Race Weekend Central

5 Points to Ponder: NASCAR Was a Few Years Early on the Whole Young Guns Thing

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Sure hope no one wrote off Chase Briscoe after his rookie season Chase Briscoe had what you could politely call a nondescript rookie NASCAR Cup Series season in 2021. In his first full-time campaign in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, Briscoe recorded only three top-10 finishes — all on road courses, where he …

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Up to Speed: Chase Briscoe & the 1st-Time Winners at Phoenix

Briscoe

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

First-time Cup Series winners are becoming a common sight in 2022. After Austin Cindric’s victory in the Daytona 500 last month, Chase Briscoe became the second driver to earn his first victory just four races into the season. Briscoe had to hold off challenges from Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick over the final 20 laps, …

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Fire on Fridays: Who Is Each NASCAR Cup Team’s Alpha Driver?

Ryan Blaney grits his teeth at LA Clash, Joey Logano smiles, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

A rundown of alpha drivers in each NASCAR Cup Series team.

Did You Notice?: If Kyle Larson Is in Chase Elliott’s Head?

2021 Kansas Ii Cup Kyle Larson Chase Elliott Pack Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Chase Elliott‘s frustration with Kyle Larson boiling over at Auto Club Speedway this past weekend? Elliott was upset with Larson pinching him on the outside while fighting for the lead three-wide in the Wise Power 400, contact that damaged the No. 9 Chevrolet and inevitably led to a spin that took …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway

The NASCAR Cup Series field lines up for the start of the 2022 Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Auto Club Speedway was the first intermediate track of the 2022 season and the first the NASCAR Cup Series has visited since Kansas Speedway last October. The result, though, wasn’t new at all.

Kyle Larson won the last intermediate track race of 2021 and he won the first of 2022 on Sunday (Feb. 27), taking the top spot in the WISE Power 400.

Kyle Larson Surges Late, Begins NASCAR Title Defense with Auto Club Win

Kyle Larson takes the checkered flag to win the WISE Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway, 2/27/2022 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

On Sunday (Feb. 27) at Auto Club Speedway, Kyle Larson’s No. 5 came to life late, and the defending champ held off all comers to win his first race of 2022 in the Wise Power 400 and open his title defense.