Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: NASCAR’s Intermediate Track Blues

2017 Atlanta Cup Matt Dibenedetto Car

Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP

Think Small It can be said that the real NASCAR season starts at Atlanta. The Intermediate track season kicked off last weekend and the results were fairly predictable of the small teams this week.  In general at a 1.5 to 2-mile track, these teams struggle to keep up.  You might see a couple of teams …

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The Underdog House: Small Teams Thriving and Surviving in Daytona

2017 Daytona Cup Zach Catanzareti Joey Gase Bk Racing Corey Lajoie

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Think Small Well, Daytona is in the rearview mirror. Depending on who you ask, that’s either a real bummer or can’t come too soon, depending on how the race went. The thing about plate tracks is that they’re such an opportunity for teams to compete—if they’re lucky and avoid trouble.  They can also become exercises …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR: Daytona 500 Preview

The official start to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season (and daily fantasy NASCAR) is finally upon us. The Advance Auto Parts Clash and two Can-Am Duels were full of nail-biting action, a great preview of what’s to come during Sunday’s Daytona 500. When it comes to daily fantasy NASCAR on DraftKings, the strategy …

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4 Burning Questions: Will Hendrick Motorsports Keep It Straight in Daytona 500?

2016 Daytona Ii Cup Jimmie Johnson Dale Earnhardt Jr Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade NKP)

Will Hendrick Motorsports Keep It Straight in Daytona 500? The dubious tone from Dale Earnhardt Jr. during Sunday (Feb. 19)’s Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway spoke volumes about how the rest of Speedweeks may go for Hendrick Motorsports. Despite sweeping the front row for Sunday’s Daytona 500, single-car speed doesn’t seem to …

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NASCAR 101: Your Cheat Sheet to Cup Series’ Team & Driver Changes

Clint Bowyer 2017 Daytona

(Photo: John Harrelson/NKP)

Good lord, is it really that time of year again? Despite an offseason that frankly felt like a four-week break, it is indeed true: NASCAR racing is back, and even though you just now figured out who Kaulig Racing is and finally learned how to spell half the new Camping World Truck Series drivers’ names, too bad, …

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David Ragan, Matt DiBenedetto Leaving BK Racing

Two more NASCAR premier series seats have opened up for 2017. Neither David Ragan nor Matt DiBenedetto will return to BK Racing in 2017 after driving for the organization full-time in 2016, it was reported this week. Motorsport.com initially reported the news Friday (Dec. 9) of Ragan’s departure, while DiBenedetto announced he would no longer be …

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The Underdog House: Putting A Wrap On 2016

2016 Charlotte All Star Showdown Cup Michael Mcdowell Casey Mears Racing Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

Think Small It’s hard to believe the 2016 season is over—it seems like just yesterday that it began, full of promise and hope.  For some of the teams on this page, it’s been, by all counts, a good season—one of accomplishment and improvement.  For others it’s been a struggle, financial or performance, often both as …

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NASCAR Penalizes Nearly Two Dozen Teams in Texas

2016 Cup Texas Joey Logano Car Rick Lunkenheimer

(Photo: Rick Lunkenheimer)

On Wednesday, NASCAR released the weekly penalty report stemming from Texas.  Compared to recent weeks, this one was quite the doozy. In the Sprint Cup Series, Joey Logano‘s No. 22 Ford that finished second Sunday night was found to have one loose lugnut.  As a result, the No. 22 has been hit with a P2 …

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Friday Faceoff: Are Jimmie Johnson’s Titles Equal to Earnhardt’s and Petty’s?

2016 Indianapolis Cup Jimmie Johnson Brett Moist Nkp

(Photo: Brett Moist/NKP)

After his win at Martinsville Speedway, Jimmie Johnson will have the chance at a record-tying seventh title, but if he wins, will fans view seven Chase-era titles as equal to those of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty?  Should they? Amy Henderson, Senior Editor: I don’t think fans will view Jimmie Johnson’s titles on the same …

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The Underdog House: Are Small-Time NASCAR Drivers Damaged Goods?

Cup Martinsville Martinsville Speedway Aj Allmendinger

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

Think Small It’s an easy mistake to make: falling into the trap of thinking most of the drivers racing for NASCAR’s smaller teams are damaged goods.  Sadly, it’s one that even team owners often fall into.  How often have young, talented drivers taken rides in this group hoping for some exposure only to be overlooked?  …

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David Ragan Carrying Momentum into Goody’s Fast Relief 500

Cup 2016 Nascar Kentucky David Ragan Nkp

(Photo: Russell LaBounty NKP)

For David Ragan, Martinsville Speedway would be an ideal place to have a season-best performance. Though it’s been a trying season for Ragan, who is in the closing stages of his first year with BK Racing, this weekend at Martinsville has been a breath of fresh air for more than one reason. Kicking off with …

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Jamie McMurray Paces 2nd Martinsville Practice

Cup Martinsville Jamie Mcmurray Martinsville Speedway

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

He may not own a Grandfather Clock, but Jamie McMurray is looking strong at Martinsivlle Speedway. One of the first drivers out onto the relatively cool 0.526-mile oval, McMurray clocked in a lap of 19.566 seconds (96.780 mph).  That was enough for McMurray to lead the way in second practice on Saturday, beating Joey Logano …

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