Race Weekend Central

Thinkin’ Out Loud – Kevin Harvick Beats His Way to Eighth Career Phoenix Victory

2016 Phoenix I Cup Kevin Harvick Team Celebration Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP)

Who’s in the headline – There are two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. Closely behind that is Kevin Harvick winning at Phoenix International Raceway. For the eighth time in his career and the sixth time in the last eight races, Harvick was the first car under the checkered flag. What happened – …

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Four Burning Questions: Who Will Extend 2016 Top-10 Streaks in Las Vegas?

Kobalt 400

(Photo: Getty Images)

HOW WILL RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING FARE IN VEGAS? Whether we were heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend or not, Richard Childress Racing was always bound to have a solid run. Following the first two races of the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season at Daytona and Atlanta, Austin Dillon has a ninth and 11th while …

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Menards Continues XFINITY Series Partnership With RCR

2015 Road America Paul Menard Car Nxs Credit Nascar Via Getty Images

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

On Tuesday, Richard Childress Racing announced that Menards will continue its relationship with the team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series throughout 2016. NASCAR fans will see the well-known home improvement store on the side of the No. 2 Chevrolet driven by Paul Menard and the No. 33 Chevrolet driven by Brandon Jones in select events. …

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NASCAR Announces Eligible Drivers for Sprint Unlimited

Sprint Unlimited Daytona

(Credit: NASCAR)

On Monday, NASCAR announced the eligibility criteria for this year’s Sprint Unlimited, scheduled for Feb. 13.  While winning a pole during the previous season will get you into the race, it’s not the only way into the 75-lap show.  Regardless of circumstances, 25 cars will start the 187.5-mile race. The first criteria to qualify for …

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2015 NASCAR Rewind: Paul Menard

Menard, Paul 2015 Bank Of America 500 Charlotte

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Typically, in motorsports, successful seasons come as a product of improvement in on-track results. However, occasionally drivers benefit not from their own gains, but from the misfortune of others. Such was the case for Paul Menard in 2015. Competing in his ninth full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Menard surprised many by making …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix

2015 Phoenix Ii Cup Dale Earnhardt Jr Trophy Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

And then there were four. After waiting all afternoon and into the evening for weather to clear, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the rain-shortened race at Phoenix. It was Junior’s third win of the season, keeping a potential Chase driver from winning his way into the championship race at Homestead. The final four drivers heading into …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 AAA Texas 500

2015 Texas Ii Cup Pack Racing Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)­

And then there were two… races that is. Despite the fact that there are three races in the Eliminator Round, by virtue of non-Chaser Jimmie Johnson‘s win last weekend, two drivers at most will make it to the championship race based on wins. It’s possible that three drivers could make it in on points if another non-Chaser …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 after the 2015 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville

Martinsville Joey Logano 2015 Cup Mike Neff

(Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch)

Once again, Martinsville Speedway lived up to its reputation. Short tempers? Check. Payback? Check. Lots and lots of contact? Check. Matt Kenseth – once thought to be one of the most even-tempered drivers in the garage area – wrecked Joey Logano while several laps down at Martinsville Speedway. Though he claimed it was unintentional, NASCAR …

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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega

2015 Talladega Ii Cup Matt Kenseth Car Cia

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2015)

Everyone sort of expected Talladega Superspeedway to shake up the standings but I don’t think anyone expected the dramatic, forced ending that occurred in the final laps of the race. Even after NASCAR announced that it would be reducing the number of green-white-checkered attempts from three to one days before the event Sunday’s ultimate ending at …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 AAA 400 at Dover

Dale Jr And Mcmurray

Photo Credit: Joseph Wolkin, Frontstretch

Who’s in the headline – Kevin Harvick dominated the race and dominated the headlines. He drove from a 15th-place starting spot, due to qualifying being rained out, to the lead in just 23 laps. From then on, Harvick led 355 of the final 377 laps, only losing the lead during pit stops when drivers took two …

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Did You Notice? Franchising, Justin Allgaier’s Awkward Moment and… Paul Menard?

2015 Chicago Cup Justin Allgaier Joey Logano Racing Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Did You Notice? Owners are desperate to inject some long-term financial stability into their teams? NASCAR met with the Race Team Alliance Tuesday and is working on a proposal that would introduce a type of “franchising” system assuring Sprint Cup teams both leverage and automatic qualification for the 2016 season and beyond. NASCAR spokesman Brett …

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Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2015 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire

2015 Loudon Ii Cup Matt Kenseth Wins Cia

Photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography

Who’s in the headline – The headlines are crowded after Loudon, but Matt Kenseth gets the bold print. Kevin Harvick tried to stretch fuel but came up two laps short and Brad Keselowski was penalized for jumping a restart, which took him out of contention for the win. Kenseth was the driver who conserved his equipment …

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