Posted on by Zack Albert

Seven races, seven faces. The NASCAR Cup Series’ cast of winners this season is so far a list of one-timers, with a unique face gracing Victory Lane each weekend.

Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell started the trend with their first career Cup Series triumphs in back-to-back weeks at Daytona. Since then we’ve had no repeaters, and the list of “win and in” playoff hopefuls has gotten more and more crowded.

RELATED: Martinsville weekend schedule

So, who might be able to keep the streak going this weekend? Martinsville Speedway, one of NASCAR’s original tracks, is next up on the schedule with the  Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 (set to resume Sunday at 4 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM), and several former winners at the Virginia paperclip are poised to return to form.

With favorites and underdogs hoping to be in the mix, which driver stands the best chance of making it 8-for-8 for new faces on this season’s win list? NASCAR.com’s Zack Albert and Chase Wilhelm make their picks among the so-far winless.

ALBERT: Still plenty of surprises among the heavy hitters with zeros beside their names in the win column, but here’s going with last year’s hardware hoister at season’s end — Chase Elliott. The defending Cup Series champ is the most recent Martinsville Speedway winner, converting in a November romp as a springboard to his first series title a week later.

Elliott might still hold a claim for the crown when the sport’s road-course ruling class is discussed, but his record on NASCAR’s shortest paved oval is pretty stout, too. The Georgia native has notched top-five finishes in three of his last four starts at Martinsville, where his Hendrick Motorsports organization has won a stunning 25 times.

With honorable-mention nods to points leader Denny Hamlin and top 2020 winner Kevin Harvick — both of whom have Martinsville grandfather clocks in their trophy collection — the pick this week is Elliott to keep the revolving door of winners spinning.

WILHELM: Team Penske drivers have earned victories in the past two races with Ryan Blaney at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Joey Logano at the Bristol Dirt Race. It feels like it’s Brad Keselowski’s turn now.

Keselowski has been hit-or-miss in the first seven races with three top fives, while the other four have been outside the top 11. But he’s still been able to find the front on occasion with 93 laps led and four races of 31 points or better.

Although the season has been a tad too rocky for Keselowski’s liking so far, it’s his recent Martinsville performances that you can’t ignore. Keselowski has finished fifth or better in nine of the last 10 events at the Virginia short track, including two triumphs in 2017 and ’19.

So Zack, I’ll raise you Elliott’s one grandfather clock with Keselowski’s pair. The No. 2 Team Penske driver will be a favorite to add a third coveted clock to his collection to keep this different winners streak going.

Posted on by Staff Report

The first Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race is set for Martinsville Speedway with the Cook Out 250 (postponed after 91 laps Friday, set to resume Sunday at noon ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Four full-time NXS drivers will battle it out among the rest of the field for not only the overall race win but an additional $100,000 if they finish the highest among the Dash 4 Cash-eligible contingent. Those competing in the race within a race are Justin Allgaier, AJ Allmendinger, Harrison Burton and Noah Gragson.

There are four Dash 4 Cash events over the next several weeks, bringing the prize money to $400,000 total, courtesy of Comcast.

RELATED: Martinsville weekend schedule 

Drivers eligible for the Dash 4 Cash are determined by the results of the previous race. Allgaier, Allmendinger, Burton and Gragson were the top-four full-time finishers (among drivers that have declared to be running for the Xfinity Series championship) in the last series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. Whoever has the best finish of those four at Martinsville will win the $100,000 bonus and qualify for the next Dash 4 Cash event. The next three highest full-time finishers will join the winner in competing for the bonus at Talladega Superspeedway. Darlington Raceway and Dover International Speedway will make up the back half of the program, with the final race coming at the “Monster Mile.”

In conjunction with the Dash 4 Cash program, the telecommunications company is continuing its commitment to closing the digital divide by unveiling plans for a brand-new WiFi-Connected Lift Zone in the Martinsville community. Lift Zones, created in partnership with local community organizations throughout Comcast’s service areas, provide safe spaces for students to access the Internet for free so they can participate in distance learning and do their schoolwork. Comcast is accelerating its timeline to connect 1,000-plus Lift Zones in community centers across the country by the end of 2021, more than a year ahead of its original plan.

“At Comcast, we’re committed to closing the homework gap and digital divide for families across the nation and we’re looking at all of our company’s channels to help raise awareness and break down barriers to access,” said Matt Lederer, Comcast’s Vice President, Brand Partnerships and Activation in a release. “We’re proud to commit to building 1,000-plus Lift Zones by the end of the year, including one a few miles from Martinsville Speedway, to help low-income students and families get online to access the resources and education they need to reach their goals.”

Since 2018, Comcast has donated more than $200,000 during NASCAR’s Dash 4 Cash to help close the digital divide. The efforts have enabled local non-profits in each Dash 4 Cash market, from Veteran’s Service Organizations to Boys & Girls Clubs, to make Internet connectivity more accessible for low-income families and individuals.

“We are working to ensure all of our young people can access and enjoy change-making digital opportunities and experiences at our Clubs and beyond,” said Joanie Petty, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge. “We’re excited for our Teen Center to be outfitted with high-speed WiFi as a Comcast Lift Zone, for we’ve seen the benefits of critical digital literacy skill-building in closing the digital divide and preparing our young people for the labor market they will enter.”

Posted on by Zack Albert

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc., has announced the launch of its “Walk, Run, Ride for 45” virtual fundraiser challenge honoring Kyle Petty’s late son, Adam. Registration for the fundraiser begins on Monday, April 5, 2021. Participants will have five weeks to fundraise before conquering the physical challenge of walking or running 4,500 steps or riding 45 miles on their bicycle or motorcycle over the course of five days — May 10-14, 2021. Every penny raised, every step taken, and every mile ridden helps the Ride keep Adam’s dream alive by raising awareness and funds to send children with chronic and serious medical illnesses to camp at Victory Junction.

“Walk, Run, Ride for 45” was created in lieu of postponing the 26th Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America for the second time due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

RELATED: Kyle Petty Charity Ride info

“After receiving so many requests to hold a virtual event in place of the Ride, we are excited to deliver and open up the event to allow not only our riders, but also allow our fans to participate,” said Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver, current NBC Sports racing analyst and founder of the Ride. “Our sole mission is to raise funds each year to provide magical camping experiences for deserving kids at Victory Junction. While we might not be having our Ride this year, our hope for the ‘Walk, Run, Ride for 45’ virtual fundraiser is to keep the Ride’s spirit alive while coming together to raise money to continue to support our cause.”

A $10 registration fee enters participants into the virtual fundraiser challenge, where they can then choose to fundraise individually or as part of a team. The top three fundraisers and top fundraising team will win the following prizes:

  • 1st Place Fundraiser: Four tickets to a 2021 NASCAR Cup race (conditions apply); a Zoom call with Kyle Petty; three Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America hats autographed by Kyle Petty; assorted Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America swag items
  • 2nd Place Fundraiser: Two tickets to a 2021 NASCAR Cup race (conditions apply); two Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America hats autographed by Kyle Petty; assorted Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America swag items
  • 3rd Place Fundraiser: A branded Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America OGIO jacket; a Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America hat autographed by Kyle Petty; assorted Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America swag items
  • Top Fundraising Team: Six tickets to a 2021 NASCAR Cup race (conditions apply); a Zoom team call with Kyle Petty; assorted Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America swag items

Registration for the event will take place Monday, April 5 through Sunday, May 9. Then, to honor Adam, former driver of the No. 45 car who passed away in a racing accident on May 12, 2000, participants are encouraged to complete 4,500 steps or 45-mile challenge from May 10 – 14, 2021. Participants can choose to walk, run or ride all at once on one specific day or they can spread it out over the course of the five-day period. Once they have completed their challenge, participants are also encouraged to share it on social media with a photo or video using #WalkRunRideFor45.

For more information about the “Walk, Run, Ride for 45” virtual fundraiser challenge and to register, visit bit.ly/WalkRunRideFor45.

Posted on by Paul Lambert

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour kicks off its 2021 season Thursday at Martinsville after a wait of nearly six months.

After a nine-race season in 2020, the Tour returns to a full schedule in 2021 that begins at the historic half-mile oval with the Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 200 (8 p.m. ET, TrackPass).

RELATED LINKS:

With fans in the stands at Martinsville Speedway (buy tickets) and a full field of cars ready to roll, the NASCAR’s oldest division will add another chapter to the historic venue.

Fans can watch the race live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.

Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 200

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

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After nearly 11 years without racing at the flat Virginia half-mile, the playing field for this year’s event is rather wide-open. Only nine drivers who competed in the 2010 race are on the entry list for this year.

The driver to keep an eye out for, however, is obvious: Justin Bonsignore.

He finished second to Bobby Santos III in the last race the Tour ran at Martinsville. Dating back to 2019, Bonsignore has finished inside the top five in 15 straight races and 20 straight times inside the top 10.

Bonsignore also looks to defend his title from 2020 in which he set the Tour record for best average finish in a season.

And of course, two wild-cards in Thursday’s 200-lapper will be Ryan Newman and Ryan Preece. Both drivers have had success at Martinsville. Newman has gone to Victory Lane at Martinsville in the Cup Series (2012), while Preece will be the only past Modified winner in the field, having done so back in 2008.

Doug Coby is only a year removed from his sixth tour title, while Craig Lutz, Jon McKennedy and Ron Silk showed the ability to break up the Coby-Bonsignore domination of the championship trophy. Two-time NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion Andy Seuss is also entered in Thursday’s race. Seuss was sixth at New Hampshire in his only tour start last year.

RACING REFERENCE:

RACE FACTS

RACE Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 200
PLACE Martinsville Raceway in Martinsville, Virginia
DATE Thursday, April 8, 2021
TIME 8 p.m. ET
TV/LIVE STREAM TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold (live) / NBCSN – Wednesday, April 14, 5 p.m. ET
TRACK LAYOUT Half-mile paved oval
LAPS 200
MILES 100
EVENT SCHEDULE Friday, March 12: Garage opens: 9:45 a.m. ET; Practice: 2:30-4 p.m.; Qualifying: 6 p.m.; Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 200: 8 p.m.
TWITTER @NASCARRoots, @MartinsvilleSwy, @_TrackPass
HASHTAG #VARacingLovers200

RELATED:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the  Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 200 is limited to limited to 32 starters including provisionals. The field will be set by qualifying (1-26) and provisional process per the entry blank (27-32) for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200. In the event that qualifying as stated on the entry blank does not take place for any unforeseen circumstance, the field will be set in accordance with the 2021 NASCAR Touring Series Rule Book.

QUALIFYING: Two consecutive qualifying laps. (EIRI) Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time.

RACE PIT STOP: Live pit stop procedure – Teams may not take tires and fuel in the same stop. Maximum five crew members over the wall.

The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is twelve (12) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by Hoosier, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event.

The tire change rule is four (4) tires, any position.

QUALIFYING AND SPECIAL AWARDS

$400 Phil Kurze Halfway Leader Award presented by Josten’s per event award to the race leader at the halfway point of the event, regardless if the race is running under green or yellow.

$600 Hoosier Tire “Lap Leader” per event award to the eligible car owner whose driver leads the most laps in each event. In the event of a tie, the award will go to the highest finishing car in the event.

$500 Hoosier Tire “Hard Charger” per event award to the highest finishing eligible driver who advances the most positions during the course of the race. In the case of a tie, the highest finishing driver will receive the award.

$500 Hoosier Tire “Most Improved” per event award to the eligible new team/organization whose driver improves the most positions during the course of the race. In the event of a tie, the award will go to the highest finishing car in the event. If money is not awarded during this event, funds will rollover to the next event and will continue to rollover until an eligible new team/organization claims the money.

$1,000 Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole per event award to the driver with the fastest qualifying time eligible to participate under the Manufacturers’ Prize Money Conditions.

$550 Sunoco Spec Fuel award divided: 1st-$300 5th-$150 10th-$100.

$3,500 Whelen Engineering “Winner of the Race” award to the winning driver.

Whelen Non-Starter award will be paid to the first 15 competitors throughout the season who pass inspection, practice, attempt to qualify, but fail to make the feature event.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR’s Next Gen car gets on track for a second consecutive week as Tyler Reddick takes the wheel for Goodyear tire testing Tuesday and Wednesday at Darlington Raceway.

This week’s test marks the first appearance at the historic South Carolina track for the Next Gen model, which is scheduled for its official competition debut in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series. Manufacturer-specific Next Gen cars also tested last week at Martinsville Speedway, gathering data with wheel-force transducers. The workhorse P3 prototype will be used at Darlington.

RELATED: Darlington Raceway info

The two-day session also marks the 25-year-old Reddick’s first drive of the Next Gen model. Austin Dillon, his Richard Childress Racing teammate, was the test driver in the first on-track shakedown for the Next Gen car in October 2019 at Richmond Raceway.

NASCAR officials indicated in a February competition briefing that the Next Gen car’s development stage is complete and that tire tests are also scheduled for Texas Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway later this year. Officials also said that organizational tests will be held after the Charlotte Roval race Oct. 10, with two other sessions scheduled after the season concludes.

Darlington is set to host all three NASCAR national series May 7-9 for its annual throwback weekend, which shifts to a springtime date for the first time this year. The 1.366-mile track held three Cup Series events last year as the schedule shifted in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Darlington is set to host two regularly scheduled Cup Series events this season for the first time since 2004.

Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour: Race 1/14

Dis 17 743631 Coca Cola 250 V6gb 4pres

Race Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 200
Date Thursday, April 8, 2021
Track Martinsville Speedway
Layout 0.533-mile oval
Location Martinsville, Virginia
Start time 8 p.m. ET
Laps 200
Miles 106.6
Tickets MartinsvilleSpeedway.com
TV channel NBCSN (Delayed: Thursday, April 15, 4:30 p.m. ET)
Live stream TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold (Live)

RACE LINKS: ENTRY LIST | PRACTICE | QUALIFYING | STARTING LINEUP | RACE RESULTS | RACE RECAP

BUY TICKETS

RACEDAY SCHEDULE: Thursday, May 8 — Garage opens: 9:45 a.m. ET; Practice: 2:30-4 p.m.; Qualifying: 6 p.m.; Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 200: 8 p.m.

Quick links:

LIVE TIMING

 

Martinsville Sept 1 2 740

Posted on by

Last five races for Active Drivers prior to 2021 Race – Ordered by Average Finish

Driver Name Races Wins Top 5 Top 10 Points Laps Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish
Brad Keselowski 5 1 5 5 207 495 6.4 3.2
Ryan Blaney 5 0 4 4 202 70 7.6 6.6
Joey Logano 5 1 3 4 218 567 6.2 7.0
Martin Truex Jr. 5 2 3 4 219 743  10.2 7.0
Kurt Busch 5 0  1   4  173 23  12.8 7.6
Denny Hamlin 5 0 3 3 203 103  5.0 9.2
Kyle Busch 5 0  2   3  169 105  8.6 9.8
Chase Elliott 5 1  3   4  186 286  9.4 10.2
Kevin Harvick 5 0 0 3 145 0  10.8 11.0
Ryan Newman 5 0  0   2  125 0  21.6 14.2
Alex Bowman 5 0  0  2 130 1  12.0 14.6
Matt DiBenedetto 5 0  0   2  98 0  18.0 17.8
Ty Dillon 5 0  0   0  95 0  25.4 18.0
Bubba Wallace 5 0  0   0  100 0  28.8 19.2
Chris Buescher 5 0  0   0  90 0  19.4 19.4
Aric Almirola 5 0  0   2  113 19  6.6 19.4
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 5 0  0    0   85 0  18.6 20.0
Tyler Reddick 2 0  0   0  35 0  15.5 20.0
Ryan Preece 4 0  0  0 72 0  21.5 20.0
Daniel Suarez 5 0 0 2 84 0  18.4 20.8
Cole Custer 2 0 0 0 32 0  21.0 21.0
William Byron 5 0 1 2 100 0  16.8 21.2
Kyle Larson 3 0 0 1 57 0  9.7 21.3
Christopher Bell 2 0 0 0 31 0  21.5 21.5
Erik Jones 5 0 0 0 79 0  15.8 21.6
Corey LaJoie 4 0 0 0 54 11  29.8 23.5
Michael McDowell 5 0 0 0 64 0  20.2 24.2
Austin Dillon 5 0 0 0 64 0  22.6 24.6
Ross Chastain 3 0 0 0 0 0  28.3 30.7
Posted on by Staff Report

NASCAR ADVANCE AUTO PARTS WEEKLY RACING SERIES POINT BATTLES START ON APRIL 10

BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. — Veteran Grandview Speedway Modified racer Duane Howard of Oley, a six-time track champion, held off 11-time track titleholder Craig Von Dohren to win the 4th Annual VP Race Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker 50-lapper on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway picking up $7,500.

Brett Kressley came home third in the race that pitted Big Blocks against Small Blocks with 24 cars starting. John Willman took fourth followed by Ryan Watt.

Kyle Lilick took the win in the 25-lap Sportsman feature race. Kenny Gilmore cam home second followed by Brian Hirthler, Kyle Smith and Jimmy Leiby.

With the Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker now in the record books attention turns to the start of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series featuring the T.P. Trailers Modifieds and T.P.Truck Equipment Sportsman in a doubleheader show starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. Adult admission is just $15 while youngsters 12 and under being admitted free.

Then on Sunday, April 11 at 1 p.m. Outlaw Racing Series Enduro action will be featured along with Vintage Racers.

Picasa
Duane Howard takes the checkered flag Saturday night at Grandview Speedway in Bechtesville, Pennylvania. (Stephen D Sabo/Grandview Speedway)
Posted on by Staff Report

Which channels have NASCAR programming this week? We answer that and give the weekly NASCAR television listings here in the NASCAR TV schedule.

Note: All times are ET.

MORE: How to find NBCSN | Get the NBC Sports App | How to find FS1 | Get FOX Sports App

Monday, April 5
6 a.m., NASCAR Cup Series: 2010 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway (re-air), FS2
9 a.m., NASCAR Cup Series: 2007 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway (re-air), FS2
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

Tuesday, April 6
On MRN:
7 p.m., NASCAR Live

Wednesday, April 7
9 p.m., NASCAR Masters of the Clock: The Legend of Martinsville (re-air), FS2
10 p.m., NASCAR Auto Racing Classics: 2010 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief (re-air), FS2

Thursday, April 8
1 a.m., NASCAR Auto Racing Classics: 2007 Goody’s Cool Orange 500 (re-air), FS2
6 p.m., Dale Jr. Download, NBCSN
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

On MRN:
8 p.m., NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour: Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 at Martinsville Speedway

Friday, April 9
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
7 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: Xfinity Series at Martinsville Speedway, FS1

Saturday, April 10
6 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive — Martinsville, FS1
6:30 a.m., Unrivaled: Earnhardt vs. Gordon (re-air), FS1
1 p.m., NASCAR Masters of the Clock: The Legend of Martinsville (re-air), FS1
7 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway, FS1

Sunday, April 11
7 a.m., NASCAR Masters of the Clock: The Legend of Martinsville (re-air), FS1
11 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive — Martinsville (re-air), FS1
noon, NASCAR Xfinity Series: Cook Out 250 at Martinsville Speedway, FS1 (Canada: TSN2)
4 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, FS1 (Canada: TSN5)
5 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive — Martinsville (re-air), FS2

On MRN:
noon, NASCAR Xfinity Series: Cook Out 250 at Martinsville Speedway
4 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway

Posted on by Staff Report

With the NASCAR Cup Series taking a week off, here’s a look back on the first seven races of the season and a look ahead to the next five races starting with Martinsville Speedway.

Next race for the NASCAR Cup Series

 

Martinsville

Where: Martinsville Speedway, a .526-mile oval in Martinsville, Virginia
When: Sat., April 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Looking ahead

Who do the stats favor in the next five races?

Martinsville
Defending race winner: Martin Truex Jr.
Best average finishes since 2019: Brad Keselowski (2.8), Ryan Blaney (3.2), Kurt Busch (8.0) and Martin Truex Jr. (8.0)
Active winners: Denny Hamlin (5), Brad Keselowski (2), Martin Truex Jr. (2), Kurt Busch (2), Kyle Busch (2), Kevin Harvick (1), Joey Logano (1), Chase Elliott (1) and Ryan Newman (1)

Richmond
Defending race winner: Spring race was not run due to COVID-19 pandemic; Brad Keselowski is the most recent winner here
Best average finishes since 2019: Martin Truex Jr. (1.3), Brad Keselowski (4.0), Joey Logano (5.3) and Kyle Busch (5.3)
Active winners: Kyle Busch (6), Kevin Harvick (3), Denny Hamlin (3), Brad Keselowski (2), Martin Truex Jr. (2), Kurt Busch (2), Joey Logano (2), Kyle Larson (1) and Ryan Newman (1)

Talladega
Defending race winner: Ryan Blaney
Best average finishes since 2019: Ryan Newman (9.8), Ryan Blaney (10.5), Ty Dillon (10.5) and Denny Hamlin (11.0)
Active winners: Brad Keselowski (5), Joey Logano (3), Denny Hamlin (2), Ryan Blaney (2), Kevin Harvick (1), Chase Elliott (1), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1), Kyle Busch (1) and Aric Almirola (1)

Kansas
Defending race winner: Denny Hamlin
Best average finishes since 2019: Alex Bowman (6.0), Chase Elliott (6.0), Brad Keselowski (6.5) and Kevin Harvick (7.0)
Active winners: Kevin Harvick (3), Denny Hamlin (3), Joey Logano (3), Brad Keselowski (2), Martin Truex Jr. (2), Chase Elliott (1), Kyle Busch (1) and Ryan Newman (1)

Darlington
Defending race winner: Kevin Harvick
Best average finishes since 2019: Kyle Larson (2.0; only 1 start), Kevin Harvick (2.2), Erik Jones (4.5), Brad Keselowski (8.2) and Kurt Busch (8.2)
Active winners: Kevin Harvick (3), Denny Hamlin (3), Erik Jones (1), Brad Keselowski (1), Martin Truex Jr. (1) and Kyle Busch (1)

Seven races, seven winners

James Gilbert | Getty Images
James Gilbert | Getty Images

Recap the first seven races of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.

• Michael McDowell earns first win in the Daytona 500 | Watch replay
• Christopher Bell wins on Daytona Road Course for first Cup win | Watch replay
• William Byron wins at Homestead-Miami | Watch replay
• Kyle Larson gets first win with Hendrick Motorsports at Las Vegas | Watch replay
• Martin Truex Jr. earns victory at Phoenix | Watch replay
• Ryan Blaney passes Kyle Larson in closing laps for win at Atlanta | Watch replay
• Joey Logano wins first race on Bristol dirt | Watch replay

We’re talking about playoffs

It’s never too early. A look ahead to the postseason.

• Betting odds for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series championship | See the odds
• Playoff Watch: How the postseason looks after seven races | Read more

Catch the pack

Read up on all the headlines from the week. ⬇️

Manufacturers make strides with Next Gen test at Martinsville

After ‘very good first step’ at Martinsville test, officials to evaluate rain-tire viability for short tracks

A female inspiration

Pay dirt: NASCAR industry moves the earth to make Bristol buzz a reality

Carl Edwards says there’s potential for a one-off road course return

First look: Chase Elliott’s 2021 Darlington throwback Hooters paint scheme