Race Weekend Central

Power Rankings: Luck of the Vegas Native Edition

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In Las Vegas, some times it’s better to be lucky than good at the games of chance. On Sunday night (Sept. 27), Kurt Busch hit the jackpot when a caution flew during a cycle of green flag pit stops. That timely caution helped one of Vegas’ own win, but it was an impressive finish that …

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5 Points to Ponder: Form Is Temporary, Class Is Permanent

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Wildest Card Talladega is the dictionary definition of a wild-card stock car race — just look how many drivers got their first win there. So for those wheelmen currently on the wrong side of the cut line, this weekend offers the best possible chance at booking a spot in the final eight with a …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2020 South Point 400

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Kurt Busch’s out-of-nowhere hometown win came as he used every advantage presented to him by a caution that fell at just the right time. He snagged the South Point 400’s checkered flag for his first win of the year and secured a berth in the next …

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The Frontstretch 5: Big 2020 NASCAR Silly Season Dominoes Yet to Fall

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The dominoes began falling in Silly Season 2020 early this year, and they certainly picked up steam this week, with the announcement that Bubba Wallace will join new team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin in a new Toyota NASCAR Cup Series effort for 2021.  With that comes the announcement that Germain Racing will close …

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Power Rankings: Dirty Dozen Edition

Kevin Harvick racing with Kyle Busch in 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Night race, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Bristol Motor Speedway is considering importing dirt? If this isn’t an indictment of the current template for NASCAR as it applies to short track racing, I am not sure what else it would be. Since Speedway Motorsports Inc., has decided to add traction compound at the bottom of this track, the racing has gotten much …

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Up to Speed: Tough Decisions Ahead for Ford’s NASCAR Teams

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The more things change for Matt DiBenedetto, the more they stay the same.  Returning to Bristol Motor Speedway for the 2020 Bass Pro Shops/NRA Night Race, he was in need of an outstanding performance.  For the first time, DiBenedetto came to Thunder Valley as a NASCAR playoff driver.  But a pair of lackluster results in …

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Stock Car Scoop: Kyle Busch’s Lapped Traffic Rant, ‘These Kids Can’t Stay Out Of The Way’

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It was Kevin Harvick vs. Kyle Busch for the NASCAR Cup Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night (Sept. 12). In a punch-for-punch battle, Harvick took advantage of lapped traffic late to earn his career-high ninth win of the season. What did the 2020 championship favorite have to say about his performance? Find …

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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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Stock Car Scoop: Why Brad Keselowski Called His Shot at Richmond Raceway

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Brad Keselowski told crew chief Jeremy Bullins they would travel to Richmond Raceway and leave with a NASCAR Cup Series victory, and he delivered on his promise, leading four times for 192 laps in a dominating performance. Why was Keselowski so confident heading into the first short-track playoff race of 2020? Find out in the …

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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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Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer Crew Chiefs Suspended After Darlington Inspection Woes

Two NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs are facing penalties after Sunday night’s (Sept. 6) Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Head wrenches Adam Stevens and Johnny Klausmeier were each suspended for Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway, as well as being fined $20,000 for two loose lug nuts. Stevens coached Kyle …

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The Frontstretch 5: Playoff Eliminations, Round of 16

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

1. Austin Dillon Austin Dillon and Richard Childress Racing teammate Tyler Reddick dueled for the win at Texas Motor Speedway in mid-July, with the No. 3 car coming out on top to secure a playoff spot. The pair were on the playoff bubble at the time, Dillon in 16th and barely in the playoffs. In …

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