Dale Earnhardt Jr Attempts to Secure Playoff Spot at Pocono

Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 30, 2017, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Kasey Kahne proved at Indy that all hope is not lost for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers who are low in the point standings. Without even a top-15 finish to show in his previous eight races, Kahne battled his way to a win at the Brickyard and earned the automatic playoff berth that comes with one.

Sitting 22nd in the point standings – 213 points below Matt Kenseth on the cutoff line – Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s playoff hopes seem bleak at first glance. When looking at the upcoming schedule, Earnhardt and his massive fan base should have at least a glimmer of hope he can make the postseason in his last full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series campaign. The No. 88 Chevrolet driver claims a combined eight wins at the remaining six tracks on the regular season docket, including two at Pocono Raceway – the site of Sunday’s Overton’s 400. Continue reading

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ Overton’s 400 at Pocono Preview

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Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams are revving up for the Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, July 30th at 3 pm ET. Coverage begins at 2:30 pm ET on NBC Sports Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Drivers are racing 400 miles over 160 laps with Stage 1 ending on lap 50, Stage 2 on lap 100, and the last stage ending on the last lap on lap 160.  Continue reading

Kasey Kahne Snatches Improbable Victory at the Brickyard

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In semi-darkness, as the sun set behind the front-stretch grandstand at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kasey Kahne did all he could to dispel the shadow overhanging his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season and his racing career.

With a phenomenal restart in the second overtime of Sunday’s Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400, Kahne cleared race leader Brad Keselowski through the first two corners and crossed the overtime line on the backstretch before NASCAR called the record 14th caution of the race. Continue reading

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 301 at New Hampshire Preview

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Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams will race the Overton’s 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 16th at 3 pm. ET. Coverage begins at 2:30 pm ET on NBC Sports Network, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Drivers will race 318.46 miles over 301 laps with Stage 1 ending on lap 75, Stage 2 on lap 150, and the last Stage ending on the last lap 301. Continue reading

NASCAR Playoff Bubble about to Burst

Matt Kenseth, the driver of the #20 Circle K Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2017, in Sparta, Kentucky. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

With only eight races left until the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin, some teams are starting to feel more pressure of the playoff bubble that is about to burst.

Since NASCAR changed to a 16-team playoff format in 2013, the highest number of drivers to qualify by winning is 13 with the same number of winners in 2016. There’s been excitement and anticipation of possibly breaking that record this year with 11 different winners in 18 races so far, and although the possibility still exists, it’s becoming more doubtful. Continue reading