Race Weekend Central

Power Rankings: No Longer the Action Track Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

They used to call Richmond Raceway the “Action Track,” but after racing 400 laps without a non-manufactured caution flag, they might need to forget that nickname ever existed. This isn’t the fault of the track. This isn’t the fault of the drivers. This is the fault of a rules package that makes a gentle rub …

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Power Rankings: 1 Down, 9 to Go Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

All season, Kevin Harvick has been very good. Heading into the Southern 500, he had won seven times already this year and had more top-five and top-10 finishes than anyone else. But one thing he has not been until Sunday (Sept. 6) was being lucky! In one of the crown jewels of stock car racing, …

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Stock Car Scoop: NASCAR Playoff Drivers at Media Day

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It was media day for the NASCAR playoff drivers and unlike normal circumstances, it was done virtually. Kevin Harvick was asked about if it as hard to stay up at the front of the point standings than it was during the 1990s. What was his answer? Find out in this edition of Stock Car Scoop. …

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Stock Car Scoop: William Byron, Aric Almirola Sign Contract Extensions

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Two NASCAR playoff drivers signed contract extensions with their current teams. Which two drivers are they? Find out in this edition of Stock Car Scoop. Frontstretch‘s newest podcast focused on the motorsports news of the week also has news on which race Kyle Busch will run for his final Xfinity race of the year, as …

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Power Rankings: Here Come the Playoffs Edition

2020 Daytona Ncs Kevin Harvick Regular Season Champion Nascar Media

(Photo: NASCAR Media)

It’s amazing how much has changed in all the many years since I started following NASCAR as a kid back in the late 1960s and ’70s. Thankfully, the racing is much safer. Can I hear a “Hallelujah” that we get live races every week? But one curious development is that back in the day, finishing …

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Aric Almirola, Smithfield Back at SHR in 2021

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

According to multiple reports on Tuesday (Sept. 1), driver Aric Almirola and sponsor Smithfield will return to Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 10 entry in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021. The Smithfield-Almirola partnership in the Cup Series will continue after nearly a decade together. The Virginia-based food company has sponsored Almirola since 2012 in the Cup …

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Reel Racing: NASCAR Schemes Go Hollywood

2012 Nascar Michigan

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In June, amid quarantine and with more time on my hands, I decided to undertake a project that just might be the magnum opus of this “Reel Racing” column series. Over the course of several weeks, I researched every single movie-themed NASCAR paint scheme that ever hit the track, regardless of if it actually raced …

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Power Rankings: Dover Double Take Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Can anyone explain the logic of holding a doubleheader at the Monster Mile with the second race going head-to-head with the Greatest Spectacle in Auto Racing, the Indianapolis 500? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler? The good news is that NASCAR saw fit to give the NASCAR Cup Series guys more power and less downforce at Dover …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Too Much Cutoff Coverage Masks Somewhat Boring Dover Race

2020doverncstrackrepairnascarmedia

(Photo: NASCAR Media)

Last weekend was ludicrous. Just plain too much stuff going on. Normally, Couch Potato Tuesday after the Indianapolis 500 would cover the Indianapolis 500. Problem is, that race was on at the same time as the Drydene 311 No. 2, and I need to keep my TV on NBCSN when races air there. Stupid things …

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The Frontstretch 5: (Other) Drivers Who Could Make a Run At the 2020 NASCAR Cup Title

2020charlottencsbradkeselowskivictorylanenascarmedia(2)

(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

If you listen to the talk, most people are certain this year’s title will come down to either Kevin Harvick or Denny Hamlin. Frankly, it should come down to them, and it well might. Provided they both make the finale at Phoenix Raceway, they’re both strong there, and they’ve finished one-two more than once already …

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Power Rankings: Double the Fun Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The week’s Power Rankings is almost guaranteed to get at least one “OK Boomer” comment, but I can’t help it that I have been around for so long. The Wrigley Chewing Gum company should sponsor Kevin Harvick, because he doubled his pleasure and doubled his fun last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. In the process, …

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Seeing Red: Kevin Harvick Dominates For Michigan Sweep

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In the middle of the 1980s, drivers in NASCAR’s top division had a hard time stopping the red-colored Ford of Bill Elliott at Michigan International Speedway when he won six out of eight races.  History may as well be repeating itself these days. Kevin Harvick won Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400 at MIS to sweep both …

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