Speedway (March 2021). (Photo: NKP)

#99: Daniel Suarez, TrackHouse Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Camping World

Top Dog: Daniel Suarez The refreshing sight of packed grandstands made for a very compelling race Sunday (May 16) in the Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway. The action-packed, one-mile oval provided great entertainment for those fans while underdogs of the sport cashed in on some opportunities. Daniel Suarez once again led the way, stepping …

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The Underdog House: Erik Jones Best In Class… But Darlington Streak Ends

#43: Erik Jones, Richard Petty Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro STP and #20: Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Rheem racing at 2021 spring Darlington Cup, Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Erik Jones If you tuned into Sunday’s (May 9) Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway with no information on NASCAR Throwback weekend, you may have wondered why there were schemes largely from the 20th century on track. One of those cars would be the easily distinguishable STP colors adorning the No. 43. However, it …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Justin Allgaier Checks Darlington Off List; Noah Gragson Disqualified

Justin Allgaier

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Steakhouse Elite 200 at Darlington Raceway began with Dale Earnhardt Jr. pacing the NASCAR Xfinity Series field in a restored No. 8 Chevrolet Nova driven by his father, Dale Earnhardt. The race ended with Justin Allgaier, driving a JR Motorsports throwback scheme to the late Earnhardt, in victory lane. Saturday’s (May 8) race had …

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Jeremy Clements, Ryan Sieg, Alex Labbe Shine in Darlington Runs

Jeremy Clements Alex Labbe Darlington

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

There’s a uniqueness about Darlington Raceway. With its quirks and peculiarities, it presents challenges that drivers and teams are not likely to see at any other venue. So on one hand, it’d be plausible for teams to not put much effort into “The Lady and Black” given that little of what teams can glean is …

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The Underdog House: Michael McDowell Proves Every Dog Has His Day

Michael McDowell wins 2021 Daytona 500, Chase Elliott close second, Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog 10 years after the unthinkable happened when Trevor Bayne won the 2011 Daytona 500, the unthinkable happened again. After 14 years and 358 starts driving for underfunded teams in the NASCAR Cup Series, 36-year-old Michael McDowell is a Daytona 500 champion with Front Row Motorsports. McDowell had been caught up in a 16-car …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Austin Cindric Kicks Off Championship Defense With Daytona Win

Pack racing at Daytona

#54: Ty Dillon, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Supra Bass Pro Shops #02: Brett Moffitt, Our Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Fr8Auctions #22: Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Verizon 5G

For the first two stages of Saturday’s (Feb. 13) Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300 at Daytona International Speedway, the NASCAR Xfinity Series field played nice with one another. But in stage three, all hell broke loose, with the race’s complexion changing multiple times. By the end of the race, it was reigning NASCAR Xfinity …

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The Underdog House: Bubba Wallace Leads on the Long, Lonely Road Home

2020 Charlotte Road Cup Jimmie Johnson Bubba Wallace Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog Road courses at the top level of NASCAR are something of an equalizer. A good driver can elevate the performance of an entire team even without the benefit of top notch equipment or research data. So it’s a logical assumption that at least one or two underdogs will likely run competitively and finish …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: How Kyle Busch’s Championship Defense Went Kaboom

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In its first two years of existence, the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL put on some incredible races, filled with unpredictability and classic endings. This weekend showcased all of that and more from what’s quickly become one of the most exciting tracks on the circuit. Between Saturday’s (Oct. 10) NASCAR Xfinity Series and Sunday’s Cup Series …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Chase Briscoe Cashes in for Las Vegas Sweep, Ryan Sieg Shows Hidden Playoff Strength

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The green flag waved at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to kick off the Xfinity Series playoffs. The 12 playoff drivers got their first chance to show what they’ve got in this first round. Some rolled the dice and came out lucky, while others rolled snake eyes and lost out on valuable points. The driver who …

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