ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 30: NASCAR Executive Vice President Steve O’Donnell speaks at a Texas Motor Speedway 2021 Schedule Release event at Texas Live! on September 30, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
NASCAR’s 2021 Cup Schedule shows plenty of changes for next season in an announcement on Wednesday from NASCAR Executive Vice President Steve O’Donnell at Texas Motor Speedway.
New tracks, road courses, and a dirt raceāNASCAR fulfilled its mission of expanding its sphere of influence with the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, announced Wednesday afternoon.Ā
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – JUNE 10: Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, during the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on June 10, 2020, in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
The Martinsville Power Ranking is for both Atlanta and Martinsville NASCAR Cup Series races over the past week. Kevin Harvick continues his dominating season.
Nineteen years ago, Kevin Harvick picked up his first career victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Present-day, not much has changed. Harvick picked up his second win of the season by dominating the field over the last hundred or so laps, leaving just ten cars on the lead lap by the end of the race. The race also brought a strong performance from Joe Gibbs Racing, with Kyle Busch finishing second, and Martin Truex Jr. finishing third with two stage wins.Ā
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 08: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #19 AOI Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 08, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
The inspiration for writing about shorter NASCAR race benefits comes from a recent Hot Topics Sound Off discussion on Fan4Racing Radio (at 121:11). The following commentary is one point of view with other views shared on the radio show. The topic certainly makes for some interesting conversation. So, please share your thoughts by commenting below.
Now is the time to consider shorter races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The idea may come across as sacrilege to some long-time NASCAR fans, but there is a strong case for shorter NASCAR race benefits. Shortening the races could give both new and long-term fans a better on-track product.
Atlanta NASCAR Race Review with Martinsville Race Preview is presented by host Sharon Burton and co-host Sal Sigala. Join us for the smartest race talk around as rev up NASCAR fans for the upcoming race day. Then stick around for NASCARHot Topics Sound Off with co-host Andy Laskey and our Fan4Racing crew!
The Agenda
This episode centers around Atlanta Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Gander & RV Outdoors Truck Series review. We’ll also preview the upcoming Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway along with a few updates from the ARCA Menards Series.
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JUNE 07: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light For The Farmers Ford, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 07, 2020 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Coming off the race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee a week ago, the NASCAR Cup Series headed to Georgia’s Atlanta Motor Speedway for Sunday’s race. The 1.54-mile track is known for rough pavement and fast speeds. Similar to Auto Club Speedway, the pit window is cut down because tire wear shows up quickly.
The First Stage
Chase Elliott held the pole and was able to jump out to a nice lead. He led up to the competition caution on lap 25. All drivers came down pit road for servicing and Joey Logano won the race off pit road.
Logano jumped to the bottom on the restart, but it was Kevin Harvick who followed him and made an early pass for the lead. The field fell into a single file with Harvick at the point. He was the first to come to pit road for green-flag pit stops.