Top 5, Bristol: Denny Hamlin’s love of the game; four drivers eliminated from NASCAR playoffs
1 year, 3 months ago

Top 5, Bristol: Denny Hamlin’s love of the game; four drivers eliminated from NASCAR playoffs

New York Times  

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Five thoughts after Saturday night’s Round 1 elimination race of the NASCAR playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway … 1. “Greatest thing ever.” Drivers weren’t particularly shy about expressing their feelings about Bristol Dirt while it existed, but they seemed emboldened after the track announced its demise on Friday. “It’s just something you try, and we probably tried it a couple of years too long,” said Harvick, who will broadcast the spring Bristol race from the Fox Sports booth next season. Truex’s season looked seriously threatened after Kansas and for much of the Bristol race, and it seemed very real he could be the first regular-season champion to have a Round 1 exit.

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History of this topic

Denny Hamlin won’t guarantee 23XI will be at Daytona 500 following judge’s ruling
1 month, 1 week ago

Denny Hamlin won’t guarantee 23XI will be at Daytona 500 following judge’s ruling

Associated Press  

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Denny Hamlin, along with Michael Jordan the co-owner of 23XI Racing, for the first time is not guaranteeing their team will field cars at the start of the next season. “There’s certain things that we’re going to have to navigate, so I hope so.” There is a clause in the new charter agreements that begin next season …

NASCAR Charlotte Roval takeaways: A strong playoff field, Alex Bowman’s DQ and a case for the oval
2 months, 1 week ago

NASCAR Charlotte Roval takeaways: A strong playoff field, Alex Bowman’s DQ and a case for the oval

New York Times  

Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Round 2 elimination playoff race at the Charlotte Roval … 1. But when there’s a perfectly viable alternative at the same venue — as is the case with the Charlotte oval vs. the Charlotte Roval — racing the Next Gen car on a road course instead of an intermediate is forcing a square …

NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Road Course odds, expert predictions for playoff race: Shane van Gisbergen favored over playoff contenders
2 months, 1 week ago

NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Road Course odds, expert predictions for playoff race: Shane van Gisbergen favored over playoff contenders

New York Times  

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the second elimination race of the playoffs: The Bank of America ROVAL 400 at a redesigned Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Jordan: The playoffs are the secondary topic right now, understandably so, considering one of the individuals suing NASCAR happens to be Michael Jordan, and this lawsuit has the potential to upend NASCAR’s business …

Bowman silences firing rumors with pole-winning run in NASCAR’s playoff elimination race
3 months ago

Bowman silences firing rumors with pole-winning run in NASCAR’s playoff elimination race

Associated Press  

Alex Bowman, who just two weeks ago was desperately trying to debunk rumors his seat was in danger, will start the first elimination race of NASCAR’s playoffs from the pole. Bowman heads into Saturday night’s elimination race ranked fourth in the Cup Series standings — best of all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers. The playoff drivers who didn’t qualify inside the …

Hamlin says he can win at Bristol and earn automatic berth in 2nd round of NASCAR playoffs
3 months, 1 week ago

Hamlin says he can win at Bristol and earn automatic berth in 2nd round of NASCAR playoffs

Associated Press  

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Denny Hamlin never had a chance to race for the win at Watkins Glen after he was caught up in an opening-lap wreck that knocked fellow playoff driver Ryan Blaney out of the race. Not ideal for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, though his familiar bravado hasn’t waned as NASCAR heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for …

Denny Hamlin begins his bid for a sweep at Richmond by winning the pole in qualifying
4 months, 1 week ago

Denny Hamlin begins his bid for a sweep at Richmond by winning the pole in qualifying

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — Denny Hamlin’s bid for a sweep at Richmond is off to a good start. Hamlin won at Richmond earlier this season and is trying to become the first driver to sweep the track’s two Cup races since Martin Truex Jr. in 2019. I feel like each one has been a little different.” Hamlin edged Truex, his Joe …

Richmond up next as NASCAR returns from its Olympic break for final 4 races of regular season
4 months, 1 week ago

Richmond up next as NASCAR returns from its Olympic break for final 4 races of regular season

Associated Press  

Firmly on the playoff bubble, Chris Buescher can take solace in the fact that this upcoming part of the schedule was so good to him last year. “Three of the next four races we’re heading into we were able to win last year,” Buescher said. We’ve been very close to locking ourselves in.” NASCAR returns from its Olympic break this …

AUTO RACING: Team Penske aims to follow up NASCAR-IndyCar sweep in Indy oval return, Toronto streets
5 months, 1 week ago

AUTO RACING: Team Penske aims to follow up NASCAR-IndyCar sweep in Indy oval return, Toronto streets

Associated Press  

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Brickyard 400. Last race: Team Penske driver and reigning Cup champion Ryan Blaney led the final 44 laps, a race high, to win Pocono Raceway’s 400-mile event for his second victory in five starts and 12th in his career. Fast facts: NASCAR resumes racing on Indy’s iconic 2.5-mile oval for the first time since …

Halfway Home: Count on surprises, familiar faces in second half of NASCAR’s regular season
7 months, 1 week ago

Halfway Home: Count on surprises, familiar faces in second half of NASCAR’s regular season

Associated Press  

DARLINGTON, S.C. — The first half of NASCAR’s regular season wrapped with a satisfying, drought-busting win by past champion Brad Keselowski at Darlington Raceway. Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing Strong Once More JGR’s Hamlin has been on a championship quest since coming up short last season and has had one of the strongest cars each week. Chase Elliott’s victory at …

AUTO RACING: Hamlin steals a `W’ from Truex on pit road to win at Richmond. Martinsville is next
8 months, 3 weeks ago

AUTO RACING: Hamlin steals a `W’ from Truex on pit road to win at Richmond. Martinsville is next

Associated Press  

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Cook Out 400 Site: Martinsville, Va. The victory was the third of Smith’s career in the series and second this year.. Austin Hill finished eighth, ending his streak of finishing in the top five in every race this year. Last race: Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari ended Verstappen’s nine-race winning streak dating to last …

Late caution gives Hamlin a second chance and he beats Gibbs teammate Truex at Richmond Raceway
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Late caution gives Hamlin a second chance and he beats Gibbs teammate Truex at Richmond Raceway

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — Denny Hamlin won the race off pit road with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. after a caution with two laps to go and won in overtime at Richmond Raceway on Sunday night. Truex dominated the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series race — he led 288 laps — and seemed poised to hold off …

Top 5, Richmond: Short-track tease, challenge flags and Joey Gase’s viral bumper throw
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Top 5, Richmond: Short-track tease, challenge flags and Joey Gase’s viral bumper throw

New York Times  

Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway … 1. In recent years, no doubt in part due to the Next Gen car’s struggles, the rallying cry has gone from “More Short Tracks!” to “Meh, another short track?” And that’s fair, except when you consider races like Bristol two weeks ago or the first 30 laps on …

Denny Hamlin wins tire-management NASCAR race at Bristol, his 4th victory at the famed bullring
9 months ago

Denny Hamlin wins tire-management NASCAR race at Bristol, his 4th victory at the famed bullring

Associated Press  

Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, passing Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. in the final laps for his fourth victory at the famed short track. “We got another.” He was booed — no surprise considering Hamlin has become arguably the series’ biggest villain — as he stood atop his No. …

NASCAR playoffs: Why the eliminated drivers fell short, and where they go next
1 year, 3 months ago

NASCAR playoffs: Why the eliminated drivers fell short, and where they go next

New York Times  

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Round 1 of the NASCAR playoffs concluded Saturday night, with Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Michael McDowell each leaving Bristol Motor Speedway knowing they wouldn’t win the 2023 Cup Series championship. “It’s still the same team that won the championship last year,” Logano said. But the team had speed at Darlington — it was …

Top 5, Kansas: Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr. and the NASCAR playoff picture
1 year, 3 months ago

Top 5, Kansas: Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr. and the NASCAR playoff picture

New York Times  

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Kansas Speedway … 1. “That’s the thing about NASCAR racing that is so different from other sports, is things out of your control can keep you from winning,” Hamlin said Sunday after finishing second. “That’s the thing about NASCAR racing … things out of your control …

2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: All 16 drivers and their chances to win the title
1 year, 3 months ago

2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: All 16 drivers and their chances to win the title

New York Times  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bubba Wallace is in, Chase Elliott is out. William Byron Rank: First Playoff points: 36 Wins: Five Best championship finish: Sixth Why he can win: There is a lot to like about Byron’s chances. Denny Hamlin Rank: Third Playoff points: 25 Wins: Two Best championship finish: Second Why he can win: The reasons are similar to …

Chris Buescher wins at Richmond and secures spot in NASCAR playoffs
1 year, 4 months ago

Chris Buescher wins at Richmond and secures spot in NASCAR playoffs

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — Chris Buescher was already in good position to qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs. Buescher pulled away on a restart with three laps to go to win at Richmond Raceway on Sunday and snag one of the final spots in NASCAR’s playoff field. But Hamlin got a poor final restart and Buescher easily pulled away for his first Cup …

AUTO RACING: Hamlin heads home with momentum while Verstappen remains untouchable in Formula 1
1 year, 4 months ago

AUTO RACING: Hamlin heads home with momentum while Verstappen remains untouchable in Formula 1

Associated Press  

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Cook Out 400 Site: Richmond, Virginia. Schedule: Friday, practice, 5:05 p.m., and qualifying, 5:35 p.m.; Saturday, race, 7:30 p.m.. Track: Richmond Raceway. Last race: Kyle Busch passed points leader Corey Heim on the final lap at Pocono and gave his Kyle Busch Motorsports its 100th victory in the truck series. Schedule: Friday, practice, 7:30 …

Bristol dirt’s last ride? NASCAR’s spring experiment faces uncertain future
1 year, 8 months ago

Bristol dirt’s last ride? NASCAR’s spring experiment faces uncertain future

New York Times  

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Walking toward victory lane to congratulate Christopher Bell, Speedway Motorsports CEO and president Marcus Smith was all smiles Sunday night. His track, Bristol Motor Speedway, had just hosted a rather entertaining race on Bristol’s much-maligned dirt surface that each spring for the past three years has generated widespread criticism. It wasn’t a perfect race or undisputed proof …

Top 5: Bristol Dirt debate, Preece vs. Larson, NASCAR’s inconsistent cautions
1 year, 8 months ago

Top 5: Bristol Dirt debate, Preece vs. Larson, NASCAR’s inconsistent cautions

New York Times  

Five thoughts after this weekend’s NASCAR racing at the dirt version of Bristol Motor Speedway … 1. … You’re literally trying to not spin out when you’re going around there on the racetrack.” • NASCAR’s style of “dirt racing” barely resembles actual dirt racing at all. “I classify this more as a ‘show’ than a ‘race,’ really,” said Jonathan Davenport, …

Column: Time for Hamlin to put up or shut up in title race
3 years, 1 month ago

Column: Time for Hamlin to put up or shut up in title race

Associated Press  

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s time to put up or shut up, Denny Hamlin. Long recognized alongside Mark Martin as the greatest NASCAR driver to never win a championship, Hamlin gets a fifth try Sunday to at long last grab that elusive Cup Series title. Hamlin, who turns 41 later this month, has long maintained he is fine with his resume, …

Hamlin seeks to regain mojo at Richmond in home track race
4 years, 3 months ago

Hamlin seeks to regain mojo at Richmond in home track race

Associated Press  

Kevin Harvick grabbed the first win of NASCAR’s playoffs while rival Denny Hamlin finished a distant 13th. It’s just so frustrating for me.” The mediocre finish at Darlington Raceway didn’t harm Hamlin in the standings and he is still ranked second headed into Richmond Raceway for the second round of the playoffs. Now we’ve had to rely on just putting …

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