Briscoe, Chase
A Single Mistake in This Year’s Playoffs Can Be Fatal
In the closest playoffs since this format started in 2017, even Ross Chastain’s go-for-broke last-lap attempt to advance to the Round of 8 was unsuccessful. […]
Racing
Bubba Wallace
Does the Gen-7 Car Help Non-Playoff Drivers Win in the Playoffs?
Eric Jones and John Hunter Nemechek had really strong runs at the first playoff race — despite neither having made the playoffs. Their performances got me wondering whether the Next Gen car helps non-playoff drivers win in the playoffs. […]
2025 Season
2025 Summer Daytona Race Report
The summer 2025 Daytona race report includes one of the best superspeedway races I’ve seen in a long while with really close racing, lots of lead changes and a winner coming from mid pack in just two laps. […]
Road Courses
Shane van Gisbergen’s Odds in the Playoffs
Shane van Gisbergen’s odds of advancing deep into the playoffs seem high if you look only at his four wins and 22 playoff points. Going into Richmond, he’s tied with Denny Hamlin for most wins this year. van Gisbergen is third in playoff points, trailing only Hamlin (24) and Kyle Larson (23). But there’s a caveat. (Isn’t there always?) […]
Accidents
How Many Cars are Saved by Eliminating Practice at Superspeedways?
NASCAR elected not to hold practice at superspeedways with the goal of decreasing the number of backup cars and repairs required, thus cutting costs for owners. Now that we’ve had a few years of this format, I wondered how many cars this policy has saved. […]
Cautions
Are Caution Lengths Increasing in 2025?
Internet pundits are complaining that caution lengths are longer in 2025 than ever before. Given that people tend to remember cases when something exceptional happens and forget the many times it doesn’t, this question just […]
Points
Your Yearly Reminder: It is Too Early To Lose Sleep Over Points
Every year, this blog performs a public service by reminding fans not to lose sleep over points your favorite driver has (or hasn’t) accumulated early in the season. This year, however, there’s a special caveat.
So let’s look at why you shouldn’t panic if your driver is low in points. Also why you shouldn’t feel too confident if your driver is way out ahead […]
Hamlin, Denny
2024 Penalties: By The Numbers
The 2024 penalties report has bad news for some of the newest Cup Series drivers, and good news for Denny Hamlin and Hendrick Motorsports. […]
2024 By The Numbers
2024 Top Finishes by Driver – By the Numbers
The 2024 top finishes by driver report emphasizes drivers who came close to winning, but didn’t. Let’s look at how many times drivers finished in the top 3, top 5 or top 10. […]
Chevy
2024 Stage Points by Manufacturer: By The Numbers
The 2024 stage points by manufacturer report shows what a good year Toyota had despite the machinations of the playoff format making it seem much less successful. […]