Race Weekend Central

Xfinity Breakdown: Austin Cindric Snags Pocono Win; Safety Highlighted in Scary Crash

Austin Cindric celebrates in victory lane at Pocono Raceway June 2021 (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Leading a race-high 26 laps, Austin Cindric held off a hard-charging Ty Gibbs to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway held on June 27, 2021.

Austin Cindric Holds off Ty Gibbs, Takes Home Xfinity Win at Pocono

Austin Cindric wins 2021 Pocono NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

A huge challenge from Ty Gibbs in the closing laps of Sunday (June 27) afternoon’s wasn’t enough to surpass Austin Cindric, and the No. 22 held on to score his fourth victory of the season and first career triumph at Pocono Raceway. The Pocono Green 225 Recycled by JP Mascaro & Sons was chaotic early …

Read more

The Underdog House: Numerous All-Star Aspirations Fade in Open

Michael McDowell

Michael McDowell on track at Texas for the All Star Race (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Setting All three NASCAR series headed to the Lone Star State for dates at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend. This time, however, things felt different. TMS has typically held the first weekend in April, but this year NASCAR shifted the schedule around. While the track’s fall playoff date remained intact, the usual spring points …

Read more

Xfinity Breakdown: ‘Three-Wide for the Lead,’ Allmendinger Digs Out a Win at Mid-Ohio

2021 Mid Ohio NXS AJ Allmendinger trophy NKP

AJ Allmendinger Celebrating at Mid-Ohio (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

If anyone could have raced their way back up from 30th to first in 20 laps in the B&L Transport 170 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, it would be AJ Allmendinger. Between Allmendinger and championship rival Austin Cindric, they had the best two cars in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at the Lexington, Ohio road …

Read more

Austin Cindric Sees Mid-Ohio Victory Slip Through Fingers in Final Laps

2021 Mid Ohio NXS Austin Cindric car NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As the laps wound down on Saturday at Mid-Ohio Raceway in the B&L Transport 170, the race was Austin Cindric‘s to win — until it wasn’t. With a lead of more than 10 seconds inside the final 10 laps, the last thing that Cindric needed was a caution, as that lead was enough of a …

Read more

Fire on Fridays: Here’s Who Should Replace Brad Keselowski in the No. 2

Brad Keselowski stands by his No. 2 Team Penske Ford at Kansas Speedway (May 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski‘s foray into NASCAR Cup Series ownership seems to be a done deal, depending on who you ask. And aside from the question of where Keselowski would fit in at Roush Fenway Racing — new car? Replacing an existing driver? — there’s also the case of his current ride, Team Penske’s No. 2. Which …

Read more

Austin Cindric Starts on Xfinity Pole at Mid-Ohio

Austin Cindric races in 2021 Homestead Xfinity race with PPG colors Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Xfinity Series travels to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Austin Cindric will start from the pole in Saturday’s (June 5) race. Cindric claimed the position after finishing second last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ty Gibbs, who won his second Xfinity race last Saturday, starts alongside Cindric on the front row. Gibbs’ Joe …

Read more

Did You Notice?: 2021 NASCAR Midseason Awards

2021 Martinsville I Cup Martin Truex Jr Celebrates In Victory Lane Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already over halfway through NASCAR’s 26-race regular season in the Cup Series. 2021 has given us a little bit of everything: Cinderella stories (Michael McDowell’s Daytona 500 win), parity at the top (11 winners in 14 races) and a whole lot of Mother Nature raining on NASCAR’s parade (see: …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Echopark Texas Grand Prix at COTA

Chase Elliott races in the rain at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). May 2021 Cup (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

What happened? Chase Elliott won the Echopark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday (May 23) after heavy rain and poor track conditions halted the COTA race early with 14 laps remaining.   Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain and AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top-five finishers. Let the celebration begin! @chaseelliott and …

Read more

Frontstretch 2-Minute Drill: EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at COTA

2021 Cota Cup Tyler Reddick Practice Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Nearly 3.5 miles and 20 turns await the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday (May 23) at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. So, too, does a decent chance of rain, which hovers around 40-50% for the duration of the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix. Sunday marks the first time NASCAR’s premier touring series has visited the …

Read more

Austin Cindric Leads Way in Xfinity COTA Practice

2021 Kansas I Cup Austin Cindric Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Austin Cindric led the way in NASCAR Xfinity Series practice for the Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of the Americas Friday, May 21. The Team Penske driver logged a time at 89.1 mph to top the charts in the lone practice session. Cindric’s No.22 Menards Ford was only six thousandths of a second quicker than …

Read more

Did You Notice?: Winners & Losers If Brad Keselowski Buys Into Roush Fenway Racing

Brad Keselowski stands by his No. 2 Team Penske Ford at Kansas Speedway (May 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … Brad Keselowski will reportedly purchase an interest in Roush Fenway Racing? First reported by Motorsport’s Jim Utter, the deal would make the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion part owner and driver of the No. 6 Ford in 2022. The rumor has been around for a few weeks but public support of the story has …

Read more