Race Weekend Central

Did You Notice?: What’s Next for Ford’s NASCAR Future After Rocky 2021 Playoffs?

Ford drivers Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric chat on pit road at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

#12: Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Menards/Moen and #33: Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Ford Mustang MoneyLion

Did You Notice? … The way Ford has struggled during the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs? As I first pointed out at CBS Sports, they’ve gone 0-for-8 and sit outside Championship 4 position for the first time in the history of the format, implemented in 2014. That could change this weekend at Martinsville Speedway if any …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: Kansas Provides Better Racing, New Issues for NBC Sports

Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 19, Chase Elliott’s No. 9, Alex Bowman’s No. 48 and Joey Logano’s No. 22 race four-wide at Kansas Speedway in the fall 2021 NASCAR Cup series race, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After a fairly unsatisfactory race at Texas Motor Speedway, viewers got a much more enjoyable race to watch Sunday (Oct. 24) at Kansas Speedway. However, there were problems early. Hollywood Casino 400 Knowing that the race started about 14 minutes after the Formula 1 race, then almost immediately got red-flagged due to lightning, I do …

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Best Seat at the Track: Daniel McFadin Joins From Kansas Speedway

Danielmcfadinbsatt

Graphic: Jared Haas

Jared Haas is joined by Frontstretch senior editor Daniel McFadin from Kansas Speedway to discuss the weekend’s racing action. With Kyle Larson securing his Championship 4 spot last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the pair debate whether Larson will take it easy over the next two races or put the pedal to the metal. McFadin …

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Xfinity Breakdown: Tires, Non-Playoff Drivers Affect the Playoff Picture After Kansas

Ty Gibbs celebrates in victory lane after winning 2021 NASCAR Xfinity race at Kansas, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

There’s no place like Kansas. Since the playoffs were introduced to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2016, Kansas Speedway has been a Round of 8 race. And every year since 2016, no fewer than five playoff drivers have suffered issues. Saturday’s (Oct. 23) Kansas Lottery 300 saw six drivers experience something that put a kink …

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Xfinity Championship 4 Still Up for Grabs After Kansas

AJ Allmendinger at Kansas

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for NASCAR Media)

Kansas City, Kansas – No one is (technically) safe. With two of three races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff’s Round of 8 completed, no driver has secured a spot in the Championship 4. You can thank the “Oprah Car.” That’s what AJ Allmendinger has dubbed Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 54 Toyota team, which won …

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Austin Cindric on Pole for Charlotte ROVAL Xfinity Race

#22: Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Carquest Auto Parts At 2021 Talladega NASCAR Xfinity race

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Twelve playoff contenders fight for eight spots in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, and Austin Cindric will lead the way Saturday (Oct. 9). The 2020 Xfinity champion has secured a spot in the Round of 8, though solely on points. JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier joins Cindric on the front row, …

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Jonathan Hassler to Be Ryan Blaney’s Crew Chief in 2022

Ryan Blaney celebrating after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, 8/22/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Ryan Blaney will have a new NASCAR Cup Series crew chief in 2022. Jonathan Hassler will be atop the No. 12 Team Penske pit box starting next year, the team announced Wednesday (Sept. 29). Hassler currently serves as Matt DiBenedetto’s crew chief for Wood Brothers Racing after taking over for Greg Erwin. He led the …

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Eyes on Xfinity: Why Every Playoff Driver Can & Can’t Win the Title

2021 Xfinity Daytona II Finish Kaulig Racing 1-2-4, L-R Justin Haley, No. 11 Chevrolet, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet, and Jeb Burton, No. 10 Chevrolet (Credit: NKP)

Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

The time has arrived for the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs. This weekend in Las Vegas, the postseason gets underway. Even if there was no title at stake, racing purists of a certain type would be drawn in for one reason, that in the postseason, the field is void of any current NASCAR Cup Series drivers. …

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Frontstretch 5: Feuds That Could Brew Again in NASCAR Playoffs

NASCAR Brad Keselowski Kyle Busch

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

This past weekend’s events at Bristol Motor Speedway brought out the best of moods for spectators and the worst of moods for the drivers. New feuds were born and they all may be something for fans to keep an eye on as these playoffs continue. Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick’s memorable post-race scrum at Bristol …

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Austin Cindric Starting from Xfinity Pole at Las Vegas

#22: Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Menards/Richmond, NASCAR Xfinity race at Martinsville

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s time for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs and Austin Cindric will lead the field to green in their debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Cindric earned the pole position after coming home second following a tight battle with AJ Allmendinger at the end of last week’s race (Sept. 17) at Bristol Motor Speedway. …

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Did You Notice?: Where the Line Is on NASCAR Privacy? What Should Go Public?

Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott at Bristl

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Did You Notice? … The raging debate on NASCAR privacy left over from Bristol Motor Speedway? The post-race altercation between Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick turned sour when they discovered a quiet place in the garage area was hard to come by. No one disagrees the first part of their argument should have been covered from …

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Dropping The Hammer: AJ Allmendinger Has ‘Nothing To Lose’

AJ Allmendinger at Bristol Motor Speedway

Getty Images

AJ Allmendinger did not have the best car. On Friday night (Sept. 17) at Bristol Motor Speedway, the 39-year-old estimates he had at best a fourth-place Kaulig Racing machine. He didn’t lead a single lap around the half-mile track during regulation of the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ regular-season finale. Then came overtime. Over the final two …

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