Race Weekend Central

Zach’s Turn: NASCAR’s Points Battles You Should Know Exist

NASCAR Cody Ware Ryan Preece 2021 Coca-Cola 600

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

With the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in full swing, you’re forgiven if you have limited your attention to the 16 eligible drivers. But there are other points battles happening behind them you ought to know about — a point hammered home by Reddit user u/1-800-DADJOKE. That person has been keeping a watchful eye on the …

Read more

The Underdog House: Daniel Suarez Endures at Richmond on 9/11

Daniel Suarez stands on pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Daniel Suarez Daniel Suarez had a consistent night at Richmond Raceway, posting a 17th-place finish in the Sept. 11 Federated Auto Parts 400. It was his third straight NASCAR Cup Series top 20, finding his footing again with the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Team after a dismal summer. But on a rough Saturday, …

Read more

The Underdog House: Ryan Preece Begins 2022 Audition at the Lady in Black

Ryan Preece produced an impressive 12th-place finish in the 2021 Southern 500. (Photo: NKP)

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Top Dog: Ryan Preece What’s the best medicine when you find out you will be job searching for 2022? Most drivers would tell you that getting back on track is their preference. For Ryan Preece, that was likely the case at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (Sept. 5). Days after learning his …

Read more

2-Headed Monster: Should Ricky Stenhouse Jr. or Ryan Preece Race for JTG in 2022?

2021 Las Vegas I Cup Ricky Stenhouse Jr Ryan Preece Kevin Harvick NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s September, which is usually a busy time for NASCAR’s silly season. It seems like every week, a little piece of the 2022 puzzle is resolved and this week it was JTG Daugherty Racing’s turn. Former NBA player and JTG Daugherty Racing co-owner Brad Daugherty was on a Zoom press conference with NBC Sports this …

Read more

Did You Notice?: For Ryan Preece, Matt DiBenedetto the Only NASCAR Way Up Is Down

2021 Nashville Trucks Ryan Preece happy NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Did You Notice? … For Ryan Preece and Matt DiBenedetto, NASCAR Cup Series employment options are shrinking? Both men are likely free agents after JTG Daugherty Racing revealed they’re downsizing to a one-car team in 2022. Matty D has been auditioning for weeks after Harrison Burton announced he’ll be a Cup rookie full-time next season driving …

Read more

JTG Daugherty Racing Plans Move Back to 1-Car Team for 2022

#11: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry FedEx Freight and #37: Ryan Preece, JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet Camaro Nature Valley

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

JTG Daugherty Racing does not plan to seek an additional charter for the team’s second car next season and instead reduce to one full-time team starting in 2022 in the NASCAR Cup Series, co-owner Brad Daugherty said in an NBC Zoom call Aug. 31 “We’re not going to pursue another charter,” Daugherty said, according to …

Read more

Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona

Ryan Blaney Celebrating in victory lane after winning 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup race at Daytona, Jared C Tilton/Getty Images

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Ryan Blaney won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Saturday night (Aug. 28) in overtime under caution after a last-lap wreck on the backstretch.

The Big 6: Questions Answered After the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Ryan Preece at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 2019. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

Who… should you be talking about after the Coke Zero Sugar 400? For the second week in a row, Ryan Blaney didn’t dominate a race. He merely placed himself in the right spot to pounce on a late restart.  Then, when carnage erupted behind him, the Team Penske driver capitalized with a win. Blaney’s third …

Read more

The Underdog House: Bubba Wallace Nets Daytona Runner-Up in Game of Survival

2021 Pocono I Cup Bubba Wallace Steve Phelps laugh James Gilbert Getty

(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images via NASCAR Media)

Top Dog: Bubba Wallace With the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway (Aug. 28) playing host to the regular season finale, everyone knew that anything could happen. Look no further than Michael McDowell opening the year for the underdogs in a strong way by winning the prestigious Daytona 500. With 15 drivers eligible …

Read more

Fire on Fridays: Who’s Actually Got a Shot at the Cup Playoffs?

Matt DiBenedetto Tyler Reddick talk Watkins Glen

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

It’s somewhat fitting that this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway has an elimination factor. After all, that’s usually the case at the season-opening Daytona 500, when the pre-race Duels set the lineup and a certain number of cars (four in 2021) are left on the sidelines come the big race on …

Read more

Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2021 FireKeepers Casino 400

Kevin Harvick at New Hampshire NASCAR Cup race, NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The NASCAR Cup Series head to the Irish Hills of Michigan this week for the next-to-last race in the regular season. Let’s get your daily fantasy NASCAR DraftKings lineups set for Sunday’s (Aug. 22) race at Michigan International Speedway. The summer stretch of road races is done and it’s time for Cup teams to head …

Read more

Holding a Pretty Wheel: A NASCAR Summer of Endless Possibility

Ryan Preece racet at Hew Hampshire Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series July 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

After more than a decade of sultry and seductive Southern summers, it was easy to forget how the season manifests in New England, with blazing days and gentle nights, but it was also easy to forget how fleeting they are. Already the trees are beginning to lose their summer green. But as this summer begins …

Read more