Race Weekend Central

Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2019 Bojangles’ Southern 500

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After a week off, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to racing this Labor Day weekend for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Many cars will be decked out in special throwback paint schemes, honoring drivers and NASCAR’s history. It’s truly a special event. Part of what makes the weekend special is knowing …

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Cole Custer, Noah Gragson Lead Xfinity Practice Sessions at Darlington

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Cole Custer and Noah Gragson led the two practice sessions for the Xfinity Series at Darlington Raceway on Friday afternoon (Aug. 30). In the first practice, Custer led the field with a speed of 167.307 mph. Denny Hamlin was second but will have to go to a backup car after he brushed the wall in …

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5 Points To Ponder: For the Last 12 NASCAR Cup Races of 2019

2019 Daytona Clash Cup Denny Hamlin Joey Logano Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Joe Gibbs, Roger Penske or “Other” In 2018, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series had the Big Three. But two-thirds of the way into 2019, it’s more like the Big Two. Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske have taken turns beating up on the competition this season. Right now, JGR has the upper hand, …

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Up to Speed: Has the Tide Turned in the Championship Battle?

2019 Mencs Sonoma Denny Hamlin Martin Truex Jr. Kyle Busch Ryan Blaney

(Photo: Danny Peters)

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams got a rare break this weekend.  The sport’s premier division enjoyed its first off-weekend since mid-June.  At that time, the Cup Series ran 15 races of the 2019 season. The nine races following the June break have produced some exciting finishes, fresh story lines and new faces …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Daniel Suarez Battling Teammate for Playoff Position

Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In this week’s edition of the Frontstretch Podcast, Dustin Albino and Mike Neff discuss a fun weekend of short-track racing at Bristol Motor Speedway that saw Denny Hamlin edge out Matt DiBenedetto for the victory, though Matty D. won the hearts of many. With DiBenedetto announcing he won’t be returning to Leavine Family Racing in 2020, where are potential …

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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Edition

2019 Michigan Mencs Denny Hamlin Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Much to the exasperation of many fans packed into Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend, Denny Hamlin overcame several problems to claim his fourth victory of the season. Is Hamlin potentially the hottest driver going into the playoffs? Chase Elliott has been relatively quiet since his big win at Watkins Glen. Another quiet top five at …

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Who’s Hot & Who’s Not in NASCAR: Start the Dominoes

2019 Mencs Bristol Matt Dibenedetto Racing Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Silly Season has finally officially kicked into gear for 2020 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, as last week it was announced that Front Row Motorsports’ David Ragan would be stepping back from full-time racing at season’s end, leaving the No. 38 open, and that Matt DiBenedetto would be one-and-done in the No. 95. …

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The Underdog House: DiBenedetto Writing a Resume on Concrete

2019 Mencs Bristol Matt Dibenedetto Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top of the Class Matt DiBenedetto is driving like his career depends on it. Well, it sort of does, but the world is getting a really good look at how competitive the fire in him is and how impressive he can be when he turns that pressure into motivation. More than three years after DiBenedetto …

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5 Points to Ponder: The Blame Game Hits Newman, Pocono & More

2019 Mencs Bristol Ryan Newman Car Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

ONE: Ryan Newman Simply Did His Job Perhaps the most hated driver coming out of Bristol Motor Speedway had one of the most uneventful moments of contact throughout the weekend. Ryan Newman fought tooth and nail to remain on the lead lap when Matt DiBenedetto caught up with him, and the pair got together, causing …

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The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2019 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race

2019 Daytona I Cup Jimmie Johnson Helmet Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the race? Denny Hamlin won the race the right way by tracking down the leader with fewer than 15 laps to go and passing him cleanly to take the lead and eventually the win. After starting the weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway by winning the pole, Hamlin was in …

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Up to Speed: Not the Last of Matt DiBenedetto

2019 Mencs Bristol Matt Dibenedetto Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Matt DiBenedetto had every right to be upset Saturday night. Days earlier, he and the rest of the NASCAR world found out he is not returning to Leavine Family Racing in 2020. Then, in his very next race, DiBenedetto came agonizingly close to scoring his first Monster Energy NASCAR  Cup Series victory.  It was the …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2019 Bristol Night Race

2019 Mencs Bristol Denny Hamlin Burnout Nkp

Denny Hamlin filling Bristol with the scent of rubber (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The Headline(s): Rebounding from early crash damage and a loose wheel that trapped the team a lap down in the second stage, Denny Hamlin used a long green-flag run to run down Matt DiBenedetto at Bristol Motor Speedway, ruining a Cinderella story by making the final pass for the lead on lap 489 and driving …

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