Race Weekend Central

The Underdog House: Front Row Keeps Climbing the Mountain

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog Two races in two days at Pocono Raceway turned into a double feature showcasing plenty of what we have already seen in 2020, starring each of the Front Row Motorsports teammates. On Saturday, Michael McDowell held the lead role in the show. McDowell led a lap during a sequence of green flag pit …

Read more

NASCAR Stat Sheet: Tripleheader at Pocono

Nascar Cup Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Entering the weekend, everyone knew it was going to be a long one at Pocono Raceway. After all, it was the first doubleheader weekend in NASCAR Cup Series history. But Mother Nature, she can be a b*tch at times. More weather delays, beginning on Saturday, which led to the first tripleheader at the same track …

Read more

Xfinity Breakdown: Chase Briscoe Makes a Comeback, Ross Chastain Secures the Bag

2020pocononxschasebriscoetrophynkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Xfinity Series took to the Tricky Triangle on Sunday afternoon, the second race of a tripleheader across the sport’s three major divisions. Chase Briscoe scored his fourth win of 2020, rebounding nicely after spinning from the lead on lap 70. Briscoe suffered a flat tire and was forced to pit, but drove back …

Read more

Reel Racing: ‘Days of Thunder,’ 30 Years Later

2009 Daytona Nscs Tom Cruise Face Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Thirty years ago this Saturday, a little movie called Days of Thunder premiered on Wednesday, June 27 at theaters across the country. Its only new competition at the box office was the forgettable Ghost Dad, as well as – notably – the action-packed Arnold Schwarzenegger feature Total Recall and the star-filled Dick Tracy. The latter …

Read more

The Underdog House: Different Track, Same John Hunter Nemechek

2020charlottencsjohnhunternemechekfacenascarmedia

(Photo: NASCAR Media/Getty Images)

Top Dog John Hunter Nemechek stole the show in the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington last week. But that was just the beginning for his team at the top of the underdog class. Front Row Motorsports has really taken over the group, with Michael McDowell being the highest such finisher in race No. …

Read more

The Underdog House: John Hunter Nemechek-ed Out At Darlington

Nascar Cup Series

#38: John H. Nemechek, Front Row Motorsports, Ford Mustang Fire Alarm Services

Top Dog John Hunter Nemechek is a rookie, a fact that bears mentioning for two important reasons. First off, you may have forgotten his status since the season started what feels like a decade ago. Secondly, he didn’t look much like a rookie at Darlington Raceway on Sunday afternoon. The Front Row Motorsports driver tamed …

Read more

Eyes on Xfinity: Excitement Upon Returning to Racing

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Twelve days. Twelve freaking days. Last Thursday (April 30), NASCAR announced the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season would resume at Darlington Raceway on Tuesday, May 19, in its first of two races at the venue this season. The track will also host its scheduled Labor Day Weekend event. While there are many opinions on whether …

Read more

The Frontstretch 5: Bad Decisions in Sports & How They Were Handled

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Kyle Larson screwed up — big time, and there are really no excuses. But amidst what has undoubtedly been the worst week, at least professionally, of the young driver’s life, there is hope for a future in racing. Larson isn’t necessarily done: NASCAR will likely reinstate him quickly once he completes whatever program they lay …

Read more

Kyle Larson’s Slur Becomes NASCAR’s Pandemic Overnight

2018 Cup Charlotte Roval Zach Catanzareti Kyle Larson

(Photo: Zach Catanzareti)

“I prefer dangerous freedom to peaceful servitude.” – Thomas Jefferson It has been written since early in the COVID-19 pandemic that American attitudes are perhaps more ill-suited than any other in the world to fight it. Americans, after all, have triumphed against previous existential challenges (World War II, 9/11) with aggressive, defiant, head-on clashes with …

Read more

Eyes on Xfinity: Different State, Different Rules as Jeremy Clements Works Through Coronavirus Pandemic

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Most NASCAR shops sit silent this Wednesday (April 1), locked under the stay-at-home order of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Preparing race cars is certainly nonessential within a state straining from the weight of the coronavirus epidemic. But while most of NASCAR is based around Charlotte, there’s at least one team able to turn wrenches …

Read more

The Underdog House: Lights, Camera, Action (or a Lack Thereof) in Fontana

2020lasvegasncsmichaelmcdowellcarrlp

Top Dog I’m not good at predicting the future. But last week, I wrote that I anticipated our underdogs faced a tough task if they wanted to steal the spotlight in southern California. Unfortunately, this time my outlook couldn’t have been more accurate. Sunday’s race at Auto Club Speedway was a disappointment for the underfunded …

Read more

2019 Xfinity Series Review, Pt. 2: Midpack Improvements

Nascar Xfinity Series

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

While the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff drivers were the center of attention for most of the season (the same 12 drivers were top 12 in points from the third race on), some of the best racing came in the middle of the pack. And quite honestly, a lot of the midpack drivers had solid years, …

Read more