RYAN BLANEY

Chase Elliott raced his way into the next round of the playoffs with a victory Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway in the first clean race yet of this year’s postseason.

NASCAR drivers are angry and concerned about their personal safety as the playoffs roar into one of the most chaotic and dangerous tracks on the circuit.

Tyler Reddick picked up a victory Sunday at Texas, but there was a major feud brewing between Denny Hamlin and William Byron as the playoffs heat up.

Tyler Reddick opened the round of 12 in NASCAR’s playoff with a victory at Texas.

The second round of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Playoffs begin on Sunday in the Lone Star State, with the remaining 12 drivers looking to take one step closer to the next round in the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Watch NASCAR on DirecTV Stream and PeacockAfter a very eventful Round of 16 in this year’s postseason, four drivers were cut from the the playoffs, with only three races before another set of eliminations. The crazy trend from the opening round of the playoffs saw no driver competing in the playoffs win a single race. What: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500Who: NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Round of 12)When: Sunday, September 25Time: 3:30 p.m. ETWhere: Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, Texas)Channel: USA NetworkStream: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling, PeacockCheck out the NASCAR Playoff standings and results here

Bubba Wallace won his second career NASCAR Cup Series race and denied the playoff field of an automatic spot in the next round for the second straight week when he held off championship contenders Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell to win at Kansas Speedway.

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs get underway on Sunday at the legendary Darlington Speedway, where 16 drivers continue their quest to claim in the Bill France Cup, as they battle it out in the Cook Southern 500. Watch NASCAR on DirecTV Stream and PeacockThe Cup Series comes into the playoffs after a wild (and drawn out) regular season finale at Daytona last weekend. Coming into the playoffs, regular season champion Chase Elliott has a sizeable 15-point lead over second-place Joey Logano, thanks to winning a season-high four checkered flags. What: Cook Out Southern 500Who: NASCAR Cup Series PlayoffsWhen: Sunday, September 4Time: 6:00 p.m. ETWhere: Darlington Raceway (Darlington, S.C.)Channel: USA NetworkStream: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling, PeacockCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

Austin Dillon avoided a massive wreck in the rain to win at Daytona International Speedway and snag a playoff spot in the Cup Series’ regular-season finale.

The NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway was rained out Saturday night and rescheduled for Sunday.

Only race remains before the NASCAR Cup Series begins its postseason, and it could not be on a bigger stage, as a select group of drivers vie for the last playoff spot when they hit top speed at the Daytona International Speedway in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Watch NASCAR on DirecTV Stream and PeacockWith the recent news that Kurt Busch is pulling out of the NASCAR Playoffs due to ongoing concussion issues, two spots now remain for the postseason. Ryan Blaney, who finished a rather disappointing 24th at Watkins Glen last Sunday, sits the proverbial driver seat coming into Saturday night. What: Coke Zero Sugar 400Who: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Saturday, August 27Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Daytona International Speedway (Daytona, Fla.)Channel: NBCStream: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling, PeacockCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

Brad Keselowski likes his chances at Daytona International Speedway.

Kurt Busch will miss the start of NASCAR’s playoffs with concussion-like symptoms that have sidelined him six weeks.

Kyle Larson beat Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott on a restart with five laps to go and won the weather-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen International on Sunday.

Watch NASCAR on DirecTV Stream and PeacockThe Cup Series heads to the long running track after a couple of exciting races, with the same driver winning both events. Veteran Kevin Harvick has inserted his name into the championship picture with back-to-back victories at Michigan and Richmond, despite not having won in 65 races prior to two weeks ago. Larson is one of a number of drivers to have previously won at Watkins Glen. What: Go Bowling at the GlenWho: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Sunday, August 21Time: 3:00 p.m. ETWhere: Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen, N.Y.)Channel: USA NetworkStream: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling, PeacockCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

Chase Elliott has won the NASCAR Cup pole at Watkins Glen International, edging Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson for the top spot.

NASCAR has a record seven different countries represented in Sunday's race at Watkins Glen International, and the headliner is 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Kevin Harvick took the lead from Joey Logano with 66 laps to go and held off Christopher Bell at Richmond Raceway on Sunday for his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victory.

Kevin Harvick may be stamping himself as the man to beat in NASCAR. The 2014 series champion took the lead from Joey Logano with 66 laps to go and held off Christopher Bell at Richmond Raceway on Sunday for his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victory. Harvick, who ended a 65-race drought last week at Michigan, won for the 60th time, the fourth time at Richmond and first time on the 0.75-mile oval since 2013.

After a stunning result at Michigan last week, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to one of its longstanding tracks, as the race for the playoffs continues to heat up when they hit the track at Richmond for the Federated Auto Parts 400. Watch NASCAR on DirecTV Stream and PeacockWith just three races left in the regular season, only one spot is left open heading into Virginia. Truex has also been victorious at Richmond, including winning the second race there last season. What: Federated Auto Parts 400Who: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Sunday, August 14Time: 3:00 p.m. ETWhere: Richmond Raceway (Richmond, Va.)Channel: USA NetworkStream: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling, PeacockBetting preview: Federated Auto Parts 400 odds and expert predictionsCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. are the favorites as they battle for position to make NASCAR’s playoffs.

NASCAR just got more interesting down the stretch.

On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series gets back on the oval tracks, staying in the Midwest as they make their way up to Michigan International Speedway for the annual FireKeepers Casino 400. Watch NASCAR on DirecTV Stream and PeacockThe series shifts back to strictly making left turns after another strong performance by Tyler Reddick on a road course. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Reddick was able to outlast a Ross Chastain in overtime to grab the checkered flag. What: FireKeepers Casino 400Who: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Sunday, August 7Time: 3:00 p.m. ETWhere: Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, Mich.)Channel: USA NetworkStream: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling, PeacockBetting preview: FireKeepers Casino 400 predictions and expert best betCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

Tyler Reddick closed the best month of his NASCAR career with a victory in overtime on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Watch NASCAR on DirecTV Stream and PeacockThe closing laps of the race last week in Atlanta saw some high-drama, that ended up helping the points leader. The win bolsters the lead for Elliott, who now sits atop the points by 47 points coming into New Hampshire. 2 spot is Ryan Blaney who was able to grab a top-five finish in Atlanta, despite having yet to win a race in 2022. What: Ambetter 301Who: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Sunday, July 17Time: 3:00 p.m. ETWhere: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Loudon, N.H.)Channel: USA NetworkStream: FuboTV, Sling, DirecTV Stream, PeacockCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

Chase Elliott got by Corey LaJoie with just under two laps to go and crossed the finish line under yellow after a block sent LaJoie crashing into the wall.

Tyler Reddick raced to his first NASCAR Cup Series victory Sunday, continuing the season-long trend of first-time winners on road courses.

The NASCAR Cup Series this weekend, as they celebrate the Independence Day weekend by taking to the tricky turns of Road America for the second consecutive season, competing in the Kwik Trip 250. This will be the third-ever Cup series race at Road America. Chastain won the first race at Circuit of the Americas, while Daniel Suarez clinched his first Cup race three weeks ago at Sonoma. What: Kwik Trip 250Who: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Sunday, July 3Time: 3:00 p.m. ETWhere: Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wis.)Channel: USA NetworkStream: FuboTV, Sling, DirecTV Stream, PeacockCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

Chase Elliott salvaged a crummy day for Hendrick Motorsports and interrupted a potential Toyota rout by winning the rain-drenched race at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday night.

Denny Hamlin was awarded the pole at Nashville Superspeedway when a surprise rain shower washed out the second round of qualifying.

Joey Logano jockeyed for the lead with Kyle Busch in overtime, got around him for good just before the white flag flew and cruised to the victory Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series debut at World Wide Technology Raceway.

NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 was many things.

Denny Hamlin held off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch in overtime to win the longest — and perhaps wildest — Coca-Cola 600 in history.

Watch NASCAR on FuboTV (7-day free trial)Formerly known as the World 600, it is by far the longest race in the series. Each of the last five Coke 600 winners will be in the field on Sunday, including last year’s Cup Champion Kyle Larson. Kyle Busch, who is currently third in points, has won the 600 just once, that coming back in 2018. What: Coca-Cola 600Who: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Sunday, May 29Time: 6:00 p.m. ETWhere: Charlotte Motor SpeedwayChannel: FOXStream: FuboTV (7-day free trial), Sling, DirecTV StreamCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

NASCAR is still alive and well in Charlotte.

Kyle Larson is hoping a return to victory lane at the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday might propel him to a second straight NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Ryan Blaney may frame that window net from his No. 12 Ford.

Ryan Blaney had to go two extra laps after thinking he had already won NASCAR's All-Star race and $1 million.

The All-Stars during qualifying Saturday night were the pit crew members for Kyle Busch.

Rain postponed Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway to Monday.

One of the most legendary tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series gets set to host its first of two races this season, as the best in stock car racing hit high speeds on the high banks of Talladega Superspeedway in the Geico 500. Watch NASCAR on FuboTV (7-day free trial)This will be the 106th Cup Series race to be held at ‘Dega since the first time it was ran back in 1969. Since then, fans have been thrilled by the near-200mph speeds of NASCAR’s top division, and the extremely tight restrictor-plate racing. pic.twitter.com/yAMFlrW3fE — NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 18, 2022What: Geico 500Who: NASCAR Cup SeriesWhen: Sunday, April 24Time: 3:00 p.m. ETWhere: Talladega Superspeedway (Talladega, Ala.)Channel: FOXStream: FuboTV (7-day free trial), Sling, DirecTV StreamCheck out the NASCAR standings and results here

William Byron took the lead on pit road after Stage 2 pit stops and held it pretty much the rest of the way at Martinsville Speedway to become the first repeat winner this season in NASCAR’s Cup Series.

NASCAR's top drivers expect some beating and banging to be on the menu when they race at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday night.

Ross Chastain bumped and banged his way around the final overtime lap at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday for first career Cup win and upstart NASCAR team Trackhouse Racing’s first trip to victory lane.

Ryan Blaney recovered from a spin in practice to win the pole for Sunday’s race at Circuit of the Americas.

William Byron has managed to hold off the freight train behind him, taking the checkered flag for his third NASCAR Cup victory at Atlnta Motor Speedway.

Chase Briscoe raced to his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, executing two great restarts over the final 20 laps to pull away from Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.

Tyler Reddick is enjoying his status among NASCAR’s fastest drivers through the season’s first three races.

Chase Elliott, Bill Elliott, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart and now ... Dave and Ryan Blaney! More NASCAR drivers join SRX Series.

This was the first career Cup victory for the 23-year-old Cindric, who was promoted from the Xfinity Series.

Austin Cindric drove his brand new NASCAR ride to victory in the Daytona 500 on team owner Roger Penske’s 85th birthday.

Michael McDowell opened the first Daytona 500 practice session with a top speed of 192.736 mph.

Coca-Cola announced Monday it has bought full control of sports drink maker Bodyarmor for $5.6 billion, making it the company's largest acquisition to date.

Alex Bowman spun Denny Hamlin out of the lead at Martinsville Speedway and then won in overtime as the field for NASCAR's championship race was set Sunday.

Brad Keselowski is in the final two races of his NASCAR career with Team Penske and would love nothing more than to close his 12-year run with another Cup championship.

Kyle Larson drove to his ninth victory of the season and most meaningful to date in his new job with Hendrick Motorsports.

A conversation on driver code and on-track etiquette is raging in NASCAR, and with it comes debate about the expectations of non-playoff drivers.

Kyle Larson is the first driver in NASCAR's championship four.

The third round of NASCAR's playoffs are getting started in Texas.

Kyle Larson rallied from early electrical issues Sunday to win for the seventh time this season and storm into the third round of NASCAR’s playoffs.

Kevin Harvick has never been knocked out of the playoffs in the second round since NASCAR introduced the format in 2014.

Ryan Blaney wanted a leadership role at Team Penske, a request granted when Roger Penske invited the driver to participate in interviews for Blaney's new crew chief.

Ryan Blaney has wanted a leadership role at Team Penske.

Denny Hamlin earned his first career victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday night.

Hendrick Motorsports is in a precarious position heading into first playoff elimination round.

On Sunday night, the first race of Round of 16 the 2021 NASCAR Cup Playoffs takes place at one of the most historic tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The 16 drivers in the playoffs will battle it out at Darlington Raceway in the Cook Out Southern 500. Larson led all drivers with five wins this season, winning twice on road courses, as he took the checkered flag at Sonoma and Watkins Glen. What: Cook Out Southern 500Who: NASCAR Cup Series PlayoffsWhen: Sunday, September 5Time: 6:00 p.m. ETWhere: Darlington Raceway (Darlington, S.C.)Channel: NBC Sports NetworkStream: FuboTV (7-day free trial)Check out the NASCAR standings and results here

For all the potential outcomes that could have occurred at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale was somewhat predictable.

Tyler Reddick finished fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale Saturday night and secured the final spot in the 16-car postseason field.

Ryan Blaney won for the second consecutive week when the race Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway ended under caution in overtime with a typical fiery finish.

The NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was the most-watched sporting event on TV this weekend, earning a 1.49 rating with 2.5 million viewers. NASCAR beat out the NFL preseason, pro wrestling and golf for the top spot, according to ShowBuzzDaily’s weekend roundup of Nielsen TV ratings. WWE Friday Night Smackdown had 2.1 million viewers and had the highest rating among viewers age 18 to 49. One caveat – the pro wrestling event was televised on Fox, while the NASCAR race was only available on cable’s NBCSN. The 2020 races drew 1.65 million viewers for Saturday and 2.4 million viewers for the Sunday race.

Byron had a shot coming to the finish line, though, darting toward the infield grass but coming 0.077 seconds shy. It was the closest MIS finish in NASCAR history since electronic scoring began in 1993. Edsel Ford II – the great-grandson of Henry Ford – wished Blaney good luck before the race, Blaney said. Ford told him they needed to get one more Michigan win for Blaney’s crew chief Todd Gordon – who’s retiring after 2021. 21 Ford Kyle Busch, No.

For the second time in 2021, the best in the NASCAR Cup Series head down to Georgia to battle it out on 1.5-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway. Blaney currently sits ninth in points heading into the weekend, looking to build off his two other top-five finishes this season. He currently leads second-placed Martin Truex Jr. by only nine points heading into Sunday’s event. The defending Cup Series champion is fifth in points heading into ATL. What: Quaker State 400 (NASCAR Cup Series)When: Sunday, July 11Time: 3:30 p.m.

Last year: Brad Keselowski won after starting from the pole (on concrete). Fast facts: Larson has moved from fifth to second in the points race behind Denny Hamlin. … Larson led 269 of the 325 laps and won the first two stages at Atlanta. … Bristol is the first of three straight short tracks on the schedule, but the series is off next week. … He’s won 11 races in each of the last three seasons, giving him 33 victories while starting in 58 of 59 events.

In the end, Larson faded on a battered set of tires, and Blaney raced by him for an improbable victory Sunday. “The car was stupid fast for a long time there.”The Cup series returned to the track where the racing world came to a halt a year ago. In March 2020, Atlanta was the first NASCAR Cup race to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Cup series will be back July 11, the first time since 2010 that Atlanta has hosted two races in a season. He was fourth behind Blaney, Larson, and Alex Bowman.

Alex BowmanOdds: +1800Best Daytona 500 finish: 11th (2019)Bowman starts first in the Daytona 500 after a blistering qualifying lap earlier this week, averaging 191.261 mph. Aric AlmirolaOdds: +1800Best Daytona 500 finish: Fourth (2017)Almirola looked like he’d win the 2018 Daytona 500, but was crashed on the final lap. Ross ChastainOdds: +2800Best Daytona 500 finish: 10th (2019)Sunday will be Chastain’s third Daytona 500. Quin HouffOdds: +25000Best Daytona 500 finish: 39th (2020)Last year was Houff’s first Daytona 500. Derrike CopeOdds: +40000Best Daytona 500 finish: First (1990)The 62-year-old Cope hasn’t raced since 2018, but is giving the Daytona 500 another go.

Kyle Busch snagged the first win of the new season, streaking past NASCAR champion Chase Elliott after Elliott spun leader Ryan Blaney in the final stretch of the exhibition Busch Clash. Blaney had chased down Elliott on the road course at Daytona International Speedway to take the lead with two laps remaining in Tuesday night’s 35-lap Speedweeks opener. Elliott, winner of NASCAR’s last four road course races dating to 2019, didn’t let Blaney pull away and set himself up for one final chance at the win. This year’s running was the first time on Daytona’s road course, a plan announced before the 2020 season began. Elliott won the inaugural Daytona road course race.

Newmans crash brought new eyes to the series and presented an opportunity to kick-start the story lines that will follow NASCAR into November. Most important was the action Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, which will host the championship finale for the first time. A new rules package introduced last season ruined the racing at short tracks and the snoozefest at Phoenix last year forced the issue for NASCAR. With a new venue set to host the championship race, NASCAR could not afford a lackluster affair. All three Penske drivers swapped crew chiefs and Logano got Paul Wolfe, who won a championship with Brad Keselowski.

Blaney beat Ryan Newman in a door-to-door race to the finish line to win Monday and advance to the third round of NASCARs playoffs. Blaney had little margin for error after he had mechanical issues at Dover last weekend and finished 35th. Our mindset really was we had to win one of these two races, Blaney said. Then Newman came charging along on the outside line with help from Denny Hamlin, and he easily zipped past Blaney. The two raced door-to-door to the finish line, with Blaney winning by a nose.