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

Dodge a Part of NASCAR Silly Season Questions

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Prior to the beginning of last year’s season, Stewart-Haas Racing knocked the NASCAR industry on its rear end when they announced their switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the 2017 season. With the ongoing and never-ending discussions of whether and perhaps when Dodge will return to the sport – the real question becomes where would they fit in?

The answer could be a ‘mic drop’ type bombshell when and if it happens.
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Kyle Larson’s Versatility Impresses Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, waits for the start of practice 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 – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. come to NASCAR racing from similar backgrounds – specifically, open-wheel sprint cars.

And both Larson and Stenhouse have two victories so far this season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Larson at the two two-mile tracks (Fontana and Michigan) and Stenhouse at the two restrictor-plate superspeedways (Talladega and Daytona). Continue reading

Martin Truex Jr. Survives Overtime Restart on Old Tires to Win at Kentucky

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After all was said and done, the dominant car won the race – but not without extreme complications.

With just over a lap to go in Saturday night’s Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, Martin Truex Jr. held a lead of more than 15 seconds over second-place Kyle Larson, with only eight cars remaining on the lead lap. Continue reading

Truex Tries to Dig into Points Gap at Kentucky

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Toyota, talks with a crew member during practice 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 – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

A 1.5-mile track is coming at the perfect time for Martin Truex Jr.

After reeling off five consecutive top-six finishes, Truex has produced showings of 37th and 34th in his last two races. Still, he ranks second in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings, only 18 points behind Kyle Larson. Continue reading