Race Weekend Central

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2016 Hellmann’s 500

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Talladega

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who… gets my shoutout of the race? During most race broadcasts, you don’t hear much about about half the field, and during the Chase? Forget it.  Unless a driver is in the Chase or spoiling the Chase for a driver in the playoffs, you’ll be hard pressed to see hide or hair of them. That was …

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Joey Logano Wins Elimination Race in Talladega

Cup 2016 Charlotte Joey Logano Zach Catanzareti

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

For the second straight time in the Chase race at Talladega Superspeedway, Joey Logano grabbed the win after holding off rookie Brian Scott in the final laps. Earning his second win of 2016, Logano advances to the Round of 8 after entering the Alabama track in a tie for the final advance spot. Brian Scott, …

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Tech Talk: Chris Heroy Talks Fuel Mileage, Pit Stalls & Getting Better

2016 Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Las Vegas

4-6 March 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada USA Brian Scott and Chris Heroy © 2016, Nigel Kinrade NKP

Richard Petty Motorsports has made some recent changes in its organization. While the No. 43 team was changed on top of the pit box, the No. 44 stayed the same. As a result they’re making a change in its lineup and having Chris Heroy pick up where Trent Owens left off. There have been a …

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NASCAR Mailbox: Richard Petty Motorsports’ Big Change

2016 Michigan I Cup Aric Almirola Brian Scott Racing Matthew T Thacker Nkp

(Photo: Matthew T. Thacker/NKP)

The famed No. 43 car is running near the middle of the pack in 2016, averaging a finish of 23.5. Aric Almirola is no longer competing for top 15s on a weekly basis. Instead, his Richard Petty Motorsports group is fortunate to end a race on the lead lap. Along with Almirola, teammate Brian Scott …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: NASCAR TV Creates Dale Jr. Sub Narrative

Sometimes, you have to sit back and think about things.  Today’s critique marks the 600th combined TV critique for Frontstretch between Couch Potato Tuesday (and its former title, Talking NASCAR TV) and The Critic’s Annex.  Where does the time go?  Crikey. New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosted a Joe Gibbs Racing benefit last week.  It says …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Kentucky Edition

2016 Charlotte Motor Speedway Nscs All Star Race Brad Keselowski Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

The restrictor plate race at Daytona brought us the usual action. That mainly included a big wreck involving something like 206 cars (well actually 22, but you get the point), and the always tense finish with of course, a car sliding over the finish line, because you know that happens all the time. HOT The …

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Brian Scott Fastest in Friday Cup Practice At Daytona

Brian Scott

[Photo: Zach Catanzareti]

With both of Thursday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice sessions all but rained out (only eight cars made it on track during the first practice before it was delayed), Friday morning’s practice became the only practice session this weekend at Daytona International Speedway for the Cup cars. Brian Scott ended up turning the fastest lap of …

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10 Teams Warned After Talladega

2016 Talladega I Cup Pack Racing Logan Whitton Nkp

(Photo: Logan Whitton / NKP)

10 teams between the Sprint Cup and XFINITY series were warned for failing pre-race inspection multiple times during the Talladega race weekend, including the No. 48 of Jimmie Johnson. Johnson’s team failed template inspection three times and in addition to his warning he will lose 15 minutes of practice time this weekend at Kansas Speedway. …

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Four Burning Questions: What Kind of Phoenix Weather Can We Expect on Sunday?

2015 Phoenix International Raceway Nscs Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kevin Harvick Pit Road Rain Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

WILL A ONE-OFF CREW CHIEF SWAP IMPACT RACE DAY FOR MARTIN TRUEX, JR.? Following a sly appealing move by the Furniture Row Racing team this past week – appealing the roof flap penalty from NASCAR that would have otherwise suspended crew chief Cole Pearn for the Las Vegas weekend – the penalty will now be …

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Kurt Busch on Pole in Atlanta, Kyle Busch Time Disallowed

UPDATE: Kyle Busch’s qualifying time was disallowed after he failed post-qualifying inspection for an issue with the rear end of the car, rewarding Kurt Busch the pole and moving everyone forward one position. The defending champion will start 40th on Sunday; no further penalties are expected. Kyle Busch captured his first career pole at the Atlanta …

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Michael McDowell, Brian Scott Lead Wednesday Cup Practices

Surprising names topped both the third and fourth Sprint Cup Series practices on Wednesday. Michael McDowell, who needs to race his way into the Daytona 500 by finishing as the highest open driver in Thursday’s Can-Am Duels, laid down a lap of 200.17 mph during a first practice that included a lot of drafting. The …

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Earning Respect at Forefront for Incoming Sprint Cup Rookies

As the clock ticks on one’s NASCAR career, respect can come naturally, with both fans and media truly understanding what you sacrificed and what you contributed throughout your Sunoco-fueled career. With legends like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon, respect came hand-in-hand with popularity as they led the sport from one generation to the …

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