Did Atlanta Show Us a Kinder, Gentler Kevin Harvick?

Kevin Harvick, the driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Perhaps Kevin Harvick had a tinge of compassion for a rookie driver.

Perhaps he forgot for a moment that his Stewart-Haas Racing organization was no longer affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports and that SHR had switched from Chevrolets to Ford. Continue reading

Drivers feel Las Vegas Performance Crucial for Playoff Run

Kyle Larson, the driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Conceding the weather conditions may vary between this week’s spring race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the track’s inaugural Playoff race date coming in September 16, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers still remained confident Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube (at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM) would serve as a good reference point for the all-important return trip this Fall. Continue reading

#NASCARGoesWest: Las Vegas

Jimmie Johnson, the driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, gets into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

In the spirit of the “numbers game” that characterizes the Las Vegas area hosting NASCAR’s three national series this weekend, here are some jackpot trends and statistics to consider as NASCAR starts its three-race western swing (#NASCARGoesWest) with the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Continue reading

Custer’s NASCAR Cup Series Debut

Cole Custer, the driver of the #00 Haas Automation Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

This weekend marks the Cup debut for Xfinity Series championship contender Cole Custer, 20, who will drive the Rick Ware Motorsports No. 51 Ford on Sunday. He joins Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola in making his first Cup start at the famed 1.5-mile speedway. Continue reading

Elliott Sadler: A Familiar Face in NASCAR Xfinity Series

Elliott Sadler, the driver of the #1 OneMain Financial Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Only two weeks into the 2018 season and veteran Elliott Sadler is back where he feels most comfortable – leading the Xfinity Series championship standings. The four-time championship runner-up has not won a race at this week’s venue, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but he has back-to-back eighth-place finishes in his last two races here. He finished fifth in 2013 and his top showing was a third-place after qualifying on the pole in 2012. Continue reading