Race Weekend Central

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Toyota/Save Mart 350

Kyle Larson in victory lane at Sonoma's Toyota/Save Mart 350 (June 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who … should you be talking about after the Toyota/Save Mart 350? Is Kyle Larson finally living up to his potential? He’s always had the talent to win but has struggled to close. For the second week in a row, Larson left no doubt whether he could finish out races, dominating the Toyota/Save Mart 350 …

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The Underdog House: Erik Jones Snags Scrappy Sonoma Finish

Erik Jones runs at Circuit of the Americas (May 2021). (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Erik Jones Throughout Sunday’s (June 6) Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, several Cinderella stories managed to sneak their way inside the top 10. Between wildly different pit strategies throughout the event and a flurry of late-race incidents, the problem was staying power. When the smoke from some late wrecks cleared, there was one …

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Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 Coca-Cola 600

2019 Charlotte Cup Kyle Larson Nigel Kinrade Photography

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

One of the NASCAR Cup Series’ crown jewels, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, is finally here. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings rosters set for the race airing on Sunday, May 30 at 6 p.m. ET on FOX and PRN radio. There’s nothing quite like Memorial Day weekend in NASCAR, with teams …

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Did You Notice?: 2021 NASCAR Midseason Awards

2021 Martinsville I Cup Martin Truex Jr Celebrates In Victory Lane Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already over halfway through NASCAR’s 26-race regular season in the Cup Series. 2021 has given us a little bit of everything: Cinderella stories (Michael McDowell’s Daytona 500 win), parity at the top (11 winners in 14 races) and a whole lot of Mother Nature raining on NASCAR’s parade (see: …

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NASCAR Stat Sheet: Chase Elliott Slip Slides Away With Another Victory

Chase Elliott gives fans a thumbs up at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Chase Elliott has proven himself to be quite the road warrior, and Sunday he threw another win onto his pile of accolades. The second generation NASCAR champion has 12 career wins, five of which have come on road courses. Easily overlooked, however, is the fact that his first national touring series victory was on a …

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The Underdog House: AJ Allmendinger Capitalizes on COTA Road Course Prowess

AJ Allmendinger prepares for a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (March 2021) (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: AJ Allmendinger AJ Allmendinger may be no underdog on a road course, but the 39-year-old veteran became a bit of a Cinderella story Sunday (May 23) at Circuit of the Americas. While his team, Kaulig Racing, has established itself as a powerhouse in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, it has limited experience at the …

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Seventh-Place Finish at COTA ‘Bittersweet’ for Michael McDowell

Michael McDowell during the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, 5/23/2021 (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Before Sunday, the 2021 NASCAR Cup season was already solidified as the best of Michael McDowell‘s career to date. That happens when you start it by claiming your first career Cup win in the Daytona 500. But 14 races into the season, McDowell hasn’t disappeared. In fact, he’s continued to put together the best campaign …

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Into NASCAR’s Unknown: Road Course Winds of Change Blowing Left and Right

Chase Elliott practices at COTA

March 2, 2021: Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX. ( +CMS-HHP-Harold Hinson)

A grand total of 13 weeks remain in the NASCAR Cup Series 2021 regular season. Nearly 40% of those races will be road courses. Cup drivers will be turning left right at Circuit of the Americas this Sunday (May 23), as well as at Sonoma Raceway (June 6), Road America (July 4), Watkins Glen International …

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Michael McDowell Feels Like ‘Real Valued Asset’ for 1st Time With Front Row Motorsports

Nascar Cup Series

#34: Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports, Ford Mustang Fr8Auctions

Michael McDowell is having the best season of his career. After beginning his NASCAR Cup Series tenure with Michael Waltrip Racing, McDowell bounced between teams for a number of years before landing at Front Row Motorsports, where 2021 marks his fourth season with the Ford stable. A name that previously only sparked flashbacks of his …

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The Underdog House: Daniel Suarez Cashes in With Dover Top 10

Daniel Suarez walks down pit road at Homestead-Miami Speedway (March 2021). (Photo: NKP)

#99: Daniel Suarez, TrackHouse Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Camping World

Top Dog: Daniel Suarez The refreshing sight of packed grandstands made for a very compelling race Sunday (May 16) in the Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway. The action-packed, one-mile oval provided great entertainment for those fans while underdogs of the sport cashed in on some opportunities. Daniel Suarez once again led the way, stepping …

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The Underdog House: Daniel Suarez Survives Kansas Chaos to Lead Underdogs

#99: Daniel Suarez, TrackHouse Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Camping World

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog Somehow, after the Buschy McBusch Race 400 on Sunday (May 2) at Kansas Speedway, we are now 11 races into the NASCAR Cup Series season. There have been many storylines to watch in 2021, arguably the most we have seen in a season in quite some time. One of those focus points has …

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Frontstretch Podcast: Michael McDowell on 2021 Success, Brad Keselowski Enters Elite Dega Company

Michael McDowell poses with his Daytona 500 trophy. Photo NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Fresh off a top-five finish at Talladega Superspeedway, 2021 Daytona 500 champion Michael McDowell joins host Davey Segal this week to chat about his season to date with Front Row Motorsports and why his mentality at Dega was changed thanks to his win at Daytona. Plus, why his run at Homestead-Miami Speedway was more surprising …

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